7 1.7 (1/2)

Because Zhao Cui was present, everything was handled quite quickly. Liu Yao was fired, with a notice about her violent behavior sent to each of X country's top academies. She pleaded with Headmaster Feng for help, but there really was nothing he could do in the face of Master Zhao's momentum.

Shao Li looked on sadly from the side, looking like he was torn between saving his mentor and protecting his students. When the dismissal was confirmed, he insisted on accompanying Liu Yao to help her empty her room as if to make up for not defending Liu Yao. Under everyone's watchful eyes, Liu Yao could only hold back the slap she wanted to deliver and acquiesce.

Seeing Shao Li walking out with that woman, Zhao Cui clenched his fists, but he was reluctant to scare him by being too aggressive. Soon, soon he'd claim his baby, he persuaded himself.

Headmaster Feng seethed, but the best he could do was to assure Master Zhao that he had nothing to do with this incident. Even then, the board members were notified, and those who had previously heard of the relationship between Liu Yao and the headmaster convinced the others to make his position probationary.

---

Meanwhile, in Liu Yao's room, Chen Yu was busily folding her clothes for her while encouraging, ”Teacher Liu, don't worry. Even if all the schools nearby know what happened today, I'm sure you'll be able to find one that doesn't mind in no time with your skills.”

Liu Yao's expression turned ugly hearing the subtle stress on 'skills.' Without anyone else around, she freely expressed her pent-up rage, shoving him hard and shouting, ”Shao Li, you shut up! What are you trying to imply?”

Frightened, Shao Li backed up, stuttering, ”T-Teacher Liu, I-I only meant that you're so talented, I'm n-not trying to imply anything!”

Liu Yao snorted, pulling on the cowering young man's hair, ”Ha! Stop pretending, you hypocrite! Saying teacher teacher, are you trying to shove it in my face that I was fired? If you hadn't stressed me out by blabbing to all the teachers about how I treated you, would I have ended up losing my mind and offending Nangong Jia?”

Shao Li's thin body curled up as he cried, ”No no, Tea-, ah, Miss Liu, really I'm not! I didn't mean for the other teachers to find out how you and Headmaster Feng harassed me!”

Sneering, Liu Yao kicked him and rammed Shao Li's bag into his stomach. ”You scum, think I don't know you planned all this to get my position? Get out, and I'd better not see you again!”

Shao Li scrambled out the door, bruised and tear-stained. But by the time he walked out the school gates, his downcast eyes gleamed with a faintly triumphant light, his fingers stroking the tiny recording camera clipped to his collar. Gotcha.

Just as Chen Yu was celebrating in his mind, someone suddenly grasped his shoulder and swung him around. Chen Yu reflexively wanted to throw off the hand, but when he recognized this hidden boss, he paused.

Seeing the boy's disheveled appearance, Zhao Cui's low voice sounded, ”Was it that woman who did this to you?”

Chen Yu winced at the pressure on his shoulder and cursed in his heart. This degenerate must be his stalker. Musing, he skimmed over the tall, chiseled appearance and lamented, looked so good outside, who'd have guessed how bent his insides were?

But why was this man so concerned about him? Perhaps his fan service was too enticing?

When Shao Li stayed silent, Zhao Cui thought he was frightened and murmured, ”It's alright, I'll take care of her for you, so don't be scared.”

First things first, Chen Yu decided to solve that hand. He raised wet eyes and whispered, ”M-Mr. Zhao, it hurts, please be gentler...”

Such ambiguous words paired with a begging expression made Zhao Cui's mind turn hazy, his intentions to slowly coax Shao Li promptly thrown out. He immediately lightened his grip on Shao Li's shoulder but simultaneously wrapped him up so that no one else could see such a provocative face, his other hand stroking the back of his slim neck.

”Sorry, I'll pay attention so it doesn't hurt next time,” he promised hoarsely.

Chen Yu marveled a bit at the stiff object prodding at his stomach, but he remembered to squirm weakly and protest, ”Mr. Zhao, please let me go. And, and I just bumped into some things, it wasn't that Miss Liu hit me.”

With Shao Li's wriggling, Zhao Cui's breath turned heavier, falling feverishly on the side of Shao Li's ear. ”Ah, Teacher Shao, hold still, okay?”

Shao Li blinked innocently up at him. ”Why, what's wrong, Mr. Zhao? Are you hurt somewhere? Do you have any abnormal conditions that I need to call a doctor for?”

Zhao Cui nearly choked at this little devil. Not only was his 'condition' clearly caused by Shao Li, but also this was a distinctly normal reaction!