Chapter 42
The magpie outside the window chirped three times, and was scared away by the sudden sound of reading in the classroom. Bei Xia turned his head distractedly to take a look, then lowered his head to continue listening. In the class, the English teacher was asking the students to stand up one by one to speak about the questions. Wu Huimin was obviously very nervous, worried that she would not speak well, and she muttered to herself in preparation.
Bexia took a look and when it was her turn, it was reading comprehension.
English and Chinese are Beixia's weak points, but she worked hard on the test paper yesterday. Beixia silently reviewed the answers she had done. Then it was Wu Huimin's turn. Wu Huimin stammered as she explained the answer to the question and the process of solving the problem. The teacher asked her to sit down, and then it was Beixia's turn.
Beixia stood up and picked up the test paper. She lowered her head and read the entire reading comprehension section from beginning to end, and then read aloud the parts that needed to be filled in. She learned English as a dumb English and her English pronunciation was very unstandard.
After finishing, the teacher praised Beixia and said that she had made great progress. She understood the reading comprehension question very thoroughly and the wrong answers were all confusing options. The teacher asked Beixia to memorize more words and understand the meaning of the questions better. Then he picked up the questions that Beixia got wrong and explained the usage of gerunds and the meaning of some difficult words on the blackboard.
Wu Huimin looked at Bei Xia with admiration. If it was her turn to explain this reading comprehension, she would probably be more nervous. She didn't expect Bei Xia to be so calm.
The class continued. Beixia had no intention of gossiping with Wu Huimin. Beixia had fallen behind in her studies over the past two years. Even if she had a smart brain, she would still need to make up a lot of homework if she picked up studying again. Beixia studied eagerly, hoping to give Zhou Li a surprise. Zhou Li obviously cared about her grades, otherwise she would not have prepared so many study materials for her.
Beixia estimated her learning progress. The college entrance examination was only half a year away, and she probably wouldn't be able to finish so many questions before the exam.
Thinking that this would waste Zhou Li's money, Bei Xia wanted to use all his spare time to do the questions, racing against time. His pen ran out again. Bei Xia changed the pen refill without caring, lowered his head and continued to work hard.
The Education Bureau went to the school's archives and retrieved Bexia's academic performance over the past three years, using her grades to simulate her school trajectory.
Beixia's file contained every test score. After reviewing it, the two Education Bureau staff members couldn't help but shake their heads. They handed the transcript back to the Dean of Studies and said, "Look! Such a promising student is wasted like this!"
This is based on the heartache of educators. It is inevitable that they will feel heartbroken when they see such talented children being abandoned. Especially since Beixia's performance in the first year of high school was very eye-catching, but after the unfavorable test for class placement in the first year of high school, his grades dropped sharply after the subject placement in the second year of high school, and now he is at the bottom of the class.
The dean of studies remembered Bei Xia when he saw the name and the transcript. Wasn't that the child in the grade whose parents had both died? A few days ago, Xu Chuntian, the head teacher of Class 12, had come to discuss matters with him, saying that the parents of a student in the class were making a big fuss. Hadn't the school waived the child's textbook fees? The dean of studies was even more bewildered. He even joined Xu Chuntian in persuading the parents of another child to enroll, saying that nothing was more important right now than the upcoming college entrance exam.
The Education Bureau did not go directly to Xu Chuntian, finding Xu Chuntian was the last step.
They personally visited Beixia's first-year high school class teacher and all the subject teachers. The teachers all expressed regret when talking about Beixia, especially Beixia's first-year high school class teacher, who sighed several times when talking about Beixia.
"Bexia was a student who had just started school and performed very well. She had high grades, was intelligent, and had a strong aptitude for science, especially math, physics, and chemistry. She was always top of her class. In her freshman year, she participated in many competitions, winning first prize in math and second place in physics. However, in the second half of her sophomore year, right before the placement exam, something happened in her family."
Sighing, the teacher continued, "Her parents work in foreign trade, and her family is relatively well off. I heard she was rushing back to celebrate Beixia's birthday, but unexpectedly, that flight crashed..." The teacher couldn't help but shake her head at the mention of this. "After something like that, she naturally had no mood to study. She haphazardly answered the placement test, even filling in the wrong answers on the answer sheet. How could she possibly get a good grade? That's why she was transferred to another class in her second year of high school."
