Chapter 6: Head Teacher, I Have an Idea

After breakfast, Xu Lin and Ji Yun arrived at school together. To avoid suspicion, they entered separately, half a minute apart.

But as soon as Xu Lin entered the classroom, he sensed that something was off. The head teacher was already there.

"What's going on?" Xu Lin asked, looking at his two friends, who seemed nervous.

"It's not about you. The head teacher is checking the homework today."

"I didn't do mine either."

"What?"

Li Bin stared at him in disbelief. Although they often hung out together, Xu Lin had always diligently completed his homework.

"Take a look."

Xu Lin took out his notebook and exam papers, and they were almost empty.

As class representatives approached, nightmares began for students who hadn't done their homework!

In high school, homework was rarely checked. Teachers didn't pay much attention because if you truly wanted to go to college, you would naturally pay attention in class and complete your assignments.

So, the unexpected inspection today instantly cast a gloom over many students.

In the end, the head teacher called a few names, and as the students went to his office after class, the first few names were expected. However, the last two were, surprisingly, Ji Yun and Xu Lin, both with good grades.

After class, the called students walked towards the teacher's office. Xu Lin and Ji Yun followed behind, and unconsciously, they got a bit closer.

"You didn't do your homework?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"No reason."

"Xu Lin, why do you think I rejected others?"

"Because now you need to focus on studying."

"Yes, so please focus on your studies!"

Ji Yun, with a hint of anger, finished speaking and walked past him, entering the office first.

What is she saying? Xu Lin felt a bit dazed, didn't think too much, and followed her into the office.

There weren't many people in the office at the moment; many teachers had gone to the cafeteria for lunch. However, the head teacher was still there, dealing with some matters.

Seeing them, the head teacher put down the pen in his hand and asked them to stand aside, one by one.

So, 7 or 8 students were scolded one by one like this. After about ten minutes, only he and Ji Yun remained.

"Xu Lin, what do you have to say?"

Unlike the stern tone with the previous students, the head teacher sounded calm when addressing him—though it could be the calm before a storm.

Ji Yun glanced at Xu Lin, expecting him to admit a mistake, but what Xu Lin said next left Ji Yun utterly bewildered.

"I believe that not doing homework can also lead to good grades. I want to conduct extracurricular study in my own way."

"Oh? Not doing homework; I've never heard that before." The head teacher was first surprised but then strangely laughed.

"Teacher, let's discuss something. I won't do homework, but I can guarantee that I'll be in the top 50 in the school's October monthly exam."

"And what if you can't get in the top 50?"

"Can't get in? I'll catch up on all the homework from the past half month and have a talk with my parents while I'm at it."

Xu Lin declared forcefully, staring fearlessly at the head teacher.

The head teacher also stared back at him. After a few seconds, he took a deep breath.

"You've been with my class since the beginning of the school year, always silent. How come you've become so eloquent now?"

"People need to grow up, right? So do you agree?" Xu Lin replied confidently.

"My agreement doesn't matter; you need to get the approval of the other teachers. After all, I'm just a math teacher."

"As long as you agree!" Xu Lin flashed a big smile.

"The grades are your own. No matter how much we teachers say, it doesn't matter. If you can really come back with a top 50 ranking, I'll give you a pass this time! Just this once!"

"Yes, I promise to work hard!"

Relieved that the head teacher agreed, Xu Lin truly relaxed. Though he appeared calm on the surface, he was genuinely afraid that the teacher might insist on involving his parents.

But he really didn't want to do homework! He had planned this last night. Since the head teacher wanted to talk, he bravely brought up the subject.

This could also be considered one of his unfulfilled wishes from the past. Now that it was accomplished, he had to secure that top 50 position; otherwise, all this talk would be in vain.

"Ji Yun."

The head teacher called out, and she suddenly snapped back to reality. Xu Lin's seemingly absurd idea had actually been accepted by the head teacher.

"I actually called you here for another matter, regarding the issue with Zhang Kang yesterday. His parents came to plead with the school not to expel or suspend him, hoping to resolve it privately. You're not children anymore. Consider what to do and whether to inform your parents, especially Ji Yun."

"Teacher, I think we can forgo compensation. I just hope Zhang Kang can apologise to us, especially to Xu Lin and Zhuo Yan. The school should also issue a public criticism, suspension, or anything like that. I don't mind."

Ji Yun thought for a moment and told the teacher. Glancing at Ji Yun, Xu Lin immediately added, "I feel the same way."

"Alright, I will talk to the school about it."

"Is that all? We're going to the cafeteria, Teacher; we'll take our leave."

"I haven't finished yet."

"Please continue."

"This morning, weren't you having breakfast together?"

"Cough!"

Xu Lin suddenly coughed, nearly choking on his saliva. What a coincidence for the teacher to witness this!

"Well, we bumped into each other on the way this morning and had breakfast outside."

But this time, Ji Yun appeared very calm. "Teacher, you're not suspecting we're dating, right? You should know that from my first year in high school (Grade 10) to now, I've rejected over ten people. I just want to focus on studying."

"Well, I trust you. Of course, I'm not a rigid person."

"But as you approach Grade 12, having a relationship can indeed distract your focus. After the college entrance exam, I won't care about your affairs anymore."

After finishing his words, the teacher took a sip of tea, wore a somewhat amused expression, glanced at them, and waved his hand.

"Take a break. I'll discuss the issue with your homework with the other teachers."

"Thank you, Teacher!" Xu Lin bowed deeply.

Outside the office, Ji Yun playfully punched his shoulder. "See? I told you not to eat the buns. Luckily, it was the teacher who saw us. If it had been students, who knows what rumours would be circulating right now?"

"But if you're not interested in dating, rumours won't affect you; no one would believe them."

"Hmph! But you're really bold. Are you seriously not going to do your homework?"

"Yeah, I decided not to when you sent the message yesterday."

"You're confident you'll make it to the top 50?"

"I am."

"So confident?"

"Yeah, were you angry when you came in just now?"

"No."

"Oh, I guessed wrong, then? I thought you were angry because you felt I wasn't striving for success and wouldn't be able to attend the same university as you."

"I wasn't!"

Miss Ji couldn't hold it in; her face turned red, and she hurried her steps, disappearing around the corner.

[Ji Yun's Favorability +3, current 23]

"It seems the road is still long. But I've remembered another wish—to attend a university with you and take a few more steps together along this path of life."