Chapter 38 - The Transformation of Black Sheep
Chapter 38 - The Transformation of Black Sheep
In a certain shared office for some teachers of No.12 High School, there was a sense of dissatisfaction towards the teachers of the senior grade. Or, more specifically, towards the teachers of Class 8.
Most teachers in No.12 taught two classes, and the same group of teachers usually taught Class 7 and Class 8. Therefore, these teachers assigned to these two classes were typically recognized as the unluckiest teachers in the entire grade. Taking the two most lethal classes in their year, these teachers don’t even bother trying to raise the rate of enrollment, or aim for the merit evaluation prizes. Instead, they just hope to stay healthy and try to survive until the students graduate. Successfully avoiding any sort of heart disease would already be considered a victory.
Nobody in their wildest dreams expected the sudden turn that happened this year. The school’s most famous troublemakers in Class 8 told student representative Lin Qian that they wanted to learn from him. And amazingly, Lin Qian was kind enough to personally sign a contract and agree to tutor them. Class 8 then became the most diligent underachieving class in the school’s entire history.
The teachers of Class 8 were so happy and excited that their enthusiasm caused panic amongst the teachers in the other classes, starting a wave of strict teaching in the entire grade.
But this was just the beginning. Before long, the teachers of Class 8 proudly announced to the other teachers that because of Class 8’s behavior, the studies of Class 7 began to improve too. And like Class 8, this sudden change was also led by the notorious gangsters in their class.
What was even more stupefying was the fact that the hooligans on Class 8 were now often seen giving the punks in Class 7 remedial lessons!
The teachers in other classes: ?????
Was this some sort of disease spreading amongst the underachievers?
No, this wasn’t the troublesome classes they knew! They aren’t familiar with these little hooligans!
However, the reason for the dissatisfaction wasn’t because these formerly poor students were now changing for the better. It was because the teachers in Class 7 and Class 8 were too noisy!
It’s true that even if the style of teaching changes, the gap between the results of Class 7 and Class 8 and the grades of other classes was too huge. Just the fact that these originally irredeemable students were now willing to study was already the biggest achievement one could hope for.
The shared teachers’ office nowadays was filled with the happy voices of Class 7 and Class 8 teachers. They would gather into groups and talk about a student’s recent improvements, which student changed for the better, which student asked a question in class. It would be a constant chatter of homework completion rates all day long!
Yes, in order for better analysis, the homeroom teachers of both classes unscrupulously invented something called the ‘homework completion rate.’ From a recent inspection of Class 8, this random statistic pronounced that the completion rate of the latest math homework reached 100%. This made Bai YanZhu extremely proud.
So proud, in fact, that Bai YanZhu used his own money to buy everyone in the office some afternoon tea.
However, this didn’t cultivate any goodwill from the other teachers. Because during the afternoon tea, Bai YanZhu and the homeroom teacher of Class 7 took a crazy amount of selfies and typed a bunch of tweets, seriously disrupting the tranquil office atmosphere.
The other teachers who had gotten tinnitus finally couldn’t take it and shut the two people in a small dark closet for an hour. It barely calmed them down, but at least it brought back the tranquil atmosphere in the office.
……
……
The second monthly test for the seniors of No.12 High School was near. Due to the strictness of all the teachers recently, the entire grade had a tense atmosphere hanging over their heads. This affected Guo DangLi and Li Gao, especially. These former black sheep of Class 7 started running to the toilet between classes, all so they could just do one more practice question.
The other students in Class 7 were uncomfortable about all this. These guys used to mock Class 8 before, saying that they lost their dignity as an underachieving class and lost their qualification to be called a gangster. When Lin Qian and Zheng PingQing’s contract was leaked to the public, it was Guo DangLi who was the first to step up and proclaim that Zheng PingQing was no longer capable of being the big Boss of No. 12 High School.
But nobody expected that just a few days later….things developed into a completely uncontrollable direction.
