Ji Mo strolled along the tree-lined path of Langya Academy, a slight smile gracing his lips, his mood exceptionally good.
Receiving such an excellent student as Lin Mengmeng filled him with satisfaction; he only needed to find two more students to complete his task.
However, reality proved to be far more brutal.
The rumor that he had tricked Lin Mengmeng into a small grove had spread throughout Langya Academy at lightning speed.
Previously, he could still strike up conversations with students, exchanging a few words. At most, he would be cursed as a liar or accused of wishful thinking.
Now, students avoided him as if he were a plague. Female students, in particular, treated him like a harbinger of doom, turning and fleeing at the mere sight of him.
Ji Mo was utterly bewildered. What was happening? Why did female students react to him as if they had seen a ghost?
With no other options, he set his sights on the male students.
"Shameless! He's not even sparing the male students."
"Disgusting! How can the academy tolerate a teacher with such character? We must complain."
"It's useless. Someone already went to the Dean to complain, and the outcome was dire. I heard the Dean is this scoundrel's protector."
"Hmph, the Dean has always had a lecherous look about him. Now he's shielding a pervert like Ji Mo. It's true that birds of a feather flock together; they're all in the same boat."
"Alas, I wish I hadn't enrolled in this trashy Langya Academy."
Various whispers arose, students glaring at Ji Mo with immense hatred and disgust.
Ji Mo had practically become an enemy of the entire academy.
"Are there no normal students in this Langya Academy? No wonder it ranks last. Or is someone deliberately targeting me, manipulating things behind the scenes to make students hate me, intentionally preventing me from becoming a true teacher?"
Ji Mo felt immensely dejected seeing the hostile gazes from the students around him.
At this rate, he doubted he would ever be able to recruit any more students.
He walked aimlessly through the academy, filled with a sense of loss.
As he passed a flowerbed, he heard some commotion.
A man and a woman were arguing.
"Are you bothering me again? Don't pester me anymore," the woman's voice was cold and resolute.
"Why, Ru Mei? I truly like you. I'll give you anything you want. Can't we not break up?"
The man's tone was filled with sadness and despair, his demeanor utterly humble.
"Break up? What are you talking about? We don't have any relationship at all. You haven't even touched my hand, and besides, I have a boyfriend."
The woman scoffed.
The man pleaded, "I know you have a boyfriend, but didn't you break up with him a few days ago? Can't we be together? I promise to treat you with all my heart."
"Xuan Yang, I found a new boyfriend today. If you truly like me, then stop bothering me and wish me well."
The woman's words dripped with disgust and impatience.
Ji Mo listened to their conversation and immediately understood.
So, this was a love entanglement between a "green tea" girl and a "spare tire" simperer.
His curiosity piqued, he followed the voices and found the man and woman.
The woman had a melon-seed face, peach blossom eyes, and a voluptuous figure; she was indeed quite attractive.
The man had delicate features but exuded a feminine aura, lacking masculine vigor, with a heavy scent of makeup.
At this moment, he looked utterly pathetic, desperately begging the woman to reconsider.
"Ru Mei, I don't care. Other men only desire your body, but I genuinely care for you."
Xuan Yang's face was etched with humility, showing no trace of masculine dignity.
Damn it, is he even a man?
Ji Mo's blood boiled upon hearing this, wishing he could go up and beat this pathetic Xuan Yang.
*Slap...*
Before Ji Mo could act, the woman named Ru Mei couldn't take it anymore and slapped Xuan Yang hard.
"You effeminate, pathetic loser! If it weren't for your family's money, would I even bother with you? I never intended to be with you. Now that I've found a better sugar daddy, I can't tolerate a weakling like you anymore."
After hitting Xuan Yang, the woman turned and left.
The slap struck Xuan Yang as if he had been electrocuted; he was completely stunned.
He stumbled, his eyes vacant, like a lost lamb.
Ji Mo couldn't bear to watch the scene, but seeing the man's crestfallen state, he felt a pang of pity and walked over to comfort him, "Young man, a fall into the pit, a gain in your wit."
Xuan Yang's hollow eyes immediately welled up with tears. He sobbed, "Waaah," and hugged Ji Mo, weeping uncontrollably.
Ji Mo patted his back helplessly.
The sound of crying immediately attracted many students who gathered around.
Upon witnessing this scene, they were utterly dumbfounded.
"Heavens! Ji Mo, that wicked scoundrel, has indeed extended his claws to the male students."
"Look at this one, handsome and fair, crying so pitifully. Perhaps he was violated by Ji Mo."
"How terrifying! I thought only female students were in danger, but now even male students aren't safe. This Ji Mo is indiscriminate!"
Gasps of surprise erupted, and the onlookers stared at Ji Mo in fear. Male students, in particular, trembled.
Then, seeing Ji Mo's gaze, they scattered like startled birds.
Fearing they would become the next target, they didn't want to end up like this male student, only able to whimper after being bullied.
Ji Mo suddenly realized what was happening and quickly pushed Xuan Yang away, shouting, "Don't go! Listen to my explanation, it's not what you think!"
However, the students ran even faster.
After speaking with Song Zhenwei, Song Weixi was determined to uncover Ji Mo's background and decided to confront him directly.
Since the old man was unwilling to talk, she would find a breakthrough from Ji Mo.
She searched for Ji Mo's whereabouts in the academy and then discovered students fleeing in panic. She quickly grabbed a few to inquire about the situation.
Then, her face was filled with shock!
"What? Ji Mo has extended his claws to male students!"
Song Weixi's eyes widened, unable to process the news; it was too impactful.
Following the students' directions, she rushed to the scene and indeed saw a male student crying miserably, truly heartbreaking to hear and tear-jerking to listen to.
More importantly, this male student had feminine features, an effeminate aura, and was even more alluring than some women, making her unable to resist jumping to conclusions.
"Shameless scoundrel! You don't even spare the male students."
Song Weixi accused him loudly.
Having heard the one-sided accounts from the previous students and seeing the scene before her, she was convinced that Ji Mo had committed something sordid.
Ji Mo heard this and couldn't stand it. Song Weixi was going too far. He was merely comforting a "spare tire" simperer whose feelings had been hurt, so how could he be accused of not sparing men?
Slander! It must be deliberate slander, aimed at ruining his reputation and preventing him from recruiting students.
This was too much; they were using such despicable tactics.
Ji Mo decided to fight back and spoke directly, "Song Weixi, isn't it just because I wasn't interested in you during our blind date? Why the hatred born from unrequited love? It's impossible between us. Don't pester me anymore; I won't accept you."
Song Weixi's lungs nearly exploded upon hearing this.
What was this scoundrel saying?
When had she ever gone on a blind date with this rascal? And what was this talk of pestering?
What would the students listening to this think?
"Ji Mo, you scoundrel! Forget about being a teacher; I won't let someone with such moral corruption succeed."
Song Weixi stomped her foot violently, the ground cracking and a deep pit appearing out of nowhere.
Then, she didn't dare to linger, fearing Ji Mo would say even more unpleasant things, and decisively left.
Holy cow, so violent!
Ji Mo swallowed, looking at the deep pit created by Song Weixi's stomp, his scalp tingling.
"Sir, you are my idol! Please teach me how to pick up girls!"
The nearby Xuan Yang looked at Ji Mo with immense admiration and immediately knelt before him.