Chapter 3; Episode 35 and 36

CHAPTER 3

Episode 35

Cram Studying(Studying)

2016 Sep 01

"A, B and C are all 2-by-2 matrices. Please evaluate the following as true or false.” Sitting on the left Jessy points to the test paper. His voice is more sleep-inducing than the summer cicadas.

"Chelsea, look over here. The first option, (A+B)2 = A2 + 2AB + B2. Is that right?" Qian Qian answers softly from the other side, but her words are incomprehensible to Chelsea.

"I’m not sure..." Chelsea murmurs. Before the school semester starts again, Chelsea asks Qian Qian and Jessy to help her cram for math, which she’s on the verge of failing. The three friends bury themselves in their books in the otherwise relaxed atmosphere of Voez café. The boss lady stands behind the counter, reading up on coffee brewing techniques.

"Look at number 2 again. If AB = AC then does B = C?" Jessy points to the next problem.

"What about number 3? If A and B are 2-by-2 matrices, then..." Qian Qian looks to where Jessy is pointing on the page, but as soon as Chelsea sees all the numbers and symbols she starts zoning out, her mind spinning like an orbiting satellite. She looks out the window and her thoughts wander back to the kitchen, the smell of flour, the fruity aromas coming from the oven, and the dragon fruit filling experiment that turned out so well...

"Which one is right?" Jessy and Qian Qian both ask at exactly the same time.

"Uh... I... I... I don't know!" The pressure finally gets to Chelsea and she starts crying, her head in her hands as in absolute surrender. Jessy and Qian Qian look at each other, embarrassed.

"Jessy, can...can you explain this for Chelsea from the beginning?"

"O-OK, Chelsea look at this one." Jessy scratches his head and explains the problem in more detail.

A cool breeze passes through the café, disrupting the stuffiness of the autumn afternoon. The smell of the lush grass and forest dampness from the large tree outside mingle together, bringing a sense of comfort in the somewhat stagnate atmosphere.

Nevertheless, Chelsea continues to struggle with the pile of symbols and formulas that she doesn’t comprehend.

Episode 36

Dessert Maniac(Dessert Fiend)

2016 Sep 09

Time is tight for students who are buried under homework and studying for exams, so they don't waste any chance to relax. When Friday finally rolls around, students charge off campus before the bell has even stopped ringing.

"Welcome!" After the bell rings, Jessy steps into He Sheng Bakery. The smell of fresh bread fills the air as Jessy picks up a tray and tongs, heading straight towards the dessert display.

"Jessy, you have such good timing. This batch is just out of the oven!" Chelsea stands behind the counter, beaming a bright smile.

"Oh... really?" Jessy tries to remain calm as he stares at the cakes in the glass freezer. Then he spots the Mont Blanc that look like small hills. He Sheng Bakery’s Mont Blanc strikingly resemble the white peaks in Europe. Besides the chestnut paste and frosty coating, it's topped off with a whole chestnut.

"...Are you really able to finish it all...?" Jessy stands silently in front of the cold glass, pondering over this big decision to make.

"Well, today’s Friday, so there's tomorrow and the next day after..." As Jessy stands there wondering what to do someone else walks in, setting off the bell."

"Welcome! Oh, hi Yuko." Chelsea sees her classmate and waves happily. "Good evening, Chelsea. You’re not going out tonight?" Yuko is still wearing her school uniform, as though she came straight from school."

"It's my turn to watch the shop. I don't know where my brother ran off to." Chelsea sticks out her tongue in disgust. The two chat idly for a minute before Yuko picks up a tray and starts choosing her bread.

"I’m finished." Jessy holds a tray full of Mont Blanc and stands at the counter with a serious look on his face. As usual he has a cool, nonchalant expression on his face, but he can't conceal the joy in his eyes.

Yuko finishes choosing her bread and goes to the counter to pay.

"You buy so much everytime. Do you really eat it all?" Chelsea carefully boxes up the Mont Blanc and puts it in a paper bag.

"No problem."

"That'll be...$15."

"How... how much does this guy like Mont Blanc?" Yuko laughs with embarrassment as she watches Jessy walk out with a bag full of desserts.

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