{"id":8992,"date":"2019-09-28T15:00:35","date_gmt":"2019-09-28T19:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/?p=8992"},"modified":"2020-04-09T13:29:36","modified_gmt":"2020-04-09T17:29:36","slug":"epiphanies-of-rebirth-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/epiphanies-of-rebirth-17\/","title":{"rendered":"Epiphanies of Rebirth 17"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Chapter 17<\/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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The fall was hardly unnoticeable. Everyone turned to stare.<\/span><\/p>

\u201c……\u201d After a moment of speechlessness, Du Kang asked, \u201cPrincipal Tao, what are you\u2026?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Tao Fangzheng struggled to get up, failed several times, and finally managed with Li Yurong\u2019s help. He stood, barely maintaining an awkward smile, and sweat rolled down his face.<\/span><\/p>

Rubbing his dirty, sweaty palms on his trousers, he explained weakly, \u201cI just, the floor was slippery.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cThis won\u2019t do. You weren\u2019t hurt, but what if a student is less lucky?\u201d Du Kang rebuked. \u201cYou need to fix this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cYes, yes, we\u2019ll improve on it,\u201d Tao Fangzheng kept nodding until Du Kang’s gaze left him. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief, but at the same time, his heart rose to his throat. He swallowed and subconsciously glanced at Li Yurong, who had the same terror in her eyes.<\/span><\/p>

She kept her hand on his back, and nudged him urgently, but the more anxious she was, the more he hesitated. A moment later, he stepped forward and asked cautiously, \u201cLeader, do you\u2026 know this student?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Du Kang saw him sweating and realized something was wrong. He recalled when he asked about this part of the corridor just now, Tao Fangzheng actually replied this was the toilets.<\/span><\/p>

Toilets? There were indeed toilets here, he could smell them from where he stood, but beside them, there was a large classroom with fifty or sixty students! Not to mention this dark, smelly environment was entirely unconducive to learning. And Tao Fangzheng\u2019s obvious concealment\u2014did he want to directly erase the existence of this class?<\/span><\/p>

Du Kang visited his old school to find Lin Jingzhe. Though he did find him, instead of being relieved, his heart grew heavy\u2014it turned out he wasn\u2019t the only thing he\u2019d found.<\/span><\/p>

Calmly watching Principal Tao, he answered, \u201cYes, I do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

He really does!<\/span><\/em><\/p>

Tao Fangzheng\u2019s hands trembled. He turned to look at Lin Jingzhe\u2019s equally composed face, hating that he couldn\u2019t grab the youth\u2019s shoulders and shake him violently\u2014<\/span><\/p>

If you fucking knew Du Kang, why didn\u2019t you say it?! Why didn\u2019t you say it?! Why didn\u2019t you say it!!!<\/span><\/em><\/p>

Du Kang\u2019s expression was inscrutable; Tao Fangzheng struggled to see any indication of his mood without success. As he frantically recalled everything that happened, from the class change to the strike, he grew more and more uneasy. He worried how much of the situation, and in what way, Lin Jingzhe told Du Kang.<\/span><\/p>

Lin Jingzhe was puzzled by the principal\u2019s inexplicable expression as the man looked caught between hysterical laughter and tears. Because of the group\u2019s arrival, the Class 5 students who wanted to have lunch didn\u2019t dare leave. The principal and Li Yurong never came to Class 5, and this time, they even brought a bunch of strangers\u2014who knew what they plotted? They had to support each other and face whatever came together.<\/span><\/p>

Lin Jingzhe knew this was probably just a regular inspection, and it wouldn\u2019t end quickly. His gaze swept over the group of wary, vigilant teenagers, who seemed ready for trouble, and he nodded to Deng Mai: \u201cTake everyone to cafeteria, it\u2019s lunchtime.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Deng Mai hesitated, but Lin Jingzhe waved at him, and he instinctively obeyed. Du Kang took note of this scene, more and more convinced Lin Jingzhe\u2019s origins were extraordinary.<\/span><\/p>

He put it on his agenda to look into it at the nearest opportunity.<\/span><\/p>

The moment he entered the cafeteria, Lin Jingzhe choked, because what the hell?<\/span><\/p>

No. 1 High School\u2019s cafeteria was a detached, single-story building behind the main building. Lin Jingzhe had never seen it as clean as it was today, whether in his past or present life\u2014the windows were gleaming and the cement floor, still not completely dry after scrubbing, lacked its eternal greasy stains. He was curious just how much effort this emergency assault took. On the squeaky-clean food-serving counter, there were more than ten kinds of dishes! A large pot of red-braised pork belly, dripping with aromatic sauce, the golden pan-fried yellow croaker, huge chicken drumsticks, sweet and sour spare ribs\u2026 Compared with the usual, this was practically a state banquet.<\/span><\/p>

