Chapter 30: He Chen: Speak! Why have you stopped talking?

Li Tiegun felt increasingly confident as she pondered the situation.

Public opinion, she believed, would naturally side with her. She was certain that both students and parents would understand her underlying philosophy: that strict discipline is the only path to producing outstanding scholars. As for the occasional troublemaking slacker who didn't want to get ahead, she felt justified in speaking loudly and firmly.

With this in mind, she scanned the room of students. "You think it’s bitter to have an evening study session right after finishing exams, but which class hasn't gone through the same thing? The fragrance of plum blossoms comes from the bitter cold! Many of you live in the Shuxiang Garden residential complex, don't you? When you return home from evening study and look out your windows before bed—even if you get out at nine—isn't the entire neighborhood still ablaze with lights until midnight? If you don't work hard, there are plenty of others working harder than you! Shuxiang Garden is a famous 'Gaokao neighborhood.' Most of the residents are parents accompanying their children for their studies. The rent is sky-high, yet demand far outstrips supply. Why? Because everyone knows the importance of the college entrance exam! Your parents are willing to spend vast sums of money and effort for your future. As your teacher and head teacher, we are also willing to sacrifice our own free time to voluntarily accompany you through this final year. Both we and your parents have done everything we possibly can. If you still aren't willing to put in the effort, then go ahead and act like him—go home and sleep! It’s all voluntary anyway! But later, when your classmates are all admitted to their dream elite universities and their families are celebrating, those who didn't work hard should prepare themselves to face the crushing gap in destiny and the sorrow of such different outcomes! Now! Who else wants to follow his example and leave instead of attending evening study?"

Her gaze swept over the students, who were visibly moved and shaking their heads. Li Tiegun was quite satisfied with the effect of her speech. Finally, she fixed her eyes on the key individual. "Ruan Liuzheng, do you want to go home now?"

"Teacher Li, I will attend the evening study session," Ruan Liuzheng replied solemnly.

Although she knew He Chen might be displeased, she felt she had to stand on the right side of history at this moment. In the future, as the one responsible for earning money and supporting the household, she had to redouble her efforts now; she could not simply listen to He Chen—whose "hair was long but his insight short"—and go home to sleep just to avoid a little hardship. When it came to such important matters of external struggle, she had to make her own decisions and not let domestic affairs cloud her judgment. If He Chen wanted to go home and sleep early, that was his choice.

Sleeping more could even help maintain one's skin and health.

"You see?" Li Tiegun, satisfied with Ruan Liuzheng’s attitude, smiled at her before turning a mocking gaze toward He Chen, who was standing at the doorway. "If you want to go home, go by yourself. Don't hinder others from working hard to improve!"

"Are you out of your mind?" He Chen’s opening words caused an uproar. Ruan Liuzheng was frantic, wanting to stop him, but it was already too late. What followed left everyone stunned.

"Do you think I'm opposing the evening study session just to spite you?"

"..." Li Tiegun paused. She desperately wanted to say, "Isn't that the case?" But she found it difficult to say aloud, as a strong sense of foreboding washed over her. If it wasn't for that, it must be something else. He Chen’s perspective was always bizarre yet razor-sharp. Had he caught another oversight of hers?

As it turned out, her intuition was correct. He Chen continued his rebuttal: "What I oppose is your impulsive, slapdash way of doing things! The exams are already over. You suddenly announce an evening study session now—what were you doing earlier? Look outside! How many parents are already waiting at the school gate to pick up their children? You just drop a word, and expect them to go home and come back later? Do you have any idea how much trouble that causes? You’re willing to sacrifice your entire life and all your time for your students—how noble, how magnificent of you! But the vast majority of the parents waiting at the gate need to work and live; they’re already exhausted. They had to force a smile at their bosses and risk being laid off just to leave early, and then fight through the evening rush-hour traffic to get here. And then you, with a wave of your hand, declare 'voluntary' study, leaving them waiting in vain? Is this just to satisfy your whim of not letting them 'slack off'? Is that how you toy with people? What were you doing all day? Don't tell me you sent a notice—you sent it at 4:30 PM! By then, people had already left, and they aren't checking group messages on the road; most people have their phones on silent! You decided on this surprise exam this morning—no, the papers were prepared even earlier. You claim to be a veteran head teacher of the senior year 'sprint class' and the head of the grade group, yet you can't even handle these details? With this level of preparation? How can you have the audacity to say that public opinion among students and parents is on your side? The parents might not dare to curse you to your face, but they are already cursing you behind your back! Is there anything more unreliable and disruptive than this?"

This tirade was so loud and fluid that it left the entire room in dead silence. The students of Class 2, Grade 3, stared at Li Tiegun’s face, which shifted from red to pale, and no one dared to breathe. Even Fang Yifan, who usually loved to be the center of attention with his cheeky grin, didn't dare to crack a joke. Though he hated He Chen, he had to admit, when it came to rebellion, he was no match for him.

Ruan Liuzheng was already wailing internally. As a model student, she could never imagine confronting her head teacher in such a fierce manner. Yet, He Chen, her nominal brother, had actually stood up for her—and he had done it so ruthlessly, so righteously, and so logically.

The commotion was so significant that it wasn't just Class 2, Grade 3 watching. The corridor outside was already packed with people craning their necks to look, though no one dared to enter Li Tiegun’s line of sight, instead crowding into corners where they could watch unseen.

When they heard He Chen’s words, some couldn't help but turn their heads to look through the windows at the school gate. They saw that, just as He Chen had said, the gate was already swarming with parents waiting for their children. It was obvious that many parents hadn't seen the 4:30 PM notification, or had arrived by the time they did. The notification had been completely useless.

"Speak up! Why are you silent?" He Chen broke the silence, continuing his onslaught. "Shouldn't you go to the gate and explain yourself to the parents you've exhausted and offer some comfort? Don't worry! They will only complain behind your back; no one will dare to scold you to your face! To ensure their children aren't given a hard time, they’ll act just like they do at work or in society—wearing a forced smile, 'voluntarily' and 'understandingly' accepting your little whim of changing your mind on a whim!"

Li Tiegun was so enraged she nearly fainted, yet she could not utter a word in return. What He Chen had pointed out were precisely the oversights she had never considered. These were failures that completely contradicted the image she cultivated of an elite, strict, and professional grade-level head teacher—mistakes she should never have made.

The commotion attracted more than just students; other teachers were listening, too. Hearing He Chen mock Li Tiegun with words like "voluntary" and "understanding," they nearly burst out laughing. That very morning in the office, when faced with questions from other teachers, Li Tiegun had either feigned ignorance or truly been oblivious, brazenly replying, "There’s no real difference between the sprint class and the foundation class. As for the parents of students assigned to the foundation class, as long as we explain it to them, they will understand."

Now, the truth was out. Even if the parents were unhappy, they wouldn't dare tear down the facade and insist they didn't understand. They were terrified that if they spoke up, it would be useless and would only lead to their children being targeted, leaving them no choice but to swallow their anger and "voluntarily understand."