Chapter Sixty-Three: A Challenge at the Door!

After hearing Xiaomin’s message, Guo Renhuai flew into a rage, smashing his newly bought thermos against the wall once again, shattering it to pieces.

Yet, after agonizing alone in his office until half past two, he still grabbed his car keys and strode out, pretending to be composed.

His car stopped in front of the Lin family villa, but Guo Renhuai found himself lacking the courage to go in.

After all, he was the head of a department—how could he possibly humble himself to apologize to a subordinate? Moreover, that subordinate had once whipped out a credit card and delivered a “theory of not lacking money,” which had been a stinging slap to his pride.

He’d resigned before, and he’d fired others before. But he’d never seen someone resign in such a manner.

If you’re so wealthy, why become a teacher at all? Why not spend your days as a carefree playboy, racing cars, drinking, and dating starlets—wouldn’t that be a more satisfying life? Why come to be a teacher?

“Let’s just say I’m apologizing to my own son,” Guo Renhuai consoled himself. Forcing a smile, he hoisted his briefcase and rang the Lin family’s doorbell.

“Hello. May I ask whom you’re looking for?” A middle-aged woman hurried out. Judging by her attire and the apron around her neck, she was likely the family maid.

“Hello. Is Professor Qin Luo in?” he asked.

“He is. And you are?”

“I’m Guo Renhuai from the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine,” he replied, thinking to himself that this maid was being rather inconsiderate, still not letting him in.

“Oh, please wait a moment. Qin Luo is upstairs. I’ll go ask him for you,” the woman said.

Guo Renhuai was fuming—he almost turned and left on the spot.

This Qin Luo was just too arrogant. Did he really think himself a hidden genius?

After a good few minutes, the maid finally came back down, opened the iron gate to the yard, and smiled. “Sorry to keep you waiting. Qin Luo asks you to come in.”

Wearing a sullen expression, Guo Renhuai nodded and followed her into the main living room.

Qin Luo had just been upstairs playing QQ Landlord, a game he’d just learned. As he descended the stairs, he greeted Guo Renhuai, “Director Guo, you’re too polite. If you had something to say, a phone call would’ve sufficed. There was no need to come in person.”

“Haha, when it comes to talent, one must show enough sincerity,” Guo Renhuai replied stiffly, cursing inwardly: Do you think I wanted to come? Wasn’t it you who insisted I come in person over the phone?

“Haha, Director Guo is truly eager for talent,” Qin Luo said with a smile. “Please, have a seat.”

Director Guo sat down, accepted the tea handed to him by the maid, and looked at Qin Luo. “Xiao Qin, the college’s decision to let you go was really out of necessity. You know your situation: no teaching certificate, no formal academic training. Some students complained about you, and with you on staff, we were under a lot of pressure too.”

“I completely understand the college’s decision,” Qin Luo said with a smile. “But I still don’t have a teaching certificate. Even if I wanted to take a year or so to study for one, there’s not enough time.”

“Well, given your special circumstances, I held a discussion with the other department heads. We think you’re truly skilled in teaching traditional Chinese medicine, and you’ve earned the admiration of so many students—which is proof enough. Special cases warrant special measures. We’ve decided to give you a practical exam in Chinese medicine, and if you pass, we’ll issue you a special teaching certificate. How does that sound?”

“I have no objections,” Qin Luo replied, cradling his teacup. Then, with genuine concern, he looked at Guo Renhuai and asked, “Won’t this cause trouble for the department?”

“Haha, it’s nothing. You’re a valuable talent. It’s our policy to provide every opportunity for talented individuals.”

“Thank you for your concern, Director. However, my dismissal has caused quite a stir on campus. For me to brazenly return—I’m afraid I’m rather embarrassed,” Qin Luo said, troubled.

“I will personally escort you back to the class and explain everything to the students,” Guo Renhuai said, his facial muscles twitching once more.

“Thank you, Director Guo,” Qin Luo replied, smiling.

“So we’re all settled then,” Guo Renhuai said quickly, eager to close the matter and escape. He was truly afraid of this troublesome young man.

“Tomorrow you have class. Please take over the Diagnostics course as before. After all, we can’t let the students’ learning be disrupted.”

“All right,” Qin Luo agreed readily.

No sooner had he seen Director Guo off than Wang Jiujie called. She chuckled on the other end, “Professor Qin, did Old Guo come to talk to you?”

“He just left,” Qin Luo replied with a laugh. He’d always kept in touch with Wang Jiujie, and she kept him updated on everything happening at the school. Even while away, he remained well informed.

