FI CH83: Three Dads Gather at the Top

The golden border of the special appointment certificate flashed in the sunlight.

Cheng Zhuo’s eyes were stung by the light! His mind buzzed. He stared at the name “Lin Su” at the top, his mouth agape, unable to speak for a long time.

“You…”

How could this be possible?

A teacher, and a specially appointed one at that?? How old was he!

Lin Su was still looking at them with great interest.

The few people beside Cheng Zhuo froze for a moment, then also cast doubtful glances at him. The bragging from a second ago felt like a slap that landed squarely on his face—

Cheng Zhuo’s face burned. He clenched his fists but hadn’t made a sound when he heard Lin Su speak again.

“You guys didn’t go to the sports field specifically to find me, did you?”

Lin Su put away his certificate and said with satisfaction, “I told you to come find me at the start of the semester, and you really came. Truly, naughty children can be taught.”

Cheng Zhuo’s head snapped up. “What did you say—”

Lin Su’s lips curved as he looked directly at him. “When speaking to a teacher, you should use ‘sir.’ Do I need to teach you that?”

The other boy was instantly silenced.

Cheng Zhuo’s face turned shades of purple and red. The others beside him were as quiet as quails, all lowering their heads, afraid of being implicated, completely devoid of their earlier arrogance.

Lin Su looked at them for a few seconds, then turned his head.

“Follow me to the office.”

Behind him: “—!”

He walked gracefully toward the administration building with his hands in his sleeves, the Xuenima perched jauntily on his head: [Hehehehe… you still love being a teacher so much～]

As soon as it finished, it was snatched down: This is called being a role model for teachers.

…

The school’s professional divisions weren’t clearly defined.

Aside from the school leadership, all the subject teachers were in the same office.

As a specially appointed teacher, Lin Su had his own private office.

The newly tidied office had excellent lighting, with sunlight filtering through the blinds in neat squares. A set of landscape-painted Ding ware tea set sat on the mahogany desk, and the air conditioner provided ample cool air.

He entered and sat down at the desk.

He crossed one leg, the hem of his robe, embroidered with dark gold patterns, lifting slightly. He then picked up a cup of tea and looked up at the few people before him.

Lin Su scanned them one by one. “Mm… perfect, all the involved parties are here. Let’s talk about you ‘bullying others by relying on your connections’ and the matter of school violence.”

Cheng Zhuo gritted his teeth and endured. “What exactly do you want…”

The teacup was set down with a ‘clang’. “What did I just say?”

“…”

Cheng Zhuo squeezed the words out through his teeth, “…Sir! What, exactly, do, you, want?”

Lin Su said calmly, “To handle it according to school regulations, of course.” He casually picked up the school rules and regulations from the side and flipped through them. “Using violence or bullying in school should result in a demerit or a more severe punishment. Considering your attempt was unsuccessful… you will be punished by writing an 8000-word self-criticism essay, to be submitted tomorrow.”

8000…!?

The faces of the few in front of him turned ashen, as if struck by lightning.

Lin Su put down the regulations and added, “Don’t even think about copying from the internet. I will check for plagiarism.”

The group: “…!”

Lin Su said warmly, “Understood?”

After a few seconds of silence, the most sensible one finally spoke first. “…Yes, teacher.” The remaining few hesitated for a moment before also responding, “Understood.”

Only Cheng Zhuo remained with his head down, seething.

His Cheng family was a reputable clan, and he had an uncle who was a professor at the school. It had always been others who had to watch his expression, never a situation like this where he was suppressed and unable to raise his head.

That’s right, he still had his second uncle—

Just as he was secretly plotting how to counterattack, he suddenly heard a soft “Oh…” from in front of him.

Lin Su seemed to have remembered something, his gaze sweeping over him vaguely. “I think I heard you all talking about ‘enrollment’ and ‘kicking someone out’ earlier…”

Cheng Zhuo jolted and looked up: !

Lin Su smiled faintly. “I will investigate this thoroughly. There wouldn’t be any abuse of power, would there?”

Cheng Zhuo panicked for a moment but then composed himself, denying it to the death. “No.”

Since it wasn’t successful, what could be found?

Lin Su nodded. “It’s best that there isn’t.”

He waved his hand. “Alright, you can all leave. Remember to submit the self-criticism essays by tomorrow.”

Cheng Zhuo, choking on his anger, retreated silently with the others.

The office door clicked shut.

Lin Su opened his computer, scrolled through the school’s staff information page, and raised an eyebrow. “Oh… it’s him.”

The Xuenima looked up: [Do you know him?]

“I do now.”

–

Although it was the first day of school, classes had already officially begun.

