Chapter 33

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Protagonist:

Lin Hao

Zhang Xue'er and Zhong Yi returned to the Office one after the other; at this moment sunlight streamed through the Window onto the floor, yet it could not bring Zhang Xue'er even a trace of Warmth.

Upon reaching the Office, Zhang Xue'er's Emotions burst forth like a flood breaking through a dam, no longer controllable. She collapsed onto the desk, stifled sobs gradually rising; her frail Shoulders trembled slightly with each weep, as if bearing endless Grievance.

The Office was permeated with a tense and oppressive Atmosphere; leaves outside the Window swayed gently in the breeze, as if also feeling Unease over this tense situation. The other teachers, seeing this, stared at each other in bewilderment, Unaware of what was happening.

The moment Song Jie saw this scene, the anger in his heart was instantly ignited.

He abruptly Stood Up, pointing at Zhong Yi and demanding: "Zhong Yi, did you bully Teacher Zhang? Are you even a man? You've already Broken Up yet you're still rude to a young girl. If you've got guts come at me, don't pick on a weak woman here."

Hearing Song Jie's accusation, Zhong Yi would not be polite with him; a flash of annoyance crossed his eyes, he strode up to Song Jie and directly gripped Song Jie's Finger, wrenching it upward hard.

Song Jie instantly felt his Finger was about to snap; the piercing pain made him cry out "Ai yo" involuntarily.

As Zhong Yi exerted force, Song Jie shouted in pain while slowly dropping to one knee.

The other teachers, seeing this, hurried over to break up the fight.

One teacher anxiously said: "Stop fighting, let's talk things out properly."

Another teacher also grabbed Zhong Yi's arm, saying: "Teacher Zhong, calm down, don't be Impulsive."

Zhong Yi shoved Song Jie hard backward; Song Jie staggered and thumped heavily onto the floor.

Song Jie's face flushed red; he clamored to teach Zhong Yi a lesson, shouting: "Zhong Yi, you just wait, I won't let you off."

At this moment Director Wang, hearing the commotion, arrived at the Office. He frowned, Scanning the chaotic scene, and bellowed: "What are you doing? What kind of behavior is this! This is a School, not a place for brawling."

Director Wang Scanned the crowd, then asked: "What exactly happened?"

A teacher hastily explained: "Director, Teacher Song thought Teacher Zhong bullied Teacher Zhang, so he started arguing with Teacher Zhong."

After understanding the Situation, Director Wang looked at Song Jie with a grim expression and said: "Teacher Song, how can you be so Impulsive? Making a ruckus in the Office — what kind of example is that? You're a teacher, act like one."

Song Jie huffed: "Director, Zhong Yi bullied Teacher Zhang, I couldn't stand it. I can't let him bully people like that."

Director Wang said: "The matter isn't clear yet and you're already accusing people randomly. Teacher Zhang is already dealing with some problems and in a bad mood, yet you're here adding to the chaos. Do you have a Brain or not? Which Eye of yours saw Teacher Zhong bully Teacher Zhang?"

Song Jie stammered: "I, I, I."

Director Wang barked: "Apologize to Teacher Zhong."

Though Song Jie was unwilling in his heart, he dared not defy Director Wang's order; he could only Nod, then turn to Zhong Yi and say: "Sorry, Teacher Zhong."

Director Wang glanced at Zhong Yi again and said: "Teacher Zhong, don't be too Impulsive either. Resolve problems properly, don't resort to violence."

Zhong Yi remained silent, merely lowering his head slightly.

Director Wang sighed, then led Song Jie out of the Office; only then did the atmosphere in the Office ease slightly.

But Zhang Xue'er's crying continued; the birds outside the Window seemed startled by the sobs, flapping their wings and flying away. The other teachers stared at each other, not knowing what to do.

Zhong Yi tidied up and went to teach class; he had no mood to comfort Zhang Xue'er.

After Director Wang brought Song Jie back to his own Office, his face was as dark as the sky before a storm.

He sighed heavily, hating iron for not becoming steel as he told Song Jie: "Song Jie, can't you amount to something? Fighting with another teacher in the Office — do you still want this job? Do you know how bad the Influence is? A School is a place to teach and nurture, not a place for you to run wild."

