Ultimate Teacher

"Yeah, you're not going anywhere." Zheng Jing once again rolled in front of Fang Yan, blocking his path out the door. "You think you can just leave after causing damage? Not that easy."

"I already apologized, didn't I?" Fang Yan turned to look at Lu Chaoge, frowning slightly. "This woman was proving to be more troublesome and superficial than he had expected." .

According to the usual TV and movie tropes, the female lead at this point should have realized something unique about the male lead. She'd hold his hand, beg him to stay, stomp her feet, pout coquettishly, and say something like, "Oh, come on! I've already apologized. Can't you forgive me? I'm begging you!"

Fang Yan shook his head, swearing to God that if the woman in front of him were to act like that, he'd be... But no, he was clearly overthinking it.

"If an apology were enough, why would we need school security?" Zheng Jing boasted proudly. This kid had dared to insult him, calling him a ball. He was definitely going to turn this guy into a monkey.

"That line is outdated. It neither scares people nor helps you pick up girls. Can't you come up with something better?" Fang Yan suggested kindly.

"Security! Security!" Zheng Jing yelled. If words wouldn't work, then it was time to get physical.

Kid, I'll show you what it means to be skilled both in writing and in combat.

"That line's not bad, though it lacks creativity," Fang Yan remarked.

Two security guards, dressed in green uniforms, hurried in. "What's going on, Director Zheng?" one asked.

"Tie him up!" Zheng Jing angrily ordered.

"Yes, Director Zheng." The two guards responded, lunging toward Fang Yan from both sides.

Whoosh.

Both guards reached out but ended up grabbing each other's hands. The person they were after—Fang Yan—was standing a short distance away, smiling at them.

What just happened? How did that kid dodge so quickly?

Before they could blink, he was gone.

"Out," Lu Chaoge suddenly commanded.

"Yeah, tie him up and get him out of here," Zheng Jing waved his hand grandly.

"I meant for you to get out," Lu Chaoge glared at Zheng Jing, pointing at him. "You, you, and you."

Zheng Jing's round face turned red, then purple, and finally pale.

He forced a smile and said, "Yes, yes, we're leaving. I'll wait at the door. Principal Lu, if you need anything, just call. This person's background is unknown, so please be cautious."

I don't understand women, Zheng Jing thought as he walked out, feeling both humiliated and confused.

"This isn't how it's supposed to go," he muttered to himself.

Bang!

The door shut, and the office returned to silence.

"Did you arrange these flowers?" Lu Chaoge asked, pointing to a vase of flowers.

"If I say no, you wouldn't believe me, would you?" Fang Yan grinned, the corners of his mouth lifting into a bright, sunny smile.

Lu Chaoge didn't notice Fang Yan's smile. Her eyes remained fixed on the flower arrangement. "Is this supposed to be the 'Heavenly Ladder'?"

"It's my interpretation of the Heavenly Ladder," Fang Yan replied. He knew she had noticed the changes in the arrangement.

"Good thing, she's not completely hopeless."

"The 'Heavenly Ladder' in your mind?"

"Arranging flowers is like painting. A good artist shouldn't be bound by rigid rules. Besides, with similar materials, it's impossible to create two identical works. Isn't that right?"

"Yes," Lu Chaoge nodded. Was this guy trying to teach her something?

"The first level of flower arranging is 'resemblance,' where the shape matches the name we give it. The second level is 'spirit,' where the piece emanates a particular aura—that's rare. The third level is 'craftsmanship,' which I've seen but can't achieve myself. The fourth level is 'divine creation,' and that's just legendary."

"Craftsmanship?" Lu Chaoge was astonished. She was a flower arrangement enthusiast—how could she not know about this level? "You've seen it?"

"I have," Fang Yan nodded. "Your 'Heavenly Ladder' reaches the 'spirit' level. I hope you don't mind my assessment."

Though somewhat reluctant, Lu Chaoge nodded and said honestly, "I'm just a beginner."

"Have you ever been to Wudang Mountain?" Fang Yan asked.

"No," Lu Chaoge shook her head.

"Have you seen the Heavenly Ladder? On TV or in pictures? The mountain path on Wudang Mountain?"

"Yes," she nodded.

