Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 854 The School's Attitude

Teacher Song stood up and shook hands with Xiaowei: "No, no, it's nothing. Zhang Bing is quite diligent in his studies, but he's mischievous. I felt I should tell your family about what happened today, because I'm afraid he'll pick up bad habits from the streets."

Xiao Wei said, "He is indeed a bit young. His perspective and approach to speaking and acting are not right. Teacher Song, you did the right thing, and I have to thank you. I'll have to keep a close eye on him in the future. If he gets too naughty, just give him a trim. This kid has always been mischievous, and a few trims will fix everything."

Xiaobing was very well-behaved in front of the teacher. He didn't dare to interrupt Xiaowei when he was speaking, and he lowered his head and pouted.

Teacher Song said, "It never happened before. Today I passed by there and overheard this kid bragging to someone about how amazing his brother is, how all the classmates have to call him 'boss,' how he protects them, and how there were a few older students around. He really admires you."

Xiao Wei said, "He said that older students were blocking your class and demanding money, and that he was trying to stand up for you by negotiating with them. But then he realized he couldn't beat them, so he brought me up to threaten them."

Teacher Song was taken aback, then turned to Xiaobing and asked, "Are you serious? You're not lying?"

Xiaobing said, "It's definitely true. I never lie. Ask my brother. But when you called, my mom beat me up with a stick. Look at the damage! I can't face anyone now." He rolled up his sleeves and showed Teacher Song his arm.

Looking at the red welts on Xiaobing's arm, Teacher Song felt a little embarrassed and said, "Look at the mess this has made. I really didn't understand the whole story. I only heard a little bit, and I got angry and didn't get to the bottom of it. This is my fault, I was wrong." Teacher Song raised her hand and patted Xiaobing's head, apologizing.

The soldier said, "It's nothing, the problem is I got beaten up like this, I'm so wronged."

Xiao Wei raised his hand and slapped Xiao Bing on the head: "What are you complaining about? You dare to say you didn't have that thought in your head? Why didn't you go to the teacher if you had a problem? Why didn't you call me? What are you trying to prove? Aren't you just trying to show off in front of your classmates? You still have the nerve to say that."

The young soldier said, "Is it abnormal for me to want to show off in front of my classmates at my age? Just let me live like an old man, okay?"

Teacher Song laughed and said to Xiao Wei, "Zhang Bing is smart and can keep up with what you say, but he's too naughty. I can't imagine how mischievous he used to be."

Xiao Wei said, "Back in the countryside, people would go up the mountain and down the river to catch fish and steal birds' nests. It would be difficult to get him to behave. If he's naughty, you can just scold him, it's fine."

Teacher Song asked, "Your family used to live in the countryside? Where was it?"

Xiao Wei said, "Beixi County, it's not even in the county seat, it's in the fort below."

Teacher Song was surprised and nodded, saying, "Oh, that must have been quite an achievement. How did you manage to get to Fengtian?" She was quite a gossip.

Xiao Wei said with a smile, "My wife came to Fengtian to study, so I came with her. Later, I did some small business and gradually brought them out. The countryside is too hard. I've worked in the fields since I was a child, so I just hope he can have an easier life and a better environment."

Teacher Song asked, "So, has the household registration been transferred yet?"

Zhang Bing interjected, saying, "Teacher, shouldn't you talk to my brother about the college students blocking our way and demanding money? My brother is a policeman, and an official at that; he can probably do something about it."

Teacher Song paused for a moment, then asked Xiao Wei, "Are you... a police officer?"

Xiao Wei said, "I served as a citizen representative for a year last year at the police station. Later, I was given an honorary title, which allows me to get some things done."

Teacher Song said, "That's amazing! It's not easy. You're really good. You're younger than me, aren't you? Impressive!"

Xiao Wei said, "Not really, just lucky. Do outsiders often come into your school? Xiao Bing, do you often encounter people blocking people's way?"

Zhang Bing said, "There are many, from outside the school, from older students. They ask for money and beat people up every day."

Teacher Song said, "I really hadn't noticed; no students have come to the school for help. I do know about the fights, but how do you suggest we manage that?"

Xiao Wei asked Zhang Bing, "Can you find those college students? Those who always need money."

Zhang Bing said, "Yes, they are very famous at school. Every student knows them. You can't not know them, or you might run into them and get beaten up."

Xiao Wei thought for a moment and said to Teacher Song, "I should talk to the principal about this. After all, my younger brother goes to school here. I want to see what the school thinks. I can't just do anything directly."

Teacher Song said, "Okay, I'll take you to the principal. Zhang Bing, you go back to the classroom and don't be naughty anymore."

Xiao Wei said, "Did you hear me? Study hard."

Zhang Bing reluctantly agreed, sighed, and turned to go back to the classroom. Teacher Song and Xiao Wei went upstairs to the principal's office.

The principal was an elderly teacher with gray hair, over fifty years old. He was wearing reading glasses and looking at documents. He looked down at Teacher Song and Xiao Wei as they walked in through his glasses and asked, "Xiao Song, is something the matter?" He then sized up Xiao Wei.

Teacher Song said, "Principal, this is Zhang Bing's older brother from my class. He's here to report that older students blocked our class, demanded money, and assaulted us. I can't handle this."

The principal glanced at Xiaowei, took off his reading glasses, placed them on the table, and said, "Sit down. What exactly happened?"

Xiaowei and Teacher Song sat down on the chairs. Teacher Song said, "Zhang Bing, a student in our class, reported that some older students and some people from outside the school have been blocking our students and demanding money. If they don't give it to them, they beat them up. He said this happens frequently, not just once or twice."

The principal gave Teacher Song a subtle glare and said, "Is it just students playing around? Asking for money would be robbery, wouldn't it? No way, children exaggerate, you can't believe everything they say. There have been cases of outsiders entering the school, and we're trying to figure out how to deal with it, but it's not easy. We're not law enforcement, and they can't control us. They won't listen to us anyway."

Xiao Wei said, "When I came in, the gate was wide open, and there was no one in the guardhouse. People could come and go as they pleased. Couldn't the school arrange a responsible guard? They could lock the gate when classes are in session."

Xiao Wei asked, "Does your school have many cars? Besides, the school is full of students; shouldn't vehicles be allowed to come and go as they please? Who's responsible if an accident happens?"

The principal said calmly, "This is an internal matter for our school, so you don't need to worry about it. I understand. You can go back now. Your family should keep a closer eye on your brother. Children's job is to study, not to spread rumors like adults. Children should be honest."

The principal looked up at Xiaowei: "I remember you, you moved here from Longcheng, right? The Education Commission called me back then. Your brother has only been in school for a few days, half a semester, how come everything was fine before, but now there's this problem after only half a year?"

Xiao Wei frowned: "Principal, are you taking advantage of my young age? Isn't what my brother experienced real? No wonder your school is so chaotic."

(End of this chapter)