{"id":16970,"date":"2019-10-10T12:00:14","date_gmt":"2019-10-10T16:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/?p=16970"},"modified":"2023-05-19T10:41:39","modified_gmt":"2023-05-19T14:41:39","slug":"epiphanies-of-rebirth-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/epiphanies-of-rebirth-18\/","title":{"rendered":"Epiphanies of Rebirth 18"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Chapter 18<\/span><\/h1>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Between Du Kang’s questioning and the students\u2019 chorus of bitter complaints, Tao Fangzheng couldn’t voice a single word. He stared at the plate of huge chicken legs before him, and his vision darkened little by little.<\/span><\/p>

When Du Kang noticed, he immediately realized what the students were saying was true.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cAlright! Very good!\u201d Du Kang patted his thighs and nodded. His icy gaze shifted from Tao Fangzheng’s sweaty forehead to the well-dressed, white-faced Li Yurong. Abruptly, he banged on the table. \u201cYou said these students are the dregs of society? I think people like you are the true dregs of society!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cDon\u2019t listen to these children\u2019s nonsense, Leader!\u201d His evaluation was tantamount to pushing Li Yurong into the abyss\u2014nothing good could possibly await her. Panic made her forget her fear, and she stood up to defend herself. \u201cI did it for their sake! The children in Class 5 are poor learners, have bad grades, and, most importantly, are unruly. I scolded them because I worry about them!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cShut up,\u201d Du Kang interrupted her coldly. He pointed his finger at Vice-Principal Qu Yuan. \u201cYou\u2014speak!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The vice-principal hesitated. He looked at Tao Fangzheng, then back at Li Yurong, and thought about the consequences of his words, but in the end, he nodded. \u201cWhat the students say is true.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Tao Fangzheng and Li Yurong stared at him, shocked.<\/span><\/p>

Qu Yuan continued, \u201cTeacher Li had the students start self-study last year. Class 5\u2019s situation was the worst, but it happened in all classes except Class 1. Teachers in charge of each class complained many times. Principal Tao was also aware of it, but perhaps his heavy workload made him too busy to remedy the situation. Then some time ago, on March 17, if memory doesn\u2019t fail me, Class 5\u2019s students collectively boycotted English class. Both the principal and I rushed to the scene to mediate. At the time, Teacher Li said she didn’t want to teach them anymore.\u201d He paused and heaved a sigh. \u201cPrincipal Tao agreed, rejecting our suggestion to arrange a teacher from a different grade.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

This seemingly mild explanation kindled the anger in Du Kang\u2019s heart from a flame into a raging bonfire.<\/span><\/p>

How could he have imagined the school hid such a terrible thing under the idyllic facade? They were talking about third-year students here! Tao Fangzheng canceling their English class just because of a single teacher’s mood was beyond ridiculous!<\/span><\/p>

Ten minutes ago, he was still proud his alma mater was as excellent as it had been when he attended. Now, sitting in the cafeteria watched by all the students who turned this way because of the commotion, he was almost too ashamed to raise his head!<\/span><\/p>

He took a deep breath, trying to calm down so at least he wouldn\u2019t lose his temper in front of the students.<\/span><\/p>

The crisp sound of a spoon touching enamel made him look to the side. He found, despite the stormy atmosphere, Lin Jingzhe still leisurely ate his soup.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cJingzhe,\u201d he began, standing and turning to the young man. \u201cCan you collect Class 5\u2019s students? Please tell them to follow me to the classroom.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lin Jingzhe slowly set the soup bowl back down on the table. He gave Deng Mai a look, his gaze flickering to Tao Fangzheng and back again. Deng Mai understood right away, and shouted, “I’m not going. I haven’t finished yet!”<\/span><\/p>

Was lunch more important than English class? Faced with this bunch of simple-minded youths, Du Kang\u2019s anger left him. He said, a bit helplessly, \u201cYou can eat later, the cafeteria will still be here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Deng Mai flashed him a grin. \u201cIt might be, but the food won\u2019t. It\u2019s not every day we get to have meat\u2014I\u2019m not leaving until I eat my fill!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Du Kang was startled. A second later, the expression in his gaze changed.<\/span><\/p>

He stared down at his plate, filled with barely touched red-braised pork belly, then turned to look at Lin Jingzhe. The young man wiped his mouth, folded his napkin, and responded with a slight nod.<\/span><\/p>

