A Proud Creation

Shen Qi and Chen Xiaoting, both wearing sunglasses, lingered at the entrance of Nangang Second High School.

The security guards at the gate are imposing and strong; those on duty keep their eyes peeled for all directions, while those on patrol are alert to all sounds, always maintaining vigilance.

Chen Xiaoting said, "Do you know, Shen Qi, No. 2 Middle School has been promoted to the top middle school in the province? Getting into the High School Department of Nangang Second High School Middle School through the high school entrance exam is no less difficult than getting into Peking University or Tsinghua University through the college entrance exam."

Shen Qi nodded. "Yes, people are paying attention. In recent years, a lot of students from No. 2 High School have been admitted to prestigious universities through the recommendation system. Our No. 2 High School's subject competitions are now a banner in the education sector of South China."

Chen Xiaoting: "Shall we go in and reminisce about our lost youth?"

"Let's go." Shen Qi swaggered toward the gate.

Chen Xiaoting grabbed Shen Qi: "Hey, are you just going to walk in like that?"

Shen Qi countered, "So, you mean fly in?"

"Seriously? I mean, shouldn't the school leaders or something greet Professor Shen?"

"The nature of the situation changes when school leaders accompany us. Remember, Chen Xiaoting, we are returning to school as ordinary alumni. There's no need to disturb the school leaders and faculty. Our juniors are in class right now. Just because we've been admitted to a prestigious university doesn't mean we can't let our juniors study in peace?"

"But if you register with the security guard at the gate and follow the normal visit procedure, your identity will be exposed very quickly."

"Comrade Xiaoting, your reminder is very correct. It seems you have some experience in underground work." Shen Qi thought for a moment and then made a phone call, "Teacher Zhang, it's me, Shen Qi. Are you teaching or preparing lessons? I'm not busy. It's like this, I wanted to go back to No. 2 Middle School to take a look, but I don't want to disturb the school leaders. I'm just going to come in for a casual stroll... I'm at the school gate. Okay, see you later."

After ending the call, Shen Qi smiled at Chen Xiaoting and said, "All done."

Chen Xiaoting knew who the Teacher Zhang Shen Qi was talking about was—their former homeroom teacher, Zhang Wanbang: "You didn't want to alarm the school leaders, but you still did... Teacher Zhang Wanbang, he's now Vice Principal Zhang."

Shen Qi asked in surprise, "Old Zhang got promoted so quickly? Why didn't you say so earlier?"

"Why didn't I say so sooner? You acted so quickly... Also, Old Zhang's promotion wasn't that fast. Old Zhang star pupil won the Fields Medal and the Nobel Prize, becoming the youngest academician. The renowned teacher who made great contributions, Old Zhang, only recently became the Vice Principal. The former principal and Vice Principal have already been transferred to the Department of Education and the Education Bureau to become big shots." Chen Xiaoting smiled mischievously. She really wanted to see the grand scene of Shen Qi's return to his alma mater.

"Old Zhang is just a math teacher; he's not suited for a career in politics." Shen Qi thought he knew his former homeroom teacher, now the Vice Principal of a prestigious middle school, quite well. "Old Zhang Wanbang, you were doing just fine as a math teacher, why did you become Vice Principal?"

At this moment, a man emerged from the school. He was of medium build, with a square face, thick eyebrows, large eyes, and thick black hair, exuding an imposing presence.

Upon seeing this person, the security guards at the gate all greeted him respectfully and politely, "Hello, Principal Zhang!"

"Hey, this Old Zhang, he's over fifty, but he looks like a man in his thirties!" Shen Qi recognized Zhang Wanbang at a glance.

"Men who become officials do become younger," Chen Xiaoting said.

Zhang Wanbang had spotted Shen Qi and Chen Xiaoting waiting not far from the school gate. He walked two steps out of the gate without making a sound and nodded to Shen Qi and Chen Xiaoting.

Shen Qi strode forward, with Shen Qi Chen Xiaoting keeping a body length behind him.

Zhang Wanbang gestured for a handshake. "Director Shen, welcome."

"Principal Zhang, I apologize for disturbing you." Shen Qi shook hands with Zhang Wanbang, feeling a complex mix of emotions.

