Math Teacher, Please Get Lost (GL) - Chapter 17

In the blink of an eye, it was already the end of the term. Shuyan had carried out her “stay on top” policy: in two monthly exams, one midterm, and the final, Class 12 consistently ranked ahead of Class 13. Every time she waved the ranking list and bragged in the third-floor office, Yao Shuhan would chase her out for various reasons.

Yin Dapeng shook his head while browsing Taobao. “I really don’t get it. What’s so fun about this? You just have to compete with Yao Shuhan.”

Across from him, Teacher Lei cleared his throat. “You wouldn’t understand. That’s Shuyan’s kind of fun.”

Yin Dapeng raised an eyebrow. “Whoa, you sound like you understand her fun.”

Teacher Lei crossed his legs. “Of course I understand. It’s like seeing your score lower than mine every time there’s an award. That’s my fun.”

Yin Dapeng froze, then snapped back, wanting to argue. “No, Old Lei, you can’t start messing with me too!”

Lei leisurely flipped open a newspaper. “Wait until next time you spit water on me.”

“…” Yin Dapeng finally realized that this must be karma from a past life.

On the day of receiving report cards, the students all said they couldn’t wait until Valentine’s Day on February 14, so they decided to give gifts to their beloved Teacher Yao Shuhan in advance. Within just half a day, Yao Shuhan’s desk was piled high with flowers and gift boxes, forming a small mountain, with pointed corners poking out.

Zhao Tongtong, writing teacher comments, couldn’t help but glance at Yao Shuhan’s desk. She thought to herself: this person is beautiful, talented, and truly exceptional. When had she ever received so many Valentine’s gifts herself, and from students, no less? Ah, her own students just couldn’t compare to the clever kids in Yao Shuhan’s class. You’d think all children are born the same, but somehow, the differences are just so huge.

The office door creaked, and a head poked in stealthily. Both Zhao Tongtong and Yin Dapeng looked over—it was Shuyan. She lifted her head, saw them staring, smiled, glanced at Yao Shuhan’s seat, saw no one there, and walked in.

Yin Dapeng greeted her, “Teacher Shu, looking for Shuhan?”

Shuyan bounced a few steps and jumped to Yao Shuhan’s desk. Seeing the small mountain of flowers and gifts, she froze. “Whoa, that’s a lot.”

“Look, look, isn’t it absurdly much?” Zhao Tongtong clicked her tongue, pointing at the pile.

Shuyan frowned. “All from men?”

Zhao Tongtong opened her mouth wide in mock horror. “Ha! If these were gifts from men pursuing her, that would barely cover this much. The office would be flooded! These are all from students.”

Students giving roses and chocolates? Clearly, Valentine’s gifts!

Shuyan asked again, “Students? Wanting to chase her at such a young age?”

Zhao Tongtong burst out laughing, patting Shuyan. “Shuyan, you’re funny. Kids that age don’t think about that—it’s just gifts from students to their teacher.”

“Oh…” Shuyan stared at the “small mountain” for a while, found it boring, and turned to leave. “Hehe~” She took two steps, then bounced back to Yao Shuhan’s desk, glanced at the chocolates, pocketed a box, hummed a tune, and walked out as if nothing had happened.

At the door, Yin Dapeng looked up. “Hey, Teacher Shu, those are Miss Yao’s Valentine’s gifts.”

Shuyan held the heart-shaped box, examining it carefully, shook it, and grinned. “There’s a whole mountain on her desk—she can eat all of that and still not get fat!”

Yin Dapeng looked behind her, fell silent, and resumed browsing Taobao.

Suddenly, Yao Shuhan’s clear, strong voice came from behind her: “I may be fat like Dong Zhuo, but none of it will grow on you. Get out—my office on the third floor doesn’t welcome you either.”

Shuyan immediately turned, yelling. “How can you do this! I just took a box of chocolates! Back in the day, you—uh uh—”

Yao Shuhan firmly covered her mouth and dragged her out. “Shuyan, I warn you, the past is the past. If you dare say one more word, I’ll take you down!”

The teachers in the office peeked outside, startled. They had never seen Yao Shuhan lose her temper physically. She usually just said a few harsh words when angry. Seeing her in a state ready to go all out against Shuyan was indeed rare.

Everyone sighed. So even the composed and polite Miss Yao could have a rough side. It seemed Shuyan was the first who could provoke her into forgetting etiquette—truly a case of one object controlling another.

“Hey, Teacher Yao, gentlemen speak, they don’t use hands. Let go, I’m going back.” Shuyan waved her hands wildly, yelling.

Yao Shuhan swung a hand at her neck to push her away. “Get lost. I don’t even want to see your hands.”

“All right, all right, I’m going. Soon your hands won’t see me anymore anyway.” Shuyan laughed, bounced down two steps, then turned suddenly. “Shuhan, once you’re done, come downstairs—I’ll wait for you.”

“Hmm? Have you finished the teacher comments?” Yao Shuhan was astonished at her speed. For a class of fifty to sixty students, she usually spent two days preparing personalized comments. Most colleagues just copy from online templates and rush to finish on the report card day. Shuyan had finished already?

Shuyan exclaimed, “I wrote fifty-five notes saying ‘Happy New Year, wishing you luck in the Year of the Dragon,’ and spent half an hour last night pasting them.”

