Secrets Between Teachers

It felt as though Ouyang Qianyu might leave her at any moment, plunging her into a profound sense of insecurity. The car, which had been quiet just moments before, erupted into a flurry of noise following the sudden, sharp braking.

The teacher sitting near the front had no choice but to stand up, picking up the microphone and speaking in a calm voice, "Everyone, please quiet down! The road ahead is currently under repair, so we are taking a detour to head back."

"It might take a little longer, but please remain quiet! We will be back soon." His voice seemed to possess a soothing quality, slowly calming everyone's restless and anxious hearts.

Order was restored, though the relaxed and carefree atmosphere from the start of the journey was gone. Although the students quieted down, their eyes remained wide open.

They were terrified that the driver might slam on the brakes again, in which case they might never make it home and instead be killed in a crash right inside the bus! Suddenly, Shangguan Xiao raised her head and looked at the teacher sitting at the front.

She couldn't help feeling that there was some kind of magic in his voice—a healing, comforting sensation! Her frantically beating heart gradually settled down as well.

Seeing her gaze fixed on another man, Ouyang Qianyu felt a slight pang of jealousy. He struggled to restrain himself, silently reasoning with his own heart.

He absolutely could not act impulsively, or else Xiao would surely grow to resent him. He couldn't behave like some petty, green-eyed shrew! Even though he was a man, he was still susceptible to these kinds of petty feelings typically associated with women.

Yet, the sourness in his chest refused to fade! Such a close, tangible love only made him tread all the more carefully.

He was terrified that a single wrong move on his part would bring their relationship to an abrupt end. Fear—he was experiencing such terror for the very first time in his life. This fear did not stem from cowardice.

It was the pure, unadulterated dread that his beloved would leave him, that she would no longer care for him. Sensing the unusual emotional turmoil in the person beside her, Shangguan Xiao turned her head and looked at him with a puzzled expression.

Although his expression showed no obvious difference from usual, Shangguan Xiao was the person who had lived with him the longest! While she couldn't entirely decipher every subtle micro-expression of his,

she could still tell whether he was happy or upset. At this moment, Ouyang Qianyu was unconsciously knitting his brows.

Perhaps even he hadn't realized it himself! Yet, leaning right beside him, Shangguan Xiao saw it clearly. She raised a hand and gently smoothed out his furrowed brow, drawing Ouyang Qianyu's attention.

Catching her questioning gaze, the corners of Shangguan Xiao's lips curved upward into a slight smile. She whispered softly, "It's nothing! I just don't like seeing you frown all the time."

The compact interior of the car was filled with a warm, tender affection. Seemingly touched by Shangguan Xiao's care, he relaxed his brow. Seeing him respond so cooperatively, Shangguan Xiao suddenly felt a wave of emotion.

To think that this person cared for her so deeply, changing a lifelong habit simply because of a single word of dislike from her—how could she possibly not love him? Quietly resting against him, the two of them leaned on each other for mutual support.

After changing routes, the bus truly became as smooth as the teacher had predicted, leaving the bumpy ride behind.

The students, already physically exhausted from months of grueling training, gradually drifted off to sleep. The bus drove past a lush forest, differing from the scenery on the outward trip.

Here, the roadside was blanketed in small, tender yellow flowers that danced gracefully in the wake of the breeze. The dazzling sun was blocked by the curtains, though an occasional playful beam managed to filter through,

caressing the faces of the sleeping students and causing them to purse their lips in their slumber. When they finally woke up, the bus had already pulled into the school parking lot.

Leaning against Ouyang Qianyu, her eyes filled with lingering sleepiness, Shangguan Xiao took a long time to return to reality.

She gazed blankly at the surroundings, which were both unfamiliar and familiar, unable to recall where they were for the longest time. Gently tousling her soft hair, Ouyang Qianyu smiled with pursed lips

and kindly explained to her, "We've arrived at school."

At that moment, observing her expression, sure enough—she wore a look of sudden realization! Shangguan Xiao pouted slightly, turned her head to look at Ouyang Qianyu beside her,

and then, regardless of the public setting, wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed a kiss to his lips. Smiling with satisfaction afterwards, Ouyang Qianyu was momentarily stunned as he looked at her radiant, beaming smile.

He raised a hand to touch the spot where she had just kissed him, then watched the figure of the girl who had already walked some distance away. Ouyang Qianyu shoved his hands into his pockets, yet the corners of his mouth still stubbornly curved upward.

This was the trait of Shangguan Xiao's that he loved the most: whenever she wanted to do something, she would do it without a second thought. This kind of boldness was something he lacked.

Ever since he had confessed his feelings to Shangguan Xiao, he felt as though he had turned into an impulsive young lad, prone to acting rashly over the slightest things.

