Chapter 73: Xiang Youyou

"I just said that your talent and skills are much better than hers. As for whether you can translate that into ultimate strength, it depends on your future efforts." Li Nianlong said with a non-committal attitude, "You're still young, don't rush into decisions. Think about it carefully, and it's best to discuss it with your parents. Because I really believe that you have a lot of talent and potential in basketball. It would be a pity if you don't pursue this path."

Pausing for a moment, Li Nianlong smiled and said, "Even if you can't make it in basketball, it doesn't matter. You're a girl, you can still find a good man to marry in the future, and live a worry-free life."

"Annoying, I'm still young!" Lin Jie's face turned red, she rolled her eyes lightly, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Then I'll go home and discuss it with my parents."

"Up to you." Li Nianlong smiled faintly. At this point, the dismissal bell rang. Li Nianlong took a sip of cold tea and said, "School's out, let's go!"

"Teacher Liu, you still haven't told me why you want to resign!" Lin Jie grabbed Li Nianlong's sleeve, "I've been holding back for a whole class, this time you can't escape."

Li Nianlong smiled helplessly, "It's all personal reasons, and besides, what difference would it make if I told you? You can't help me anyway."

"You should tell me first!" Lin Jie insisted, "How do you know if I can't help you if you don't tell me?"

"I really can't say." Li Nianlong said apologetically, removing Lin Jie's hand, "The reasons are a bit complicated, from various aspects. Anyway, thank you for your concern, but even if I'm no longer your teacher in the future, we'll still be good friends. Whenever you want to play basketball, just call me."

"Okay!" Although Lin Jie was somewhat unhappy that Li Nianlong refused to explain the reasons, she had to relent since Li Nianlong had already said so much. She pouted, "Don't lie to me, I'll still find you in the future."

Li Nianlong smiled and patted Lin Jie's shoulder, bidding each other farewell.

During this lunch break, Li Nianlong continued to work at the construction site. In the afternoon, he taught a class to the students of Class 2 of the second year, then returned to work at the construction site. After a day of intermittent work, Li Nianlong only gained 1 proficiency point.

Running between the school and the construction site during the day, mixing experience on the training ground at night, and honing skills and leveling up by fighting monsters in the early morning. This kind of life continued for five days. Finally, on the sixth day, the new teacher who replaced Li Nianlong arrived.

"Hello, I'm Xiang Youyou."

In the principal's office, Li Nianlong was quite surprised to see this female teacher who was several years younger than himself. He shook hands with her, saying, "Hello, I'm Li Nianlong."

Xiang Youyou, in her early twenties, stood tall at 1.73 meters with a slender figure. She had a neat ear-length haircut and was dressed in sportswear, exuding an air of confidence. However, her appearance was rather plain, which somewhat lowered her overall appeal.

A faint, sweet fragrance emanated from Xiang Youyou, and as Li Nianlong took a deep breath, he recognized it as the fragrance of a virgin.

Glancing at her aura, which emitted a white hue indicating she was a good person, Li Nianlong found it rare.

As Li Nianlong appraised Xiang Youyou, she was also sizing him up. 'Mr. Perfect' was her first impression—handsome, tall, and rich... He had the complete package, but would the 'rich' part match?

Seeing the mutual appraisal, the principal chuckled, "Teacher Liu, this is Teacher Xiang, a high-achieving graduate from the Sports College. I want you to help her familiarize herself with the school's work and environment in the next few days. Teacher Xiang, Teacher Liu is the most popular teacher among our students. Feel free to ask him anything you're unsure about. I believe you two can perfectly handle the handover."

Xiang Youyou smiled brightly, "Sure, I'll definitely seek guidance from Teacher Liu."

Li Nianlong felt a fondness for Xiang Youyou because good people always seemed likable. "Actually, the school's work isn't difficult. I believe Teacher Xiang will quickly become familiar with everything here."

"I hope so," Xiang Youyou nodded with a smile. Then she asked, "Teacher Liu, perhaps I shouldn't ask, but since the students adore you so much, why are you resigning?"

Faced with a question he had been asked countless times in recent days, Li Nianlong smiled faintly, "Various reasons, I suppose." Pausing for a moment, he continued, "The next class is a PE class for Class 3 of Grade 8. Principal, I'll take Teacher Xiang to familiarize herself with the environment."