The students who walked in froze in shock, jaws dropping. Since meals in the cafeteria were free, the standard non-vegetarian dish was stir-fried tomato and scrambled eggs, and you still had to be lucky to get it. The students made complaints countless times, but the school didn\u2019t pay them any attention. The reply they got was \u201cfunds were limited,\u201d and that there was only so much the school could allocate to the catering. This was the highest standard they could provide\u2014if they didn\u2019t like it, it\u2019s not as if anyone was forcing them to eat.<\/span><\/p>

But how could Du Kang know any of this? He nodded with approval, satisfied with the dishes he saw. \u201cYes, very good, the growing children have to eat well. You shouldn\u2019t skimp on ingredients, they have to be fresh and of good quality, and the dishes nutritious. Hmm, perhaps you might add bone soup to the menu.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Tao Fangzheng nodded hurriedly: “Certainly, I will immediately implement your suggestion.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lin Jingzhe, made to tag along for some inexplicable reason, smirked silently.<\/span><\/p>

He wondered whether Du Kang was acting or wasn\u2019t aware of the real situation.<\/span><\/p>

Tao Fangzheng nodded to Du Kang\u2019s remarks, but he kept an eye on Lin Jingzhe\u2019s expression the whole time. He was on the brink of a heart attack due to anxiety. He felt as if there was a bomb next to him which could detonate at any moment. Every minute and second before the explosion was a torture unto itself.<\/span><\/p>

Even if the food was better, the principal might as well have been chewing wax. He couldn\u2019t help but silently grumble about Li Yurong hiding behind the rest of the inspection team for fear Lin Jingzhe would notice her.<\/span><\/p>

Du Kang looked around the cafeteria at the black-haired heads buried in their plates like chicks at feeding time. He was pleased to know this inspection was fairly successful and his alma mater was still as he remembered it. Although the current principal lacked in some aspects, he didn\u2019t seem incompetent; at least the students were well-fed.<\/span><\/p>

And so, he declined Tao Fangzheng\u2019s invitation to eat in the cafeteria\u2019s side room. He found a free table instead and motioned for Lin Jingzhe to sit beside him.<\/span><\/p>

He was thinking about his own matters and didn\u2019t notice the principal\u2019s uneasy expression. He wanted to ask Lin Jinghze if Elder Fang had left specific instructions for the antiques\u2019 investigation case.<\/span><\/p>

However, he couldn\u2019t raise this topic without rhyme or reason, so he said, \u201cIt\u2019s about time for the mock exams, isn\u2019t it? I remember the third-years take them earlier.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Tao Fangzheng, on the opposite side of the table, rushed to answer, \u201cWe had the second one last week.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cOh?\u201d Du Kang looked at Lin Jingzhe with a smile. \u201cCan you tell me how you did, young man? The third year of high school is one of the turning points of life\u2014if your grades are bad, you must put all your effort into raising them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The principal, anxious to butter Lin Jingzhe up, immediately boasted, \u201cLeader, Lin Jingzhe is very hard-working and has excellent grades. He took first place in the second mock exam, and got full marks in math and chemistry!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lin Jingzhe’s chopsticks, reaching for a morsel to eat, missed and tapped the plate instead. He looked at the principal with a faint smile.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cReally? That\u2019s good.\u201d Du Kang nodded approvingly. After a moment of thought, however, he felt something wasn\u2019t right. \u201cBut with these results, why aren\u2019t you in Class 1?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Tao Fangzheng\u2019s expression froze. Lin Jingzhe looked back to his plate and caught a piece of meat with his chopsticks. \u201cI used to be,\u201d he replied.<\/span><\/p>

Du Kang blinked, taken aback. \u201c\u2018Used to\u2019?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cYes.\u201d Lin Jingzhe meticulously picked the ginger slices out of his bowl of braised pig trotters. \u201cI was transferred out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Du Kang couldn\u2019t understand. \u201cTransferred out? But why?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

At this, Lin Jingzhe smiled and gave Tao Fangzheng a sidelong glance. \u201cThis you have to ask Principal Tao, sir.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Du Kang\u2019s expression turned solemn\u2014Lin Jingzhe\u2019s words indicated it wasn\u2019t his own choice.<\/span><\/p>

