DBTHDCAR Chapter 41

When Ning Jianguo and Zhao Jingwen received the call from the school and hurried over to No. 1 High School, Chang Leyun’s mother had already been sitting in the office for quite some time.

But it wasn’t in homeroom teacher Yan Bingru’s office, it was in the grade director’s office.

Director Hou, the preparatory grade’s head, was a consistently gentle and easygoing man, a typical refined Shanghai gentleman. Around forty years old, he treated the principal, teachers, and students alike with a friendly smile. He was also one of the few mid-level administrators who had managed to keep his position unchanged even after Principal Ji Guozhen was transferred away by higher authorities.

“Mrs. Chang, please have some tea.”

Director Hou held out a cup of freshly brewed Longjing tea with both hands and placed it in front of Wang Yihong, rubbing his hands together with a polite smile.

Wang Yihong tapped lightly on the table with her slender fingers but said nothing. She only looked coldly at Yan Bingru sitting across from her, a faint mocking smile at the corner of her lips.

“What’s going on? What happened exactly?”

Ning Jianguo walked down the corridor and saw Ning Xiaobei and the other students standing outside the office, all looking dejected.

Chang Leyun, who had already been standing with her head lowered and hands behind her back against the wall, lowered her head even further when she saw the two of them.

“Fan Xia, did you cause trouble again?”

Compared to Ning Jianguo, who had almost no experience being called in by the school, Zhao Jingwen could be considered a seasoned veteran. Back in elementary school, Fan Xia had his parents summoned every few days. Since his parents felt embarrassed and didn’t want to go, it was always Zhao Jingwen, his uncle, who handled it.

Zhao Jingwen stepped forward, grabbed Fan Xia’s ear without a word, and lifted it. “It was bad enough when you caused trouble on your own before, this time you even dragged Xiaobei, Lele… and this, what’s-his-name, Lin Ziying, into it? I think it’s been too long since you’ve had a proper lesson. You’re itching for trouble!”

“It wasn’t me, really not me! Ouch, Uncle, this time it really wasn’t me!”

Oh no—“Black Cat Detective” is about to get his ear twisted into “One-Ear¹References to the classic Chinese animated series 《Black Cat Detective》, which features a character called “One-Ear”, a one-eared mouse villain.”

Fan Xia’s ear had been twisted until it was dark red with a flush of heat. He stood on one foot, shouting his protest loudly to prove his innocence.

“If it wasn’t you, then who else could it be?”

Zhao Jingwen didn’t believe a word of his nonsense. Everyone else standing here were good students, only Fan Xia had a record of prior offenses.

“It was me.”

Ning Xiaobei raised his right hand.

“Xiaobei… that can’t be, right?”

So shocked that he couldn’t help himself, Zhao Jingwen twisted Fan Xia’s ear even harder. Fan Xia’s wail shot straight into the sky, drawing Director Hou out of the office.

“Mr. Ning, Uncle Zhao, you’re here… please, come in.”

Director Hou opened the door. Ning Xiaobei took the chance to quickly glance inside and saw Yan Bingru constantly wiping her tears. A pile of used tissues sat on the desk, she had clearly been crying quite a lot.

“Teacher, I want to go in too.”

This trouble had been caused by him; Ning Xiaobei had no intention of staying out of it.

He had once told Fan Xia before, if it ever came to carrying out justice on Heaven’s behalf, then he would do it himself.

Ning Xiaobei felt the timing was right.

“Um… alright then.”

Director Hou knew that Ning Xiaobei was not like an ordinary student, he had strong opinions of his own. So he allowed him to enter the office together with the two parents.

As soon as the office door closed, Fan Xia and Lin Ziying pressed themselves tightly against it like two geckos, pricking up their ears to eavesdrop on what was happening inside.

Seeing Ning Jianguo and Zhao Jingwen come in, the tears Yan Bingru had almost finished crying seemed to find a new source, falling again in a steady stream.

“Isn’t this Teacher Yan? What exactly happened?”

Ning Jianguo was completely confused.

Earlier, Director Hou had sounded very anxious on the phone but hadn’t explained things clearly. Now, it was even harder to make sense of the situation.

“Please, both parents, have a seat. Ning Xiaobei, you sit too. Let’s first make things clear, then discuss how to handle it.”

Director Hou took out a cotton plaid handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the cold sweat forming on his forehead.

………………

“That’s how things are. Am I wrong to say this? Chang Leyun is a girl. Shouldn’t she pay attention to matters of propriety?”

Yan Bingru spoke animatedly, pointing at Ning Xiaobei standing behind Ning Jianguo. “I already spoke to Ning Xiaobei and Fan Xia earlier today, telling them to be mindful. Even though they’re neighbors, there are still boundaries they should observe. The school is currently cracking down on early romantic relationships…”

“This teacher is quite something. May I ask, whose early romance involves three people at once?”

