Chapter 21: That Depends on Talent
When the two saw the note, they completely fell silent.
Meng Yichu and Tang Wan looked at each other, both thinking the same thing: even if the new student isn’t bald now, that doesn’t mean he won’t be bald in three or four years.
Look at the history teacher—he’s a cautionary tale.
They said he’s only thirty, yet looks as old as fifty. Time is a butcher’s knife!
Li Shu saw that both of them had faces like they had been struck by lightning. She didn’t pay further attention, sleepily planning to lie down, but somehow she couldn’t help stealing a glance at the history teacher’s… cough, head.
It was a work of art.
“Teacher Wu, sorry to bother you for a few minutes.” Zheng Hong knocked on the classroom door.
The history teacher also knew about Shen Yan’s reporting today.
“Teacher Zheng, come in, come in.”
He spoke amiably and gave up the floor without resistance.
Zheng Hong entered the classroom, seeing the students one by one looking listless, and his temper flared.
Bang bang bang.
He pounded the desktop forcefully.
“Everyone, wake up!”
“Liu Dafei, you can hide your phone more obviously—hand it over!”
“Zhang Shimeng, funny, huh? What are you holding? Let me see! ‘CEO step aside, darling don’t run’? What nonsense is this, give it here—confiscated!”
“And you! Fooling around, how old are you? Still doing ‘you hit, I hit’ with your desk mate? How are you better than them?”
Zheng Hong called out three names in one breath.
Everyone thought he was about to blow up again. But Zheng Hong took a deep breath.
He turned his face toward the doorway.
His tone instantly softened, warm and friendly, giving those who heard it goosebumps all over.
“Shen Yan, come in. Introduce yourself.”
New student???
Everyone perked up.
More than thirty pairs of eyes peered toward the door.
Then came a collective intake of breath.
Tang Wan and Meng Yichu, whose interest had been halved by Li Shu’s one sentence, now watched the boy approach in the sunlight. His neatly appropriate outfit seemed to shine on him at that moment.
Wow!
Again, it works!
Even if he were bald, he’d still be damn handsome.
Shen Yan walked to the podium. His skin was cool and pale, his features distinct. He was a head taller than Zheng Hong. The outer corners of his eyes slightly lifted, his phoenix-shaped eyes fine and narrow, the lines graceful. Light brown irises, full eyelids.
Shen Yan clearly looked down on self-introductions.
He took the chalk halfheartedly and wrote two characters on the blackboard in a flamboyant style. His voice was lazy and rolling: “Shen Yan.”
Zheng Hong encouraged, “Say something more. Sharing some study tips is good too.”
Shen Yan lightly laughed, indifferent: “That depends on talent.”
Zheng Hong: …
Qiu Ning excitedly turned to share the new student’s coolness with Li Shu, only to see her still lying down, sleeping soundly. She had to restrain herself.
Zheng Hong choked slightly: “It’s fine. Once everyone gets familiar, they’ll understand.”
There weren’t many empty seats in the class, just a few in the back.
But Zheng Hong knew well what kind of people Jiang Yi’s group were.
There was no way Shen Yan could sit there.
“Liu Dafei, sit next to Jiang Yi. Shen Yan, take Liu Dafei’s seat.”
Liu Dafei cheered instantly: “Wise old man!”
Shen Yan had no objection; after all, Jiang Yi was terribly annoying.
Liu Dafei moved as if relocating, almost spinning and jumping to clear his desk.
Shen Yan watched him pull out a crumpled piece of used paper from the desk. Then he took out greasy leftover fried food from breakfast.
A bag of forgotten trash.
A wallet.
Half-eaten sunflower seeds.
Even an inexplicable bottle of nail polish.
Everything, except books.
Shen Yan’s head throbbed.
“Teacher, I’ll just sit next to Jiang Yi.”
Chapter 22: It’s Been a Long Time Since Anyone Died in Front of Him
Zheng Hong saw that Shen Yan was insisting, and had no choice, so he had to agree first.
