As a teacher with strong morals and boundaries, Fang Yan would never date one of his students.
But whether he pursues them is one thing; whether female students pursue him is another.
It's like when actresses in the entertainment industry say, "I don't want to be seen just as a pretty face; I want people to recognize my acting." But do they ever think of those actresses who have worked hard for decades and have never been called "a pretty face"?
That's exactly how Fang Yan felt.
Before he began teaching at Suzaku High School, he'd imagined the romantic scenarios: a beautiful girl in a white blouse and blue skirt, like a fresh rose covered in morning dew, sweet-scented and radiant, shyly slipping a love letter into his textbook or calling his name under the campus trees after school, offering him a warm cup of tea—
He'd already decided. He wouldn't tear up the letters; that would be rude and hurt the student's self-esteem. He would even drink the tea and might even accept the thermos it came in.
But he would turn them down, reject their admiration and affection, and refuse any missteps.
"I'm a good man, and you're a good girl. Nothing good will come of us being together," he would say gently. "Because I'm not just anyone; I'm your teacher."
Yes, he'd imagined these scenarios. With his heartthrob looks and genuine talent, how could these love-struck girls resist him?
And now, that day had arrived, even sooner than he'd expected.
"So, is that just a metaphor?" Fang Yan smiled. If she doesn't move, he won't move. If she does move, he still won't move. First, he needed to figure out this girl's intentions. Didn't Zhang Wuji's mother once warn him to be wary of women, especially beautiful ones—they're the most deceptive?
The innocent Fang Yan was worried he'd fall for this beautiful girl's tricks.
If she deceived him and took advantage of his innocence, how would he ever show his face again?
"I'm serious," Qin Yitian said, batting her eyes with pure innocence.
"You—" Fang Yan began to wonder if she really was trying to fool him. "I'm your teacher. You should respect me."
"I know," Qin Yitian nodded. "That's why I'm giving you the most important place in my heart."
"——"
"Fang Yan, isn't it customary for you to introduce new students to the class?"
"Call me Mr. Fang."
"Alright, Fang Yan."
"——" Fang Yan was stubborn, but she was even more persistent.
Standing at the podium, Fang Yan addressed the class with a smile, "Let's all give a warm welcome to our new classmate, Qin Yitian."
No one spoke.
No one clapped.
But the boys were all blushing, barely containing their excitement. Even the usually calm Huang Haoran looked at Qin Yitian with a barely concealed enthusiasm as she stood at the front.
"Something's off," Fang Yan frowned. He could sense the tension in the air. What were these guys up to?
Qin Yitian stepped up to the podium, scanned the room, and let out a soft laugh. "I know you all already know me. I'm Qin Yitian."
And with that—
Thunderous applause erupted.
"Qin Yitian!"
"Qin Yitian!"
"Qin Yitian!"
Both the boys and girls chanted her name with feverish passion. Their excitement was no different from fans meeting their celebrity idol.
"What's going on?" Fang Yan felt hurt. No one clapped when he introduced himself, but the moment Qin Yitian spoke, they went crazy?
Qin Yitian raised her hand, and the applause and cheers instantly quieted.
"Mr. Fang, may I sit in the front row?" she asked.
"No," Fang Yan responded bluntly. "The front row seats are taken. The only open seats are in the back row. You can sit there."
"Mr. Fang, I'd be willing to swap seats with Qin Yitian," a boy in the front row stood up, offering.
"Mr. Fang, I'd like to switch too—"
"Mr. Fang, let me switch—"
Not only did the boys want to swap seats with Qin Yitian, but some of the girls stood up as well, leaving Fang Yan even more confused.
Shouldn't people naturally compete against those of the same gender?
"Where you sit has nothing to do with age, nationality, gender, or appearance," Fang Yan declared righteously. If she sat in the front row, would the students be watching her or listening to him? "Qin Yitian, you'll need a reason that will convince everyone here."
"I just want to be a little closer to you, so I can see you more clearly," Qin Yitian said with a soft chuckle, looking directly at Fang Yan.
"——" Fang Yan's face turned bright red.
Honestly, it was a bit embarrassing to be flirted with by a female student in front of the entire class.
Especially since he was just a shy, introverted guy who would blush whenever he talked to a girl.
Fang Yan stayed silent, but the students' excitement grew at Qin Yitian's response.
"Nice one, Qin Yitian! We support you—"
"No wonder you're Suzaku's goddess, your moves are bold and confident—"
"Qin Yitian, you're awesome. I like you—"
Fang Yan pointed to the back corner of the classroom and said, "Qin Yitian, that reason doesn't convince me, or anyone here. Go to the back row. That's where your seat is."
