Chapter 608: 315 Dust Rising (Second Update)

After raising the national flag, each class returned to their classrooms in an orderly manner.

“I heard that Old Griffin is sick and has taken sick leave. Our class should have a new teacher coming. I don’t know if it’s a man or a woman…”

“Old Griffin wouldn’t be sick because of us, would he?”

“Who knows?”

Ming Chen listened to the whispers of the two students behind her and secretly tugged at Zhang Yunfang: “A new teacher is coming. Do you know?”

Zhang Yunfang shook her head blankly.

The first class was math. Everyone sat quietly in their seats, waiting for the new teacher to arrive.

Soon, the headteacher, Zhao Xueying, led a man into the classroom.

Everyone sat quietly, their curious eyes all on the man.

A small paper ball landed on Ming Chen’s desk. She secretly opened it, Zhang Yunfang’s chicken scratch handwriting was difficult to look at directly—The new math teacher is so handsome[Heart]

Ming Chen snorted, “They have no idea. He’s not even close to Brother Qu.”

Zhao Xueying stood on the podium and said solemnly, “As you all know, Mr. Griffin has taken sick leave and won’t be teaching for a long time. The school has hired a new teacher, a top graduate from Jingzhou Normal University. Now, let’s have the new teacher introduce himself.”

Zhao Xueying stepped down from the podium, and the new teacher stepped up.

This was a young man in a spotless white shirt and a black casual jacket that made him look even paler. He was about 1.8 meters tall, not too tall or too short, with short hair neatly arranged. He wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses on his nose, looking refined and elegant.

The man picked up a piece of chalk and wrote two characters on the blackboard.

Ming Chen read aloud, “Cen Ning…”

“Hello, everyone. My name is Cen Ning, the ‘Cen’ from Cen Shen and the ‘Ning’ from peace. From now on, I’ll be your new teacher. If you have any questions after class, feel free to ask me.”

The man’s voice was deep and mellow, like aged wine, intoxicating to the listeners. He spoke slowly, giving a gentlemanly impression.

The whole class was impressed by the new teacher’s demeanor. He was much more handsome than bald Old Griffin, and he seemed like a character straight out of a novel.

However, the only thought in Ming Chen’s mind was: a refined scum.

She looked around and found that apart from Ming Ti, who was unimpressed by anyone, the entire class had basically surrendered.

Zhao Xueying quietly left the classroom. Before leaving, she couldn’t help but look at the new teacher on the podium, controlling her slightly pounding heart and sighing, “It’s no wonder he’s from Jingzhou. This kind of demeanor is not something ordinary people can maintain.”

This teacher was personally approved by the principal. Not only did he have a high education, but he also had high emotional intelligence. In just a few words, he had the principal smiling from ear to ear, showing he was a smart person who knew how to get along with others.

As soon as she returned to the office, several female teachers approached her to ask questions, “Is that the new math teacher? Is he married?”

“He’s not wearing a ring; we should ask if he has a girlfriend.”

Several people discussed animatedly.

Zhao Xueying was annoyed: these single female teachers were almost going crazy. Their work environment was full of men, either married or greasy middle-aged men with big bellies. Finally, a refreshing and elegant male teacher had arrived, and they couldn’t resist fighting for him.

“I don’t know; you can ask him yourselves.” Zhao Xueying walked out of the circle of questions somewhat irritably.

The class quickly ended, and while the other students were immersed in the new teacher’s gentle and handsome demeanor, Zhang Yunfang stared at the new teacher’s retreating figure and said to Ming Chen, “He’s so handsome. Mr. Cen is so handsome, and he looks so good when he’s teaching.”

Ming Chen gave her a glance, “He’s a man who can confuse the concepts of rational and opposite numbers, just a pretender.”

Although the teacher could otherwise teach well, Ming Chen felt that he might not have prepared well. She thought she could teach better than the new teacher, who was supposed to be a top graduate from the normal university but made mistakes in basic concepts and didn’t prepare well for classes.

Zhang Yunfang didn’t care at all, “Do you think you’re better than the teacher? What the teacher said must be correct. When Mr. Cen lectures, he’s really gentle, and his voice is so pleasant. Did you notice that Mr. Cen doesn’t ask questions? Unlike Old Griffin, who loved to ask questions, we were always on edge in his class.”

“Old Griffin may be fierce, but his teaching level is much better than this new teacher’s.”

