Ultimate Teacher

Zhu Fang, the girl who fell into the water, was the last to board the boat because her student number was 40.

She was now lying in the school infirmary bed. Her hair had been dried, and her wet school uniform had been replaced with a disposable patient gown provided by the infirmary. Looking at Fang Yan and her classmates standing in front of her, Zhu Fang's pale face showed a hint of guilt as she said, "Teacher Fang, I'm sorry. I failed to complete the task and let everyone down."

Initially, she had been full of confidence, hoping to bring the lesson to a perfect conclusion for everyone, but her carelessness had turned the last two classes into a farce. She felt awful inside, as if she had let everyone down, especially those standing before her.

"You didn't let me down," Fang Yan said with a smile. "You performed very well. You bravely boarded the boat and recited the poem with great passion. It's just that you accidentally slipped. It's a mistake anyone could have made, and it's not your fault."

"But—"

"Don't overthink it," Fang Yan gently comforted her. "It's okay. You just need to rest now. Your parents may come soon, so explain everything to them clearly and don't let them worry. We'll handle the rest."

"My parents?" Zhu Fang was startled. "How do they know?"

"They're your parents. They have the right to know everything about you," Fang Yan replied, smiling.

The reason Zhu Fang's parents were able to arrive so quickly was, of course, due to certain individuals with ulterior motives who had informed them.

A student falling into water at school? Naturally, her parents' reaction was predictable.

Still, Fang Yan didn't think there was anything wrong with what he had done. After all, what parent wouldn't be concerned about their child?

Putting yourself in someone else's shoes—that's true compassion. If he had children, he would want to know everything about their education too.

If the situation were reversed and his opponent were in this position, they would have done the same thing.

Zhu Fang sat up in bed, her eyes resolute as she looked at Fang Yan. "Teacher Fang, don't worry. I'll explain everything clearly to my parents. It was my own carelessness that caused me to fall into the water. It has nothing to do with you."

Fang Yan shook his head. "It does have something to do with me. I should have done a better job ensuring your safety. But don't worry, an incident like this won't happen again."

"Thank you, Teacher Fang," Zhu Fang said gratefully.

Fang Yan turned to the students from Class 9 standing nearby and said, "You all should head back to class. Don't keep your teacher waiting."

"Also, after today's recitation, I assume you're all deeply interested in the poem Farewell to Cambridge? Go look up some expert interpretations and explore what Xu Zhimo was feeling when he wrote it. That way, you'll gain a more comprehensive understanding. That's your homework, and I'll be honest—I won't check it."

Huang Haoran walked over to Fang Yan and asked, "Teacher Fang, are you okay?"

Fang Yan patted him on the shoulder and smiled. "What could possibly be wrong with me?"

"Yeah, what could happen to Teacher Fang?" Zheng Guodong squeezed his way through the crowd, his face full of glee. "At worst, he'll just get expelled. What's the big deal, right, Teacher Fang?"

"Exactly! A talented guy like Teacher Fang can find a job anywhere. Maybe when he leaves Suzaku School, he'll end up teaching at some Sparrow School," Li Yang added, rubbing salt in the wound.

"Teacher Fang, don't worry. We'll miss you," Chen Tao chimed in, laughing so hard he nearly cried. Fang Yan's attempt to show off had backfired, leading to public humiliation and his inevitable expulsion from the school.

"You guys have gone too far," Huang Haoran said angrily.

"Yeah, how can you talk to Teacher Fang like that?" Zhu Fang scolded.

"Come on, you're overreacting. Teacher Fang isn't that bad—" Zhao Lei, one of Zheng Guodong's friends, didn't side with them.

"What, now everyone's offended?" Zheng Guodong sneered. "If you don't like it, then do something to stop him from leaving."

"Yeah, all talk," Li Yang jeered. He had already heard that Fang Yan's departure was certain.

Fang Yan stared coldly at Zheng Guodong and the others. "Do you really think getting rid of me is a victory for you?"

"What do you think?" Zheng Guodong grinned. "Are you saying you won?"

"You've already lost, but you don't even realize it, do you?" Fang Yan replied calmly.

"How did we lose?"

"Losing me as your teacher will be the greatest regret of your life, though you won't admit that right now—"

"Ha! You're killing me with laughter—"

"What's so funny? Let's settle this by the rules of the Jianghu," Fang Yan said with a playful smile.

Zheng Guodong's laughter immediately stopped.

Li Yang and Chen Tao involuntarily took a step back—they had been thoroughly intimidated by Fang Yan before.

"You see, I wasn't wrong, was I?" Fang Yan said. "If I were your teacher, with your intellect, I might struggle to impart much knowledge, but at the very least, I could teach you some courage—"

"Teacher Fang, Fang Yan—" Zheng Jing's voice called from outside.

Fang Yan walked to the door and smiled. "Director Zheng, are you looking for me?"

