Chapter 16: More Bad Guys
Hearing Qin Xueming mention this, Gu Yin remembered that such a thing had indeed happened. Once, when the school established a drum band, the drum band was always used as the opening act for flag-raising ceremonies, school anniversaries, or major festivals. It was a rather formal and serious team, led by the principal.
Each class selects two boys and two girls. Teachers usually choose from the best students. Wang Yanni was the class monitor and was among those selected, but when she was put in the group, her height was not suitable. So the teacher replaced her with Zhao Xiaomin. As a result, Wang Yanni cried and made a scene in class. She went home and told her parents that the homeroom teacher had bullied her. The matter was taken to the principal, but the principal did not compromise after understanding the situation.
However, Wang Yanni continued to ignore the situation, and her parents kept coming to the school to cause trouble. In the end, Zhao Xiaomin withdrew and gave up her seat. From then on, her classmates kept their distance from her, fearing that she would contact her parents.
Gu Yin's head started to ache: "Let's avoid contact if we can avoid it. If she keeps her on our minds, we won't be able to get through junior high!"
Zhao Xiaomin didn't care about Wang Yanni at all; someone whose mind wasn't on studying was a waste of time to pay attention to.
Her father said that if Wang Yanni doesn't settle down, she'll be dropped to a regular class after just one semester of junior high. Given her proud personality, she'll definitely be discouraged. Besides, junior high isn't like elementary school; nobody will give her any leeway. If she doesn't correct her behavior, she'll be just another face in the crowd after junior high. So Zhao Xiaomin's father told her not to worry about it and just focus on doing her own thing.
“I brought two book clips over. Let’s stand the books up together. That way, it’ll be easier to grab whichever book you want to read!” Zhao Xiaomin held up two book clips and looked at Gu Yin.
Gu Yin nodded. They only used this thing in high school, and she didn't expect Zhao Xiaomin to be using it now.
Just as the two finished tidying up the books, a female teacher came in.
Wang Shumei placed the materials on the table on the podium, clapped her hands, and said, "Everyone, be quiet, find a seat, you have one minute, hurry up!"
Zhao Xiaomin tilted her head and whispered, "This teacher must be the homeroom teacher. She looks very capable and efficient. I like her!"
Gu Yin nodded: "Indeed."
In her previous life, she was in Class 2, where Wang Shumei also taught Chinese. She was very capable and her teaching style was well-liked by the students. She never expected to be in Wang Shumei's class in this life. She hopes they can get along well in the future.
Wang Shumei glanced at her watch, clapped her hands, and said, "One minute is up. Okay, let me introduce myself first. I am Wang Shumei." As she spoke, she turned around and wrote her name on the blackboard.
"Your homeroom teacher is also your Chinese teacher. We should be together for the next three years. Of course, there will be another class placement test in the second year of junior high school. Some of you may leave this class at that time, but I still hope that none of you will be left behind! Okay, let's not talk about heavy things for now. Next, let's get to know each other, that is, let's introduce ourselves. We will follow the order on the class placement chart. Let's all get to know each other. First up is Gu Yin."
Wang Shumei looked into the classroom, wondering who the top student was this time. She had only lost two points on her Chinese composition, but got full marks in the other two subjects. Just then, she saw a girl wearing a black tracksuit and a hat stand up.
Gu Yin stood up, walked to the podium, nodded to the teacher, wrote her name on the blackboard, and then turned to look at the audience.
"My name is Gu Yin. My handwriting isn't very good, and I don't have any hobbies or interests right now. I hope to find something I like after getting to know my classmates. That's all I want to say. How about the next person?" After saying that, she nodded to the teacher again and walked away.
Zhao Xiaomin followed and wrote her name on the blackboard. Then, she adjusted her glasses and said very seriously, "My name is Zhao Xiaomin. My hobby is studying. If you have any questions, you can ask me. If I know the answer, you can ask me too. If I don't know the answer, you can ask me. We can discuss it together. I like students who love learning. I hope we can become friends. Okay, next one!"
After saying that, he left cleanly and efficiently.
Wang Shumei smiled and made a mark in her notebook.
When Song Pengfei went up, the crowd below started to stir. Zhao Xiaomin looked at the excited female classmates around her and said helplessly, "So what if he's a little good-looking? He's really putting on an act. They'll know his true character once they get to know him."
Gu Yin looked at Song Pengfei, who was smiling gently on the podium. He was indeed very handsome, like a little boy from an idol boy group in her previous life. However, she didn't know much about him, so she didn't comment.
Several more people went up on stage, until it was the sixth person's turn. Wang Shumei noticed that no one had come up yet, and called out in confusion, "Where's Wang Yanni? Didn't she come?"
