Hogwarts: A Chinese-Style Professor

Chapter 253 The Expression Scandal
When Levi found Professor McGonagall, she was staring blankly at the Bible.

She only came to her senses when Li Wei's figure completely entered the office, placing the book on the table in front of her, though one hand remained on it.

"Li Wei, what do you want?"

For Li Wei, who never visits unless there's a reason, the fact that he came to see her meant he had something to say.

Li Wei mentioned that he would be setting up a bulletin board in the auditorium.

It is triggered by a challenge, but only students in grades six and seven are eligible. The staff member is Barton alone, and other house-elves may be added later.

As for students in other grades, they can also learn about the world and the departments and jobs that interest them through the tasks on the leaderboard—Li Wei will also list the information of the task issuers.

“I don’t think I have a reason to refuse—but I still want to emphasize the students’ safety to you again. The measures you have prepared are already very good, but you should also obtain their parents’ permission.”

"Parental permission?"

"Yes, similar to how third-year students are allowed to go to Hogsmeade Village—according to your plan, although these off-campus internships seem relatively safe, I think you should also be careful to protect yourself."

Professor McGonagall phrased it rather tactfully, but Levi still understood what she meant.

"What you say makes sense. I'll have to trouble you to handle this matter for me."

A faint smile appeared on Li Wei's face.

"Of course, this is my responsibility as the vice principal."

Professor McGonagall pursed her lips, a smile playing on her lips.

Just as Li Wei was about to leave after speaking, Professor McGonagall quickly called him back.

"Li Wei—"

Levi turned to the side, looking at Professor McGonagall with a puzzled expression.

The respectable woman hesitated for a moment, then finally took out her precious book and asked Li Wei:

"This is the expression I've come up with. What do you think?"

"expression?"

Li Wei's pupils dilated subconsciously as he looked at the precious book that Professor McGonagall had handed him.

The image above is a miniature Professor McGonagall, wearing her classic black base layer with a green long coat, looking at her students with a serious expression, accompanied by the line – “Not bad, but still needs to work harder.”

"Uh—I think it's great. Do you have any specific questions?"

Li Wei hadn't expected Professor McGonagall to be interested in such a gadget.

"I always felt it wasn't good enough."

Professor McGonagall responded honestly.

“It’s just an expression, Professor McGonagall.”

“I understand what you mean—but I want it to be perfect so that students will use it, right?”

Is it important that it's used by students?

Li Wei was a little stunned and didn't rush to speak.

Professor McGonagall continued with her "concerned" remarks:

“You’ve always been the most popular student, so you probably can’t really understand how I feel—the kids are getting better and better, but at the same time, it’s become more difficult for us to get to know them and get close to them.”

The students are all afraid of me now, and I don't think that's good for teaching.

"So that's it."

Li Wei never expected that the usually serious Professor McGonagall would care about such a thing.

But on second thought, it seems to be quite natural.

The other party's strictness stems from their responsible attitude towards students.

Now that the students are all doing exceptionally well, Professor McGonagall has naturally started to worry about other things.

“I think this expression is very good—and I believe everyone respects you, Professor McGonagall.”

"Okay, then I'll go with this design. I hope it will have the same effect as you and Flitwick."

Professor Flitwick was the first to notice the update to the manual and one of the first to create the emoji. He naturally chose himself as the image, which sparked a considerable number of copycat +1 behaviors in various groups.

As for Levi, he didn't really do anything, but the students spontaneously created various emoticons based on him—well, there was also one for Snape.

Professor McGonagall was the only one whose authority no student dared to offend, so no one created any emojis of her.

Perhaps she felt disappointed, which is why she was studying alone in the office.

Thinking of this, Li Wei's smile became even warmer.

"You really don't need to have such a headache."

Li Wei put his left hand in front of his mouth, as if whispering, and said:

"I'll secretly grant you backend access, so you can upload any emojis you want. Don't worry too much, okay?"

