Chapter 56 of 100

Chapter 56

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Chapter 48: The Teacher

The two classes passed in a state of extreme chaos. The gazes from every corner of the classroom made Wen Liang feel as if he were being pricked by thorns. As soon as the bell rang, he immediately ran out to report to Ye Yuting. Arriving at the office on the third floor of the administrative building, where the Grade One English teachers were located, Wen Liang knocked on the door and walked in. Six or seven teachers were either standing or sitting, busy with their work. Ye Yuting looked up and saw Wen Liang, waved him over, and smiled, "Wen Liang, if I remember correctly, at the beginning of the semester, I asked you to serve as a statistical investigator and required you to report three times a week. It's been almost two months. How many times have you come to me?"

Wen Liang then remembered that although he wasn't one of the six main class officers, he was still a public servant. He lowered his head and put on a serious expression, "I've been so engrossed in my studies lately that I've neglected my duties. I sincerely apologize to Teacher Ye and admit my mistake..."

Sitting opposite Ye Yuting was Huang Mei, the English teacher for Class Seven. She was a young woman who had just graduated, not particularly beautiful, with a few freckles on her face, but she was cheerful and lively, making her classes engaging. According to Ning Xiaoning, she was very popular with the students in Class Seven. Hearing Wen Liang's words, she couldn't help but laugh while she was preparing her lesson, "Oh, Teacher Ye, who is this in your class? He talks so smoothly, it's impressive!"

Ye Yuting maintained her authority as a homeroom teacher, but the amusement in her eyes was hard to hide. She replied with a hint of exasperation, "He's an unstable element in the class, full of small tricks, but he doesn't use them for studying."

Wen Liang immediately protested, "Teacher Ye, I'm actually one of the most stable students in Class Three. I don't talk in class, and I don't fight after class..." His voice grew softer under Ye Yuting's teasing gaze, "Of course, I've been late a couple of times, left early a few times, and missed handing in my homework a few times..."

Huang Mei burst out laughing. It was strange; many students called to the office for a scolding would either be terrified and obediently admit their mistakes or be stubborn and refuse to speak. It was rare to see someone as calm and talkative as Wen Liang. She put down her pen, walked over to him, and playfully ruffled his hair, "Little rascal, what did you do wrong? Tell me, and if I help you plead for leniency, maybe Teacher Ye will go easier on you."

"Little rascal? You have to stand on your tiptoes to ruffle my hair, you know?" Wen Liang rolled his eyes and pointed to the "Regulations on Teachers' Conduct" hanging on the wall, "Teacher Huang, please pay attention to your professional appearance. You just violated three of the rules. Be careful, or you'll have your salary docked."

Huang Mei was speechless, and Ye Yuting couldn't help but laugh, giving Wen Liang a stern look, "You're just being cheeky. Apologize to Teacher Huang."

Wen Liang immediately put on a smile and bowed, "Teacher Huang, don't be angry. I was just joking."

Huang Mei was taken aback by Wen Liang's quick changes and said to Ye Yuting with a dazed look, "Teacher Ye, I've heard that being a homeroom teacher is tough, but I didn't realize it was this tough! I'll leave you alone and go to my class."

In just a few words, Wen Liang developed a good impression of Teacher Huang. In 1995, the authority of teachers was paramount, and with the tough local customs in Qingzhou, the physical punishment in schools was so severe that any one of them would make headlines in the 21st century. Even more absurdly, this led to three major "spectacles" in Qingzhou's high schools: the marching parade at Qingzhou No. 1 High School, the group push-ups at No. 19 High School, and the standing punishment in the stairwells at No. 22 High School, with no particular ranking.

So, a teacher like Huang Mei, who hadn't been suppressed or twisted by the heavy teaching workload, was a blessing for the students. Just as he was about to say something flattering, a loud "bang" came from nearby. A woman in her forties, with a certain charm, slammed her lesson plan on the table, not even looking at Wen Liang, and said in a mocking tone, "I don't know how some people can be teachers, laughing and joking with students. What kind of example is that? Young people these days are just incompetent and lack ability!"

