They are still close to me today despite their negative feelings

"Hello? This is Lai Ruhui. ...I think this is absolutely true! ...I understand. But, team leader, are we even considered teachers like this?"

After saying that, she hung up the phone without waiting for a reply.

"Little Lai..."

Even An Yu probably understands now.

Students are the ones who get so worked up and insist on distinguishing right from wrong. For most adults, the normal way of dealing with things is to seek advantage and avoid harm.

However, I didn't expect Xiao Lai to be so assertive.

"sorry."

The homeroom teacher, who had only recently become a full-fledged teacher, bowed to us and apologized.

"Because of insufficient evidence, the school is not prepared to refute the rumors. The school's reputation has already been damaged by the dean of students' affairs, and if the matter continues to escalate, they are probably preparing to ask Qiu Luxi to leave the school."

“…………” Even Chen Di’s eyes flashed with anger.

"This lousy school."

Linwai High School can rest in peace knowing they were able to force Senior Wu Yuehua, as the student council president, to say such things.

"...Yeah, these old guys are just sitting around doing nothing, all they care about is keeping their positions. I was so arrogant just now, I'll probably get my comeuppance from now on. If Qiu Luxi gets fired, then I'll quit and become an internet celebrity too."

Xiao Lai also said fiercely.

"Qiu Luxi, could you lend the teacher a hand then?"

"Eh? Um, Teacher Lai?"

An Yu hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

"Haha, just kidding, just kidding. I just wanted to tell you not to look so gloomy."

Xiao Lai wanted to rub Qiu Luxi's head, but Qiu Luxi pulled him away slightly, so he turned to An Yu instead.

"These things aren't your fault, don't overthink it. This school isn't all that great either, it's full of old-fashioned and mean-spirited guys—anyway, there's more than one path in life, don't look like you've already failed and are all miserable, okay?"

"Teacher, shouldn't you be rubbing Qiu Luxi, your junior, when you say that?"

"She wouldn't let me rub her, and she hid behind Ning Ruoyu, didn't she?" Xiao Lai said matter-of-factly.

I could more or less guess that she was trying to cheer us up, but to be honest, her methods were way too old-fashioned...

"Alright, Ning Ruoyu too. Since your lovely idol trusts you so much, remember to protect her well during this time." Xiao Lai clapped her hands. "I'm going to continue dealing with those bastards upstairs—if you ever see me resign, remember to be prepared and protect yourselves."

With this seemingly joking yet also sincere remark, Xiao Lai waved and walked out of the clubroom without looking back.

...This lazy homeroom teacher is suddenly so handsome!

I smiled wryly, while Qiu Luxi peeked out from behind me and looked at Xiao Lai.

"Oh right, Xiao Lai, if you have time, could you help me apply for permission from the school leaders to film a 'Literary Society Promotional Video'? It seems like they need it for the Hundred Clubs Campaign." I thought for a moment and called out to her.

"Huh? I made such a cool statement, and you're making me run errands?!"

"Well, you're going to spar with those old guys anyway, so it's on the way," I said with a smile.

“Junior, it seems we don’t…” Senior Wu Yuehua glanced at me, and I smiled and shook my head. She paused slightly, then didn’t continue.

"Alright, alright, really, what will this club do without me?"

With her head held high and chest puffed out, Xiao Lai stepped into the corridor, exuding an arrogant and domineering air.

"Hmph... Eh?! You scared me to death! Hey, hey, hey! Don't run around in the hallway, you bunch of brats! You almost bumped into me!!"

Unfortunately, her cool demeanor didn't last three seconds before she angrily complained in the hallway.

[Next chapter preview: "Reimbursement needed"]

"Huh? What are you thinking about?"

"Oh, I have absolutely no idea. What should I do? Can I take back my boastful words?"

"Young people always think that if they kill the referee, the world will be turned upside down."

Interlude: He's a madman with bombs strapped to his shoulders in the stands.

"I really did fall for your trick."

In the coffee shop on Flower Street, Jin Shuheng took a sip of his Americano, looked at the sneering boy across from him, and smiled.

"This bittersweet feeling reminds me of the days I spent burning the midnight oil preparing for exams during the last week of university. If I had the chance, I would really like to have a good chat with you about it."

"I see. But let's skip the reminiscing about the past and appreciating the present. If your alma mater knew that it had nurtured such an outstanding talent, it would probably want to tear down its plaque."

"That's true. But really, what happened to me in college and high school was quite interesting. I really hope you'll have the chance to experience it someday, Ning."

Jin Shuheng said with a smile.

"This topic was trending this morning, and you're already coming to me now—it seems like it's definitely true?"

"After all, apart from people like you pushing things out from behind the scenes, I really can't imagine why public opinion would reverse so quickly—although I'm used to those short-lived memories and slaps in the face online. But for it to escalate so quickly, it would be too much to say that it wasn't deliberately orchestrated, would it?"

The boy naturally ordered himself a coffee and then pushed the bill in front of Jin Shuheng.

"?"

Jin Shuheng tilted his head in confusion.

"Please reimburse me."

"...Brother Ning, I'm really curious, how did you become so shameless on your own?"

Jin Shuheng smiled and took the bill, then scanned the code.

"I met your lovely sister a bit during my summer hospital visit. They're siblings, so why are their styles so different?"

"Luckily you didn't say your men had contact with her. Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to continue this conversation."

