"Yes, teacher, you're right. Money is indeed very important in modern society, and no one can stand on a moral high ground to criticize others' materialistic thinking. Because they don't lack money, and because they never worry about money."
I know that in winter, to save on electricity bills, the whole family would squeeze into a small room; I know that my parents would rush to open their shop at three or four in the morning, braving the cold wind, just to earn a pittance for the day.
However, this isn't about whether materialism is right or wrong. We children are only six or seven years old, just entering the formative years of our lives. Have you ever considered that your every word and action will have a significant impact on us?
Yes, there are many problems in this society. But societal problems cannot be solved by complaining or gossiping.
Instead, as a teacher, you should be subtly influencing our generation through your words and actions, educating us to become a healthy group. Now, however, you are using your position as a teacher to say things in the classroom that contradict your mission and responsibilities. Is this what you should be doing, something you can be ashamed of?
Chen Bing never felt that his family was superior to anyone after becoming rich. Wasn't all that money earned from one "poor person" after another? Moreover, most of his memories were of living ordinary days, watching his parents work hard and using their hard-earned money to go to school and grow up.
Similarly, he didn't think that he was superior to anyone just because he passed the civil service exam in his previous life. No matter what position he held, wasn't it all about serving the people? And no matter what career he pursued, wasn't it all for the construction of socialism?
After saying all that in one breath, Chen Bing was slightly out of breath. He admitted that in his moment of excitement, he had said things completely inappropriate for his age. But even if he were to calm down and choose again, he would only say those words more decisively and forcefully.
A brief silence fell over the classroom, everyone speechless because of Chen Bing's words. Unlike the children, whose silence stemmed from not understanding, the teacher sitting on the podium was speechless with embarrassment and annoyance at being lectured by a six- or seven-year-old child.
She first tried to organize her rebuttal in her mind, but since she couldn't think of anything to refute the statement "Is this something you should do, something you can do with a clear conscience?", she had no choice but to resort to intimidation.
"As a student, you openly insulted your teacher in class. Is this what you should be doing? Do you even have the right to do so?! Call your parents after school!" She stood up and yelled at Chen Bing, her eyes wide with anger.
In first and second grade, teachers are definitely the most intimidating people in a child's mind. Not to mention, her voice is loud and shrill, which startled many children who had never seen anything like it before. Shang Yunmiao was sitting next to Chen Bing, and she was no exception, having never been yelled at before, and was even more afraid than the others.
However, for some reason, the little girl, still trembling, tried to stand up and share some of the pressure with Chen Bing.
Sensing her intention, Chen Bing placed a hand on Xiao Shang's shoulder and gave her a reassuring look.
Chen Bing looked up at her teacher, who resembled a lioness.
The way you're behaving now, you'd only scare a first-grader. It's just a matter of calling my parents; you, a teacher, can't possibly fire me or anything like that.
Besides, you know your own parents best.
Chen Bing was not intimidated by the teacher in front of her at all and immediately wanted to continue talking to her.
However, before he could speak, a strong voice came from the back row to the podium.
"Teacher Wang, you can't say that, can you?"
The woman with red glasses was startled when she heard the voice. She looked towards the back row in the direction of the sound and, sure enough, saw the principal who had appeared there at some point.
"I..." She was so shocked that she couldn't speak for a moment, only managing to utter "I" unconsciously.
Since entering the classroom, Principal Lin found the teacher's lecture increasingly strange. Although the teacher's views on money made some sense, something still felt off.
Later, when he heard the teacher's comments about small class sizes, he became even more furious. What kind of nonsense was that? Was this something a teacher should say?
But even though this is your classroom, you can't educate children like this, can you?
Although Principal Lin was angry, he refrained from standing up and reprimanding her immediately, considering that it was still in class and in front of so many children. He only planned to call the teacher away for a private reprimand after class.
Surprisingly, among this group of first-graders, someone actually stood up and spoke their mind clearly and logically.
At the time, he wasn't surprised that the other person could say such things at such a young age; on the contrary, he sincerely admired this remarkable child.
Before Principal Lin could finish his reflections, he heard the teacher become angry and start scolding the wonderful child.
As a principal who loved his students like his own children, he could no longer suppress his impulse and stood up to speak up for the child.
And that's how the scene just now came about.
Principal Lin slowly stood up. After seeing the shocked expression on the chubby student's face, he pretended to be very serious and stern, and prepared to reprimand this unreasonable teacher.
However, he thought about it a little more. It was certainly satisfying to reprimand her in public, but it would have a bad influence with so many children in the classroom.
So he stood up, ready to walk to the front of the class, but before that, he stopped beside Chen Bing. He patted the child on the shoulder and praised him in front of everyone. Then he looked at the teacher on the stage and said, "Teacher Wang, come with me for a moment."
After saying that, Principal Lin put his hands behind his back, straightened his posture, and went out through the front door.
After he left, the man with red glasses hesitated for a moment before following him out, his face ashen.
After the two left, the classroom began to murmur amongst themselves. Most of them were unaware of what had just happened, only knowing that a seemingly formidable old man had called the teacher out, and before leaving, he had loudly praised Chen Bing and urged the whole class to learn from him.
From this, they came to a conclusion.
Chen Bing is right, Chen Bing makes sense, and Chen Bing is someone they should learn from.
These children may not understand right and wrong now, but that's okay. Today's events will leave a deep impression on them, and as they grow up and become more sensible, the positive impact of this event will gradually become apparent.
Of course, at this stage, Chen Bing has undoubtedly won the admiration of everyone in the class.
Just think about it: he, as a student, defied his teacher and even gained the approval of an elderly gentleman of higher status. Imagine how shocking this must have been for a group of children who were constantly taught to obey their teachers.
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