Back in their own classroom, they still had to listen to their homeroom teacher brief them on a few matters before they were allowed to go home and rest. Up on the podium, the homeroom teacher was as calm and composed as ever.

In his reassuring, steady voice, he addressed the students below, "First of all, welcome back to school!"

After a brief pause, he continued, "Secondly, you will have three days of rest, following which we will hold monthly exams! Once the exams are over, seating arrangements will be made according to your scores."

Having finished, he stood quietly on the podium, waiting for the students to voice their opinions. In his view, however, opinions were entirely unnecessary.

And these children did not disappoint him; faced with the upcoming monthly exams, they remained confident. It was clear that even after a month of military training, they had not neglected their studies!

This brought a sense of gratification to him as their homeroom teacher! Meanwhile, right after Class F's homeroom teacher announced the exact same news, the classroom immediately erupted into chaos!

Complaints rang out from the students: "What is this! We literally just got back, and you're only giving us three days? How are we supposed to review?"

"Seriously! What are we going to do?"

"Another damn exam! Can't the school find something else to do?" These people acted as though taking an exam would cost them half their lives!

Standing at the podium, the homeroom teacher shook his head incessantly. When would these kids ever grow up and show some maturity? It was just a simple test, and three days was actually plenty of time!

As long as they managed their time well, reviewing every subject was a straightforward task. Yet they carried on as if the school were intentionally torturing them, whining endlessly.

It made him feel that, as their homeroom teacher, not only did he lack any dignity, but they also constantly caused trouble, leaving him to clean up their messes afterward!

There were very few teachers left in this day and age who would endure the role to the extent he had. It was simply because he couldn't bear to abandon these kids; after all, when they weren't causing trouble, they were actually quite endearing.

Their only flaw was their poor academic performance coupled with an unwillingness to apply themselves. This issue had always plagued him with internal conflict as their homeroom teacher.

Just what could he do to make them take an interest in studying? He had wracked his brain over this matter, even going so far as to consult the homeroom teacher of Class A!

Yet that guy's response had been infuriating to the extreme! He still remembered that bright, sunny afternoon.

When he had walked into the office of the freshman grade director with a heart full of hope, seeking to find some motivation for those children, he had timidly raised his hand and knocked on the door.

Shortly after, a voice that was both familiar and unpleasant to his ears called out from within: "Come in."

Short and powerful; upon hearing those words, he felt as though all the strength had been drained from his body. To be honest, if it weren't for the sake of the students in Class F,

he would never have come to see this cold-hearted bastard! Every time they met, the man always wore a glacial expression, looking as though the homeroom teacher had stolen his wife in a past life!

He pouted and walked slowly inside, forcing himself to dredge up a smile. He could only imagine how hideous his smile must have looked right then!

After all, he was facing someone he thoroughly disliked, so expecting him to look natural was completely out of the question!

The man sitting at the desk didn't even look up as he coldly asked, "What is it?"

His fingers continued to fly across the keyboard, and the spacious office was filled only with the rapid clacking of keys.

Seeing that the man was entirely focused on work and treating him with perfunctory indifference, the Class F teacher felt a surge of dissatisfaction. But for the sake of his students, he was ready to risk it all!

He mentally coached himself, making sure he could withstand whatever blow was coming, before biting his lip and finally speaking up in a slow, reluctant voice: "I came here to ask for your advice on how to make students interested in studying!"

It seemed the man had been listening, as the tapping of his fingers paused for a fraction of a second. But it was only for a moment!

Immediately after, he resumed his furious typing. Just as the Class F teacher assumed the man wouldn't answer and prepared to turn and leave,

the man finally stopped typing altogether, shifting his gaze to fix it upon the face of the Class F homeroom teacher. This man had graduated from the same university as him!

After graduation, the two of them had entered this school at the same time. Now, each managed a completely different class. The only difference was that within a mere two years, the man had risen to the position of grade director.

Meanwhile, the Class F teacher remained stuck at the level of a regular homeroom teacher, responsible only for the worst class in the entire school! Moreover, the only reason he had even been given that position was because of his exasperatingly good temper.

No matter what others did, no matter how outrageous their actions, he never got angry, choosing instead to bear it in silence. Sometimes, looking at him like that, the man found it completely incomprehensible.

Yet perhaps it was precisely because he possessed such a gentle disposition that he had ended up taking over the class that everyone else avoided like the plague.

Having finished the task at hand, the man spoke in a chilling tone: "That bunch of people are beyond being trash! There is zero reason to waste any time on them!"

Hearing those words, the ordinarily mild-mannered man lost his temper for the very first time! He reached out and shoved him hard, sending the Class A teacher stumbling back a few paces.

Yet his fury only mounted further, and he roared indignantly, "How can you say such things about them? They want to learn too! They just haven't found the right method yet!"