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Chapter 487: Chapter 477: Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage
Principal Wang looked around and noticed that the outsiders had left before he spoke to Zhu Zhengqi, "Zhengqi, that student from your class, Shen Yunfang, is incredible!" Although he didn’t quite understand at the beginning, none of them were dull. With a little time to ponder, he had guessed the gist of the situation. He truly hadn’t expected that within his school hid a crouching tiger and hidden dragon, a talented and not pedantic individual. It was puzzling, however, how such a person would choose to attend an agricultural school. Could it be that her exam scores were not good enough and she was adjusted to this school?
"Hehe, she is just a little girl who happens to be a bit temperamental," Zhu Zhengqi followed Principal Wang’s steps outside, while explaining Shen Yunfang’s circumstances in detail, including the fact that she was already married to a military man and had two children.
"Hmm, not bad, very good indeed. As a woman, she is kind, generous, and possesses a gentle disposition; as a student, she is enthusiastic, cheerful, articulate, and maintains a proper attitude; as a citizen of our country, she is intelligent, opinionated, tasteful, and well-cultured. Having such a student in our school is a stroke of luck!"
Zhu Zhengqi didn’t find the leader’s praise to be an exaggeration, and he nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, Mr. Yoshida left the gates of Agricultural University, got directly into the waiting sedan, and headed towards the city government offices.
In the afternoon, Shen Yunfang rode her bicycle to school. Before she could park her bike, she saw Vice Principal Tao sprinting towards her.
She frowned, sensing that the vice principal was coming for her.
"Shen Yunfang, why did you only just arrive? Mr. Yoshida and the leaders from our city’s investment promotion department have been waiting for you for a long time. Hurry up and come with me," Vice Principal Tao reached Shen Yunfang and reeled off a string of words without even pausing for breath.
Shen Yunfang could tell he was truly in a hurry, but why should she comply with his demands? Who did this Yoshida think he was, summoning her and dismissing her at his whim? Didn’t he have any sense of being a guest? And what about those around him, flattering and kowtowing, lacking any semblance of host’s responsibility?
"I’m sorry, Vice Principal Tao, I’ve already missed several classes this morning. This afternoon I have Mr. Cai’s class, and I need to attend," Shen Yunfang stood her ground, invoking Mr. Cai as her shield.
Mr. Cai at Agricultural University had a reputation for being tough, and his classes were not ones students dared to skip. Of course, at this time, there were very few who would skip class, and even the school’s leaders treated him with respect and didn’t dare to provoke him.
As to why Shen Yunfang didn’t know, all she knew was that Mr. Cai was a formidable presence at Agricultural University.
Sure enough, Vice Principal Tao was left speechless upon hearing Mr. Cai’s name, but after weighing the options, he decided to prioritize Mr. Yoshida’s side, given that Yoshida had also brought with him city officials, "You don’t have to worry about it; I will speak to Mr. Cai. Come with me right now."
After speaking, he turned and walked towards the office buildings. However, after a few steps, he realized he didn’t hear footsteps behind him. Puzzled, he looked back to see Shen Yunfang still standing there, with a reluctant expression. Vice Principal Tao was frustrated. He was a distinguished vice principal; if he couldn’t persuade students more than Principal Wang or Mr. Zhu could, then how could he not convince an ordinary student?
"What’s the matter with you? I told you to follow me; didn’t you hear me? Hurry up."
Shen Yunfang looked at her watch, visibly impatient. This Yoshida was not only annoying but also becoming quite a nuisance.
"I’m sorry, Vice Principal Tao, but I need to attend my class. If that Mr. Yoshida really wishes to talk to me, he can make an appointment for the weekend. I’m quite busy with classes during the week and have no time to entertain him." Having said her piece, Shen Yunfang didn’t even glance at Tao’s flushed face and headed directly to the laboratory building. Mr. Cai was not one to be trifled with.
Furious to the point of wanting to stamp his feet, Vice Principal Tao remembered his position and decided to follow Shen Yunfang. No matter how he chased, the female student ahead, who seemed to be walking at a leisurely pace, was always faster than him. He watched helplessly as she entered Mr. Cai’s classroom.
Vice Principal Tao swallowed hard; he couldn’t very well interrupt the class to pull a student out, could he? Even if he was bold enough to do so, he wouldn’t dare in Mr. Cai’s classroom. Mr. Cai would not afford him that level of courtesy. If he were humiliated in front of all the students, how would he be able to carry on at the school? Weighing the pros and cons, he ultimately chose to retreat.
Hmph, if he can’t summon people himself, then he’ll find someone who can.
Vice Principal Tao flicked his hand and left.
Upon seeing Vice Principal Tao leave from outside the classroom, Shen Yunfang slightly curled her lips into a smile. People like him were only tough on the weak and scared of the strong; seeing her as just an ordinary student, he wanted to throw around his clout, but to those who weren’t afraid of him, he was nothing.
As the bell for class rang, Shen Yunfang gathered her thoughts and focused on the lecture.
Mr. Yoshida was chatting with Director Wu from the Investment Promotion Office in his office, and of course, they didn’t speak the same language—thus the need for a translator to act as an intermediary. While Mr. Yoshida was talking, his eyes kept watch on the door. Seeing Vice Principal Tao return with an embarrassed expression, he had a faint understanding of what had happened, but there remained a sliver of hope in his mind, believing no woman could resist him, whether it was his person or his money.
"Ask her why Shen didn’t come along, is there something wrong?" Mr. Yoshida turned to have the translator ask on his behalf.
The translator had to interrupt his conversation with Director Wu to stand up and translate for him.
Vice Principal Tao, not wanting to admit his own incompetence and having been disregarded by an ordinary student, gave an excuse that Shen Yunfang would be coming over in a bit.
Mr. Yoshida nodded his head, accepting the excuse. That’s right—no woman could resist him.
After Teacher Cai’s class was over, Shen Yunfang saw Zhu Zhengqi waiting for her at the door.
"Teacher Zhu, have you been sent here again?" Shen Yunfang smiled, praising his understanding.
"Indeed, Vice Principal Tao’s authority is too great; I, a mere teacher, had no choice but to come," Zhu Zhengqi said with a bitter smile. "Principal Wang had a meeting to attend this afternoon." This sentence explained his helplessness. As a regular teacher, especially one without support from the principal and lower in rank than the vice principal, there were things he couldn’t refuse. "I’ve been running back and forth so much, it’s like the three visits to the thatched cottage," Zhu Zhengqi said with a touch of self-mockery.
"Oh, no wonder." Shen Yunfang came to a realization—she had dismissed Vice Principal Tao in the morning, and now he was popping back up in the afternoon; it was because the boss was out.
"Let’s go. Actually, I do want to have a good talk with that Mr. Yoshida. To tell the truth, I’m quite interested in earning this money." Making money off the Japanese appealed to her.
"If you really think that way, then great. Let’s go." Teacher Zhu led the way, escorting the disobedient Shen Yunfang towards the office.
As they walked, Shen Yunfang realized they were not heading to the same office as that morning. "Teacher Zhu, why have we changed locations?" In the morning, it was the third floor, but now they were headed to the second floor.
"This is Vice Principal Tao’s office," explained Zhu Zhengqi.
Shen Yunfang nodded in understanding.
