Chapter 297
On the way home, Si Nian took the two children and boarded the bus.
Since there weren't many people, there were plenty of seats available.
So there was no need to worry about fighting for a spot.
Si Nian asked him, "Xiao Dong, you came first in the exam. Is there anything you want now?"
Zhou Zedong sat beside her, holding his little sister in his arms.
He seemed somewhat tired. "Mom, I... I want to sleep for a while."
Si Nian was taken aback for a moment, then her expression softened. She stroked his head affectionately and said with a smile, "Alright, go to sleep."
He had been studying non-stop all this time, with such a massive workload.
Such a small body, yet overloaded with so much knowledge.
It might seem like he aced the exam effortlessly, but who cared about the effort behind it?
After the excitement wore off, exhaustion came flooding in.
Zhou Zedong closed his eyes and fell asleep.
Someone else tried to come up and strike up a conversation with Si Nian.
After all, Zhou Zedong's success was quite a surprise.
Si Nian shushed them and pointed to Zhou Zedong, who was asleep leaning against her arm.
He must have been utterly exhausted.
...
A few days later.
Zhou Zedong made the newspaper.
Along with him was Teacher Xu.
The newspaper wrote a lengthy article about Teacher Xu's abusive behavior, her disdain for rural people, and her targeting of children from the countryside.
Teacher Xu had finally become famous.
She just never imagined it would be in this way.
As soon as Si Nian arrived at the classroom, she heard that Teacher Xu had been suspended.
Because the incident had caused such a big stir and made the newspaper, even their school was affected.
Although it was unclear when Teacher Xu's punishment would be finalized, given the current situation, she definitely needed to lay low for a while.
The school brought in a new substitute teacher.
It was also said that her practice of recommending some parents to send their children to a tutoring class had been reported.
Many parents were demanding refunds, feeling what she did was unconscionable.
However, this tutoring class was run by someone from the Li family.
Although it wasn't opened by Director Li herself, since she was in cahoots with Teacher Xu, she was considered equally guilty.
The tutoring class, of course, was unwilling to refund the money. The parents could only come to the school, threatening to make a scene if they didn't get their money back.
The principal was furious, fully aware that the tutoring class was undoubtedly Director Li's, but Director Li wasn't foolish—she had used a family member's name. Director Li also had connections, so even the principal couldn't easily fire her.
So for now, she was only demoted and ordered to refund the parents' money.
The options were either to shut down the tutoring class or be fired.
Director Li certainly couldn't give up her job, so she had no choice but to close the tutoring class.
As for losing a considerable amount of money, that was her own problem.
Just when everyone thought Teacher Xu would be fired, some parents of fourth-grade students surprisingly stepped forward to speak in her defense.
They said their children's academic performance was crucial now, with middle school entrance exams approaching, and changing teachers at this point would negatively impact their kids.
Others said Zhou Zedong was too scheming and had exaggerated things. Teacher Xu might be strict, but she wouldn't go so far as to hit their children.
Since the new teacher took over, the children's learning attitude had worsened. Now they were strongly demanding that the school not change teachers, otherwise, if their children couldn't get into a good middle school, they would hold the school responsible, and so on...
The principal was at his wit's end with all the commotion.
Finally, Teacher Xu was called back to teach.
Although Teacher Xu had sincerely admitted her mistakes, promised to improve her teaching methods, and guaranteed she would no longer punish the children,
who knew if she was just saying nice things to get her job back?
The school was also under considerable pressure, caught in the middle and finding it difficult to proceed either way.
Si Nian was somewhat surprised, but not entirely shocked.
After all, Teacher Xu had been teaching fourth grade for so many years without incident; how could she be fired over something like this?
Parents cared more about their children's grades than whether they were being targeted or bullied by a teacher.
While Teacher Xu certainly had a poor reputation and had been shamed in the newspaper,
the math scores of her class consistently ranked in the top three.
This was the academic achievement many parents dreamed of.
How could they just change teachers so easily?
Furthermore, it wasn't their children being targeted and bullied by Teacher Xu, so of course they didn't care.
They certainly wouldn't let their own children suffer because of Zhou Zedong alone.
They weren't fools.
There were plenty of people who looked down on folks from the countryside; it wasn't that unusual.
Teacher Xu had just made a mistake that many others make.
As long as their own children weren't from rural areas and wouldn't be bullied by Teacher Xu, that was fine.
Teacher Xu returned to the office, strutting with an air of arrogance. As she passed by Si Nian, she gave her a particularly smug look.
Si Nian pretended not to see.
But inwardly, she was worried. If even this couldn't get rid of Teacher Xu, and if Teacher Xu were actually to be fired, these parents would probably fight the school tooth and nail.
Although the Eldest Child had tested into the elite class, it seemed now that Teacher Xu probably wouldn't let things go easily.
Even if she didn't dare target him openly, she'd likely cause trouble behind the scenes.
Should she take this opportunity to suggest to the principal that the Eldest Child be transferred to another class?
She didn't want the Eldest Child to study under the watch of such a person.
What if the Eldest Child became withdrawn again?
Thinking this, Si Nian immediately went to see the principal.