Ning Ruoyu spoke calmly to the young man before her, though her tone carried a hint of coldness.

For a moment, Jin Shuheng even felt that the air conditioning in the store was a bit too strong.

The boy before him exuded an aura completely unlike that of a student. Even Jin Shuheng couldn't imagine how such a monster could appear in a harmonious country like Jiuhua Kingdom.

He can laugh like a child and a gentleman, or he can be crazy like a pervert and a demon.

"Don't let my appearance fool you, I still know what can be schemed against and what can't."

Jin Shuheng smiled wryly, "I've made it this far, not for nothing. But you, you're so sensitive, it feels like you're being a bit too much of a sister-complex."

"How could that be? I was just joking with you."

Jin Shuheng cursed inwardly.

Damn it, you're kidding. With that tone, it would be perfectly reasonable for you to stab me with a dagger the next second; with your skills, I might not even be able to dodge it… This siscon is truly outrageous.

"Let's get down to business. You didn't come to me today to brag about having a kind and lovely younger sister, did you?"

"Ah, actually there's nothing much to say. I just came here to express my feelings and complain a bit."

Ning Ruoyu's cup of coffee had been served, and he picked it up and gently blew on it.

"Is it that simple?"

"if not?"

Ning Ruoyu put down her cup and smiled.

"It's impressive that you managed to outsmart me. As a day laborer, I've been scammed. Am I supposed to go to the labor bureau to file a complaint?"

"But why do I feel that you are not surprised at all?"

"I'm so surprised. You've been spreading rumors and slanders online, claiming Qiu Luxi is arrogant, willful, and scheming, even implying she's involved in school bullying..."

"School bullying?" Jin Shuheng frowned slightly.

"Isn't that right? In any case, your stuff has been altered to some extent based on information from me and others, hasn't it?"

"To be honest, your part is completely useless..."

Jin Shuheng thought to himself, "Don't you have any self-awareness about how much you're slacking off?"

"That's blatant slander! I followed all the requirements in your form exactly."

Jin Shuheng said you did fulfill your promise, but it was as perfunctory as filling out a questionnaire for a mobile game. If it weren't for you, we would have already made this a trending topic.

"In short, Brother Ning, if you have no objections..."

"Huh? What are you thinking about?"

Ning Ruoyu took a sip of coffee and looked at Jin Shuheng as if he were an idiot.

"Although I can't file a complaint with the labor bureau, you've used my work without my consent and didn't even consult me. Do you really think we can continue our employment contract?"

What is this guy, who has produced almost no results, talking about?

Jin Shuheng felt like he'd been led by the nose ever since they met. Even though he'd done something that caught the guy completely off guard, the guy didn't seem surprised at all, as if he'd already anticipated what would happen—he was even logically demanding his unpaid wages.

Jin Shuheng found the thought of this somewhat amusing. When he received Ning Ruoyu's message requesting a meeting, he had considered all sorts of Ning Ruoyu's reactions—but he never expected that this bastard would be here explaining the "Labor Law."

"So what do you mean?"

"Give me my salary, and we'll go our separate ways."

Ning Ruoyu spread her hands, looking as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"You're obsessed with money, aren't you?"

"?"

"...You've lost your composure. I mean, what do you mean by this?"

"Can't you see? Resign."

Ning Ruoyu said casually, leaving out two words.

Silence filled the space between Jin Shuheng and Ning Ruoyu.

"This isn't an ordinary request. Resigning—I can interpret that as you understanding the significance of this choice, right?"

"Oh, I have absolutely no idea. What should I do? Can I take back my boastful words?"

Ning Ruoyu said with a smile.

"...Brother Ning. If I were talking to you just now because I'm in the industry, then now, out of consideration for our personal relationship, I still have to advise you—don't easily make enemies of the industry."

"For the sake of our personal relationship, I'll... ptooey, we have no personal relationship whatsoever. Anyway, I'm officially responding to you."

Ning Ruoyu rested her right hand on her face, while her left index finger tapped the table lightly.

"I never intended to be at odds with the industry; I'm just doing what I want to do. But if you insist on thinking that way, that's fine with me."

"I really enjoy making money, but the thought of making money at the expense of teachers losing their jobs makes me feel a little guilty—why should working people make things difficult for each other? It's more reasonable for us to unite and fight against capitalists. Don't let my appearance fool you, I still respect my teachers quite a bit. Although that guy has a bit of an old man's air about him."

"Tell that great old man behind the scenes that next time he hires someone, he'd better be a little more honest. Going against the industry? Please, in my opinion, he doesn't represent the entire industry. You'd better think this over carefully too."

The boy smiled, got up from his seat, and walked out of the coffee shop without looking back.

……

That evening.

"That's what he said?"

"Yes."

The old man's voice on the phone carried a hint of coldness.

"What an arrogant little brat."

"........."

Jin Shuheng remained silent and did not speak.

"But it doesn't matter. I've seen plenty of arrogant young people like this in my life. They don't even understand what kind of stage the world is, yet they can't wait to show off their excellence."

"So what if he's a genius, one in ten thousand? You have to understand that this country is so vast. Even if it's one in ten thousand, that means there are a full 14 people like him!"

"...You're right."

"Ignore him. Young people always think that if they kill the referee, the world will be turned upside down. Haha, when I was young, I was just as naive as I thought."

The old man sighed softly. After his initial anger, he seemed to have developed a little curiosity about the boy.