Chapter 29: Disdain for the Poor and Fawning Over the Rich
“Do you usually treat Meizhen kindly? And what did you say when Jiajia went to help? She’s not stupid, why should she put up with your attitude? Think carefully. We’re all family, be more open-minded.”
“What’s wrong with me? Isn’t it just because you look down on me?” Li Guizhen couldn’t stand anyone criticizing her, so she refused to listen to advice.
Yang Jianjun couldn’t be bothered with her. What he’d just said was already the limit of his patience. But Li Guizhen wouldn’t let it go and started arguing. Yang Jianjun ignored her, but she kept cursing endlessly. Even in his own room, Yang Jiabo could faintly hear her voice. He wondered how his grandparents, living right next door, felt about it.
The new factory director was Yang Jianjun’s cousin, so like Yang Meizhen, he had taken unpaid leave. If business didn’t go well, he could still return to the factory if conditions improved. People back then were still quite conservative, they always left themselves a way out.
And so, the Yang siblings began selling sour and spicy glass noodles. Because business was good, Yang Jiabo suggested they add more meat options: luncheon meat, sausages, crispy pork, pork belly, quail eggs, and more.
Li Guizhen’s crispy pork was decent, so Yang Jianjun had her help prepare it, along with washing and trimming vegetables, paying her a hundred yuan a month. The family was busy, but everyone was happy because their income had increased. Their success naturally drew envy, but in a small town with simple folk, the worst that happened was a few sour remarks, nothing serious.
After school started, Yang Jiabo became a fifth-grader, but all his main subject teachers had changed. The new Chinese teacher was also the homeroom teacher, but unlike the previous one, she was the type who disdained the poor and fawned over the rich.
After her arrival, students were seated based on grades. The classroom had four rows: the first row was for top students, the second for above-average, the third for below-average, and the fourth for the worst. Yang Jiabo was placed in the third row, he was stunned. He had been an honor student every year, always ranking in the top three of the class.
The same thing had happened in his previous life, but back then, he’d only felt angry without realizing the underlying reason. This time, he observed carefully and noticed that most first-row students were children of employees from the Power Bureau, Water Bureau, Labor Bureau, or City Hospital. Wei Feng was also in the first row, his family background and grades were impeccable.
After seating arrangements came the re-election of class leaders. For the past four years, Yang Jiabo had been the academic monitor, but the new teacher immediately removed him and appointed Wei Feng instead. Li Lan, the daughter of the City Hospital’s deputy director, was made class president.
Before Yang Jiabo could speak, Wei Feng objected. “Teacher, my grades aren’t as good as Yang Jiabo’s. Why replace him when he’s been doing well? I don’t want to be academic monitor, I’ll be class president instead.”
“Yeah, why change the academic monitor?” Many classmates nodded in agreement. Though Yang Jiabo rarely played with them, he was helpful, always willing to assist with problems and even giving them extra time to finish homework in the morning. If they were really behind, he’d even let them copy his work (as long as they didn’t copy his name).
“This arrangement has its purpose. Yang Jiabo’s academic performance is declining,” the teacher said calmly.
“Really? Has anyone surpassed him? Besides, Li Lan is a girl, how’s she supposed to manage the boys? She should be vice president. Let me be class president,” Wei Feng declared.
Yang Jiabo stayed silent, amused as the teacher’s head probably spun. Their class had many well-off students, but unlike the obedient, teacher-fearing kids of the time, these ones were bold.
“Wei Feng, your dad’s a deputy director too! Why look down on me?” Li Lan retorted angrily.
“What’s my dad got to do with this? I’m just stating facts.”
“Is this a class leader election or a hospital director election? Teacher, do we need an official’s dad to qualify? Are we competing in grades or daddy’s status now?” Yang Jiabo couldn’t resist mocking.
“My dad’s a bureau chief, I want to be vice president!” He Lei shouted.