The principal looked very weary. With all the recent turmoil at the school, he had a major headache.
But his attitude towards Si Nian remained very gentle.
Hearing her bring up the matter, he immediately felt guilty.
"Teacher Si, regarding what happened to your child this time, it was our school's fault. I never imagined Teacher Xu would look down on rural children to such an extent. The parents are making a huge fuss, and I can't just fire her. I'm very relieved that you are willing to take a step back."
If only Teacher Xu could be like this, it would save him so much trouble.
The principal sighed, promised to compensate her, and arranged for the Eldest Child to be transferred to Class One, the best class aside from Class Four.
Class One used to be very strong too, but its prominence was overshadowed after Wu Ren'ai joined Class Four.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have placed Zhou Zedong in Class Four initially.
After hearing that Zhou Zedong was transferred to another class, everyone became even more wary of Teacher Xu.
They also felt that Si Nian was really in a pitiful situation.
Her child had been bullied to this extent, yet the instigator got off scot-free.
Instead, she was the one who had to have her child change classes. It was truly tragic.
However, the matter didn't end so simply, as Teacher Xu's behavior naturally drew public scorn.
Si Nian didn't really mind everyone's opinions.
If Teacher Xu could use the parents to defend herself,
she naturally had her own methods too.
Sure enough, just when everyone thought Teacher Xu had been fired, the follow-up reports stated she had mended her ways and returned to teaching.
Meanwhile, the math competition champion who had drawn everyone's attention was forced to transfer classes...
People couldn't help but start speculating about what connections Teacher Xu had.
Many ordinary folks also felt the oppression and humiliation of social class stratification.
Such unfair treatment filled everyone with righteous indignation.
Every day, the school received letters of complaint from the public.
Teacher Xu appeared triumphant on the surface, but in reality she was thrust into the center of public criticism by public opinion.
This matter was far from over.
When Fu Qianqian returned home and saw the newspaper, she was initially quite happy. Pointing at the person in the photo, she said to her mom, "See, Mom, I told you Si Nian is lucky. Her husband is handsome, and her son is smart. They haven't been here long, and he's already won the city center math competition championship and made the newspaper!"
She felt a sense of shared pride.
"But what's with this teacher? What era is this, still believing 'spare the rod, spoil the child'?"
She pursed her lips and continued reading, her frown deepening the further she went.
Finally, she said angrily, "Outrageous, absolutely outrageous! I used to go to this school too. How did I not know there were such scumbags there!"
"Si Nian is really too pitiful. It was already hard enough raising three kids, and now with her husband away on a long trip, these people are just bullying her!"
Seeing her daughter's furious expression, Mrs. Fu's mouth twitched. "Didn't you say you didn't get along well with Si Nian?"
"Mom, I don't get along well with Si Nian!" Fu Qianqian said indignantly. "I just simply can't stand the way these people act!"
Mrs. Fu watched for a moment, then sighed. "That girl Si Nian really has it tough. She finally managed to return to the city, only to run into something like this. I'll have your dad ask around to see what's going on. If we can help, we'll do what we can. Don't mention it to your brother, though. I'm afraid he might overthink it."
She had always felt kindly toward Si Nian, but kept a certain distance.
However, recently, seeing her daughter constantly running over to Si Nian's place and coming back loaded with bags, stifling giggles and looking utterly delighted, Mrs. Fu felt a pang of heartache.
Her daughter had a fiery temper since childhood, and nobody really liked her.
Even though she and Si Nian bickered constantly, Si Nian was the only one willing to talk to her.
As she grew up, her temper didn't mellow, and she still hadn't made many friends.
She wouldn't admit it, but Mrs. Fu saw it all clearly.
Those things Si Nian gave her, she treasured them, reluctant to use them up.
She cherished them dearly.
And deep down, she was really quite happy.
If Si Nian was truly in trouble, she would help however she could.
Only then did Fu Qianqian sit back down, linking arms with her mom. "My mom is truly beautiful inside and out. Don't worry, I won't tell my brother. I'm afraid he'll just think Si Nian is interested in him again. Honestly, has he even looked at himself in the mirror? I can't believe him."
Her merciless teasing made Mrs. Fu's mouth twitch again.
She realized a problem.
Her son really didn't seem to be very likable.
Others aside, even his own sister looked down on him to such an extent.
Though Fu Qianqian holding a grudge against Fu Yang was understandable. Who told him to eat all the mung bean cakes Si Nian had given her?
Thinking of her son, Mrs. Fu couldn't help but frown.
She wondered how he was doing. That Northwestern military region was such a remote and desolate place, and he'd been gone for a whole month now.
He used to send letters, but lately, there hadn't been a single word.
A thread of worry began to weave through her heart.
(I went to a banquet today and got back a little late. I’ll make up a chapter later. Everyone, please go to bed early. Before you do, remember to give me a “Power for Love” — send some energy to light up Shan Shan’s way as she writes late into the night.)
Finally, there are only five days left until the Gift Battle ends, so I must shamelessly ask once more. Your Highnesses, please be seated. Your Highnesses, please bestow your gifts~)