Mr Mermaid | LK Adaptation

Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Level 4 Tutoring Group

When Jungkook smiled at the camera, Lisa's gaze would always shift a little to avoid looking at it straight on.

After taking a good shot, he returned the handphone to her. Lisa bowed her head and accepted it, saying, "That ... you still have classes, right? I'll be going then ..." and she moved to get up.

"Wait a moment, Lisa," Jungkook gently pressed down on her arm. He did not put much force behind it, but Lisa could not get up. He pursed his lips briefly, then said, "I want to ask you a question."

"What?"

"How much did you score for your level 4 English exam?"

"652 marks."

Jungkook's jaw dropped, as if stunned by this number. His pretty eyes sparkled with a special light. "You're amazing."

"Cough cough," Lisa was rather flustered being praised by Jungkook, "What's with that? Each industry just has its own strengths. My swimming is definitely no match for yours." Even these words were giving herself too much credit — the truth was that she did not know how to swim at all.

Jungkook smiled and said, "Then, for someone with rather poor foundations in English who wants to pass level 4 English, what would you suggest?"

Lisa understood instantly. "Don't tell me you're the one who wants to pass level 4?"

He nodded candidly.

"Why do you want to take the level 4 exam? Whether you pass level 4 or not has no impact on your graduation." Lisa did not understand.

"It's not that I definitely must pass. I just wanted to try."

Lisa rested her chin on her hands, head tilted as she looked at him. "Jungkook, I have always been curious — why are you willing to put so much effort into your studies? Don't most sports students usually just do the bare minimum to get a qualification?"

"I am also very curious why you would ask such a question." Jungkook glanced at her curiously. "Since I can do well, then why shouldn't I try my best?"

Lisa's mouth opened and closed — this classic example of elite thinking left her feeling a little ashamed in comparison. After some thought, she asked, "Then do you feel like what you've learned is useful to you?"

"Yes," he nodded, "Studying can make people wise and calm, and broaden their horizons. Earning an academic qualification is a type of learning experience. No matter whether there is that proof in paper at the end, this experience will always be present in your life. Your entire being will definitely be changed from it."

"That ... has anyone ever said something like this to you: You study so much but it does not do anything for your professional career. Isn't it just kind of pointless?"

Jungkook smiled. His smile was always so gentle and warm, like a balmy spring breeze. He said, "Of course, but I don't think it matters. I study to change myself, and I swim to challenge myself. These two things do not clash with one another, so there is no need for me to just choose one and abandon the other."

As a bystander, Lisa felt that Jungkook was simply being too enlightened. This mentality, this poise, this settled and steady determination, this incomparable drive ... it was all truly unlike a 21 year old. She suddenly found that the most precious thing about him may not be his domineering explosive power in the pool, but these personality traits she was seeing right now.

She praised him from the bottom of her heart. "I think that no matter what you do, you'll surely achieve remarkable results."

"Thank you, but I haven't even passed level 4." Jungkook seemed a little sad as he said this. He had always felt that it was a shame to not pass level 4 within his 4 years in university.