Rebirth: Daily Face Slaps - Chapter 104

“They say ‘a towering building rises from a solid foundation.’ If the foundation isn’t stable, what will happen later?” Lin Mengting said earnestly. “Teacher, I’m really worried that I’ll be chased down the street with a knife!”

“Why do you have so much nonsense!” Clearly, Professor Yu had no intention of listening to Lin Mengting’s polite refusals. He directly said, “This is something Old Huang arranged. If you mess it up and make me lose face with him, I’ll make you copy a hundred and twenty pages!”

He paused and added, “With a brush pen!”

“…So, Teacher, did you make another bet with Old Huang?” Since becoming Professor Yu’s student, Lin Mengting truly understood the saying “old child.” So, she could only sigh and hold back her complaints.

Old Huang was the president of the G Province Painting and Calligraphy Association and one of the few remaining grandmasters in China’s art world.

Since becoming Professor Yu’s student, Lin Mengting had often been called to his home for private lessons and had long known Old Huang, who had often given her guidance.

However, some people were only suited for admiration from afar, and close contact could be daunting…

“Do you think your teacher is that bored?” Professor Yu said threateningly, and even over the phone, Lin Mengting could feel his intimidating presence.

“Alright, Teacher, since you’ve decided, I’ll reluctantly go ‘ruin’ some kids!” To avoid more threats from Professor Yu, Lin Mengting had no choice but to accept.

“That’s more like it!” Professor Yu’s anger disappeared instantly, and he smiled. “Don’t you often audit classes at the youth center? Just teach those kids what you’ve learned and your own insights.”

As a highly respected educator, Professor Yu valued “teacher ethics” greatly and was naturally worried about Lin Mengting “misleading” the students.

But since Lin Mengting had been auditing classes at the youth center for over six months and had become a member of the G Province Painting and Calligraphy Association early on, receiving guidance from many “proud” masters, her skills and techniques were on par with those who had studied formally for over a decade.

If not for Old Huang standing in the way, many would have already taken Lin Mengting as their final disciple!

Such a Lin Mengting was more than qualified to teach beginner kids at the youth center.

…

Thinking of this, Professor Yu added an incentive, “If you do well, you can work part-time at the youth center and earn an extra salary. Happy?”

Professor Yu never understood why Lin Mengting’s eyes would light up like a cat that had stolen a pile of fish whenever she heard about salaries or bonuses, making her happiness palpable to anyone around her.

Yet, when spending money, Lin Mengting was extravagant, unlike those who were truly thrifty and stretched every penny.

…

“Happy,” Lin Mengting replied weakly, unaware that her “weak spot” had been firmly grasped. “But Teacher, I beg you, can you give me fewer surprises like this? I’m worried my fragile heart can’t take it!”

“Young people need to be challenged to unlock their potential, so they won’t regret a life wasted,” Professor Yu said with a fleeting hint of disdain. “Alright, that’s it. Do your best! If I hear any complaints about you being lazy or half-hearted, you’ll come back and copy books!”

These words made Lin Mengting instinctively straighten up and respond loudly, “Yes, Teacher!”

…

“This girl is really ‘uncooperative without being pushed’!” Professor Yu grumbled after hanging up. “She’s smart, but why doesn’t she seize every opportunity to network and build her resume!”

“If Lin Mengting were that smart, you’d have rejected her without hesitation,” Madam Guo, watching TV on the couch, said with a smirk. She knew her stubborn husband too well.

“In my opinion, Lin Mengting is very clear-headed and knows exactly what she wants,” Madam Guo said with a tone of satisfaction. “Even among the families in the capital, it’s rare to find someone with her intelligence and self-awareness, who doesn’t covet what isn’t hers.”

“Those families!” Professor Yu snorted. “They used to be fine, but in recent years, maybe due to rapid technological and economic advances, they’ve become more restless, throwing aside their family rules in a rush for money and power.”

Wealth and power are tempting, but it’s crucial to control them and not be controlled by them.

“If this continues, they’ll collapse sooner or later!”

“When the top is crooked, the bottom is awry,” Madam Guo commented. “How can we expect the younger generation to remain untainted?”

“I need to call Old Huang and make sure everything is arranged,” Professor Yu said, picking up the phone again.

Madam Guo shook her head with a smile, returning her attention to the TV.

After decades of marriage, she understood Professor Yu’s intentions well.

It was just that Lin Mengting’s foundation was still too weak.

Even though Lin Mengting had quickly earned the high regard of her superiors at Hongxing Company, an international firm, and was earning an impressive salary, destined to become a business elite and a true “career woman,” stripping away all the glamorous exterior revealed a harsh and bloody reality.