This time Mrs. Sheng truly outdid herself, writing a programming question on the board.
Turning back at the students to see the incredulous look in their eyes made Mrs Sheng tilt her face upwards in a complacent manner.
The science representative, Sun Shirong raised his hand and tried to interfere, "Teacher Sheng, you seem to have a made a mistake. This the science class, not the computer class. The question on the board isn't related to our subject."
Mrs. Sheng glared at Sun Shirong and disdainfully admonished, "So what? Artificial Intelligence is also a branch of science. Haven't you been taught not to interrupt the class?"
Sun Shirong's face instantly turned red. He was a diligent student with a good upbringing and never had anyone speak to him like that.
He wanted to retort but also understood that arguing with Mrs. Sheng was a losing battle. She could make up various excuses to make it seem like he was the problem.
Having suffered an injustice while gaining nothing felt unbearable for Sun Shirong. He glanced at Pres apologetically only to receive a grateful and reassuring look back.
He noticed Pres mouthing 'Watch me' and immediately turned his attention back to watch the show.
Zhou Kai, who was about to intervene noticed their conversation and shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
He felt a bit bitter about the fact that he lost the opportunity to showcase his support and earn some brownie points from his sweetheart though he was more than willing to watch his beloved put this arrogant witch in her place.
Xie Yang was pleasantly surprised at Mrs. Sheng's attempt at trying to embarrass him. He was worried, he might have to use Leo to maintain his studious persona.
Thankfully, Mrs. Sheng tried to embarrass him using a programming question. If it had been another branch of science, he would have had to cheat.
He couldn't remember if something similar happened back then though he didn't dwell on it too much. He was never on to care for insignificant people.
Xie Yang leisurely walked to the front to solve the problem, taking up the chalk and going over to the board to read the problem.
Mrs. Sheng was initially very confident believing that there was no way that Xie Yang, without an ounce of programming knowledge would be stumped by the question but his relaxed attitude made her a bit wary.
'There's no way this little bastard knows programming. Even if he did, this question was the final question for a programming competition infamous for it's trickiness. There's absolutely no way that he can solve it.'
She had given him questions from other fields of science before, all of whom he solved without any help hence why this time
Mrs. Sheng thought trying to reassure herself though she felt her right eye twitch.
"What's wrong, Classmate Xie? Can't solve it?" Mrs. Sheng taunted in a mocking tone.
Unperturbed Xie Yang replied while starting to solve the question, "Oh it's nothing, Teacher Sheng. I was just trying to decide which approach to use to solve it."
Everyone was shocked by Xie Yang's rather insolent reply which deepened when they saw him solving the question which they couldn't make heads and tails out of.
After quickly solving the question, he put down his chalk and started walking back to his desk uncaring of the others' reactions.
"Wait! Xie Yang! Stop!" Mrs. Sheng screeched. In her hurry to stop Xie Yang, she forgot to pretend being on good terms with him.
"You must have cheated! There's no way you got it right on the first try!" Mrs. Sheng shrieked, fully convinced of having caught Xie Yang in a vulnerable position.
"No. I did not." Xie Yang replied curtly.
"Otherwise how would a high school senior know how to solve a competition level programming question?!" Mrs Sheng argued almost hysterically.
Suddenly a male voice questioned, "What seems to be the issue here?"
Principal Ye was standing at the door of the classroom with his hands behind his back and a frown on his face. Anyone could tell that the frown was because of Mrs Sheng's madwoman- esque behaviour.
Seeing the principal, Mrs. Sheng felt as if she saw a lifeline. She immediately gathered her act and said in a grievance filled voice, "Principal sir, I request you to be the witness for catching Xie Yang cheating."
Hearing this accusation, Principal Ye was stunned. Not only was Xie Yang a student that they had personally invited but he was also the pride of their school participating and winning many competitions, bringing honour.
Not to mention, his polite and humble attitude towards others. He was famous for his gentle demeanour and helpful nature.
Even he himself, as the principal was often in contact with him whether it was organizing an event or getting awards so he too had a good rapport with him. There was not a single thing to complain about him.
Both personally and rationally, he did not believe that Xie Yang would cheat but Mrs. Sheng was a veteran teacher so he had to give her some face.
"Oh really? Mrs. Sheng, are you sure?" Principal Ye said trying to give her an early way out.
But alas! If Mrs. Sheng was the type of woman to back down from "supposed" injustice, it wouldn't have gotten to this point in the first place.
And as expected, Mrs. Sheng replied obliviously trying to mask her excitement, "Yes sir! And not only that he was also rude to me! His teacher! He really doesn't respect me!"
"Is that so? Could it be that you heard it wrongly? After all Student Xie is a model student. He has never done anything that would warrant such complains." Principal Ye tried one last time to help her out.
Of course, it went unnoticed by Mrs. Sheng.
"No sir! You can ask any of the students here! Our Student Xie really did talk back to me! Not to mention the cheating!"
Sighing and accepting his fate of having to deal with Mrs. Sheng, Principal Ye turned to face Xie Yang. He did not believe for a second that Xie Yang might have cheated or talked back. That just wasn't like him.
"Xie Yang, is there anything that you'd like to say in your defense?" Principal Ye asked in a softened voice.
Unfortunately, he was very unprepared for Xie Yang's answer.