Chapter 735 - : No Room for Negotiation
Chapter 735: No Room for Negotiation
Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Su Li quickly came to a decision, turning to Gao Ming and saying, “Thank you, Su Li. I will speak with Teacher Zhou later. I shouldn’t have been isolated in that corner.”
Su Li then pulled out his textbook, his attention focused on the lesson at hand. A silent resolve formed within him. He was determined to improve his performance in the next exam, to gradually move up the ranks. He would no longer allow his grades to be a source of ridicule. What did it matter if he was a child from the countryside? If his older brother could excel, so could he. He would strive to learn!
Gao Ming, noticing the renewed vigor in Su Li, finally allowed a smile to grace his features. He opened his textbook, glanced at Su Li, and began to concentrate on the lesson.
However, the other students in the class found it difficult to focus on their studies. Their minds were filled with questions about the relationship between Gao Ming and Su Li.
It was surprising to see Gao Ming defending Su Li so fiercely. If Su Li was indeed from the countryside, he shouldn’t have known Gao Ming. Yet, their closeness suggested otherwise. Could it be that Su Li was a distant, impoverished relative of Gao Ming?
Upon further thought, it was also possible that Teacher Zhou was misleading them. Perhaps Su Li wasn’t the bad student that Teacher Zhou had portrayed him to be. His familiarity with Gao Ming was proof enough that Su Li couldn’t be all that bad.
Even though Gao Ming wasn’t originally from their class, they all knew of him. Their parents were familiar with Gao Ming’s grandparents and parents. Gao Ming had been attending school for a term now, and he hadn’t formed any close friendships in class, except with Su Li.
Another point of intrigue was Gao Ming’s recent transfer from a class starting with ‘A’ to one starting with ‘B’. With Gao Ming’s excellent grades, why would he suddenly switch classes? Could it be because of Su Li?
By the end of the lesson, the students’ perception of Su Li had subtly shifted.
After class, the other students headed to the cafeteria for lunch. Some made a beeline for the school gate, as their families had hired nutritionists who prepared their meals. These students had to collect their lunch boxes from the gate before heading to the cafeteria.
Su Li, however, stayed behind.
Yang Zhen, having packed up her teaching materials, led Su Li straight to the teachers’ office building to seek out Teacher Zhou.
Teachers generally had more time for lunch than students. Since Teacher Zhou didn’t have a class during the previous period, she would have likely finished her meal and returned to her office to rest.
Therefore, Yang Zhen and Su Li weren’t in a rush. When they arrived at Teacher Zhou’s office, she was indeed there.
Yang Zhen led Su Li over, speaking in a tone of negotiation, “Teacher Zhou, I have something to discuss with you. It’s about this child. He hasn’t done anything wrong and shouldn’t be sitting in the corner’s special seat. So, when I saw him during class, I let him sit in the last row’s empty seat. I just brought him here to inform you, after all, you are the class teacher.”
Teacher Zhou glanced at the two of them, her gaze cold. “So you remember that I’m the class teacher. Yet, Teacher Yang, you still make decisions on your own. Teacher Yang, I don’t mean to criticize you, but you are too young and naive. I had Su Li sit in that spot for a reason.”
Upon hearing Teacher Zhou’s words, Yang Zhen realized that she was not open to negotiation. Her tone hardened as she questioned, “Teacher Zhou, I wonder what kind of good intentions would require a child who has done nothing wrong to sit in a position reserved for students who have committed serious offenses? The child doesn’t want to sit there because it’s unjust.
“In order to avoid alarming the child’s parents and school leaders, I hurriedly brought Su Li here to discuss this with you, Teacher Zhou. I believe that no matter what good intentions we teachers have, we should prioritize respecting the child’s wishes. There’s no need to put him back in the corner, right?”
Seeing Yang Zhen’s reaction, Teacher Zhou was clearly angered. She slapped her hand on the desk and scolded, “You’re a newly transferred teacher. Instead of studying the curriculum and improving yourself, you’re busy lecturing me, an experienced teacher? Where do you get the nerve? Su Li must sit back in the seat I assigned. There’s no room for discussion.
“Su Li, you’re young, but you’re quite cunning. You even went to your teacher to complain. It’s because you made a mistake that I made you sit in that seat, isn’t it?”
As Teacher Zhou spoke, she glared maliciously at Su Li, clearly intending to frame him.
Su Li, intimidated by her gaze, involuntarily took a step back in fear.
Just then, a voice came from the office door, forcefully refuting Teacher Zhou’s false accusation, “Of course not, Su Li, don’t be afraid. Never admit to something you didn’t do out of fear!”