Chapter 105: I Want to Donate

The days of becoming Wukong’s junior disciple

Teacher Zhu stormed into Senior Three, Class 3 like a whirlwind. Inside, the classroom was as chaotic as a marketplace, with everyone surrounding Liu Yunfei like victorious generals. In a furious roar, he shouted, “Liu Yunfei! Step outside! The rest of you, study quietly.”

At the sight of Teacher Zhu, everyone scattered like mice seeing a cat, slinking back to their seats with books in hand but eyes fixed on Liu Yunfei.

Following Teacher Zhu into the aisle, he scolded, “What’s your problem? I just reprimanded you a few minutes ago, spent ages lecturing you, but it just goes in one ear and out the other. What use is your ear, anyway?” Normally nonviolent, Teacher Zhu grabbed Liu Yunfei’s ear, causing the boy to crouch slightly to avoid being caught.

Seeing how cooperative the boy was, Teacher Zhu’s anger softened into amusement. He released his grip and continued, “Can’t you save me some trouble? It’s only the first day of school and you’ve already stirred up so much trouble. Did you enjoy your summer vacation a little too much? Don’t you want to study anymore? You need to get serious.”

Liu Yunfei retorted boldly, “Teacher Zhu, it’s not my fault. When he came in, I was talking to Yu Xiaowei. I’ve already apologized for that. But Wang Dahuo—oh, I mean Teacher Wang—attacked me personally, insulting my dignity and wounding my spirit in front of so many classmates. It hurt me deeply. I’m planning to complain to the principal and the education bureau.”

Teacher Zhu felt a jolt. This boy really was like Zhu Bajie from the classic tales—before he’d barely done anything, he was already turning the tables. But these matters could be either trivial or serious. If Liu Yunfei really went to the education bureau, Wang Dahuo would be in big trouble.

Unexpectedly, Liu Yunfei added, “I’m also going to call the TV station to expose this. If that doesn’t work, there’s CCTV, MTV, and even the 3.15 Consumer Rights Day special.”

“Alright, alright,” Teacher Zhu thought, “I can’t let him keep talking. If he really goes to the media, it won’t just be Wang Dahuo’s problem—the whole school will lose face, and my bonus for the semester will be gone.” He quickly switched to a gentle tone and said, “Liu Yunfei, tell me exactly what happened, and I’ll judge fairly.”

Liu Yunfei recounted the entire incident. Teacher Zhu felt Wang Dahuo’s words were indeed harsh and vicious. “He really said that? You didn’t exaggerate?”

“No, not a single word. That’s exactly what he said. How can you not be angry? I respect my teachers, and they should care for their students, right? Such harm to a young heart—how can he still call himself a teacher? Does he deserve the years of training from the Party and the country? Does he deserve this land that raised him? Does he deserve the kindness of the people here?” Liu Yunfei’s tirade grew longer, and Teacher Zhu thought Wang Dahuo really was like a wild man from the deep mountains.

“Enough,” Teacher Zhu interrupted, fearing Liu Yunfei might accuse Wang Dahuo of treason next and send him straight to the firing squad. He needed to calm the boy down, or a phone call to the TV station would be inevitable. “Liu Yunfei, you’re a good kid. I believe you. I will report this to the principal immediately. If it turns out as you say, we’ll demand that Teacher Wang apologize to you.”

Liu Yunfei thought to himself, mission accomplished, and still be the good guy. “Then please, Teacher Zhu, seek justice for me. If you were born a few centuries earlier, you’d be like the upright Judge Zhu Qing Tian—unafraid to fight injustice, a man of integrity.” He secretly thought no one would dare bully Teacher Zhu.

Teacher Zhu, impressed, admitted he had underestimated Liu Yunfei before. “But until the principal and I finish our investigation, don’t spread this matter. After all, it would harm the school’s reputation. You’re still a student here; if the school’s name suffers, so do you.”

“Teacher Zhu, for your sake, I won’t pursue this for now. But don’t be too hard on Dahuo. Have Teacher Wang apologize publicly during the morning assembly, make him reflect on his actions, dock his bonus for a few months, and give him a formal reprimand. That should be enough.” Seeing Teacher Zhu’s grim expression, Liu Yunfei quickly added, “I’m just joking. How you handle it is up to you and the principal.”