Zheng Hong calmly pointed out the specific seat to Shen Yan, then greeted the history teacher, and only then left the classroom.
He pulled out his phone, smiling amiably: “Hello, Mr. Jiang, yes, it’s me again, Jiang Yi’s homeroom teacher, right, this kid didn’t come to class again.”
“Mr. Wu Zexi’s dad? Yes, yes, yes, he caused trouble again. Eh, I’m not suffering, being responsible for him is what I should do.”
——
Unlike Liu Dafei, Jiang Yi’s seat was still fairly tidy.
Under everyone’s gaze, Shen Yan sat down. Without distraction, he took the tissue on Jiang Yi’s desk and wiped it across the table.
Meng: “Damn, damn, damn, he’s using Jiang Yi’s stuff, isn’t he afraid of dying?”
Everyone in the school knew who Jiang Yi was; no one dared touch anything of his.
Tang Wan: “He’s sitting next to Jiang Yi, wiping the desk with tissues is at most just an early overachievement.”
Liu Dafei’s wish was dashed; he was miserable. He rubbed his head in frustration and shoved the pile of trash back into the desk.
“This kid has guts. Touching my dad’s stuff—is he even allowed to? After class, I’ll teach him how to behave properly.”
He had wanted to message Jiang Yi, but Zheng Hong had taken the phone, and Liu Dafei’s face darkened with anger.
He schemed about how to make Shen Yan obediently give up the seat.
Otherwise, he’d show him a thing or two.
“Alright, continue class. Shen Yan, have you got your books?”
“Yes.”
A few seconds earlier, Shen Yan had become a thorn in everyone’s eyes, now taking out the new history book.
Sitting in the last row had its advantages. Plenty of space, not cramped, and those long legs didn’t have to be humbly tucked away.
His phone vibrated in his pocket.
Shen Yan lazily pulled it out and checked the messages.
The warmth on his face gradually cooled.
He had come back to study with the approval of Old Master Shen; his father was unaware. Just receiving the messages, his father immediately sent a long, continuous string of scolding texts.
No punctuation, apparently the transfer had agitated his father as if he had committed some enormous crime.
Shen Yan didn’t reply.
But messages kept coming, paragraph after paragraph.
[Shen Yan, how old are you? Such an important matter and you didn’t consult me. How are you so irresponsible? Why go to City A?]
Important? Shen Yan snorted lightly.
As for why he returned to City A—wasn’t he perfectly aware?
Or was it just the words “City A” that triggered him?
[Your grandfather is the same, spoiling you to run wild. You come back immediately! I’ll pretend this never happened.]
Shen Yan lowered his eyelids and typed slowly.
“Why should I care?”
Sent.
Meanwhile, Liu Dafei stared wide-eyed. Just that? Can someone like this really do well academically?
How many nerds in the experimental class even touch a phone?
This kid must be a half-hearted pretender.
Finally, class ended.
After the history teacher left, Liu Dafei was the first to storm toward Shen Yan with a fierce demeanor.
Shen Yan raised his eyelids, his gaze lingering on Liu Dafei for a moment.
Liu Dafei was fat, acting like he was going to kill him, which looked rather ridiculous.
“Shen Yan, right?” he growled.
It had been a long time since anyone had dared to die in front of Shen Yan.
Shen Yan found it rather novel.
“Got a problem?”
“If you know what’s good for you, move. This seat isn’t for just anyone. Kid, go outside and ask who Jiang Shao is.”
“It’s your first day here; I didn’t want to touch you, understand?”
Done, done, done. Everyone’s mind had only one thought:
New student, game over.
Chapter 23: This Is My Dad, Your Grandpa!
The commotion over here was really loud. The people in Class 7 knew that Liu Dafei belonged to Jiang Yi’s group. Even if they wanted to step in for Shen Yan, they all gave up the idea.
Li Shu was woken up, turned her teacup, took a sip, and followed Qiu Ning’s gaze to look over.
