CHAPTER 476: CHAPTER 476: ALLOCATION IN HARMONY

Xu Xiuxiu had just begun to show signs of anger when colleagues sitting in the office also started to stand up, trying to smooth things over. After all, this was a primary school for children of the Military District nearby, and every family had some form of connection, more or less.

Furthermore, Song Chengguang had always been a top student in his school year, excelling academically. Xu Xiuxiu had visited the school a few times, and while not all the teachers knew the full situation at Song Chengguang’s home, they knew something. Mr. He, stubborn as he was, had just been transferred this term and was unaware that Song Chengguang’s father was from the Military District. Nor was Xu Xiuxiu merely a beautiful homemaker.

"Song Chengguang’s parent, please don’t worry. Mr. He is young and overly enthusiastic, and indeed he handled this matter inappropriately. Rest assured! I have read the letter too, it should be a note from Lai Xiuxiu to Song Chengguang. Realistically, this could be a major or minor issue, depending on how we teachers and you parents want to deal with it. If we want to avoid affecting the children, it is better to keep things peaceful. This approach is also the simplest for us teachers, but after all, our school’s purpose is to educate. We are responsible for every student, and we certainly don’t want this matter to affect Song Chengguang. So, how about this? We have already reflected this issue to you parents. When you’re at home, please also supervise your children. As teachers, we need to cooperate with parents to educate the children well. After all, our school mainly teaches academic subjects, but the influence of parents on their children is not insignificant—you parents should also pay attention to this," said Teacher Zhao, initiating the discussion.

"Of course, the two did make a mistake this time, so our school must give some form of reprimand. However, the children are still young, and public criticism is an overreaction that would cause unnecessary harm. So I suggest we let the children copy the school rules a hundred times each, okay?" The speaker was a relatively senior male teacher at the school, who even though had a serious academic demeanor, was experienced in communicating with parents. Sensing Xu Xiuxiu’s desire to calm the situation, he took on the role of the mediator with ease.

Young Xiao He might be knowledgeable and competent in teaching and educating, but his inability to get along with others and his failure to read social cues needed to change. Could he not see that Song Chengguang’s parent was about to blow a fuse? Yet he was still so self-righteous, insistent on harsh punishment. You almost ruined someone’s child—believe me, they’d have your head!

"Teacher Zhao, how can you so rashly gloss over this? This incident is quite serious, I..." He Yuan, disagreeing, began to interrupt, looking as if he were ready to accuse Teacher Zhao of sticking his nose into business due to his age and experience.

Teacher Zhao wasn’t young anymore and was shrewd. He could see exactly what He Yuan’s attitude was, but he didn’t say much more, only thinking that He Yuan was missing the point: "Xiao He, I know you think this is serious, but we’re teachers, and we can’t rigidly adhere to the rules when dealing with situations. The two students in question are still young, were you really planning on public criticism? That would spread the matter to everyone in school. Do you realize how large the impact would be? Young man, you still have a lot to learn. You think this issue is severe and needs to be dealt with as an example, but have you considered it? You could very likely be harming two children. They’re just teenagers, and if you publicly criticize them, that label of being in puppy love will stick to them and never come off. Have you thought about the consequences? What when the whole school knows? All the kids are at a mischievous age; while your approach might serve as a warning to others, these two might be ridiculed by their peers. How would you feel if you were in their shoes?" Teacher Zhao said, looking disapprovingly at He Yuan.

He Yuan fell silent, seemingly lost for words for some time, as if only now realizing the significance of Teacher Zhao’s words—he had with the best intentions for the students but had inadvertently brought significant harm to both children.

Seeing that He Yuan seemed to understand his point, Teacher Zhao stopped talking, then turned to Xu Xiuxiu. "Song Chengguang’s parent, how do you feel about my earlier suggestion? A light punishment to serve as a warning gives the children a chance to reform," Teacher Zhao asked Xu Xiuxiu politely.

"Teacher Zhao, I’ve always found your handling of situations to be very appropriate. Indeed, the two children should be disciplined, and copying the school rules a hundred times is fitting. However, I can’t agree to this on my own; we should wait until Lai Xiuxiu’s parents arrive, discuss it as parents, and then give you a response," Xu Xiuxiu said, glancing sideways at He Yuan, who looked as if he’d swallowed a fly. Struggling to speak, he ultimately couldn’t say anything.

"Of course!" Teacher Zhao agreed readily.

Lai Xiuxiu’s parents arrived somewhat late. Both military doctors in the Military District, they were genteel and courteous. Upon receiving the call from the school, they hastily requested temporary leave from their superiors before rushing over and exchanged pleasantries with Xu Xiuxiu.

After all, they were people related to the military in some way, so discussing matters was fairly straightforward. Both parents agreed to seriously educate their children at home: "The kids are young and ignorant, sorry for the trouble caused to your son!" said Liu Feng, Lai Xiuxiu’s mother.

"No trouble at all, the kids are young and just wanted to make friends. I don’t see anything wrong with that," Xu Xiuxiu replied with a smile. Both sets of parents were very polite in the teachers’ office, especially Lai Xiuxiu’s parents. Upon learning that their daughter had written a love letter to Song Chengguang but was caught by a teacher before it was given to him, they felt embarrassed and their cheeks burned with shame.

Upon learning the truth, Lai Xiuxiu’s mother, Liu Feng, occasionally glared at her daughter, who had caused trouble: "You really know how to make trouble at such a young age, don’t you?" Perhaps because the child was indeed young, upon seeing the love letter her daughter had written, she found it endearingly cute.

"Mom, I’m sorry," Lai Xiuxiu apologized pitifully, looking so aggrieved it was hard for anyone to scold her.

"There, there, darling, don’t be afraid; it’s okay, daddy’s here!" Lai Xiuxiu’s father, Lai Xiuhuan, immediately soothed his daughter with a good-natured response, fearing she might cry. Clearly, he was a doting father through and through.