Wen Liang was startled by the obvious sarcasm. One good thing about schools was that colleagues had fewer conflicts of interest, so office politics were less intense. Unless there was some deep-seated grudge, few people would embarrass others in public.

Huang Mei stuck out her tongue, not daring to respond, and tried to sneak away with her lesson plan. The woman called her over and, using her lesson plan as a pretext, said, "How do you prepare your lessons? It's been seven weeks into the semester, and you're only at this section? Teacher Huang, people have been complaining to me about your lax teaching and lack of seriousness. You don't follow the teaching plan and even play games with the students..."

Huang Mei whispered in defense, "That's an extension activity to improve their English sense..."

"Slam!"

The woman threw Huang Mei's lesson plan to the ground and pointed at her, scolding, "Huang Mei, just because you were assigned to No. 1 High School, don't think you're safe. You're on a three-month probation. If you can't handle teaching, the school can still send you back. Think about where you are. Is Qingzhou No. 1 High School so easy to get into? Be careful, or I'll write a bad evaluation, and you'll be crying to me later!"

Huang Mei bit her lip hard, tears welling up in her eyes. Many of her classmates from the same graduating class had gone to poor schools or been assigned to counties, and her family had spent a lot to get her into No. 1 High School. She couldn't let her parents down. A male teacher nearby quickly tried to smooth things over, "Teacher Huang, apologize to Director Feng. The criticism is for your own good. Don't be upset."

Huang Mei choked out, "Director Feng, I'm young and inexperienced. I'll learn from you and improve my teaching."

Ye Yuting stood up abruptly. She usually didn't like to get involved in such matters at No. 1 High School, but this time, Huang Mei was clearly being dragged into her problems. She thought Feng Yan would just scold her a bit and let it go, but she didn't expect Feng Yan to take it so far, bullying a young girl like this. It was outrageous.

Ye Yuting walked over and pulled Huang Mei behind her, frowning, "Teacher Feng, Huang Mei is still a child. If you have any issues, take them up with me. Why are you bullying her?"

"Oh, isn't this Teacher Ye?" Feng Yan exaggeratedly swayed her hips, her pale face full of sarcasm, "I wouldn't dare to be angry with you. Everyone knows you're beautiful and have connections. How could a small research group leader like me offend you?"

These words were vicious. "Beautiful" and "having connections" were clearly mocking Ye Yuting for using her looks to curry favor with superiors. In any era or workplace, saying such things to a beautiful woman was a deadly weapon.

Clearly, this rumor had been circulating in the school for a long time. The other two male teachers exchanged glances with ambiguous expressions, while the one who had tried to help Huang Mei sighed, his gaze toward Ye Yuting filled with regret.

Ye Yuting's face turned red with anger. Just as she was about to speak, Wen Liang stepped in front of her. He walked over, picked up the lesson plan, dusted it off, and said, "Madam, what a big authority you have. Are you the principal or the party secretary of No. 1 High School? Do you have the power to kick out an excellent university graduate assigned by the Education Bureau and the Personnel Department? But looking at you, you don't seem like someone who could be a leader. Are you saying the principal's decisions need your approval?"

These words were a direct attack, implying that she was not a good person.

"You, you... Ye Yuting, how do you teach your students? They're so disrespectful, daring to talk to a teacher like this!"

Wen Liang sneered, "Madam, or should I say, teacher, if you hadn't said it, I wouldn't have noticed you were a teacher! Tsk, tsk, what an eye-opener. Rude manners, vulgar speech, poor character, and worst of all, so ugly. Open your dog eyes and look at the wall. There are thirteen rules, and you've broken them all. How dare you call yourself a teacher?"

Feng Yan, who had always prided herself on her beauty, had never been insulted like this before. She was so angry that her face turned purple, and she raised her hand to slap Wen Liang.