The teacher sighed again, "After learning about her situation, I also tried to persuade Beixia, but you know, when faced with such a situation, even adults may not be able to cope with it, let alone a teenager. She has almost no one at home, and her only uncle doesn't seem to treat her well... She often doesn't have enough to eat. I helped her a few times, but she's so stubborn!"
After the Education Bureau asked about Beixia's situation, they basically connected her story in their minds and communicated with Beixia's current teacher. The teachers all shook their heads and said that they had a headache dealing with Beixia. Even the students in the class who were not good at studying would at least pretend to write a few words on the test paper, but Beixia basically handed in a blank paper. Her test paper was always the cleanest when handed out.
The English teacher had just finished teaching when he was called by someone from the Education Bureau, but he said something different.
"This child has performed quite well in the past two days. It seems that his enthusiasm for learning has increased."
It happened to be the break, and with the help of the principal, the Education Bureau found a few students in the same class as Bei Xia and carefully learned about the situation in Xu Chuntian's class.
Some students were too timid to speak up, while others didn't care and said directly, "Teacher Xu treats students who are good at studying differently from those who are poor at studying. He lets them sit in the front row, doesn't let them do any homework, and gives them all the good things."
"Bexia? She's always bullied by Cui Lin. I don't know why Cui Lin hates Bexia so much."
"Does Teacher Xu know about this? I think the teacher should know, because I heard what Cui Lin and the others said. Even if I report it to the teacher, it will be useless."
"Cui Lin is a good student, so naturally what she says goes."
After asking several people, I got basically the same answer. The principal who was listening in was so angry that his face turned green. He didn't expect that after the school had repeatedly reiterated something, there were still teachers who treated students so differently!
The people from the Education Bureau did not look for Bei Xia, but the students who were called for questioning looked at Bei Xia strangely when they came back. Cui Lin was still chatting and laughing with her friends in the class. They sat on the desks arrogantly, laughing and talking loudly in the classroom during breaks. Those who were disturbed by them dared not say a word.
Even within the same class, students were divided into different classes because of the teacher's blatant favoritism. Cui Lin obviously belonged to the upper class, until the class monitor frowned and spoke.
"Cui Lin, can you keep your voices down? Can't you see that some people are taking a break from their homework? You're being too loud."
Only then did Cui Lin stop being so permissive.
But she whispered to all around, "Hypocrisy."
Her companions covered their mouths and giggled again.
"Boss, Bexia, aren't you moving?" someone next to him said in a low voice, looking at Bexia with ill intention.
Cui Lin said bitterly, "Don't touch her for now. The teacher has been keeping a close eye on her lately. And she's acting like that, and you're asking me to apologize? Humph!"
"Boss, have you apologized to her?" Someone looked at Cui Lin with a strange look.
"No, no!" Cui Lin used her voice to cover up her guilty conscience, "Why would I apologize to her?"
"That's right! Look at how poor she is!"
Cui Lin also hated Bei Xia.
She likes Wen Chao from Class 2. They were in the same class in junior high school, but Wen Chao was a good student. Although she and Wen Chao were admitted to the same school, one was in the top class and the other in the ordinary class. The difference in classes alone created an insurmountable gap between them. Cui Lin pursued Wen Chao, imagining that she could rely on her own efforts to get to Wen Chao step by step. She could also be the top student in the ordinary class. That afternoon, Cui Lin wanted to confess her love and met Wen Chao and Bei Xia at the corner of the corridor.
The young man's thin body stopped Bei Xia and asked excitedly, "Why didn't you come to take the exam? Didn't we agree to compete together and give each other a hard time next year? Why did you give up?"
Bei Xia said nothing and tried to walk around the boy, but Wen Chao held his arm tightly.
"Besha! I'm going to win first place in this physics competition!"
Bei Xia said coldly: "Let go."
A look of disappointment flashed across Wen Chao's face. He whispered, "Bexia, do you know that you were once my rival? Now you really disappoint me."
