Chapter 9: You Can Read, Right? (Extra Chapter)
At Yunqi First High School, not only was competition among students fierce, but the rivalry between teachers regarding their teaching performance was equally intense.
Upon hearing that the principal planned to assign a “Star of Literary Talent” to her class—a student who could add luster to her teaching achievements—Ms. Liang could not help but feel excited.
No sooner had Principal Lin hung up the phone than Ms. Liang appeared at the office door, so swiftly that Chen Shi’an wondered if the school had some hidden masters.
“Principal Lin.”
“Ah, Old Liang, come in and have a seat.” Seeing the future homeroom teacher arrive, Chen Shi’an rose politely, clasped his hands in greeting, and bowed to Ms. Liang, “Greetings, Teacher Liang.”
Having spent many years on the frontlines of education, Liang Huiyang was no longer young. In his forties, his hair had begun to retreat toward the center of his scalp, exposing a shiny patch reminiscent of an inkstone smoothed by time. The remaining hair lay limp around it, and though his clothes were clean enough, a faint scent of chalk always seemed to cling to him.
“Um… hello, little master.” Upon seeing the young Taoist in the principal’s office bow and greet him, Teacher Liang was momentarily stunned.
His thoughts were preoccupied with the “Star of Literary Talent,” so he glanced around the room. Aside from the cheerful Principal Lin and the young Taoist, there was not a soul in sight.
Could it be that the student transferring into his class—the famed star—was this young Taoist?
Principal Lin hadn’t mentioned he was a Taoist!
Confused, Teacher Liang looked at Principal Lin, and from the principal’s gaze, he seemed to confirm Liang’s suspicions.
So it was true!
Over his many years as a teacher, Liang Huiyang had seen all kinds of students: young internet celebrities, child actors, poor mountain children, wealthy heirs… but this transfer student was the freshest yet—a young Taoist in a blue robe!
Was he a real Taoist, or just another youth caught up in the latest cosplay trend?
But never mind; whatever his background, as long as his grades were good…
“Let me give a brief introduction,” Principal Lin said while brewing tea. “Shi’an, this is your homeroom teacher, Mr. Liang. As I mentioned, he’s an outstanding educator. He teaches Chinese, and here we follow a homeroom system, so you’ll be under Mr. Liang’s guidance all the way to graduation.”
“Old Liang, this is the student I told you about—Chen Shi’an. Shi’an is a bona fide Taoist, but teaching has no boundaries; once he enters our school, he’s one of us. His master speaks highly of him—his skills, teachings, and character are all exemplary. I have great confidence in him, so I’m placing him in your class. Let’s aim for a strong performance in the college entrance exam in two years.”
Listening to the introduction, Teacher Liang looked as though he wanted to say something but hesitated.
Principal, in a school like ours, teachings and doctrines aren’t much use! Here, it’s all about talent, grades, and background!
Teacher Liang had no idea yet about the young Taoist’s talent and academic ability, but it was the first time Principal Lin personally introduced a student to him, suggesting the boy had a considerable background…
During tea, Teacher Liang and Chen Shi’an began to get acquainted.
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“So, Shi’an, you practice Taoism?”
“Yes.”
“How many years have you been at it? Not many young people pursue such interests these days.”
“I’ve been following my master and cultivating on the mountain since childhood.”
“….”
Teacher Liang’s heart skipped a beat, and curiosity got the better of him. “Where did you study before this?”
“I haven’t attended school.”
Those five words, so lightly spoken, seemed almost inconceivable for a modern young person; Teacher Liang found it hard to believe!
This well-mannered, calm, and refined young Taoist—he’d never been to school?
Wasn’t the student supposed to be a “Star of Literary Talent”? How had he turned into an academic underdog?
Teacher Liang looked up at Principal Lin, who pretended not to notice, focusing intently on brewing his tea.
Principal Lin, you’ve set me up!
“Truly… not a single day in school?”
“Well, I did attend elementary school for a few days.”
“….”
Chen Shi’an’s words brought no comfort; instead, they dashed Teacher Liang’s hopes entirely.
After a long pause, Teacher Liang frowned and sighed, “Even if you practice Taoism, you should still complete the nine years of compulsory education. Did your master never urge you? And your parents—did they have no objections to you living and cultivating in the temple at such a young age?”
“Teacher Liang, I have no parents. I’ve been an orphan since childhood. My master found me during his travels and raised me. Our temple is deep in the mountains, and attending school is difficult. Conditions are limited, but although I haven’t entered a classroom, I’ve always studied with my master.”
“….”
Upon hearing this, Teacher Liang finally understood the meaning behind the name “Chen Shi’an.”
Seeing the mature and resilient boy before him, a wave of guilt suddenly overcame Teacher Liang.
“I’m sorry, Shi’an. I didn’t know…”
“No need to feel guilty, Teacher Liang. I don’t believe I’ve missed out on anything.”
He was about to comfort the boy, but instead, the young Taoist was comforting him!
Looking at Shi’an’s calm and gentle smile, Teacher Liang’s guilt deepened.
“Ahem, ahem.”
---
Principal Lin coughed twice, steering the conversation back.
“Shi’an’s intelligence and quick-wittedness have been praised many times by Elder Chen. You can see for yourself, Teacher Liang—he’s young, but his speech, conduct, and character are far above his peers. Though he’s never been in a classroom, he’s not beyond teaching. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Who’s to say he won’t achieve a good result in the college entrance exam in two years?”
Teacher Liang thought to himself: There are plenty of students with poor grades out there—you don’t see them being admitted here!
He had no idea where Principal Lin’s confidence in Chen Shi’an came from; every sentence referenced the boy’s master, as if a disciple approved by his master could not possibly be lacking.
Teacher Liang had given up hope for the so-called “Star of Literary Talent.” Now his greatest headache was how to bring a student with zero foundation, parachuted into the second year of high school, up to the level needed to enter university.
No one understood better than a frontline educator how crucial a student’s foundation was.
Yunqi First High’s annual college entrance exam results were unmatched locally. Besides teaching management and faculty strength, the most vital factor was the quality of their student intake—thanks to their prestigious reputation, they swept up nearly all top scorers from the middle school entrance exam, resulting in outstanding graduation outcomes three years later.
Setting grades aside, Teacher Liang was impressed by Chen Shi’an’s demeanor. Since the transfer to Class Five was already decided, improving his academic performance became the foremost priority.
Six years of elementary school, three years of junior high, one year of high school—an entire decade of missed curriculum! Could Old Liang really guide him to success?
With such a student, his own status as a “Distinguished Teacher”—would he be ruined or celebrated in two years, all hinging on the college entrance exam.
With that thought, Teacher Liang quickly devised a teaching plan.
To treat an illness, one must diagnose it; so too with teaching.
The first step was to assess Shi’an’s academic foundation.
“Shi’an, I have a copy of last week’s monthly exam. Would you like to try it, so we can get a sense of your level?”
“Of course,” Shi’an nodded.
“…You can read, right?”
“I can.”
Good, good, good!
If he can read, there’s hope…
Teacher Liang had never imagined his requirements for a student would drop so low—and feel a touch of relief because of it…
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(Extra chapter added—please vote and keep reading~)