Unfortunately, the crowd was layered, packed tightly. Hearing Liu Dafei’s arrogant, over-the-top pressure, Li Shu furrowed her brows.
“Shen Yan, you’re still sitting there? Don’t think you’re above everyone just because you have good grades. Let me tell you, we don’t rely on grades like those nerds in the experimental class; we survive by fists.”
Liu Dafei was furious.
Jiang Yi and the others had gone out to fight the group from San Zhong. This morning, Liu Dafei had a stomachache, so he hadn’t gone.
He, Liu Dafei, was supposed to stay behind to guard the home turf!
How could he allow someone to not take Jiang Yi seriously right under his nose?
Yet this Shen Yan, fearless like a newborn calf facing a tiger, just sat there—not even frowning, let alone moving.
Wasn’t this challenging the authority of Jiang Shao?
Liu Dafei could no longer tolerate it. He swung his fist, ready to teach a lesson.
“Yo, why are you all just standing there, making so much noise?” Speak of the devil, and he appears: Jiang Yi, sporting a head of yellow hair, followed by five or six people.
The onlookers subconsciously stepped aside.
Liu Dafei turned his head: “Jiang Shao, this kid doesn’t respond to soft or hard. Tell me, what should we do with him?”
Shen Yan twirled a pen on the desk, leisurely looking at Jiang Yi.
Jiang Yi inexplicably felt his legs go weak.
Liu Dafei pointed at Shen Yan: “Dad, this kid is going to flip the world upside down! He’s using your tissues, playing with your pen, taking the seat I’ve been dreaming of!”
Liu Dafei had originally been sitting next to Jiang Yi. He was troublesome; as long as he stayed close to this group, he could stir trouble for Zheng Hong almost every day.
Zheng Hong didn’t hesitate and moved him away immediately.
Just when hope had appeared, Shen Yan crushed it. Liu Dafei’s face was bright red with anger.
While Shen Yan hadn’t yet left City A, Wu Zexi and Jiang Yi constantly revolved around him. He was holding back his laughter, waiting for the reversal, slyly keeping silent.
Seeing Liu Dafei about to speak again, Jiang Yi stepped forward, pressed his head down, and slammed it onto the desk.
“Son, who are you calling a kid?”
He didn’t feel embarrassed at all. Proudly, he introduced: “This is my dad. You call him Grandpa!”
Shen Yan paused twirling his pen. His mouth straightened.
The scene—chaotic for a moment.
This new student was remarkable.
Jiang Yi didn’t have time to deal with this and rushed toward Shen Yan eagerly.
“Whoa, whoa, you’re sitting here! Didn’t you just look down on me? Tell me, isn’t this a surprise from Dad for me!”
A few days ago, he had asked to sit with Shen Yan and had been ruthlessly refused.
Jiang Yi felt he had turned things around. Sure enough, in Shen Yan’s eyes, he was different.
Wu Zexi, who had just learned the reason from surrounding classmates, laughed, shoulders shaking.
Jiang Yi: “Wu Zexi, what are you laughing at?”
Wu Zexi: “Enough, man. You need to know your own weight.”
Jiang Yi ignored him. Pointing at the thunderstruck Liu Dafei, he said to Shen Yan: “This is my son, like I told you before.”
Then he turned to Liu Dafei: “Come on, call him Grandpa.”
Liu Dafei: ……
Liu Dafei questioned his life choices.
His chubby hands pinched his reddened ears.
Like a flood washing the Dragon King’s temple, one family didn’t recognize the other.
Awkward.
He stepped forward, scratching his head in a sheepish laugh, about to call out.
Shen Yan stopped the group’s childish antics.
He lazily said: “Enough.”
Unexpectedly, on his first day, he not only reset Jiang Yi’s bottom line but also left a deep impression on the few people in Class 7.
Shen Yan’s slender phoenix-like eyes smiled gently, his gaze slowly sweeping across them. He lightly spoke a few words:
“Ungrateful descendants.”