Zhao Jingwen, experienced in dealing with people, immediately caught the implication behind the short female teacher’s words and let out a cold laugh.

Using a chicken feather as if it were an imperial edict, who exactly are you trying to target?

“Besides, we as parents all know about Xiaobei and Xiaoxia accompanying Lele to and from school. The two of them,no, the three of them, are childhood companions, completely innocent.”

As Zhao Jingwen spoke, he crossed one leg over the other and gave it a dismissive shake.

If nothing else, he could confidently say this: his nephew had no understanding of romance between men and women. At fourteen or fifteen, the only women Fan Xia had ever been obsessed with were Huang Rong, Su Daji, and Xiaolongnü.

“I don’t know who reported this to you, teacher. But Xiaobei and the other three are all good kids. We parents are very assured of that, so there’s no need for you to worry about it.”

Zhao Jingwen spoke with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

After hearing this, Ning Jianguo had a clearer idea of the situation.

His son was standing up for a classmate.

He glanced at Ning Xiaobei’s expression and decided to let him handle it himself.

“Well then… Chang Leyun’s mom, what do you think?”

Director Hou looked toward Wang Yihong. This mother looked like quite a formidable person too, not any easier to deal with than Fan Xia’s uncle.

“My daughter was bullied. I’m very upset.”

Wang Yihong lifted her sharp chin slightly and spoke in a calm tone. “I want Teacher Yan to apologize to my daughter. And she should do it in the classroom, in front of the entire class.”

She wasn’t the kind of woman who would just nod along submissively, nor the kind of parent who avoided offending teachers and only wanted to smooth things over. Her precious daughter had suffered such humiliation at school, she only wanted justice for her.

“What? Me apologize? On what grounds?”

Yan Bingru slammed her hand on the desk. “I’m the homeroom teacher. I have the right to guide and discipline students’ morals.”

“Oh really? You ignore the boys who bullied her, and instead come after my daughter? What did she do wrong? Bringing sanitary pads to school during her period, what school rule does that violate?”

Wang Yihong refused to back down and slapped the desk as well, completely dropping all pretense and confronting her head-on. “Is this the standard of teachers at No. 1 High School?”

“I… fine! I can’t control your daughter, and I can’t control your son either!”

Yan Bingru shouted, acting out of sheer frustration and recklessness, like smashing a broken pot just to be done with it. “Then I won’t be the homeroom teacher anymore!”

“That won’t be necessary.”

Just as the atmosphere in the office became unbearably tense, the silent Ning Xiaobei finally spoke.

“Director Hou, I request to transfer to Class 2.”

Ning Xiaobei stepped out from behind Ning Jianguo, walked up to Director Hou, and spoke with complete seriousness.

“If Class 2 doesn’t want to accept me, then Class 3 or Class 4 would be fine as well.”

“Ning Xiaobei…”

Everyone present, from teachers to parents, had not expected this child to say something like that. They were all stunned.

“What nonsense are you talking about, Ning Xiaobei?”

Director Hou rubbed his hands together so fast they were like buzzing flies, almost sparking from the friction.

“You’re the top student in the entire grade…”

“So it makes no difference where I attend class.”

Ning Xiaobei turned his head and glanced at Yan Bingru.

“I don’t want to stay in Class 1 anymore. Please approve my request, Director.”

“Ning Xiaobei, are you threatening me?”

Yan Bingru shouted, sounding like a street shrew throwing a tantrum.

“Please approve it, Director Hou.”

Ning Xiaobei ignored her completely and simply repeated what he had just said.

“Student Xiaobei, calm down. This isn’t in line with school rules… Ning Xiaobei’s dad, please persuade him.”

Director Hou felt like he was being roasted over a fire. In over twenty years of teaching, he had never seen a student as strong-willed as Ning Xiaobei.

He was actually challenging a long-standing tradition of No. 1 High School.

“I’m ashamed to say, I’ve never interfered with my son’s studies.”

Ning Jianguo smiled, stood up decisively, and said, “And I trust my son’s character. Whatever he decides won’t be wrong.”

“Xiaobei’s dad…”

“Director, Fan Xia’s uncle and I still have matters to attend to. I believe there’s another class this afternoon. Don’t delay the children’s lessons. Let them go back now.”

As he spoke, Ning Jianguo nodded toward Wang Yihong, then walked to the door and turned the handle.

“Time to leave…”

He opened the door and nearly got knocked over by Fan Xia and Lin Ziying pressed against it, stepping back half a pace in surprise.

“I’m leaving too. If Teacher Yan doesn’t agree to what I just requested, there’s no point in continuing this discussion.”

Wang Yihong said this, picking up her LV handbag from the table and letting out a light laugh.

“Xiaobei, truly a man.”

She walked over to Ning Xiaobei’s side and patted his shoulder. “On the way home, I’ll buy you a cream cake from 【Ruby】. When you and Xiao Xia go home, come by my place first.”

