Chapter 67: This Little Girl Is Quite a Handful

The girls immediately fell silent. After the boy with the cap sat down, Shen Chutang glanced at his school badge, where the name "Yan Ruyu" was written.

Sensing Shen Chutang’s gaze, the boy quickly covered his badge in embarrassment. “Th-thank you, teacher.”

Shen Chutang said, “That’s a beautiful name.”

Yan Ruyu lowered his head even further, saying nothing. Although he knew that as a teacher, Shen Chutang was unlikely to mock him, he had grown used to people laughing at his appearance as soon as they heard his name, finding it ironic that someone like him was named "Yan Ruyu."

It truly was a cruel joke.

Observing the timid and withdrawn student before her, Shen Chutang asked, “How long have you had this condition?”

Yan Ruyu replied quietly, “It started back in middle school. It’s been years.”

Shen Chutang raised an eyebrow. “Show me your hand.”

Yan Ruyu, though puzzled, asked, “W-why?” Still, he seemed the obedient sort and extended his hand without protest.

Shen Chutang felt his pulse, quickly gaining an understanding.

Soon, their bowls of beef noodles arrived. Shen Chutang said, “Eat while it’s hot. It won’t taste as good once it gets cold and soggy.”

Yan Ruyu, though confused, was quite hungry, so he began to eat. When they finished, the two of them left the noodle shop one after the other. Shen Chutang had to admit, the food here was truly good—she made a mental note to come again.

“Have you sought treatment for your face?”

Yan Ruyu pressed his lips together. “Teacher, I’m not trying to frighten anyone. I’ve been seeing doctors everywhere, but they all say acne isn’t easy to cure.”

He had even been complained about by parents, who said his looks scared their children. Some teachers, after seeing his face, had subtly suggested he wear a mask. Most often, mischievous students would follow behind, mocking him and giving him cruel nicknames.

So when Shen Chutang asked, Yan Ruyu assumed she was just like the others.

“Nonsense.”

Yan Ruyu froze, wondering if he had said something wrong, but Shen Chutang continued, “This isn’t acne—this is a special kind of allergy.”

“Allergy?” Yan Ruyu echoed, but before he could ask more, a group of punks dressed in a strikingly rebellious style approached from the alley. Each sported a nonconformist haircut and an arrogant swagger, blocking their way.

One of the men raised his brow. “You’re Shen Chutang?”

Shen Chutang nodded. “Do you need something?”

The man gripped a wooden stick, switching it menacingly from his left to his right hand. “Heard you act all tough at school, even dared to bully my little sister!”

Shen Chutang was unfazed. “And who’s your sister?”

A sharp-faced man interjected, “Boss, look—she doesn’t even know who our little princess is! She clearly doesn’t take us seriously!”

Shen Chutang shook her head, thinking these people must have watched too many TV dramas. It was rare to meet such dramatic types these days.

“So, you don’t know what’s good for you? Don’t blame me for being rude!” the leader declared.

Yan Ruyu, still trembling, finally spoke up, “Don’t do anything reckless—she’s a teacher!”

At his words, the gang burst into laughter.

“She’s a teacher? Then I’m the dean!”

“I must be the principal!”

Shen Chutang couldn’t be bothered to waste words. “So, what do you want? Don’t waste my time.”

“Boss, this girl’s got some attitude!”

The leader shouted, “Get her!”

In an instant, the punks rushed forward. They’d seen only a girl and a timid boy, so they hadn’t taken them seriously. Who could have guessed Shen Chutang’s fighting skills were astonishing?

Not far off, Luo Shencheng, Lu Wendong, and Xu Gaoyuan had just finished their meal when they noticed a fight breaking out in the alley. Driven by curiosity, they looked closer—only to see that Shen Chutang was surrounded.

Luo Shencheng hurried over. “It’s the boss!”

The other two quickly followed. But just as they were about to help, Shen Chutang knocked out the last thug with a blow, her face calm, breath steady, and even asked with composure, “What are you doing here?”

The three exchanged glances, too embarrassed to admit they’d come to help. Their boss’s fighting prowess was simply overwhelming. Compared to how she handled them in class, she had clearly been holding back before.

Shen Chutang leaned down slightly, fixing her gaze on the leader. “If I ever see you bullying others here again, I’ll make you regret it every single time.”

The man trembled in fear. “Alright, alright!”

Once the gang had retreated, Shen Chutang dusted off her hands. “There’s still some time left for lunch break. Go get some rest. By the way, Yan Ruyu, which class are you in?”

“I’m in Class A!” Yan Ruyu, clearly impressed, looked at her with newfound admiration.

“Good. Come see me after school.”

“Okay.”

Lu Wendong, a bit jealous, grumbled, “Boss, why are you so gentle with Class A students?”

Shen Chutang knocked him on the head. “What nonsense. Besides, Class A students aren’t monsters. Isn’t Jiang Beibei from Class A too?”

Lu Wendong fell silent, and the group finally left.

None of them noticed that everything in the alley had just been filmed.