That resentful gaze made Lin Li feel incredibly uncomfortable, like he was trapped inside an iron maiden.
Teacher Koukou, please have some self-respect! If you keep looking at me like that, your husband would definitely beat me to death if he saw it!
And getting beaten to death like this would be such an injustice!
"Teacher, is something wrong?" Lin Li asked cautiously. He couldn't shake the thought of waking up in the middle of the night only to find Teacher Koukou standing by his bed, staring at him like this.
"Lin Li, do you have any complaints about me as a teacher?" Koukou asked seriously.
The younger the teacher, the more they cared about how students perceived them.
Those seasoned teachers who avoided becoming homeroom teachers would just laugh off situations like this, thinking, Whatever, let the kid do as he pleases.
Actually, no—they probably wouldn't even remember who Lin Li was.
"Complaints?" Lin Li thought for a moment before responding earnestly, "Teacher, I think you'd really suit having curls at the ends of your hair. The style you have today is probably done with a curling iron, right? It looks great! Honestly, I think you could pull off an even curlier look. If you ask me, you should just go to a salon and get a perm."
"Really? I actually think my hairstyle today is pretty nice, too." Koukou's eyes lit up, and she nodded enthusiastically while twirling her hair around her finger. "I've been considering it too. Do you think this level of curl would be good?"
"It looks great! Definitely better than your usual straight hair," Lin Li affirmed.
"You've got good taste, just like me! Alright, I'll take your advice and try it out tomorrow—" Koukou abruptly shut her mouth, then slowly lowered her head.
What the fuck am I doing?!
She had come here to question Lin Li about his attitude in class, so how had the conversation turned into a discussion about hairstyles?!
"...The opinion I wanted to hear wasn't about that," Koukou spoke again.
"But when it comes to fashion, my taste is awful," Lin Li shook his head. He had no problem admitting his shortcomings. "I really can't offer any useful advice."
"That's not what I meant!" Koukou raised her voice. "I wanted to ask you about my English class! Why is it that everyone says you've been so focused in all your subjects lately, but I just can't feel it in my class?!"
Her voice was so loud that Lin Li flinched, shoulders jerking as he sucked in a breath and leaned back.
Once he processed what she was saying, he blinked.
Oh no. It's not about fairness—it's about perceived fairness.
So this was the real reason for her resentment.
After some careful thought, Lin Li whispered hesitantly, "Teacher Koukou, is it possible that they were actually being sarcastic? Maybe I haven't actually been paying attention at all?"
Koukou: "?"
"Yeah! That's it! Don't worry, Teacher Koukou—I haven't paid attention in any of my other classes either!" The more Lin Li thought about it, the more confident he became.
Wow, I'm a genius.
"You're admitting you haven't been listening in my class at all?" Koukou's eyes grew even more resentful—clearly, she didn't believe him. More importantly… she seemed to have locked onto the key point.
Lin Li froze. "?"
Oh no! She's a scheming woman! Are you also the Dominator Devil, Miss Shaqima?!
Koukou was setting him up!
Damn it! Is this the cunning nature of an adult woman?! This is impossible to guard against!
"W-Well… I do listen sometimes… Hahaha…" Lin Li let out an awkward laugh.
Crap. Her resentment meter was still rising.
If Kayako were here, even she'd have to work as Koukou's maid.
This was already Red-Robed Ghost level resentment.
Scratching his head, Lin Li's mind raced. In the end, he resigned himself and lowered his head in apology. "I'm sorry, Teacher. I'll pay more attention in class from now on. I really don't have any complaints about you. Who would have complaints about the best-looking teacher? Hon-to-ni, sumimasen! I'm so so so sorry!"
It's not me who has an issue with you—it's my damn chaotic system!
From now on, he'd make sure not to slack off too obviously in class!
He silently added this to his list of self-improvements.
"Sigh, alright. I'll hold you to that. I hope you actually follow through. I should head home now—bye-bye." Koukou shook her head helplessly and finally stood up to leave.
"Goodbye, Teacher."
Once Koukou was gone, the previously lively office suddenly felt empty with only Lin Li left behind.
Just when Lin Li started wondering if Xue Jian had gotten constipated or something, the man finally returned.
Upon seeing Lin Li, Xue Jian nodded and asked, "Here to pick up your banner?"
"Yes, Teacher."
"Alright." Xue Jian nodded again and walked over to his desk. Instead of handing over the banner immediately, he started fiddling with his phone.
As Lin Li watched in confusion, Xue Jian suddenly turned his phone screen toward him.
Curious, Lin Li took a look.
[Presented to Teacher Xue of Nansang High School, Xiling County: A teacher with great dedication, with students flourishing everywhere. Respectfully gifted by Student XXX…]
It was a picture of a banner.
At first, Lin Li didn't even understand why Xue Jian was showing him this. When it finally clicked, he felt… a little speechless.
"…"
So, Teacher Xue really cares about his reputation.
He actually remembered what Lin Li had said this morning.
Still, Lin Li knew exactly what to say in this situation.
"Wow! This is a banner from a parent? The craftsmanship is amazing!"
Clearly, his words pleased Xue Jian. After exchanging a few humble pleasantries, Xue Jian finally bent down to open his drawer and retrieve Lin Li's banner.
His phone was left on the desk, and it seemed that when he put it down, he accidentally tapped the screen, causing the image to shrink back into the chat.
It was a WeChat conversation, since the image had been sent through a chat.
Out of reflex, Lin Li's gaze drifted toward the screen.
The contact name was "Wife."
[Xue Jian: Is it not ready yet?]
[Wife: Almost done, almost done.]
[Wife: You're really something. You're great in every way, except for how vain you are. Printing a banner for yourself? Even I feel embarrassed for you.]
[Xue Jian: Just drop it. It's only because you didn't keep the old one safe.]
[Wife: Okay, it's done.]
[Wife: (Image)]
There was no need to guess what the image was.
Lin Li blinked.
Did I just witness something incredible?
"Here, Lin Li, your—" At that exact moment, Xue Jian stood up with Lin Li's banner. But his words suddenly stopped.
Lin Li's eyes were still on the phone screen.
And at this point, it was too late to look away.
He could already feel a faint killing intent directed at him.
"…"
Gulp.
Lin Li swallowed loudly.
He looked at the screen. Xue Jian looked at him.
Then, as the screen automatically turned off, Lin Li was left staring at nothing.
Finally, he lifted his head, locking eyes with Xue Jian.
Neither of them spoke.
They simply gazed at each other, disappointment hanging in the air.
Wait… am I hallucinating? Why do I see a big red "DANGER" sign above my head?
Why is my life flashing before my eyes? STOP THE FOOTAGE! I'M NOT READY TO DIE!
Help! Somebody save me! Where's the Miracle Walker?!
…Looks like I'll have to save myself.
Lin Li suddenly clutched his eyes and let out a dramatic scream:
"AHHHHH! ERKANG, I CAN'T SEE! MY EYES! WHY CAN'T I SEE?!
AHHHHHH! LEFT-TURN RED LIGHTS ARE THE WORST!
AHHHHHH! WAIT—I JUST REMEMBERED! I HAVE CYCLIC BLINDNESS! SOMETIMES I RANDOMLY GO BLIND! BUT WHY DID IT HAVE TO HAPPEN NOW?!"
Xue Jian: "…"