The classroom fell silent for a moment; no one answered.
"Does anyone know her? Do they know anything about her situation?" Wang Shumei continued to ask, as she hadn't received any requests for leave from anyone today.
Gu Yin stood up: "Teacher, Wang Yanni is here. She should be outside now. You'll see her when you go out."
According to Wang Yanni's habits, she should be squatting outside the door, probably already getting impatient, but she won't come in by herself and insists on having the teacher call her. Gu Yin really couldn't understand her thought process.
"Outside? Outside the classroom?" Wang Shumei raised her eyebrows and looked at Gu Yin.
Gu Yin nodded.
"Why aren't you coming in if you're outside?" Wang Shumei walked to the door in confusion, and looked to the side. Sure enough, a little girl was squatting there, looking like she was about to cry when she saw her coming.
"Wang Yanni?"
Wang Yanni nodded: "It's me, teacher."
"What are you doing outside? Why don't you come in? Don't you know class is in session? What's wrong with you?" He then went over and pulled her up.
Wang Yanni pouted, "My classmates don't like me, so I'm too scared to go in. I'm just squatting here."
Wang Shumei raised her eyebrows: "Why don't your classmates like you?"
Wang Yanni lowered her head and said with a wronged expression, "I was always the class monitor in elementary school. Then, when I went to the classroom before class, I found that the students were a bit disorderly, so I said something to them, and they stopped liking me."
"Come in first, I'll talk to them later," Wang Shumei said as she entered the classroom.
"You are all classmates, and you are the friends who spend the most time together besides your family. I hope you can get along well with each other, resolve any conflicts properly, and don't exclude each other. Of course, if you are really bullied, don't disappear. Teachers and parents will worry. Okay, Wang Yanni, it's your turn to introduce yourself. Come on stage."
When Wang Yanni heard their self-introductions outside, she had been itching to come up. She wanted to show them just how outstanding she was!
"My name is Wang Yanni, I'm 12 years old. I've been the class monitor since preschool. I can dance, sing, play the piano, and draw. I'm also good at studying. I especially love making friends! I hope we can get along well! Thank you everyone." After saying this, seeing everyone's envious looks, she walked away proudly.
The number of families in the town that own a piano can be counted on one hand, let alone children who grew up in the village, so many people are indeed envious when they hear that Wang Yanni can play the piano.
After everyone had introduced themselves, the election for class officers began.
Junior high school isn't as democratic as high school, where you have to go up on stage to give a speech and then vote. In junior high, teachers usually assign students directly.
So when Wang Shumei appointed Gu Yin as class monitor, Zhao Xiaomei as deputy class monitor, and Song Pengfei as study committee member, Wang Yanni was unwilling.
"Teacher! Gu Yin's grades in elementary school were just average. She's only ever been a group leader and has no experience. I don't think she's suitable!"
Wang Shumei didn't expect that even though the assignment was based on grades, there would still be people who objected. When she saw that the person who objected was Wang Yanni, Wang Shumei had a premonition that their class might not be peaceful in the future.
Wang Shumei put down the list, crossed her arms, stared at Wang Yanni, and calmly said, "Teachers don't care about your elementary school affairs; teachers only care about this class placement exam. Gu Yin's grades weren't good before, but she was able to get first place in the class placement exam. What does that mean? It means that she didn't relax during the summer vacation and always strictly demanded of herself. I think there's no problem with her being the class monitor!"
Just as Wang Yanni was about to cry again, Gu Yin quickly raised her hand.
"What, you have a problem too?" Wang Shumei looked at Gu Yin with dissatisfaction. These two are becoming unruly.
Gu Yin shook her head and explained, "Teacher, I've never been a class monitor before. Can I be the vice class monitor?"
Gu Yin didn't actually want to be a class committee member, but sometimes that's just how reality is. If you're a class committee member, you'll have priority in many things, so she wouldn't refuse. But she could be a vice class monitor. The class monitor handles everything, so the vice class monitor is just an assistant, which is easy!
"Teacher, let Song Pengfei be the class monitor, and I'll be the academic representative. I've always been the academic representative, and I'm not used to being the vice class monitor all of a sudden!" Seeing Gu Yin speak up, Zhao Xiaomin quickly chimed in. She didn't want to be the class monitor at all; she was too busy and didn't even have time to study! It just so happens that Song Pengfei is a cunning person and suitable for the position, so let him have it.
Upon hearing this, Song Pengfei stood up as well, smiling at the homeroom teacher: "Teacher, I am happy to be the class monitor, and I enjoy fighting for the interests of my classmates and serving them. Since Gu and Zhao have both declined, I will respectfully accept this heavy responsibility!"
