Chapter 33: The Crowd Concedes

"Wow, the campus belle solved it!"
"Haha! The campus belle really figured it out."
"I told you, there’s no way she couldn’t solve it."

As the students celebrated Takagi Qiu’s solution, Jiang Xiaofei’s expression remained cold as he said, "She didn’t solve a damn thing."

"What?" His words left the students stunned.

Takagi Qiu furrowed her brows, looking at Jiang Xiaofei. "Are you saying I got it wrong?"

"Of course you did," Jiang Xiaofei replied flatly. "And your entire process is wrong as well."

Takagi Qiu couldn’t believe it. "How is that possible?"

The students were also shocked to hear this. Takagi Qiu was their class’s top student, after all, and had never made a mistake on a problem before. How could she possibly be wrong now?

Jiang Xiaofei saw their reactions and said coolly, "Do you think I’d lie to you?"

The students fell silent. Truthfully, they were beginning to suspect Jiang Xiaofei was just being difficult because they themselves couldn’t solve the problem and couldn’t refute him.

At that moment, Zhou Shiqin, passing by outside, laughed and said, "Professor Jiang is absolutely right. The answer Takagi gave is not the correct one."

"What, it’s really wrong?" The students were even more taken aback upon hearing Zhou Shiqin’s words.

Jiang Xiaofei glanced outside at the departing Zhou Shiqin, then turned to the class with a smile. "Did you hear that? Even Principal Zhou said the answer is wrong."

The students nodded repeatedly. "If Principal Zhou says it’s wrong, then we believe you, Professor Jiang."

Jiang Xiaofei said nothing more, his gaze returning to Takagi Qiu. He asked in a detached tone, "Anything else you’d like to say?"

Takagi Qiu’s face was expressionless. "Nothing to say."

Jiang Xiaofei frowned. "If you have nothing to say, then sit down. Don’t embarrass yourself any further."

"You..." Takagi Qiu felt a surge of discomfort at his words, gave a cold snort, and stepped down from the podium.

As soon as she sat down, the students eagerly asked, "Professor Jiang, so how should this problem be solved?"

"It’s quite simple," Jiang Xiaofei replied, erasing Takagi Qiu’s answer. He picked up a piece of chalk and wrote out the solution.

It took only a few succinct steps.

After a moment’s contemplation, the students suddenly realized the answer. It all made sense now, but more than that, they felt their thinking had broadened as well.

Takagi Qiu stared at the blackboard, furious with herself. Such an easy problem—how had she not seen it?

She couldn’t help but sink her mind into her sea of consciousness. She glared at the black cluster of energy swirling at its center and said coldly, "Aren’t you supposed to know everything? How did you give me the wrong answer? Don’t you realize this made me lose face in front of everyone?"

A woman’s voice echoed in her mind, "That was purely an accident. If I’d recovered my strength, this never would’ve happened."

"Don’t give me that," Takagi Qiu snapped. "If it weren’t for you, would I have lost part of my memory?"

The woman laughed. "Don’t be angry. Right now, we’re one and the same. We should be figuring things out together. Remember, only with me will you have true power."

Takagi Qiu took a breath to steady herself, then asked, "This Professor Jiang is always targeting me. Do you have any way to help me deal with him?"

The woman replied, "He’s just a mere Mystic-tier mage. Once my strength is restored, killing him will be as easy as squashing an ant."

"I mean right now," Takagi Qiu said.

"Right now it’s too difficult," the woman admitted, "but making him suffer a little is not impossible."

Takagi Qiu nodded. "Good enough."

On the podium, Jiang Xiaofei swept his gaze over the students and asked with a smile, "Convinced now?"

The students chorused, "Professor Jiang, you’re incredible. We’re convinced."

He smiled. "And the promise you made earlier, does it still stand?"

"It stands," the students replied in unison.

"Good." Jiang Xiaofei nodded, satisfied. "There’s nothing else right now. You may self-study. Don’t cause any trouble, or you’ll bear the consequences."

"Yes, sir." The students replied, opening their textbooks and pretending to study diligently.

