Hogwarts: A Chinese-Style Professor

Chapter 158 Lupin's Memories

Eighty Galleons.

This is far higher than the salary of many junior staff in the Ministry of Magic. For someone who has been wandering for a long time and living in poverty, this is undoubtedly a fortune that can help him regain his dignity and stability.

But faced with this generous reward, Lupin's first instinct was to refuse it—because of his werewolf identity, he was used to accepting rewards far below what he actually deserved.

He was somewhat apprehensive at suddenly receiving such a large sum of money.

Professor Li Wei

Lu Ping paused for a moment, then added a respectful title and declined, saying, "This is too much."

"This is what you deserve."

Li Wei interrupted him.

"This job requires sufficient professionalism, patience, and reliability. Your efforts are well worth your compensation, and—"

He abruptly changed the subject, his gaze sweeping unceremoniously over Lupin's patched robe.

For some reason, Lupin, who had always been used to being judged by others, suddenly felt somewhat embarrassed when he met Li Wei's calm gaze.

"I'll give you two months' salary in advance—"

Before Lupin could refuse, Li Wei forcefully declared:

“You work for me, you're using my name, and you naturally represent my image when you're out in the world. You can't always look so down and out.”

Working under me, appearance is also part of demonstrating professionalism. Your first task after joining the company is to go with Barton to Diagon Alley to have several high-end wizard robes custom-made.

"Ah—okay then—"

Lupin opened his mouth, but couldn't refute it.

At this moment, Li Wei's appearance and aura were indeed highly persuasive—if it weren't for the fact that Lu Ping didn't want to back down right away, he would have already considered giving up.

He felt that Li Wei could find someone better and more deserving than him.

Professor McGonagall nodded approvingly at Levi's behavior.

Seeing Lu Ping's gentle demeanor, she thought for a moment and then interjected at the opportune moment:
"Moreover, as staff members of Hogwarts, it is also very important to maintain the school's dignity."

Lupin looked at Professor McGonagall with some surprise upon hearing this—was he now a Hogwarts employee? Surely not.

However, one should not employ those one doubts, and one should not doubt those one employs.

Since Hogwarts is destined to have a caretaker—Lupin, as a former member of the Order of the Phoenix, is undoubtedly a trustworthy person.

As for his werewolf identity—with Li Wei watching over him and the wolfsbane potion suppressing Lupin's transformation during the full moon, the risks associated with this matter were minimized.

In a sense, Lupin is already the best candidate for the new administrator.

Moreover, it's best to bring this up early—if Lupin refuses, Professor McGonagall's summer break plans will essentially be ruined.

With that in mind, Professor McGonagall took half a step forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Levi, and told Lupin that Hogwarts was short of a caretaker.

"This actually happened."

Lupin seemed somewhat surprised.

But despite Professor McGonagall's obvious hints, he still doesn't seem to be considering himself for the role of administrator—he doesn't even seem to be looking forward to it.

Having suffered discrimination for a long time, coupled with his kind temperament, he had completely come to regard himself as a lower-class person in wizarding society—he even felt that he was not as good as a Squib.

Professor McGonagall, seeing that his behavior didn't seem fake, was somewhat speechless, but still went straight to the point:
“Remus, this is actually Professor Levi’s suggestion as well—considering all factors, we believe you are the most suitable candidate at present.”

"What am I suited for?"

Lupin vaguely guessed Professor McGonagall's thoughts, but still found it hard to believe—his heart even began to race. "Just as you think, Lupin—in addition to the two tasks I've assigned you, I'm afraid you'll be responsible for an extra task from now on."

"So—you want me to be the caretaker of Hogwarts?"

Upon seeing Professor McGonagall nod, Lupin's face immediately turned pale with fear.

"no--!"

When he refused, his attitude was quite firm.

"You know my situation, this is too risky! I can't guarantee what you know."

After talking about his werewolf identity, he became self-conscious again.

Professor McGonagall felt sorry for him, and even Levi couldn't help but frown at his appearance.

He remembered Lupin in his student days—back when he hung out with James and the others, Lupin was nowhere near as insecure as he was now.

"This was not a casual or hasty decision."

Professor McGonagall looked intently at Lupin.

"I believe you can do this well—don't worry, with Professor Li Wei around, even if you really become a werewolf, you won't be able to hurt anyone."

Lu Ping was somewhat surprised upon hearing this and glanced at Li Wei discreetly.

Just then, Li Wei was also looking at him. Their eyes met, and Lu Ping seemed to see a flash of lightning in the other's eyes—which was replaced by a sense of danger that made the hairs on his body stand on end!

Although it's unclear why he's a professor here, Li Wei undoubtedly seems stronger than before.
Lupin suddenly remembered something from long ago—the first time he met Li Wei during his student days.

That day, under the big tree by the Black Lake, James led them to Snape, intending to have some fun.

Because of Lily Evans, and because Snape was always researching the dark magic that the students rejected, the two were at odds at the time.

That day, James seemed to have gone a bit too far—he hung Snape upside down and was about to pull down his underwear in front of everyone.

Although Lupin felt something was amiss, James was in a fit of rage and he wouldn't want to spoil the mood.

The surrounding students wouldn't dare to stop the rising 'Raiders' organization, especially since Sirius was staring at them with an arrogant expression.

The only one who stepped forward was a Slytherin they had never noticed before.

"Hey—you've gone a bit too far, stop now."

It was Li Wei.

Even now, Lupin remembers Livy's eyes at that time—calm and indifferent, devoid of any life, with pupils as black as the Forbidden Forest.

He stood there, calmly watching them, his posture upright, his wand casually held at his side.

James didn't take him seriously at the time—"Want to be a hero? But this isn't your business."

Then, underestimating his opponent, he had his wand disarmed in the first round.

Bigfoot then stepped in, trying to save face for James, and persisted for a few more rounds.

Then, even his disarming spell couldn't stop it—this common spell was incredibly powerful in the hands of the opponent.

As for Peter, seeing that all three of them had lost, he didn't even dare to make a move—which annoyed James and the others, but also made them feel somewhat helpless.

Yes—since Li Wei could beat them back then, he can certainly do it now, even with the power of the werewolf.

Not to mention, there's Professor McGonagall's assurance—as a battle-hardened wizard from the Order of the Phoenix, her judgment is trustworthy.

(End of this chapter)