Chapter 30
The next day, Yang Meizhen arrived at the school as promised, and Yang Jiabo led her to meet the homeroom teacher.
“Yes, I heard you wanted to see me. May I ask what this is about?” Yang Meizhen replied.
The teacher turned to Yang Jiabo. “Yang Jiabo, step outside for a moment.”
“What kind of secret talk needs me out of the room?” Yang Jiabo muttered under his breath but sauntered out leisurely. He was certain the teacher had heard him, her face had darkened. Tsk tsk…
Once outside the office, he found Wei Feng waiting for him.
“Jiajia, are you okay? Is your mom gonna beat you?” Wei Feng had only seen a woman enter but hadn’t gotten a clear look.
“It’s fine, that was my aunt.”
“Oh, good.” Wei Feng sighed in relief. Li Guizhen’s temper was infamous.
Yang Jiabo slung an arm over Wei Feng’s shoulder. “Let’s go. This talk’s probably gonna take a while.”
Wei Feng hesitated. “Jiajia… I told my dad what you said yesterday.”
Yang Jiabo raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What’d he say?”
Wei Feng scratched his head. “Not much. Just told me to ‘unite with my classmates.’”
“Then do that. Don’t act like those narrow-minded people. What we have now doesn’t guarantee the future, our classmates have endless possibilities. Look down on someone today, and tomorrow they might look down on you. Leave a thread for future meetings.”
[留一线，日后好相见 (liú yīxiàn, rìhòu hǎo xiāngjiàn): lit. leave a thread for future meetings; fig. leave room for reconciliation]
Wei Feng blinked. “Jiajia… can you speak normally?”
Yang Jiabo sighed. “Just pretend I’m rambling.” I’m an idiot, talking like this to a kid. This isn’t Wei Jing. He wondered when Wei Jing would return.
“Yang Jiabo!” A familiar voice called from behind. Turning, he saw his former homeroom teacher, Teacher Liu. A wide grin spread across his face. “Teacher Liu!”
“Did you cause trouble again?” Teacher Liu’s eyes held fond exasperation.
“Me? I’m just honest... say what’s on my mind.” He grinned cheekily.
Teacher Liu hesitated, then said vaguely, “I heard about it. You’re too impulsive. Some words should stay unsaid.”
“I’m not afraid. Teacher Liu, she said you only taught rote memorization. Doesn’t that make you mad?”
“Why would I be? Rote memorization is a method. Without a solid foundation, how can one apply knowledge flexibly?” She smiled, utterly unbothered. “I’m just an elementary teacher, and I’m already processing retirement. Why fuss over what the younger generation thinks?”
“You’re so broad-minded. But I’m still small, my heart included. Maybe when I’m older, I’ll learn to let go like you.” Because my previous life was wasted on ignorance.
Teacher Liu chuckled. “You’re as sharp as my grandson. Don’t bully Teacher Li too much.”
Yang Jiabo feigned innocence. “You overestimate me. I’m just a kid, how could I bully a teacher?”
With a knowing pat on his head, Teacher Liu left without another word.
Wei Feng frowned. “Jiajia, what was that about?”
“Advising me to respect teachers, I guess? But she didn’t say it outright.”
“Adults are so confusing,” Wei Feng grumbled.
The meeting lasted half an hour. The moment Yang Meizhen stepped out, Yang Jiabo pounced. “Auntie, what’d she say?”
“The usual, listing your ‘crimes.’ Just like you predicted. Her acting’s only fit to fool kids. She accused you of disrespect, so I asked if she looked down on farmers. Your awards could paper a wall, yet she’s never satisfied.” Yang Meizhen scoffed.
Wei Feng blinked. “Auntie, you sound just like Jiajia.”
“Shush.” Yang Jiabo elbowed him. “Then what?”
“I brought up your grades and your heroic rescue. When she looked uneasy, I said if she couldn’t accept you, we’d transfer. A student like you? Other schools would fight over you.” Yang Meizhen smirked.
“Nice, transferring is possible.” He’d known his sharp-tongued aunt wouldn’t take this lying down. While school assignments were usually based on residency, exceptions were made for top students, or those with connections. Tian Tian, that silly girl, had transferred in through her uncle’s influence.
How pathetic, in my past life, I was dumber than her.
Tian Tian spent her allowance daily, while Yang Jiabo saved his for after-school snacks. She’d stare at his snacks longingly, yet he was branded selfish for not sharing. His mom scolded him, relatives gossiped, he’d been clueless until his aunt pointed out the truth. He was just too honest.
The parent-teacher meeting blew over. Yang Jiabo aced subsequent exams, forcing the teacher to move him to the first row, though the very back, despite his short stature. A petty move, but he ignored it.
At the next parents’ conference, the teacher told Yang Jianjun that Yang Jiabo “only memorized books” (lacked learning ability) and had a “narrow knowledge base” (was uncultured). In his previous life, this would’ve crushed him. Now? Fool me once…
Previously Yang Jiabo was the teacher’s favorite, but now he was sidelined for Wei Feng and Li Lan, especially after Wei Feng’s father was promoted to hospital director. The military hospital even installed the city’s first color fountain, granting their class exclusive access for essays. The teacher was thrilled.
However, Li Lan became increasingly hostile towards Yang Jiabo. She resorted to childish pranks, such as hiding his homework. Meanwhile, Wei Feng, despite his carefree appearance, cleverly manipulated situations to exclude her socially.
The class atmosphere turned toxic. Three slower classmates and one with meningitis-induced disabilities became easy targets. In his life, Yang Jiabo had protected them, but they never learned to stand up for themselves. Back then, the bullying was relatively mild, with tasks like running errands and occasional scolding, but at least they were still included in class activities.
Two turbulent years passed. Yang Jiabo graduated as the city’s top scorer, though his teacher still despised him, mutually.
The Yangs’ sour-spicy glass noodle business thrived. Yang Meizhen married an ugly, poor train driver, it was her own choice, what attracted her was his kindness. Li Guizhen’s plastics factory closed, so she helped at home. The aging grandparents hired someone to help with the farmwork.
Wei Jing, now a high school sophomore after skipping grades, kept in touch via letters, tutoring Yang Jiabo during breaks. Wei Feng, feeling the pressure, joined their study sessions.
At middle school, Yang Jiabo found a kind biology teacher, a stark contrast to the neighboring class’s teacher, whose students threatened to kidnap her daughter.
Then Yang Qiaohui demanded a quarter of the Yangs’ homestead to build a house. Li Guizhen, viewing the family assets as hers, objected. However, Yang Qiaohui's financial support for the grandparents' medical bills gave Yang Jianjun and Yang Meizhen no choice.
This happened last time too. Yang Jiabo’s hazy memories surfaced, this construction and Li Guizhen’s scam-ridden store purchase had bankrupted them.
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