His sharp gaze immediately cut to Tao Fangzheng\u2019s face. \u201cWhat’s going on?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The principal wanted to strangle Li Yurong. He explained with a forced smile, \u201c…It\u2019s, it\u2019s mostly because the results of Lin Jingzhe\u2019s first mock exam were quite bad\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWhat?!\u201d Du Kang couldn\u2019t understand what the hell was going on. \u201cWhat is this nonsense?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The other inspection team members were equally indignant. They talked over each other: \u201cIndeed! The third year of high school is the most critical time for students, but you transferred someone just because his mock exam score dropped? Are you serious? What do you take the responsibilities of educator for, just some words on paper?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cHave you even considered what influence this would have on the boy\u2019s mental state?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cYes, yes, you\u2019re right, it\u2019s my negligence.\u201d Tao Fangzheng struggled to maintain his forced smile but it kept slipping. \u201cI already realized my mistake, Lin Jingzhe will be transferred back to Class 1\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lin Jingzhe interrupted him calmly: “That isn\u2019t necessary.”<\/span><\/p>

As Tao Fangzheng looked at him, stunned, Lin Jingzhe explained to Du Kang, \u201cCompared with Class 1, I very much prefer the atmosphere of Class 5. My class teacher is competent and responsible, so I\u2019d like to stay where I am. The class transfer aside\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lin Jingzhe casually tossed out a thunderbolt, \u201c…Isn\u2019t restoring Class 5\u2019s English class more important? The class transfer is a trifle compared to that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

For a moment, Du Kang couldn\u2019t comprehend his words. He watched Lin Jingzhe unhurriedly eat a mouthful of food, repeating subconsciously, \u201cRestore Class 5\u2019s English class?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The next second, the realization hit him: \u201cYou mean, Class 5 has no English class right now?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

As before, Lin Jingzhe nodded placidly, \u201cWe used to have it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Used to have it! Used to have it! Used to have it!<\/span><\/em><\/p>

Du Kang was dumbfounded. It was already after the mock exams, and the third-year students were about to face the most important challenge, the college entrance exam, which would essentially decide their future path. And at this critical juncture, there was a class with a subject missing from the curriculum?! <\/span>Are you joking?!<\/span><\/em><\/p>

In an instant, his expression turned frightening, and he slammed his chopsticks down with a loud bang. The inspection team members at the table were also shocked. Lin Jingzhe was the only person unfazed\u2014he continued to eat, chewing unhurriedly.<\/span><\/p>

The man in his fifties sitting next to Du Kang pointed at Tao Fangzheng, hand shaking with anger. \u201cIs that true?!\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>

Tao Fangzheng, frightened out of his wits, did not dare lie. He explained in panic, \u201cPlease listen to me, there\u2019s a reason for that: the students of Class 5 were unwilling to attend English class. They even drove away the English teacher\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The students at the nearby table protested loudly. Deng Mai got up and shouted, \u201cWhat are you saying, Principal Tao\u2014what do you mean, we were unwilling to attend English class? You should first mention how Teacher Li\u2019s \u2018class\u2019 looked like! She never taught us anything, she only let us self-study and gave homework! Is there any point to attending such a class?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cNonsense!\u201d Tao Fangzheng\u2019s face was flushed red. \u201cSit down at once!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cNo!\u201d At this point, Du Kang completely lost his appetite. He put his hands on his knees and straightened imposingly in his chair. \u201cLet him speak.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Deng Mai glanced at Lin Jingzhe, who gave a slight nod.<\/span><\/p>

Immediately filled with confidence, he ignored the threat in Tao Fangzheng\u2019s eyes and motioned to his classmates sitting at the same table to stand up\u2014<\/span><\/p>

\u201cEvery time she came to class, she only sat at the dais and sneered, saying we were garbage, our class teacher was useless, that we would never amount to anything more than the dregs of society\u2026 Who wants that kind of a teacher!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cThat\u2019s right! That\u2019s right!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Li Yurong, sitting at the end of the table, trembled with fury and hate. She gripped her chopsticks in a tightly clenched fist, gnashing her teeth; she secretly decided after this was over, she would give those trash a lesson they would never forget. However, right then, a low, deep voice asked\u2014<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWho was your English teacher?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Who? All the third-years had the same English teacher.<\/span><\/p>

Everyone\u2019s eyes turned in the same direction. Du Kang followed their gazes and immediately felt the veins on his temples pop, pulsing with anger.<\/span><\/p>

He took a deep breath and asked mildly, his smile full of rage: \u201cIsn\u2019t that the teacher in charge of No. 1 High School\u2019s best class, Principal Tao?\u201d<\/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>
Editor: 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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