Wen Chao let go, and Bei Xia lowered his head and went downstairs.
Cui Lin stood upstairs, stunned. Wen Chao liked Bei Xia? He already had someone he loved? And someone from the same ordinary class as her. So why couldn't that person be her?
From that day on, Cui Lin hated Bei Xia very much.
Because she took away her sweetheart.
After the Education Bureau investigated the situation, they told the Dean, "Let's go see Teacher Xu. Does she have classes right now?"
Xu Chuntian teaches chemistry and only has two classes this morning. The Education Bureau representative waited until she finished her classes and returned to the office before politely greeting her, "Teacher Xu, can we talk?"
Xu Chuntian finished two classes before she had time to go back to her office to drink some water. Her heart skipped a beat when she heard someone from the Education Bureau was coming. Unexpectedly, she turned around and saw the Dean of Studies, a sullen-looking man, accompanied by two men carrying briefcases. Xu Chuntian's heart skipped a beat with their attire. She nodded guiltily, "Okay."
Xu Chuntian didn't attend the afternoon class. The class monitor went to the office and temporarily changed the class to a study session. Bei Xia seemed oblivious and continued to work diligently on the test paper. Someone from the Education Bureau came out of the principal's office and shook his hand. "Thank you for your help."
"It's not a bother, it's not a bother." The principal didn't dare let someone from the Education Bureau say such a thing. "It's our school that's bothering you to come here."
"We came here this time to understand what happened and investigate thoroughly. We will report the situation to our superiors truthfully. We also hope that the school can strengthen its discipline and ethos, especially for the young teaching staff. Those who need criticism and education should also be given prompt attention."
"It's just the inaction of individual teachers. We are still very satisfied with the school as a whole," another person added.
The principal's heart was at ease. This was a sure thing for them. He said politely, "We will immediately start self-correction and self-inspection to ensure that the children will not be delayed and that the parents will be satisfied!"
The two people from the Education Bureau looked at each other and smiled, "That's it, we'll be leaving first, so don't see us off."
"It still has to be delivered."
The principal escorted the two out of the school gate before turning back and angrily shouting to the Dean of Studies, "What's going on? How come I haven't received any documents from the Education Bureau yet? And this guy is here?"
The dean of studies told the principal what he knew, and he frowned. "How did Xu Chuntian handle the situation? It's too much of a stretch to have her be the class teacher! Replace her!"
The principal took a few steps forward, then turned back and said, "We must also take the parents' opinions seriously! Isn't it just an apology? Arrange a class meeting right away! This has even reached the Education Bureau! They've invited two giant Buddha statues, and you don't even have to think about it. Are these people worth offending?! And that spoiled student Cui Lin? Tell her parents that if she doesn't apologize, she'll either be punished and reported to the whole school, with a blemish on her record! Or she'll be told to quit school!"
The dean quickly nodded and followed the principal.
Xu Chuntian returned to the office in a daze. Her title and rating were ruined.
During the final self-study period of the afternoon, Cui Lin was called out and returned with tears in her eyes. Her parents were standing at the classroom door. The dean of studies, who was personally conducting a class meeting, tapped the table with his teaching stick, coughed, and said, "I have something to say." Seeing that he had the entire class's attention, he added, "In light of Cui Lin's actions, the school has considered the matter and requires her to apologize to Bei Xia. Bei Xia? Bei Xia, please stand up."
Beixia stood up, and Cui Lin walked down from the podium, walked to her side, and bowed deeply. "Bexia, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have bullied you or falsely accused you of stealing my money."
Cui Lin bit her lip, trying hard to hold back her tears. Her mother said that Bei Xia had a powerful background and their family could not afford to offend her. She told her not to cause trouble in the future, otherwise she would not want her anymore.
Cui Lin's fear overwhelmed her shame. She bent at a 90-degree angle. Bei Xia was slow to speak. The whole class was watching them. Cui Lin's tears fell. She bit her lip to stop herself from crying. Was this what it felt like to be oppressed? Why didn't Bei Xia cry when she bullied him?
Besha lowered her eyes, her face expression cold.
"Cui Lin."
