Before Flanders could even respond, Yu Xiaogang spoke again. "My second requirement is that I become a formal teacher at Shrek Academy," he stated, shaking his head slightly. "Tang San is my disciple. I don't trust his education to anyone else." His face was a mask of pride.
Flanders' brow furrowed. The demanding tone in Yu Xiaogang's voice was completely inappropriate for someone asking for a favor. One request wasn't enough; he had to make two.
He had already anticipated the first one. Allowing Tang San to enroll was something he had mentally prepared for last night. It was the reason he'd given the students the day off; he knew his mind would be too preoccupied to come up with any meaningful lessons today.
But this second request was unreasonable. Becoming a formal teacher meant having a hand in every student's education. The lowest-level teacher at Shrek Academy was a Spirit Emperor. How could Yu Xiaogang, with his rank-29 spirit power, compare to their years of practical cultivation experience? Even if he, as the dean, agreed to it, it would disrupt the entire teaching order, and the other teachers would never accept it. Yu Xiaogang was full of theories, but theories were just theories.
Furthermore, there was something in his words that deeply bothered Flanders. I don't trust his education to anyone else. The implication was infuriating. Was he saying that all the teachers in his academy were inferior? He was already taking a huge risk by letting Tang San enroll; he knew his teachers wouldn't think much of the boy's talent.
Flanders looked at Yu Xiaogang, his expression serious. He shook his head slightly. "The first request, I can promise you," he said slowly. "I will allow Tang San to study at Shrek Academy." He paused for a moment before continuing. "But I cannot agree to your second request. As the dean, I must be responsible for all the teachers and students of this academy."
After speaking, Flanders picked up the teacup on his desk and took a sip, leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes to rest. He had phrased his refusal as politely as possible. Now it was up to Yu Xiaogang to understand. A normal person would have been overjoyed with the compromise and accepted it graciously.
But as everyone knew, Yu Xiaogang was not a reasonable man.
He frowned, his voice sharp with disbelief. "Flanders, what are you trying to say? Do you think that with my abilities, I am not qualified to be a teacher at Shrek Academy?"
Flanders opened his eyes. He didn't answer directly, but the slight, undeniable smile on his face said everything. "I didn't say that," he replied smoothly. "The academy's teaching system is already very mature, and it is not suitable to be changed at will. However, since you're worried about Tang San, you can choose to teach him personally. That is within the rules. Just leave the other students out of it."
He took another sip of his tea. He had made himself perfectly clear. If Yu Xiaogang still couldn't accept it, there was nothing more he could do.
Hearing the second half of the offer, Yu Xiaogang's expression relaxed slightly. Being able to personally teach Tang San was enough to meet his primary requirement. It was just a pity he wouldn't be able to get his hands on the other students.
"Fine," Yu Xiaogang nodded. "We'll do it that way." At this point, it was the best he could get. Though he wasn't reasonable, he wasn't a fool either. He could see from Flanders' expression that he wouldn't budge further. Pushing any harder might lead to something unpleasant.
Tang San, who had been sitting quietly beside him, was secretly delighted, though he showed no emotion on his face. He would get to study at Shrek Academy and be taught personally by his teacher. He was completely satisfied. So what if he hadn't passed the entrance exam? He was still getting in, just like the others. Of course, he knew this was all thanks to his exceptional teacher. It's a pity for them, he thought smugly. They'll never have a teacher like mine. Only I, Tang San, am worthy of it.
"Yu Xiaogang, I have something to say to you in private," Flanders said suddenly, his gaze shifting to Tang San. The boy immediately understood. He stood up, clasped his fists, and bowed slightly.
"Teacher, Dean, please chat. I'll go walk around outside and get familiar with the academy," he said before leaving the room, carefully closing the door behind him.
"Just say what you want to say," Yu Xiaogang said, noticing that Flanders had used his full name. It created a distance between them, and the familiar feeling of their old friendship vanished.
"You and I met when we were young," Flanders began. "Although we haven't seen each other for many years, our friendship has remained. That's why I took such a big risk to help you today. But this is the last time. From now on, if anything like this happens again, there will be nothing I can do." After speaking, he skillfully picked up his teacup and took another sip, leaning back with his eyes slightly closed.
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang's face darkened. He was obviously unhappy. He had only asked for a small favor, and in return, he got this lecture.
Hmph! Yu Xiaogang snorted internally. He couldn't believe their years of friendship meant so little. It never occurred to him to consider how shameless he was being. After asking Flanders for so many favors over the years, had he ever offered anything of value in return? A student with mediocre talent and the useless Blue Silver Grass spirit? Or a teacher with less than level 30 spirit power and a mutated spirit that was a dead end?
"Fine, Flanders. I understand," Yu Xiaogang said, his voice cold. The meaning was obvious. The innocent friendship of their youth was well and truly over.
Heh. Flanders sneered in his heart. I'm still too sentimental. In the end, after all his trouble, this was the result. He had been a fool to invest so much energy in Yu Xiaogang.
"Go find Vice Dean Zhao Wuji," Flanders said without opening his eyes. "He will arrange a dormitory for you."
He didn't get a verbal response. Instead, he heard the harsh scrape of a chair being dragged roughly across the floor.
BANG!
When Flanders opened his eyes, the room was empty. The chair was left askew, and the door was wide open.
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