Chapter 194 - 192: The Teachers’ Gift Money

Chapter 194: Chapter 192: The Teachers’ Gift Money

Jiang Xia secretly slipped the cigarettes and lighter into Teacher Wang’s pocket. The two of them then returned to the table. After having a cigarette, Teacher Wang looked much more relaxed than before.

Jiang Xia proactively picked up a beer bottle and refilled the teacher’s glass. "Teacher Wang," he said with a smile, "thank you so much for your guidance over the years. This toast is for you."

Teacher Wang chuckled and raised his glass to clink with Jiang Xia’s. Jiang Xia deliberately held his glass an inch lower than his teacher’s.

"I’ve been teaching for many years, but if I have to name the student who surprised me the most, it’s got to be you, kid," Teacher Wang said with a sigh of emotion.

Jiang Xia’s grades used to be just about average. But back then, everyone figured that for an art-track student, average academic performance was already pretty good.

But who would have thought that in the three months leading up to the college entrance exams, his grades would shoot up like a rocket? The rapid improvement stunned every single teacher in his grade.

"It’s all thanks to the excellent teaching from all of you," Jiang Xia said with a humble smile.

In reality, he barely even did his homework, spending all his time on *Cat and Mouse*. But, of course, he had to say the right thing.

Teacher Wang was a little speechless. ’It’s not like the teachers gave him any special, private tutoring. We teach every student the same way. How did he improve like he was using a cheat code? It’s just absurd.’

"Or should I say, it’s all thanks to Lin Yanwan?"

Teacher Wang gave him a teasing smile. "Don’t think I didn’t know. You two dating was the talk of the school. Teacher Ding from the next class over mentioned it to me several times. She said Lin Yanwan’s grades were fluctuating quite a bit, but since I saw your grades were steadily improving, I decided to turn a blind eye."

Jiang Xia chuckled sheepishly. "Thanks for not breaking us up, Teacher Wang."

"So, was I right? Lin Yanwan’s a great student, you two made a pact to get into the same university, and so you worked your tail off and finally managed to catch up to her."

Jiang Xia couldn’t help but laugh. ’Who knew Teacher Wang had such a strong gossipy side at his age?’

"That was part of the reason, yes. A long-distance relationship? No way. Not in this lifetime. Two people can only have a bright future if they’re together every single moment."

He declared this loudly, his gaze drifting over to his girl at the next table. As it happened, Lin Yanwan was looking over at that exact moment. Her face instantly flushed crimson. ’This guy,’ she thought, ’he’s spouting nonsense again in front of our teacher and so many classmates.’

"Well said, my boy!"

To everyone’s surprise, Teacher Wang actually started clapping. He said with a laugh, "I’m going to tell your story to the underclassmen who come after you. I don’t forbid students from dating, but the condition is that they have to be like you two: learning and growing together in the relationship. That’s how you take responsibility not just for yourself, but for your beloved as well."

"So what you’re saying is, I’ve become a role model?"

"Hahahaha, it’s a great thing to be a role model for the younger students."

Hearing this conversation, the other students grew even more curious. ’Just how high did he actually score?’

"Jiang Xia, they say absence makes the heart grow fonder. People are definitely envious seeing you two stuck together like glue every day, but don’t you think you might get tired of each other one day?" a girl from their class suddenly asked with a giggle.

"How can you ever get tired of someone you love?" Jiang Xia said with a laugh. "There are twenty-four hours in a day, and I wish I could be attached to her for every single one of them."

His words really let people’s imaginations run wild. Many of them shot him suggestive looks and let out a long, teasing "Oooooooh..."

Lin Yanwan’s face turned beet red. ’Who wants to be attached to him every single moment?!’

’He acts all tough before we get in bed, but once we’re there, doesn’t he just go limp and beg me for mercy?’

"Alright, that’s enough out of you. Don’t be a bad influence."

Teacher Wang asserted his authority as their homeroom teacher, putting a stop to the topic, which had started to go off the rails.

"Alright, that’s all I have to say for today. I wish you a bright future at Tsinghua. And if you two ever manage to walk down the aisle, make sure you invite me."

"In that case, Teacher Wang, you’d better get your wedding gift money ready," Jiang Xia said with a grin.

"Haha, you cheeky kid! Alright, you got it!"

The two of them shared a smile, their glasses clinked together again, and they both downed their drinks in one gulp.

After that drink, Teacher Wang left. He still had many more toasts to make today, especially since he had to visit several other classes.

After hearing Jiang Xia’s speech, Shen Ying’s expression grew complicated. ’Rejecting Wang Ming was the right call,’ she thought. ’Long-distance relationships are the most unreliable thing in the world. They just hurt everyone involved.’

Mission accomplished. Seeing that everyone else was still in high spirits and the party wasn’t likely to end anytime soon, Jiang Xia eagerly picked up his stool, moved it over to the table for Class 1, and sat down next to his girl. The other students quickly made room for him.

Some of the students who’d heard he got into Tsinghua University had been planning to go over and get to know him. But upon seeing this scene, they immediately dropped the idea. ’Can’t you see the young couple being all lovey-dovey? Interrupting them now would be the worst way to make a good impression.’

"Babe, have you eaten your fill?" he asked, openly taking Lin Yanwan’s hand, not caring in the slightest if any teachers saw.

He hadn’t been afraid back when they were students, and he was even less so now that they had graduated.

"Mhm, I’m full. The food here is actually pretty good." Lin Yanwan’s face was a little pink. He was gently tracing circles on her palm. ’So many people are watching,’ she thought, ’what is he trying to do?’

"It really is. I ate a ton. After we graduate from college and get married, we could consider having our wedding banquet here. The ambiance is pretty nice too," Jiang Xia said with a wink.

Shen Ying watched from the side, full of envy. ’Her man is so good to her,’ she thought. ’They just graduated from high school, and he’s already thinking about marriage.’

"Say yes! Say yes!"

Some of the people around them suddenly started chanting. At the end of the day, the two of them were an attractive couple, and sometimes, watching other people’s love lives was much more entertaining than having one of your own.

Lin Yanwan’s face was burning hot. Her mind raced as she tried to think of a reply, but then she heard her homeroom teacher’s voice.

"Hey, hey, you lot! What’s all this about saying yes?" Teacher Ding asked as she walked over, a wide smile on her face.

One student, who loved a good spectacle, piped up with a laugh, "Teacher Ding, it’s Jiang Xia from Class 6! He said if he and Yanwan get married in the future, they’ll have the banquet right here."

Mortified, Lin Yanwan forcefully pinched the back of Jiang Xia’s hand. "Teacher Ding, don’t listen to them," she said, her face bright red. "They’re just talking nonsense."

Ding Hui walked over with a knowing smile. Jiang Xia quickly greeted her, "Hi, Teacher Ding."

"Jiang Xia," Ding Hui began, "even though you’ve stolen away my star student, I’ll let it slide this time, seeing as you did so well on your exams. But once you’re in the Imperial Capital, you had better take good care of Yanwan for me, you hear? If I ever find out you’ve let her suffer the slightest bit of hardship, you’ll have me to answer to!" she said in a mock-threatening tone.

"Teacher Ding, same as with Teacher Wang—just have your wedding gift money ready."