Song Jie hurriedly explained: "Uncle, it really wasn't me who struck first, it was Zhong Yi who struck first. I thought he bullied Teacher Zhang, couldn't bear it so I said a few words to him; who knew he'd attack me. I was just trying to Defend Teacher Zhang."

Director Wang didn't listen to his explanation at all; he knew Song Jie's personality too well. He frowned slightly and said sternly: "Don't make excuses. With your temper, don't I know it? Every time you act on Impulse without considering consequences. If you keep this up, sooner or later you'll bring yourself major Trouble."

Song Jie knew his Uncle wouldn't hear his explanation, so he switched to asking what exactly happened with Zhang Xue'er.

Director Wang sighed, Helplessly explaining that someone had Reported Zhang Xue'er for giving Private Tutoring to students.

The moment Song Jie heard it was this matter, his face immediately changed. Director Wang saw this and immediately asked: "You know about this?"

Song Jie stutteringly recounted how Zhong Yi had previously advised Zhang Xue'er; he didn't dare mention his own part in helping Zhang Xue'er accuse Zhong Yi.

He carefully said: "Uncle, I only found out later too. I just feel Teacher Zhang's intentions were good, wanting to help students improve their Grades. Her starting point was good."

Director Wang also looked like he hated iron for not becoming steel, saying: "This Teacher Zhang Xue'er really doesn't know what's good for her. The School has clear Regulations forbidding one-on-one Private Tutoring. Why won't she listen? Now it's good — reported by a Parent, let's see how she handles it."

Song Jie anxiously asked: "Uncle, is there any room for leniency in this matter? Teacher Zhang usually works so Seriously; can't she be spared too heavy a punishment just for this once?"

Director Wang glared at him: "Mind your own business. The School will handle this seriously. You just do your teaching job well, stop thinking about useless things all day."

Song Jie said unconvinced: "Director, I like Teacher Zhang, I can't watch her be punished. I want to help her."

Director Wang said Helplessly: "How can you help? What can you do? Zhang Xue'er doesn't look up to you, so don't waste your Effort in Vain. Find a proper girlfriend, don't mess around here."

Song Jie stubbornly said: "I won't marry anyone but Zhang Xue'er. I'll definitely make her see my sincerity."

Director Wang was infuriated: "Stop boasting here. Hurry back to work, don't annoy me here."

Finally, under Song Jie's persistent questioning, Director Wang Helplessly told Song Jie it was Tian Yulan who had Reported Zhang Xue'er. Then he waved his hand and sent Song Jie away.

Leaving Director Wang's Office, Song Jie's Eyes Turned, he pulled out his Mobile Phone and called Tian Yulan. After the call connected, Song Jie urgently said: "Ms. Tian Yulan, I'm Song Jie. I want to talk to you about Teacher Zhang Xue'er's matter."

Tian Yulan was somewhat surprised: "Teacher Song? What does Teacher Zhang's matter have to do with you?"

Song Jie said: "I know it was you who Reported Teacher Zhang. I ask you to be magnanimous and let Teacher Zhang go. She did it for the students' good, with no ill intent."

Tian Yulan Cold Laughed: "Teacher Song, don't stand there talking without your Waist hurting. She gave one-on-one Private Tutoring, which is Unfair to our children. I can't just sit by."

Song Jie said: "Ms. Tian Yulan, can't you understand Teacher Zhang a little? She also meant well. Reporting her like this will ruin her career."

Tian Yulan said: "That's her own Violation of Regulations. I'm just Defending us Parents and children's Rights. Teacher Song, stay out of this. Isn't Zhang Xue'er Zhong Yi's girlfriend? What's it got to do with you?"

Song Jie said: "They broke up long ago. Now I'm pursuing Teacher Zhang Xue'er. Zi You's Mom, can you give me face and not keep pressing this?"

Hearing that Zhong Yi and Zhang Xue'er had broken up, Tian Yulan thought to herself, no wonder Zhong Yi didn't stand up for Zhang Xue'er today; she said with some difficulty: "Teacher Song, I'm willing to give you this face, but many Parents know about this now, it's not easy to handle."

Hearing that more than one Parent knew, Song Jie also felt it was tricky; gripping the Phone, he thought for a moment, then decided to Communicate with Zhang Xue'er first — at the very least let Zhang Xue'er know his efforts, otherwise wouldn't he have busied himself in vain.