Tian Hong Yu was intelligent, no one could argue about this simple fact. He was singlehandedly the name that most people that knew him would often give if asked during his childhood and early adult years: "Who is the smartest person you know?"

And "Tian Hong Yu" would be the most probable reply given.

However, despite being given so much intellect, he wanted nothing to do with it. Tiang Hong Yu was a sloth full stop, end of the sentence. It was simple, sweet, and most of all; true. He was unwilling to do anything that he did not want to or simply did not like.

His parents had always thought he was a bit too lazy, they would often nag and criticize him for being so and wanted him to be more ambitious and do something in his life, but they never did care as long as he was happy and content.

During his early school years, teachers would always praise him for being so smart for such an early age. His grades were always perfect despite no effort coming from Tiang Hong Yu himself.

However, during his later school years, the work was getting harder, and Tiang Hong Yu no longer was catching up with the work during this time, both his grades and his teacher's attitude towards him simultaneously dropped to an all-time low.

One time his Chemistry teacher had caught Tian Hong Yu sleeping in class. The teacher momentarily angered by such actions (you could almost see the white smoke coming out of his ears and nose from the teacher's fit of anger (1)), woke him up, told him to stand up, and scolded him for such insolence during class. This often happens and by now, the class was used to Tian Hong Yu's behaviour.

Usually, the teacher would let Tiang Hong Yu off after some time of scolding and criticizing. However, this time around, finally sick of him slacking off in his class despite barely passing his classes, asked Tiang Hong Yu to stay behind after class when the bell rang.

Most of the class laughed, this was new! He was finally getting some punishment for always disrupting the class like this. Most of them needed a laugh as this class was draining and this was an excellent opportunity to have one. And this situation was so cliché, it was like a scene from a movie!

And sure, enough true to his word, the bell rang and signalled the end of a long and tiring day at school. The students from the classroom talked loudly while packing away for the day and once they were done, stood up and waited for the teacher's dismissal of the class.

"Okay class, be sure to hand in the homework due in tomorrow. In case some of you forgot, it is to read over the source material we have been covering in class and write up an abbreviated version of it. Have a wonderful day, students you are dismissed for today and you stay back Tian Hong Yu ".

The students gathered in their respective friend groups and walked out. It was evident that some of them were talking about the fact that Tian Hong Yu had to stay behind in class.

"Do you think that he will get scolded again for 10 minutes and receive a punishment of mopping the toilets? Or writing 'I will not sleep in my classes' 150 times on the blackboard? " Someone had mockingly asked.

"Can you imagine, Tang Hong Yu the sloth who is ever never willing to do anything ever, mopping the boy's toilet for a week? " a girl replied

In response to this some of her friends laughed and giggled whilst walking out.

"I hope he does... It is my turn next week to clean the toilet and I hope he takes the task from me. " Another guy said, making a disgusted face to show his dislike of the chore.

More laughter.

What a bother, Tian Hong Yu had thought. He hoped he does not receive detention, it was a massive waste of time

His teacher tidied up his desk and after a moment of silence he spoke, "Do you know why you are here? ".

"Yes teacher, I should not slack off in class. I will not do it again. I understand".

The teacher shook his head dismissively, sighed and responded, " You say this every time I reprimand you for doing so but you never listen and return back to doing it like we never talked about it! "

The teacher again said, "I have seen a report of your grades when you were younger, they were always top-notch and perfect almost every time. What happened? I know you are a smart young boy, it's obvious that you are, and you have so much potential if you just tried."

"Teacher, you are praising me too much for no reason."

"Don't be like that to me, we both know that if you just tried even for a sliver of amount of what the other students do, you can go above and beyond. I hope you take my words seriously to heart. I really want you to achieve something in your life. I hope you do not disappoint me and do live up to my expectations"

Tian Hong Yu adamantly replied, "I will try my best teacher ".

"You can go now, heed what I said and you will do good ".

"Yes teacher, have a good day".

After Tian Hong Yu had long left his classroom, the teacher placed his hand on his forehead and sighed, those words were really wasted on him! The child had obviously not taken a single word in, it really went through one ear and out another! (2)

This child! What am I going to do with him?!

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Author notes to help you understand (you're welcome) :

(1): A reference to cartoons where, to show that a character is furious, would often have a red face along with white smoke coming out of the ears and/or mouth.

(2): A saying that means that the person did not listen at all, hence went through one ear and out another.