Chapter 19 Shen Qing: The Teacher’s Extraordinary Wisdom
As soon as September arrived, Fancheng No. 1 High School burst into life.
“Lin Ruiyang!”
Liu Yichen stopped his little electric scooter at the school gate just in time to spot a tall, slender boy pushing his bicycle through the entrance.
“Hey! Wait up!” He hurried after him, slinging an arm over Lin Ruiyang’s shoulder in a brotherly fashion.
Lin Ruiyang shot him a cool glance. “What do you want?”
His whole demeanor screamed, “We’re not that close,” as if the words “keep away” were written across his face.
But Liu Yichen was thick-skinned. “We’re classmates, just checking in. Let’s walk together.”
He paid no attention to Lin Ruiyang’s sour expression and simply matched his pace, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
A black minivan drove into the campus, heading toward the administration building.
“Which school leader drives a car like that?” Liu Yichen eyed the license plate, which looked oddly familiar.
All fives—how audacious!
A sudden ripple of excitement swept through the crowd, and Liu Yichen noticed that Lin Ruiyang seemed distracted as well.
“Hey, what are you looking at?” Liu Yichen followed his gaze but saw nothing but a sea of people.
“Nothing.”
Lin Ruiyang withdrew his gaze, tightening his grip on the handlebars.
Just now, he thought he’d caught a glimpse of that girl.
**
Xie Mingming sat in the office, staring at the student file in his hand. This must be a spy sent from another school...
A zero in every subject!
The teacher’s comments all spoke of fighting, skipping class, and refusing to change!
Xie Mingming looked at the neatly seated girl—so obedient and pretty—and then back at her grades, not to mention her “illustrious” history at her previous school.
Well then! There goes the new hair he’d just managed to grow.
“Teacher?” Shen Qing couldn’t help but speak up, seeing the many expressions flicker across his face.
“Ah? What is it?” Xie Mingming composed himself and smiled at Shen Qing.
He was over forty, a little plump, his eyes crinkling into slits when he smiled, reminiscent of the Laughing Buddha.
“When do I start attending classes?”
“There’s no rush. Have some water first.” He poured her a glass, smiled, and then stepped outside to call Principal Liu.
“Principal, are you sure you want Shen Qing in my class?” Xie Mingming was nearly in tears, hoping the principal would reconsider.
The class already had a big boss, Nie Huan, and now another delinquent girl? Class Three would be turned upside down!
Big Boss versus Delinquent Girl?
The image was almost too much to imagine!
Principal Liu chuckled on the other end. “Mr. Xie, you’re highly capable. This is a mark of trust from the administration!”
“But fighting and skipping class are one thing—getting zero in every subject? Our class will be at the bottom.”
“Mr. Xie, as teachers, our duty is to educate all students, regardless of their background.”
“But—”
“No more ‘buts.’ Shen Qing’s family situation is complicated. If anything happens, just handle it fairly and impartially.” The principal tried to reassure him.
Yu Fei, who’d arranged for her transfer, had made it clear there was no need to worry about the Yu family’s reputation.
“But—”
“Hello? Hello? Why is the signal so bad today...”
Beep—beep—beep...
Xie Mingming put down his phone, dispirited, and trudged back to the office.
Shen Qing sat quietly in a corner, playing a game of Snake on her old phone.
She was beautiful, and in that moment of focused concentration, she exuded a unique charm.
Xie Mingming paused, slightly dazed. What a well-behaved child!
He couldn’t help but feel embarrassed for thinking of rejecting her.
After all, she was just a kid. If she was rebellious and lacked adult guidance, wasn’t it the teacher’s job to be her guiding star? How could he possibly turn a troubled girl away?
Shen Qing looked up and noticed the stars practically shining in his eyes.
“Is there something you need?” Shen Qing had to admit, that look was exactly like her family’s second cat.
Xie Mingming smiled, his tone filled with gentle warmth. “Shen Qing, from now on you’re a student in my class. I’ll take you to collect your textbooks.”
“Alright.” Shen Qing pocketed her phone, put on her hat, and followed him out of the office.
Determined to create a positive atmosphere and a good teacher-student relationship, Xie Mingming tried to make conversation along the way.
“Shen Qing, what do you usually do for extracurricular activities or hobbies?”
Step one: get to know the student and find out her interests, so he could teach accordingly.
“Fighting. Skipping class.”
Xie Mingming paused, his eye twitching fiercely. How could he have forgotten she was a delinquent girl?
“Well, you certainly are energetic—and not one to pick favorites among subjects.”
Zero in every subject—of course she didn’t pick favorites!
Shen Qing raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Teacher, you sure know how to give compliments. Incredibly smart.”
Xie Mingming: ...
He had a feeling there was a double meaning in her words!