Reversal

At this moment, Minke stood up, picked up a can of beer, and shouted to all his classmates.

"Everyone listen to me. It's rare for the teacher to treat us to a meal. How about we toast the teacher together?"

"Hooray!"

Many students stood up, raising their wine glasses.

Tang Yan also stood up with a smile, raised his wine glass, and drank it in one go, then said.

"Sit down, everyone. You are all students I've painstakingly taught for three years. Honestly, you're no different from my own children. However, all good things must come to an end. After the City Exam, you'll all go your separate ways, and we might never see each other again. So, don't be shy, eat to your heart's content."

However, as soon as Tang Yan said this, the previously lively atmosphere turned awkward. The excited crowd all lowered their heads.

Seeing this, Tang Yan's heart sank.

It's over. This meal was a waste of money again.

So, he quickly changed his tune and said.

"Cheer up, don't be so down! Let's talk about dreams. What are your dreams? Minke, you go first."

When Minke saw the teacher asking him, he said very seriously.

"My dream is to get into the Outer Academy of the Imperial Court Academy, join the military after graduation, and achieve great success on the battlefield!"

"Great, applause!"

Tang Yan immediately started clapping.

"The class monitor will definitely make it!"

Everyone followed suit, clapping and sincerely wishing him well.

"Thank you."

Minke replied a little shyly.

At this time, Tang Yan immediately called out to the blond student and asked.

"Cheng Ran, what's your dream?"

"Me? Actually, I don't want to go to the front lines. I just want to serve in the reserves for a few years after graduation, and then come back to open my own bar!"

The blond student said, scratching his head.

"Hiss~"

The crowd laughed and teased him.

"What are you hissing about? You guys should talk about your dreams too!"

The blond student said indignantly.

"What's the point of discussing our dreams? Why don't we ask the teacher about his dream?"

Chen Tong asked with a chuckle.

Everyone's gaze shifted to Tang Yan, and then they joined in the teasing.

"Yeah! Teacher, what's your dream?"

"Tell us."

Su Ming also looked at Tang Yan with great interest.

Seeing that everyone wanted to know, Tang Yan smiled and said.

"My dream is to gather thirty slots and transfer to the Oakga Academy in the City of Rain."

"Ah, Teacher, you're transferring academies? Isn't it good here?"

Minke and the others asked in confusion.

"It's good here, but I still want to transfer. I can't tell you the specific reasons."

Tang Yan replied with some emotion.

"There must be something fishy going on. Is there someone you like at that academy?"

Everyone asked curiously.

"Don't talk nonsense."

Although Tang Yan didn't admit it, the smile on his face couldn't be hidden.

"Teacher, you're smiling so sweetly, it must be true. Tell us, who is she?"

Minke and the others asked gossipingly.

"Alright, I'll satisfy you. She's my classmate, and she teaches at that academy, so I want to transfer there."

Tang Yan no longer concealed it.

"I see. But Teacher, you're already so old, and you've been teaching here for so many years. I haven't seen you two interact. It means you probably haven't seen each other in a long time. How can you be sure she's not married, or doesn't have a boyfriend?"

Chen Tong asked with a sly smile.

Hearing Chen Tong's words, the smile on Tang Yan's face froze instantly, as if he had been doused with a basin of cold water. His mood plummeted to the bottom, and now it was his turn to feel uncomfortable.

The lively atmosphere suddenly became awkward, but Tang Yan quickly adjusted his demeanor and said with a forced smile.

"I don't know about that, it's a dream after all. Let's not talk about it, let's eat more quickly."

"Okay."

Minke echoed in agreement.

On the other side, Su Ming sat alone in a corner, as far away from them as possible, suppressing the urge to eat meat.

He picked up a glass of plain water and took sips occasionally, contemplating matters concerning the Imperial Court Military Academy.

Su Ming already knew that the school was difficult to get into, but after Zhang Tai and the others' mockery, he gained a more direct understanding of its difficulty.

At this moment, Tang Yan noticed Su Ming sitting alone in the corner. Looking at the student who didn't fit in, he sighed softly.

He walked over and sat down beside Su Ming, speaking kindly.

"Su Ming."

Su Ming snapped back to attention and looked at Tang Yan in surprise.

"Teacher?"

"Why aren't you with everyone else? Are you still upset about something?"

Tang Yan asked with concern.

Su Ming looked at Tang Yan, recalling carefully. In his memory, this Teacher Tang Yan had always been very good to him, but it seemed he had misunderstood something.

However, some things usually get worse the more you try to explain them, so Su Ming could only reply.

"No."

Tang Yan took a sip of beer and said with some emotion.

"Su Ming, life isn't always smooth sailing. You'll always encounter setbacks and regrets. We need to learn to make peace with ourselves, understand?"

Tang Yan had originally wanted to encourage Su Ming to first work hard to participate in the City Exam, and then pursue love. But as soon as he thought about the gap between him and Lin Chuyu, he decisively changed his words, lest his fragile young heart couldn't handle it.

Su Ming pondered for a moment, shook his head, and replied.

"Teacher, I understand. But I'm still young, and my future is full of infinite possibilities. I can work hard to pursue everything I want, and I don't need to make peace with myself for now! As for you, teacher, you should hurry up. You seem quite old, and time is running out for you. If you delay too long and aren't transferred, you might really miss your chance."

After hearing Su Ming's words, Tang Yan felt as if a sharp blade had pierced his heart. He thought of his age, then of the meager three spots he had, and the endlessly delayed transfer.

For a moment, he felt terrible, his mood plummeting to the bottom.

Tang Yan fell silent, then silently took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and took a big drag.

He quickly finished one cigarette and took out another, lighting it. It seemed only by doing so could he alleviate the pain in his heart.

Su Ming, sitting beside him, watched Tang Yan smoke and sighed, advising him.

"Teacher, smoke less. Most girls really dislike smokers, it's not good for you to smoke like this."

Hearing Su Ming's words, Tang Yan felt as if his heart had been stabbed again. He pinched out the cigarette in his hand, silently picked up the beer, and drank can after can.

His face revealed unwillingness and sadness.

"Cough, teacher, listen to me. Girls also dislike heavy drinkers, especially men who only drink to escape when something happens."

Su Ming reminded him helplessly.

After hearing Su Ming's words, Tang Yan's heart was stabbed again. The grievances and unwillingness of these years surged into his heart under the stimulation of alcohol.

At this moment, his psychological defenses collapsed like a breached dam.

"Wuwuwu~"

Tang Yan instantly slumped onto the table and burst into tears.