CHAPTER 53: CHAPTER 53: IN THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE

Li Zuoxin frowned, never encountered such a clueless student before. Just a bit of acting and it wouldn’t really affect them, just a report and standing for one class.

Who hasn’t stood for a class before?

If a teacher can’t handle a student, how can they face others in the future?

Pretending to be stern, he slapped the desk and said sharply, "Gu Xiaoqing, are you still not convinced? Fine, don’t attend class. Go back and call your parents; if they don’t come, you won’t be allowed to attend school."

This was a teacher’s trump card.

Most students feared this.

Calling the parents!

This move was almost always effective.

Any student who heard this would feel as if their parents had died, it was that tragic.

All because, after a teacher’s words, going home always resulted in a painful punishment—a bamboo shoot stir-fry, a truly painful realization.

Li Zuoxin wanted to scare Gu Xiaoqing, but upon seeing the expression on Gu Xiaoqing’s face, he realized he was mistaken.

This child was absolutely fearless.

Gu Xiaoqing stood up, walked out, and directly entered the adjoining principal’s office.

Li Zuoxin really couldn’t expect there would be students like this in the world.

Is this even a student?

This is practically a tyrant.

Hurriedly chased after.

Gu Xiaoqing knocked on the door and walked into the principal’s office.

The principal of Sishui Middle School was named Gu Mingying, a sixty-year-old man, but very knowledgeable and well-regarded in the surrounding ten miles.

With knowledge and culture, wholeheartedly dedicated to the locals, this was why Gu Mingying was loved by all and was among the best-regarded principals here.

Hardworking, uncomplaining, responsible—a good principal who does practical work for the villagers.

Seeing Gu Xiaoqing now, Gu Mingying, who was correcting exams, stopped his pen, pushed up his thick lenses, and took a careful look—it must be a new student this year.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t fail to recognize them.

But for a first-year student to bravely come to the principal’s office, that courage was valuable to Gu Mingying.

Nowadays, children are too cautious and timid, never bold; he wanted to nurture people with presence, talent—not just cultural, but in all aspects.

"What’s the matter?"

Gu Xiaoqing looked at the kindhearted Gu Mingying before her, feeling at ease; after all, this gray-haired old man appeared kind and reasonable, indicating he seemed likely to be a fair principal.

"Reporting, Principal, I have something to report."

Gu Mingying was indeed surprised; this child’s bravery aside, they even dare report directly in front of him—normally minor issues should be brought to teachers, shouldn’t they?

This was an act of overstepping authority.

But Gu Mingying still snorted, asking, "Why didn’t you report to Teacher Li? Isn’t it his responsibility?"

It was proper to ask this, Gu Mingying wanted to see what reasons Gu Xiaoqing had.

Unfortunately, before Gu Xiaoqing could speak, the office door burst open, and Li Zuoxin stormed in angrily, seeing Gu Xiaoqing standing at Gu Mingying’s desk, with the two engaged in conversation—he felt nearly heartbroken.

This was ruining him.

Quickly spoke, "Principal, don’t listen to Gu Xiaoqing. This student performs poorly, constantly causing trouble, I just simply punished her, yet she reported me to you."

As soon as he spoke, he saw Gu Mingying’s subtle look towards him; gradually, Li Zuoxin felt the situation was turning bad, thinking perhaps Gu Xiaoqing had not mentioned this yet and he’d blurted it out prematurely.

Gu Mingying put down his pen, pointed to a chair beside him, said to Li Zuoxin, "Teacher Li, sit down. Are you called Gu Xiaoqing? You sit down too."

Gu Xiaoqing obediently went over and sat down.

Li Zuoxin, starting from enraged, now evolved into apprehensive fear—things seemed off-track, knowing what kind of person Gu Mingying was.

This Gu Mingying was somewhat pretentious, sticking to the facts, not conniving—a straightforward person.

Rigidly adheres to conventions, if Gu Mingying understands the situation this time, he certainly wouldn’t stand by Li Zuoxin.

Li Zuoxin felt the need to say, "Principal, it’s unnecessary, I just came to bring Gu Xiaoqing back. Can’t delay your work, nor her studies."

Turning about toward Gu Xiaoqing seated quietly, said, "Gu Xiaoqing, follow me!"

Gu Xiaoqing raised her head, showed no fear, worry, or triumph on her face, causing Li Zuoxin anguish—Gu Xiaoqing sat firmly, seemingly mocking him.

Gu Mingying’s voice came over, "Don’t leave yet; given the fuss has reached the principal’s office, shouldn’t I as the principal hear it out, understand what issues lead a first-year student to seek the principal directly?"

With these words, Li Zuoxin knew his ideal plan was completely doomed.

This couldn’t be concealed.

Sitting down heavily with an ashen face, he quickly blamed Gu Xiaoqing: "Principal, you don’t know how difficult students are nowadays; this first-year even dared contradict teachers, refused to lend notes to classmates, and mocked, ridiculed, even threatened peers alongside others.

Someone reported the issue to me, as a teacher I can’t ignore such matters, can’t allow such unhealthy practices to prevail here. Thus, I punished them by making them write reports, stand at the classroom door.

This Gu Xiaoqing led the refusal, even threatened to report me to the education department. Principal, am I just being unfairly blamed? How can students be managed?"

This directly put Gu Xiaoqing on the worst possible balance, hoping Gu Mingying would initially think Gu Xiaoqing was a bad student, disobedient, bullying classmates.

Gu Xiaoqing didn’t contradict a word, quietly waited for Li Zuoxin to finish speaking.

Gu Mingying looking at this Gu Xiaoqing, truly felt curious.

Seeing this, anyone would be intrigued.

The person speaking non-stop about their wrongdoing, yet showed no intent to refute.

There’re only two situations like this: either what Teacher Li said was true, and the student has no response, or this student is truly confident, patiently waited for Li Zuoxin’s accounts and explanations before starting their rebuttal—this was a sign of confidence.

No matter which, Gu Mingying felt very intrigued by this child.

After gasping for breath, Gu Mingying said, "Gu Xiaoqing, now let’s hear from you!"

With those words, Li Zuoxin was nearly infuriated.

This principal was his nemesis.

Had already spoken so much—needed a student to add more?