Chapter 128: Isn't This Forcing Shen Chutang to Resign?

Shen Chutang lifted her eyelids and glanced at Zhu Yongmei. "Teacher Zhu, even an acquaintance of three days deserves to be looked at with fresh eyes. As an educator, isn't it unbecoming to deliberately disparage your students?"

Zhu Yongmei had long found Shen Chutang an eyesore. Every so often, the school would arrange for a teacher promotion, and a successful bid meant a significant monthly salary increase. However, the last time around, Yang Xiuwen’s illicit filming of female students had cost her that opportunity. While Yang Xiuwen’s actions were indeed inappropriate, she reasoned that it was the student's own failing—what did it have to do with her? She had prepared for this promotion for a long time; how could they just cancel it like that? If those troublemakers in Class Z hadn’t caused a scene at such a critical juncture, she would never have been passed over.

To make matters worse, Zhu Yongmei had heard rumors that the principal intended to offer this promotion to Shen Chutang, which only fueled her resentment. The students in Class Z had also resorted to violence during the Yang Xiuwen incident, so why was Shen Chutang allowed to emerge unscathed? Furthermore, Shen Chutang had only just arrived at the school, whereas she had been there for years. This was blatant favoritism by the principal. The more Zhu Yongmei thought about it, the angrier she became, and her attitude toward Class Z and Shen Chutang turned increasingly hostile.

Zhu Yongmei glared at Shen Chutang and said loudly, "I am not maliciously disparaging anyone; I am simply stating facts. Which student in Class Z isn't a headache? For the past three years, they have finished at the bottom of every single exam! Students who enter our affiliated high school through the back door like that are nothing but human trash and the dregs of society. I’m just speaking the truth. Is there a problem with that?"

A colleague nearby whispered, "Teacher Zhu, don't be so worked up. The children are still young; they still have room for improvement."

"Improvement? The college entrance exam is only a few months away. What kind of improvement are you expecting? It’s a complete waste of school resources!"

Shen Chutang stood up, her voice turning cold. "Teacher Zhu, I don’t expect you to change your stereotypical views of Class Z overnight. However, as a competent teacher, I believe my role is to guide my students toward a better path, not to insult them or subject them to personal attacks."

Other teachers in the office tried to intervene. "Teacher Zhu, if the students are unruly, a few words of discipline are enough. Anything more is going too far."

"Exactly, Teacher Zhu. Class Z belongs to Teacher Shen, not your Class F. How can you speak so disparagingly about children from another class?"

"That's right, Teacher Shen knows her students best; I'm sure it’s fine."

Zhu Yongmei scoffed. "If Class Z manages to rank in the top three from the bottom, I’ll write my name backward."

Shen Chutang replied, "The top three from the bottom won't be necessary."

Zhu Yongmei looked at her with undisguised disdain. "You can't even manage that?"

"In this midterm exam, Class Z will definitely outperform your Class F."

Hearing this, Zhu Yongmei laughed outright. "Teacher Shen, do you not know the meaning of arrogance? Fine. If Class Z actually outperforms Class F, not only will I write my name backward, but I will also go to Class Z to bow and apologize! If they lose, Teacher Shen, what will you do?"

Shen Chutang said calmly, "I will accept whatever terms you set." She had seen the progress the kids had made lately; she was certain they would succeed.

A glimmer of malice flashed in Zhu Yongmei’s eyes. "Then you will resign and leave the affiliated high school!"

"Teacher Zhu, isn't that taking the joke a bit too far?"

"Exactly, Teacher Zhu, isn't that a bit underhanded?"

Everyone knew the capabilities of Class Z; wasn't this just forcing Shen Chutang to quit?

Zhu Yongmei crossed her arms over her chest, a mocking smile on her face. "Teacher Shen was the one who claimed they would outperform Class F. If she can't deliver, she shouldn't be boasting."

Shen Chutang nodded, picked up her books, and headed for the door. "Fine, it’s a deal."

The others assumed Shen Chutang had been goaded into a reckless bet and tried to dissuade her, but Shen Chutang simply stated she had a class to teach and left.

Zhu Yongmei was elated, never expecting that she could drive her rival out of the school so easily. Those academic failures in Class Z would be lucky to rank second-to-last; thinking they could catch up to her class was a total fantasy!

Meanwhile, in the classroom, Xu Gaoyuan burst in, breathless. "Holy crap, our boss just made a bet with Class F!"

As the math representative, he had been on his way to hand in homework when he overheard the conversation at the office door. He vividly recounted what had happened. "You guys don't know how awful that Class F teacher is! If we don't beat Class F in the midterm exam, our boss has to resign!"

Guan Zhenzhen immediately grew anxious. "How can that be! Teacher Shen can't leave!"

Lü Wendong glanced at her. "Relax, Teacher Shen isn't going anywhere."

Some were still skeptical. "But that’s Class F. Can we really beat them?"

Luo Shencheng finally spoke up. "Why are you talking like losers? Just look at your own test papers. They used to be as clean as new, but now they’re covered in ink and notes. You’ll definitely be fine!"

Just then, the bell rang. Shen Chutang walked in, and the entire class sat up straight, watching her with unblinking eyes.