It left everyone in Class 7 speechless. This noisy group, who had seriously affected everyone’s studying, was now saying that they wanted to listen during lectures. They even warned everyone that any sort of playing or fooling around was no longer allowed in the classroom!
But honestly, this was also the main reason why Class 7 improved in their studies in such a short amount of time.
Unfortunately, meme photos weren’t in the rage yet; otherwise everyone would’ve been able to accurately determine that Guo DangLi’s behavior was literally the 'So delicious' meme
Meanwhile, Guo DangLi had no time to care about what the other students thought of him. For him, every minute, every second before the monthly test needed to be spent wisely. After all, this test would decide whether he would be a son or a grandson.
On the day before the exam, Lin Qian summarized some key questions and went to Class 8 to give them to Zheng PingQing.
Before, Class 8 and the top classes were like two entirely different worlds that never crossed. But nowadays, the Class 8 students have gotten used to top students visiting their classroom to hand out notes. Some of the more chatty students would even take the opportunity to approach them and ask a few questions.
That’s why when Lin Qian entered Class 8, he was greeted by several students. Someone even voluntarily reported to him: “Boss Lin, Boss Zheng is out, and Dong MingEn is in Class 7.”
Lin Qian nodded in response, then placed his notes on Zheng PingQing’s desk. He left soon after. As he walked past Class 7, he happened to see Guo DangLi and Dong MingEn inside, deep in discussion. Lin Qian shouted through the window: “I put today’s review questions on Zheng PingQing’s desk. Remember to take a look.”
Lin Qian was about to leave when someone in the classroom suddenly stood up. The student grabbed a bag and rushed out of the room, calling out: “T-That…wait a minute!”
Lin Qian stopped and saw that it was Li Gao calling out to him. He saw Li Gao carrying a large black plastic bag. Li Gao stopped in front of Lin Qian. He was scratching his head and looked very embarrassed.
“What’s the matter?” Lin Qian asked.
Li Gao hesitated for a long while before he finally mustered up his courage and offered the bag to Lin Qian. In a small voice, he said: “My mother wanted me to give this to you.”
Lin Qian: “…?”
Lin Qian saw no reason not to accept, so he took the bag. He immediately felt its great weight. Struggling a bit, Lin Qian opened the bag, only to see two white foam boxes inside, stacked on top of the other. Lin Qian was puzzled: “What is this?”
Li Gao coughed. “The box on top has lobster; the one on the bottom is crabs. They just arrived this morning, very fresh. My mother immediately covered them in ice. If you put it in the fridge, it’ll last for two days, no problem.”
“Uh…” This was the first time Lin Qian had received such a gift, so he was left speechless. In the end, he can only say: “…I didn’t realize you were a seafood boss’s son.”
“Not really.” Li Gao scratched his head a little harder. “But my mom’s really happy recently. She said…that…she’s never seen me read a book so seriously in my entire life…”
Li Gao was very embarrassed when he said this, but he also felt a little surprised. He never expected that this small change could make his parents so happy. His family’s attitude towards him had also changed so dramatically. The entire atmosphere at home was so warm that he couldn’t get used to it.
As a result, Li Gao, who had only worked hard for fear of Lin Qian’s public executions, gradually changed. He began to feel that studying and learning wasn’t such a bad thing. It was because of this that Li Gao didn’t object too much when his mother told him to pass the seafood boxes to Lin Qian.
Lin Qian recalled Li Gao’s passionate mother. It wasn’t such a surprise that she would do this. Finding the situation a little funny Lin Qian replied: “We’re all students in this school, you don’t have to be so polite.”
“No, no, you have to accept.” Li Gao insisted. Then, he hardened his scalp and said: “I also want you to accept it.”
Lin Qian looked at Li Gao. Maybe it was because he stopped going to internet cafes, but Li Gao’s complexion had improved. Lin Qian smiled, and said: “Alright.”
