"You've truly exhausted yourself for the sake of our school, setting an excellent example for us younger teachers."
It seemed like he was complimenting himself, but something about it felt off.
"So, when I look at you, it's the same as looking at my son. I've always been very concerned about your work. Has anything been inconvenient since you returned from your month-long study trip and took over the first-year class?"
Principal Lu knew that Teacher Ban had been facing obstacles. It was much harder to bond with a class he took over at the end of the term than starting with one at the beginning of the school year.
There would always be a period of adjustment, and in this period, his students brought him trouble that led to him being scolded by Director Zhu in a year group meeting.
The class teacher couldn't help but lecture the students, but they had been discontent with the sudden appearance of a new teacher. Being scolded for something trivial only added to the dissent.
Should Teacher Ban attempt to usher in rules as dictated by his nephew, these young pupils would hardly entertain him. Principal Lu assumed that his question would bring out all of Teacher Ban's grievances.
Teacher Ban's response, however, was not what he hoped for— "No."
Principal Lu wanted to exclaim 'how could that be possible,' but he managed to choke it down after two coughs.
"But you must have had a lot of difficulty in transitioning from a teaching role to a headteacher role, right?"
Teacher Ban shook his head again, "No."
This curt conversational style was his go-to method to quickly wrap up any conversation with Principal Lu.
The principal felt a tinge of annoyance. This Teacher Ban was truly terrible at making conversation!
That said, there were other male teachers in the school who were better-looking than Teacher Ban, two of whom were slightly related to him.
However, despite there being more physically attractive male teachers, Principal Lu could not let go of his fixation on Teacher Ban.
One must recall the old adage: "A wife is not as good as a concubine, a concubine is not as good as a mistress, and a mistress is not as good as one who is ungraspable."
Teacher Ban was the one he couldn't get a hold of—unlike the others who had opened up to him, this one seemed to lack that certain instinct.
Sometimes, Principal Lu's fury was stirred due to Teacher Ban's obliviousness. Sometimes, his frustration was due to his inability to conquer him, which resulted in an itchy feeling akin to being teased.
Despite his role as a vice-principal and his masterful manipulation skills, he was still unable to control Teacher Ban, who could only seem to respond with, "No."
Yet, he could keep the conversation going, steering it towards his desired direction.
"I heard that Director Zhu scolded you at the meeting of the first-year class. Is that correct?"
"Yes."
"Director Zhu is a bit quick-tempered. He could've talked to you privately. Even leaders aren't perfect; they can get things wrong sometimes. If you ever face any unfair treatment at work, feel free to tell me about it. I'll act on your behalf." He then quickly found an excuse to justify his statement, "You remind me of my son. I always worry about him getting bullied at work."
If Teacher Ban were any other person who didn't quite understand the situation, he would've listened to the principal discussing the shortcomings of his immediate superior—especially after the recent humiliation by Director Zhu—and would've likely held a grudge.
When someone you dislike gets reprimanded by the boss, it's easy to see them as your backer and savior. In times of difficulty, you would recall Principal Lu's words today and might ask for his help.
However, why would the old fox help you for free? Does he see himself as a charity, treating you like his own son, willing to aid others unconditionally?
He has his own sons; if he's helping you, it's likely because he wants another godson.
Teacher Ban laughed inwardly at this. Principal Lu must seriously think he's some wide-eyed innocent new to society.
Even if Teacher Ban didn't know that Principal Lu prefers men, he wouldn't comfortably partake in the benefits he offered.
It’s not his style to take advantage of someone else. From a young age, his parents taught him that benefiting from small advantages can lead to big losses.
Hearing Principal Lu pour out his heart this way, Teacher Ban acted like a worker brainwashed to his core. He said, “Thank you for your care, the students are very easy to get along with. Being around them makes me feel like I’ve shaved off ten years. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity the school has given me to be a Class Teacher.”
