Chapter 30: He Chen: Speak! Why won

Li Tiegun felt his confidence growing with every passing thought.

The people’s hearts hold their own judgment.

She believed that whether students or parents, all could understand her intention—that strict teachers produce outstanding students.

As for a few stubborn, lazy troublemakers who refused to improve, she would raise her voice if she had reason.

Thinking of this, she scanned the students: “You think it’s too hard to start evening self-study right after the exam, but hasn’t every class gone through this?”

Plum blossoms fragrance comes from bitter cold!

Aren’t there many students here who live in Shuxiang Yayuan?”

When you return home after evening self-study, look out your window before bed—don’t even say you’re let out at nine, even before midnight, isn’t the entire neighborhood still lit up?”

If you don’t work hard, there are plenty who work harder than you!

Shuxiang Yayuan is famous as a college entrance exam neighborhood; over half its residents are parents who came to accompany their children, rent is exorbitant, yet demand far exceeds supply—why?”

Isn’t it because everyone knows how crucial the college entrance exam is?”

Parents are willing to spend huge sums of money and effort for your future!”

As your teacher and homeroom teacher, we’re also willing to sacrifice our free time and voluntarily stay with you through this year.”

We and the parents have done everything we possibly can—if you still refuse to work hard, then go home and sleep early like him!”

After all, it’s all voluntary!”

But when your classmates each get into their dream universities and their families celebrate joyfully, those who didn’t work hard—get ready to face the huge gap and the bitter contrast in fate!”

Now!”

Who among you wants to leave like him and skip evening self-study?”

Her gaze swept over the students, many moved and shaking their heads; Li Tiegun was satisfied with the effect of her speech, and finally fixed her eyes on the key figure: “Ruan Liuzheng, are you going back now?”

“Teacher Li, I’m staying for evening self-study!” Ruan Liuzheng said firmly.

Though she knew He Chen might be upset, at this moment she had to stand on the side of historical correctness.

“Men manage outside, women manage inside”—she, who would one day be responsible for earning and supporting the family, must now work twice as hard; she couldn’t just listen to He Chen, who didn’t want to suffer and wanted to go home and sleep.”

This kind of external struggle was her decision to make—she couldn’t let domestic distractions cloud her judgment.

Let He Chen go home and sleep early if he wants.

More sleep even helps your skin and body.

“You see?” Li Tiegun was pleased with Ruan Liuzheng’s attitude; she smiled at her, then sneered at He Chen standing by the door.

“If you want to go back, go alone—don’t disrupt others’ efforts and progress!”

“Are you mentally ill?” He Chen’s words sparked a murmur; Ruan Liuzheng panicked, wanting to stop him but too late—and what came next stunned everyone.

“Do you think I’m opposing evening self-study just to oppose you?”

“...” Li Tiegun froze, wanting to say, Isn’t that exactly why?

But she couldn’t say it—she already felt a strong sense of dread.

If not for that, then it must be something else.

He Chen’s perspective was always strange, yet sharp and cutting.

Had she missed something he’d caught?”

Her intuition proved correct—he continued: “I oppose your capricious, reckless chaos!”

You’ve just finished the exam—why suddenly announce evening self-study now? What were you doing before?”

Look outside—the school gate is already packed with parents waiting to pick up their kids. Now you suddenly tell them to go home and come back tonight?”

Do you know how much this disrupts people?”

You’re willing to never date just to devote all your time to students—you’re so noble, so impressive!”

But most of the parents waiting at the gate need to work and live; they’re already exhausted, had to leave work early risking being laid off, endured rush-hour traffic to come here for their children—and you casually say everyone is “voluntary” for self-study, leaving them waiting for nothing?”

Just because you want to prevent them from slacking off, you’re recklessly tormenting people like this?”

What were you doing before?”

Don’t say you sent a message—your notice came at 4:30 p.m., by then those who left had already left, and no one had time to check your group messages; most people had their phones on silent, okay?”

The surprise exam was decided in the morning—no, the test papers were prepared long before, and the preparations even earlier.”

You’re the one who’s been teaching senior year forever, the unshakable homeroom teacher of the sprint class, head of the senior grade team—and you still miss this basic detail? Is this your preparation?”

How can you dare say there’s public opinion among students and parents?”

Parents dare not curse you to your face, but behind your back, they’ve already been swearing!”

Is this the kind of unreliable, disruptive behavior you call teaching?”

His words rang out clear and smooth, leaving the entire room dead silent; the students in Class Two of Grade Three stared at Li Tiegun’s face turning red then purple, none daring to speak.

Even Fang Yifan, who usually loved to crack jokes and steal the spotlight, dared not make a joke.

Though he hated He Chen, he had to admit—in resistance, he simply couldn’t match He Chen.

Ruan Liuzheng’s heart was already screaming in despair.

As a good student, she simply couldn’t imagine confronting a homeroom teacher so fiercely.

Yet her nominal brother He Chen had done it—for her—and done it so fiercely, so confidently, so reasonable...

The commotion drew more than just Class Two; the hallway outside was already packed with onlookers, peering in—but no one dared show themselves in Li Tiegun’s line of sight, all hiding in corners to watch.

After hearing He Chen’s words, someone involuntarily turned and looked through the window toward the school gate—just as He Chen said, the gate was already crowded with parents, all senior-year parents waiting for their children.

Clearly, as He Chen said, the notice sent at 4:30 p.m. had reached many parents too late—or not at all.

The notice might as well have been sent into silence—it was better not to have sent it at all!

“Speak! Why won’t you speak?” He Chen broke the silence, pressing on: “Aren’t you supposed to go to the school gate and explain to the parents you’ve tormented, and comfort them?”

Don’t worry!”

They’ll only complain behind your back—in front of you, no one dares curse you!”

For the sake of their children and to avoid being targeted, they’ll smile and pretend to “voluntarily understand” your capricious right to act on impulse!

Li Tiegun was nearly suffocated by his words, unable to reply—because He Chen had exposed a flaw she’d never imagined.

And these oversights were utterly incompatible with her self-proclaimed elite image: distinguished teacher, senior grade team leader—she should never have made such mistakes!

The commotion drew not only students but other teachers too; when they heard He Chen mock Li Tiegun with “voluntary” and “understand,” they nearly burst out laughing.

This was the same morning in the office, when other teachers questioned her—Li Tiegun, either pretending ignorance or genuinely clueless, had boldly replied: “What’s the difference between sprint class and foundation class? As long as we explain, the parents of foundation-class students will understand.”

Now, what they’d dared not say aloud, He Chen had said for them.

Parents, however upset, would never dare openly refuse to “understand” to your face—because they know it’s useless, and saying so might make their child suffer consequences, so they swallow their anger and pretend to “voluntarily understand.”