The Unlikable Teacher

She always threatened to expel them, but when their parents came and stuffed some money into her hands, everything was fine! She claimed her devotion to education was absolute, that she willingly sacrificed her youth for its sake, but it was all an act—nothing but pretense! Just one word: fake! Every time Xiao thought of her, she couldn’t help but roll her eyes. This teacher was truly unlikable! Out of the whole class, nine disliked her, and the tenth was Ouyang Xianyu, the perpetual neutral who never showed his opinion.

Even if Ouyang Xianyu didn’t like the teacher, with his personality, no one could tell. So he might as well be neutral. In fact, he was the only one in the teacher’s presence who could tolerate everything about her. If it were Xiao in his place, she would have walked out long ago. So, if Ouyang Xianyu didn’t help her later, she’d surely be trapped by that teacher, forced to answer a slew of nauseating questions!

Just seeing her insincere face made Shangguan Xiao feel she’d reached her limit. She was genuinely afraid she’d lose control under the teacher’s interrogation and throw her out in a fit of rage. That would be a disaster! So she could only turn to Ouyang Xianyu for help, tugging on his sleeve and pleading, “Yu, please help me! You have no idea how disgusting that teacher is!”

Her violet eyes sparkled like glass, giving him a look that said she wouldn’t let go until he agreed. Ouyang Xianyu gazed at Shangguan Xiao, feeling utterly helpless. But knowing her so well, he realized that for her to loathe someone so much, that teacher must truly be remarkable. Though he himself felt nothing, since Xiao had asked, he couldn’t just stand by.

Resigned, he took her hand and led her back to their dressing room. As soon as they entered, the teacher, reeking of overpowering perfume, rushed forward and tried to grab Xiao. Ouyang Xianyu blocked her path. The teacher looked at him in confusion, but he ignored her, bypassed her, and led Xiao to the sofa. Only then did he coolly explain, “She just went to the restroom and got lost.”

He lied for Shangguan Xiao without so much as a blush or a heartbeat, completely unfazed. Xiao turned her head and stared at him in amazement. How could he lie so confidently? He was truly impressive! With his usual impassive expression, nobody would question his credibility. This trick was so cool—she had to learn it!

But he always wore that stoic face; didn’t he ever get tired? If it were her, she couldn’t manage it at all! As expected, after hearing his explanation, the teacher didn’t ask any further questions. She obediently closed her mouth and sat aside.

Shangguan Xiao was practically a money tree. Every semester, her family donated new teaching equipment to the school. This year, the swimming pool was being renovated, and all the expenses came from the Shangguan family. The principal had specifically requested the teacher to take special care of Miss Shangguan.

At first, the teacher assumed the young lady had nothing to offer, but to her surprise, Xiao excelled at everything! Now the teacher could boast to the principal, claiming Xiao’s intelligence was all thanks to her own painstaking guidance. Her salary had risen considerably, and her standing at the school had soared. Her words now carried weight.

——— Side Note ———

A certain author, sorrowfully writing, suddenly looks to the sky and howls, “Why is it always me who loses readers?”