Chapter 95: Chapter 95: Throwing a tantrum
There were three questions in this competition. The first was to write an essay after reading a short story, the second was a situational essay, and the third was an open-ended essay with the bizarre title 'Give Me a Piece of Green Grass'.
Feng Yiping felt that the questions set by these teachers nowadays were comparable to those set in ancient imperial examinations. The latter sometimes randomly picked two sentences from the Analects and combined them with related words, while the teachers nowadays were even more unrestrained.
However, Feng Yiping has read a lot of magazines such as Readers, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Yi Lin, Youth Digest, Special Focus, etc., and also likes to read the columns of those literary figures in the evening, so this really doesn't stump him.
Three essays in two hours is still quite a tight schedule, and most people don't have time to write a draft.
Shortly after the exam started, a few leaders-looking people came and took a look around. Later, the two invigilators in the classroom were very relaxed. There was no way around it. For such a simple exam, the invigilators had the easiest time. No one would copy someone else's essay.
When the exam was about halfway through, the school leaders accompanied the people from the city and county education bureaus, got into the school's Shanghai car, and left Director Ye alone to take charge of the situation.
He had just rested and taken a sip of tea when someone knocked on the door. The teacher who had just been looking for him in the guard's room walked in, followed by a student who was cowering behind him.
'What is it?' He was a little impatient. Can't someone just leave him alone for a while?
The teacher asked the Form 2 student to explain what had happened. Of course, when the Form 2 student was talking, he mainly said that there had been some misunderstanding, and he had apologised, but then he was still punched.
Director Ye was also a little angry when he heard this. This student was a bit too arrogant. 'Did he say his name and school?'
'Yes,' the Form 2 student said eagerly.
Who knew that Director Ye was not in a hurry to ask.
This was a bit strange. If the person who hit him didn't leave his name or report his school, it could only mean that he was in the wrong and was feeling guilty. Since the person who hit him had the nerve to leave his name and school behind, either the name was fake, or if it was real, either the student was extremely arrogant, or he thought he was in the right.
'Is this the situation you're talking about?' Director Ye stared at him.
'Yes,' the Form 2 student stammered.
'There's no class today, and you didn't enter the competition, so why are you here?'
'I came to get my textbooks,' the middle-schooler said, looking a little sheepish.
No matter which middle school it was, they kept a close eye on those things between boys and girls, and he didn't dare say that he was here with a female classmate.
Director Ye understood that there must be some exaggeration in what he said, but he still favoured his own students. On his turf, if one of his students was beaten up, he had to know what happened.
'Which school are you from, and what's your name?'
'Liangjiahe Middle School, Feng Yiping,' Director Ye was stunned.
The teacher added, "He's the one who just fixed the generator.'
That kid doesn't seem arrogant either! "Is their teacher Liu here?'
'Outside.'
Director Ye personally went to invite Teacher Liu into the office. As soon as Teacher Liu saw the two people in the office, he immediately understood what was going on. However, he was in no hurry and leisurely drank tea, waiting for them to speak.
Director Ye then told him what had happened. Teacher Liu did not argue when he heard it. 'When I returned to the hotel at noon, the two girls saw me and cried, saying that they had been bullied at your school. Then Feng Yiping also admitted that he had hit someone, but the circumstances and cause of the incident were somewhat different from what you said.'
Teacher Liu then repeated what Feng Yiping and the others had said: 'I personally think that although Feng Yiping was wrong to hit someone, there are indeed extenuating circumstances. I was originally thinking of reporting it to your school, but in order to minimise the trouble between the two schools, I thought better of it. Who knew that I would be accused of doing the same thing!'
'One of the three students from our school is the daughter of our vice-principal. We have watched her grow up, and she never tells lies, let alone get into trouble. As for Feng Yiping, as far as I know, he has been a model student since the third grade of primary school. After entering the school, his grades were second in the county in the two final exams. He also gets along well with others at school, and has never had conflicts with other students. From teachers and classmates to the kitchen staff, everyone likes him. Such a student, when he goes to an unfamiliar place, actually hits someone. I think there must be a reason for this! What do you think?'
Director Ye was a little annoyed. If Teacher Liu had not admitted to hitting someone, he would have had something to say. But Teacher Liu did not try to pass the buck at all. He made it clear what needed to be said, and instead, he picked and chose what was favourable to himself.
As he thought about it, he got the general picture of what had happened.
'I'm sorry, we didn't discipline them well enough, and we've made you look bad,' said Director Ye.
'It's fine, we were all at fault. Shall I ask the three students to come over and apologise?' Teacher Liu's words were gentle but firm.
'No, no, it's not a big deal. It's in the past. When you go back, remember to give my regards to Vice Principal Zhang!'
They are all from the same system, and he has met Vice Principal Zhang a few times. His daughter was bullied at his school, so he can't take her side, but no matter how biased he is, it's definitely not good to make her apologise.
After the exam, Feng Yiping was still waiting for Director Ye. According to him, wasn't he going to call the principal to praise him? Why hasn't he come yet?
'Hurry up and go, before it rains. Hurry to the bus station, there are only the last two buses left,' Teacher Liu urged everyone.
'Let's go, everyone is going to go complain to Director Ye, it's lucky they're not looking for you, what are you waiting for?' Teacher Liu patted Feng Yiping on the shoulder.
Sure enough, the teachers at the school, whether their students are right or wrong, will definitely take the side of their own people. Do you think this is good or bad?
Also, the officials at these schools are also bureaucrats, and you can't believe a word they say.
It started raining halfway through the journey, and it wasn't until nearly seven that they returned to town. The special bus from yesterday was waiting there. By the time they arrived at the school, it was nearly eight o'clock. Naturally, Zhang Qiuling went home, while Teacher Liu took the remaining students to the classroom and cafeteria to eat.
There was a lot of food left, and the dishes were also quite good: stir-fried pork, fish head and tofu soup, stir-fried water bamboo and eggs from the pond next to the school, stir-fried string beans, and braised eggplant. They were all very generous portions, and it was clear that they had been tipped off by Teacher Liu.
But when everyone returned to school, they were a little more reserved in front of the teacher, not as intimidating as they had been the night before. Teacher Liu felt a little amused. The environment really changes people! At this point, he was very relaxed and greeted everyone, 'Eat, bring out yesterday's energy, don't be polite!'
Everyone bowed their heads and ate in small bites, looking at each other, a little embarrassed, a little wanting to laugh.
Halfway through the meal, Vice-Principal Zhang arrived under an umbrella, asking after everyone's well-being and speaking to Feng Yiping in particular. Everyone understood that this was a father thanking him on behalf of his daughter.