He also called him Uncle.

The bell rang for class, and Chang'an Fang handed her the earphones. Mo Shen put away the music player just as Mengfei Cheng walked into the classroom, holding her book.

"Stand up!"

Once again, Chang'an Fang dutifully led the class in greeting the teacher. Mengfei Cheng glanced at him from the podium, waved her hand, and signaled everyone to sit down.

Earlier, in the office, only Mengfei Cheng and Min Xu, the English teacher, were present. Mengfei Cheng had sought out the elderly teacher specifically to apologize for what happened in yesterday's English class, explaining that it was her oversight—not having assigned class officers yet—which led to no one leading the students in greeting the teacher.

Mengfei Cheng knew her own lack of seniority. It was her first year at the school, and she was already head teacher of an advanced class—a situation likely to stir resentment among her colleagues. She therefore paid special attention to such details.

Min Xu had retired last year, but due to a shortage of English teachers, the school had brought her back. She was indeed a bit particular, but she understood how to navigate social situations. She could put on airs with students or occasionally with less experienced colleagues, but it was of little consequence.

However, Mengfei Cheng’s relationship with her was unusual. She had come to apologize with a bright smile, and Min Xu, surprised, responded politely, "No, no, that's nothing to worry about."

After Mengfei Cheng repeatedly apologized and expressed her regret, Min Xu finished her polite reassurances and asked, "Wasn't there a boy who led the greeting?"

Mengfei Cheng smiled. "He wasn't the class president at the time. Now he is... He probably heard other classes greeting the teacher and, seeing no one in our class stand up, took the initiative himself."

Min Xu had thought the boy was neglecting his duties, standing up only after she was nearly at the podium. She had found his delicate face somewhat annoying and had deliberately called on him to answer a question.

Now, hearing Mengfei Cheng’s explanation, Min Xu felt a little guilty and nodded in approval. "This student is thoughtful and polite. He’s the class president now? What’s his name?"

"Yes, I just decided that yesterday in Chinese class. His name is Chang'an Fang."

"So that's Chang'an Fang?"

Min Xu certainly remembered the name.

In the four advanced classes, the heads of classes one, two, and three were all experienced teachers, openly and quietly vying with each other. Assessing a class's performance was based not only on average scores but also on the presence of top students.

Mengfei Cheng, thanks to her connections, had been assigned an advanced class. The three veteran teachers didn't complain since their own positions were untouched, but they did look down on her a bit.

The competition among advanced classes was always considered by the three senior teachers to be between their own classes. Who could have predicted that, in the very first exam of the semester, the top student in the grade would be from Mengfei Cheng’s class?

And not just a typical top student—he surpassed the ceiling set by the teacher who designed the test.

As for average scores, Min Xu's class one was similar to class three and ahead of classes two and four, but class four stood out with its top students. Three of the top ten spots belonged to classes one, four, and six; while it was hard to credit Mengfei Cheng directly, the results spoke for themselves. At the very least, before the next exam, everyone would have to take this "connected" teacher seriously.

Among those results, Chang'an Fang, who ranked first in the grade, carried tremendous weight. If he held onto that spot, even if class four’s average remained the lowest among the advanced classes, Mengfei Cheng would always have a talking point, an achievement no one could dispute.

These thoughts flashed through Min Xu's mind, and she nodded repeatedly. "This student is exemplary—excellent grades, thoughtful, and now the class president. He can serve as a model for others!"

Mengfei Cheng agreed and sought Min Xu’s advice on how to better motivate students and help them set an example, thus ending their exchange.

Mengfei Cheng, though not particularly experienced, put in the effort. Her lectures were not simply readings from the textbook; much of the content came from supplementary materials that many students had purchased. It was not prophecy but the established method of teaching, as used by other teachers and previous instructors.

Chang'an Fang had bought the materials in his previous life; this time, he saved the money and simply listened to Teacher Cheng recite.

"Mo Shen, come out for a moment."

After morning exercises, many saw Mo Shen leave with Mengfei Cheng. She made no effort to hide it, and after class, called Mo Shen out.

The two spoke in the corridor, their conversation unknown. Mo Shen soon returned, sat at her desk for a while, and waited until no one was paying attention before moving closer to Chang'an Fang and whispering, "Auntie wants you to go home with me after school."

Chang'an Fang nodded, "Alright."

The girl glanced at him, prompting Chang'an Fang to ask, "Is it far?"

Mo Shen nodded, "A bit far, but Uncle will pick us up."

Chang'an Fang nodded again, "Okay."

Seeing how little he spoke, the girl kindly reassured him, "Don’t be nervous. Uncle and Auntie are very nice, not scary at all."

Chang'an Fang felt a smile coming on and asked, "What’s your uncle’s name?"

"Chengyan Shen—Cheng for honesty, Yan for promise."

Mo Shen introduced him seriously, and Chang'an Fang listened earnestly, adding, "Shen, as in Mo Shen."

The girl blinked, confused at first, then realized he was emphasizing the surname. She bit her soft lips and smiled sweetly, "It’s Auntie’s first time inviting a student home for dinner."

"Isn’t it her first year teaching?"

"No, she taught during her internship before."

"That makes sense. I hadn’t thought of that."

The girl giggled and quietly asked, "What do you like to eat?"

Chang'an Fang glanced at her tender lips; both girls had different face shapes and lips—one soft pink, the other plump and rosy. "I like everything," he replied.

"What’s your favorite?" Mo Shen pressed.

Chang'an Fang thought for a moment. "Shredded potatoes."

Mo Shen’s eyes lit up. "Me too!"

Chang'an Fang laughed, "No wonder Teacher Cheng asked you to accompany me."

"Mm-hmm." The girl nodded vigorously. "Do you like fish?"

Chang'an Fang watched her expression. "I do."

"I don’t."

"Oh, I like it, but it’s troublesome—the bones are annoying."

"Me too, me too!"

After the last biology class, the two quickly tidied their desks and left together.

Di Wu saw them depart side by side and hurried after them, unable to explain his own curiosity—he just wanted to see what was going on.

He thought it might be a coincidence, but upon leaving the classroom, he saw the two already descending the stairs together, making him even more uneasy.

Chang'an Fang and Mo Shen blended into the crowd of students leaving school, chatting as they went down the stairs, unaware that someone was following.

"What should I call Teacher Cheng's husband when I see him?" Chang'an Fang asked.

"Call teach..." Mo Shen started to say "teachermother," caught herself, then almost said "teacherfather," realized that was wrong too, and turned to look at him, her eyes blinking.

Chang'an Fang blinked back.

The girl hesitated, then pouted, "I don’t know."

Chang'an Fang, nervous, said, "What should I do then?"

Mo Shen thought for a moment and suggested, "Why not just not call him anything? That’s what I do when I don’t know what to call someone."

Chang'an Fang hesitated, "Is that okay?"

Mo Shen knew it wasn’t ideal, but couldn’t think of a better option. She pondered and asked, "Maybe you can just call him Uncle?"

Chang'an Fang nodded, "I suppose that’s the only way."

Mo Shen nodded, thought it over again, and decided it was a safe choice—"Uncle" was a reliably proper address.