Seeing Lin Qian accept the gift, Li Gao sighed in relief then turned around to go back to his classroom. But then, a cynical voice could suddenly be heard: “Fuck, Li Gao, did you just give that university tyrant a gift?”
Lin Qian turned around and saw two boys looking like they just witnessed something unbelievable. Lin Qian had a vague recollection that they were students from Class 4, but as always, he still couldn’t remember any names.
Li Gao’s expression turned a little dark. He said: “What’s it to you?”
The boy who opened his mouth raised a hand. “Nothing, nothing, I just found it hilarious.”
Lin Qian tilted his head. “What’s so funny about it?”
The boy snorted. “Isn’t it funny? Doesn’t Li Gao look down on nerds the most? I really can’t understand why he would give the student representative of all people a gift.”
Li Gao couldn’t help but angrily say: “Yang ZongJie, why don’t you just get lost!”
The boy called Yang ZongJie remained unruffled. Instead, his voice became even more sarcastic. “I say, I don’t get why you’re still wasting your time trying to study. Isn’t a future career in moving bricks good enough for you?”
Li Gao’s expression turned ugly. He was about to march towards Yang ZongJie, but was stopped by Lin Qian.
With an indifferent expression, Lin Qian said: “Let’s be civilized.”
Li Gao looked at Lin Qian and immediately remembered the kick he had given Guo DangLi. Nervous, Li Gao quickly took a step back.
Yang ZongJie had been preparing to trade blows with Li Gao, but unexpectedly, he actually backed down when Lin Qian told him to? Yang ZongJie frowned. “What? Don’t tell me you’re actually following this university tyrant?”
This was the same question Guo DangLi had asked Zheng PingQing near the school gates. Li Gao thought back to Zheng PingQing’s answer back then. Li Gao didn’t know where his courage came from, but he lifted his chin and replied: “Yes, I’m already Lin Qian’s man.”
Yang ZongJie: “???”
But before Yang ZongJie could reply, a cold voice spoke up from the side: “You are not.”
Nobody knew when Zheng PingQing arrived, but he was already wrapping an arm around Lin Qian’s shoulders. He sent Li Gao a threatening look and said: “Pay attention to the words you say. Don’t talk so ambiguously.”
Li Gao was startled, not understanding what was happening: “????????”
What did he say wrong?
We’re all Lin Qian’s little brothers now. And I just followed your example!
But Lin Qian also shook his head at Li Gao. Lin Qian looked at him and seriously said: “Li Gao, that sentence, no one but Zheng PingQing can say it, alright?”
Li Gao was dazedly looked at Lin Qian, then at Zheng PingQing. Don’t tell me this is a privilege only early followers can have?
Zheng PingQing directly ignored everyone else and looked down at the bag Lin Qian was holding. Fiddling with the straps, he asked: “What’s this?”
Lin Qian: “Seafood from Li Gao.”
Zheng PingQing looked at Li Gao with disdain and grabbed the bag from Lin Qian. “Confiscated.”
Li Gao: “!!!”
But Lin Qian only helplessly chuckled at Zheng PingQing’s antics. “Yes, yes, yes, it’s all yours.”
Li Gao: “…?”
Wait a minute, shouldn’t this little brother offer the Boss tribute? Why is Zheng PingQing allowed to confiscate the Boss’ things?
The author has something to say:
Victims of dog food+1
The image that popped into my head when I read the last bit:
Empress Zheng PingQing: Don’t get full of yourself! Only I can say that! Give me that lobster, not allowed, not allowed!
Emperor Lin Qian: That’s right, that’s right. Empress knows best.
Concubine Li Gao:…
Thank you everyone for your well-wishes! I hope you all had a great Christmas. Decided on a double release at the last minute because I managed to finish a chapter yesterday with a smile on my face ( ´ ▽ ` )
Here’s a fanart of Lin Qian and Zheng PingQing by Tia F(i)sh from discord. Thank you very much