Chapter 6: The Director of Instruction

“She’s certainly striking—a pair of small eyes behind oversized glasses, lips painted a blazing crimson, her otherwise decent face caked with foundation. No matter how you look at her, she just gives off a vibe that makes you want to mess with her.”

“Hello, you’re new here, aren’t you? I don’t think I’ve seen you before.” The woman with flaming red lips swayed her way over to Chen Erpao, her alluring hips clashing utterly with that thoroughly annoying expression. It was a true eyesore.

“Hello, my name is Erpao. I’m the new security guard.” Chen Erpao smiled politely as he replied.

“Erpao—ha!” The woman burst out laughing without the slightest restraint. “So your name is Erpao. Does that mean your father is Dapao?”

“That’s right. My father’s name is Dapao.” A vein twitched on Chen Erpao’s forehead as he answered, at a loss for words. Erpao and Dapao—a formidable duo if ever there was one. What’s so funny about that?

“Haha, my name is Li Meili. I’m the Dean of Students here. You’d better work hard—among all the security guards, you’re the most dashing.” As she spoke, Li Meili’s cheeks actually flushed with a faint blush, which gave Chen Erpao quite a fright. He quickly made up an excuse about needing to use the bathroom and slipped away—who could say what might happen if he stayed any longer?

No sooner had he returned to the security office from the restroom than Wang Xing sidled over with a knowing grin.

“What’s up with that look? Staring at me like that—I’m telling you, I don’t swing that way,” Chen Erpao said, crossing his arms and retreating in mock alarm.

“I know you don’t swing that way. You’re only into ‘chicks,’ right? Heh, I just saw you with Li Meili—she was smiling at you so sweetly, there’s definitely something going on between you two.” Wang Xing couldn’t stop snickering.

“Li Meili—oh, you mean that woman who calls herself the Dean of Students? Who’d have thought, even in her thirties she’s kept herself in great shape. I wouldn’t mind a fling with her, but she doesn’t seem interested in me. She only spoke to me just now to ask me to tell you that she’ll be waiting for you at the back hill of the school at ten tonight. If you hadn’t mentioned her, I’d have forgotten all about it.” Chen Erpao spoke with such seriousness that even as Wang Xing stared at him wide-eyed, he continued in the same calm, unhurried tone.

“Waiting for me? That can’t be right! Li Meili’s famous in the school as an old maid, nicknamed the ‘Abbess of Extinction’—she’s always kept people at arm’s length. Why would she suddenly...?” Wang Xing muttered, deeply perplexed.

Chen Erpao quickly turned away, grinning smugly to himself.

“Try to fool me, will you? I’ll make sure you learn what Brother Pao is capable of—how else am I supposed to keep my reputation?” He forced himself to stop smiling and put on a serious face once more.

“Maybe she wants to talk to you about work. Anyway, I’m not lying—whether you go or not is up to you. But if you don’t and she makes things hard for you later, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“You’re definitely making this up! No way.” Wang Xing still didn’t quite believe him.

Just as Chen Erpao was wondering how to respond, Li Meili appeared again not far away at the school’s bulletin board.

“You don’t believe me? Fine, since she’s right over there, I’ll go ask her again, just to see if I heard her wrong.” With that, Chen Erpao dashed out of the security office.

Li Meili was posting a notice on the bulletin board when she saw Chen Erpao striding toward her. His somewhat disheveled hair and scruffy mustache made him look oddly seductive, and his sturdy figure only added to the effect. The place she’d managed to keep untouched for thirty years felt a sudden, subtle stirring.

“Miss Meili—oh, sorry, Director Li. I was so taken aback by your beauty and grace that I misspoke. I hope you don’t mind.” When it came to dealing with enemies, Chen Erpao could be ruthless, but when it came to women, he revealed another side—a blend of steel and tenderness, as people say.

“No problem. When it’s just the two of us, you can call me Meili—I like it when people do. But I’m not quite ready to be called a woman by others just yet, because I...” Her voice trailed off to a whisper that only she could hear.

“Strange powers, old maid, and the Abbess of Extinction—all combined in one incredible woman,” Chen Erpao thought to himself. “Sister, you’re a legend.”

“Meili, as a security guard at this school, I feel responsible for these future blossoms of our nation. Just now at the gate, I overheard two female students arranging a fight—they said they’d each bring their own group to the back hill at ten tonight to settle things. I rushed over to tell you. Of course, I only heard them talking—I can’t guarantee they’ll really show up.” Chen Erpao spoke with righteous conviction, and Li Meili couldn’t help but look at him a little longer.

“You’ve done very well—truly a model among our school’s security staff. I’ll be sure to praise you to the principal. If anything comes up, don’t hesitate to come to me. Even if there’s nothing, you can… come to me privately, too.” Li Meili blushed shyly; ten years younger and she might have bloomed like a morning glory in spring.

“Meili, I know you’re always diligent and responsible in your work, worrying so much for these students. They don’t understand you and gossip behind your back, yet you keep working hard on the front lines of education. You’re an outstanding educator, and I’ll strive to learn from you.” Chen Erpao didn’t know how he managed to say so much. Even the school’s infamous old maid, the Abbess of Extinction, seemed to melt before him. Ah, the allure of a charismatic man—how many must envy him!

“You’re wonderful—the only man who truly understands me. I’ll remember you for the rest of my life.” Li Meili was so moved that, thankfully, she didn’t offer herself to him on the spot, or Chen Erpao’s “cannon” might have been in trouble.

Seeing the springtime light in Li Meili’s gaze, Chen Erpao knew it was time to retreat, or things might really get out of hand.

“Meili, my colleague Xiao Wang has something he wants to ask you. I’ll call him over.” Chen Erpao gestured toward Wang Xing in the security office, a hint of smugness flickering across his face.

Soon enough, Wang Xing appeared, glancing shyly at Li Meili, unsure how to begin.

“Director Li, Xiao Wang wants to ask if you’ll be at the back hill at ten tonight. He’ll get there early and wait for you—it’s safer that way. It wouldn’t be right for a lady to be there alone.” Chen Erpao jumped in immediately.

“Director Li, is what Brother Pao said true?” Wang Xing asked, embarrassed—he never expected this upright ex-soldier to have such a side.

Li Meili had no idea she’d been dragged into Chen Erpao’s prank as the unwitting heroine, so she replied offhandedly, “Of course it’s true. You’d better get there early tonight—it’s better to do it together. When you arrive, hide first, and wait for me. I don’t want things to get noisy too soon.”

“Ah…” Wang Xing was startled—Li Meili’s words couldn’t have sounded more direct to his ears.