Shi Ji had already caught someone’s attention while he was still outside the academy. The male instructor standing before him had recognized at a glance that the person shouting at the entrance was Shi Ji, who’d just transferred from General Star Hero Academy. But because of the unusual circumstances, he hadn’t opened the door right away.
Then he saw Jing Xin pass by on the security footage, so he contacted her and asked her to show Shi Ji the way.
The male instructor didn’t have a status like Jing Xin’s, so he was always careful to show her the utmost respect. And when asking her for help, he did his best to keep his own status in mind, afraid he might offend her by doing something wrong.
The male instructor had been stunned to see Jing Xin personally bring Shi Ji inside just now. That hadn’t been what he’d asked for—he’d only asked Jing Xin to show Shi Ji the way. But he hadn’t expected…
The male instructor knew Jing Xin well enough. Thinking back to what he’d just said, he seemed to understand. Being the tactful sort, he didn’t ask any more questions and simply agreed.
“Of course, of course. I’ll contact Teacher Hua Feng in a moment.” As he spoke, he went over to the desk, pulled open a drawer, and took out a high-tech wristband and a magnetic card. Then he handed them to Shi Ji.
Shi Ji knew exactly what the wristband was. Every student at a Hero Academy had one. It was used to receive messages from the academy and various other organizations, allowing them to stay in touch.
Jing Xin was a senior instructor here, and she’d just stepped in to settle the matter of the 500,000-yuan camera. Shi Ji’s mood, which had been rather low, instantly lifted. As he took the wristband and magnetic card, he felt completely relieved, joy written all over his face.
The male instructor smiled at Jing Xin. “His information came in yesterday, so I prepared everything in advance.”
After that, Jing Xin led Shi Ji away. Just as he was about to leave the office, the male instructor suddenly called out to him from behind.
“Hey, Shi Ji, wait a moment!” His voice turned serious again.
Shi Ji stopped and turned around, still smiling at the male instructor.
“Is there something else, Instructor?”
“You’d better watch yourself from now on, kid. You’re supposed to call her Instructor Jing Xin.”
The young man didn’t reply. He just left.
The male instructor had only just warned Shi Ji. But as soon as Shi Ji walked out of the office, he heard him say:
“Thanks, kiddo!”
The male instructor’s expression darkened. He slammed a hand down hard on the desk.
…
With the 500,000-yuan issue and the related paperwork taken care of, Shi Ji was in high spirits. He couldn’t have been happier. After such a hectic day, it finally seemed to be drawing to a close.
As for Jing Xin, she was a teacher—and a little loli who acted all grown-up, even though she was already twenty-four. Still, Shi Ji always instinctively thought of her as a little girl. It just felt natural to him.
After leaving the administration building, Shi Ji still remembered his manners and thanked Jing Xin. After all, she deserved all the credit for how smoothly everything had been resolved.
“Kiddo, thanks so much for helping me out today!”
Hearing Shi Ji call her ‘kiddo’ again, Jing Xin’s little mouth turned down in a pout. It clearly didn’t sit well with her. After a while, her expression grew more serious. She looked at Shi Ji—or rather, glared at him.
“The year I left General Star Hero Academy to teach here, you enrolled there. General Star Hero Academy is the best Hero Academy in the world. For students at places like Silver Frost Academy, getting into General Star Hero Academy is a turning point in life. Being able to study there is an honor. Why… didn’t you cherish the opportunity?”
Back then, Shi Ji had gone there only for the 500,000-yuan scholarship. But the requirements were too demanding, and the school was too strict. It was the opposite of the life he wanted, so…
“Because I was bored there.”
After leaving her with that simple answer, Shi Ji turned and walked away.
…
