Chapter Forty-Four: Zhang Liying's Gaze

When lunchtime arrived, everyone scrambled out of the classroom for the canteen. After the others had left, Zhang Liying called Wei Xiaofan, Wei Xiaoping, and Zhang Xiaoyan over to her desk.

“Has everyone come up with their answers? Let’s put them out and compare,” Zhang Liying suggested.

She was the first to place her slip of answers on the desk, followed in turn by Wei Xiaoping, Wei Xiaofan, and Zhang Xiaoyan.

“My answer is number one: the balance beam remains level,” Zhang Liying began. “Wei Xiaofan, what did you choose?”

“I went with number three—the balance beam tilts to the right,” Wei Xiaofan replied.

“I chose number two—the balance beam tilts to the left,” said Wei Xiaoping.

“I picked number two as well, just like Wei Xiaoping—the beam tilts to the left,” Zhang Xiaoyan added after glancing at the slips on the desk.

Zhang Liying explained, “I chose number one because when a bee beats its wings, it exerts a downward force on the air. Then the air, in turn, presses upward against the glass wall of the container, balancing the bee’s weight with this upward reaction. That’s why the bee can hover in mid-air. The impact of the air on the glass wall equals the bee’s weight, so the balance beam stays level.”

As soon as she finished, Wei Xiaofan responded, “Hmm, my reasoning is pretty similar to yours, class leader. But I think the thrust created by the bee’s wings pushing the air, which then hits the glass, is actually greater than the bee’s weight. That’s how the bee stays airborne, so the balance beam would tilt to the right.”

Hearing that, Zhang Xiaoyan said, “Your explanations make sense. I think I was wrong to choose number two with Wei Xiaoping. I thought that since the bee wasn’t touching the container, it wouldn’t exert any weight, and so the right side would be lighter, causing the beam to tilt left. But now, after hearing your explanations, I realize I overlooked the key point that the movement of air also creates a force.”

Wei Xiaoping smiled, “Zhang Liying, you’ve said everything I wanted to say! My thoughts were exactly the same as Zhang Xiaoyan’s.”

After listening to Zhang Xiaoyan and Wei Xiaoping, Zhang Liying nodded, then looked at Wei Xiaofan with a hint of skepticism. “Wei Xiaofan, your reasoning is a bit different from mine. Could you explain it in more detail? I think the bee’s wings push the air, and the force of that air hitting the glass equals the bee’s weight, allowing the bee to hover. That should mean the balance stays level, shouldn’t it?”

Wei Xiaofan replied, “After thinking it over, I believe the class leader’s answer is probably correct. According to Newton’s third law, the reaction force from the air on the bee’s wings balances the bee’s own weight, allowing it to hover. At the same time, the air inside the container creates an even force against the glass wall equal to the bee’s weight, so the beam stays level.”

Wei Xiaoping said, “Hearing your explanation reminds me of what I saw on TV: a helicopter hovering above a field. The helicopter’s blades push air downward, creating strong gusts that press the grass flat beneath it.”

“Exactly!” Wei Xiaofan agreed. “The bee hovering above the container is like a helicopter. Its wings push the air downward; the reaction force from the air lifts the bee. New air constantly replaces the old, pushing the previous air down to the ground, creating a small gust that hits the glass. The force the glass wall bears is equivalent to the bee’s weight, so the two containers would still weigh the same, and the beam stays level. That’s just my guess, though—it might not be right!”

Zhang Liying stared at Wei Xiaofan. His analysis seemed more detailed than hers. Even if his explanation wasn't entirely correct, it was logical and convincing.

Zhang Liying recalled their literature teacher, Wu Wenbin, mentioning the five essays Wei Xiaofan had written. She took a closer look at him.

That day, Wei Xiaofan was wearing a white shirt faded from many washes, its collar frayed from rubbing against his neck. His hair was long and messy, likely not cut for two or three months. Despite his old clothes and unkempt hair, his face was strikingly handsome—unforgettable, with an intelligence that shone through. Just one look at his clever face made you forget his shabby clothes and unruly hair.

Her gaze shifted from Wei Xiaofan to Wei Xiaoping beside him. The latter’s face was nearly identical, even the skin tone was almost the same. The only difference was that Wei Xiaofan’s clothes were older and his hair longer, while Wei Xiaoping’s hair was shorter and his shirt, though also white, was a little less worn. If not for their clothes and hair, it would be impossible to tell them apart.

Zhang Xiaoyan noticed Zhang Liying studying the two boys for a little too long, almost as if in a daze. She waved her hand in front of Zhang Liying. “Hey, class leader, what are you staring at? You look lost!”

Snapped out of her reverie by Zhang Xiaoyan’s waving, Zhang Liying laughed. “Zhang Xiaoyan, if Wei Xiaofan and Wei Xiaoping wore the same clothes and had the same haircut, do you think you could tell them apart?”

Prompted by the question, Zhang Xiaoyan took a careful look and, after a while, said, “Honestly, I don’t think I could! I never really noticed it before. Hey, Wei Xiaofan, Wei Xiaoping, were you twins in a past life or something? How can you look so alike?”

Wei Xiaoping chuckled, “Maybe we were! Not only do we look alike, but we’re the same height, and, most importantly, we were born in the same year and month—only one day apart!”

“Really?” Zhang Liying’s eyes widened in surprise. “That’s incredible! So the only difference is your birthplace and birthday?”

“That’s right,” Wei Xiaoping confirmed.

Zhang Xiaoyan exclaimed, “Is it really possible for things to be this coincidental in the world? Even your intelligence is practically the same!”

“Yeah, it’s unbelievable! If your families were alike as well, that would be even better. Then Wei Xiaofan wouldn’t have to worry about finishing school,” Zhang Liying said with a hint of melancholy.

Hearing her concern for his schooling, Wei Xiaofan felt a sudden, unexplainable warmth. “Don’t worry, class leader,” he said. “No matter what difficulties I face, I’ll find a way to finish my studies. In fact, Wei Xiaoping and I are working on a plan for that very reason!”

“A plan? Does it have to do with your schooling?” Zhang Liying asked.

Wei Xiaofan and Wei Xiaoping then shared their idea of starting a small business during the summer break.

After listening, Zhang Liying smiled. “It’s a good plan, but do you have the guts to go through with it? Do you know how much courage it takes to set up a street stall?”

She pictured the two boys’ first time on the street, awkward or embarrassed when running into acquaintances, and burst out laughing.