Shifting his attention back on the current situation. Xie Yang also felt conflicted.
Should he tear off his mask early or show his white lotus act now and get his husband to deal with this witch later?
Truly, what a dilemma!
Xie Yang made eye contact with Mrs. Sheng and noticed the glimmer of hope in her eyes.
Hmmm? The look of hope in Mrs. Sheng's eyes is quite annoying. It's as if it's begging me to dash those hopes and witness what her despair filled face looks like.
Out of all the things Xie Yang is, being forgiving isn't one of them. In fact, he holds deep grudges and is very petty. Since Mrs. Sheng decided to cross him, her outcome was bound to be ugly.
Whether it was the him of the past or the him from the future, he would have made sure of that.
Ultimately, Xie Yang decided to do a mix of both options. Acting like a white lotus while dragging her down and getting his husband to deal with her later if she dared to retaliate.
'Wow! aren't I a genius?' Xie Yang asked in a jubilant tone.
'Truly! The smartest one yet!' Leo praised, half sarcastically, half sincerely.
"Principal sir, it's not Mrs. Sheng's fault that she thought I cheated. Actually, I had solved this question in a competition before and remembered how to solve it." Xie Yang remarked in a steady voice.
"Oh! Were you the one who originally solved it?" Principal Ye asked, pleasantly surprised.
"Yes, actually I participated under a different name. Maybe that's why, Mrs. Sheng didn't recognize it." Xie Yang explained nodding, with a flush climbing up his cheeks.
He looked obviously embarrassed about being caught doing a private hobby.
"Well then, that solves the cheating allegations. As the allegation of talking back to teacher, just make sure it doesn't happen in the future." Principal Ye said in a firm tone though it betrayed the pride hidden in his voice.
He was clearly pleased that Xie Yang solved such a complex question at his age. If it were to spread to everyone then the school's prestige was guaranteed to increase.
This thought made Principal Ye even more reassured in his decision to take Xie Yang's side.
"Then Xie Yang, how would you like to deal with this matter?" Principal Ye inquired in a softened tone.
Xie Yang's face changed from a contemplating look to a hesitant one. He'd open his mouth to say something but then close without uttering a single word. He closed his eyes and tilted his up for second before bringing it back down and opening his eyes filled with a sense of determination.
Everyone present saw his expressions and immediately knew he's thinking hard about whether to blame Mrs. Sheng or not. Clearly trying to chose between keeping the peace for exacting justice.
Seeing Xie Yang's changing expression made Mrs. Sheng felt like there was a sword hanging above her neck and she didn't know when it would fall. Xie Yang's silence made her extremely anxious about what decision he'd make.
She felt like her hope was having the same up-downs as Xie Yang's facial expressions. Unable to fully extinguish in case he gets softhearted and unable to stay strong in case he decides this to be the straw that broke the camel's back.
"Principal sir, I'd like for Mrs. Sheng to not teach our class anymore and have a different science teacher to teach us." Xie Yang said in a determined voice.
Then as if worried that his words maybe taken the wrong way, he hurriedly explained, "It's not that Mrs. Sheng is a bad teacher, it's just that her teaching is a bit too sophisticated for us and our doubts seem low level to her."
Though it was evident that he meant well, his words unintentionally cut deep.
Everyone present was well aware that the "sophisticated lessons" were just half-assed lessons and the "low level doubts" were basic doubts which arose due to her halfhearted teaching.
Hearing his explanation further angered Principal Ye. Although the students were about to give the CSAT and shouldn't face any changes for fear of disrupting their mind, removing Mrs. Sheng might actually do more harm than good.
Of course, the effect this would have on Mrs. Sheng's reputation in clear to all.
Being forced to leave a class, especially one with two of the toppers of the whole grade when the students are about face the biggest exam of their whole lives is going to be a shameful stain in her career.
And if the students performed better with the new teacher, it would be like adding insult to her injury. Elevating the reputation of the new teacher while demoting hers.
Besides that, just the fact that she bullied Xie Yang so much so that even he lashed out and request for a different teacher would be a serious blow, further deepening her notoriety.
Even though Mrs. Sheng expected this, she still felt a wave of despair with her little hope being dashed so cruelly. She wanted to speak out and reprimand Xie Yang but she caught Principal Ye's gaze full of displeasure towards her so she restrained herself.
She really regretted not agreeing to settle this privately. As if her transfer wasn't enough of a show, now with the students of 3-C this matter was sure to spread even more.
'Damn it! Xie Yang! This brat! He didn't say anything about being the original solver before but now brought it up in front of the principal unprompted! He must have been waiting for me slip up so that he can catch me and get me punished!' Mrs. Sheng thought hatefully while glaring at Xie Yang with red eyes.
She still refused accept that if she hadn't been pulling these stunts in the first place then Xie Yang would have no reason or evidence to attack her.
But if she could accept it then of course, she wouldn't be our Mrs. Sheng.