C11 If One Did Not Have Dreams, Then What Was the Point of Living?
"Luo Ke, considering you've been my student for three years, I'm going to ask you one last time: do you realize your mistake?"
Yang Zhongping couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility; after all, he had been Luo Ke's teacher for three years. Unlike Chen Yuangan, who had no personal connection to Luo Ke, Yang found the idea of Luo Ke being expelled somewhat unbearable.
Even if Luo Ke's grades were poor and she wasn't expelled, she could retake the year or attend a less prestigious school. But expulsion could ruin her life.
"Mr. Yang, please proceed with administering the exam. I'm confident in my abilities," Luo Ke said with a dismissive wave of her hand.
"You..." Yang Zhongping, at a loss for words, stormed off with Chen Yuangan to prepare the exam papers.
"Luo Ke, are you sure you didn't cheat?" Cheng Linglong asked, her belief in Luo Ke's innocence growing upon seeing his assured expression.
"Don't worry, Ms. Cheng. Once I've completed today's exam from Mr. Yang, I'll be able to debunk Hong Chenghui's lies," Luo Ke reassured her, patting her shoulder.
Cheng Linglong was taken aback by the gesture. To her, Luo Ke was just a student, a young boy under her care and guidance. Yet, the poise and confidence he exuded in that simple touch gave her a glimpse of his emerging manhood.
Now, past eight in the evening, the office held only Cheng Linglong and Luo Ke, standing opposite each other. Luo Ke's hand rested on her shoulder, and under the soft glow of the yellow light, the air between them was tinged with a subtle romantic charge.
"I've got my lesson plan ready. Please, have a seat while we wait for Mr. Yang and Mr. Chen to bring the test papers," Cheng Linglong said, turning away to sit down and pulling out her teaching materials with a professional air.
Luo Ke's pat on the shoulder was meant to be reassuring, nothing more. But Cheng Linglong's shy reaction brought a sweet feeling to his heart, prompting him to take a closer look at her.
Today, Cheng Linglong was dressed casually in blue ripped jeans and a loose-fitting pink batwing top, a blend of composure and playful charm that was a delight to behold.
"Ms. Cheng, I truly appreciate all the care you've given me over these three years," Luo Ke expressed with heartfelt gratitude.
Reflecting on his high school years, Luo Ke, an orphan caring for his younger sister, had received considerable support from Cheng Linglong. She had secured a scholarship for him at Shanhai High School, applied for relief funds from the Huaxia Federation, and even helped his sister obtain financial aid.
Luo Ke had long wanted to thank Cheng Linglong for her kindness but had never found the right moment amidst the pressures of life. Now, in this setting, it seemed the perfect time to express his gratitude.
"What's the matter? Your words just now... they give me an uneasy feeling," Cheng Linglong said, her voice tinged with anxiety, her face turning pale. Did Luo Ke know something about her impending dismissal? Was this his way of saying goodbye?
"An uneasy feeling?" Luo Ke was momentarily puzzled, then quickly grasped Cheng Linglong's concern. "Please don't worry, Ms. Cheng. I'm not going to be expelled. Today, I simply wanted to say thank you, not farewell."
What was meant to be a moment of heartfelt thanks had been mistaken for a goodbye, leaving Luo Ke with a mix of amusement and sympathy.
"Okay, I guess I was just being overly concerned," Cheng Linglong said with a relieved smile, masking her earlier tension.
However, she quickly realized there was no point in hiding her nervousness about a student facing expulsion. With that thought, her anxiety subsided.
"Ms. Cheng, you look exceptionally beautiful today," Luo Ke complimented, noticing Cheng Linglong's tension. His words were meant to lighten the mood.
He hadn't anticipated Cheng Linglong's intense nervousness over the possibility of his expulsion.
"Thank you," Cheng Linglong responded with a smile.
Her expression soon turned serious, as if something had occurred to her. "Hong Chenghui claims you like Lin Jing and that you acquired the exam answers. I don't believe you bought the answers, but your teacher mentioned to me, do you have feelings for Lin Jing?"
In the Spirit Qi era, high school relationships weren't as strictly forbidden as they were in prehistoric times. She wasn't an old-fashioned teacher who prohibited dating among students.
Still, she thought Luo Ke, at his young age, was likely naive about love. She felt she could offer guidance to prevent him from making rash decisions driven by emotion.
"Well... I'm not sure," Luo Ke replied. Life's pressures had left him little time to ponder romantic feelings.
To say he had no feelings for Lin Jing would be untrue. Her attractive features, caring nature, and support in his studies had indeed moved him.
Wanting to be honest with Cheng Linglong, he offered an intentionally vague response.
"Hmm, I see," she said, understanding his hesitation.
Cheng Linglong inferred from his answer that Luo Ke did indeed harbor feelings for Lin Jing, but his shyness kept him from expressing them. She advised, "It's perfectly normal for boys your age to like girls their age. Just remember not to let romance distract you from your studies. However, I trust you to manage your affairs."
"Don't worry, I'm determined to get into Martial Arts University," Luo Ke said, pleased with her trust.
"What? You're not pursuing pharmacy anymore? You're aiming for Martial Arts University?" Cheng Linglong's brow furrowed.
What had gotten into Luo Ke today? Why was he acting so unpredictably?
"Yes, do you believe in me, Teacher? I'm confident I'll make it," Luo Ke assured her with conviction.
"I believe... I believe you're out of your mind! If you insist you didn't cheat on the pharmacology test, why abandon pharmacy for martial arts, a field that doesn't suit you? What's your reasoning?"
Cheng Linglong wanted to have faith in Luo Ke's aspirations to attend Martial Arts University, but reason told her it was a long shot.
If not for her role as a teacher, she might have let slip an expletive.
Luo Ke's behavior today even cast doubt on his pharmacology exam results.
"It's true, I've done well in pharmacology, but my dream is to become a martial artist. That's my aspiration. What's the point of living without dreams? You're the one who taught us that in class," Luo Ke retorted, referencing a line from the classic film "Shaolin Soccer" that Cheng Linglong had used to inspire her students to persevere and strive for their goals.