Zheng Jing looked Fang Yan up and down with an odd expression before saying coldly, "Principal Lu wants to see you."

"Alright, I'll head over now." Fang Yan nodded, though he was puzzled. Although Zheng Jing hadn't thought much of him before, he had remained cordial out of respect for Principal Lu. What had changed today? Had something provoked him, or was he being blackmailed?

As Fang Yan walked off with Zheng Jing, Zheng Guodong sneered at the students from Class 9. "Don't say I didn't warn you—stay away from that jerk. He's already been expelled, and you'll still be stuck with me. Cross me, and you'll pay the price."

Fang Yan continued pacing around the corner, deep in thought. "Let me guess before you tell me," he said, glancing at Principal Lu. "Could it be Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix? No, no, that doesn't feel right—there aren't enough flowers for that. Maybe A Sky Full of Stars? Hmm, not quite. There are a few stars, but not enough to fill the sky. Ah, I've got it! This is Pig-Killing Stew—you throw a little bit of everything in, and it turns out delicious. Am I right?"

Principal Lu Chaoge, standing nearby, almost wished she could disappear. This idiot. No wonder everyone wants him out of the school. Why didn't I raise my hand during the vote?

"My 'vibrant and colorful display of flowers,' and you call it pig-killing stew? You're the pig-killing stew," she thought bitterly.

"Am I wrong?" Fang Yan asked, now a bit cautious.

"Fang Yan, come sit over here," Lu Chaoge said, her expression completely blank.

"Ah—" Fang Yan hesitated. "Principal Lu, there's no need to be so formal with me. Just call me Xiao Fang."

"Xiao Fang, huh? Very casual," Lu Chaoge said, forcing a smile. "But I'll stick with Fang Yan. Now, how is that student?"

"She's fine, just a little shaken," Fang Yan replied.

"And you? Are you okay?"

"I'm great," Fang Yan said with a grin. "As you can see, I'm sitting here perfectly fine."

"You've been fired," Lu Chaoge said flatly.

Fang Yan froze for a moment before blurting out, "Will I still get paid for the last two days?"

"Shouldn't you be more concerned about your students?" Lu Chaoge raised an eyebrow, giving him a pointed look.

"I care about them a lot," Fang Yan replied. "But is my salary paid monthly or daily? According to labor law, since you're firing me, shouldn't I get three months' severance pay? Otherwise, I might have to file a claim for unfair labor practices."

Lu Chaoge felt a wave of exasperation. How is it even possible to have a normal conversation with this guy?

"This is an important issue, Principal Lu. You can't stay silent now," Fang Yan pressed on. "Your silence is making me suspicious."

"I don't know if you'll get two days' pay, or three months' severance," Lu Chaoge replied, her voice strained as she fought to keep her composure. Fang Yan's increasingly punchable face didn't help. "But I've resigned."

Fang Yan blinked. "Wait... was it because of me?"

"Yes. And no."

"Working in China isn't easy, is it?" Fang Yan chuckled.

Lu Chaoge frowned. "Did Zheng Jing tell you something?"

Fang Yan pointed to the bookshelf behind her, filled with hefty English and French books. "Those books tell me your English and French are top-notch. Someone like you usually has an overseas background. I also looked up your profile on the school's website—'The Queen of American High School Education.' But since returning to China, you've been running into roadblocks. That can't feel good, right?"

"So, you know everything?"

"I know what I need to know," Fang Yan replied, shrugging.

"You're right," Lu Chaoge said, dropping her guard a bit. This young man had surprised her more than once—albeit sometimes unpleasantly. "Your situation was just the spark. The real reason for my resignation is that this school is too conservative. They hired me as a figurehead, just to show they can attract top talent. 'We even hired the best high school teacher from America!' But whenever I propose new ideas, they shut me down. They tie my hands, and I can't do anything."

"So when you saw me, I must've been like a beacon of hope?" Fang Yan said with exaggerated enthusiasm. "I'm like a star in the night sky, a lighthouse guiding you to shore?"

"Yes," Lu Chaoge replied through gritted teeth, trying not to roll her eyes.

"You support me because you see the potential for reform," Fang Yan continued, completely absorbed in his own praise. "You want me to break through their rigid thinking. Really, we're on the same side."

"No, you're my pawn," Lu Chaoge corrected him.

Fang Yan paused, considering her words. Then he cautiously asked, "You're not suggesting I become your personal assistant, are you? I'm a man of principles, you know. If the price isn't fair, I'll have to decline—even if you're my boss."

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𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮. 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚!

𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 shoutouts 𝘁𝗼:

•Leroy

• Jonathan Bailey

𝗔𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸:

• 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 50+ chapters 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.

• 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁-𝗢𝘂𝘁: 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩!

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝘀 𝗺𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗲𝘁, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝘀!

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