"Student, what evidence do you have to prove that our classmates were involved in your relationship? Did you see them acting intimately, or did she approach your ex-boyfriend first?"
Zhao Zeli retorted angrily, "I didn't see it, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen."
"Then you have no evidence. What you're doing is defamation, which is illegal. And this male classmate next to you can testify to the innocence of my classmates."
Zhong Yujin said, "Yes, I can testify."
"You can't believe what he says. He likes Song Wanru, so of course, he'll speak up for her."
Teacher Xu sat down, not wanting to waste any more words with her. Teacher Zhou also felt ashamed. They were all high school students and shouldn't be this difficult to communicate with.
"Go stand over there and wait for your parents. We'll talk then."
"Teacher, you are my homeroom teacher. Why aren't you on my side? Do you also think Song Wanru's grades are better than mine? I will definitely make you all regret this."
With that, she resentfully stood in the corner of the office. Students occasionally passed by, and she wished she could hide her face in her pocket.
"001, what should I do now? Is there any way to make my mom listen to me?"
"Insufficient energy, unable to assist the host at this time."
"Did I not just put Song Wanru in her place by saying that?"
"Not at all. Song Wanru's emotions did not fluctuate because of you. These people seem to only see you as a clown."
"Can you stop being so blunt? When did your mouth become so poisonous?"
"..."
Zhao Zeli was filled with panic, terrified that her mother would embarrass her, making her unable to look up to these two teachers in the future.
A moment later, the homeroom teacher of Class 18 walked in.
"Well, well, you're not practicing sports diligently, and you're always dressed up like a peacock. I knew you weren't up to any good. Even a rabbit doesn't eat grass near its burrow. Why not find a girlfriend farther away?"
Zhong Yujin lowered his head, not daring to say a word.
"Now you know to be scared. Your mother is coming to pick you up soon. Be sure to apologize properly to that young lady."
"I know, thank you, Teacher."
Zhong Yujin's mother arrived. As soon as she entered, she politely apologized to the teachers, blaming herself for not disciplining her son properly and causing them trouble.
"Mrs. Zhong, please don't say that. We only asked you to come to inform you about your son's situation. It's the third year of high school, and what's most important for the children is their studies."
"Zhong Yujin's public pursuit of another girl at school needs to be criticized. This girl who was pursued is also innocently resented by this female student."
"She said some extreme and unpleasant things in front of so many people, things that even we adults found hard to listen to. If this were to spread among students who don't know the full story, the consequences would be unthinkable."
"Teacher, I am truly sorry to that young lady. I will discipline him properly when I get home. I heard that a major demerit stays on the record. Teacher, please spare him this once. I promise he will never dare to do it again."
Everyone looked at Teacher Xu. "It's the third year of high school, and graduation is approaching. I don't want your record to look bad either. How about this: you write a letter of guarantee that needs a parent's signature. Then, go to the broadcast station and apologize to our class in front of the entire school."
Zhong's mother quickly pushed Zhong Yujin. Although she felt ashamed, he agreed.
He had received a major demerit in his first year for fighting. Several homeroom teachers had changed since then, and no one in the office remembered that incident.
If he didn't agree quickly, and they discovered it, he could be expelled. With the college entrance examination so close, he believed he could still get in based on his academic performance.
Taking the stationery and pen, he walked to the desk to write the guarantee letter, with his mother watching him. The three teachers sat chatting, making Zhao Zeli look exceptionally lonely and pitiful.
Zhong Yujin's mother signed and pressed her fingerprint. "Teacher, it's done. Is there anything else you need?"
"No, nothing else."
"Thank you, teachers. You've been too much trouble. Then I'll be going. If this child makes a mistake in the future, please discipline him severely. He will definitely change."
The teachers didn't know how to respond, so they just waved their hands and laughed it off. Zhong Yujin couldn't even lift his head. He thought he was definitely going to get a beating when he got home.
"Alright, go back and write a few more essays. Make sure your apology speech is coherent before you deliver it, don't stutter and embarrass Class 18."
"Yes, thank you, Teacher."
He said that and quickly ran away, not wanting to stay a moment longer.
"Old Zhou, is your student's parent still coming? Classes are about to start."
"It's okay, go teach your class if you have one. I don't have class this afternoon, so I'll be here."
"I'm leaving. My first period this afternoon is physical education. These kids are just too idle; a few more laps would do them good."
"Okay, goodbye."
Teacher Zhou then looked at Teacher Xu. Zhao Zeli was a girl, and she was shy. It was fine for him as her homeroom teacher, but with other teachers present, she must feel awkward.
Teacher Xu took a sip of water. "Don't look at me. My class also has physical education as the first period this afternoon."
...
Zhao Zeli's mother called Teacher Zhou twice to confirm the location before finding Teacher Xu's office. As soon as she entered, she slapped Zhao Zeli twice and then grabbed her hair.
This action scared Teacher Zhou so much that he quickly went to pull her away. Teacher Xu also hurried over to stop her.
"Parent, please calm down. What are you doing? If the child makes a mistake, just talk about it calmly."
"She's like a pig, no matter how much you say, she doesn't listen. I have to beat her until she learns her lesson."
Zhao Zeli's cheeks were red and swollen, and she broke down in tears.
"Are you even my mother? How do you know it's my fault? Why do you never side with me or help me?"
"Your audacity has grown. You've even learned to talk back. You didn't eat that day because of Zhong Yujin, you shameless slut. You're too young to be dating, and you don't even consider your family's circumstances. Your father and I work hard and save every penny to send you to school, and this is how you repay us? What girl gets called to school like you? You've made me lose all face."
Zhao Zeli, empowered by the system, had the courage to vent all her grievances from the past few years.
"If you think I'm embarrassing, then don't have me. Your eyes are always on Zhao Zeyu. When have you ever treated me as your child? I've had enough of this home."
"Fine, you've grown wings. Is someone willing to support you outside, that's why you're doing such shameless things? I'll beat you to death today! I'll act like I never had a daughter like you."
Zhao Zeli's tears fell like raindrops. "Am I even your biological daughter? How can you say that to me?"
"How can I not? I gave birth to you and raised you, so I can say whatever I want. If no one was giving you money, would you dare to defy me like this? You're a high school student. Besides that, how else can you earn money?"
The two teachers couldn't listen any longer and kept trying to stop Mother Zhao. However, neither mother nor daughter was willing to back down, and they started fighting directly in the office.