Chapter 49: Chapter 49 The Outcast Jiang Cheng

Translator: 549690339

Ma Yu hadn’t expected that Principal Yang, who was usually very serious, would be so amenable today.

Given a way out by the principal, Ma Yu had to quickly seize it.

“Principal, why don’t we just go ahead with the photo without waiting for Jiang Cheng.”

Seeing Jiang Cheng at a disadvantage, Chen Shuai in the back row was overjoyed and immediately started to egg on, “Exactly! Why wait for Jiang Cheng if he doesn’t want to come? Mr. Ma, let’s take the picture quickly!”

As soon as Yang Lingbao heard this, his expression turned stern.

He was the principal and normally didn’t have to be hands-on with everything. He came out in the scorching sun for the photo session today just for Jiang Cheng, the Talisman-drawing genius.

The boy was highly valued by Lei Buxiao and Lu Wang, and was bound to be a powerhouse in the future; it was essential to invest in him now.

If Jiang Cheng were to achieve great things in the Helmsman Realm, then Wuyue Advanced Middle School could use his graduation photo for publicity.

If this principal character Jiang Cheng didn’t show up, then there was no point in taking a photo at all!

Already feeling irritable about the wait, Yang Lingbao found an outlet for his frustration when Chen Shuai stuck his neck out: “Who was just badmouthing their classmate? Was it you? You’re Chen Shuai, right? I think you have too much energy to burn. Out you go, run two laps around the athletic field. Cool down your brain.”

Chen Shuai: ???

Chen Shuai, on the field, was cursing his luck. It was Jiang Cheng who was late, so why was he the one being punished?

Is there no logic in this world anymore?

However, Chen Shuai soon stopped feeling gloomy.

Because halfway through his run, he suddenly noticed his dream girl, the goddess admired by all the male cultivators in the entire advanced middle school—Lin Yao—standing in the shadows beneath the bleachers of the athletic field.

Including Lin Yao, the students of Class Four who had just finished taking their pictures hadn’t left yet, and it was unclear what they were up to.

But it didn’t matter to Chen Shuai, he didn’t care about Class Four; he only cared about Lin Yao.

With Lin Yao standing by the field, Chen Shuai’s limbs suddenly filled with strength, and he ran with even more vigor.

Yet Lin Yao paid absolutely no attention to Chen Shuai; she was sending a message to Cao Wang using a communication talisman.

Lin Yao: Where’s Jiang Cheng?

Cao Wang: Almost at the school gate.

This guy, he’s been kept waiting for so long and he’s still not hurrying up!

Lin Yao couldn’t help but complain about Jiang Cheng.

The reason Class Four hadn’t left was that Zhou Yiwen from Class Four was planning to treat everybody to a meal. Considering that Classes Three and Four had the same homeroom teacher and were all classmates, and since Zhou Yiwen was known not to be short on cash, he decided to treat everyone.

That was the official reason.

The truth was, Zhou Yiwen wanted to use the dinner invitation for the whole class as an excuse to ask Lin Yao out.

As it turned out, Lin Yao said she would go if Class Three went.

Having no choice, Zhou Yiwen contacted Wang Ze, the class president of Class Three.

Class Three was currently preparing for their photo session, so it wasn’t convenient to discuss going out to eat, and thus the matter was left hanging, waiting to be settled after Jiang Cheng arrived.

As countless eyes were eagerly waiting, Jiang Cheng jogged over to the school plaza where the photo was being taken.

Although he ran quickly, his breathing and steps were impeccably steady and graceful.

The homeroom teacher, Ma Yu, caught Jiang Cheng on the spot and scolded, “You little rascal, you’ve really made me angry! Don’t be late again next time!”

Jiang Cheng pondered for a moment before rationally analyzing, “Mr. Ma, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. But I don’t recall the photo session being mentioned in the schedule for returning to school, right? Since it wasn’t mentioned, how can we define what’s ‘late’ or ‘not late’?”

Ma Yu was momentarily at a loss for words, caught off guard by Jiang Cheng.

He certainly couldn’t say, “Because everyone’s waiting for you, you’re late.”

By that logic, if everyone arrives early and you show up on time, does that mean you’re ‘late’ because you’re punctual?

Isn’t that absurd?

At that moment, Yang Lingbao intervened, “Stop fussing, let’s take the photo quickly. The students are all getting anxious.”

With the support of Principal Yang’s words, Ma Yu said assertively, “This time the principal has spoken and let you off the hook. Go get in line.”

“Mr. Ma, you misunderstand, I was telling you to stop making a fuss,” Yang Lingbao said firmly.

Ma Yu: ?

Ma Yu tried to explain, “No, Principal, he was late, and I was just trying to give him a little education.”