Qin Yitian smiled nonchalantly and said, "One day, you'll willingly let me sit in the front row."
With that, she turned and walked to the back. Her long hair swayed behind her, as if she were bathed in golden light.
Wherever she went, the students' eyes followed.
It was like a superstar had suddenly decided to live a day as a student, and they couldn't help but watch her every move.
Fang Yan felt a pang of jealousy. What's with these kids? They used to look at me with such admiration—what does she have besides looks? What knowledge could she possibly bring?
Returning to the podium, Fang Yan said, "Now that we've welcomed our new student, I'll reintroduce today's lesson. A few days ago, we visited the Sparrow River to study Xu Zhimo's poem Farewell to Cambridge. In the last class, I asked everyone to write a piece based on that experience, titled Farewell to Sparrow Bridge. Someday, each of us—including me—will leave Suzaku. Imagine that moment and capture those feelings. You could write about the sorrow of parting, the bonds between teacher and student, or even romantic feelings—"
He held up the papers. "Here are the works you submitted. I'll read them one by one, and then we'll vote on the best three. Each winner will earn one point. Since Qin Yitian just joined us, she doesn't have to participate this time."
With that, Fang Yan began to read the poems.
In the past, students only learned poetry—they never imagined they'd have to write it.
Naturally, many of their poems were awkward and uninspired.
For instance, a student named Ye Xiaoyu wrote for Farewell to Sparrow Bridge:
Sparrow Bridge, I am leaving.
Sparrow Bridge, I will return.
Do you know, when you look at me, how deeply I love you?
And then there was this gem:
Sparrow. Bridge.
Sparrow Bridge.
It's called Sparrow Bridge because it looks like a bird.
Of course, there were a few standouts. Huang Haoran, who had a strong background in classical literature, wrote a piece in classical Chinese that conveyed his deep emotions about leaving both the school and Sparrow Bridge. His elegant wording and heartfelt sentiment won much praise from his classmates.
After reading Zhu Fang's poem, the last one from the students who were present, Fang Yan announced, "Alright, everyone, it's time to vote. Write down the three poems you thought were the best. The poem with the most votes will earn its author the title of Class Nine's Outstanding Poet."
"Wait," Qin Yitian rose from the back row.
"Yes, Qin Yitian? Is there something you need?"
"Mr. Fang, I wrote a few poems as well. Would you take a look?"
"A few?"
"Yes, I had some time to spare."
"——"
Fang Yan walked over to her seat and took a small stack of papers filled with neatly penned verses. "Did you just write these?"
"Yes," Qin Yitian replied. "I didn't bring a backpack, so I borrowed the pen and paper from Hou Xiaolong."
The boy beside her grinned sheepishly, confirming her story.
"Poetry requires genuine feeling—"
"I am full of feelings," Qin Yitian replied. "I watched from the riverbank when you took them to the Sparrow River to study Farewell to Cambridge."
No wonder she managed to write something so quickly; she'd been a silent observer at Sparrow River, witnessing the entire event.
Fang Yan recalled the bustling scene on the riverbanks, filled with people. Among them, he hadn't even noticed this hidden beauty. This filled him with a strange pride, as if he were a heroic figure destined to stand out.
"You want to join the contest?"
"Since I wrote them…" Qin Yitian shrugged casually. "Might as well be judged like everyone else."
Returning to the podium, Fang Yan announced, "Our new student, Qin Yitian, has also written—not one, but three poems. Let's enjoy them together."
Clearing his throat, Fang Yan began to read:
"You spoke of misty rain,
Sparrow Bridge in the distance.
Then of shadowed boughs,
Veiling silken robes.
"You spoke of spring's bright glow,
Green sleeves and scarlet blossoms.
Then closed the western tower,
Standing quietly by my side."
Surprised, Fang Yan glanced back at her. Qin Yitian was watching him with quiet pride, clearly confident in her work.
Honestly, Fang Yan couldn't imagine writing such graceful lines himself in so short a time. This didn't feel like the work of a high school student but rather the reflections of someone with deep, lived experience.
How did she do it?
He continued reading:
"You spoke of a gentle breeze,
Lulling thought to slumber.
Then, shutters drawn tight,
Curtains heavy with loss.
"You spoke of tender threads,
Entwined hearts, hard to forget.
Yet I, my gaze still steady,
Turn to frost, alone."
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𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮. 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚!
𝗔𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸:
• 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 advanced chapters of this novel 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.
• 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁-𝗢𝘂𝘁: 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩!
𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝘀 𝗺𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗲𝘁, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝘀!
👉 𝙅𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙣𝙤𝙬: patreon.com/sorkarnayeem