Shame rushed through Du Kang, overwhelming him. When he recalled his praise for the cafeteria food earlier, he couldn\u2019t sit still any longer. He said to Deng Mai, \u201cIt\u2019s fine, I\u2019ll accompany you to eat later. If there is no meat, they will prepare some fresh!\u201d Then he glared at Tao Fangzheng. \u201cRight, Principal Tao?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Facing his glare, Tao Fangzheng felt a layer of ice coat his heart. He never imagined his meticulous arrangements would be ruined by the group of students he despised the most.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cOutrageous! Absolutely outrageous!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Du Kang threw a small blackboard onto the floor. On it was written the menu for the previous day: boiled cabbage, steamed eggplant, and stir-fried sauerkraut with chili peppers.<\/span><\/p>

This was what the students ate?!<\/span><\/p>

He originally thought Deng Mai meant the food was usually a bit worse. But look at the names of these dishes\u2014\u201dslightly worse\u201d? They weren\u2019t even in the same realm!<\/span><\/p>

Since he\u2019d already begun to speak, Vice-Principal Qu Yuan no longer had any reservations. He calmly explained, \u201cThis menu generally stays the same. Sometimes cabbage is replaced with Chinese cabbage and so on. The students have eaten like this for over two years.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Du Kang slammed his fist on the table yet again: \u201cWhat the hell are you in the school administration doing?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Qu Yuan felt deeply wronged. \u201cThe school has a lot of complaints about the cafeteria, from both students and teachers. I’ve mentioned it to Principal Tao many times in private, and the senior teachers of all grades have come to ask him to do something about it, but it was of no use! The financial matters have always been the responsibility of the principal and his direct subordinates. If he doesn\u2019t allocate funds, there\u2019s really nothing we can do!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Du Kang was so angry he couldn\u2019t speak, and the other members of the inspection team were no better. They hurriedly changed locations to Class 5\u2019s classroom. Du Kang stood at the dais, hands behind his back, looking around. It was the middle of a sunny day, yet the room was so dim the lights had to be turned on. The desks, chairs, and benches were old and almost dilapidated. There was no comparison with the furniture in Class 1\u2019s classroom.<\/span><\/p>

Lin Jingzhe found him a wooden stool. \u201cPlease sit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The man sat. Smelling the restroom with every breath, he let out a tired sigh. \u201cIs it the same for Class 5 on the other two floors?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cThis floor is slightly better.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

This floor is fucking \u2018slightly better\u2019!<\/span><\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Lin Jingzhe suddenly called out, \u201cTeacher Hu!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Hu Yu had been preparing for class in her tiny office. When she heard the unusual bustle, she\u2019d walked to the classroom\u2019s door and peered in. At Lin Jingzhe\u2019s shout, she cautiously stepped inside.<\/span><\/p>

She was anxious, thinking her kids were in trouble again, but summoned the courage to grab Lin Jingzhe\u2019s arm and pull him away from Du Kang. Shielded him behind herself, she asked, \u201cIs something wrong? What happened?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lin Jingzhe gently took her thin shoulder and smiled soothingly. \u201cEverything is fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Then he said to Du Kang, \u201cThis is my current class teacher, Mrs. Hu Yu.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Du Kang saw every detail of her actions. Although he found it funny he was labeled a bad guy she had to protect her students from, he inevitably formed a favorable opinion on this thin, petite woman\u2014all the more after having met \u201cthe outstanding teacher,\u201d Li Yurong. At Lin Jingzhe\u2019s solemn introduction, he stood up and shook hands with Hu Yu. \u201cHello, Teacher Hu.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

It took a long explanation to make Hu Yu believe Lin Jingzhe and others didn\u2019t cause any problems. Then, due to Du Kang\u2019s kind and friendly attitude, her heart finally returned to her chest from her throat, and she quickly dropped her defense.<\/span><\/p>

When Du Kang expressed his sympathy at her circumstances, she smiled cautiously. \u201cIt\u2019s not bad. The students in my class are a little unruly, but they are actually good children, very considerate to me\u2014every morning, they even prepare tea for me. They are in their third year and work very hard: every day, they have to solve so many questions and take so many tests…\u201d<\/span><\/p>

She didn\u2019t know who exactly Du Kang was, only that he was leading the school inspection team. Anxiously leaning forward, she said, \u201cLeader, it\u2019s not my intention to bother you, but my students\u2019 English class…\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Du Kang thought of Li Yurong\u2019s \u201cdregs of society,\u201d and remembered the actions of Class 5\u2019s students, how they eagerly brought a stool for Hu Yu so she wouldn\u2019t have to stand. He patted her shoulder comfortingly. \u201cTeacher Hu, rest assured\u2014we are here to help you solve this problem.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cBut Teacher Li….\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cTeacher Li? What about Teacher Li?\u201d Du Kang sneered. \u201cAfter tomorrow, there will not be a Teacher Li at this school!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Hu Yu looked at him, confused. Du Kang, afraid of scaring her, put on a gentler expression and changed the topic. \u201cHow many years have you taught, Teacher Hu?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Hu Yu\u2019s attention was diverted immediately. \u201cFirst, I taught in the secondary school run by the textile factory for the children of the workers. Then I was transferred here five or six years ago. Altogether, I\u2019ve been teaching for almost ten years.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cSo you\u2019re a veteran!\u201d Du Kang praised, \u201cI can tell you are very patient with your kids and care about them. I heard that Lin Jingzhe from your class placed first in school in the second mock exam!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Hu Yu hurriedly waved her hand, \u201cThis is not my merit, not at all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

