Chapter 463: Chapter 463: A Bad Idea
 

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The first two classes on the second day were Advanced Mathematics, and everyone had thought that after Mr. Wang fell ill and was hospitalized, a substitute teacher would take over the class. To their surprise, however, it was still Mr. Wang who showed up to teach the class.

When a spirited Mr. Wang stepped onto the podium, the entire class fell silent in an instant, their eyes filled with astonishment as they looked at the somewhat aging man standing before them.

“Perhaps everyone is quite shocked to see me, who had an acute myocardial infarction, back in the classroom after just two days,” Mr. Wang said, his eyes turning toward the direction where Luo Ziling was sitting. “I want to thank all the students in our class for lending a helping hand when I collapsed. Of course, I am especially grateful to Ziling. Without his extraordinary rescue, I might have died right here in the classroom. Even if the emergency doctors had arrived quickly, it’s possible they wouldn’t have been able to save me in time, or I could have been left with severe sequelae. If that were the case, you would see an obituary stating that Teacher Wang Tongshan passed away due to overwork, fallen at the podium he had devoted his life to.”

Mr. Wang’s self-deprecating humor elicited a burst of laughter, amusing many students with his wit.

During previous classes, the students had not noticed that the math teacher had such a sense of humor. In their eyes, this little old man was always serious and belonged to that very traditional kind of elder that most people wouldn’t find likable.

To their surprise, after falling ill and returning, he had changed into someone quite different, which was astonishing for everyone.

But what none of the students expected was that the little old man had yet another surprise for them. “Okay, I’m not really fit to teach today and will need to go back and rest soon. Today’s two Advanced Mathematics classes will be converted into study periods; you may freely arrange your time. But remember one thing: all of you must stay in the classroom and not sneak out, if you could do me that favor. Is that okay?”

“Sure,” the classroom immediately burst into cheerful laughter and chatter, as almost all the students shouted their agreement enthusiastically.

Mr. Wang didn’t say much else. He waved his hand to the students and prepared to leave the classroom.

As he was leaving, he called Luo Ziling out for a few words.

Luo Ziling did not refuse and followed Mr. Wang out of the classroom.

“Ziling, I am very grateful for your life-saving assistance,” Mr. Wang said sincerely after stopping in the corridor. “It’s unexpected that a new student like you would know first aid and carry medicine with you. I am truly lucky to have encountered such a student as you.”

“You’re being too kind, Mr. Wang,” Luo Ziling replied with some embarrassment. “My ancestors practiced medicine, so I’ve learned medical skills from a young age. Whoever I meet, if they are a patient, as a healer, I will definitely lend a hand. That is a basic question of medical ethics.”

“Regardless, I still must thank you for your help,” Mr. Wang said, patting Luo Ziling on the shoulder with a smile. “I need to go to the hospital for a check-up. Let’s have a good talk when there’s time.”

“Mr. Wang, go ahead with your business,” replied Luo Ziling, hardly feeling at ease with the little old man being so friendly and acknowledging his virtually nonexistent foundation in Advanced Mathematics. He felt a bit embarrassed, fearing that he might fail the course.

But Mr. Wang didn’t leave immediately. After a moment’s thought, he leaned in and spoke softly to Luo Ziling: “I have a friend who is also a doctor, and he saw the video of you administering aid to me. He’s very interested in your acupuncture skill. He’s done a lot of research on acupuncture treatment and is quite famous in Yanjing. He would like to witness your acupuncture skill firsthand. Would you be willing to meet him?”

This took Luo Ziling by surprise, and he didn’t know how to respond.

After some thought, Luo Ziling finally asked, “May I know who Mr. Wang is referring to?”

He wanted to find out the name of the person who wanted to meet him so he could check online and clarify the person’s identity before deciding whether or not to meet.

Before coming to school, his grandfather had cautioned him not to enter into medical contests lightly. He was advised to remember that practitioners often belittle each other, and some people, out of jealousy over his superior medical skills or acupuncture skill, might try to damage his reputation or even harm him, all under the guise of friendship.

His grandfather mentioned that these were his own personal experiences and harsh lessons, which Luo Ziling must remember.

Therefore, despite Mr. Wang’s enthusiasm, Luo Ziling did not make any immediate commitment.

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Seeing Luo Ziling hesitate, Wang Tongshan didn’t force anything, nor did he reveal the other person’s identity. He just smiled and said, “When there’s a chance, I’ll introduce you to each other. After you meet, have a good chat.”

“Alright,” Luo Ziling, embarrassed to refuse again, agreed.

Wang Tongshan didn’t say much else and after saying goodbye, he left.

When Luo Ziling returned to the classroom, Cao Jianhui and the others gathered around, asking him concernedly what he had talked about with Mr. Wang outside.

“Of course, I expressed my gratitude,” Luo Ziling didn’t elaborate, since they could guess what the two might have discussed outside the classroom.

Mr. Wang expressing his gratitude to Luo Ziling, his lifesaver, wasn’t a surprise to Cao Jianhui and the others, but Cao still teased, “Did Mr. Wang say he’d let you skip the final exam?”

“He didn’t say, but I hope so, otherwise I’m going to fail,” Luo Ziling chuckled, not taking it seriously.

At lunchtime, to avoid running into Ouyang Huihui, Luo Ziling deliberately went to a different cafeteria. Naturally, Cao Jianhui, Li Fuming, Wu Longjiang, and some of the girls from class also followed.

Luo Ziling’s precaution was effective; he didn’t see Ouyang Huihui.

During lunch, Ouyang Huihui sent a message asking him which cafeteria he was in, but Luo Ziling only replied to her after he had almost finished eating.

As they ate together, the conversation turned to the upcoming sports event.

Cao Jianhui told everyone he planned to sign up for shot put and discus, because he was strong.

Li Fuming and Wu Longjiang were the studious type and had focused only on their studies during high school, neglecting physical exercise, so they didn’t sign up. However, they boldly claimed they would join the cheerleading team, only to be ridiculed by Cao Jianhui.

Cao Jianhui urged Luo Ziling to decide quickly what events to sign up for so he could tally them up, and Luo Ziling had no choice but to agree, saying he would decide that evening.

In the afternoon class, Ouyang Huihui sent Luo Ziling a message, telling him the location of their dinner together.

Upon learning the dinner location, Cao Jianhui couldn’t help but be surprised, “Boss, that’s an expensive seafood buffet place. I heard each person’s cost is two hundred ninety-eight. Huihui treating so many of us, plus her classmates, is going to cost her a fortune.”

“It’s okay, she’s rich!”

“A goddess who’s so beautiful and rich, and you’re still complaining?” Cao Jianhui immediately gave a look of disdain, “Don’t you know that’s asking for a lightning strike? How about this, we’ll lend you a hand tonight, let you kiss her? Don’t worry, we consider it a selfless dedication. You don’t have to thank us, the most you could do is treat us to a big meal.”

Before Luo Ziling could tease back, Li Fuming reminded from the side, “Class president, if Boss takes Ouyang Huihui, what about Goddess Yang?”

Cao Jianhui’s small eyes spun around twice, then he said with pride, “How about taking both goddesses, and letting them draw straws or alternate days to accompany you?”

What he got in return was a clout on the head from Luo Ziling.