"Oh—will this work?"

"You mean fairness? As the creator of the manual, I think I should still have the right to be a little capricious."

"Okay, you're right, then I'll design it properly! By the way, I also want to add transformation magic to it. Can this thing you call 'expression' load more content?" "That requires the encyclopedia to absorb enough expressions to learn and update itself. I believe it will be able to do that in a while."

Seeing Professor McGonagall engrossed in designing her facial expressions, Levi waved and left.

With a gloomy expression, Snape quickly approached Levi.

Coincidentally, what he was going to say was also related to the manual.

"Get rid of that damn, stupid expression right now!"

As soon as he entered the office, Snape angrily growled at Levi in ​​a low voice.

"What do you mean?"

"Listen! I'm not in the mood for guessing games with you. You know what I'm talking about!"
Also—which student designed that damn expression? Tell me their name, and I'll owe you a favor!

Are you talking about that wolf-grandmother expression?

Snape didn't reply, he just stared at Levi.

His attitude might scare the students, but it had no effect on Li Wei whatsoever.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Snape, but I'm afraid I will neither forbid that expression nor tell you the student's name."

Snape's eyes widened even more, like those of a wildebeest.

But Li Wei seemed to think that wasn't enough, and continued to say to himself:
"You've reminded me. I should give this student's college extra points for designing such an interesting expression."

Perhaps I should hold an emoji design contest.

"What does this have to do with me! I didn't ask you to ban all expressions, I just asked you to ban that one that insults the professor, and that's not allowed?"

"Calm down, okay?"

Levi sat on the sofa and looked at Snape.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with that expression; the problem is with you."

“Me?” Snape pointed at himself, laughing in exasperation. “You mean I, as a professor, am being promoted in such an absurd way by my students, and the problem isn’t with them, it’s with me, isn’t it!”

Li Wei nodded, not dwelling on the issue, and instead looked at Snape and said:
"Why do I always see you looking so annoyed? Students who face a professor like this all day long probably won't have a good time studying or feeling well."

I know Neville, that kid. Although he's a bit slow-witted, he's a kind and honest student.

Boggart will become the very thing that those who face him fear most.

As a professor, you frightened a student to the point of becoming the object of a Boggart's illusion; I believe this is a serious dereliction of duty.

Snape stood still, frowning as he looked at Levi.

"How about we talk about something else? What have you thought about the suggestion I made earlier?"

"What do you mean?" Snape's brow furrowed even more.

"Let go of everything and try to become a legend."

Levi looked intently at Snape.

“Your performance during your student years was truly amazing. I believe that if it weren’t for certain things holding you back, you would have achieved even greater things.”

Hearing Li Wei's approval, Snape's expression softened considerably.

He raised his chin and glanced at Li Wei, signaling him to continue.

"Do you know about Muggle mind research? They call it psychology."

From a psychological perspective, your current agitation is merely a surface emotion; the deeper emotion is shame.

"Shame?" Snape scoffed dismissively.

“Yes, shame.” Li Wei nodded solemnly. “The reason you send negative messages to others is because you are afraid that others will get close to you and understand you. You want to escape your inner pain.”

"So what pain do you think I'm experiencing?"

Snape's face twitched, but he still forced himself to ask Levi a question.

"Yes, what kind of pain is it? — If you don't talk about it yourself, I'm actually not very willing to reopen other people's wounds."

Li Wei looked at the stubborn Snape and nodded, saying:
"For example, James."

Snape's expression visibly worsened.

"For example, Lily."

"enough!"

Snape jumped to his feet.

"I'm not here to discuss my feelings with you, but because what you're making is diminishing the professor's authority!"

Since you're unwilling to do it, then so be it. I have nothing to discuss with you!

Done.

Snape left almost as if he were fleeing.

He moved swiftly, as if afraid that Li Wei would call out to him from behind.

(End of this chapter)