CHAPTER 320: CHAPTER 318: ZHENGWEI JING ONCE SAID

Although I don’t understand why this red-haired teacher is asking such unquestionable questions, almost everyone obediently takes a step forward.

"After all, I’m not a student of the Imperial Academy, so I don’t know how the final assessment of the Imperial Academy is conducted. But in the exams I’ve taken, the first question is a gift question, to better let students enter the exam mode."

Le Yu smiled and said: "But from the second question onwards, it might get a bit challenging—answering it isn’t difficult, what’s difficult is that you can’t change the answer."

"Have you, from a young age, never had to worry about food and clothes, and never had to work for a living even for a day?"

"Same old rule, step forward if ’yes’, stay in place if ’no’.

Everyone exchanged glances, but still a large portion stepped forward, only a small portion stayed put.

"Third question, do you have a good family environment, with both parents present, and you feel loved by them?"

"Fourth question, do you have more than one close friend, who you believe would help you when you face difficulties?"

"Fifth question, growing up, have you received more encouragement or criticism? Step forward if it’s positive encouragement, stay in place if it’s negative criticism."

"Sixth question, do you think you are confident and attractive? This is a subjective question, unrelated to others’ opinions. If you think you’re good-looking with advantages, step forward. If you think your appearance has no advantages, stay in place—proper self-evaluation is also important."

"Seventh question, have close friends expressed clear romantic feelings towards you during your growth? Don’t laugh, I’m talking about the romantic kind. Those who have can proudly step forward, those who haven’t needn’t be sad, the teacher hasn’t either—really, girls feel inferior when they see the teacher."

"Eighth question, do you have your own private housing in Yanjing? It’s fine if parents bought it, but you must have control over the house, including remodeling or selling it..."

Initially, everyone could answer the questions with laughs, stepping forward or staying in place, but after Le Yu asked a dozen questions, the laughter in the classroom gradually quieted down.

Everyone exchanged glances, they realized some familiar classmates had walked far forward while they stayed in place for a long time; the further ahead, the fewer people, those in front accounted for only one-tenth of all students, and every single one of them was a prominent figure among the students, top in their studies, a dragon among men.

It was clearly the same classroom studying, eating in the same cafeteria, even hanging out together as good friends, but just through a few questions, a big gap was created among them.

Those at the back felt confused and inferior, and those in the front didn’t feel good either—they were clearly kind students and good brothers to everyone, but now they felt like they had done something wrong, being at the front seemed to become their sin.

A sad and thick barrier separated them.

"The last five questions, I’ll ask them quickly."

Le Yu cleared his throat: "Girls, step forward."

The students were stunned, half of them stepped forward.

"Dongyang people, step forward."

Only three people stepped forward.

"People with the surname Qin, step forward."

Qin Yueshi’s body froze, she realized her brother wanted to embarrass her in public, but Le Yu smiled at her, so she could only brace herself and step forward.

"People with the name Yueshi, which sounds so pleasant, step forward."

"Anyone related by blood to me, Qin Leyin, step forward."

"How many steps do you want me to take?" Qin Yueshi couldn’t stand it anymore: "Qin Leyin, are you trying to humiliate me!? Fine, I’ll walk!’

"My foolish sister," Le Yu sighed: "Can’t you see my well-intentioned plan?"

I see it, you’re just trying to make me the laughing stock of the Imperial Academy! Losing four years of friendship! You’re a brother with a malicious plan against your sister!

However, Qin Yueshi noticed Qian Yuya patting her shoulder, looking at her respected senior with confusion, her senior calmly said: "Teacher Qin has his thoughts, you’ll know once you walk over."

Really? Damn brother isn’t just trying to trick me?

Qin Leyin speaking, no ×.

Qian Yuya speaking, yes √.

Qin Yueshi reluctantly said: "Then stop asking, just tell me how many steps you want me to take."

Le Yu beckoned to her: "Just come over and stand next to me."

When Qin Yueshi walked over, Le Yu looked at the tense classroom, smiled broadly and said: "Why so serious? This is just a race game... After I count to three, the race officially starts, the first three to run to me will be the captains of our class... Three, two, one!"

Qin Yueshi sensed something was wrong and wanted to escape, but was directly caught by Le Yu, who raised her wrist high: "Alright, congratulations to my sister for becoming the first captain of our class! Everyone, please call her Captain Qin Yueshi from now on!"

And at the moment Le Yu announced the start of the race, two people were the fastest runners, one was Ming Shuiyun from the front, the other was Qian Yuya from the middle, both almost instantly activating Lingxu Step to run swiftly, while others were either not as close to the starting line as they were or didn’t even use Lingxu Step.

Or perhaps, many standing at the back simply don’t even intend to run.

Watching Ming Shuiyun and Qian Yuya being the first to run onto the podium, Le Yu raised their hands with her eyebrows slightly raised, yet still wearing a broad smile:

"Congratulations! Let’s congratulate Miss Qian Yuya for becoming the second squad leader of our class, and Miss Ming Shuiyun for becoming the third squad leader!"

Feeling discouraged, Ming Shuangli slowed down before reaching the podium, as sparse applause echoed in the classroom. Le Yu clapped her hands and said, "Do you all remember your starting positions? Can you please return to your starting lines? Clearly, Teacher Qin Leyin wants to use this little game to impart some life lessons — I hope you’re not tired of this kind of routine."

