Chapter 5

While Wang Wuyin was deep in thought, the school bell rang again.

The last class of the afternoon was self-study.

As soon as the bell rang, the class teacher, Cao Kun, who was also the math teacher for Class 1, Grade 2, entered the classroom with his thermos. The originally noisy classroom immediately fell silent.

Cao Kun was the class teacher and math teacher for Class 1, Grade 2. He was a man in his fifties, wearing thick black-rimmed glasses, with a bald head. Despite his baldness, he was a very kind person, though a bit talkative. He often said that this class was the last group of students he would teach as a class teacher.

Cao Kun's gaze first casually swept over Wang Wuyin's face, then he walked to the podium, cleared his throat, and began his usual speech, "Dear students, we are now in the second semester of Grade 2. After this semester, we will be in Grade 3, and in Grade 3, we will face the college entrance examination. If you calculate the time carefully, it's actually very close to the exam, roughly about a year. The college entrance examination is the most important turning point in your lives and will determine your future. I hope you all start to focus now and don't slack off. Maintain a proper attitude towards your studies. Don't think that the college entrance examination is only for Grade 3 students. I want to tell you that from the first day you entered high school, every day of effort, every drop of sweat, and every bit of hard work has been shaping your college entrance examination results, and those results will determine what you will do in the years to come. I always say that going to university is not the only path in life, but it is undoubtedly the best path you can choose now, as it will open up a whole new world for you and provide many opportunities. We are a socialist country, and there is no hierarchy in professions. Everyone's personality is equal, but we must also admit that the social value and wealth created by each person in the future will vary. The realization of personal value in the future will also differ. In the future society, your academic credentials will be the stepping stone to entering society. Without this stepping stone, many doors will remain closed to you, no matter how hard you try. Do you understand this?"

"Understood!" All the students in Class 1, Grade 2 responded in unison. These words had been repeated by Mr. Cao since the beginning of Grade 1.

Zhu Yuexin poked Wang Wuyin under the desk and gave him a look, indicating that he was about to be criticized. Sure enough, Mr. Cao's gaze immediately shifted to Wang Wuyin, and his expression became serious. He took a sip of tea and cleared his throat.

"Speaking of the attitude towards studies, I need to criticize Wang Wuyin. In today's physics class, not only did he fall asleep, but he also knocked over his desk, causing a huge disturbance and disrupting the class and the normal teaching order. This is very inappropriate. I hope Wang Wuyin will not make the same mistake again!"

When called out by the teacher, Wang Wuyin stood up, facing the class, his eyes scanning the young faces, feeling a mix of emotions. "Mr. Cao is right. Today, my actions affected everyone's learning and disrupted the class. I apologize to everyone, and I promise it won't happen again!" After speaking, Wang Wuyin bowed to the entire class.

Mr. Cao looked at Wang Wuyin with surprise. In his memory, Wang Wuyin was a very introverted student. In the past, when faced with criticism, Wang Wuyin would only stand up with his head down and a red face, mumbling a response. He would never have been so composed and apologetic.

"Good, Wang Wuyin has recognized his mistake. I hope everyone can learn from him and correct their mistakes. Wang Wuyin, come with me for a moment. The rest of you continue with your self-study." Mr. Cao said, then left the classroom with his thermos, and Wang Wuyin followed.

In the corridor outside the classroom, Mr. Cao turned around, his expression softening. "Wang Wuyin, I know your family situation is special. Have you not been resting well at home these past few days? I've noticed that you've been less focused in class recently, and other teachers have also mentioned this to me. You need to arrange your schedule properly and ensure you get enough sleep."

Wang Wuyin's family situation was indeed special. His parents had passed away in an accident when he was twelve, and since then, his guardians have been his aunt and uncle, with whom he now lives. Mr. Cao had visited Wang Wuyin's home before and was well aware of his situation.

"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Cao. There's nothing wrong at home. I'll pay attention to it in the future," Wang Wuyin said, lowering his eyes.

"Good, that's good. Although Ms. Ni is young, she is a graduate of a prestigious university and has a unique approach to teaching physics. She is very experienced and is one of the best physics teachers in our school. The average score of the physics class she taught last year was among the top four in the city. You must not disrespect her because of her age. Your behavior in her class today was very inappropriate. Ms. Ni is in the office of the grade department. Go and apologize to her."

"Okay, Mr. Cao, I'll go right away."

"Good, go ahead."

Watching Wang Wuyin leave, Mr. Cao then left with his thermos, heading directly to the school's residential area.

Wang Wuyin quickly arrived at the office of the grade department. At this time, there were no other teachers in the office. He stood at the door and saw Ms. Ni Yunxia at her desk, head down, apparently grading physics homework.

