Although Lin Nineteen did not understand what Huai Shi meant, he still described truthfully, "Looks to be in his early forties, grey-haired, his beard is well groomed, his glasses are quite trendy, and I think that fitted robe he's wearing is really tasteful—you see, when you were on stage, I even took a photo."
He opened his phone and passed the screen over.
Huai Shi was speechless.
Leaving aside the photo of myself for the moment, next to it... isn't that still the Old Monkey?
Huai Shi, somewhat annoyed, scratched his hair, recalling what had just happened. He knew now he had been played by the principal again... That Old Turtle!
Considering the diploma and being unwittingly used as a tool, this was the third time he had been toyed with! Yet, everyone seemed to think that the principal was fostering the next generation, which made it impossible for him to vent his indignation.
With a long sigh, he could only silently chant to himself, Thirty years on the east bank of the river, thirty years on the west, attempting a psychological victory.
"Life really is full of hardships."
He sighed deeply with great weight and patted Little Nineteen on the shoulder.
Wood Cottage was totally confused, not knowing what had happened. Seeing Huai Shi rise to his feet, Wood Cottage asked, puzzled, "Where are you going, Teacher? Want to take the students with you? I can help."
"To the bathroom."
Huai Shi rolled his eyes and looked back at him. "What, you want to hold it for me?"
Little Nineteen immediately hesitated, seeming as if he was considering it...
Huai Shi grew even more helpless, waved his hand to tell him to wait outside the auditorium, and went off, sighing deeply about his tumultuous teaching career in the Ivory Tower.
Then in the bathroom, he encountered an unexpected person.
The Vice Principal.
The Vice Principal's attire was different from what Huai Shi had seen aboard Group Star. There were no long robes, no ancient solemnity. Instead, he wore a light-colored striped suit, looking much more approachable, though his face retained that same eternal stern calmness. A paragon of dignified comportment.
Had Huai Shi noticed him before finding his spot and turning around, their interaction would surely have been more congenial.
Now, they stood side by side in front of the urinals, eyes fixed on the white porcelain tiles ahead. The atmosphere was really rather awkward. He had originally anticipated that their first meeting might involve a covert struggle, a battle of wits, but he hadn't expected such silence.
Soon, after two minutes, the awkward silence finally ended. The Vice Principal left first.
Huai Shi breathed a sigh of relief and then realized... I haven't even unfastened my belt!
I've been standing here pointlessly this whole time!
When Huai Shi came out of the bathroom, he saw the Vice Principal waiting by the sinks. This esteemed scholar, a Pureblood, was a Fifth Stage Sublimator on The Path of the Heavenly Kingdom Genealogy God's Essence, a renowned bigwig and leader throughout the realm. Now, it seemed like he was waiting specifically for him by the door, examining Huai Shi's appearance.
"Uh, hello, Vice Principal..." Huai Shi tentatively greeted.
The Vice Principal's face remained stern, but he nodded slightly, then raised his hand, pointed at his own chest, and then at Huai Shi's chest.
"..."
In silence, Huai Shi looked blankly at the other's finger, and then at his own chest, not understanding the meaning.
But soon, it dawned on him, like the legendary Buddha's smile upon grasping a flower. Could this be a marvelous method of heart-to-heart communication? Or perhaps the Vice Principal is giving me a hint? Telling me he doesn't care about all the rumors, that I should understand, and that he thinks highly of me? So we must have a tacit understanding?
Then, his fantasy was shattered. The Vice Principal's brows furrowed.
"Your tie," he said, "it's crooked."
"..."
Huai Shi only noticed when he looked down that, yes, his tie was crooked... By about half a centimeter? So he's just that particular, huh?
After he frantically straightened it, the Vice Principal's brows relaxed slightly. Looking at the young man before him, he suddenly asked, "Do you know that I am the lecturer for Abyss Ecology? You will be my teaching assistant."
Huai Shi quickly nodded. In a way, the Vice Principal was also his immediate superior—it was no wonder he was displeased with Huai Shi's arrival. Who would want a spy shoved into their team by the principal?
"Very good." The Vice Principal nodded and told him bluntly, "You need not attend the Abyss Ecology class this Wednesday."
"Huh?" Huai Shi was startled.
Is the pressure starting already? And why is he being so blunt?
Does this Vice Principal not care about appearances at all?
Before Huai Shi could brace himself to retaliate with questions, the Vice Principal continued with his instructions, "In the meantime, prepare your lesson plan. In two weeks, you'll be teaching the chapter on Abyss Plant Ecology."
"Huh?!" Huai Shi's voice of surprise grew louder. He couldn't handle the twist.
Heavens, is this suppression or promotion? How did I abruptly go from serving tea and grading papers to lecturing on stage?
Once he was certain that Huai Shi understood, he remained expressionless, just nodded, and advised, "Prepare carefully. It's a large class, don't embarrass yourself."
After that, he turned and left, leaving Huai Shi standing there alone, utterly bewildered.
In the silence, only The Fly King in his arms finally sighed in exasperation, "Big brother, you're bound to make a fool of yourself!"