Chapter 43: The Long Road of Teaching Them

"Zhenzhen Guan, why not?"

Zhenzhen was stunned. The new teacher actually knew her, even called her by name! Previously, the teachers had only used "hey" to address them.

Everyone was tense yet expectant, watching Shen Chutang. For the first time, someone believed they could do it!

"Zhenzhen Guan, grade eight piano; Wendong Lü, first prize in essay writing; Shencheng Luo, black belt in taekwondo; Gaoyuan Xu, top in mental arithmetic; Yunlan Xue, third place in city dance competition; Xiaoling Qin, award-winning calligraphy; Jinhao Xu, self-taught hacker..."

Shen Chutang recited each of the twenty students' names. Only then did everyone realize that each one had become, in Shen Chutang's words, someone remarkable.

"My students are so outstanding, I don't believe these classes will defeat you.

In the next few months, prepare yourselves to walk through hell. Awaiting you will be endless assignments and difficult problems, but after these months, I believe what greets you will be the admission letters you desire!"

Shen Chutang swept her gaze across each face. "Tell me, are you confident?"

Below the podium, pairs of eyes shone brightly. Everyone clenched their fists, faces flushed with excitement.

"We are!"

This time, the voices were louder than before. Even students in the neighboring class shivered, wondering what trouble Class Z was stirring up now. Were they bullying the new teacher again?

But when they looked in, their eyes nearly popped out.

Were these really Class Z students?

How come each one was bent over their exam papers? Normally, getting them to sit quietly for five minutes was a challenge, let alone do a test paper!

Within ten minutes, the faculty chat exploded. Everyone agreed that the young new teacher must have magical powers, successfully taming the wild students of Class Z.

The morning passed, and all subjects—Chinese, Math, English, and Science—were completed. Each subject took barely half an hour, since there were so many things they didn't know; whole sections of the papers were left blank, giving Shen Chutang a headache just looking at them.

"Go eat lunch first. I’ll grade the papers before afternoon class, then let each subject teacher teach. Remember my rule: don’t bully the teachers, respect them."

With that, Shen Chutang took the papers and left the classroom.

"Miss Shen!"

As soon as class ended, Wendong Lü, Shencheng Luo, and Gaoyuan Xu rushed out.

Wendong, shrewd for his age, quickly took the papers from Shen Chutang’s hands. "Teacher, let me help you."

"Offering help for no reason—out with it, what do you want?"

Shencheng Luo cleared his throat. "Sorry about earlier in class."

Gaoyuan Xu echoed, "Teacher, we apologize."

Wendong Lü grinned, "We definitely know our mistakes now, and promise never to repeat them."

Children, after all, are quick to anger and quick to forgive.

Shen Chutang was unconcerned. "Aren't you going to eat? Surely the cafeteria won’t run out of food?"

Wendong Lü replied immediately, "No, teacher, let us treat you to lunch—a welcome meal for you!"

Shen Chutang chuckled, "Don’t use those formalities on me. No need for a welcome meal, but let’s eat first."

She had no wish to go hungry.

After putting the papers in the office, Shen Chutang headed out.

Her phone vibrated. She checked—it was a message from Lu Beiqin: [Is teaching going smoothly?]

Shen Chutang replied at once: [They’re all very obedient, they even want to treat me to lunch.]

Wendong Lü, ever the gossip, asked, "Teacher, do you have a partner?"

"Mm-hmm."

Shencheng Luo chimed in, "Isn’t it obvious? See that happy smile on her face?"

A happy smile—did she really have one?

Before Shen Chutang could question herself, she was already following the three boys to the cafeteria.

The noisy cafeteria quieted instantly as the three walked in, everyone averting their gaze, reluctant to meet their eyes.

Shen Chutang couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. These three truly were the "school tyrants." Clearly, educating them would be a long, arduous road.

Shencheng Luo, showing a bit of gentlemanly manner, said, "Miss Shen, wait here. We’ll go get the food."

Shen Chutang nodded, found a seat, and sat down, only to notice many people glancing at her with curiosity.

"Isn’t this Shen Chutang, the oldest student in the entire affiliated high school? Twenty years old and still in her third year, bought her way into Class Z with a hefty fee. First day at the school she’s dreamed of, must be excited, right?"

Shen Chutang looked up, seeing Tingting Shen standing before her with several other girls, all looking at her with ill intent.

Tingting Shen had long wanted to teach Shen Chutang a lesson. Now that she had the chance, she wouldn’t let it slip.

"Zihan, don’t say that. Though she’s spent years living deep in the mountains, a country bumpkin, she’s still my sister. I believe that if she tries hard, she can graduate."

Tingting Shen pretended to defend Shen Chutang, but in reality, she was twisting the knife even deeper.