The school bell rang, signaling the end of the day and the start of the weekend. Before Lin Feng could even step down from the teaching platform, Cao Ying summoned him to her office.
The classroom was on the first floor of the teaching building, while Cao Ying's office was on the third floor of the administrative building.
Lin Feng followed behind Cao Ying, his heart quickening once more as he watched her graceful figure ahead.
Ahead of him, Cao Ying held an English book, her long hair draped over her shoulders, embodying typical schoolgirl charm. As she walked, her charisma was extraordinary, accompanied by the CLICK, CLICK, CLICK of her high heels on the ground. Lei Ren was close on her heels.
CLICK!
The beauty in front suddenly stopped. Lin Feng, entranced, wasn't paying attention and nearly crashed into Cao Ying.
"Teacher Cao, what's wrong?"
As someone who had weathered many storms in life, Lin Feng immediately put on an innocent smile.
Cao Ying was all too aware that Lin Feng had been staring at her from behind, and she was furious.
"You walk in front," she said coldly.
Lin Feng pouted. "Teacher Cao, don't be so fierce. Public school teachers are supposed to be gentle; otherwise, we, the flowers of the nation, will be scared by you."
"Flowers? At most, you're merely withered twigs and fallen leaves." Cao Ying glared at Lin Feng again.
Sensing the murderous intent in Cao Ying's eyes, Lin Feng pouted and obediently walked ahead. However, he couldn't resist mumbling under his breath, "Withered twigs and fallen leaves? Teacher Cao, at least I could be considered a blooming chrysanthemum…"
「...」
By the time they arrived at Cao Ying's office on the third floor, it was already empty.
Jiangzhou No. 1 High School, one of the best high schools in all of Jiangzhou City, offered excellent compensation to its teachers. At least, the office setup suggested as much.
The two-person office was well-equipped. It came with an Apple laptop, air conditioning, a water dispenser, and two black leather sofas, making it look like a simply decorated living room.
Cao Ying opened the door and plopped down onto the swivel chair in front of her desk.
Lin Feng stood to the side for a moment before sitting down on one of the sofas.
He rubbed the black leather sofa. It was actually real leather. Hmm, it felt good, very comfortable. Nice.
"Did I say you could sit down?!" Suddenly, Cao Ying's icy gaze shot towards him as she reproached him coldly.
Lin Feng looked up at her, an innocent look on his face, "Teacher Cao, you didn't tell me not to sit…"
Looking at Lin Feng's bright and innocent expression, Cao Ying was at her wit's end. But seeing Lin Feng's sheepish smile, she somehow found it impossible to get angry.
Today's Lin Feng... he seems very different from before...
Looking into Lin Feng's eyes, Cao Ying noticed something unusual. Even though Lin Feng was trying his best to hide it, the eyes are the windows to one's soul. The maturity in his eyes couldn't be concealed.
"Teacher Cao, I know I'm quite handsome, but you don't have to stare at me so directly. I'll get shy…" Seeing Cao Ying staring at him, Lin Feng, fearful that she might notice something amiss, hurriedly changed the subject.
"Uh... your skin is thicker than a city wall." Facing Lin Feng, Cao Ying was about to lose it.
"Teacher Cao, have you stroked my handsome face with your diligent and gentle hands to measure its thickness?" Lin Feng gave a cheeky grin, looking utterly ignorant.
"You... How infuriating!" This was the first time during her interactions with students that Cao Ying had been led by the nose like this. She hadn't noticed before, but this Lin Feng was truly glib-tongued! He was like a hardened con artist who'd been soaked in gutter oil!
"Tell me, what happened in class just now? How did you manage to translate those questions?" Tapping her finger on the desk, Cao Ying tried hard to calm herself.
Lin Feng's performance today had completely exceeded her expectations. This wasn't the Lin Feng who usually scored only 30 or 40 points on English tests. If he was truly at this level, passing the English exam wouldn't be a problem; he might even score 120 or 130.
After all, she had come up with two additional questions on the spot. Most likely, fewer than three students in the entire class could have translated them even passably.
"Oh, nothing. I just happened to know how to translate them," Lin Feng replied nonchalantly. Despite fearing that his reincarnation might be discovered, he felt confident dealing with this young female teacher.
"Just happened? What about the last monthly exam when you only scored a little over thirty?"
"Everyone has their bad exam days."
"And the exam before that? Since the start of senior year, you have never passed an English monthly exam."
"Teacher Cao, you have to blame the scheduling of the monthly exams; they're always at the end of the month. You know how it is," Lin Feng said, spreading his hands with an innocent expression. "People always have a few days a month when they're—unwell." He chuckled mischievously. "So, if the test falls on one of those days, how could I possibly do well?" He then gave Cao Ying a teasing, knowing smile.
Hearing this, Cao Ying clearly made a connection. Her pretty face turned red, and she glared at Lin Feng, admonishing, "What a dirty mind!"
Seeing the look in Cao Ying's eyes, as if she wanted to eat him alive, Lin Feng let out a devilish grin and stood up obediently. "Teacher Cao, you've been teaching all day and must be tired. Why don't you get some rest early? Have a nice weekend!"
With that, Lin Feng was about to leave the office.
Having just been reborn and still missing part of his memory, Lin Feng hadn't figured out the situation yet. He had no time for idle chitchat with this beautiful teacher in the office.
"You stop right there."
