In the principal's office at Yunxi First Middle School, the tea fragrance drifted gently through the air, yet the atmosphere was somewhat subtle.
Zhang Huiyang stood in front of the desk, his gaze sweeping back and forth over the young man in the blue robe, his expression slowly shifting from initial anticipation to an indescribable bewilderment.
Just three minutes ago, he had been overwhelmed with excitement from Principal Zhou's phone call. During the call, the principal had spoken in a grave tone about arranging a special "Heavenly Kui Star" for his class, hinting that this child possessed extraordinary talent and would undoubtedly shine brilliantly in the college entrance examination, adding a glorious chapter to his teaching achievements.
As a seasoned teacher who had been dedicated to frontline education for many years, Zhang Huiyang had a natural nose for "good seedlings." He had practically rushed to the principal's office the second he hung up the phone, afraid that if he was even a moment too late, this spot would be claimed by another teacher.
However, reality delivered a stinging slap.
There was no image of a spirited academic genius, nor any particularly clever troublemaker. Standing before him was a young Taoist priest, looking gentle and proper, who was bowing to him with hands clasped.
"Fellow... I mean, Taoist Chen, hello."
Zhang Huiyang returned the greeting instinctively, but his mind was in complete turmoil. He couldn't help but glance toward the door and the corners, confirming that besides the smiling Principal Zhou and this Taoist priest, there was no one else in the office.
No way? Could this "Heavenly Kui Star" transferred to my class actually be this little Taoist priest? Principal Zhou, you didn't mention he was a Taoist!
Zhang Huiyang looked at Principal Zhou in utter confusion, and from the other's profound gaze, he read the affirmative answer.
It really was!
After teaching for so many years, Zhang Huiyang had seen every kind of student imaginable: online influencers, child stars, hard-working students from poor families, rich young masters just bumming around...
But this transfer student was truly the most novel—he was actually a young Taoist priest in a blue robe!
Real Taoist or fake Taoist? Could this be the cosplay that's popular among young people nowadays?
Never mind, never mind. Regardless of his identity, as long as his grades were good, that was all that mattered. Zhang Huiyang consoled himself internally, trying to regain some composure as a class teacher.
"Let me give a brief introduction."
Principal Zhou, while leisurely pouring tea, broke the silence: "Yuanchu, this is your class teacher, Mr. Zhang. As I mentioned earlier, Mr. Zhang is an excellent teacher. He teaches Chinese, and our school follows a system where teachers stay with their students until graduation. He'll be your teacher all the way through the college entrance examination."
With that, Principal Zhou turned to Zhang Huiyang: "Old Zhang, this is the Chen Yuanchu student I mentioned to you. Yuanchu is a legitimate Taoist priest, but 'there is a class for every kind of teaching'—once he entered our school, he became one of our students. Director Chen speaks very highly of him, praising his Taoist magic, doctrines, and character. I have great confidence in him, so I've placed him in your class for you to mentor. Let's aim for excellent results in the college entrance exam in two years."
Listening to Principal Zhou's introduction, Zhang Huiyang wore an expression of someone wanting to speak but hesitating, his lips twitching slightly.
I say, Your Excellency Principal, in a school setting, what's the point of talking about Taoist magic and doctrines?! Coming to school is about talent, grades, and background!
Zhang Huiyang didn't yet know about this little Taoist priest's talent or grades, but in all his years of teaching, this was the first time Principal Zhou personally arranged and introduced a student to him. So the background must be quite deep...
Since the die was cast, Zhang Huiyang could only press on bravely. While sipping tea, he attempted to get to know this "Heavenly Kui Star" better and probe his depths.
"Yuanchu student practices Taoism?"
"Yes."
"For how many years? Not many young people have this hobby these days."
"I've been cultivating in the mountains with my master since childhood."
"..."
Zhang Huiyang's heart skipped a beat, and a foreboding feeling arose. He couldn't contain his curiosity any longer and asked carefully: "Before this, where has Yuanchu student been attending school?"
"I never attended school."
These five words, which would be quite unbelievable for modern young people, drifted so casually from Chen Yuanchu's mouth that even Teacher Zhang had trouble believing them!
This young Taoist priest before him, looking gentle, polite, and composed, had never been to school?
Weren't we promised a Heavenly Kui Star? How did it become a hopeless academic failure?
Teacher Zhang looked up at Principal Zhou, who pretended not to see, focusing intently on brewing his tea.
Oh, Principal Zhou, you've really put me in a bind!
"You really... never attended a single day of school?"
"Well, I did attend elementary school for a few days."
"..."
Chen Yuanchu's words offered no comfort to Teacher Zhang, but rather made his heart sink completely...
After a long while, Teacher Zhang, brow furrowed, sighed:
"Even if you practice Taoism, you should have completed nine years of compulsory education. Didn't your master urge you back then? Entering the temple to cultivate at such a young age—didn't your parents have any objections?"
"Teacher Zhang, I have no parents. I was an orphan from childhood, picked up and raised by my master during his travels. Our temple is located in a remote mountain area, making it inconvenient to attend school. The temple has limited conditions. Although I haven't entered a classroom all these years, I have been studying with my master in my daily life."
"..."
Hearing this, Teacher Zhang finally understood the meaning behind the name 'Chen Yuanchu.'
Seeing the mature and resilient young man before him, a tremendous sense of guilt suddenly surged up in Teacher Zhang's heart.
"I'm sorry, Yuanchu student... I didn't know about any of this before..."
"Teacher Zhang needn't blame yourself. I don't feel like I've lacked anything."
I'm the one who should be comforting you, not the other way around!
Looking at the little Taoist priest's calm, serene smile, Teacher Zhang felt even more guilty.
"Ahem."
Principal Zhou coughed twice, steering the conversation back.
"Yuanchu's intelligence and quick-wittedness have been praised many times by Director Chen. Teacher Zhang, you can see for yourself—he's young, but his speech, conduct, and character far exceed those of his peers. Although he hasn't been to school, he's not unteachable. It's all about effort. Who knows, maybe in two years he can't achieve good results in the college entrance exam!"
Zhang Huiyang murmured inwardly: So many poor-performing students outside, and I don't see you recruiting them.
He couldn't fathom where Principal Zhou's confidence in Chen Yuanchu came from, constantly bringing up his master, as if a disciple certified by his master couldn't possibly be anything but excellent.
Teacher Zhang had already given up all hope for the so-called "Heavenly Kui Star." The most pressing problem now was how to rapidly improve his grades.
Six years of elementary school, three years of middle school, one more year of high school—missing a full ten years of curriculum! Could Old Zhang still make it to the other shore...
Having landed such a student, whether his "Senior Expert Teacher" title would lead to disgrace or fame depended entirely on that one battle at the college entrance exam in two years.
With this in mind, Teacher Zhang quickly formulated a teaching plan.
Illness requires the right remedy; teaching should be the same.
The first step was to assess the situation and find out where Chen Yuanchu's foundation truly stood.
"Yuanchu student, I still have a copy of last week's monthly exam paper. Would you like me to get it for you to take? Let's first gauge your level?"
"Sure." Chen Yuanchu nodded.
"...You can read, right?"
"Yes."
Thank goodness!
If he can read, there's still hope...
Teacher Zhang had never imagined that one day his expectations for a student would sink so low, and that he would actually feel a flicker of relief from it...