Chapter 24: The Face of the Class
Everyone in Class 7 was in a daze and didn’t recover even when the class bell rang.
For the first time, Qiu Ning got distracted in class and joined the paper-note passing team.
Tang Wan: “What’s going on!”
Qiu Ning: “How did he manage to know Jiang Yi and his group, and still have such good grades!”
Li Shu watched them furiously scribbling on the notes and couldn’t help but smile faintly.
She held the eraser in her hand. She wasn’t interested in what Qiu Ning and the others were talking about, but thinking about not having to pretend to be obedient in front of Li Maoguo and Shu Xiao gave her an unexpected sense of ease.
Her heart felt an inexplicable lightness.
Not to mention Qiu Ning and the others—even the Chinese teacher Wang Shuzhen groaned when she saw where the top student had chosen to sit.
“Shen Yan, why are you sitting there?” Wang Shuzhen saw Jiang Yi and almost felt her head explode. Finally, a student worthy of special attention, and it couldn’t be ruined by Jiang Yi.
Jiang Yi was not pleased.
“Teacher, what’s wrong with sitting here? This is a prime spot.”
He grinned: “Otherwise, those girls in your class wouldn’t be constantly stuffing snacks into my desk.”
“With me and Shen Yan sitting here, the face of the class, no one will have to worry about being hungry.”
As soon as he said this, the whole class laughed and giggled.
Wang Shuzhen knew the few girls in class were mischievous and frequently ran over to Class 7.
But those kids, spoiled at home, were impossible to control.
Liu Dafei banged on the desk, making the most noise: “Not just the students under your supervision in Class 8, even walking down the street with Jiang Shao, we can get chocolates.”
He rummaged under the desk, finding a heart-shaped empty box for chocolates.
“Following Jiang Shao means you get food.”
Wang Shuzhen: Deep breath.
“Liu Dafei, Jiang Yi, disturbing class, go stand outside for punishment.”
Jiang Yi shrugged lazily: “It’s sunny outside, Teacher Wang, I don’t want to get tanned.”
Liu Dafei played the sycophant: “Right, if Jiang Shao gets tanned, who will bring the food?”
Wang Shuzhen continued deep breathing, restraining her anger. Even the principal couldn’t control Jiang Yi, let alone her.
“Qiu Ning, deduct points for their discipline.”
“Shen Yan, Teacher will coordinate with Teacher Zheng. Sitting next to Jiang Yi will cause trouble sooner or later.”
The most clear-headed, Wu Zexi, remained silent. Normally, he might join in and hope to sneak outside with them to skip class, but now he was carefully watching Shen Yan’s expression. As soon as Shen Yan frowned, he silently mourned for Jiang Yi.
Shen Yan was annoyed by Jiang Yi’s noise.
His temper was not good, and on his first day already encountering this mess, he couldn’t imagine how chaotic the coming days would be.
Impatient, he turned slightly, bent his index finger, and tapped in front of Jiang Yi:
“Out.”
Jiang Yi’s arrogant demeanor vanished instantly.
“What’s wrong, Brother Yan?”
Shen Yan lifted his eyelids, his light brown eyes fixed on Jiang Yi.
He didn’t speak, but it sent a chill down Jiang Yi’s spine.
Alright, Brother Yan.
Brother Yan, as you command.
“Teacher Wang is correct. Liu Dafei and I will go reflect properly, face the wall and think about our mistakes.”
Saying this, Jiang Yi snapped his fingers at Liu Dafei and swaggered out, leading the chubby boy along.
Wang Shuzhen could hardly believe her eyes.
“Shen Yan, what did you say to Jiang Yi?”
Shen Yan’s ears were finally quiet. Leaning back lazily, he spoke: “I just reminded Jiang Yi to respect his teachers. I didn’t expect Jiang Yi to be so conscientious that he insisted on facing the wall to reflect on his mistakes.”