Strutting back into class, everyone gathered around him. They had expected Liu Yunfei to be sighing and writing a self-criticism or calling his parents, but instead, it seemed like Wang Dahuo was the one facing those consequences. The girls chatted excitedly, “Liu Yunfei, you’re amazing! You’ve made us proud. Look at how raised my eyebrows are!”

“How do I look?”

“Check out my stylish hairpin!”

“Liu Yunfei, does my bra look nice?”

“Which one? Let me see. Yu Xiaowei, you’re such a deadpan, but you really learned well.”

Teacher Zhu, no longer at leisure, hurried back to the fifth floor of the teacher’s building. The morning’s exercise—running up and down the stairs—had been quite a workout. If this kept up, he’d be close to losing weight, but it might also kill him.

The plump bundle of flesh rolled into the principal’s office, startling everyone. “Teacher Zhu, giving me such a grand welcome so early in the morning—are you trying to shorten my life?” The principal attempted a joke but was met with Teacher Zhu’s irritated “Get out.” “Why does everyone look like they’ve swallowed poison first thing in the morning?”

Teacher Zhu promptly reported Liu Yunfei’s account to the principal. The principal considered the matter serious and immediately summoned the director of teaching, the director of student affairs, and the English department for a meeting. The meeting lasted all morning until noon, finally reaching a preliminary conclusion: the matter would be handled internally and kept confidential. A gag order was issued—anyone, whether involved or witness, who spoke recklessly would be held responsible. The two parties were ordered to apologize to each other. Teacher Wang’s bonus for the month was to be docked. The principal and Teacher Zhu would each manage the two students.

When Liu Yunfei arrived at school that afternoon, Teacher Zhu was already waiting for him at the school gate. Even if Teacher Zhu hadn’t approached, Liu Yunfei would have found him anyway—not about Wang Dahuo, but to request leave for an hour the next morning. He had received a call from Commissioner Zhao at the Motor Vehicle Bureau, telling him his driver’s license was ready for pickup.

Following Teacher Zhu into the small conference room inside the teacher’s building, Teacher Zhu unusually poured Liu Yunfei a cup of tea. Liu Yunfei felt a little embarrassed. “Teacher Zhu, you sit down. I’ll take this.”

“Yunfei, here’s the thing: after careful consideration, what you asked for is a bit out of reach,” Teacher Zhu said. He usually scolded students, so this gentler tone was unfamiliar to Liu Yunfei.

“You remember? I was just joking, you know.”

“The school has decided that Teacher Wang will apologize for his inappropriate language and have this month’s bonus docked. However, you must also apologize to Teacher Wang for your own mistake of speaking during class.” Teacher Zhu knew this student was no pushover and decided to say it all at once. He thought, if you really don’t want to apologize, go to the principal.

“Oh, I was indeed wrong, and I already apologized at the time. If the school has decided, I can apologize again. But please don’t dock Teacher Wang’s pay. After all, they’re all just wage earners. I might have gone a bit too far.” Liu Yunfei spoke sincerely. Thinking it over at home, he realized he had been excessive; he’d talk to Dahuo privately after class instead of embarrassing him in front of everyone.

Teacher Zhu breathed a sigh of relief, surprised at how easily he’d come around. Patting Liu Yunfei on the shoulder, he said, “Yunfei, I knew you had the capacity to understand the bigger picture. But don’t spread this around. Gossip will only blow it out of proportion.”

“Teacher Zhu, you flatter me. Don’t worry, I won’t say a word. But I do have a small matter.” Liu Yunfei handed over the leave request he had written at noon.

“Picking up your license? That’s fine, but the morning classes are important. You’re in your final year now. As the ancients said, ten years of hard study—after all those years, this is the critical moment. You’re smart; don’t let all your past efforts go to waste.” Teacher Zhu looked at him earnestly.

Although Teacher Zhu repeated the same old grand advice he had given countless times before, Liu Yunfei felt deeply moved and unexpectedly blurted out, “I want to donate.”