Chapter 2: An Ordinary Teaching Career

"So, students, Einstein's theory of relativity tells us that time is not absolute, but relative."

Long Hua stood at the podium of Class 3(4), using chalk to draw a simple diagram on the blackboard. Sunlight slanted through the windows into the classroom, illuminating the tiny dust particles from the chalk, forming a curtain of faint light.

"Imagine if you were sitting in a spacecraft traveling close to the speed of light, while your friend remained on Earth. For you, only a few years might pass, but when you return to Earth, decades could have gone by, and your friend might already have gray hair."

The classroom was silent at first, then erupted with exclamations and discussions.

"Brother Long, isn't that too much like science fiction?" A bespectacled boy in the front row raised his hand to ask. "Could something like this really happen?"

Long Hua nodded with a smile. Students privately called him "Brother Long," a nickname that showed both closeness and respect. "Zhang Hao, this isn't science fiction, but a fact proven by scientific experiments. Atomic clock experiments have already demonstrated that even on high-speed aircraft, time passes slightly slower than on the ground. Of course, the difference is extremely small—we can't feel it, but precise instruments can measure it."

He turned to address the whole class, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm for knowledge: "This is the charm of physics—it allows us to see the truth of the world beyond common sense. Time and space as we take them for granted have properties at the cosmic scale that are difficult for us to imagine."

The students below were taking notes diligently. Long Hua could see the spark of curiosity ignited in many of their eyes. This was his favorite teaching moment, when abstract knowledge became the spark that illuminated young minds.

"Now, let's look at an example..." Long Hua was about to continue when the back door of the classroom opened gently, and homeroom teacher Zhao Li entered, gesturing that she needed to speak with him.

"Everyone, please work on the thinking questions on page 78 of your textbook. I'll be right back." Long Hua put down the chalk and left the classroom.

"Teacher Long," Zhao Li smiled, "Principal Zhang would like to see you about the physics competition."

Long Hua nodded, already anticipating what this was about. The school placed special emphasis on the physics competition every year, especially this year when there were several outstanding students with good chances of achieving excellent results in the provincial competition.

"But my class..."

"Don't worry, I'll watch them for you," Zhao Li patted his shoulder. "Go on, this is good news."

Long Hua quickly straightened his collar and walked briskly toward the principal's office at the end of the teaching building. Along the way, he nodded greetings to teachers coming from the opposite direction, mentally calculating how to arrange time for competition training.

After knocking and receiving permission to enter, Long Hua pushed open the door. In the spacious office, Principal Zhang was talking with Academic Director Liu.

"Ah, Long Hua, come in, sit down," Principal Zhang gestured to the chair opposite with a welcoming smile. "We were just discussing this year's physics competition."

Long Hua sat down, maintaining a humble demeanor. "Principal Zhang, Director Liu."

"Let's get straight to the point," Principal Zhang opened a document on his desk. "This year there are several physics prodigies in the senior class, especially Zhang Hao from your class and Li Lin from the second year, who performed well in last year's district competition. The school has decided to form a physics competition training group, and we unanimously agree that you are the most suitable person to lead it."

Long Hua felt a warmth in his heart. Although he wasn't the most senior physics teacher at the school, with only ten years of teaching experience, he had always been popular among students for his solid teaching and unique methods. This appointment was a recognition of his ability.

"I'm honored, but Director Liu has more experience..."

Director Liu waved his hand, interrupting Long Hua's modesty. "Come now, Teacher Long, everyone knows your foundation in physics. Besides, today's students all like your teaching style—that's something I can't match." He glanced at Principal Zhang, then continued, "And you have competition experience yourself. Didn't you win a first prize in the National Physics Competition during university?"

Long Hua was slightly taken aback. He had indeed participated in the National College Student Physics Competition and won a first prize, but that was many years ago. He hadn't expected the school's background check on teachers to be so thorough.

"Then I won't decline," Long Hua nodded in acceptance. "I'll do my best."

"Excellent!" Principal Zhang clapped his hands. "Competition training will begin next week, Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings. The school will arrange a dedicated classroom for you. Just let us know what experimental equipment you need."

For the next half hour, the three discussed in detail the arrangements for competition training and the situations of key students. When Long Hua left the principal's office with a stack of materials, the bell for the end of class had just rung.

The corridor suddenly filled with laughter and chatter as students poured out of their classrooms in groups. Long Hua leaned against the corridor railing, watching these vibrant young faces, his thoughts drifting far away.

