This humble Taoist priest wants to take the college entrance exam.

Chapter 9: Can you read yet? (Bonus Chapter)

At Yunqi No.1 High School, not only is academic competition fierce among students, but competition for teaching performance among teachers is equally intense.

Upon hearing that the principal was going to assign a "genius student" to his class, who would enhance his teaching performance in the future, how could Teacher Liang not be excited?
No sooner had Principal Lin hung up the phone than Teacher Liang appeared at the office door.

The speed was so fast that Chen Shi'an was momentarily surprised, wondering if there were other experts in the school!

"Forestry School".

"Old Liang is here. Come in and have a seat."

Upon seeing his future homeroom teacher arrive, Chen Shi'an stopped sitting and politely stood up, bowing respectfully to Teacher Liang: "Greetings, Teacher Liang."

As a teacher who has been deeply involved in education for many years, Liang Huiyang is no longer young. In his forties, his hair has already begun to recede to the top of his head, revealing a bald patch, like an inkstone worn smooth by time. The remaining hair around his head hangs limply. Although his clothes are relatively clean, there is always a strong smell of chalk dust about him.

"Hello, young master."

When the young Taoist priest who appeared in the principal's office greeted her with a bow, Teacher Liang was momentarily stunned.

With the Wenquxing (a legendary Chinese scholar) on his mind, he glanced around, but apart from Principal Lin, who was smiling broadly, and the young Taoist priest, there was no one else in the office.

no,

Could this Wenquxing who transferred to our class be this little Taoist priest?

Lin Xiao, you didn't tell me you were a Taoist priest.
Teacher Liang looked at Principal Lin with a puzzled expression, and from Principal Lin's eyes, he seemed to confirm his doubts.

It really is!
Having been a teacher for so many years, Liang Huiyang has seen all kinds of students: internet celebrities outside of school, child actors outside of school, poor mountain kids, rich young masters...

The newest student is a transfer student, who is actually a young Taoist priest wearing a green robe!

Is he a real Taoist priest or a fake one? Or is he just some kind of cosplaying trend among young people these days...?

Forget it, forget it, as long as the grades are good...

Let me give you a brief introduction.

While making tea, Principal Lin said, "Shi'an, this is your homeroom teacher, Mr. Liang. As I just told you, Mr. Liang is an excellent teacher. He teaches Chinese. Our school's teachers follow the class system, and Mr. Liang will be your teacher until you graduate from college."

"Old Liang, this is Chen Shi'an, the student I told you about. Shi'an is a proper Taoist priest, but he teaches without discrimination. Once he enters our school, he is our student. Master Shi'an speaks highly of him. His Taoist skills, doctrines, and character are all excellent. I have a lot of confidence in him, so I've arranged for him to be in your class and for you to teach him. I hope he can get good results in the college entrance examination in two years."

Listening to Principal Lin's introduction, Teacher Liang looked like she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Dear Principal, what's the point of preaching doctrines and teachings in a place like school? When it comes to studying, talent, grades, and connections are what matter!

Liang Huiyang didn't know about the young Taoist's talent and achievements, but in all his years of teaching, this was the first time that Principal Lin had personally arranged for him to be introduced to a student, so the student must have some powerful connections...

While drinking tea, Teacher Liang and Chen Shi'an began to get to know each other.

"Is Shi'an a Taoist practitioner?"

"Yes."

"How many years has it been under repair? There aren't many young people with this hobby these days."

"I have been practicing asceticism in the mountains with my master since I was a child."

"..."

Ms. Liang's heart skipped a beat, but she couldn't resist her curiosity and asked, "So, before this, which school did Shi'an attend?"

"I have never been to school."

These five words, which are quite unbelievable to contemporary young people, were uttered so lightly by Chen Shi'an that even Teacher Liang could hardly believe it!
The young Taoist priest in front of me, who looks so refined, polite, and composed, has never been to school?