“Thank you, Aunt Wang.”

Ning Xiaobei’s favorite was the cream square cake from the century-old British bakery, 【Ruby】, a dessert that could outshine all modern trendy pastries.

“Director Hou, I’m going to class now.”

Seeing the parents leave, Ning Xiaobei turned, bowed politely to Director Hou, and then left the office.

Yan Bingru sat at her desk, still clutching a tissue, looking like she’d been struck by lightning.

“Boss, what do we do?”

Fan Xia clutched his still-sore, warm ear and scurried up to Ning Xiaobei’s side.

The soundproofing in the director’s office was excellent.  He and Lin Ziying hadn’t heard a thing inside.

“Go back to class.”

In his white summer uniform, Ning Xiaobei strode down the corridor. The early summer sunlight fell on his profile, so clean it seemed almost transparent.

“Huh? Just like that? I thought…”

Fan Xia wrinkled his nose in disappointment.

Lin Ziying and Chang Leyun behind him also slumped. They had all thought Ning Xiaobei would pull off some dramatic scene inside.

Returning to the classroom, Class 1 was in full chaos, noise crashing like waves.

“I’m telling you, my aunt was right. Chang Leyun’s mom is a fox spirit, seducing men. Her dad even went to her workplace to make trouble.”

Before Ning Xiaobei even stepped in, he could hear Geng Enhua’s voice from inside.

“You all saw just now, right? In her family it’s the classic case of bad apple at the top spoils the bunch… I…”

Geng Enhua was standing on the desk, talking with all the arrogance in the world, when suddenly he felt the ground shake beneath him and nearly toppled off. Just then, Fan Xia—like a little human cannon—shot from the doorway straight to the desk and kicked the chair with a heavy thud.

“Trash! What are you saying? Get down!”

Earlier, Geng Enhua had been twisting Chang Leyun and Aunt Wang’s words inside, and Fan Xia had overheard everything clearly.

This trash actually dared to insult his friend with such audacity—did he think Fan Xia was dead or something?

“What am I saying? I’m saying you three…yes, you, Ning Xiaobei, and Chang Leyun are in early romance! Her mom is a broken shoe, so naturally the daughter is too!”

“You’re talking nonsense!”

“What did I say wrong? Who divorces normally? Who’d take out that disgusting stuff for everyone to see?”

As he spoke, Geng Enhua sneered lewdly.

He had treated Chang Leyun so well before, never mind that she was from Class 2. Every day he wiped down her desk and chair, even showed her his collection of Little Raccoon cards and rare toys. Yet she never gave him a single friendly glance, always hanging out with Ning Xiaobei and the others after school, which made him furious.

Somehow he had learned private details about her family and couldn’t wait to tell Teacher Yan. Sure enough, today she went to talk to Ning Xiaobei and the others, and even called the parents, this made him ecstatic.

“Divorce? So what? Divorce doesn’t make someone abnormal. I think you’re the abnormal one!”

Fan Xia’s own family was divorced, and hearing this was the last straw. He yanked Geng Enhua off the desk.

Though Geng Enhua wasn’t very agile, he weighed twice as much as Fan Xia, and the two of them twisted together in a scuffle.

“Enough, Fan Xia, stop! Come help me, I can’t hold much longer!”

Just as Fan Xia’s fist was about to land on Geng Enhua’s acne-covered, fat cheek, Ning Xiaobei’s voice came from behind the circle of students.

Fan Xia shot Geng Enhua the middle finger, pushed through the crowd, and walked toward Ning Xiaobei’s desk.

“Boss, what are you doing?”

Fan Xia pointed at Ning Xiaobei, who had his backpack on and was holding a stack of tutoring books, clearly surprised. “You’re going home early?”

“I’m going to Class 2 for lessons. Help me move the remaining books and the water cup from this desk over there.”

“What?”

“This place doesn’t suit us. I’m moving somewhere else.”

Ning Xiaobei said it and strode toward the door.

The noisy classroom went completely silent, as if you could hear a pin drop. Every student gawked, unable to believe what they had just heard.

Fan Xia peeked inside Ning Xiaobei’s desk; sure enough, it was completely empty, nothing left.

“So cool… the boss really is the boss…”

Fan Xia’s face flushed red with excitement, wishing he could leap onto the roof and shout it out loud.

“Boss, wait for me! I’m going to Class 2 too! I want to be your deskmate!”

Ning Xiaobei, I’ll follow you for life!

………………

Author’s Note:

Xiao Bei is handsome, right? Hehe.

The cream square cakes and chestnut cakes at the Shanghai Ruby’s Bakery are absolute masterpieces. If you ever visit Shanghai, you have to try them! There’s one right on Wujiang Road pedestrian street.

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  References to the classic Chinese animated series 《Black Cat Detective》, which features a character called “One-Ear”, a one-eared mouse villain