Lin Su had an outstanding appearance and a special status.

The news of his special appointment at the school spread quickly. Just walking past the teaching building attracted attention from all around.

“Who is that, a new student?”

“Not a new student, I heard he’s a specially appointed teacher. He’s so handsome… I wonder what subject he teaches!”

…

Passing teachers also cast glances. “Is that the newly recruited teacher? So young, can he handle it?”

“What’s his background? Don’t tell me he got in through connections.”

An informed teacher immediately stopped them. “That’s a Privilege-level Tianshi. Of his three current case ratings, two are S.”

“Two S’s!?”

The huge gap in rating silenced everyone instantly.

They stopped their discussion and returned to the teaching building.

…

Lin Su was temporarily unaware of the discussions behind him. He was on his way to the teaching building for his first class.

He arrived at classroom 40A.

As soon as he stepped through the door, the somewhat noisy classroom quieted down, and all eyes turned to him.

Lin Su walked to the podium.

Yu Zishan, sitting below, looked up. “…Holy crap!?”

He shot up from his seat and stared blankly at Lin Su for two seconds. “What… are you doing standing at the podium?”

Lin Su saw it was him and raised an eyebrow slightly. “Teaching a class.”

Yu Zishan, “Huh???”

The student next to him couldn’t take it anymore and pulled him down. “What are you doing? That’s the newly appointed teacher.”

Yu Zishan sat down with a thud, as if questioning his entire existence.

“My name is Lin Su, the ‘Su’ from ‘fate’ (宿命). You can call me Teacher Lin.”

Without much delay, Lin Su turned and began writing on the blackboard. The hand holding the chalk had well-defined knuckles. Chalk dust drifted in the halo of light, and his strokes were smooth and powerful.

As he raised his hand to write, the hem of his robe at the back split slightly, and the crimson tassel swayed gently.

Below, students whispered to each other: “Teacher Lin is so good-looking, and his handwriting is so beautiful…”

“His fashion sense is great too, so much character.”

“Do you think he has a partner? He’s so young.”

The writing on the board stopped with a thump.

Lin Su turned, his clear eyes holding an unquestionable authority. “Do not discuss the teacher’s beauty during class.”

He added, “Discuss it after class.”

The students: “…”

Lin Su added warmly, “I will call on students at random, and it will count toward your regular grade.”

Everyone immediately tensed up and sat straight!

The Xuenima squatted on the podium: [The more beautiful something is, the more poisonous it is…]

Lin Su muted it: You will also be quiet during class.

[0x0!]

A class was a standard forty minutes.

He was already thoroughly familiar with the content he was teaching: from its origins to its evolution, from theory to practice… from simple to profound, connecting the past and present, supplemented with various strange and interesting real-life examples.

The entire class was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for everyone.

It wasn’t until the end-of-class bell rang that Lin Su finished the last point right on the second, put down the chalk, and said, “Class dismissed.”

With that, he turned and left without a second glance.

“…” The students, still not back to their senses: !!

–

After leaving the classroom, Lin Su first went to wash his hands.

[Do you have any more classes today?]

“Not anymore. Old Bai’s schedule for me is one class a day, for different majors, the main principle being to spread the favor evenly.”

After washing his hands, he turned to leave.

He ran straight into another class being let out, a figure emerging with the students. It was a familiar face he had seen not long ago—

Lin Su’s gaze fell on him: Cheng Qikang.

The hallway was only so wide. The other person looked over at the same time, and they both stopped. Cheng Qikang sized him up with an unreadable expression before speaking first.

“Teacher Lin.”

Lin Su replied, “Professor Cheng.”

Under the other’s gaze, he smiled meaningfully. “I hear you’re very concerned about me.”

Cheng Qikang’s expression changed slightly, but he quickly adopted a caring tone. “After all, Teacher Lin is so young, with limited experience. We are all worried about whether you can handle the job of teaching and educating students.”

There were still students around who hadn’t left, and they all looked over upon hearing this.

Lin Su shook his head helplessly. “You just love worrying about unnecessary things. You’d be better off worrying about how to finish a lecture without dragging out the class.”

“…”

Gasps of approving laughter suddenly erupted from the surroundings.

“…Damn!”

“So bold, I love it, hahahaha…”

Cheng Qikang’s anger was almost instantly ignited! He finally understood why Cheng Zhuo had been so furious. He now had a lump of anger stuck in his chest that he couldn’t release.

He stared fiercely at Lin Su, his cheeks puffing with anger. But thinking of the man’s Privilege-level status, he forced himself to endure.

After a moment, he said in a passive-aggressive tone, “I’ve been taught a lesson.”

