Chapter 40

Girl, don't you realize this is diplomatic language?

Oh, nowhere near.

I'm not an eight-year-old kid anymore; women's words can't be trusted. Can you guarantee you won't tell your kickboxing husband after I give you all the details?

Eighteen years old, scared of Dongda selfie sticks.

"Cough, cough, Teacher, you're breathtakingly beautiful—truly awesome," Jiang Nian mumbled, "it's only because school rules are holding us back; otherwise, every single one of us would have no interest in studying."

Zhuang Wenqian always felt he was cursing, but had no proof; she narrowed her eyes and stroked her chin.

"Jiang Nian, you're no good either."

"Teacher, do you know what this hand gesture is?" Jiang Nian mimed a gun to his chin, abruptly changing the subject, "Could it be..."

"What?" Xibao couldn't follow his jumping thoughts; she was stunned.

"I don't know, I saw it on Xiaohongshu." Jiang Nian, seeing her interest, pushed the topic further away, "If you open Xiaohongshu, then..."

Ten seconds later.

Jiang Nian leaned back strategically, "Teacher, is your Xiaohongshu name really momo?"

"So what? It's the system's default name."

"Last time I got chased and cursed by a girl named momo—I wanted to check if it was you." Jiang Nian reached for her Xiaohongshu message list.

"What the—what are you doing!" Xibao's face flushed; she slapped her hand down on her phone on the desk, "Who's the teacher here, you or me? Stand up straight—I haven't finished discussing your blank exam paper yet!"

Ah, your mom, downer girl!

Got flustered, huh?

Clearly done this plenty of times—real-life slender female teacher, virtual internet troll, right? Fine, fine, truly worthy of being society's purple mushroom troll.

"Fine then." Jiang Nian surrendered.

Can't resist—it's Headteacher Lao Liu entering; probably smelled the trouble. Damn it, why does everyone seem to be protecting Yu Tongjie, that bastard?

Even if I jumped, it's got nothing to do with me.

One hundred percent mentally healthy.

"Teacher Zhuang," Lao Liu smiled slightly as he greeted Xibao, "Has the talk ended? I need to speak with Jiang Nian about something."

Hearing this, Jiang Nian turned to Xibao and frantically signaled with his eyes.

Xibao, you're the most beautiful!

"We didn't talk about anything—just brought him to the office to sit for a bit," Zhuang Wenqian smiled. "It's over now, Teacher Liu, feel free."

Xibao, you're such a fucking bad woman!

Ding ding ding.

The class bell rang; Headteacher Lao Liu waited by the door. When no students remained, he led Jiang Nian into the office and pulled out a chair for him.

"Sit down. Want some tea?" Lao Liu asked.

Real—office tea.

Zhennan High School, as the Education Bureau's favored child across the street, alma mater to countless successful alumni, had ample funding—truly dripping with wealth.

The office was fully equipped with desks, chairs, computers, and water heaters.

"Sure," he nodded.

Lao Liu pulled out a tin of tea leaves from his drawer, "Then you might as well brew me a cup."

Jiang Nian: "？？？？"

Are all you teachers the same?

"Yes, Teacher," Jiang Nian smiled, thinking at least he'd get to drink some tea.

Three minutes later, Jiang Nian and Lao Liu sipped hot tea in unison; each took a sip, eyes instantly narrowing. After swallowing, they both exhaled deeply, slowly closing their eyes.

This was fourth period; nearly all teachers without classes had left, leaving only the two of them.

Lao Liu slowly opened his eyes, "Jiang Nian."

"Your servant is here."

"Cough, cough, about what happened in English class—I asked some classmates." Lao Liu set down his teacup, "It's not your fault, but since you're in the same class..."

"If it's not my fault, then I've got no problem," Jiang Nian said. "I didn't even curse him—I just stated the facts."

"I know, but right now it's Gao San—a special time," Lao Liu urged gently. "Yu Tongjie accusing you of cheating behind your back was definitely wrong."

"Teacher, here comes the 'but' again?"

"Sigh, just humor your teacher—Yu Tongjie's quiet, probably has psychological issues..." The headteacher hesitated, "In any case, I'm not blaming you."

"Could you just do me a favor?"

"Not really," Jiang Nian crossed his arms, frowning. "I have Yuyu Syndrome—severe bipolar disorder; when bullied, I tend toward somatization."

Lao Liu: "........"

He dreaded students like Jiang Nian—fearless, unyielding, impossible to reason with; never acted unless the reward was clear.

"Yu Tongjie's mom..."

"Teacher, why are you cursing?" Jiang Nian interrupted, sternly, "Even if Yu Tongjie accused me of cheating behind my back and is a piece of trash, you still shouldn't curse him."

Lao Liu fell silent for several seconds—this kid was truly lung-heat.

"His mother is..."

"I know—my mom works with her," Jiang Nian said calmly. "His dad's job is unknown, but probably also a unit job."

"If a son is untaught, it's the father's fault—what do you think, Teacher?"

"What I mean is his mother told me Yu Tongjie had no friends in his previous class," Lao Liu explained, rising to refill Jiang Nian's tea.

Jiang Nian's expression softened; his aggression lessened.

"Thank you, Teacher."

"No need. Just consider it doing me a favor, how about that?" Old Liu didn't sit down, and said sincerely.

"Teacher, why don't you go talk to Yu Tongjie?" Jiang Nian didn't answer directly, but raised his head and asked back, "Apologize to me, and this matter is over."

"His personality is a bit hard to describe."

"My personality is twisted too."

Old Liu was a bit embarrassed. "The teacher knows you're a good student, you wouldn't make things too hard for others."

"Should good people just let people point guns at them?" Jiang Nian sprang up. "If he can pull something like this, doesn't he have any idea what kind of person he is?"

The office instantly fell into silence. Old Liu could only sigh helplessly.

Jiang Nian was unmoved. Only a wooden, honest person would follow the rules. They only obey the clear paths laid out by teachers, elders, or superiors, but this world never had a path to begin with.

Say a couple of words and this matter is over?

What about the apology?

If Yu Tongjie doesn't pay a price, then as homeroom teacher, Old Liu has to compensate. Jiang Nian dares to do this; an honest person wouldn't dare make this choice.

Ashamed to fight for their own interests, caring too much about face — they'll just keep being disgusted by others.

It's fine if the homeroom teacher doesn't bring it up, but once he does, he's definitely going to go deal with that son of a bitch. Unless... there's some suitable benefit that can dissuade him from the idea.

Two minutes later, Old Liu lowered his voice and said a few words. Hearing this, Jiang Nian's eyelid twitched. His expression didn't change, and he likewise lowered his voice to haggle.

"I'll get a long-term medical record for a chronic illness. From now on, when I leave evening self-study, you'll have to approve my leave."

"Nonsense. Don't even think about it." Old Liu looked displeased.

Seeing there was room to negotiate, Jiang Nian said, "Then let's discuss it further."