Chapter 40: This Is Our Grand Gift to You

On Monday, Shen Chutang took a taxi directly to the affiliated middle school of Jing University, entering the principal's office quietly. Before she even stepped inside, she could hear several teachers’ voices from within.

"I really can't handle Class Z anymore. They're little tyrants, each and every one!"

"Exactly, I got assigned their math class this semester, and they've driven me dizzy with rage, I just want to go to the hospital for a transfusion!"

"Don't even mention your math class—I'm the English teacher and it's even worse. Twenty-six letters and they still can't recite them. Why did we even admit such hopeless students? Principal, if you haven’t taught Class Z yourself, you don’t know just how bad they are!"

With the language, math, and English teachers all gathered to protest teaching Class Z, the principal was at his wit’s end.

"Just bear with it a little longer. I’ve found a new teacher, she’ll be their homeroom teacher and manage those students."

The language teacher chimed in, "Let her take over for me, please. You see, after just a month with them, my hair has turned white!"

The math teacher refused to be outdone. "Principal, my blood pressure is through the roof in Class Z. If this keeps up, I’ll have no choice but to resign!"

The English teacher hurried to add, "Since taking over Class Z, I’ve been hospitalized three times. The school can’t do this to me, especially since I’m also the homeroom teacher for Class F. My own students need me!"

The principal looked distressed. Finally, he caught sight of Shen Chutang standing at the door, and immediately his face lit up as if he’d seen a savior. "Miss Shen, you’re finally here! Welcome, welcome!"

The teachers, realizing she was to be their new homeroom teacher, hurried over—moving chairs, pouring tea, offering fruit, just short of giving her shoulder massages.

The principal smiled and said, "Miss Shen, we’ve already sent you Class Z’s files. So…"

Shen Chutang nodded. "Yes. When do classes start?"

The teachers exchanged looks, thinking: truly, the young are fearless!

Class Z was a den of dragons and tigers, yet this young woman dared to enter.

The language teacher couldn’t help but say, "Miss Shen, do you really understand Class Z? Those kids are no different from street thugs—actually, worse! They’ll use a lighter to burn your skirt, put toads and even centipedes in your books!"

"Right, right! I got splashed with water the moment I entered their classroom last time, nearly caught a cold!"

"The last time I went in, they argued with me and even tried to get physical!"

Shen Chutang was well aware of all this. The principal, terrified she might be scared off, had recounted every detail at Professor Wei’s request.

Shen Chutang held her teacup and gave them a calm glance. "So, as long as I get them to listen and attend class, I’ll have done my job?"

The teachers looked at each other. The problem was, they wouldn’t listen in the first place!

Shen Chutang stood up. "I understand."

If she could get those unruly kids to attend class, her task would be complete.

Soon, the students of Class Z heard rumors: a new homeroom teacher was coming.

Lu Wendong, ever the gossip, said, "I just overheard at the principal's office—they said someone’s coming to be our homeroom teacher!"

Luo Shencheng, the class boss, heard this and broke into a mischievous smile. "Same old routine—let’s throw her a party!"

The principal escorted Shen Chutang to the classroom door. "Miss Shen, just be careful. The school doctor is downstairs, the security team is nearby—if you need anything, just shout."

It was clear they’d suffered at the hands of these little devils. Shen Chutang couldn’t help but feel intrigued. "Alright."

She glanced up at the classroom door, where a bucket was hanging conspicuously.

But she didn’t go in.

The bell had been ringing for some time, but no one from Class Z saw the new teacher enter. Someone began to doubt, "Lu Wendong, are your sources reliable? Where's this person you promised?"

Lu Wendong was puzzled too. "Should be right—said she would come this period."

He walked to the door, craning his neck to peek outside.

Suddenly, a face appeared in the crack. "Were you looking for me?"

Lu Wendong was startled, instinctively stepping back, only to have his tie grabbed. In the next second, the door swung open and a bucket of water was poured over his head.

"Damn!" Lu Wendong cursed, glaring resentfully at the woman before him.

But Shen Chutang was unfazed. She strode straight to the podium, picked up a piece of chalk, and wrote her name on the blackboard. "My name is Shen Chutang. I’m your new homeroom teacher. I hope that, in the coming days, we can get along peacefully."

The students lounged about carelessly, some slouching at their desks, too lazy to sit up. The girls were touching up their lipstick with compact mirrors, paying Shen Chutang no heed at all.

Then, a chubby boy stepped forward, presenting a beautifully wrapped gift box. "Teacher, this is a present from all of us."

In that instant, everyone’s eyes focused on the box, their expressions betraying a hint of malicious amusement, as if waiting for a spectacle.