In the office on the sixth floor of the main building of Experimental High School, Su Qing stood helplessly against the wall, while He Wei, his homeroom teacher from high school, was sitting in a chair drinking water.
Su Qing never imagined that almost a year after graduating from college, he would one day be hauled back by his high school homeroom teacher to stand as punishment.
But it was a consequence of his own actions, and he couldn't blame anyone else. Who could he blame for getting drunk at the graduation farewell dinner and smacking Teacher He on the head?
The hit itself wasn't the issue; the key problem was that he knocked off the teacher's wig, which unfortunately landed right in the spicy fish dish, leaving the entire class stunned.
Their homeroom teacher was barely over forty now, so back then, he was only about thirty-six or thirty-seven. Men in their thirties with a receding hairline really don't look great, so He Wei bought himself a wig. Nobody knew about it throughout high school until it was revealed at the graduation dinner.
The scene was unspeakably awkward, and Su Qing was probably overly intoxicated because after the incident, he didn't even run away. Instead, he pointed at the teacher, wobbling, and laughed, "Old He, you're bald and stronger too, hahaha!"
When he sobered up the next day, according to Wang Xing and the others, if they hadn't held him back, Old He would have whipped out his belt. In the end, it was a few close classmates who covered for him to make a getaway.
After that, he never saw He Wei again, and he even left the class group and blocked his homeroom teacher that very day.
Fast forward nearly five years, and he had forgotten about the incident, but the other party remembered him.
One has to admit that alcohol is something—when drunk, dizziness lasts for eight hours, courage is +∞, speed -50%, strength +200%, desire for men +120% and women +360%, pain sensation -100%, momentum +∞, with a side effect of automatically enabling the bragging mode.
Back then, he didn't know where he got the courage from. To think during those three high school years, Old He had disciplined him multiple times. Maybe he felt emboldened having graduated, or possibly it was the alcohol, fueled by Wang Xing and the others egging him on, he just did it.
"You rascal, you had a lucky escape back then, otherwise I would have skinned you alive!" He Wei, in a loose tank top, pointed at him and scolded. His belly fat, gained over the years, jiggled with his movements, making for a rather comical sight.
"Oh come on, teacher, I was just a clueless kid back then. How are you doing recently?" Su Qing placated with a grin.
"I was doing fine until I saw you. Now I feel like you've shortened my life by five years. If you hadn't graduated, I'd have called your parents today!" He Wei retorted, panting heavily.
Su Qing: ...
"Well, sir, today I am the parent, Su He... my sister."
Upon hearing this, He Wei stood up abruptly:
"I thought that girl looked familiar. Ah, does your family have a rule about bothering me before you graduate? Call your parents here, and while we're at it, I'll tally your accounts too!"
At these words, Su Qing was momentarily stunned. Having graduated college, how could he still be lectured by his high school teacher?
"Please, teacher, I was ignorant back then. Please calm down. I'm here today as a parent; it wouldn't be good for my family to come."
"Besides, with the college entrance exam looming, as far as I've heard from my sister, it's not a big deal. Best not to make a fuss, please calm down, calm down."
On hearing this, He Wei took a deep breath: "You're not much of a guardian... If your sister Su He followed your poor example, I wouldn't bother. But don't be complacent; this is the critical sprint time, you know?"
[As a dutiful people's teacher, He Wei fears his students are getting distracted by budding romances, especially those bright students with potential, the more he dislikes you, the more he is concerned about Su He.]
Su Qing: ...
Indeed, in the teacher's eyes, academic performance is king.
"Class is over, students. Teachers... you've worked hard!"
At this moment, the school's loudspeaker announced the end of class. It hadn't changed over the years. He had been sick of it after three years; it must be tough for the teachers.
"Okay, you wait here, I'll get Su He. Her parents should be arriving soon too, stand by the wall for me!"
"Teacher, I've graduated."
"So what if you've graduated? Even if you die, you're still my student!"
Hearing this, Su Qing had no choice but to reluctantly move to the wall.
"Face the wall, you got that?"
To that, Su Qing had no way out but to turn around.
Just then, the office door opened, and in came a tall woman in a white long dress, with long hair down her shoulders. It was Teacher Hu, whom he had just met a few days ago.
As soon as she entered, she spotted him and hesitated before speaking, "Hey? Aren't you Su He's brother?"
"Teacher He, what's going on here?"
Su Qing had imagined countless scenarios for reuniting with this beauty but never expected this. It was a bit embarrassing, to say the least, diminishing his suave aura for courting by a third.
Before he could speak, He Wei was a bit surprised, "You know each other?"
"We met briefly after school the day before yesterday. He came to pick up Su He. I thought they were dating, but later found out they are siblings. I must say they do share some resemblance," Teacher Hu chuckled.
In response, He Wei gave him a glare and said, "This one's my student, a real troublemaker. I'll step out for a moment. Watch him for me. If he dares misbehave, hmm!"
With that said, Old He gave him another glare and left the office.
Seeing Old He leave, Su Qing finally turned around with a smile and said, "Teacher Hu, sorry for the scene."
Teacher Hu, intrigued, replied, "No worries. But I'm curious, how did you upset Teacher He like this? Even the naughtiest students haven't provoked him this much."
Su Qing: "It's... a long story!"
Just as he wanted to get closer to Teacher Hu, other teachers who had gone to teach classes began returning.
Chinese teacher: "Hey? Aren't you... I forgot your name?"
Physics teacher: "Oh wow, a rare guest! What brings you back, kid?"
Chemistry teacher: "Isn't this Su Qing? Why are you facing the wall? Turn around, let's chat!"
Biology teacher: "Hey, this is a once-in-a-century event. A graduate getting punished to stand? Hold on, let me record this for TikTok."
Su Qing: ...
In no time, every teacher in the office, whether they had taught him or not, knew about a college graduate being punished by their former high school teacher.
Even teachers from the adjacent office came over to join in the fun. The scene was so embarrassing that Su Qing wished he could disappear into a hole.
At this moment, he regretted it. Regretted being impulsive because of a beautiful face, leading to a social death.
When Su He entered, she was also bewildered. At a glance, she saw Su Qing, seemingly facing the wall but in reality too ashamed to face anyone, looking forlorn and as red-faced as a monkey's rear.
"Brother, how did you..."
In response, Su Qing glared at her and whispered, "Listen up, today's incident... will cost you extra!"
...