Wang Shumei: "...Okay then, whatever you're happy with. Wang Yanni, you can be the arts and culture representative. There's an arts and culture performance for National Day. You and your classmates can discuss and put together a program. There's also a class-wide chorus. You'll be in charge of both. Is that okay?"
Seeing that things had come to this, Wang Yanni had no choice but to agree. She'd wait until her performance was spectacular and make the teacher regret it! Humph!
"Great job, teacher!"
"Since there are no problems, I'll continue. Today is Friday, the weekend is off. Next week you need to start moving your things to the dorms. The week after next, we'll have evening study sessions from 7:20 PM to 10:30 PM. We'll have morning reading at 6:30 AM, morning exercises at 7:10 AM, breakfast at 7:20 AM, and classes at 8:00 AM. Students who live far away should bring their things on Sunday. I'll give the keys to the class monitor and vice-monitor. If you need to stay in the dorms later, just ask them for the keys. You can exchange meal tickets at the canteen starting Sunday. It's 27 yuan for three jin of rice, enough for a week. Each meal ticket contains one to three liang (50-150 grams). Girls usually eat two liang per meal, and boys eat three liang. If you eat a lot, you can exchange for more. If you have any questions, just ask me. I'll be in the teachers' dormitory building, so just call me downstairs. Okay, if there's nothing else, the class monitor can come and get the keys. Take them to the dorms according to the numbers on the doors, and you can choose your own beds. Most importantly, don't cause any conflicts!" After Wang Shumei finished speaking, she handed the keys to Song Pengfei and Gu Yin who came up.
Gu Yin grabbed the keys and called out, "Girl, come with me!"
Actually, she didn't need to look at the number on the key to know where Class 1's dormitory was. The dormitories at No. 2 Middle School were all large communal sleeping areas. All twenty-odd girls in the class shared one dormitory room. The beds were arranged in two rows, with small bunk beds on top. The beds were small, just enough for one person to sleep on. If you turned over, you could bump into the classmate next to you. If you were close enough to the person next to you, you could sleep together. If you weren't close, you could put down the mosquito net and have your own personal world.
After finding the dormitory for Class 1, Gu Yin opened the door, and everyone squeezed in to choose their beds. Gu Yin went straight to the back and chose the last upper bunk against the wall. She didn't like sleeping on the lower bunk because many people weren't careful and would sit or lie on other people's beds without changing their clothes, which wasn't very hygienic. She was a bit of a germaphobe.
"Can I sleep next to you, deskmate? I don't snore, and I'm a good sleeper!" Zhao Xiaomin asked, clinging to Gu Yin's arm.
"No problem." Gu Yin didn't care. Since she was already against the wall, she could turn around and come to this side of the wall if she felt uncomfortable.
There was a broom in the dormitory. Gu Yin picked it up and planned to clean up the cobwebs on the wall and the trash on the floor. She planned to clean the bed next Monday and move her things over. If she didn't go home at noon, she could take a nap, or if it rained, she could come over to rest.
Seeing her take the broom, the others also started cleaning on their own.
After everything was finished, several people who lived far away came to find Gu Yin.
"Class monitor, my name is Wang Weiwei. My home is far away, and I'm currently staying at a relative's house in town. I plan to come over on Sunday afternoon to move my things into the dormitory, and I can move in on Monday. Could you give me the key?" Wang Weiwei looked at Gu Yin shyly. She didn't really want to stay at her relative's house; living under someone else's roof wasn't a good experience.
Gu Yin handed her the key: "Okay, you can take it. You can go to the street later to get another one made for yourself, that way it will be more convenient." After all, she was going home for dinner in the evening, and she was worried that it would be inconvenient for them, so it was better to have a key made for herself. Anyway, everyone would get a key made later, that's how it was in her past life.
The others' eyes lit up: "That's great! I'll get one made too, otherwise I'm worried I'll have to wait for you guys if I arrive too early!"
There was no textbook lesson in the afternoon; instead, all the teachers came over to get to know each other. Gu Yin gained another identity: math representative. She wasn't afraid of being bitten by lice; worrying was pointless anyway.
I read until midnight when I got home that night, and didn't wake up until after 10 a.m. the next day.
"Ayin, the wild chrysanthemums on the mountain are blooming all over! Let's go pick them. I asked the old village chief, and the town is already harvesting them. Fresh wild chrysanthemums are one cent a pound, and dried ones are five cents a pound. Do you want to go?" Gu Yin had just finished eating when Li Xiaohua ran over.