The students couldn’t help but laugh, and after they stood in position, Le Yu cleared her throat and said, "Speaking of which, I watched Cha Huan’s speech at the opening ceremony a few days ago and found it very sensible."

Hmm?

The students couldn’t help but recall that Cha Huan didn’t seem to say much at the opening ceremony...

"You all know what I’m going to say," Le Yu mused, "so I won’t say it."

There was a moment of silence before Qin Yueshi couldn’t help but say, "Then your teaching salary is really easy to earn."

"Do you think I’m lazy? No, this is because I have faith in you." Le Yu said brazenly, "Whether your starting line is ahead or behind, you shouldn’t forget my first question — are you students of Yanjing Royal Academy?"

"This freebie question is both a freebie and a threshold. You may not realize it, but the small step you’re taking in this classroom is actually a giant leap across the entire Huiyao."

"How big is this step? Big enough for you to surpass thousands upon thousands on this Huiyao land. You, the distinguished students of this Imperial Academy, are destined to be the pillars of Huiyao’s future, but do you know how much effort those who were stumped by the first question have to put in before they gain the privilege to sit and have tea with you?"

"Take me, for example." Le Yu pointed to herself, "Perhaps you’re puzzled about how an unknown person like me could become a lecturer for elective courses at the Imperial Academy. I don’t intend to recount my glorious achievements — that’s national confidential; it’s too deep, those who know, know. But I can assure you, ninety percent of you in this classroom will spend your lives unable to surpass the contributions I’ve made."

"I, an outsider, why can I stand on this podium today, paid with sacrifices you can’t even imagine."

If Le Yu had started out so boastfully, the students would’ve booed her off the stage. But after experiencing heavy-handed criticism earlier, she had already established a lofty image in their minds. Seeing her speak so confidently and arrogantly now, nearly all the students believed her.

"So I won’t comfort you, because I’m not qualified — how can someone who isn’t even a student of the Imperial Academy console its students?"

"I even think you should comfort me; you hurt my tender pride. Standing here before you, I truly feel a tremendous amount of pressure. Is there any adorable, big Teddy beauty willing to give me a loving hug?"

The students burst into laughter; the oppressive atmosphere lifted immediately. Although the Imperial Academy has many interesting lecturers, they still come with some air of authority. Seeing a lecturer like Qin Leyin, who appears to be one of them, was a first, and immediately a female student shouted, "Teacher, I’d be willing!"

"Never mind, never mind. My sister is here, I need to be mindful of my image." Le Yu patted Qin Yueshi’s shoulder beside him, glanced at her figure, and said, "Sister, you don’t need to hug me, though you are indeed quite lovable, still a bit... unqualified."

Qin Yueshi clenched her fists, and the thought of seeking her brother’s approval was already thrown into oblivion. She was just waiting for her anger to fill up to unleash a passionate combo on Qin Leyin to let him taste public humiliation!

Waiting for the laughter to subside, Le Yu spoke again, "Moreover, even a freebie question isn’t something everyone can capitalize on...for instance, me, for example, him."

Everyone was taken aback, looking back.

They saw a young man in gray standing at the very starting line, wearing training shoes, his clothes washed gray and white, hair grayish-white, with half of his face twisted like burn scars, making one feel uncomfortable at first glance.

Many students suddenly realized who he was, but no one held contempt for him, instead casting him sympathetic looks.

Receiving attention from the entire classroom, especially those sympathetic gazes, made the gray-clad youth bristle as if pricked by needles. He glared at Le Yu from afar, his eyes full of humiliation and resentment.

Le Yu’s expression didn’t change: "Hello, my name is Qin Leyin, friends call me Hongle, and I prefer you call me Teacher Hongle... What’s your name?"

"... Shi Wen."

"Interesting name, as interesting as mine. So Shi Wen, the reason you haven’t moved an inch, is it because you refuse to answer, or ... is this your answer?"

"...This is my answer," Shi Wen’s voice bore suppressed anger, "I have no family background, no friends, no money, not even a student of the Imperial Academy..."

"So, even when I announced the start of the race, you chose not to move?" Le Yu said, "Because you’re starting line lags behind everyone, so you’ve decided to give up completely?"

Before Shi Wen could respond, she looked at the other students standing at the back, "I noticed most of those whose starting lines were behind didn’t move. Do you think the same? Because you knew you couldn’t win, you lied down to be lashed by life? Not willing to struggle even a little? Is this the wisdom cultivated by the Imperial Academy?"

"Teacher, what you said is so unfair!" someone couldn’t help but rebut loudly, "Such accusation is completely unreasonable!"

"Exactly."

Le Yu calmly acknowledged, "My accusations are both unfair and unreasonable. Because I am not standing on your grounds, but denouncing your weakness and laziness from a superior position."

"Well, do you remember this grievance and anger? I believe, when you leave this campus, you may rarely encounter the kind of insult you face today, instead, you will replace it by becoming the superior who evaluates others."

"I just hope you remember the feelings in your heart at this moment. If you choose not to come back for another trial lecture just because you find the teacher too charming, at least this emotion will become your precious asset."

"The last president of the Silver Blood Association, Dongyang’s sage Jing Zhengwei once said —"

Le Yu declared aloud, "Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had."