Chapter 13

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Protagonist:

Lin Hao

Hearing Zhang Xue'er and Song Jie's words, Principal Liu's brows knitted tightly, as if two deep gullies had been carved into his solemn face.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze revealing deep disappointment and displeasure.

The atmosphere in the office instantly grew heavy, as if an invisible boulder pressed down on everyone's heart.

Principal Liu shook his head gently, a heavy sigh echoing in the quiet space.

Director Wang also stared at the two with an incredulous expression, his eyes full of surprise and reproach. His face flushed slightly, clearly angered by their behavior.

"Why didn't you communicate with the parents? If you had communicated with the parents in time, she might not have reported it to the Education Bureau today. Do you understand what the purpose of establishing the class group is? Do you not even know what a class teacher's responsibilities are?" Director Wang's voice reverberated in the office, carrying strong questioning and displeasure.

Every word was like a heavy hammer, striking at Zhang Xue'er and Song Jie's hearts.

Hearing Director Wang's accusation, Song Jie panicked inside; his gaze began to dart, trying to find an excuse to shift the blame.

"Those are Class One's parents, I don't have their contact info..."

His voice grew quieter and quieter, his confidence clearly insufficient.

Director Wang cut him off directly, saying sternly: "Shut your mouth."

Song Jie was so frightened he immediately shut his mouth and stopped speaking, but the expression on his face clearly still showed unwillingness to accept it.

He lowered his head slightly, a trace of defiance flashing in his eyes, silently muttering his justifications in his heart.

Zhang Xue'er stood there with her face flushed red, her heart filled with guilt and self-blame. Her hands were clenched tightly together, trembling slightly.

She didn't know what to say; after all, at the start of school Director Wang had just told her to strengthen home-school communication, and in such a short time she had forgotten it completely. Director Wang's admonitions at that time kept surfacing in her mind, and she regretted deeply.

Director Wang looked at Zhang Xue'er and Song Jie and sighed helplessly.

His eyes were full of disappointment, as if the expectations he had placed on them had shattered in an instant. He had Zhang Xue'er give him Tian Yulan's phone number; he contacted Tian Yulan directly and asked her to come to the school.

Zhang Xue'er hurriedly took out her mobile phone, her fingers trembling slightly as she found Tian Yulan's number and told Director Wang. Her voice carried a trace of nervousness and unease, as if feeling guilty for her dereliction of duty.

At this time Tian Yulan had just come out of the Education Bureau; sunlight fell on her, further reflecting the complacency in her heart.

Her face beamed with a complacent smile, as if she had won a great victory. Receiving Director Wang's call, she immediately became happy, thinking the school summoning her must be to deal with Zhong Yi, musing that the Education Bureau and school's handling speed was this fast now?

She hung up the phone, then complacently sent a voice message in the parent group saying the school was about to deal with Zhong Yi, asking parents to give opinions on how to deal with Zhong Yi so she could make demands to the school later.

After Tian Yulan sent the voice message in the parent group, the group instantly grew lively.

Hearing Tian Yulan's words, the parents in the group truly hadn't expected Tian Yulan's action to be this fast; they all gave Tian Yulan likes in the group, believing Tian Yulan had done a practical thing for everyone, guaranteeing the children's fair education opportunities.

One parent spoke up first: "Yan Ziyou's mom, you're truly amazing! For the children's fair education, you bravely stood out; we all admire you."

Another parent followed: "Yeah, if it weren't for you, we might not have known a teacher was privately running a cram school outside. You've done a great deed for everyone!"

"I think teachers like Zhong Yi should be severely punished; we can't let them destroy educational fairness." A parent with fierce wording said.

"Then what does everyone think is the best way to deal with Zhong Yi?" A parent raised the question.

"Fire him directly! A teacher like this has no professional ethics; keeping him is a harm to the children."

"Firing is a bit too severe, right? Can give a demerit warning first, give him a chance; if he offends again, then fire him directly."

"I also think a demerit warning is more appropriate; after all, everyone makes mistakes, give him a chance to correct himself."

The parents discussed heatedly, one after another.

Some parents supported firing Zhong Yi, believing he seriously violated regulations and must be dealt with severely;

some parents felt a demerit warning first was fine, giving him a chance to correct his mistake.

And Tian Yulan, watching the parents' discussion, felt even more complacent inside, feeling she had truly done something remarkable this time.

But not all parents spoke in the group; for instance, Xia Junshan and Nan Li's couple didn't make a sound, Mi Tao's parents also didn't speak — they weren't willing to follow Tian Yulan in making a blind fuss.

Xia Junshan picked up his phone and called Zhong Yi, wanting to ask about the situation, but Zhong Yi was in Director Wang's office and directly hung up the call.

Xia Junshan looked at his phone helplessly, still somewhat worried about this martial brother of his.

When Tian Yulan arrived at the school, sunlight filtered through the campus tree leaves, casting mottled light and shadow. She walked with confident strides toward the conference room.

At this moment in the conference room, Principal Liu and Director Wang sat on one side of the conference table, expressions stern.

Tian Yulan pushed open the door and walked into the conference room.

After entering, Zhang Xue'er hurriedly stood up and introduced everyone to each other. "Principal Liu, Director Wang, this is Parent Tian Yulan. Parent Tian Yulan, this is Principal Liu, this is Director Wang."

Tian Yulan busily exchanged greetings with Principal Liu and Director Wang.

Zhang Xue'er invited Tian Yulan to sit and thoughtfully brought her a bottle of mineral water.

Tian Yulan sat down with a face full of smiles, a complacent light flashing in her eyes.

She raised her chin slightly, glanced at Zhong Yi, and felt even more complacent inside.

She thought to herself: If Zhong Yi's attitude is good, I can give him a chance; if Zhong Yi's attitude is bad, then don't blame me for being impolite.

Seeing Tian Yulan sit down, Director Wang leaned forward slightly, expression stern, and asked directly: "Parent Tian Yulan, as far as we know, last night in the Grade 5 Class 1 class group you questioned Teacher Zhong about him privately running a cram school. This morning we received a notification from the Education Bureau saying a parent reported the relevant situation; may I ask if it was you who reported it?"

Tian Yulan straightened her back, gaze resolute; since she had come she certainly wouldn't deny it. She nodded slightly and said: "That's right, it was me who reported it. Teacher Zhong privately running a cram school seriously violates Education Bureau regulations and affects the children's normal studies; I cannot stand by and do nothing."

However, Tian Yulan didn't expect Director Wang's next words to stun her. Director Wang said: "What basis does your report have? Can you produce it for us to see?"

Director Wang's eyes stared fixedly at Tian Yulan, as if wanting to read the answer from her face.

The atmosphere in the conference room instantly grew tense; everyone's gazes concentrated on Tian Yulan.

Tian Yulan's heart tightened slightly; she hadn't expected the school would demand she show evidence. She frowned — could it be Zhong Yi is still refusing to admit it even now?