The former homeroom teacher took maternity leave to have her second child.
The new homeroom teacher was a tall, striking beauty, appearing to be in her late twenties. She wore a pair of rigid, black-rimmed glasses, her face stern and unsmiling.
During the morning class, she stood at the podium to introduce herself.
"My surname is Wen, Wen Rushuang. I'll be your new homeroom teacher from now on."
Without unnecessary pleasantries, Wen Rushuang directly outlined her teaching philosophy.
"I used to teach in a key high school in the province, heading a senior experimental class. Each year, about 50% of my students were accepted into the 985 and 211 universities, with the majority of the rest also entering top-tier schools."
"Although this is a private high school, it is by no means lacking in strength. I expect a 100% university acceptance rate from this cohort. Therefore, starting today, we will be changing the pace of study."
"For those of you who are coasting along, I ask that you adjust your attitude. If you cannot meet the required standard, I will suggest to the grade director that you be transferred to a regular class."
Perhaps it was her imagination, but Chi Yu felt that Wen Rushuang glanced in her direction.
Chi Yu was probably one of the students Wen Rushuang referred to as 'coasting along.'
Due to frequent absences from illness, Chi Yu's exam results were often disastrous. Her presence in this elite class was largely due to her father, Chi He, being on the school board.
It was understandable that the new teacher wanted to make a strong impression. However, for Wen Rushuang, a teacher without any background, to make such bold remarks on her first day at Simo High—was she naive or just foolish?
The students in this class were either academic elites or came from influential families. All of them were the cream of the crop.
The previous homeroom teacher, who happened to be the sister-in-law of the city's deputy education director, had struggled to manage this class despite her strong background.
So who would bother to pay attention to this newly appointed, parachuted-in homeroom teacher?
As soon as she finished speaking, the students went about their own business. Some whispered to each other, some ate breakfast, and others, with earphones on, silently memorized vocabulary. Wen Rushuang was utterly ignored.
Chi Yu felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned slightly and heard Jin Yao's voice from behind. "Why is Ning Jin absent today?"
"I don't know."
Jin Yao was dissatisfied with her dismissive response. "You two live together. How could you not know?"
Chi Yu raised an eyebrow, turning to glance at his head, half full of water and half full of straw—useless except as decoration.
"Why should I know? What kind of master keeps tabs on their servants?"
Jin Yao didn't like the way Chi Yu brought up the difference in status between her and Ning Jin.
"Ning Jin's mother works as a maid in your house, not her. Stop talking about masters and servants like that."
"Mind my words?" Chi Yu repeated softly.
Jin Yao thought she had taken his words to heart.
It was rare for Miss Chi to listen to reason, so he softened his tone, trying to appeal to her emotions. "She's the same age as you, at the most sensitive time in life. You should put yourself in her shoes and treat her better."
Chi Yu found his remarks amusing.
Her gaze fell on a book on Jin Yao's desk. She picked it up and weighed it in her hands.
Yes, it had enough heft.
Jin Yao's attention shifted to her actions. "Did you forget your literature book? Go ahead, take mine, I..."
Before he could finish, Chi Yu smacked him across the face twice with the rolled-up book.
Jin Yao, his face now burning red, stared at her in disbelief.
She had actually hit him, in front of the teacher and the entire class!
Chi Yu tossed the book aside, her smile cold. "Who do you think you are, to lecture me?"
"Chi Yu!" Jin Yao bellowed in rage.
He had lost all reason, driven by anger. With one hand, he grabbed Chi Yu's collar, and with the other, raised his fist high.
Chi Yu remained expressionless, not even blinking.
Yet, the expected slap never landed.
No one had noticed how Qi Zhao appeared, but in the blink of an eye, Jin Yao was thrown to the ground, while Chi Yu stood unharmed.
"Are you alright, Miss?" Qi Zhao asked, his face filled with concern, his eyes scanning Chi Yu's neck nervously, worried she might have even the smallest scratch.
Chi Yu was always amazed by how Qi Zhao could appear at her side whenever she was in danger, ensuring she remained unharmed.
"How did you know we were fighting?"
Qi Zhao's lips tightened, his voice low, as though suppressing something.
"I didn't see you fighting. I only saw him raising his hand against you."
As he spoke, his cold gaze turned to Jin Yao.
"This is the second time. If Miss permits, I could make sure he spends the rest of his life bedridden."
Chi Yu was about to reply when Wen Rushuang approached, her voice sharp with disapproval. "Who are you? You just barged into the classroom and injured my student. I've already called the police!"
"He's my bodyguard," Chi Yu said indifferently.
Wen Rushuang's expression didn't soften. Instead, she directed her anger toward Chi Yu.
"This is a place for studying. Letting your bodyguard come and go as he pleases, are you deliberately disregarding me?"
That was something new.
Who at Simo High didn't know Chi Yu? No one had ever dared to demand respect from her.
It was so absurd that Chi Yu couldn't even muster the interest to deal with it.
After all, Wen Rushuang was a new teacher, and it wouldn't be good to bully her too harshly.
Chi Yu gave Qi Zhao a look. Reluctantly, he furrowed his brows and left the classroom.
Jin Yao sat on the ground, pale-faced, clearly injured. He tried to stand but couldn't manage it.
Wen Rushuang called over two tall male students. "Take him to the infirmary. If the injury is too severe, go to the hospital."
As the two helped Jin Yao to his feet, Chi Yu spoke up. "Wait."
Jin Yao, clutching his dislocated arm, glared at her. "What now?!"
Chi Yu calmly said, "There's something you got wrong, and I need to correct you."
In front of the entire class, her voice was clear, firm, and unmistakable.
"Ning Jin's mother isn't the only one working in my house. Her high school tuition, books, and extracurricular activities—all of it is paid for by my family. Her mother's unpaid work is to settle a debt. So yes, she's a servant, and I'm the master. No mistake there."
Jin Yao's face was ashen.
If there was ever a clearer example of someone digging their own grave, this was it.
Previously, only a few people knew about Ning Jin's status, and that was through unreliable gossip.
Today, the rumor had been confirmed beyond any doubt.
Ning Jin had a strong sense of pride. Jin Yao couldn't imagine how she would react when she learned her secret had been exposed because of him.
She would surely hate him.
"You're despicable!"
Jin Yao had never detested Chi Yu more than he did at that moment.
Chi Yu accepted his condemnation with a smile and delivered a final blow that nearly made him spit blood. "Thank you for the compliment."
If Jin Yao had to endure much more of Chi Yu, he thought he'd lose years off his life.
Not long after Jin Yao left, the bell rang, signaling the end of class.
The classroom buzzed with activity, as students gathered in small groups to gossip about what had just happened.
Wen Rushuang knocked on Chi Yu's desk, her expression cold. "Come with me to the office."
Chi Yu, who had been planning to check on her diligent and handsome bodyguard, had to put that plan on hold and followed Wen Rushuang to the office.
(End of Chapter)