"He who deceives others will be deceived."
“He who insults others will be insulted in return.”
There will always be people in this world who are more powerful than you. When you enjoy the pleasure of bullying the weak, you should understand that you will also be bullied by people who are more powerful than you. This is a truth that Besha has long understood.
"I will never forgive you, Choi Rin."
Besha said, “But it’s okay.”
Bei Xia sat down, and Wu Huimin's eyes sparkled with stars.
So handsome! Her deskmate!
"Ahem, everyone, please sit down." The Dean was also stunned for a moment. He had never expected children these days to be so opinionated. Then, thinking about Bei Xia's experience, it seemed natural. He announced the second thing, "Your homeroom teacher, Mr. Xu, will no longer be your teacher due to health reasons. Mr. Zhao Wenyan from Class 2 will serve as your homeroom teacher concurrently. Let us welcome Mr. Zhao!"
Zhao Wenyan walked in from the door. He was wearing a white shirt and stood straight. He looked at the children in the class and smiled, with fine lines wrinkling at the corners of his eyes. "Hello everyone, my name is Zhao Wenyan. From today on, I will be your homeroom teacher. I hope you can talk to me more often if you have any troubles. My office is on the third floor. You are welcome to come to me anytime."
Someone in the class exclaimed.
It turned out to be the school’s star teacher in the senior class - Zhao Wenyan.
But too many people have heard the students of Class 2 talk about how, back then, who wouldn't envy Class 2? Even during the tense time of their senior year, they still had physical education classes. Teacher Zhao would organize a football game with him as the goalkeeper, and he would even show them a movie once a week...
There are so many good things about Teacher Zhao that they can’t express it enough. They never expected that they could teach such an ordinary class like theirs. Everyone felt like they were dreaming, except Bei Xia, who raised her head and met Zhao Wenyan’s loving gaze, then lowered her head involuntarily with guilt.
Teacher Zhao was also her homeroom teacher in her first year of high school. She was very kind to Beixia and was the only person Beixia felt guilty about. Apart from Zhou Li, Teacher Zhao might be the only person who truly wished the best for Beixia, but she was also the one she dared not meet and always avoided because she felt she was not worthy of such kindness.
The principal handed the class over to Zhao Wenyan and asked Zhao Wenyan to communicate with the students.
Zhao Wenyan has long arms and legs, and looks very handsome in trousers. Needless to say, he was a handsome guy when he was young. Even now that he is old and has gray hair, he is still as handsome as ever. He stands straight, with no signs of hunchback on his shoulders, and always smiles when talking to people. He answered questions from his classmates in a good-tempered manner.
The students were so excited that get out of class ended, and Zhao Wenyan finally picked up his teaching stick and became serious. He said, "Even though you're all anxious to end get out of class, I still have something to say. This is something I've been repeating since I became a teacher. I hope to make friends with everyone, and I hope everyone will refrain from bullying and show kindness to their classmates."
"You're all grown up kids now, about to become adults. No matter how much I say, you won't want to hear it. But I hope you can study hard and don't let these three years of high school go to waste. Don't be ashamed of studying, don't laugh when you see others studying, and don't exile yourself. You're still young, and you have a long life ahead of you. Every serious person deserves encouragement. I hope to see changes from today on. To this end, I'm teaming up with the students in Class 2 to provide one-on-one support for everyone. Each of you will be assigned a little teacher, and if you don't understand a question, just ask the little teacher."
Zhao Wenyan laughed and said, "I hope you can get along well. Okay, get out of class is dismissed!"
Zhao Wenyan was very brave to do this. At such an important time in the senior year of high school, he pulled the students from the top class to give extra lessons to the students in the ordinary class. He was not afraid of affecting the academic performance of the top class.
The dean shook his head when he heard the cheers from the class.
However, Zhao Wenyan set the deadline for next month's exam. If the scores of both classes improved, this condition could continue to be implemented. If not...
The principal said with emotion: "Teacher Zhao is already this old, but he is still constantly improving his teaching. He is really amazing." He also admires Zhao Wenyan very much.