"Go! Wait for me a minute, I'm going to get a bottle of water!" This is quite profitable for the children. Every year around this time, the children in the village would go up the mountain to pick it after school. In her previous life, Gu Yin went every time, but she didn't have time to go after she went to high school.
By the time she finished filling the water container, Gu Shu and Gu Hua were already waiting with sacks and baskets, and Gu Le was also carrying a small bamboo basket.
Gu Yin looked at Gu Le: "The mountain behind is very high and the road is difficult to walk on. Can you stay at home?"
Gu Le shook his head: "I'll stay next to my older brother."
"It's okay, as long as we don't go to dangerous places! Let's go! I just saw a lot of people going there again. If we go too late, there won't be any left to pick!" Gu Shu took the water bottle from Gu Yin's hand and put it in Gu Hua's basket along with the burlap sack. Then, she took the basket, pulled Gu Le, and walked towards the back mountain.
Gu Yin reluctantly took a bamboo hat and put it on, then looked at Li Xiaohua and said, "Let's go."
When we reached the foot of the mountain, we looked up at the summit and saw wild chrysanthemums growing all over the mountainside, golden yellow and very beautiful!
Only children come to pick these things; adults don't have time at all. The children pick them and sell them, keeping the money as pocket money. So the mountain gets very lively at this time of year.
There are also wild chrysanthemums at the foot of the mountain, but they are not as dense as those on the mountainside and at the top. They are rather sparse. They only come down to pick the ones at the foot of the mountain when they are all gone on the mountain.
Halfway up the mountain, Gu Shu took out a water bottle and gave Gu Le a few sips. He then looked at them and said, "Let's pick them here. You sit here while I go pick a few bunches. Then you can pick the flowers and put them in your baskets. When it gets dark, we'll pick a few more bunches and put them in sacks to take home and pick more flowers!"
Gu Yin nodded: "Then be careful, we can pick them here too."
They stopped at a relatively flat grassy area. After putting their things down, the group started picking fruit nearby, while Gu Shu went further in.
"Ah Le, be careful of the bees, don't get stung," Gu Yin reminded him as she picked the bees.
"I understand, sister!" Gu Le nodded.
Half an hour later, Gu Shu came out carrying a large bunch of wild chrysanthemums with stems and flowers still attached.
"I saw wild grapes there. Here, you guys eat these first, I'll continue picking! Eat a little, they're a bit sour! They're not ripe yet, they'll be sweet in another week or two, then we'll come back to pick more. I've memorized the spots!"
Gu Yin handed him the water: "We're not thirsty, you can take it."
After picking more than half of them, Gu Le had eaten almost all of the wild grapes.
"Aren't you afraid of the sourness? You'll regret it if you can't chew the meat tonight!" Gu Hua couldn't eat any more after trying just one; it was so sour it would make your teeth ache!
"Delicious!" Gu Le said with a smile after finishing the last one, then looked at Gu Yin and said, "Sister, my stomach is a little bloated, I want to go take care of it."
"Shanghai University? Okay, the trees are denser over there, I'll take you there. Does anyone have any paper on them?" Gu Yin stood up and looked at the woods not far away. There was no one there, and it wasn't close to the roadside, so no one should step on it if she pooped there.
“I have some! I’ll go too!” Li Xiaohua stood up and handed the papers she had brought to Gu Le.
The three walked to the nearby woods. Gu Le found a place to stand, while Li Xiaohua squatted down about five meters away. Gu Yin walked out of the woods and picked wild chrysanthemums nearby. Even when they were squatting down, the two could still see Gu Yin. If Gu Yin turned around, she could also see his head. However, she knew that if she turned around, the two of them would not be able to resolve the situation for a long time.
"Ah Le, Little Flower!" Gu Yin called out after picking a few flowers.
Gu Le: "Sister."
Li Xiaohua: "Ayin"
Hearing the reply, Gu Yin felt relieved and continued picking.
Five minutes later, Gu Yin spoke up again: "Are you guys done yet?"
Two voices rang out simultaneously: "Not yet!"
Okay, that's slow!
The wild chrysanthemums in front were gone, so Gu Yin moved a little to the side. As soon as she reached out, she was stung by a bee. The pain instantly spread throughout her body. Before she could react, the voice of 001 rang in her mind.
001: "Your brother is in danger!"
"Sister! Mmm, ah, sister!"
At the same time, Gu Le's intermittent voice came from behind.
Gu Yin tossed aside the wild chrysanthemum in her hand, turned and ran towards the woods. After only a few steps, she saw a hunched figure carrying Gu Le and running into the mountains.
"Help! There's a bad guy! Big brother! Dad, Uncle, come quick! There's a bad guy!" Gu Yin shouted as she quickly chased after him.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com