Zhang Yunfang went back to her seat, still annoyed.

————-

Cen Ning entered the office, which was shared by several teachers. As soon as he walked in, several young female teachers enthusiastically greeted him.

Cen Ning nodded and smiled, polite but distant, and sat down at his own desk.”Mr. Cen Ning, it must be not easy to manage these young students. They can be quite mischievous. Thank you for your efforts.” Zhao Xueying brought a cup of coffee and placed it in front of him.

“It’s not too bad, the students are well-behaved. By the way, Ms. Zhao, could you give me a list of their names?”

“I can’t believe I forgot about that. I’ll get you a copy right away.”

Cen Ning looked over the list and pointed to the first name, Ming Chen, and said, “Is Ming Chen the young girl sitting in the middle of the third row with big eyes? I have a strong impression of her; she seems to be a brilliant student.”

Zhao Xueying immediately laughed, “Of course, she and Ming Ti are twins. Both sisters are very bright, and they always rank first in class. They are also very sensible and obedient, never causing trouble for any teachers.”

“It seems to be a result of good upbringing.” Cen Ning exclaimed.

Zhao Xueying laughed again, “The sisters have learned a great deal from their older sister, and she’s no ordinary person, I’m sure you know her.”

Cen Ning’s eyes sparkled a little, “Is it Ming Jing?”

“So, Mr. Cen Ning already knows?”

Cen Ning smiled, “The surname Ming is quite rare, and it reminds me of the Bodhi Pooja Gatha by Master Hui Neng: ‘The body is like the Bodhi tree, the mind like a bright mirror stand, constantly wipe it clean, and let no dust alight.’ Whoever named them must be gifted with insight.”

Zhao Xueying’s laughter deepened, “Mr. Cen Ning, you know a great deal.”

“I’m simply a learner.”

“I have to get to my next class, and we’ll have to chat later. In the meantime, I’d like to invite you to dinner sometime, to welcome you. I hope that you’ll accept my offer.” Zhao Xueying picked up her lesson plan from the desk and hurried away.

Cen Ning lowered his gaze to Ming Chen and Ming Ti’s names, his smile faint against the sunlight. Deep within his eyes, there was an unfathomable darkness.

—-

Han Suwen prepared lavish, nutritious, and delicious meals, so Qu Feitai began living a life of eating and sleeping like a pig.

Ming Chen came home from school and immediately went to see Qu Feitai. Only when she found him safe and sound with a healthy complexion did she breathe a sigh of relief.

“Brother Qu, you have no idea how frightening it was yesterday…” Ming Chen vividly described the scene.

Qu Feitai focused on Ming Jing carrying him to bed without any help, and his jaw almost dropped. He repeatedly asked Ming Chen for confirmation.

“Are you sure Ming Jing carried me to bed all by herself?”

Ming Chen nodded vigorously, “I saw it with my own eyes! What’s so surprising about it? My sister has always been strong since she was little, even though she’s so slim that everyone thinks she’s delicate.”

Qu Feitai’s Adam’s apple moved with difficulty, had he misunderstood something?

Ming Chen went home for dinner and then came back with her homework. Qu Feitai worked on his songs, while Ming Chen did her homework.

Having finished her homework, Ming Chen cupped her face in her hands and sighed.

Qu Feitai glanced at her, “What’s wrong? You have seemed unhappy since you came home from school. Did someone bully you? Tell Brother Qu, and I’ll support you.”

Ming Chen shook her head, “It’s our new math teacher.”

Qu Feitai was taken aback, “Did the new teacher bully you?”

“No, I just don’t like him, but all of my classmates do. So I wonder if it’s my problem or the new teacher’s.”

Qu Feitai didn’t hesitate to say, “It must be his problem.”

Ming Chen’s eyes brightened, “Why?”

“There’s no reason, some people just don’t click.”

Ming Chen nodded, “You’re right, like when I first saw you, I knew you would be my sister’s husband.”

“Pfft” Qu Feitai sprayed out the water he was drinking.

The young girl opposite him cupped her face, laughing mischievously and adorably.

“Don’t ever let your sister hear that, or we’ll both be in trouble.”

“Do you know why? Because in Buddhism, we have a Master Hui Neng who wrote the Bodhi Pooja Gatha, which goes, ‘The bright mirror is also not the stand.’ This shows that you and my sister are a match made in heaven.”

Qu Feitai was stunned and his expression became gradually darker.