Chapter 78: Honorary Professor

Chu Huanzhao had a triumphant expression. "Her fiancé is Sang Qian, the man you met that night. Sang Qian's father is clearly targeting our Chu family this time, and the Zheng family also has significant business competition with us here in Brightmoon City. People like them are definitely up to no good. Only a lecher like you would fall for their honey trap."

"Sang Qian's fiancée?" Zu'an recalled the dashing young general from that night, falling into momentary thought.

After they left, the Zheng family's carriage was quietly parked in a secluded corner. The coachman's earlier panic had vanished, replaced by an inexplicable calm. "Miss, did you get the IOU?"

Zheng Dan shook her head. "No, it wasn't on him. It seems we'll need to expend more effort."

The moment he embraced her, her hand had instinctively slipped into his pocket to search, but unfortunately, she found nothing.

The coachman snorted, "That good-for-nothing, who knows what good fortune he accumulated in a past life to be able to touch your body, Miss."

A faint smile appeared on Zheng Dan's lips. "It's fine, it was through clothes, and his hands were quite proper. I wasn't at a disadvantage."

The coachman then grumbled, "It's mainly because I watched you grow up, Miss, becoming so exceptionally beautiful. I truly don't want you to be taken advantage of by others. Speaking of which, that Sang fellow is preposterous. What kind of man sends his own fiancée to use a honey trap?"

Zheng Dan dismissed it. "Uncle Yue, there's no need to be angry. The Sang family and we are connected by marriage for mutual benefit. To gain something, one must inevitably give something up. This is to be expected."

Uncle Yue, the coachman, looked worried. "You've been wronged for the Zheng family, Miss."

"It's for the Zheng family, but also for myself," Zheng Dan said with a slight smile. "Anyway, I won't actually let that Zu'an fellow take advantage of me. After that brief interaction, I actually find this matter increasingly interesting."

Meanwhile, Zu'an's ears had been incessantly bombarded by Chu Huanzhao until they finally arrived at the academy. Chu Huanzhao went to her Xuan-class, but Zu'an didn't return to his own class. Instead, he headed directly to the administrative building, familiar with the route to the beautiful principal's office.

He knocked on the door, and Jiang Luofu's uniquely charming voice responded, "Please come in!"

Pushing open the heavy door, Zu'an entered. Although there were many unique items in her office, the most dazzling sight was undoubtedly Jiang Luofu herself.

The morning sun outside the window shone upon her, making her skin appear even whiter than snow. Her eyes, beneath elegantly arched brows, were deep and captivating. Her nose had a perfectly sculpted bridge, and her fiery red lips had breathtakingly alluring curves. Her entire being perfectly combined two distinct temperaments: majestic splendor and enchanting allure.

Her beautiful hair was coiled on top of her head, held by a most ordinary hairpin. Looking at her smooth, silky hair, one couldn't help but want to remove the hairpin, imagining her dark, lustrous locks cascading down like a waterfall, undoubtedly silkier than satin.

Even though Zu'an often courted danger, he didn't dare act on that impulse.

"Oh, I was just about to look for you. I didn't expect you to come on your own." Jiang Luofu looked surprised when she saw him. As she spoke, she lightly waved her hand. Zu'an only felt a faint breeze, but the heavy door behind him had already firmly closed.

"Principal, what do you need me for?" Zu'an certainly wasn't narcissistic enough to believe she was infatuated with his looks.

"Do you know Shang Liuyu?" Jiang Luofu looked at him with an amused expression, toying with a hairpin identical to the one in her own hair.

"Shang Liuyu?" Zu'an shook his head. "No, I don't."

His mind raced, wondering if the matter of Ji Dengtu asking him to steal Shang Liuyu's personal clothing had been exposed. But that shouldn't be the case; he hadn't even met her yet.

"You don't know Shang Liuyu, who is ranked third among the Ten Great Beauties?" Jiang Luofu's gaze towards him was full of suspicion.

"I've heard of her, but I've never actually met her." Zu'an recalled what Wei Suo had excitedly told him earlier and couldn't help but glance at her legs. They were smooth as jade. *Oh, are those sheer stockings today? They're absolutely breathtaking.*

Jiang Luofu frowned, having clearly noticed his improper gaze.

Zu'an was startled and quickly said, "In my opinion, that's just a rumor spread by people in the school. How could someone named Shang be as beautiful as you, Principal? Just based on these legs, she absolutely can't compare to you."

Sensing the sincerity in his tone, Jiang Luofu couldn't help but chuckle. "I've heard no shortage of compliments, but you're the only one who has ever been so detailed and specific."

Seeing that she wasn't angry, Zu'an immediately straightened his back. "Of course! These are the truest feelings from the bottom of my heart."

"But Shang Liuyu might be sad if she heard that," Jiang Luofu said playfully with a smile. "For you to badmouth her behind her back like this, aren't you being a bit ungrateful?"