"Ancient, mysterious, shrouded in mist, and when you look up, you can't see the end," Fang Yan said as he stood beside Lu Chaoge, pointing at the flower arrangement. "The name 'Heavenly Ladder' comes from the one on Wudang Mountain, doesn't it?"

"Yes."

"The eucalyptus branches you chose are connected head to tail, but the problem lies in that head part. What is 'heaven'? It's something you can't see or touch. I trimmed off the head of the eucalyptus branch to give it that infinite feeling. Heaven shouldn't have boundaries."

"As for the yellow gerberas, though they add a casual, free-flowing feel, they don't fit with the theme of the Heavenly Ladder. What's wrong with them? They're too chaotic. The Heavenly Ladder is a straight path into the clouds—simple, direct. These gerberas, while enhancing beauty, are actually burdensome. This is a common mistake made by female flower arrangers—they find every flower and leaf beautiful, so they can't bear to leave any out. The result? A big, happy mess."

"The Heavenly Ladder doesn't need excessive decoration or bright colors. It's bold, direct, and spiritual. Three flowers are enough. The flowers aren't the focus—the eucalyptus branch is."

"I understand," Lu Chaoge sighed softly. "I fell into the common trap."

"That's normal," Fang Yan smiled. "Because you're also a woman."

Lu Chaoge shot him a fierce look, remembering how casually he had answered her earlier question with "nothing."

Back at her large desk, Lu Chaoge leaned back and stared at Fang Yan. "You want to be a teacher?"

"Yes," Fang Yan smiled and nodded.

"Why?" Lu Chaoge asked. "Why do you want to be a teacher?"

"My grandfather was a teacher," Fang Yan answered without hesitation. He had already prepared for this clichéd question long before the interview. "My grandfather's grandfather was a teacher. My father is a teacher. Even my mother, before my dad wooed her, was a kindergarten teacher. The spring silkworm toils until its last thread, the candle burns itself to the end—yes, being a teacher is hard, filled with chalk dust and endless homework to grade."

"But being a teacher is also noble. Students don't need to speak for flowers to bloom naturally. Every holiday, countless students call to offer their greetings, and many visit their old teachers in person—even flying back from the U.S. and Canada just to see them. Honestly, I'm envious. So I decided early on that I would become a glorious teacher. I want to dedicate my youth, my talents, and my body to this cause. If I have even a spark, I will light a fire."

Fang Yan's eyes burned with passion as he looked at Lu Chaoge. "Principal Lu, please give me a chance to serve your students—and you."

Lu Chaoge sat in silence for a while, unsure how to handle this bizarre character.

To be honest, she'd never encountered such a direct and over-the-top way of applying for a job. Nor had she met anyone who elevated teaching to the status of a noble, almost divine calling.

Listening to him, it felt like he was not applying to be a teacher, but rather to become a savior.

If he was lying, his face would show nothing but sincerity.

If he was serious, she couldn't help but doubt her own intelligence.

"Principal?" Fang Yan waited a while, but seeing no response, he had to speak up.

Had he gone too far?

It shouldn't be. When he practiced in front of the mirror that morning, even he was moved.

"Hmm." Lu Chaoge finally snapped back to reality and focused her gaze on Fang Yan. "I understand. You'll make a good teacher."

"Thank you for your recognition and encouragement, Principal Lu. I will work tirelessly and with dedication."

"The former principal spoke highly of you, so I'm not worried about your abilities. But everyone who enters Vermilion Bird High must go through a three-month probation period. If you can't meet the school's standards after three months, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to resign."

"Zheng Jing," Lu Chaoge called toward the door.

Zheng Jing rushed in with a smile. "Principal, did you call for me?"

"Take Mr. Fang to handle the paperwork and then introduce him to Class 9 of Senior Year 1. He will be their language teacher."

"Yes, Principal," Zheng Jing responded swiftly.

The door closed, and Lu Chaoge walked over to the corner of the room, gazing at the flower arrangement that was now more vivid and expressive. She sighed softly, "It's stunningly beautiful."

Outside Lu Chaoge's office, Fang Yan looked up at the bright, clear sky of the school and couldn't help but comment, "Fighting and chaos... it's not as good as admiring the school beauties."

"What did you just say?" Zheng Jing turned around.

"I said, from behind, you really look like Chow Yun-fat."

"How dare you insult me!" Zheng Jing jumped as if someone had stepped on his tail.