How Embarrassing

Wang Shili found the irritable Liu Bozong in a pavilion at the academy.

Liu Bozong scowled the moment he saw Wang Shili and grunted, "What are you here for? To curry favor with that new Head of Mathematics, huh?"

Wang Shili hurriedly said, "That's a misunderstanding! I haven't even spoken to her once! Just as you left, I came right after."

"Really!?" Liu Bozong's expression softened a bit.

"Of course it's true," Wang Shili sat opposite Liu Bozong and said, "The others took her around for a tour, I didn’t follow them, so I came to find you."

"Hmph, at least you have some backbone," Liu Bozong said, "That group promised to give that Su fellow a hard time, but one by one they all backed out! Especially Zhang Yuan, such a fence-sitter, it’s all his fault!"

Wang Shili said, "Yeah, they’re probably afraid of being too late to curry favor and getting punished later!"

Liu Bozong gave a disdainful look: "What’s the point of currying favor? That Su guy, I bet he’ll be kicked out of the academy within three days! Wutong Academy isn’t a place for just anyone. Even with Director Gu backing him, what can he do? Complain to Director Gu about everything? People without real ability won’t last!"

"Yes, yes, the young genius is Master Liu. That Su fellow, only fifteen, acting all high and mighty. He probably got in through connections, no real skills," Wang Shili agreed.

Liu Bozong’s eyes gleamed with pride: "He’s teaching this afternoon. Just wait and watch him embarrass himself!"

At noon, Su Li returned to his residence at Wutong Academy and had lunch. The academy sent someone to inform him of his class time and place. This afternoon would be Su Li’s first class at the academy.

When the appointed time came, Su Li headed to the classroom.

The classrooms at Wutong Academy were spacious and bright. Su Li pushed open the door to the classroom where he was supposed to teach and walked in.

The room was clean and quiet, with not a single person inside.

Su Li walked to the podium and stood beside the desk. Next to him, Lingdang whispered, "Time’s up, why are no students here?"

Su Li shook his head and stood quietly and calmly.

Time passed by the second, but not a single student showed up.

Lingdang grew a bit anxious and said, "It’s almost time to end class, why is no one here yet?"

"Tsk, this is Mr. Su’s first class, and not a single student has shown up. How pitiful."

At the door, a voice full of sarcasm rang out.

Su Li looked up and saw the infuriated Liu Bozong standing at the door with his arms crossed, wearing a look that said he was enjoying the show.

Su Li said nothing, remaining calm and composed as ever.

Liu Bozong looked at Su Li with a very sympathetic gaze, clicking his tongue and shaking his head. "Mr. Su Yu, you might not know, but at Wutong Academy, students freely choose their teachers. The better the teacher, the more students choose them; but those who are mediocre, just here for fame, got in through connections or family ties, the students see right through them. Even if they get into Wutong Academy, no student will pick them. Mr. Su Yu, here’s some friendly advice: someone like you who relies on background to get by should go to another academy to secure a spot, and use your influence to force students to follow you. That way, you won’t be so embarrassed here at Wutong Academy, where everything is so transparent. No students choosing you will expose your true level, how shameful and disgraceful! If I were you, I’d resign immediately and not stay here even a minute longer!"