The eighth period is history class.
Shen Qiushan originally thought he could maybe gain some more Scholar Index by listening to class, but the history teacher, Zhou Ling, didn't even qualify as a "Junior Teacher" according to Dad's evaluation system. Honestly, listening to her lecture was less effective than just self-studying.
But this Zhou Ling, a woman in her forties, seemed more interested in Shen Qiushan. While going through the exam papers, she'd sneak glances at him every now and then.
She was probably just curious about such an old auditing student!
And since there was no Scholar Index to be milked from the teacher, Shen Qiushan spent the whole class quietly self-studying.
Still, Zhou Ling being this "blank board teacher" was a bit of a wake-up call for him.
The teacher lineup was totally hit or miss.
If he wanted to maximize his wool-gathering from lectures, the best plan was to slip into the Celestial Pride Class.
So-called "Celestial Pride Class" was actually Class 1 of Grade 12, and the students there weren't fixed: every monthly exam, the top 66 in the grade automatically entered the Celestial Pride Class!
This Celestial Pride Class naturally got the best resources. The finest teachers in Sanjiang High School all taught there.
Of course, not all the teachers in the Celestial Pride Class were guaranteed to be better than blank board teachers, but the chances of hitting a dud were way lower. Plus, odds of getting an Intermediate Teacher like Chen Xiangyu were higher, and maybe, just maybe, you'd run into a Senior Teacher.
Problem was, getting into the Celestial Pride Class was tough for Shen Qiushan—the cut-off for the top 66 in the grade wasn't exactly easy.
Even if he could actually cross that line, the school leaders might not be happy giving a precious Celestial Pride Class spot to him.
After all, he was just in school as an "auditing parent."
His academic results didn't really mean anything to the school.
And let's be real, if an old auditing student like Shen Qiushan barges into the Celestial Pride Class, parents of actual students would lose their minds!
Looks like it's a long game.
Shen Qiushan started planning silently in his head.
Five minutes before class ended, Shen Qiushan felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He took a look—it was a WeChat message from his old flame, Chen Xiangyu: "Tired from studying? Come over and rest at my place after school."
She even added a sticker at the end.
As he read the message, Shen Qiushan's thigh twitched involuntarily.
They'd already eaten together at lunch, and ended up resting twice.
And now she wanted him to rest again in the afternoon. Who could handle that stamina requirement!
Shen Qiushan quickly replied: "I'm having dinner with the kid. Haven't seen Yanran yet today."
Xiangyu: "Okay."
Xiangyu: "Or after night study, I could tutor you in English. I see you've been working really hard."
Tutor in English?
That was a pretty tough reason to refuse.
Mostly because Chen Xiangyu was an Intermediate Teacher—getting tutored by her boosted his Scholar Index with buffs.
So, this English, he really did need to study!
But man, these "tutoring sessions" sure burn a lot of energy!
Just as Shen Qiushan was debating what to do, Chen Xiangyu's message popped up again.
Xiangyu: "Don't worry, I'll be on auto-pilot."
Shen Qiushan: "OK!"
That's why men adore thoughtful women!
They're just so good at putting themselves in your shoes.
The bell rang for dismissal.
Shen Qiushan walked out of the classroom almost at the same time as Zhou Ling, the history teacher—only, he exited through the front door, and she took the back.
Once outside, Shen Qiushan headed straight for Grade 12, Class 2, where his daughter Shen Yanran was.
On the way, he drew superstar-level attention.
Almost a 100% head-turn rate!
He could vaguely hear the chirping gossip of students...
"That's Shen Yixiao's dad, right?"
"That guy from Class 5? The old dude?"
"I heard he accepted the challenge from the sports students!"
"..."
Shen Qiushan quickly arrived at the doorway of Grade 12, Class 2.
As luck would have it, Zhou Yu just happened to walk out of the classroom and, spotting Shen Qiushan, greeted him enthusiastically: "Uncle Shen, here to see Yanran?"
"Yep, help me call her."
Shen Qiushan nodded lightly.
"Sure thing!"
Zhou Yu dashed back inside, hopping on his little legs: "Yanran, Uncle Shen is here for you!"
Right then, Shen Yanran was discussing what to eat with Luo Yao. The two weren't planning to go to the cafeteria during the rush, preferring to wait a bit.
Hearing Zhou Yu's shout, Shen Yanran quickly walked out and, sure enough, spotted her dear old dad in the hallway.
"Dad, you've been here all day and only now remember you have a daughter, huh!"
Shen Yanran tugged at her dad's arm, pouting as she spoke.
"Hey, that's why I'm here—to eat with you!"
"Come on, call your brother and let's eat out!"
Shen Qiushan planned to take the two kids out for a better meal. Right now, his bank card still had over a million in it—no reason to hold back on food and fun.
"Eat out?"
"Can I bring Luo Yao along?"
Shen Yanran whispered.
"Of course."
Shen Qiushan nodded with a smile. He actually didn't mind having Luo Yao—his "daughter-in-law"—along. The girl was pretty cute.
But with his life experience, Shen Qiushan knew the odds of her ever becoming his real daughter-in-law were pretty slim.
Still, that didn't stop him from approving of this "daughter-in-law."
Besides, "future in-law's" skills were top-notch—even if Shen Qiushan didn't have time today, he'd have liked to go experience it himself sometime!
Especially since he already bought the membership card.
"I'll go call her then."
Shen Yanran left for the classroom, grinning from ear to ear.
Watching his tall, pretty daughter, Shen Qiushan had a doting smile on his face. Just then, a voice piped up beside him: "Uncle Shen, can you take Zhou Yu as well?"
"Uh..."
Shen Qiushan turned his head and was greeted by the sight of Zhou Yu's chubby, hopeful gaze.
He'd been eavesdropping on the father and daughter the whole time.
Of course, Shen Qiushan hadn't intentionally avoided anyone—after all, it wasn't some private topic—so Zhou Yu overheard everything.
The little chub had found out Shen Qiushan was taking Shen Yixiao and Shen Yanran out for dinner, and even asked Luo Yao to join.
And since Luo Yao was Shen Yixiao's girlfriend—in other words, Shen Qiushan's "daughter-in-law"—
Zhou Yu figured that if he could join this "family dinner," he'd basically be the officially recognized "son-in-law" in Shen Qiushan's eyes.
A family of five, all together!
What a harmonious and warm scene!
"Xiaozhou, not today!"
"Next time."
Shen Qiushan flatly turned down Zhou Yu's forced party-up attempt.
He silently roasted him inside: You little fat toad, still dreaming of our family swan.
Dream on!!
People are all visual creatures. For starters, Zhou Yu's looks just didn't pass the mark with Shen Qiushan.
Plus, the kid was too greasy and scheming—you could tell just from how he waited for him at the school gate at noon.
Sure, with a personality like his, Zhou Yu might get ahead in society and do pretty well in a company someday.
But Shen Qiushan didn't like that type, especially since he knew his own daughter best; Shen Yanran was totally happy-go-lucky and simple-minded, not a match for a scheming boy.