An Unexpected Opportunity

Wang Yi paused, startled by the words. A moment later, a chuckle escaped him. His eyes, often likened to fierce tiger’s bells in theatrical tales, softened considerably, his hearty laughter imbued with an unexpected warmth and even a touch of paternal kindness.

Had any other students been present, they would undoubtedly have rubbed their eyes in disbelief, wondering if their vision had failed them.

After all, ever since Wang Yi joined the faculty, the title of ‘Fenghua High’s Fiercest Teacher’ had been irrevocably etched upon him, a reputation none dared to challenge.

“You’re a rather interesting child,”

After his amusement subsided, Wang Yi bore no anger towards Jiang Zhe. Though he found Jiang Zhe’s boasts exaggerated—how could such a scrawny, ‘weak chicken’ possibly defeat him?—he mused that if Jiang Zhe continued to employ underhanded tactics, the outcome truly remained uncertain.

While Jiang Zhe’s underhanded tricks were unconventional and scorned in competitive sports, their practicality was undeniable. On a battlefield or during a mission, they could maximize one’s self-preservation.

Moreover, Jiang Zhe’s learning ability was astonishingly potent, allowing him to seamlessly adapt and integrate such methods.

The more Wang Yi pondered, the more his heart burned with eagerness. He yearned to grab Jiang Zhe by the collar, urging him to abandon his studies and enlist in the army to serve the nation.

Such a talent, remaining at Fenghua High, was nothing short of a loss—like a bird with broken wings, choosing the wrong stage to display its prowess, leading to a regrettable waste.

“Teacher, may I continue to learn from you in the future? I also wish to train my body.”

As expected, Wang Yi showed no sign of anger. Seizing the opportunity, Jiang Zhe pressed on, eager to finalize his training arrangements swiftly.

His current body was simply too frail; it hindered him in every endeavor.

Yet, he wasn’t naturally weak. His condition stemmed merely from a lack of exercise, and given his youth, he could absolutely grow strong.

“No problem at all! I’ll discuss it with your homeroom teacher. There’s no need to attend classes; you can report to me daily from now on. I’ll have you in top shape within half a month.”

It was as if a pillow had appeared just as he felt sleepy. Jiang Zhe had, unexpectedly, walked right into his trap. Wang Yi excitedly slapped his thigh.

He had already begun to formulate a plan in his mind: first, he would build up Jiang Zhe’s physique. Then, sending him to the military for further training would allow for quicker adaptation, preventing any thoughtless individuals from provoking him.

The thought of Jiang Zhe making a name for himself in the army filled Wang Yi with pride. He imagined himself as the ‘benevolent mentor,’ making all his retired comrades green with envy.

However, as Wang Yi revelled in his increasingly pleasant fantasies, Jiang Zhe frowned.

He scrutinized the expression on Wang Yi’s face, connecting it with the words just spoken. Suddenly, he realized that events were not unfolding as he had envisioned, but had taken an unexpected turn.

‘This PE teacher wouldn’t actually want to package me up and send me away, would he?’ His current demeanor bore a striking resemblance to Jiang Dad’s back then, as if he couldn’t wait for Jiang Zhe to inherit his mantle.

‘That won’t do!’

With this thought, Jiang Zhe immediately grew wary. “There’s no need for such trouble. Besides physical training, I also enjoy reading to enrich my knowledge. I still aspire to attend university in the future!”

Before transmigrating into the game, Jiang Zhe had vehemently refused and tried every trick to sneak away, even going so far as to break ties with Jiang Dad rather than join the army. Now that he was in the game, he naturally wouldn’t meekly compromise.

While both paths led to becoming a pillar of the nation, Jiang Zhe preferred to accumulate substantial wealth and connections. This would ensure a more comfortable life for himself; enjoying a rich existence was far more suited to him than a hail of bullets.

“University?”

Indeed, upon hearing Jiang Zhe’s reluctance to abandon his studies, Wang Yi’s eyes widened, and he clenched his fists. A timid person would have long since been trembling and panicking.

