Chapter 68: Someone Is Jealous

As Cheng Haoyu and his gang walked away, Gao Zixi finally let out a sigh of relief. She raised her hand and patted her chest several times to calm her nerves, which had been fluttering with anxiety.

This scene made the adolescent boys around her grow breathless, their eyes glued to her every move. Some even awkwardly covered their laps with their hands.

Though Gao Zixi had appeared calm just now, in truth, she had been terribly nervous inside. Cheng Haoyu was notorious in Nanshan High School for his arrogance and disregard for authority. The title of "teacher" might intimidate ordinary students, but it was useless against him.

Just over two months ago, Cheng Haoyu had even assaulted a teacher in class. And what happened? His parents pulled every string they could, twisting the incident into one where the teacher had supposedly beaten a student instead. As a result, Cheng Haoyu got off scot-free—without even a verbal warning—while the teacher lost his qualification.

Luckily, Lin Muxue knew the real story and didn't fire the wronged teacher, instead transferring him to the school's logistics department. After this, Cheng Haoyu became even more brazen at school, while the teachers turned a blind eye to his behavior—not because they didn't care, but because they couldn't do anything about it, nor did they have the courage to try.

Given all this, it was impossible for Gao Zixi not to be anxious or afraid. Yet she didn't stand by passively; instead, she bravely stepped forward.

The reason was simple.

Because Li Sicheng was her student, and she wanted to protect him.

After taking several deep breaths to compose herself, Gao Zixi asked curiously, "How did you get into trouble with Cheng Haoyu?"

Unlike other teachers, Gao Zixi didn't believe in labeling students as good or bad. In her eyes, as long as someone was a student, they could be taught. Not even Cheng Haoyu was an exception.

Her way of thinking might have seemed naive or even ridiculous to others, but it was filled with sincerity.

Li Sicheng gave a wry smile and spread his hands. "Come on, Teacher Gao, he was the one who came looking for trouble with me."

Gao Zixi had already heard something about Cheng Haoyu coming to Class 3, Grade 1 to cause trouble for Li Sicheng the previous morning. She nodded, then warned him seriously, "Remember, if he bothers you again, come straight to me. Don't act on impulse. No matter what happens, your teacher will help you. Understand?"

Li Sicheng replied, "I appreciate your concern, Teacher Gao. But don't worry—Cheng Haoyu won't be causing trouble for much longer."

Gao Zixi immediately became anxious. "What are you planning? Don't do anything reckless! Fighting is against school rules and could get you expelled!"

Li Sicheng was momentarily stunned, then chuckled, "Don't worry, Teacher Gao. I absolutely won't lay a hand on him."

"That's good, that's good..." Gao Zixi sighed in relief.

To her, Li Sicheng was a gifted student. If he ended up with a disciplinary record or expulsion for fighting, it would be a loss not just for Nanshan High School, but also a black mark on his record, affecting his future.

That was something Gao Zixi couldn't bear to see.

Unfortunately, she couldn't read minds, so she had no idea Li Sicheng was thinking, "I have a thousand ways to ruin the Cheng family without ever lifting a finger."

Gao Zixi checked the time, then said, "Morning self-study is about to start. Get back to your classroom and get ready."

Li Sicheng nodded. "Alright, goodbye, Teacher Gao."

When he entered Class 3, Grade 1, the entire class stood up and applauded him.

"Li, you're amazing! You’ve put Cheng Haoyu in his place twice now—you're our hero!"

"I've had enough of Cheng Haoyu for a long time. Today you really helped us vent our anger!"

"Li, you're incredible! From now on, you're my idol! Come on, idol, sign an autograph for me!"

Cheng Haoyu's arrogance had long annoyed the students, so after Li Sicheng put him in his place twice, they welcomed him as a hero.

It took considerable effort for Li Sicheng to escape his excited classmates and return to his seat.

Zeng Yi, who had arrived earlier, gave him a thumbs-up. "Bro Chen, you are truly awesome. No one else in Nanshan High has ever stood up to Cheng Haoyu like this—let alone twice!"

But he was also worried: "Cheng Haoyu isn’t someone who takes things lying down. He’ll definitely try to get back at you. Bro Chen, be careful!"

Li Sicheng smiled. "Don’t worry. Cheng Haoyu won’t be strutting around for much longer."

"Glad to hear it," Zeng Yi said with relief. After witnessing Li Sicheng's uncanny ability to predict things last night, Zeng Yi had come to trust his words completely.

Zhang Xiaoling came over, smiling. "Li, you were really impressive just now—even someone like Cheng Haoyu was scared off by you."

"Thank you for your compliment," Li Sicheng replied politely.

Zhang Xiaoling hesitated, then asked, "By the way, have you had breakfast yet?"

Li Sicheng blinked, wondering why she’d suddenly changed the subject to breakfast. The leap in topic was a bit much, but he answered anyway. "I have. Why? Is there something wrong?"

"No… no, nothing." Zhang Xiaoling quickly shook her head, hiding her hands behind her back.

In her hands, she held a steaming bag of soy milk and buns. She had planned to wait for Li Sicheng to say he hadn’t eaten, then offer the food, pretending she’d bought too much and needed help finishing it.

Unfortunately, his answer was completely unexpected. Now she had no way to offer the soy milk and buns.

"Really? Are you sure there’s nothing wrong? You look a bit off," Li Sicheng asked with concern.

Zhang Xiaoling panicked. "Really, there’s nothing! Oh… I just remembered, I haven’t finished my math homework. I’d better get to it." She hurriedly turned away, keeping the food hidden, and quickly returned to her seat.

"What’s up with Zhang?" Li Sicheng asked in confusion, turning to Zeng Yi.

Zeng Yi just shrugged. "How should I know? Maybe she’s got her period? Didn’t you see online? Girls act strange when that happens."

Sitting nearby, Lin Siyu had witnessed the whole scene from her angle and muttered under her breath, "What a fraud. Only two days at school, and he’s already charming the girls! And Zhang Xiaoling, too—throwing herself at him without even knowing his background. If she gets cheated, she’ll be crying for sure!"

Her desk mate, Tan Xiaoxiao, suddenly said, "Siyu, do you smell something?"

Lin Siyu sniffed the air and shook her head. "No, nothing."

"How can you not? If you take a good whiff, the air is thick with jealousy!" Tan Xiaoxiao giggled. "It’s so strong—the vinegar jar’s been knocked over!"

Lin Siyu finally realized what she meant, her cheeks flushing red as she hurriedly denied, "Nonsense! Why would I be jealous of that fraud? I’m just… just worried about Zhang Xiaoling, that’s all! We’re classmates, after all."

"Sure, keep pretending," Tan Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes, clearly not believing a word.

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