Wen Liang coldly smiled, grabbed her wrist, and twisted it hard, then lifted his foot to kick her stomach. Ye Yuting cried out, "Don't hit her!"

Wen Liang barely retracted his foot but pushed her hard. Feng Yan stumbled back, crashing into the edge of a table. In those days, people often placed glass on their desks to keep them clean. The glass hit Feng Yan's waist, and she let out a scream, clutching her waist and crying, "It hurts so much! I'll have you expelled! You wait, I'll have you expelled..."

A male teacher, seeing the situation, quickly ran to the office to get Hua Xique. The other two held back Wen Liang, afraid he would strike again. Wen Liang raised his hands and laughed, "Don't worry, don't worry. You all saw it. Teacher Feng tried to hit me, and I just defended myself. As for why she hit the table... well, you're all teachers, so you know that force is reciprocal. She hit me with as much force as she received in return, right?"

"Right, my ass," the two male teachers thought, almost ready to beat Wen Liang. While there were students who fought at No. 1 High School, few dared to hit a teacher.

Hua Xique's voice echoed from the doorway, as loud and soul-stirring as ever, "Which brat dared to hit a teacher? You're out of line! Who?"

Wen Liang turned around, looking at the furious Hua Xique with a half-smile, "Director Hua, I need you to judge this..."

Hua Xique's angry expression froze. He wasn't afraid of Wen Liang, but he was wary of Zuo Yuxi's influence in the education system. Although he was frustrated, he couldn't lose face in front of the other teachers. He said sternly, "What happened? Wen Liang, you speak first!"

Seeing Hua Xique, Feng Yan thought she had support and stopped pretending to be in pain. She put her hands on her hips and pointed at Wen Liang, "Little brat, you'll be expelled. I'll make you cry and crawl out of Qingzhou No. 1 High School!"

"Watch your manners!" Wen Liang laughed, "Director Hua, you saw everything. Do I need to explain who's right and who's wrong?"

Ye Yuting stepped forward and quietly explained what had happened. Hua Xique nodded repeatedly, then walked over to Feng Yan. She was scared by his gaze and took a few steps back, stammering, "Director Hua, you..."

"Slam!"

Everyone in the room was startled. Hua Xique's face was cold as he slapped his hand on the glass, silently cursing himself for using too much force.

"Teacher Feng, look at yourself. Do you look like a teacher? Can't you solve problems calmly instead of resorting to violence and insults? Is this the quality of a research group leader? Is this how you solve problems? I think you've been in a position of power for too long and forgotten that you're a teacher, haven't you?"

Everyone in the school knew that Feng Yan had connections with Vice Principal Li. Although Hua Xique was the principal's man, he usually wouldn't embarrass Feng Yan so much. However, this scolding made everyone, including Ye Yuting, feel much better. Feng Yan's reputation in the English department was terrible.

Feng Yan was dazed, taking a while to react. She was about to lash out but saw Hua Xique giving her a subtle look. "Teacher Feng, come to the office with me. We need to talk. Everyone else, go back to your work."

After they left, the office fell into a dead silence. The three male teachers looked at Wen Liang with meaningful glances, especially one who knew that Hua Xique had recently reprimanded the son of the Huashan District Chief, Hou Qiang. Could Wen Liang have an even stronger background?

Ye Yuting comforted Huang Mei, who was still worried about retaliation from Feng Yan and looked very upset. Wen Liang whispered, "Don't worry, Teacher Huang. Wait here, and Feng Yan will come back to apologize to you soon."

Without waiting for Huang Mei's reaction, he left. If he stayed, Feng Yan wouldn't have the face to come back.

After descending two flights of stairs, Ye Yuting caught up and grabbed Wen Liang's ear, laughing softly, "Feeling so confident with Zuo Yuxi backing you?"

Wen Liang was stunned. Zuo Yuxi asked me to take care of you, but from your tone, it seems you don't get along well with her?

What's going on here?

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