Ultimate Teacher

Lu Chaoge understood and immediately picked up the conversation, saying, "Skipping class to drink, disrupting the classroom, attacking fellow students, and insulting teachers—these students' actions are extremely serious. Their behavior tarnishes Suzaku High School's reputation and sets a terrible example among the student body."

She paused and looked at Li Mingqiang. "However, since Teacher Fang Yan has taken the initiative to plead on behalf of these students and has even taken responsibility—Director Li, I suggest we record a major demerit for the three students. What do you think?"

"Let's investigate further. It could be a misunderstanding—" Li Mingqiang's sharp gaze bore into Fang Yan, as if trying to see through the young Chinese teacher. "Teacher Fang Yan has shown great responsibility and patience with the students. He's a good teacher, and we trust him with Class 9."

Li Mingqiang had decided to compromise.

Li Mingqiang's attitude didn't matter much, but the fact that he was representing Zheng Tiancheng, the school board member behind him, made this concession significant.

Lu Chaoge nodded and said, "I'll have someone look further into the matter and ensure it's handled fairly and justly."

"I'm confident Principal Lu will handle it well," Li Mingqiang said coldly before turning and walking out of the hospital.

With the truth revealed, the others followed Li Mingqiang's lead and left.

Lu Chaoge turned to Fang Yan and asked, "How did you pull this off?"

"Because I pass through the sea of flowers without a single leaf sticking to me," Fang Yan replied.

"Teacher Fang, I'm asking you a serious question."

"Principal Lu, I'm giving you a serious answer," Fang Yan said.

He wasn't lying—Tai Chi's principle is all about being formless, using one's opponent's strength against them without direct contact.

There are Tai Chi masters in the martial arts world who pride themselves on striking without using their hands. They believe using hands makes it seem crude.

To be able to strike someone without even using your hands—that's as cool as it gets.

Though Fang Yan couldn't defeat that violent woman, Ye Wenrou, dealing with three drunk students who couldn't even stand properly was hardly a challenge.

Lu Chaoge stared at Fang Yan silently. She felt she would never get a straight answer from this man, no matter how hard she tried—even though she had just worked so hard to help him.

Sensing her disbelief, Fang Yan said, "Look into my eyes—"

"I'm looking."

"Do you see the sincerity in them?"

"I see a clump of eye gunk," Lu Chaoge snapped angrily, turning to leave.

"Fang Yan, you—take care of yourself." Zheng Jing wanted to scold Fang Yan, but knowing it was pointless, he hurried after Lu Chaoge.

"Principal Lu, do we really need to go through all this trouble to protect Fang Yan?" Zheng Jing followed Lu Chaoge, smiling apologetically. "It's not worth it to offend Director Zheng and Director Li over a new teacher."

"What's worth it and what's not worth it?" Lu Chaoge stopped and asked sharply.

"I—I just mean this for your own good. You've worked so hard to establish yourself at this school. There's no need to go head-to-head with them," Zheng Jing quickly explained.

"I don't plan to clash with anyone. I'll do what's right, and I won't do what's wrong—" Lu Chaoge laughed coldly. "They only care about protecting their children, but have they thought about the impact it will have on the other students? If they succeed, what kind of message does that send? They can't even distinguish between right and wrong, so what kind of character and integrity can we expect from them in the future? Without good morals, what does strength or ability even matter?"

"Things are different in China than in the U.S.—"

"The sun represents day, the moon represents night. Bamboo has its nodes, trees have their veins. Black is black, white is white. That's the same in every country. This is Suzaku High School, and I'm the vice principal. If I say it should be this way, then it will be this way," Lu Chaoge said resolutely. "There are many things I'm willing to compromise on, but some things—I'd rather bleed."

Lu Chaoge strode off, her unyielding spirit and graceful figure leaving a lasting impression behind.

Her high heels clicked against the floor, each step reverberating like a hammer against the heart.

Zheng Jing stood frozen for a long time before finally exhaling a deep breath. "For the first time, her domineering attitude doesn't seem so bad."

After a moment of thought, he clenched his teeth again and cursed, "It's all because of that troublemaker Fang Yan. Just wait and see how I deal with you."

________________________________________

Zheng Guodong, Li Yang, and Chen Tao were in the same hospital room. In truth, their injuries weren't serious, but to frame Fang Yan, they had each "enhanced" their appearances.

Li Yang's head was completely wrapped in white bandages, Chen Tao's left arm was in a cast, and Zheng Guodong's eye was bruised and purple—though in his case, the injury wasn't faked. He couldn't remember whether it was Chen Tao or Li Yang who had punched him, but his eye still throbbed with pain.

"That guy dared to cross us. We'll make sure he pays for it," Chen Tao cursed.

"By the time we get out, he'll probably already be gone," Li Yang laughed. "I called my dad when I got here. He said a teacher like that doesn't deserve to teach. If my dad said that, Fang's done for at Suzaku."

"My dad said he'll look into it too," Zheng Guodong said, engrossed in his phone game.

"If Uncle Zheng steps in, that guy's finished," Li Yang and Chen Tao exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

"The guy you're talking about—would that be me?" Fang Yan stood in the doorway, smiling at the three of them.

Li Yang and Chen Tao were startled, while Zheng Guodong nearly jumped out of his bed, dropping his phone and hitting his already bruised eye, causing him to yelp in pain.

"What are you doing here?" Li Yang asked warily.

This guy was strange—like he had some kind of magic. They'd planned to beat him up, but now they were the ones stuck in the hospital. What did he want now?

Was he here to beat them up, knowing he was about to be fired, as a parting act of revenge?

The thought terrified Li Yang, and he yelled out, "Doctor! Nurse! Someone—help!"

"Why shouldn't I be here?" Fang Yan found the question ridiculous. "I'm your teacher, and you're my students. What's wrong with a teacher visiting his students in the hospital?"

Pointing at Li Yang, he added, "Stop yelling. Even if you scream your lungs out, no one's going to help. I'm your teacher, not some criminal trying to assault you. What are you so afraid of? Besides, your faces are a natural defense against predators. You're perfectly safe."

The three of them exchanged glances, all feeling insulted.

Fang Yan pulled up a chair and sat next to Zheng Guodong. "You're okay, right?" he asked with concern.

"I'm—fine," Zheng Guodong stammered, unable to understand why Fang Yan was suddenly acting so kind. Was he trying to surrender?

Too bad, Zheng thought. It's too late for that.

"Hearing that makes me sad," Fang Yan said with a regretful look. "How about you pretend you're busy just to make me feel better?"