After class, Zhao Wenyan stood at the classroom door and said goodbye to each student. Cui Lin had already been taken away by her parents. He waited until most of the students had left before he walked towards Bei Xia. "Can we take a walk? I want to go to the cafeteria to eat, too."
Bei Xia nodded, and the two of them walked downstairs in silence. When they were about to say goodbye in the cafeteria, Zhao Wenyan smiled and said, "Bei Xia, your future shouldn't be limited here. There's still six months left. I hope you can work hard. I know you can do it."
For the first time, Bei Xia dared to look up into Teacher Zhao's eyes. She said respectfully, "Teacher, I will work hard."
Zhao Wenyan's eyes widened, and even for a man in his fifties, they turned red. He didn't want anyone to see it, so he said with emotion, "Okay, okay." He turned around and wiped his eyes, then turned back to Bei Xia and said, "I'll prepare a study plan for you. With your talent, I believe you can catch up!"
Beixia curled her lips and smiled, feeling warm in her heart. When she let herself go, the world seemed to be full of warmth.
"I will study hard."
Zhao Wenyan patted Beixia's shoulder, turned and entered the teachers' cafeteria. Where Beixia couldn't see him, he couldn't help but clench his fist and jump. Seeing that no one was looking at him, he regained his usual gentleness. Even at this age, he couldn't help but feel happy when he saw his students return to the right path.
The atmosphere in Bexia's class has changed suddenly. Many teachers have reported that the students have been studying very seriously recently. If they don't know the answer to a question, they dare to speak out loudly and ask the teacher to explain it, instead of answering questions haphazardly as before. Although some of their bad habits still cannot be changed, they have improved a lot. Many teachers say that it is Zhao Wenyan's magic.
Originally, some parents were not very happy about the change of class teacher, but after seeing Zhao Wenyan's qualifications and their children's recent performance, they all relaxed. Especially Cui Lin, who was originally annoyed, but after learning that Class 2 was going to form a mutual help group with their class, she couldn't stop smiling. Wouldn't she be able to meet Wen Chao then?
Zhou Li got off work in the evening. When she returned home, Beixia had not yet finished school. She put the food in her hand on the dining table and went to pour a glass of water. She had just started working today and had familiarized herself with the environment and staff of the TV station. She had not yet officially entered the working state, but she also discovered the benefits of working in a TV station. The TV station had its own cafeteria, which was open to employees and their families free of charge, and the ingredients were very fresh. Zhou Li thought of Beixia first. Now Beixia had a place to eat.
When Bei Xia entered the room, Zhou Li was lying on the sofa, reading the work materials sent by her colleagues from the TV station this day. She was leaning against the sofa with her legs crossed, the computer on her legs, with a serious look on her face. When she heard the door open, she looked over. As soon as Bei Xia entered the room, she saw Zhou Li, who was unusually soft and gentle at home.
Her hair was casually tied up, and she was wearing cotton pajamas. A few irregular strands of hair fell on her fair face. When she saw Bei Xia, she smiled. She put down the computer and stood up. "You're back."
It feels so good to have someone waiting for you. Beixia closed the door and responded with a "hmm".
"I brought you some food, eat something before you study."
Zhou Li forgot where he saw it, but it said that children at this time are growing and are most likely to be hungry in the middle of the night. Beixia is a quiet child, so even if he is hungry while studying, he probably won't open his mouth. Zhou Li had to keep an eye on him at all times.
And Bexia is too thin. I’m afraid his weight is less than 100 pounds?
Zhou Li is 170cm tall, and Bei Xia is just up to her eyes, about 165cm tall. Zhou Li heated up the packed food, and Bei Xia went to wash her hands. Zhou Li thought for a while, then went to the bedroom to get the scale.
Seeing Bei Xia coming out of the bathroom, she waved and said, "Come and weigh yourself."
Bei Xia inexplicably stepped forward, not even taking off her coat, and stepped onto the scale in her slippers. Zhou Li looked at the 41 kilograms displayed on the scale and sighed, "You're too thin."
No wonder it looks paper thin.
Author: The male supporting role here has nothing to do with Bei Xia, the two are just comrades in competition.
Also, Teacher Zhao Wenyan is a truly good teacher!
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