He recalled his own days participating in physics competitions, how passionate he had been about physics then, dreaming that one day he might unveil the mysteries of the universe. But reality always has its own trajectory. The sudden passing of his parents and family responsibilities had forced him to give up the opportunity for further studies and return to this small hometown city to become an ordinary high school teacher.

"Brother Long!" A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts. Zhang Hao came running over excitedly. "That relativity theory we just learned is so interesting! I was wondering, if we could build a spacecraft that travels close to the speed of light, could we really see the future?"

Long Hua snapped out of his contemplation and smiled, shaking his head. "Strictly speaking, it's not 'seeing' the future, but experiencing different rates of time flow. But your thinking is very imaginative." He patted Zhang Hao on the shoulder. "By the way, starting next week, I'll be leading physics competition training, and you're a key candidate."

"Really? That's great!" Zhang Hao jumped up excitedly. "I'll prepare well!"

Watching Zhang Hao's joyful departing figure, Long Hua's smile took on an emotional quality. Youth is wonderful, full of infinite possibilities.

"Teacher Long, there you are." A gentle female voice came from behind.

Long Hua turned to see Director Li from the English department standing there, accompanied by an unfamiliar young female teacher. The woman was tall and slender, wearing a simple beige dress, her black hair tied back in a neat ponytail, exuding a fresh yet intellectual aura.

"Director Li," Long Hua nodded in greeting, his gaze involuntarily falling on the unfamiliar female teacher before politely looking away.

"Let me introduce you," Director Li smiled. "This is our new English teacher, Lin Ruoxi, who just graduated with a master's degree from the provincial key normal university. Ruoxi, this is our school's physics teacher, Long Hua. He's an excellent teacher, and the students all like him very much."

"Hello, Teacher Long. I've heard so much about you," Lin Ruoxi extended her hand, her voice crisp and melodious, carrying a hint of scholarly charm.

"You're too kind, Teacher Lin. I'm just an ordinary teacher," Long Hua shook her hand, feeling a gentle warmth in his palm. He couldn't help but look at her again and noticed a faint smile at the corner of her mouth, her eyes calm as still water, making it difficult to guess her thoughts.

"Ruoxi has just arrived and isn't very familiar with the school yet," Director Li said. "Teacher Long, if you have time, perhaps you could help show her around? Oh, and Ruoxi hasn't been assigned an office yet, so she'll temporarily be placed in the physics department, right next to your desk."

Long Hua was taken aback. The physics department office had always been quiet, with teachers minding their own business and rarely having teachers from other departments join them. But on second thought, perhaps there was a shortage of office space, necessitating this temporary arrangement.

"No problem, I'd be happy to help," Long Hua nodded, turning to Lin Ruoxi and politely adding, "If you need any assistance, feel free to ask me anytime."

"Thank you for your help, Teacher Long." Lin Ruoxi nodded slightly, a gleam passing through her eyes that Long Hua failed to catch.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Director Li left with Lin Ruoxi. Long Hua stood in place, watching their receding figures, feeling an unusual stirring in his heart for reasons he couldn't explain.

"Long Hua!" A familiar booming voice came from afar as Old Wang from the physics department strode over, carrying a pile of experimental equipment. "What are you daydreaming about? Come help quickly, there's a lab class for the second-year students this afternoon!"

Long Hua snapped back to reality and jogged over to take some of the precariously balanced equipment from Old Wang's hands. "Coming, coming!"

As they walked toward the laboratory, Old Wang wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "Did you see that new teacher from the English department? Pretty, isn't she? I heard she's a top graduate from the provincial university. Quite a few young fellows are already getting ideas."

Long Hua smiled dismissively. "She just arrived. Don't start rumors."

"Oh? Is our Teacher Long also interested?" Old Wang teased. "That's rare—you usually don't care about these things."

"Stop talking nonsense," Long Hua glared at him, quickening his pace.

Old Wang laughed heartily and kept up. "Don't be shy! You're not getting any younger; you should consider your personal life. I heard she's still single, you could..."

"Alright, alright," Long Hua cut him off. "Focus on work. Don't we still have half a day of classes this afternoon?"

The two disappeared down the corridor, joking and laughing. Outside, the sun shone brightly, and a spring breeze swept through the treetops of the campus, bringing a sense of new beginnings. On this ordinary day, Long Hua had no idea that the wheels of fate had already begun to turn silently, and an encounter that would change his life was about to begin.

In a corner of the physics department office, an inconspicuous bronze compass needle was trembling slightly, pointing in a direction that no one could understand.