Chen Yongchao
I Get a New Persona Every Week
Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Chen Yongchao (陈永超) 3 |
| Alias(es) | Mr. Chen; Homeroom Teach; Old Chen — forms of address he permits his students to use 3 |
| Gender | Male 3 |
| Age Group | Middle-aged 3 |
| Affiliation | Xinxi No. 1 High School, Humanities Class Nine 5 6 |
| Occupation/Role | Chinese teacher and homeroom teacher of Humanities Class Nine 3 13 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 3, “Exiled to Class Nine” 3 |
Appearance
Chen Yongchao has the appearance of a stereotypical middle-aged teacher, with a listless expression and a languid manner 3.
- Hair: Half bald 3.
- Build: A slight paunch that conceals the upper part of his belt 3.
- Clothing: Introduced wearing a light blue striped shirt 3.
- Expression: Narrowed, “dead-fish” eyes, accompanied by frequent yawning during his introduction 3.
Personality
Chen Yongchao is easygoing and inclined to avoid unnecessary trouble. He tolerates students choosing their own seats within practical limits, ignores a teasing challenge to his warning against dating, and keeps the opening class meeting brief. His classroom supervision is similarly relaxed: he stays on the teaching platform during lessons and makes only a short appearance during evening self-study 4 6 13.
His casual manner does not mean he abandons responsibility. He values effective communication and cooperation over grades when choosing a class monitor, and he questions whether punishment necessarily helps students recognize their mistakes. Although Xiang Qing’s mother publicly berates him, he refuses to hold her behavior against her daughter 5 36.
When irritated, he favors dry sarcasm over immediate shouting. Zhang Zhaomu’s late arrival earns him the greeting “Your lordship has finally arrived,” while his profitable makeover business prompts a pointed suggestion that he might as well leave school to earn money 34 36.
Story Role / Major Arcs
Organizing Humanities Class Nine
Chen introduces himself as Class Nine’s homeroom teacher for the next two years and begins roll call. He initially arranges seating by height, allowing adjustments for eyesight and tolerating students sitting with friends so long as very short and very tall students remain sensibly placed 3 4.
When nobody volunteers for class president or academic representative, he singles out Zhang Zhaomu and Xiang Qing, whose tidy uniforms and presentation suggest they will be cooperative. Zhang’s composed attempt to refuse only strengthens Chen’s belief that he would make an effective intermediary between teacher and class. With classmates voicing support, Chen appoints him class president 5.
- Appoints Xiang Qing study representative after reviewing her strong academic record from No. 3 High School 6.
- Intervenes when sports-representative candidates appear ready to settle the election through a physical contest, choosing the calmest-looking candidate instead 6.
- Assigns Zhang to organize the boys and collect the class’s textbooks from the multipurpose building 6.
Zhang Zhaomu’s Makeover Business
After Zhang arrives late and subsequently falls asleep during his lesson, Chen takes him to the teachers’ office. The school leadership has already reprimanded Chen over the attention attracted by Zhang’s makeover business 34 35.
Chen explains that earning money through a legitimate skill is not inherently prohibited, but the leadership worries that the business encourages students to prioritize appearances over studying. He addresses schoolwork, appearance standards, and dating; Zhang responds that he now accepts only three orders per week 36.
Chen requires a written self-criticism by the end of the day rather than imposing a harsher punishment. He also reveals that he covered Zhang’s absence from the Monday flag-raising ceremony by claiming Zhang had requested leave. Despite Zhang’s offer to resign as monitor, Chen retains him because he coordinates class affairs efficiently and has his classmates’ support, particularly the girls’ 36.
Equipment / Personal Items
- Insulated mug: Carries it into class and takes it with him when leaving 3 6.
- Tea set: Keeps a complete set beside his lesson plans on a corner desk in the shared teachers’ office 35.
Relationships
- Zhang Zhaomu — His Chinese student and appointed class monitor. Chen tolerates some of Zhang’s misconduct while relying on his organizational ability; Zhang becomes more appreciative after learning Chen covered for his missed flag-raising ceremony 5 36.
- Xiang Qing — His student and study representative. He recognizes her diligence and would accept her transfer to a more suitable class if possible, despite the difficulties caused by her mother’s repeated complaints 6 36.
- Unnamed fellow teacher — An office colleague who criticizes Chen’s lenient discipline, then asks whether Zhang could provide styling advice for an upcoming blind date 36.
Notable Quotes
“What I value more is personal ability.” 5
“I don't think punishment necessarily makes students recognize their mistakes, does it?” 36
“A parent's issues have nothing to do with the student, after all. Since she's my student, I still have to take responsibility for her to the end.” 36