“Everyone, please calm down and listen to me. I’m very grateful for your righteous defense. County No. 1 High School is a warm family. The teachers care for me so much, and my fellow students trust me so deeply – how could I not study harder and repay everyone’s protection and trust with excellent results? I’ve wasted much time in the past, felt resentful about my elders’ favoritism, and even doubted my importance to family and society because of my gender… But today, I, Xia Xiaolan, decided to abandon my former self. Regardless of other disturbances, I will strive alongside everyone to become someone responsible for their own life and useful to society and country!”
“Gender discrimination is an outdated custom – women can hold up half the sky!”
“Only academic pursuit is the highest goal. Whoever hinders my education is unworthy of being my relative or elder!”
“I only want to break free from ignorance and contribute to building our motherland!”
“I just want to get into university!”
No matter how well-spoken, she was publicly severing ties with the Xia family.
But this time, no one criticized Xia Xiaolan. The onlookers applauded enthusiastically.
“Well done, Xia Xiaolan!”
“Let’s get into university together!”
“Keep going, Xiaolan – we all support you!”
Inadvertently, Xia Xiaolan had become a role model for independent, self-reliant girls. She spoke so well – which senior student present didn’t want to change their fate through the college entrance exam? That’s why they solved problems repeatedly, just to improve those precious few points; why they retook the exam for one, two, or even three or four years if they didn’t get in; why they returned to school on the third day of the Lunar New Year while others enjoyed their winter break… Among those studying at Anqing County No. 1 High School, there were no truly privileged children. Not just rural students, but even children from urban dual-income families placed great importance on the college entrance exam.
Only five months remained until the exam that would determine their fate for decades to come. Anyone disturbing students at this time was truly a class enemy!
Xia Xiaolan’s rejection of these ill-intentioned relatives was the most correct decision. One should be filial, but when elders are unkind, insisting on not resisting is foolish filial piety! This wasn’t the old society anymore – a reputation for filial piety no longer determined one’s future. Getting into university tested one’s drive and persistent effort!
At such a moment, not taking a stance and harvesting prestige would have made Principal Sun truly foolish.
When the applause subsided, Principal Sun publicly guaranteed that no irrelevant people would be allowed to disturb Xia Xiaolan’s studies before the college entrance exam.
Principal Sun naturally won another round of applause.
Old Guard Zhao gripped his baton tightly, his gaze sweeping across the Xia family’s faces as if memorizing each one to prevent them from coming within 5 meters of County No. 1 High School’s gate.
The Xia family slunk away in shame.
Even Xia Ziyu knew the tide had turned. Today Xia Xiaolan had controlled public opinion, and this sentiment would likely continue unless Xiaolan herself chose to fall and contradict herself. After today, the Xia family had no reason to make trouble again – further disturbance would be mere troublemaking, with Xiaolan now holding the initiative.
Wang Jianhua watched Xiaolan, who looked so beautiful and now wore a different kind of radiance.
Though he had disliked her for the embarrassing scene at White Stream Temple, now… his heart stirred.
Xia Ziyu gritted her teeth while supporting Grandmother Xia.
“I’m sorry, there are some misunderstandings between us and Xiaolan. I’ll try to resolve these misunderstandings…”
Teacher Qi sighed, “Student Xia Ziyu, elderly people’s beliefs aren’t easily changed. Don’t make things worse – just persuade and restrain your family from bothering Xiaolan before the college entrance exam. Your disruptions greatly affect her emotional state. Whatever misunderstandings exist can wait until after the exam. Teacher hopes you can do this.”
Teacher Qi’s meaning was clear – forget about resolving misunderstandings, and showing sincerity meant keeping the Xia family from causing trouble.
Everyone stared at Xia Ziyu – what could she say?
Not wanting to break her gentle and kind image, Xia Ziyu could only agree without hesitation.
“Xiaolan, I hope you get into your dream university!”
Knowing the situation was irreversible, Xia Ziyu offered gracious wishes.
“Cousin, I definitely won’t disappoint your expectations. Although you stole my boyfriend, I don’t hate you anymore… because I believe there must be a better man waiting for me. Wishing you happiness, cousin and cousin-in-law!”
At this moment, how Xia Ziyu wished Wang Jianhua would speak up and explain.
But Wang Jianhua, with complicated feelings, stood like a wooden post without reaction.
Xia Ziyu hurriedly left the scene, along with all the Xia family members, retreating to hide in Zhang’s restaurant’s backyard.
Xia Xiaolan thanked everyone before leaving with Liu Yong and Li Fengmei.
The watching teachers and students gradually dispersed, each face still flushed with excitement. They had cheered for Xia Xiaolan, and her declaration felt as if they had shouted it themselves.
“Teacher Sun, you were so brave.”
“Yes, Teacher Sun, if you hadn’t been the first to stand up…”
Sun Tian returned to being that shy young woman, embarrassed by everyone’s praise.
Only one person sang a different tune – Teacher Zhao, who eagerly pursued Sun Tian:
“That was too dangerous – you don’t know how worried I was. Little Sun, don’t be so impulsive next time. With so many teachers, why did you, a newcomer, have to step forward? You should have waited for Teacher Wang and the others to speak up. They’re senior colleagues with more seniority…”
Teacher Zhao’s face showed concern.
Sun Tian felt uncomfortable.
Since her assignment to County No. 1 High School, Teacher Zhao had been courting her. He quieted down for a while, but after her colleagues spread the word that she was Principal Sun’s niece, Teacher Zhao became even more attentive, spending almost all his free time by Sun Tian’s side. The school’s teachers had even begun seeing them as a couple.
Were they a couple?
Sun Tian had refused, but Teacher Zhao persisted.
Now Sun Tian was confused too. After frequent teasing from colleagues, she and Teacher Zhao had somehow become an item.
But Sun Tian still felt uncomfortable. She and Teacher Zhao had different personalities, like now. The excitement and passion had been completely doused by Teacher Zhao’s cold water. Did standing up for justice need to consider seniority?
Seeing Sun Tian’s silence, Teacher Zhao quickly shut up.
Sun Tian was pretty and Principal Sun’s niece – Teacher Zhao didn’t want to give up such a good catch… He had once been struck by Xia Xiaolan’s beauty, but firstly, she rarely appeared at school, giving him no chance for contact, and secondly, she came from a rural family and couldn’t help his career at all. Teacher Zhao couldn’t handle any rumors between a teacher and a student.
After learning Sun Tian was Principal Sun’s niece, Teacher Zhao abandoned those small thoughts and began focusing on pursuing Sun Tian.
It was effective – even a strong-willed woman fears persistence, and now everyone at school considered them a couple. Sun Tian’s shy personality was easy to handle, and Teacher Zhao felt marriage could soon be put on the agenda.
To marry quickly, Teacher Zhao had to suppress some small dissatisfaction. He didn’t approve of some of Sun Tian’s actions – he’d slowly change them after marriage!
As the commotion at the school gate dispersed, in Zhang’s restaurant’s backyard, Grandmother Xia was complaining.