Lin Su accepted it graciously. “See? Am I not quite capable of the job of teaching and educating?”

A few bursts of laughter erupted from the crowd: “Pfft!”

Cheng Qikang’s hands trembled twice. Finally, after staring at him intently for several seconds, he turned and left.

Lin Su, cuddling the Xuenima, said: He left with a clatter and a clang.

The Xuenima was still in “hehehe” vibration mode: [What’s ‘clatter and clang’?]

Lin Su’s lips curved: It means with a belly full of bad intentions.

After saying that, he also went downstairs in the other direction.

…

University life was very free.

After his afternoon class was over, Lin Su packed up and prepared to go home.

As he walked out of the school gate, a familiar car was parked at the entrance.

He paused in his steps. “?”

The next moment, the car door opened from the inside, and He Zhenling got out. “What are you standing there for? Feeling timid as you get closer to home?”

“…”

Lin Su ambled over. “Why are you here?”

He Zhenling held the car door. “It’s your first day of work, after all. We’re eating out today.”

Lin Su was amazed. “You’re so into rituals?”

“Heh… you’re only just realizing?”

As he was bending down to get into the car, he heard a teasing voice from beside him: “Otherwise, should I be like you… casually inviting me to a wedding ceremony?” He snapped his head up and slammed it into the car door frame.

“Mmph! Hiss…”

Lin Su staggered back, clutching his head, as a hand quickly supported his lower back. He Zhenling pulled him a little closer, looking down with amusement. “What’s the excitement for?” He then examined him. “Did it hurt?”

Lin Su let go of his head and stared. “I… was not being casual.”

He Zhenling looked at him for a few more seconds, then turned his head. “Is that so.”

The two stood by the car door.

Lin Su rubbed his forehead, just recovering, when he suddenly heard a question from his side. “What are you wearing?”

He turned his head to see He Zhenling looking at his back.

The hand on his lower back hadn’t been withdrawn. One hand was pressed just below the tied clasps. In the hurried motion of supporting him, his ring and little fingers had slipped through the split in the robe, pressing against the inner garment.

Lin Su felt the heat and grabbed the hand.

“Your fingers are being presumptuous.”

He paused, then added, “This is still the school gate. If you want to be presumptuous, wait until we get home…”

A hand on his lower back pushed him into the car.

The car door slammed shut.

He Zhenling also got in and looked at him. “Wait until we get home, and let me do whatever I want, take advantage of the situation, do what I desire… is that right?”

Lin Su: “…”

He held his breath for two seconds, then recovered. “You’ve got me all flustered now.”

He Zhenling withdrew his hand and let out a light laugh. “Don’t be anxious. There will be plenty you won’t know what to do with later.”

Lin Su was horrified: Damn it, what is he saying…

The Xuenima closed its eyes: [The words of Su.]

“.”

–

After dinner, he had an early class the next day.

Taking advantage of living close, Lin Su was a little indulgent in bed. He accidentally overslept and had to rush to school.

It was only when he got to school that he realized he had forgotten to wear his magical artifact again.

Even more wonderfully, he had just put his spare key and his regular key on the same ring the day before: “…”

Lin Su touched his earlobe: “Damn it, of course if I forget one, I forget them both.”

The Xuenima had PTSD: [Why don’t you go back and get it?]

“Forget it, nothing’s going to happen at school anyway.”

Lin Su said as he hurried to class.

After the class ended.

He had just stepped out of the classroom and opened his phone when a message from He Zhenling popped up.

[Ling]: Why are you so quiet today? No movement?

[Su Wakes Up Naturally]: You’re lonely because I haven’t talked to you [Heart]

[Ling]: …Heh, I meant

[Ling]: Where is your magical artifact?

Lin Su: ?

What was going on? He didn’t usually touch it that much…

He suddenly paused: Wait, was it because he had the tassel hanging from it yesterday, so pulling on the ring would tug it a little?

So He Zhenling didn’t feel it today.

[Su Wakes Up Naturally]: Forgot to wear it. [Laying my cards on the table]

[Ling]: Go back and put it on later.

[Su Wakes Up Naturally]: I have a meeting later, nothing will happen at school. [Wagging tail]

After sending the message, the other side didn’t reply.

Lin Su took it as He Zhenling’s tacit approval, put away his phone, and went to the administration building for the meeting.

…

He arrived at the conference hall.

It was a semester staff meeting, and almost all the teachers from every department were there.

His appearance, unsurprisingly, drew attention.

Lin Su scanned the room and noticed that some of the gazes were scrutinizing and doubtful, with some indignant resentment. This definitely wasn’t the case yesterday—

He swept his gaze over them and then took a seat.