Zhang Wanbang can be considered Shen Qi's mentor.

Eleven years ago, Zhang Wanbang's words, "There is no greater sorrow than a broken heart," spurred a boy with terrible grades to resolve to study hard.

Then the boy obtained a mysterious system based on academic achievement points...

Shen Qi hadn't seen Zhang Wanbang for many years; Old Zhang was by no means a stranger he knew well.

Like Chen Xiaoting, Old Zhang represents a simple memory in Shen Qi's heart.

After many years apart, the teacher and student should have embraced and cried, reminiscing about the past. However, at Shen Qi's request not to disturb the majority of teachers and students, Zhang Wanbang received Shen Qi discreetly.

Zhang Wanbang then shook hands with Chen Xiaoting: "This must be Secretary Chen, please come in."

"Thank you, Principal Zhang, for taking the time to receive us despite your busy schedule." Chen Xiaoting felt like crying and laughing at the same time, but fortunately, she was wearing sunglasses, which well concealed her rich inner thoughts.

With Principal Zhang clearing the way, the security guards naturally didn't ask any questions about Shen Qi and Chen Xiaoting's identities and backgrounds, and let them pass.

"Are these two visitors from the Education Bureau?"

"Didn't you hear what Principal Zhang said, Director Shen?"

"Does our city's Education Bureau have a director or deputy director surnamed Shen?"

"Perhaps it's a newly transferred director, or maybe it's the director of the education bureau from another city."

"You know, our No. 2 High School is a renowned school in the Da Hua region. It's quite normal for leaders from education systems outside the region to come and visit and learn from us."

The security guard at the gate watched the figures of Zhang Wanbang, Shen Qi, and Chen Xiaoting gradually disappear into the distance, and whispered among himself.

This is the professionalism of the security guards at the gate of a famous high school; they are fully aware of everything that happens in the education system.

Zhang Wanbang led Shen Qi and Chen Xiaoting into his office and closed the door.

"Shen Qi, Xiaoting!" Zhang Wanbang suddenly became very happy.

"Teacher Zhang!" Shen Qi and Chen Xiaoting each hugged Zhang Wanbang.

"Teacher Zhang, I miss you so much. If you had scolded me a few more times back then, I would have gotten into Peking University." Chen Xiaoting's eyes reddened as she spoke.

"Xiaoting, you think I didn't scold you enough? You think the University of Media is so bad?" Zhang Wanbang chuckled. He had been teaching for many years, and his proudest achievement was cultivating two students, Shen Qi and Chen Xiaoting.

Sending top students in the high school entrance exam to prestigious universities is nothing special; what truly demonstrates a teacher's competence is transforming struggling students into high achievers and helping students who wouldn't even qualify for a second-tier university get into a top-tier university.

After Shen Qi and Chen Xiaoting's class graduated, Zhang Wanbang was never able to pull off another masterpiece of turning the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Zhang Wanbang's students in the following years were all top scorers in the high school entrance exam. He didn't need to teach much and rarely scolded his students because they were very obedient. Those who were destined to be admitted to prestigious universities were admitted, and those who were destined to be top scorers became top scorers, all thanks to their self-discipline.

Teaching like this wasn't very interesting, so Zhang Wanbang simply stopped teaching and became the Vice Principal.

"That's why I gave up my front-line teaching position," Zhang Wanbang said.

"You're amazing." Shen Qi had previously complained about why Zhang Wanbang, such an excellent math teacher, was no longer teaching math.

Zhang Wanbang explained the situation frankly, and Shen Qi fully understood Old Zhang's actions as a man of principle.

"Teacher Zhang is amazing." Chen Xiaoting admired no one but Shen Qi and Old Zhang. A teacher who could produce such a master of King of Show Offs, a teacher who could win class time by playing cards, was definitely not an ordinary teacher.

Shen Qi still had one question, "Teacher Zhang, shouldn't people who study mathematics lose more and more hair as their skills improve? How do you maintain your thick, black hair? I remember you were losing hair ten years ago."

"What can I do? I'm the Vice Principal now, I have to pay attention to my image." Zhang Wanbang raised his hand and took off a wig from his head.