Chapter Sixty-Five: Escalating Tensions, The Breaking Point?

"Let’s just leave it at that. It’s only a variety show; there’s no need for such a heavy atmosphere.”

“Damn, this isn’t a pre-edited program, it’s live! The mood is so stifling.”

“Wen Yan’s tears make my heart ache.”

“Wait, so the moment she cries, you’re all changing your tune?”

“Seriously? Am I the only one who thinks this isn’t how things should be?”

“She was barely criticized, nothing even harsh was said, and she bursts into tears?”

“For those saying to let it go, what if your child was in this class? What if your child was misled?”

“We’re not saying Wen Yan is blameless, just that there’s no need to drag this out.”

“If she’s not suitable for teaching, just don’t let her take the class. There’s no need to make it this big of a deal.”

“I’m starting to suspect this is deliberate by the production team—some kind of script, right?”

“I think so too. How could someone misread every single word? Is that even possible?”

“Exactly, it must be scripted!”

“All variety shows have scripts—this one’s no different.”

“Forget it, let’s move on. No need to give them extra attention for nothing.”

Backstage, Director Wang was so furious at these comments that his lips twisted with anger.

When he brought out the script, not a single viewer said a word. But now, with this sudden live broadcast fiasco, they were all piling the blame on his head. It was downright absurd.

Fortunately, Bai Ling was on set at that moment, not watching the live stream. Otherwise, she might have been spooked by the invisible forces of fate.

As expected of the story’s destined heroine—even without outside help, a wave of people were ready to forgive Wen Yan just because her tears fell like pear blossoms in the rain.

But in Bai Ling’s eyes, Wen Yan’s mistake was quite serious—serious enough that even she felt compelled to break her principle and step forward to say a few fair words.

These children were still at a tender, impressionable age. The role of a teacher was crucial. If a teacher couldn’t deliver correct, effective knowledge, wasn’t that negligence?

It was hard to imagine what would become of these children if, after absorbing erroneous lessons, they later entered society. This wasn’t just a matter of misreading a few words. They could be ridiculed—and given their disadvantaged backgrounds, it might lead to even deeper psychological wounds.

Of course, one could dismiss these worries as overthinking. But, at the very least, misreading and misidentifying words could directly affect the children’s grades. What if a tiny difference kept them from a better education? Wouldn’t that, indirectly, also have a significant impact?

So, Bai Ling fully understood why Teacher Zhang Ruchun was so upset.

Stepping forward, Bai Ling helped Aunt Wen steady Teacher Zhang Ruchun. “Take it easy, please calm down.”

Out of goodwill, Bai Ling spoke to Wen Yan, “Admit your mistake, and then I’ll reteach the lesson to the children.”

She wasn’t trying to bail Wen Yan out. To be blunt, Bai Ling didn’t like the girl and had no intention of getting involved with her again. There was no reason to shield her. She was only trying to ease Teacher Zhang Ruchun’s frustration, and, at the same time, to quell the live broadcast crisis.

But from Wen Yan’s perspective, Bai Ling’s actions felt like pouring salt on her wounds.

She could no longer hold back her tears.

“I came to help out of kindness—what did I do wrong?”

“So I misread a few words. That just means I was taught incorrectly in the first place. It’s not my fault!”

“Why are you all being so harsh? Why nitpick every little thing?”

She blurted out part of what she truly felt, shifting the blame to some unnamed teacher of her own, and even turned around to accuse everyone present of being too critical.

For a moment, everyone was stunned. This girl had not an ounce of remorse.

Wen Huaiyu sighed inwardly, feeling helpless. She knew Wen Yan’s family situation. She’d even been nudged before the show to look out for Wen Yan. But now, it seemed this mess was beyond repair.

But her greater concern was for Teacher Zhang Ruchun’s state of mind. At this moment, Zhang Ruchun was already trembling. She’d never imagined that on such a good day, when everything had been going smoothly, things would take such a turn.

She hadn’t even been harsh—her tone had barely changed. Yet this was the outcome.

After so many years of teaching in rural areas, she simply couldn’t understand. Right was right, wrong was wrong—what was so hard about admitting a mistake? Why not acknowledge the error and correct it straight away?

Was it just because there was a camera, just because more people were watching?

But did any of those things matter more than the education of these children? Did they?

She opened her mouth to speak, but Wen Yan was already determined to leave the camera behind. She intended to shove past the people at the door, find a place to cry her heart out, and return later.

Because the doorway was crowded, Wen Yan’s attempt to push through nearly sent Bai Ling, Wen Huaiyu, and Teacher Zhang Ruchun stumbling. If Bai Ling hadn’t had some strength, Wen Huaiyu and Zhang Ruchun might have fallen against the door.

A surge of anger rose in Bai Ling's chest. She seized Wen Yan by her clothing and snapped coldly, “Have you caused enough trouble?”

“Why should you be the one feeling wronged?”

“Isn’t the real aggrieved party Teacher Zhang? Aren’t those children the ones who truly suffer?”

“Why should your mistake cost them?”

The room fell utterly silent.

Only Bai Ling’s voice lingered in the air.

The live broadcast viewers were all dumbfounded.

Everything had happened so quickly—from Teacher Zhang Ruchun’s distress, to Wen Yan’s attempt to leave, to Bai Ling hauling her back—all in a matter of seconds.

At that moment, most of the audience, like Bai Ling, were simmering with anger. Misreading the words was one thing; refusing to admit fault, another; shifting the blame, yet another. But these could still be discussed.

What truly crossed the line was shoving people, being unreasonable, and trying to escape. That was hardest to accept.

Even those who had been trying to defend Wen Yan couldn’t stomach it anymore. She was clearly at fault—how dare she push others? Was that appropriate?

On set, whether staff, guests, or the children themselves, all eyes turned to Bai Ling.

The Bai Ling they saw now was utterly changed from before. Previously meek as a lamb, she’d seemed indifferent to everything, always gentle and easygoing. But now, standing before Wen Huaiyu and Zhang Ruchun, confronting Wen Yan, she was like a little lioness, finally baring her claws.