Wang Wuyin knocked on the door, and Ms. Ni looked up. Seeing Wang Wuyin standing outside, she said, "Come in..."

Wang Wuyin walked directly to Ms. Ni's desk. "Ms. Ni, I apologize for my inappropriate behavior in your physics class today. I'm sorry for disrupting your class..."

Ms. Ni was indeed angry, especially when she left the classroom and found that Wang Wuyin was not standing outside as punishment but had run off somewhere, showing no respect. She had reported him to Mr. Cao. Now, seeing Wang Wuyin's sincere apology, her anger subsided, but her face remained stern. "I told you to stand outside the classroom. Where did you go when I came out?"

"Ms. Ni, I had to go to the bathroom. I didn't hear the bell and ran off before it rang," Wang Wuyin lied.

"Alright, let's put it aside for today. Remember to focus in class and don't daydream. Go back to your self-study. Make sure to review today's physics lesson. If you have any questions, you can ask your classmates or come to me after the next physics class."

"Okay!" Wang Wuyin turned to leave but stopped after a few steps and turned back. "Ms. Ni, there's something I want to say to you."

"Oh, what is it?" Ms. Ni was a bit surprised.

"You are the most beautiful physics teacher I've ever seen," Wang Wuyin said seriously. He had never said this to Ms. Ni before, but it had been in his heart for many years. He had seen too many partings and disasters, and there were many things he wanted to say to people he knew but never had the chance. He felt a sense of sadness and regret. Now, he wanted to reduce such regrets. Today might be his last day at school, and he didn't plan to come back tomorrow. He had many important things to do and didn't want to waste his time on trivial matters, waiting for disaster to strike.

Ms. Ni's face turned red at Wang Wuyin's words. She didn't know how to respond. She knew she was young and always maintained a serious demeanor in front of students to preserve her authority as a teacher. No student had ever said such things to her.

Before Ms. Ni could say anything, Wang Wuyin had already turned and walked toward the door.

Just as Wang Wuyin reached the door, the vice-principal, Dai Qiang, walked in. Dai Qiang was in his forties, fat and greasy, wearing a suit, and had a pretentious air of authority.

Seeing Dai Qiang, Wang Wuyin's brow furrowed. Dai Qiang had a bad reputation in the school, known for his shameless and lecherous behavior, often touching female students and harassing female teachers. Many female students and teachers had avoided him, and some had even transferred or quit their jobs due to his behavior. Many people had reported him to the education bureau, but he had connections in the city and remained the vice-principal of the school.

As soon as Dai Qiang saw Ms. Ni's beautiful face, his eyes lit up, and his face glowed. He ignored Wang Wuyin completely, brushing past him without a glance.

Seeing Dai Qiang enter the office, Ms. Ni frowned, a look of disgust on her face. "Vice-Principal Dai, is there something you need?"

"Ha ha ha, nothing much, just checking on the teaching situation in the high school department. Ms. Ni, I want to discuss the work of the physics department with you. Do you have time tonight...?" Dai Qiang walked directly to Ms. Ni's desk, his eyes greedily scanning her body.

Wang Wuyin was originally looking for a reason to leave the school, but seeing Dai Qiang, he knew exactly what that reason would be.

Wang Wuyin looked around and found a metal elliptical compass on a nearby desk, likely a teaching tool left there by a teacher. He picked it up and weighed it in his hand. The metal cross-shaped frame with a suction cup felt solid and would be effective for hitting someone. He then walked to Dai Qiang's back and tapped his shoulder. "Vice-Principal Dai..."

Dai Qiang turned with an impatient look. "What..."

Before he could finish, Wang Wuyin's metal elliptical compass hit Dai Qiang's face, causing him to scream and fall to the ground. Before Dai Qiang could react, Wang Wuyin kicked him in the stomach, making him curl up like a shrimp, his mind blank and unable to resist.

Wang Wuyin then held onto a desk with one hand and lifted his foot, wearing Anta shoes, and started kicking Dai Qiang's face and body.

"Today, I'll teach you about the core values of socialism. This is prosperity... This is democracy... This is civilization... This is rule of law... This is justice... This is patriotism..." Wang Wuyin said each value as he kicked Dai Qiang.

Ms. Ni was completely stunned, her hand covering her mouth in shock, her eyes wide as she watched Wang Wuyin kick Dai Qiang, who was screaming and howling.

Dai Qiang's screams and cries for help were so loud that they alarmed the entire high school department...

"The core values of socialism can be summarized in two words... Face..."

When he saw people rushing in, Wang Wuyin gave Dai Qiang one last hard kick to the face, knocking him unconscious...

Page break for ads

End of page break for ads