Without being a teacher to his class, how could he have the chance to understand Shi Li's inner thoughts? Even though Shi Li sometimes bothers him, he can't do without hearing his inner voice!
If he couldn't hear Shi Li's inner voice, he wouldn't have found out about Principal Lu's preferences. He wouldn't have been prepared for a previously warm and friendly elder. He can't imagine what would have happened had he unguardedly treated Lu as a family elder during their daily interactions. That's not a consequence he could bear.
Talking about formalities isn't Teacher Ban's forté, yet he still managed to sound genuine and heartfelt.
Once he was resistant to the idea of being a Class Teacher, but now, he's more than ready to accept everything and is even grateful for the opportunity to be Shi Li’s Class Teacher.
Listening to impactful and pleasant Teacher Ban's remarks leaves Principal Lu bewildered. Previously, he was under the impression that Teacher Ban was a straightforward person, barely articulate, but that seemed to be shifting.
Look, weren’t those words eloquent and on point?
Principal Lu, lost in deep thoughts, had begun to question if Teacher Ban’s forthright previous character was a farce.
He put his arm around Teacher Ban's shoulder, "Ban, I am glad you think so."
Teacher Ban's heart seemed to skip a beat when he felt that filthy hand on him.
Unaffected by Teacher Ban's rejection, Principal Lur drew him closer like best pals.
"Our school needs young people like you, full of ideals and consciousness."
Feeling Principal Lu's hand slowly sliding down his shoulder, Teacher Ban's heart was gripped with terror.
He could shake off Principal Lu's hand right now, but what would be his explanation afterward?
That old fool has got her sights set on him. Without teaching him a lesson, Teacher Ban won't let it go.
But the moment he shrugs off his hand, their face-off will be exposed, making it awkward to proceed with the next step.
So, Teacher Ban immediately thought of his assistant, Class Monitor Lin. Why hasn't he come to his rescue yet?
This brutal torture didn't last long, the class advisor's phone rang. The caller ID showed it was the class monitor.
He exhaled deeply, apologized to Principal Lu, and immediately pulled away from Principal Lu's hand the next second.
"Oh, Class Monitor Lin, I officially declare, you are now the second person I value the most in this class, after Shi Li."
"You have preserved my sanity, I have to thank you!"
"Principal, I need to take a call. It's the class monitor. There seems to be an emergency."
"Hello, teacher, you need to come back. Weiwei just fainted."
Class Monitor Lin's classmate, Xu Weiwei, was originally quietly doing her paperwork. She listened to Class Monitor Lin's loud conversation with the class advisor.
Well, maybe she should faint for a while.
The class monitor's voice caught everyone's attention in the class. Everyone saw Xu Weiwei, who was writing upright a moment ago. As Class Monitor Lin finished talking, she slowly fainted onto her desk under everyone's gaze.
Everyone: Are you acting? At least communicate in advance. What's going on?
Shi Li, who was kept in the dark: Huh, is there a trailer before fainting now?
Class Monitor Lin's voice was not small, Principal Lu could indirectly hear the ins and outs from a distance.
He figured out that this was fake, yet acted as if he was anxious. "Principal, a student in my class fainted, I need to go back and check."
Student fainting is a serious matter.
Without waiting for Principal Lu to speak, he opened the door and rushed out.
He rushed back from the Principal's office and asked concernedly, " Is Weiwei okay?"
Xu Weiwei slowly sat up, "Teacher, I was just feeling very dizzy. I'm feeling much better since you returned."
Everyone: Zero acting skills!
The class advisor nodded, "I'm glad you're okay. If you ever feel unwell in the future, make sure to tell me in advance."
Rescued by Class Monitor Lin's call, class Advisor Ban escaped from Principal Lu. However, this doesn't that mean he is someone without temper or someone who tolerates being targeted.
After going home, he dialed a number, "Sister, I need your help."
This was Teacher Ban's senior from his school days. After graduating, she stayed at the school. But she had another identity, she was one of the biggest hackers on the internet many years ago.