Jiang Xiaofei turned to Takagi Qiu with a smile. "Miss Takagi, would you step outside for a moment? I have something to ask you."

Takagi Qiu frowned. "What is it?"

"Just come out," Jiang Xiaofei said, stepping out of the classroom.

Takagi Qiu hesitated, then rose and followed him out under the curious gazes of her classmates.

Outside, Jiang Xiaofei leaned against the wall, about to speak, when a male voice called out, "Takagi, you’re just in time."

Takagi Qiu looked over, and Jiang Xiaofei also frowned as a handsome young man in a white shirt came running up in a panic.

"Takagi, something terrible happened!" the young man shouted as he ran.

Takagi Qiu frowned. "Lin Xiaofeng, what is it? Speak up."

Lin Xiaofeng caught his breath and blurted out, "Xie Xuanzuan got into a fight with people from the Monster Class on the sports field!"

Takagi Qiu’s frown deepened. "How did that happen?"

"It’s a long story, Takagi. You’d better go see for yourself. If we don’t hurry, someone might get seriously hurt!"

Hearing this, Takagi Qiu grew anxious. "Then hurry and take me!"

"Wait, I’ll call a few more classmates." Lin Xiaofeng turned to head into the classroom, but Jiang Xiaofei grabbed his shoulder and said coldly, "What are you doing? Can’t you see everyone is studying?"

Lin Xiaofeng raised an eyebrow. "And who are you?"

Takagi Qiu quickly spoke up, "This is the new Professor Jiang."

Lin Xiaofeng sneered, "I don’t care who you are. If you delay me, you’ll regret it. Take your filthy hand off me."

Inside, the students had already stood up, watching the commotion outside. Seeing Lin Xiaofeng arguing with Professor Jiang and threatening him, most felt worried for Lin Xiaofeng.

But there were exceptions—Lin Tianfeng, for example. He had often clashed with Lin Xiaofeng before, and seeing him run afoul of Professor Jiang now gave him some satisfaction.

Outside, Jiang Xiaofei’s fury flared at Lin Xiaofeng’s words. "What did you just say? If you have the guts, say it again."

Lin Xiaofeng replied impatiently, "I said you’re nothing but a mongrel blocking my way."

"Damn it." Jiang Xiaofei was truly enraged. He raised his hand to slap Lin Xiaofeng, but Takagi Qiu quickly pulled Lin Xiaofeng behind her, and Jiang Xiaofei’s blow missed.

Takagi Qiu stood protectively in front of Lin Xiaofeng, watching Jiang Xiaofei warily while urging Lin Xiaofeng, "Don’t bother with him—just hurry up and help Xie Xuanzuan."

Even then, Lin Xiaofeng was still brash. He glared at Jiang Xiaofei and said, "I’ll remember this. I’ll make you pay later."

With that, Lin Xiaofeng swaggered off with Takagi Qiu toward the stairs. As they went, he turned to add, "Stick around after school, if you dare."

Jiang Xiaofei didn’t bother to respond. He stepped into the classroom and barked at the students, "What are you all staring at? There’s nothing to see."

The students immediately took their seats.

Just then, Li Xiaofang stood up and said, "Professor Jiang, Xie Xuanzuan is being bullied. Please let us go help her."

Another student chimed in, "That’s right! Please let us go, Professor."

Jiang Xiaofei’s expression was stern. "I understand how you feel, but group fighting is unacceptable."

The students looked disappointed.

Jiang Xiaofei took note of their reactions and smiled. "However, anyone who dares lay a hand on my students is challenging me. Naturally, I won’t stand by and do nothing."

"That’s great," the students exclaimed, excitement flaring as they prepared to rush out. But Jiang Xiaofei suddenly shouted, "Sit down and stay put."

The students were puzzled. "But Professor Jiang, didn’t you just agree? Why are you making us stay?"

He smiled, "I haven’t finished speaking. What’s the rush?"

Relieved, the students pressed, "Please continue, Professor Jiang."

He explained, "When we get to the field, no one is to act on their own. Is that clear?"

The students answered in unison, "We’ll follow your lead, Professor Jiang."