He gestured with his hand: “Since that’s settled, Teacher Wang, let’s continue class.”
Chapter 25: Haven’t Seen You in Years, You’ve Become Quite Wild
The entire Class 7 was still in shock. This class, besides the voice of Wang Shuzhen teaching, there was no other sound.
Shen Yan listened while also checking his constantly vibrating WeChat messages.
Jiang Yi: “[Brother Yan, look, the girl in the third row, third seat.]”
Jiang Yi: “[This is the one I mentioned to you last time. How is it? Brother, I have good eyes, right?]”
Shen Yan chuckled lightly.
He turned off his phone, too lazy to reply.
His gaze floated lightly toward the third row.
The girl was slumped softly on the desk, like she had no bones. Since she was diagonally across, he could only see the back of her head, and because of the distance, Shen Yan couldn’t see clearly.
Meanwhile, the paper-note passing continued vigorously. Qiu Ning started paying attention to class, and Meng Yichu decisively pulled Li Shu into their circle. They passed notes five times; Li Shu thought, maybe she wrote back twice.
Her mind, however, drifted blank.
Every time Li Shu thought of that phrase—“unfilial descendant”—she felt the voice was too familiar.
Thinking this, she couldn’t help but glance back at the boy in the last row.
She squinted.
Her gaze first fell on his thick hair. Judging by that, it didn’t seem like he would go bald, at least not for the next few years.
Then her gaze went down.
If he grew up like this, even one day wearing the history teacher’s wig, he should still attract girls.
And then… their eyes met.
The little girl was fair and delicate, her brows still droopy.
Coincidence.
Shen Yan remained silent.
At this moment, Qiu Ning, who had been paying attention to the lecture, suddenly turned Li Shu’s head.
“During class, you’re not taking notes, and you’re staring at him. The new student noticed. Aren’t you embarrassed?”
Li Shu frowned. Normally, she rarely memorized a face seriously, but she whispered: “I always feel like I’ve seen this Shen Yan somewhere before.”
Tang Wan heard the exchange and was amused. She turned: “Your old-fashioned way of hitting on someone isn’t any better than a love letter.”
Hearing that, Li Shu no longer paid attention to that strange sense of familiarity.
Shen Yan did not expect that the person Jiang Yi mentioned was her.
That ugly and baggy school uniform—looking around, no one else in Class 7 wore it.
Shen Yan raised an eyebrow. The little shorty could even be assigned a seat in the third row?
And a little country shorty with no sense of style at that.
Thinking of the pancake he had eaten that morning on a whim, he couldn’t help but smile faintly.
It tasted good.
He had already eaten breakfast, took a few bites intending to throw it away, but felt like he had taken advantage of the little girl, and it would be wasteful—not very honorable.
Shen Yan was a bit full.
He turned to look at the unopened bottled water on Wu Zexi’s desk.
Wu Zexi tossed it to him.
“Brother Yan, dinner tonight? Haven’t hung out in a long time.”
Shen Yan was indifferent, his expression tired: “Fine, you guys decide.”
Seeing this, Wu Zexi couldn’t help frowning: “You didn’t sleep well last night? Jiang Yi will definitely drink beer and force you to drink too. Why not postpone until tomorrow and get some rest?”
Shen Yan drank half the water, annoyed: “Enough, you doubt I can handle him?”
Wu Zexi: “Fine, you’re the best.”
“Brother Yan, your energy is unmatched. Anyone who doubts you, I’ll just lock the door and let Jiang Yi loose.”
Shen Yan paused, his expression darkening slightly. He glanced at Wu Zexi, dragging his words lazily:
“Whether I can handle it or not, can you, a grown man, prove it?”
Wu Zexi: …speechless. (Please post Brother Yan’s boast on the public screen.)
Shen Yan was too lazy to look at him. His gaze fell on the textbook, and with Wang Shuzhen’s lecture, he casually wrote a few words.
His tone calm: “Wu Zexi, haven’t seen you in years, you’ve become quite wild.”
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