As she talked about this, she couldn\u2019t help but boast: \u201cLin Jingzhe is a brilliant child, clever and sensible. Not only is he good at studying, but he\u2019s also willing to help his classmates too. Ever since English class was canceled, it was Lin Jingzhe who taught everybody. The other students depend on his help and guidance. He really is a good child, very hard to come by.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Hu Yu thought about it, but she really could not hold back: \u201cLeader, I don\u2019t demand anything from the school, but Lin Jingzhe has both excellent character and good grades, which is quite rare. I really want him to get Qunnan University\u2019s admission spot\u2014not because I\u2019m biased, but because I believe he has the qualifications!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Du Kang nodded. \u201cIndeed, he took first place in the second mock exam. If he\u2019s not qualified for the admission spot, then who is?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Hu Yu said urgently, \u201cBut Principal Tao said the candidate had been decided, and it was not Lin Jingzhe!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Du Kang was shocked. The second mock exam had just passed, yet the candidate had already been decided? He turned to Vice-Principal Qu Yuan, who, after a moment of silence, said, \u201cPrincipal Tao personally selected the candidate. We have no right to question it.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWho is the candidate?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Qu Yuan glanced at Lin Jingzhe, who sat at his desk, idly leafing through the English textbook. \u201cThe candidate is a student from Class 1\u2026 Jiang Run.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cPfff!!!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

All the students in class snorted as one. Confused, Du Kang looked at them. \u201cIs there a problem with this person?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Deng Mai\u2019s voice was loudest. \u201cA problem? There\u2019s more than a problem! Holy shit! Is it really him? If it was Yu Zhiliang, I would\u2019ve at least accepted it, but Jiang Run?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The academic director, silent until now, couldn\u2019t hold back anymore. He stepped forward and exclaimed, \u201cLeader, both the vice-principal and I are very dissatisfied with this candidate. Indeed, he has excellent grades\u2014though by no means the best\u2014but his conduct is problematic. First of all, he is very unfriendly to his classmates. I have caught him bullying them more than once.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cBullying classmates? This is nothing,\u201d Zhou Haitang interrupted. \u201cHe has connections with gangsters in the town. He even took a bunch of them to find Jingzhe one time, but Jingzhe\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Gao Sheng grabbed him and pulled him back, continuing smoothly, \u201cThankfully, Jingzhe managed to run away.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Deng Mai added casually, \u201cI remembered he has a record at the police station!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

There was such a thing?! Du Kang gave Lin Jingzhe a glance, both astonished and inquisitive. Lin Jingzhe sighed, set down his book, and whispered, \u201cBecause of the antiques.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The surprise on Du Kang\u2019s face immediately turned into seriousness. He recalled the case dossier and immediately remembered that name!<\/span><\/p>

Wasn\u2019t Jiang Run the only son of Lin Jingzhe\u2019s aunt, Jiang Xiaoyun? She was deeply involved in the antiques\u2019 robbery case! It turned out the son schemed along with his mother!<\/span><\/p>

Yet such a student, with no outstanding academic record and poor character, even mixing up with criminals, had overcome countless others and won the Qunnan University\u2019s admission spot.<\/span><\/p>

This day, Du Kang heard so many shocking things that he\u2019d even lost the energy to get angry. Now, he wouldn\u2019t be surprised even if someone told him Tao Fangzheng murdered people and set fires.<\/span><\/p>

He asked, voice sinking, \u201cHas the school already sent the admission application?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cYes, Principal Tao submitted it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWithdraw it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The vice-principal hesitated. \u201cBut, Principal Tao\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWhat about him?!\u201d Du Kang\u2019s lips curled, revealing teeth. It was more of a snarl than a smile. \u201cIf he continues to be the principal here, I\u2019ll write my name backward from now on!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

A familiar <\/span>\u2018thud\u2019<\/span><\/em> sounded, making everyone turn their heads.<\/span><\/p>

Li Yurong\u2019s face, tearful and horrified, was visible in the window next to the door. Beside her was Tao Fangzheng, who secretly followed the inspection team but didn\u2019t dare enter the classroom. Just now, he fainted, falling to the ground again.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Translator: Eques<\/em>
Editors: Dark, Bet<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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