Gu Mang’s hands were in her pockets as she walked into the staffroom.

  Her face was expressionless and there was a mist of dense chilly air about her eyes.

  Meng Jinyang knew that Gu Mang had a bad temper. Like Chu Yao, she was afraid she might stir something up, so she had followed Gu Mang.

  Lu Yang turned to see her and was filled with indignation at the injustice done to her. “Gu Mang, she’s the one who spread rumors about you. I’ll make her apologize to you!”


  “Isn’t she the one who scored zeros on her tests? Isn’t she the one who was forced to drop out of her previous school?” Luo Songhua said mockingly as she saw Xi Yan rushing in.

  “Ms. Xi, please manage your students. They’re all so quick to cause trouble, not to mention how poor they are at their studies. It’s embarrassing! Do they think that this is just any run of the mill school? If they have so much energy, why not go and do some homework.”


  Xi Yan pursed her lips and forced a smile. “Ms. Luo is right.”


  Lu Yang frowned. “Little Xi, what do you mean? Did you forget how this old hag bullied you in the staffroom?! Today, I’ll help you to teach her a lesson!”


  “Old hag” hit a sore spot for Luo Songhua. Her face turned ashen instantly. “Ms. Xi! Is this the kind of student you are bringing up! Do you want to be fired from school again?”


  “Lu Yang!” Xi Yan spoke in a heavy tone for the first time. “You and Gu Mang, go out for now.”


  Lu Yang stared at Luo Songhua, suppressing his anger with a scowl.

  Luo Songhua smiled delightedly as she watched. “You’d do better to listen to Ms. Xi. Why are you still here? Get out!”


  “F*ck! You old hag!” Lu Yang was beyond caring and was about to rush up to her but Gu Mang pulled his arm. He turned his head to the side and saw Gu Mang’s expressionless face.

  Gu Mang shot a glance at Luo Songhua, who was frightened by Lu Yang, and said insipidly, “Go out first.”


  Lu Yang’s brows were knitted together tightly and he said irritably, “Do you know how bad she made you out to be in those rumors?”


  “Go out first.” Gu Mang repeated herself, staring at him with clear, black eyes. They were cold, fierce, and powerful.

  Lu Yang gritted his teeth. “Alright. For your sake, I’ll let her off today. If she dares to spout nonsense again, I won’t let her off again!”


  Gu Mang didn’t say anything and turned to head out.

  Just when they were at the door.

  “Huh, lousy students are just like that. Not only do they do poorly in their studies, they also have bad character. If they’re going to pull down the schools’ matriculation rate, they could at least learn to be modest. How arrogant,” Luo Songhua said harshly.

  Gu Mang stopped, her hands in her pockets. Her posture slanted, her intimidating aura encircled her as she stared forward.

  Xi Yan squeezed the lesson plan in her hand and said, “Ms. Luo, academics are not an indicator of one’s character. One’s reluctance to study is different from one’s natural tendency to not be able to study well. I believe my students are very smart. They also have good character. As a teacher, I hope that you can speak more cautiously.”


  Luo Songhua laughed. “Ms. Xi, are you saying that your students are just unwilling and that if they were willing they would be genuises?”


  Xi Yan pursed her lips and said nothing.

  “Let’s make a bet, then.” Luo Songhua crossed her legs and said haughtily, “Class One’s worst score was 643 on the previous exam. For this month’s exam, if even one student from your class can surpass this score, I’ll apologize to Gu Mang and your entire class.”