Ultimate Teacher

"I said you look like Chow Yun-fat—how is that an insult?"

"Do you think I don't know what I look like?" Zheng Jing felt insulted, as if this guy was questioning his intelligence. He always treated others like fools.

Am I an idiot?

Ridiculous, I just look... attractive.

"----" Fang Yan found this guy refreshingly straightforward.

"Director Zheng, it's fine if you lack confidence, but you can't deny the glorious image others have of you," Fang Yan said earnestly. "The charm of a mature, successful man isn't something I—who only has good looks—can compete with." 

"Really?" Hearing this, Zheng Jing puffed out his chubby belly with pride. As the deputy director of Suzaku High School's office, he often felt he had a certain charm. Weren't the new young clerks always joking with him and throwing flirtatious glances?

"Exactly!" Fang Yan nodded firmly. "My life goal is to be like Director Zheng. Who knows when I'll ever become such a shining example of a successful man like you? Maybe not in this lifetime—right?"

"Well... you're not bad either," Zheng Jing began to warm up to Fang Yan. "But this is a school. As teachers, we still need to watch our words and actions, for the sake of our image. Think about it. Whose office did you go into today? That was Principal Lu's office, and you cut her flower arrangement without her permission—"

"Oh dear, do you even know how much Principal Lu loves those flowers? She doesn't even let the cleaning staff into her office to tidy up. She personally takes care of those little treasures. And you just waltzed in and snip, snip—It's a miracle she didn't snip you! By the way, why didn't she?"

"Maybe because... Principal Lu thought I did a good job trimming them?" Fang Yan said modestly.

"Impossible!" Zheng Jing immediately rejected Fang Yan's idea. "Principal Lu is known for her—picky taste. It's rare for anyone to impress her. I think it's more likely she's just showing leniency because you're new and unfamiliar with the rules. But remember, there's a first for everything, and you can't make a second mistake."

"I definitely won't," Fang Yan quickly promised. "Uh... Director Zheng, why do I feel like you have a bit of hostility toward me? I just got here and don't know the rules—did I do something to upset you?"

Zheng Jing glanced at Fang Yan coldly. "Do you know who Principal Lu really is?"

"The vice principal of Suzaku High School."

"And?"

"Uh... I don't know."

"If you don't know, then you don't need to," Zheng Jing said sharply, sneering. "But from now on, you better show some respect. Don't joke around with her, and don't even think about aiming for something out of your league. Or else, well—"

"Are you secretly in love with her?" Fang Yan whispered.

Zheng Jing was startled, quickly scanning the area to make sure no one had overheard. Once relieved, he scolded Fang Yan angrily, "Don't talk nonsense, Fang Yan! How could I possibly like Principal Lu?"

"Then is it someone else who likes her?"

"That's none of your business! Just remember my advice: stay away from Principal Lu. Don't be like those clueless fools who don't know their place—or you'll end up in a world of trouble."

"Director Zheng," Fang Yan said, grabbing Zheng Jing's chubby hand, "do you think I'm worthy of Principal Lu?"

"Of course not!" Zheng Jing answered firmly. The only person worthy of Principal Lu was that legendary figure.

He's a dragon in the sky, and you... at best, are a little mudfish in the pond.

"Then what are you worried about?" Fang Yan smiled. "I'm not someone with a lot of obvious flaws, but I have many strengths. One of them is self-awareness. I just want to get on Principal Lu's good side, so she'll look after me in the future. As for anything else, I wouldn't dare think about it. A poor teacher like me, trying to chase the vice principal? That's just asking for humiliation."

"You've got a point." Zheng Jing nodded in agreement. "Come on, let's get your paperwork done, and then I'll take you to Class Nine to meet your students. But I'll tell you, Class Nine is no walk in the park. Work hard, or you won't pass the probation period, and you'll be shown the door. Suzaku High School isn't a place where just anyone can become a teacher."

"Exactly. Suzaku Cats and dogs can't become teachers—they're better off catching mice or guarding the gates," Fang Yan joked.

Zheng Jing walked a few steps, then suddenly turned to stare at Fang Yan. "Why do I feel like you're insulting me again?"

"Director Zheng, I swear I'm not! You're my guiding light, my role model. How could I possibly insult you?"

________________________________________

The uniforms at Suzaku High School were quite attractive.

The girls wore white shirts paired with red and black plaid skirts. Some girls wore stylish knee socks, while others showed off their smooth, clean legs.

The boys wore white shirts with black zipper ties, paired with black trousers and white sneakers, giving them a fashionable yet casual look. In autumn and winter, they'd also wear navy blue blazers over the uniform.

Standing at the front of the classroom, Fang Yan looked out at the students, who stared back with curious, puzzled eyes.

"Another new teacher? He looks kind of old," someone muttered softly.

"But he's pretty good-looking," someone else whispered.

"Wow, he's smiling! His smile is so nice—just my type," a girl added.

Zheng Jing cleared his throat, silencing the murmurs. He spoke up, "Class, I'd like to introduce your new teacher, Mr. Fang Yan. He will be responsible for your Chinese classes from now on."

The class erupted in disbelief.

"He's a teacher? You've got to be kidding!"

"I thought he was a student. How can someone so young be our teacher? Is the school giving up on Class Nine?"

"Wow, my wish came true! Just last night, I was praying for a young and handsome Chinese teacher!"

"Quiet down. Quiet down!" Zheng Jing slapped his palm on the desk, trying to regain control. Normally, introducing a new teacher was the job of the academic director, but since he had gotten along well with Fang Yan, he decided to personally bring him to Class Nine. However, these students weren't giving him any face at all, questioning the new teacher right in front of him. He felt embarrassed and awkward.

"Let me tell you all something," Zheng Jing said, glaring at the students. "Don't be fooled by how young Mr. Fang looks. He's actually a very capable teacher. As for what kind of skills he has, you'll find out in time."

"The school hasn't given up on you. In fact, the school cares a great deal about Class Nine—that's why we specially invited Mr. Fang to be your Chinese teacher. I hope you will all work hard under Mr. Fang's guidance and achieve excellent results. Shuimu University is waiting for you. Your bright future is waving hello!"

Afraid the students would ask more troublesome questions, Zheng Jing decided to make a quick exit.

He turned to Fang Yan and said, "Mr. Fang, I'll leave the rest to you. Get to know the students and build a good rapport. I'm sure they'll come to like and respect you."

"Thank you, Director Zheng," Fang Yan replied gratefully.

After seeing Zheng Jing out, Fang Yan re-entered the classroom, locking eyes with the dozens of inquisitive stares from the students.

Fang Yan felt the urge to sing.

Our school is a garden,

The flowers in the garden are blooming bright.

Big sisters, come quickly,

Little sisters, don't hide away.

Hand in hand, we sing,

Our life is so joyful.

Wahaha, wahaha,

Our life is so joyful.

He couldn't help but notice that there were several exceptionally pretty girls in the class. This realization filled him with both ** and excitement about his future career.

"Is he really a teacher? He doesn't look like one."

"We're doomed. The school really has given up on us. I need to call my dad and get transferred to another class—no, another school!"

"Hey, Fang Yan, are you a monkey sent here by the Goddess of Mercy to amuse us?"

The mocking voices continued, and no one seemed to believe that Fang Yan could possibly be a qualified teacher.

"You can't bully me," Fang Yan said, feeling infinitely wronged. He looked out at the students and added, "I've already been bullied enough."