“…” Yao Shuhan looked at her, struggling to find a word.

Shuyan, seeing Yao Shuhan silent, assumed she was still sulking over the chocolate, thinking her stingy for getting mad over just one box. She pointed to the stairs. “I’ll wait downstairs.” And left.

Ah… after so many years of teaching, Yao Shuhan had never seen a teacher stick printed notes on report cards like this. She really couldn’t figure out Shuyan’s thought process… how could she possibly like someone like that?

Entering the office, Yao Shuhan saw everyone buried in their work, looking at her. She felt awkward, covered her mouth, and coughed lightly. Everyone quickly lowered their heads and busied themselves.

After checking the report cards, she held a brief class meeting, letting Wang Xiao distribute them, reminding students to register by February 26, to stay safe during the holidays, and to take care of their health over the New Year.

“We know, Teacher Yao! Middle school teachers say this every year!” The students fidgeted, eager to leave.

“Good, then that’s it. Happy New Year, everyone!” Yao Shuhan smiled and waved.

“Happy New Year, Teacher Yao! Goodbye, Teacher Yao!”

After the students left, Yao Shuhan made sure the doors and windows were closed before heading downstairs. There she saw Shuyan squatting by a flower bed, waving with fox-like eyes and a curved smile.

Shuyan jumped up, and the two walked toward the teachers’ dormitory. “What about your flowers and chocolates?”

“Distributed.”

“Distributed?”

“Yes.”

Shuyan asked again, “To whom?”

Yao Shuhan slung her bag over her shoulder. “Everyone in the office got some.”

“Ah.” Shuyan called in disappointment. “I took one for you, and yet you’re so generous with everyone else!”

Yao Shuhan pressed the back of her hand against her mouth, tilting her head back, trying to suppress a laugh. “Hmm. Not giving you any.”

“Why not!” Shuyan sulked. She couldn’t help but wonder why Yao Shuhan always seemed to target her. But thinking that she had wronged her before, and having promised to make amends, she had to endure it.

Yao Shuhan asked, “When are you coming back to school?”

Shuyan thought for a moment. She was holding a winter class at the Youth Palace and would be in L City after the seventh day. “On the 13th, probably.”

“Hmm…”

They reached the C-building. On the first floor, the Lu family’s door was open. Approaching, they saw Old Lu chatting with someone. The person’s back was to them, but long curly hair and a slender figure suggested a young woman.

“Alright, Teacher Lu, that’s all for today. Thank you for the interview. I’ll bring you the magazine once it’s published.”

“Alright, alright, you’re welcome.” Lu Zhixing shook hands, sending her out. “I won’t see you off far, Miss Lan.”

“Thank you, Teacher Lu. Goodbye.”

The woman turned and left the building. Yao Shuhan saw her face clearly and exclaimed, “Lan Xi! You’re Lan Xi!”

The woman paused, slightly confused, looking at Yao Shuhan. “Miss, you are…?”

Not paying attention to the darkening Shuyan, Yao Shuhan ran over, eyes sparkling and cheeks flushed. “You really are Miss Lan Xi, the travel column writer for Shuxiang Pinming! Lan Xi?!”

“Hehe, yes, I am Lan Xi,” the woman smiled faintly. “I didn’t expect to meet a loyal reader here.”

“Yes, yes!” Yao Shuhan clasped her fists, nodding rapidly. “I really love your writing. I buy every issue of Shuxiang. Especially last July’s article, ‘Once Upon Years’—it was amazing! I remember the part about Dragon Boat Festival colored strings and soaking mugwort. Your description was just exquisite!”

Lan Xi nodded, speaking softly. “Indeed, those memories are vivid for me too. Thank you for enjoying it. You’re very thoughtful. May I know your name?”

“Of course. My surname is Yao, given name Shuhan, meaning immersed in books and the coming dawn.” Yao Shuhan replied quickly.

“Oh, you’re Teacher Yao Shuhan?” Lan Xi asked in slight surprise. “I was just interviewing Teacher Lu. He spoke highly of you, saying you are deserving of your talent. I wondered what a remarkable person you might be—and indeed, you’re a good girl.”

Yao Shuhan blushed and lowered her head. “Not at all. Miss Lan, your writing is truly talented, grand in style, inspired—seeing you today, so elegant and noble, your reputation is well-earned.”

“Two talented ladies, please let me pass. I need to go upstairs.” Shuyan lowered her eyelids, drawing out her tone, passing between them, and went upstairs without looking back. The hallway echoed with her heavy footsteps, feeling strange.

Yao Shuhan was startled, turned to look for Shuyan, but didn’t even catch her back.

“Sorry, Miss Lan, I have something to do. Let’s talk another time.” Yao Shuhan hurriedly said, turning to chase Shuyan.

Lan Xi noticed Yao Shuhan’s flustered expression and smiled knowingly. “Alright, next time I’ll bring the magazine to see Teacher Lu. We’ll contact each other then.”

“Okay, goodbye, Miss Lan!”

Lan Xi waved, carrying her bag, slowly leaving the school. At the street corner, she suddenly caught a strong fragrance and couldn’t help but look up to find its source. Her gaze scanned around and finally landed on a small street cart with red lanterns.

“Your oden is ready, a total of 8.50.” Han Jiangxue smiled, handing the plastic cup to the boy in front, her eyes bright and clear, her smile gentle and sweet.