“It won’t help, your dad’s from the Tobacco Bureau, and the teacher doesn’t smoke,” Song Min sneered. Known as the class troublemaker, he had once fought with Yang Jiabo but held no grudge, he even copied Yang Jiabo’s homework often. His family was much poorer than the Yangs, making him the type who had nothing to lose. He even dared to tease the principal. With compulsory education preventing easy expulsions, this was his ‘get-out-of-jail-free card’.
“Enough! If you’re unhappy with my arrangement, let’s vote.” The teacher wrote the positions and candidates on the blackboard.
Eager students nominated themselves for roles they wanted. Surprisingly, no one competed against Yang Jiabo for academic monitor, not even he expected it.
The vote results: Wei Feng as class president, Li Lan as vice president, and Yang Jiabo remaining academic monitor, responsible for collecting homework. Other roles like P.E. and labor monitors went to wealthier students, making Yang Jiabo the odd one out.
After the election, Yang Jiabo raised his hand.
“Yang Jiabo, do you have a question?” the teacher asked.
“Teacher, I don’t understand. You said seating is based on grades, so why am I in the third row?” His tone was innocent, but his eyes held mockery.
How stupid was my past self, desperately seeking her approval? The old teacher valued his hard work, but this new one judged him for his poor, powerless farming family.
“Fifth grade is different, rote memorization won’t suffice. Your performance is slipping. Work harder,” she said sternly.
Yang Jiabo remembered how, in his previous life, he’d revered her like his old teacher, striving for her recognition. But her disdain never changed. Back then, he’d blamed himself, too young to see the truth.
Li Guizhen’s constant criticism had made him seem carefree, but inside, he was sensitive. The old teacher's praise had given him confidence, while this teacher's rejection made him doubt himself.
Even years later, he’d foolishly considered her a warm memory, sending her flowers on Teacher’s Day. But who could he blame? He’d been stupid enough to get himself killed.
The thought filled him with bitterness and rising anger. He couldn’t help but challenge her sharply:
“What proof do you have that I rely on rote memorization? Are you discrediting the previous teacher to boost yourself? If my grades are declining, show me the evidence. Has anyone surpassed me? And don’t think kids are fools, your ‘top students’ are mostly from rich families. Isn’t that favoritism? Whether it’s because of the old teacher or my poverty, your actions make me question your ethics and character.”
The class gasped. Even the teacher was stunned.
“I let my grades speak. I’m not afraid of your bias. I’ve said my piece.” He sat down before she could respond.
“Well said!” Song Min cheered, clapping. Others joined in.
The teacher snapped, “Quiet!”
The room fell silent, but the students’ gazes now held something new.
“Yang Jiabo, you misunderstood. This is for your good. Seats aren’t fixed, if you stay in the top three, I’ll move you to the front. I’ll overlook today’s disruption, but for insulting me, your parents must come tomorrow.”
“Fine, I’m not afraid of parents or even the Education Bureau.” He met her eyes fearlessly.
His classmates were awed. Wei Feng looked at him admiringly: this guy is as bold as my brother.
At home, Yang Jiabo told Yang Meizhen everything. “Auntie, you’re quick-witted and eloquent, you’ll outtalk her. She can favor the rich, but she can’t bully me.”
“Jiajia, are you overthinking it?” she hesitated.
He smirked. “Auntie, how long have you known me?”
She sighed. “Alright, but won’t you tell your dad?”
Yang Jiabo puffed his chest. “She looks down on us for being poor, why male Dad upset? When he makes money, we’ll shove it in her face.”
“That teacher picked the wrong kid to mess with,” Yang Meizhen said, torn between laughter and exasperation.
“Maybe it’s karma?” he mused.
“Don’t spout nonsense. I’ll visit the school tomorrow.”
“Good, don’t let her trick you. I don’t need her for middle school, and she can’t expel me. Don’t back down, crush her.” He trusted his sharp-tongued aunt not to fail him. His dad was too honest, he’d just listen quietly.
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