The principal chuckled, "Sure, thanks Teacher Liu."

Leaving the principal's office, Li Nianlong and Xiang Youyou walked side by side towards the playground. Along the way, Li Nianlong introduced Xiang Youyou to the school's environment and the things to pay attention to during classes. Xiang Youyou listened attentively and asked questions when she didn't understand, to which Li Nianlong patiently provided answers. In just a short distance, they developed a further fondness for each other.

"Teacher Liu..." Arriving at the playground, Xiang Youyou sighed as she saw the students of Class 3 of Grade 8 chatting and laughing with Li Nianlong, while casting strange looks at her. "You really shouldn't resign. It's evident that the students like you a lot."

Li Nianlong smiled slightly, "Life always presents different choices, and there are things we can't control. Lin Dong! You mischievous brat, bullying others for having short legs again? Do you want me to saw off your legs?"

"Hehehe, Teacher Liu, I'm not bullying others for having short legs. I just feel like they waste money by needing to hem their pants." A boy with exceptionally long legs chuckled lasciviously.

Li Nianlong was furious, "That's unreasonable! Can you tolerate that, classmates?"

"No!" Dozens of mischievous kids shouted in unison.

"What are you waiting for then?" Li Nianlong pointed at Lin Dong, "Get him!"

The kids swarmed over and lifted up Lin Dong, who looked terrified. They ran towards the goal post, and when they reached it, they spread Lin Dong's legs apart and pressed them against the goal post. Then, they began to grind his legs against the post...

"Ahh... I give up! Spare me!" Lin Dong's 'agonized' cries echoed far and wide.

Seeing this incredible scene, Xiang Youyou was taken aback, "Teacher Liu, what is this?"

Li Nianlong chuckled, "The students are already tired from their academic classes. If they can't release some energy during PE class, wouldn't it be too pitiful?"

Xiang Youyou looked at Li Nianlong, who stood there with arms crossed and a smile on his face, and a hint of inexplicable admiration flashed in her eyes. She smiled faintly, "No wonder the students like you so much, Teacher Liu. I'm impressed."

"Don't say that," Li Nianlong waved his hand with a smile. "I'm just fooling around. After all, I've been through their age, and I know what students of this age face. Heavy academic workload has made these kids suffer enough. I just want them to know that school isn't just about pain; there's also joy."

As he said this, Li Nianlong looked at Xiang Youyou very seriously and earnestly pleaded, "Teacher Xiang, I hope that after I leave, you'll also treat these kids well—not as students, but as friends. Because no matter who it is, there are some things you can only say to a friend."

Looking at Li Nianlong's solemn expression, Xiang Youyou nodded with a hint of hesitation, "I'll do my best. After all, I'm new here, and I'm not familiar with these kids. I don't know if they'll accept me?"

Xiang Youyou's reaction and response pleased Li Nianlong greatly. If she had readily agreed, he would have worried.

"Don't worry!" Li Nianlong smiled and said, "These kids are descendants of the disbanded Heavenly Garrison, just like their elders. They're straightforward and passionate teenagers. As long as you treat them sincerely, they'll reciprocate with sincerity."

Patting Xiang Youyou on the shoulder, Li Nianlong said, "If I can do it, I believe Teacher Xiang can too." Pausing, Li Nianlong grinned, "And if you ever encounter something you can't solve, feel free to give me a call. Even if I'm no longer a teacher, I can still offer you some assistance."

Xiang Youyou responded with a bright laugh, "It's a deal then. But I don't have a mobile phone yet. Teacher Liu, please give me your phone number. I'll call you when I get one in the future."

"It's rare to find someone without a mobile phone these days!" Li Nianlong remarked with mild surprise, his lips curling into a smile. He proceeded to recite his phone number. To his amazement, Xiang Youyou, with her remarkable memory, repeated it accurately after hearing it just once.

"Teacher Liu!" From a distance, Lin Jie's voice carried over. Li Nianlong turned around to see Lin Jie bounding towards him like a joyful fawn. Arriving before Li Nianlong, she beamed, "Teacher Liu, I have some good news to share with you."