Chapter 20: Class 3, Grade 10? That Sounds Familiar...
Zhao Shuncheng was startled. With the cautionary tale of Ma Lijuan and her brother still fresh in his mind, how could he dare utter the word "no"? He hastily replied, "Of course I'll handle it. As soon as we're back in the office, I'll take care of it personally."
"Do I still need to fill out any paperwork?" Li Sicheng asked.
Zhao Shuncheng waved his hand dismissively. "No need at all. I'll fill out everything for you. You can head straight to the classroom now."
Li Sicheng smiled, "I've been wanting to get to the classroom sooner. This place has a heavy, ominous atmosphere—not good for my health. But the classroom is different; it's filled with youthful energy, a nourishing environment."
"Ominous atmosphere? What's that supposed to mean?" Zhao Shuncheng was baffled. After pondering for a moment, he thought he had it figured out: "Ah, he must mean the air quality here isn't great, right? There's indeed a bit of a stinky sock smell. But saying the classroom is a nourishing place—what's that about?"
Full of confusion, Zhao Shuncheng wanted to ask but didn't dare. In the end, he forced himself to suppress his curiosity, burying his questions deep inside.
"I'm off," Li Sicheng said, striding out of the security office.
Once again, Zhao Shuncheng was left confused and hurriedly asked, "Li, where are you going?"
"To the classroom," Li Sicheng replied, turning around. "Why, is there something else?"
Zhao Shuncheng couldn't help but complain inwardly: "To the classroom? Why so eager? Things aren't settled here yet. How much do you love studying?" But soon, he filled in the blanks himself: "Ah, I get it. He's leaving Ma Lijuan, Ma Kang, and Feng Gang for me to handle. If my handling satisfies him, there will be no problem. But if it doesn't meet his standards, I might end up just like them..."
"It seems I have no choice but to be strict and severe! Ma Lijuan, you only have yourselves to blame for picking the wrong person to provoke." Muttering under his breath, Zhao Shuncheng slapped his own chest and declared, "Li, rest assured, I'll handle everything beautifully and to your satisfaction."
"Hmm?" Li Sicheng looked puzzled, not quite understanding.
Zhao Shuncheng hurried to add, "No need to say another word, Li—I understand, I really do!"
"You understand, but I'm confused," Li Sicheng shook his head, refraining from pressing further. As he reached the doorway, he suddenly stopped, turned, and said, "Oh, by the way, there's one more thing..."
Zhao Shuncheng interjected, "Strict and severe, don't worry, I'll make sure you're satisfied!"
Li Sicheng frowned, "What nonsense are you talking about? I was asking if I can choose which class to join?"
"Choose a class? Of course, that's not a problem at all! Pick whichever class you like, it's entirely up to you. Wang, go with Li and help him pick a class. Once he's decided, inform the homeroom teacher." Zhao Shuncheng replied quickly.
Inwardly, he couldn't help but complain once more: "Honestly, Nanshan High School is practically your family's property. How could I possibly say no to whichever class you want?"
"Alright, I'm off then. You get back to work." Li Sicheng strode out of the security office, followed closely by Secretary Wang.
"Phew..." Zhao Shuncheng exhaled deeply, finally relaxing.
But just then, Li Sicheng's head appeared again at the doorway. "Principal..."
"Oh my!" Zhao Shuncheng, who had just relaxed, was startled again, his face pale. "Why are you back?"
Li Sicheng felt a bit annoyed by his reaction. "Am I really that frightening? Why do you act like you've seen a ghost?"
Ghost? Even ghosts aren't as terrifying as you.
Zhao Shuncheng grumbled inwardly but dared not speak aloud. He simply asked, "Is there anything else, Li?"
Li Sicheng replied, "I just want to remind you not to reveal my relationship with Lin Muxue. I just want to keep a low profile here and get by. Do you understand? From today, treat me like any other ordinary student."
Ordinary student? As if. An ordinary student wouldn't come to school and immediately dismiss the vice principal and the director of education. An ordinary student wouldn't dare tell the principal outright that he's just here to get by.
Zhao Shuncheng wore a conflicted expression and sighed, then nodded in agreement, "Yes, yes, I promise to keep your secret."
Li Sicheng added, "If this gets out, you can forget about being principal."
"Still claiming to be an ordinary student—what ordinary student threatens the principal?" Zhao Shuncheng muttered under his breath.
Li Sicheng didn't catch his words and asked, "What did you say?"
"Nothing... Nothing at all. Oh, I mean, besides me, Ma Lijuan, Vice Principal Ma, and Lin Siyu, Lin Muxue's sister, also know. If the secret is leaked by any of them, what should I do?" Zhao Shuncheng suddenly remembered he wasn't the only one who knew.
Ma Lijuan and Ma Kang were easier to deal with; he'd already decided to dismiss them, so they wouldn't cause trouble anymore. But Lin Siyu was Lin Muxue's own sister; as principal, he couldn't control what she said.
"That's not my concern. As long as the secret about me and Lin Muxue is leaked, I'll come find you," Li Sicheng replied.
"Does he have to be so unreasonable?" Zhao Shuncheng was dumbfounded.
Suddenly, he felt an overwhelming urge to cry.
Li Sicheng paid no mind to Zhao Shuncheng's feelings and turned toward the teaching building.
Secretary Wang followed closely behind, constantly wiping the cold sweat from his brow.
He felt that this young man was truly unpredictable and difficult to serve, afraid that any misstep would anger him.
But as it turned out, his worries were unfounded. Li Sicheng didn't trouble him at all.
More accurately, Li Sicheng simply had no interest or time to bother with him.
After wandering around Nanshan High School for a while, Li Sicheng finally selected a classroom to his liking.
"This classroom is perfect. Its main door faces Shiting River, and its back rests against Nanshan—it's a place where dragons roar and tigers howl! Most importantly, the arrangement of this building, the surrounding woods, and the layout of the classrooms on this floor all conform to the principles of harmonious vitality. Spending an hour here is worth half a day anywhere else!"
He looked up at the classroom sign.
"Class One, Grade Three? Hmm, why does that sound so familiar?"
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