Yet, Jiang Zhe remained calmly rooted to the spot, completely unfazed by Wang Yi’s reaction.

He had sought out the PE teacher merely to avoid suspicion when fighting in the future. However, this did not grant Wang Yi the right to dictate his future path.

Worst case, if Wang Yi refused, he would simply find someone else. There wasn’t only one option.

“Yes, I believe learning is endless. I want to continue my studies to become a talent, and then contribute to the nation’s development.”

Naturally, Jiang Zhe chose not to be blunt, instead speaking with delicate circumspection.

These words improved Wang Yi’s mood somewhat. However, out of regret for such a promising young talent, he still did not want to give up on persuading Jiang Zhe, urging him not to choose the wrong path.

A child barely in their teens could not yet be responsible for their own future. This was when an adult needed to step in.

Wang Yi had initially believed he would live a mediocre life teaching a bunch of snot-nosed kids in high school. But unexpectedly, when God closed one door, he opened a window. Now, he was full of drive, and besides Jiang Zhe, he wanted to discover even more promising talents.

He had been mistaken before; guiding more promising individuals was far more important than working alone.

“Jiang Zhe, do you realize what an immense opportunity lies before you? Beyond anything else, with my background, I can recommend you for military enlistment. You wouldn’t have to start from the bottom, climbing your way up; instead, you’d be fast-tracked to higher ranks.”

Seeing that one approach was ineffective, Wang Yi decisively switched tactics, resorting to temptation.

Whether in the military or society, a stepping stone was crucial. It allowed one to bypass an awkward initial phase and advance without obstacles.

Wang Yi observed Jiang Zhe’s expression begin to soften, sensing an opening. He continued to dangle bait, “Perhaps you don’t know me well. Besides my personal military honors, there’s my family! The Wang family of the capital—who doesn’t know them? My uncles and brothers are involved in both military and political spheres, and their positions are not low.”

When discussing his family, Wang Yi felt a slight awkwardness. He wasn’t one to leverage family influence, but to ‘abduct’… ahem, to persuade Jiang Zhe, bait was necessary.

Fortunately, the awkwardness faded quickly once the words were out.

Wang Yi regrouped, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Jiang Zhe, offering an irresistible benefit: “If you agree to my recommendation for the military, I can guarantee you a smooth future, and the Wang family will become your unwavering support.”

These words pierced Jiang Zhe’s ears, leaving him momentarily stunned, almost at a loss for words.

He had merely wanted to find someone to help him train.

How did this suddenly involve the Wang family?

Jiang Zhe was not unfamiliar with the Wang family Wang Yi spoke of. One of the five male leads in this romance game was a direct descendant of that very family.

Due to their immense family power, this character was notoriously arrogant and unrestrained, aggressively pursuing the female lead and often clashing with the other male leads. Yet, he was ultimately softened by the female lead and willingly joined her harem.

The thought of the ridiculously painful game plot made Jiang Zhe’s head ache once more.

He decided not to dwell on it. More important matters demanded his attention now.

Initially, Jiang Zhe had considered simply discarding this obstinate PE teacher. However, upon discovering his significant background, only a fool would choose to let go. This was a grand opportunity!

After all, for Wang Yi to speak of using his family’s power to promote him indicated he was a direct bloodline. Moreover, unlike the game’s male lead who hadn’t even graduated, Wang Yi was a man of accomplishments and military honors.

He held influence within the Wang family and was an elder to the game’s male lead. If Jiang Zhe could win Wang Yi over to his side, he would have a trump card when facing the other male leads in the future.

Jiang Zhe didn’t believe he could go it alone. He had already met Lin Moshu, and three other male leads had yet to appear. The moment he decided to ally with Ning Ran, he had prepared himself to contend with both the male and female leads.

Therefore, Wang Yi, this potential shield, absolutely could not be let go. A method had to be found.