At the back mountain of Tianxing Academy, students sat in serene silence.
With each steady breath, the energy of heaven and earth flowed into their bodies, gradually transforming into spirit power.
Dean's Office
"Ahem, before we begin, I'd like to talk about the origin of our academy's name," Lin Jin announced as he stood up and walked to a corner near the window.
Reaching for a rope, he gave it a firm tug.
With a resounding thud, a blackboard dropped down from above, settling into place before the gathered staff.
"The name of our Tianxing Academy is inspired by the words of an ancient sage:
"Heaven rewards diligence. A gentleman is always striving for self-improvement."
Lin Jin wrote the quote carefully on the blackboard. Fortunately, his handwriting was neat—otherwise, it would've been a little awkward.
The eyes of those seated began to light up.
Even those with only a modest cultural background could sense the weight of the phrase.
As for the scholars present, their appreciation ran even deeper.
But with admiration came curiosity.
"Mr. Dean," Hu Yannian spoke up,
"May I ask which sage and book this quote comes from?"
"It's from the Book of Changes," Lin Jin replied with a smile.
"Feel free to look it up if you're interested."
Though he said it casually, he secretly thought: 'If you can actually find it, well... cough.'
"Now, onto our school emblem. A school emblem is the most direct way the outside world identifies an academy. Since Tianxing is now finding its footing, we can't do without such symbols. So, I've taken the liberty of designing one."
As he spoke, Lin Jin drew a pattern on the blackboard.
The design was simple, but any Chinese person might recognize it at a glance.
It was a circle, split down the middle by an "S"-shaped curve.
Within each half, a comma-like figure nestled, resembling two lively fish.
Indeed—it was the Tai Chi symbol.
"This image is called Tai Chi. The black and white fish revolve in balance, symbolizing the eternal cycle and limitless growth. It reflects the core philosophy of our academy."
Everyone present nodded thoughtfully. As they stared at the Tai Chi diagram, it seemed the fish were swimming before their eyes—profound, elegant, and full of meaning.
Truth be told, Lin Jin had been a little hesitant to introduce the Tai Chi diagram.
It wasn't something everyone might resonate with.
But deeply rooted in Chinese theme, he couldn't help but feel that what he was building wasn't just a academy—it was a sect.
But on second thought, he dismissed the idea—he knew it was just his own obsession.
"As for the final matter—the school uniform—I've decided to hire the designer from Blackstone to create it."
"Um…"
From among the seated teachers, Xu Yu suddenly spoke up, her voice soft but uncertain as she looked toward Lin Jin.
"Go ahead, Tutor Xu," Lin Jin encouraged.
"If there's something you'd like to say, this is the time."
Xu Yu looked visibly more at ease. Her gaze softened as she met Lin Jin's eyes.
"Well… I actually have some knowledge of design. If possible, I'd like to try designing the uniforms. If there's anything unsatisfactory, you can always offer feedback."
"You know design, Tutor Xu? That's wonderful news!" Lin Jin's face lit up.
"I'll leave the uniform design in your hands, then."
It was always a pleasant surprise to discover a colleague's hidden talents.
After Xu Yu sat back down, Lin Jin glanced around the room.
"Well, that's all I have for now. Does anyone else have something to bring up?"
The teachers exchanged glances, but no one spoke up.
It wasn't that they didn't have thoughts—it just wasn't something they'd ever really considered before.
But Su Yun's eyes gleamed. He scanned the room, then stood up with a faint smile.
"If no one else is going to speak, I guess I'll go next?"
Lin Jin's eyes lit up—finally, someone was participating!
"Yes, yes! Please, go ahead!"
Su Yun stood tall and began, "Well… how should I put this? First of all, I think our academy is too small. It just doesn't match the grandeur of our name."
"'Tianxing Academy'—it sounds grand, dignified, and awe-inspiring. But our current setup? It doesn't live up to that image. Honestly, I think it's affecting how people perceive us."
"Think about it—from a parent's point of view. When they hear the name 'Tianxing Academy,' they're naturally intrigued. But what really matters to them isn't the name—it's the quality of the teachers, the teaching, and the environment."
"Our faculty is strong, and I have no doubt our teaching standards are solid. But the physical environment? It's probably dragging our score down to the lowest."
"That's why I think the campus environment needs urgent improvement."
Su Yun finished and turned to Lin Jin, awaiting his reaction.
Lin Jin fell into thought for a moment. Then, catching Su Yun's expectant gaze, he suddenly clapped his hands.
"Tutor Su makes an excellent point—let's all give him some encouragement!"
The teachers exchanged glances again, then joined in with a rare round of applause.
"Ah, thank you! Thank you, everyone!" Su Yun said with a bright smile, cupping his hands in thanks as he nodded to his colleagues.
Beside him, Shen Yang shook his head and tugged him back down into his seat.
Lin Jin kept smiling outwardly, but inwardly… he was crying.
'Su Yun is absolutely right… but where the hell am I supposed to get the money?!'