Cao Ying would not let Lin Feng off easily. Sleeping in class, snoring, and drooling were one thing, but he even dared to flirt with his teacher! Did he have no respect for teachers or value for education? He needed a lesson!
Standing up, Cao Ying crossed her arms and walked over to Lin Feng's side.
Lin Feng, at eighteen, was already close to six feet tall. Cao Ying, wearing high heels, stood nearly five-foot-seven. With less than two feet separating them and being alone together, the atmosphere grew somewhat awkward.
Cologne... Who would have thought that the great beauty, Cao Ying, has such good taste... Smelling the fragrance emanating from Cao Ying, Lin Feng found himself quite enjoying it. Chatting with a beauty is always pleasant; no matter where I look, it's a beautiful sight.
Cao Ying, however, didn't notice Lin Feng's subtle reactions. She tapped her left arm lightly with her right index finger and said, "The monthly exam is in one week. Lin Feng, ever since the start of senior year, your scores in every English test, big or small, have dragged down the class's overall average. Do you have any thoughts on this upcoming exam?" As she spoke, a sinister expression appeared on her face, accompanied by an odd smile that sent a shiver down Lin Feng's spine.
"No thoughts, no thoughts…" Lin Feng shook his head like a rattle drum. Are you kidding me? Only an idiot would fall for such an obvious verbal trap.
Cao Ying had anticipated this reaction; otherwise, Lin Feng wouldn't have consistently ranked last in class. She said seriously, "Lin Feng, considering your good performance in class today, I believe your English has significant room for improvement. For this monthly exam, surely you can achieve the class average score?"
Hearing this, Lin Feng paused, stunned for a moment. Then, feigning difficulty, he rubbed his forehead and, after some "deep contemplation," said, "Teacher Cao, I'm afraid that will be rather difficult…"
"Difficulty creates challenge! How about this: just like the English teachers in other classes, I want you to write a formal pledge right now, guaranteeing that your English score on this monthly exam will exceed the class average."
"Write a pledge? Then... what if I don't surpass the average score?"
"Then you'll be solely responsible for cleaning the classroom for the entire next month." After saying this, Cao Ying finally revealed a smile. Truth be told, when this beautiful teacher smiles, she's truly as lovely as a celestial fairy, and it's incredibly uplifting.
Responsible for cleaning the classroom for a whole month? So this was Cao Ying's real reason for calling me to the office. She clearly wants to teach me a lesson.
Lin Feng hesitated for a moment, an almost imperceptible glint flashing in his eyes. Then, with an innocent expression, he asked, "Teacher Cao, there can't just be a punishment without a reward, right? What if I do exceed the class average for English?"
"Exceed it?" Cao Ying frowned slightly. Hmm, I haven't actually considered that. The class's English average has consistently been around 90 points—mainly because a few stubborn individuals like Lin Feng drastically pull it down. His own average score on the recent monthly exams hasn't even broken 40. How could he possibly surpass the class average?
"Then... if you exceed the class average... I'll praise you in front of the class."
Praise in front of the whole class... Tch, do you take me for a three-year-old! What kind of reward is that? You might as well offer me a big red paper flower! Lin Feng thought with exasperation.
"Then what if my English score exceeds 100 points?" Lin Feng pressed.
"Exceed 100 points?!" Cao Ying looked visibly surprised. Several students in class with good English grades can score 120 or 130 without issue. However, even 100 points is an absolutely unattainable score for the current Lin Feng.
Seeing Cao Ying still trying to process this, Lin Feng dropped another bombshell. "Several classmates who are good at English consistently score no less than 120 points. As a future flower of the motherland, and under your wise and tireless guidance, Teacher Cao, I believe I must strive to emulate my more advanced peers. So, Teacher Cao, if you want me to write that pledge, I'll guarantee my English score on this monthly exam will exceed 120 points."
120 points! This time, Cao Ying couldn't hide her shock. Her cherry-red lips parted slightly, and her beautiful face visibly froze.
After a long moment, she gave a cold laugh, a cunning smile playing on her lips as if her scheme had succeeded. She quickly turned around. "I'll go get paper and a pen."
The paper and pen were brought, but Lin Feng didn't rush to write the pledge. He said to Cao Ying, "Teacher Cao, you still haven't said what you'll reward me with if I score over 120 points."
"Whatever you want as a reward, I'll give it to you," Cao Ying blurted out. 120 points! In a class of forty, that would definitely put him in the top ten. Lin Feng, whose grades have always been abysmally bad, how could he possibly score over 120? Even a miracle... well, a miracle couldn't save him.
"Well then…" Lin Feng smirked slyly. "I want you."
BUZZ! Cao Ying's face instantly turned crimson, and she froze. Biting her lip, she glared at Lin Feng, intensely regretting her earlier words.
"...to treat me to a sumptuous meal at Shengshi Hotel." Seeing Cao Ying's face flush red with embarrassment, Lin Feng grinned triumphantly and delivered the rest of his sentence.
"Lin Feng... you... you bastard!" Realizing she'd been tricked by the young man before her, Cao Ying was so furious she gnashed her teeth, wishing she could send him flying to the moon with a single kick.
"So, Teacher Cao, if you agree to this, shall I write the pledge right away?" An innocent smile played on Lin Feng's lips as he casually waved the pen and notebook paper in his hand, speaking in a remarkably gentlemanly tone.