Yang Lingbao said sternly, “Where was he late? It’s clearly your mistake for not informing everyone of the exact time for the graduation photo. It’s normal for Student Jiang to have other things and arrive a little late. Is there a problem with that?”

Ma Yu: “But Principal, the school didn’t specify a time for the graduation photo either. How could I notify them?”

Yang Lingbao: “Who do you think is at fault if the school didn’t announce it?”

“Alright, let’s get on with the photo. This student, go stand in the back,” the vice principal spoke up.

But then Yang Lingbao added, “There’s no more room in the back, Jiang Cheng, come sit beside me. Right here.”

It took a moment for Ma Yu to realize and he then asked, “Principal, if Jiang Cheng sits here, where do I sit?”

“You’re tall, go squeeze in with the students at the back. As a homeroom teacher, you should learn to blend in with the students.”

Ma Yu: ???

With Lin Yao in mind, Chen Shuai forgot how many laps he had run until the photo session was over and everyone started to disperse. That was when Chen Shuai suddenly remembered something very important.

“Damn! I haven’t taken a picture yet?”

After Class Three scattered, Zhou Yiwen led Class Four to find Class Three.

Wang Ze, the monitor of Class Three, began tallying up the number of people attending the dinner as agreed upon with Zhou Yiwen.

“Jiang, are you coming to the dinner?” Cao Wang asked.

Jiang Cheng said, “I’m not.”

“Why not?”

“Just took on a new mission, a bit busy.”

“It’s the last high school reunion, come have some fun, especially since it’s Mr. Zhou who’s treating,” Cao Wang persuaded.

Cao Wang was somewhat cowardly, and if Jiang Cheng didn’t go, neither would he, which was a pity since it meant missing out on freeloading off Zhou Yiwen.

Jiang Cheng was about to come up with a reason to decline when Lin Yao suddenly appeared at his side.

“Jiang, Yao’er is going too.”

Lin Yao blinked her large eyes at Jiang Cheng.

The enchantress is going…

Now there was no need to think of an excuse.

“Cao, I’ve got something else to do, I’m heading off first.”

Jiang Cheng promptly made a swift exit.

So quick that even Lin Yao was caught off guard.

Having had the experience where Jiang Cheng previously made a written commitment to her, Lin Yao thought he wouldn’t run away this time.

But he ran away again!

“Jiang! Jiang! Jiang Cheng!”

Lin Yao clenched her delicate hands and, annoyed, she stomped her little foot.

She had woken up early today, spent half the day dressing up nicely, and Jiang Cheng didn’t even want to take a second glance at her.

It was so frustrating!

“Yao’er, most of Class Three are going to the dinner, shall we go now?”

Zhou Yiwen approached Lin Yao.

Lin Yao gave him a glance and said angrily, “I’m not eating. If Jiang Cheng isn’t going, I’m not going either! And another thing, ‘Yao’er’ is not for you to call. Please keep to yourself, Zhou.”

After saying that, Lin Yao left Zhou Yiwen standing there and walked away from the school without looking back.

“Lin? Lin?”

Zhou Yiwen felt quite distressed. He had gone to great lengths to organize a reunion mainly to connect with Lin Yao, only to find he couldn’t even get her to attend.

And what exactly did “If Jiang Cheng doesn’t go, she won’t go” mean?

Could it be…

Those paying attention to Jiang Cheng and Lin Yao weren’t limited to Zhou Yiwen.

Xie Linshan walked up to Zhou Yiwen and said, “Zhou, you probably can’t win over Lin Yao anymore.”

Tang Qian had seen the signs early on, but when she had spoken before, Mr. Zhou simply didn’t believe her. Now she had no choice but to advise him again, “Yiwen, stop thinking about Lin Yao. She’s not going to like you. I’m your girlfriend, after all.”

Chen Shuai arrived at the scene, on the verge of tears: “I can understand Lin Yao not liking me and wealthy Mr. Zhou, but why on earth does she have feelings for Jiang Cheng!”

Chen Shuai’s words indeed echoed the sentiments of many male cultivators.

Yeah, why Jiang Cheng, anyway!? We all go out of our way to chat up Lin, but she’s the one who approaches him. Not only does he fail to appreciate it, he actually snubs her.

What gives him the right?

Such a balance disruptor, can’t he die off first?

At that moment, Cao Wang touched his nose.

“Is there a chance that Lin Yao actually likes me?”

Everyone: …

Zhou Yiwen patted Cao Wang’s shoulder: “Then I’d rather she liked Jiang Cheng. At least Jiang Cheng is indeed quite handsome.”

Cao Wang: ?

What do you mean by that, dude?