“I knew he’d cave,” Wang Jiujie said confidently. “If that didn’t work, we were all ready to go on a hunger strike.”

“That’s a bit extreme, isn’t it?” Qin Luo broke out in a cold sweat. Thank goodness he agreed. If things escalated and something happened, it would be bad for everyone.

“Of course it’s not good. That’s why we were going to do it,” Wang Jiujie replied forcefully. “All right, I’ll let you go. I need to spread the good news. See you tomorrow, Professor Qin.”

“See you tomorrow,” Qin Luo said with a smile.

**************************

In the classroom of the 722 Clinical Chinese Medicine class, Guo Renhuai stood at the lectern, beaming. “We, the school, have given your suggestions careful consideration. We are a democratic institution, and we respect each and every student’s opinions.”

“Professor Qin is an outstanding teacher, with high moral character and excellent ability. Though he had to be dismissed due to paperwork issues, through our collective efforts, we’ve helped him overcome these difficulties. Now, I return Professor Qin Luo to you. I hope under his guidance, you’ll achieve great success and become exemplary practitioners of Chinese medicine.”

“Now, let’s welcome Professor Qin with a warm round of applause,” Guo Renhuai announced, leading the clapping in front.

A thunderous applause erupted, so enthusiastic it seemed it might blow the roof off the classroom.

Qin Luo walked to the lectern and bowed deeply to the students.

“Thank you, classmates. Thank you, my friends,” he said with heartfelt emotion. He knew that these students had done so much to bring him back.

When faced with teachers’ harsh criticism and the school’s intimidation, a weaker will would have crumbled long ago.

But they did not give up. They persevered until he could stand with them once more in a classroom at Capital Medical University.

“Haha, Professor Qin, you’re finally back! I missed you so much!”

“Professor Qin, there’s no need for such formality. You’re our teacher—we can’t accept you bowing to us!”

“Professor Qin, next time you send us those yellow websites, could you not include viruses? My computer crashed—”

Qin Luo stumbled, nearly falling off the lectern.

“It was an accident, just an accident,” he said awkwardly, trying to explain.

Fearing they’d dwell on the topic, he quickly changed the subject. “All right, it’s class time. Let’s begin. I remember assigning you homework before I left. Did everyone finish it?”

“Yes!” the class responded, laughing and joking.

Wang Jiujie made a gesture, and the classroom rang with the clear, harmonious recitation of the classic “Tangtou Song” formulas.

Looking at the energetic young faces before him, Qin Luo was deeply moved.

They were all excellent students, and he was proud of them.

In the future, they would surely be proud to have had him as their teacher.

After the morning’s classes concluded, Qin Luo was about to head for the school gate to wait for Lin Huanxi as usual, but her call came first.

“I have a group reception at noon and probably won’t be able to come home for lunch,” Lin Huanxi said calmly, though Qin Luo could detect a hint of displeasure in her tone. She likely disliked such social engagements.

“That’s all right. I’ll head home on my own,” Qin Luo replied, gently reassuring her.

After hanging up, as he slipped his phone into his pocket, a small slip of paper fell out.

He bent to pick it up—it was Wang Yangxin’s phone number and contact address.

After thinking for a moment, Qin Luo hailed a taxi. “Driver, to 118 Chaotian Road,” he said.

“Sure thing,” the driver replied, starting the engine.

Thanks to the driver’s helpful directions, Qin Luo easily found 118 Chaotian Road.

In fact, the place was hard to miss.

Amid a row of sleek, modern buildings stood a small, classic and exquisitely designed mansion.

It was built in the traditional style, with ornate eaves and painted beams, resplendent and grand.

Above the main entrance hung a large wooden plaque, inscribed in bold, sweeping calligraphy with three imposing words: Divine Needle Wang.

“The décor is impressive and the name is certainly attention-grabbing, but I wonder if there’s real skill inside,” Qin Luo mused as he stood at the entrance.

A hostess in a red cheongsam spotted him looking around and, assuming he was a guest, approached with a warm smile. “Sir, is there anything I can help you with?”

“Yes, you can help me,” Qin Luo replied. “Please find Wang Yangxin for me.”

“Wang Yangxin?” the hostess repeated, puzzled.

“You don’t know him?” Qin Luo asked, surprised. He pulled Wang Yangxin’s card from his pocket and pointed to the name. “This is the person.”

“Sir, may I ask what business you have with our Director Wang?” the hostess asked warily. The man’s clothes were odd, his speech was odd, and even his reason for coming seemed odd.

“I’m here to challenge him,” Qin Luo replied with a bright, open smile.