Xuenima: [Aren’t you going to do anything?]

Lin Su was serene: My schedule doesn’t include psychological counseling. Why should I care about their resentment?

The Xuenima was full of admiration: [No wonder you’ve outlived so many people.]

“…” Lin Su said gently: I just live a long life.

As they were talking, the meeting began.

The person leading the meeting was Bai Xinwen. Lin Su looked around and saw that all the attendees were lecturers; there were no old faces—they were probably immersed in academia or had retired to the school board.

He didn’t look any further and listened as Bai Xinwen concluded the meeting.

The meeting lasted for over an hour.

People began to disperse, and Lin Su also stood up.

He had just left the conference room when he heard some quiet discussion from the corridor ahead. A few people were walking with their backs to him, talking as they went.

“He’s too young…”

“I heard he was directly hired from above. His files are confidential, but he looks to be in his early twenties at most.”

“Did he even go to university himself?”

“That’s what I’m saying…”

Lin Su followed behind with great interest: Damn it, I’ve changed my mind. I’m very curious about what happened overnight.

The Xuenima tugged at two tufts of his hair: [Go, go, go!]

The group of teachers quickly went downstairs and returned to their office.

Lin Su’s office was not with theirs.

Perhaps they were more uninhibited behind a closed door. As soon as he got close to the office, he heard the discussions inside grow louder. The voices weren’t loud, but to him, they were perfectly clear.

“I saw him today and he didn’t even greet us. He really is arrogant.”

“Professor Cheng, don’t lower yourself to the level of a young man.”

A somewhat familiar voice spoke up: “Sigh, young people. They are a bit impetuous. Besides, he’s a double-S Privilege-level. This old fellow can’t afford to offend him.”

The others immediately spoke up for him indignantly.

“How can he educate the next generation if he’s so impetuous?”

“So what if he’s double-S! Being able to handle cases doesn’t mean he’s capable of teaching. He doesn’t even have the most basic moral qualities.”

Cheng Qikang suppressed a surge of satisfaction.

Lin Su already knew about the registration incident. He had to drive him out before the man could investigate further. He couldn’t provoke him openly, so he would stir up rumors in secret.

He sighed, leading the conversation: “Perhaps the higher-ups only valued his strength and didn’t consider these things.”

“Then we should collectively report it to them—”

Bang, the door was suddenly pushed open.

The voices inside came to an abrupt halt. They saw Lin Su, the subject of their discussion, holding the door open with one hand and smiling. “Hi.” He then walked in and closed the door behind him.

The people in the office became instantly awkward.

Cheng Qikang also stiffened for a moment but said nothing.

Lin Su looked at him. “Professor Cheng, at your age, how are you still ganging up to talk bad about me behind my back?” He mimicked the man’s tone, “Sigh, it’s really quite impetuous.”

“…”

Cheng Qikang was once again seething with anger.

He suppressed his rage and said, “Teacher Lin, you can’t be so arrogant just because you’re powerful. What kind of students will you produce if you teach like this?”

Lin Su: “They will certainly grow up strong and healthy.”

The man in front slammed his hand on the table! Cheng Qikang stood up and said in a supposedly fair tone, “Your behavior makes one question your qualifications as a teacher—”

Just as he finished speaking, there was another bang!

The office door was pushed open a second time.

Lin Su turned his head along with everyone else to see a tall figure standing at the door. He Zhenling was still in his Supervisory Association uniform, holding the silver ring with the tassel. His gaze swept over.

“I’ve been looking for you for ages. What are you running around for?”

He then closed the door, walked over, and handed him the magical artifact. “Put it on.”

Lin Su took it in surprise and put it on his earlobe. “You came all this way just to bring me this?”

“Mm.” He Zhenling turned his head again, as if just noticing the situation. He scanned the room. “What’s going on here?”

The large office was as quiet as a chicken coop.

No one spoke for a moment. Cheng Qikang remained frozen in his pose from slamming the table.

Just as the atmosphere was stagnating, there was another bang!

The office door was pushed open once again—

A cheerful voice rang out with a “Hahaha” as Bai Jiang burst in happily. “Teacher～ You’re here! Do you have a class this afternoon? I’m here to audit—”

Lin Su and He Zhenling turned their heads: “…”

Before he could speak, the door slammed open again!

Bai Xinwen charged in, furious. “You brat, don’t run around recklessly in the school! …Eh, Brother Lin, you’re here too?”

He looked around the room. “What are you all talking about?”

Everyone: “…”

Author’s note:

Kun: The scene of Three Dads Gathering at the Top has finally arrived. (Palms together in prayer)

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