"Ungrateful?" Zu'an was completely bewildered. *I don't even know this person, how could I be ungrateful?*

Jiang Luofu took a notebook from her drawer and began flipping through it, speaking as she did so. "Didn't I tell you last time that your transcendent talent shouldn't be known to others? Because you mentioned the test at the school gate, when I went to process the relevant records for you afterward, I discovered that someone had already handled it in advance. I checked, and it was indeed Shang Liuyu."

She paused, then stared at Zu'an and asked, "Do you still think you don't know each other?"

"Ah, could my charm be so great that I've unintentionally captivated a girl without even realizing it?" Zu'an couldn't help but touch his face, looking surprised.

Jiang Luofu was speechless.

*This fellow really has an exceptionally thick skin.*

"If you don't know her, then so be it," Jiang Luofu lightly snorted. "What are you here for today?"

Zu'an walked over and, making himself at home, pulled up a stool to sit opposite her. "Well, I'd like to become an honorary teacher at your academy."

Jiang Luofu unconsciously drew her legs together, then chuckled upon hearing him. "Are you mad, or am I? You want to be a teacher at our academy?"

"That's right!" Zu'an nodded as if it were obvious. Being so close to her, he could truly feel her immense charm: her full bosom and slender waist created a visually striking contrast. Just a few more glances and he'd be getting a nosebleed.

Jiang Luofu snorted coldly. "Do you know what qualifications are required to be a teacher at this academy? Those who teach cultivation are generally rank six or above. Humanities teachers might have lower cultivation, but every single one of them is an official from various relevant government departments, proficient in law, rituals, music, and public welfare. May I ask, are you a rank-six cultivator, or a government official in these fields?"

Zu'an looked embarrassed. "Of course, I know all that. I'm not looking to go through the traditional route. I was wondering if it's possible to obtain an honorary teacher title by sponsoring the academy or something similar."

In his previous life, schools often operated this way. Wealthy individuals in society could sponsor schools to gain naming rights for certain buildings, and naturally, it would become much easier for their children to attend those institutions.

If their social status was high enough, many schools would even vie to bestow honorary professorships, doctorates, and other titles upon them.

"Sponsoring?" Jiang Luofu blinked. Such a concept was unheard of before, but as he explained it, there seemed to be some room for maneuver. However, she still shook her head. "Hmph, you're just a live-in son-in-law of the Chu family. How much money could you possibly have?"

"Is 7.5 million silver taels enough?" Zu'an said directly. He had already figured it out: the IOUs were indeed too much of a burden. Holding onto them meant he likely wouldn't be able to collect the debts and would also invite many troubles. Crucially, they prevented him from using his "Rich Woman Happiness Orb," which was like losing a life.

Money was good, but one needed to be alive to spend it.

He had thought about it for a long time and decided to "donate" the money, but not without gaining something substantial in return.

"7.5 million silver taels?" Jiang Luofu was instantly startled. Even with her status, that amount was an enormous sum. "Where did you get so much money?"

Hearing the doubt in her voice, Zu'an briefly explained how he had won the money at the Silver Hook Casino.

"How did you manage that, young man?" Jiang Luofu was utterly shocked. She usually didn't pay much attention to events in Brightmoon City, which was why she was only hearing about this now.

"Maybe I just got lucky," Zu'an said shyly. He wasn't exactly lying, as using the Lucky Pill had indeed improved his fortune.

"If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. But I'm becoming increasingly curious about you," Jiang Luofu couldn't help but lean closer, examining him carefully. "Everyone says the Chu family's eldest daughter married a good-for-nothing son-in-law, yet I find so many secrets hidden within you. You possess impressive strength, have transcendent talent, and casually won 7.5 million silver taels from Mei Chaofeng."

Her breath was fragrant, like orchids, but Zu'an couldn't help but shrink back. The cleavage before him was simply too deep and alluring. He worried he might lose control and offend the beautiful principal.

"A woman often falls in love with a man when she starts to feel curious about him," Zu'an said, after a moment's thought, then added a reminder, "Also, you're showing a bit too much."

Jiang Luofu looked down at her neckline, and the corners of her lips curved into a beautiful arc. "You're not just any random man. It's fine if you see."

Zu'an was instantly shocked. "Really?" He thought, *If I had known, I would have taken a few more glances.*

*Am I the legendary Older Woman Killer?*

*Otherwise, how could I explain Jiang Luofu's current behavior, and Shang Liuyu's inexplicable goodwill towards me?*

"Of course. In my eyes, you're not even a man; you're just like a little sister." Jiang Luofu waved her hand, saying it casually.

Zu'an had originally thought she treated him like a younger brother or something, but being called a "little sister" was simply unbearable. "Principal, what do you mean by that?"

Seeing his darkened face, Jiang Luofu covered her mouth and chuckled softly. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone about it."

When he saw her sympathetic gaze fall to the area below his abdomen, Zu'an instantly understood. He felt like dying. *What in the world is going on? Why are more and more people finding out?*