Didn't we agree on Wenquxing (a star associated with academic success) in the beginning? How did it turn into Jiulouyu (a star associated with academic failure)?

Teacher Liang looked up at Principal Lin, but Principal Lin pretended not to see her and focused on making his tea.

Principal Lin, you've really caused me a lot of trouble!

"Really... you've never been to school even once?" "Well, I did attend elementary school for a few days."

"..."

Chen Shi'an's words did not comfort Teacher Liang; instead, they left her completely heartbroken...

After a long while, Teacher Liang frowned and sighed:

"Even if you're going to cultivate the Tao, you should still finish nine years of compulsory education. Didn't your master urge you to do that? You entered a monastery at such a young age for solitary cultivation, and your parents didn't object to it?"

“Teacher Liang, I have no parents and have been an orphan since I was a child. My master picked me up and raised me during his travels. Our Taoist temple is located in a remote mountain area, and it is not convenient to go to school. The temple has limited resources. Although I have not been to school for many years, I still study with my master on a regular basis.”

"..."

Upon hearing this, Teacher Liang finally understood the meaning behind the name 'Chen Shi'an'.

Seeing the mature and strong young man in front of her, a huge sense of shame suddenly welled up in Teacher Liang's heart.

"I'm sorry, Shi'an, the teacher didn't know about this before..."

"Teacher Liang, there's no need to blame yourself. I don't feel like I've lacked anything."

I haven't even comforted you yet, and you're already comforting me!
Looking at the calm and composed smile of the young Taoist priest in front of her, Teacher Liang felt even more guilty.

"Cough cough."

Lin coughed twice, bringing the topic back on track.

"Master Chen has praised Shi'an's intelligence and quick wit many times. As you've seen, Teacher Liang, he's not old, but his speech, actions, character, and cultivation far surpass those of his peers. Although he's never been to school, he's not unteachable. It's all about effort; he might just achieve good results in the college entrance exam in two years!"

Teacher Liang thought to herself: There are so many students with poor grades outside, but I haven't seen you recruit them.

I don't know where Principal Lin got such confidence in Chen Shi'an. He kept mentioning his master, as if any disciple certified by his master was absolutely incompetent.

Teacher Liang has given up hope on the so-called "Wenquxing" (a legendary Chinese scholar). Now, the biggest headache is how to guide a student with zero academic background from the start of high school to successfully get into university.

No one understands better than a teacher who works on the front lines of education how important a student's foundation is.

Yunqi No.1 High School's college entrance examination results are unparalleled in the city every year. In addition to teaching management and teaching staff, the most important factor is the high-quality student body. With its prestigious reputation, the school has almost swept up all the top students in the middle school entrance examination, which led to its excellent college entrance examination results three years later.

Putting aside his grades, Teacher Liang had a very good impression of Chen Shi'an. Since it was an unchangeable fact that he had transferred to Class 5, the primary issue was how to quickly improve his grades.

Six years of primary school, three years of junior high, and another year of senior high—that's a full ten years of missed teaching progress! Will Old Liang even be able to reach the other side...?

Having such a student, whether my status as a "top-level outstanding teacher" will be ruined or brought me great fame will depend on the college entrance examination two years from now.

With this in mind, Teacher Liang quickly devised a teaching plan.

Just as a doctor needs to prescribe the right medicine for the right illness, so too should teaching.

The first priority is to get a feel for Chen Shi'an's background and see where his foundation lies.

"Shi'an, I have a copy of last week's monthly exam paper. How about I let you take a look and we can get a feel for each other?"

“Sure.” Chen Shi’an nodded.

"...Can you read?"

"I acknowledge it."

good good!
If they can read, there's still hope...

Teacher Liang never imagined that one day her expectations of her students would be so low, and she even felt a sense of relief because of it...

(An extra chapter! Please vote and follow along!)

　Thank you to Shan Shu and the idle Master Fu for the generous donations!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)