CHAPTER 51: CHAPTER 51: PUNISHMENT FOR PARTIALITY

Gu Juying was furious. She’d never encountered such a person before, acting as if everyone owed them something.

"Hey, Li Fengying, watch your mouth. Who do you think you are, barking orders around here? I’m discussing study notes with Gu Xiaoqing—what’s it got to do with you? Just because you want to borrow them doesn’t mean we have to lend them to you. Why should we?"

Gu Juying wasn’t someone who was easily bullied. In her eyes, she’d never been scolded like this before, especially when it involved Gu Xiaoqing, her good friend. How could she put up with this?

She rolled up her sleeves and stood up.

Li Fengying only thought about picking on Gu Xiaoqing, but she hit a wall instead, encountering someone even tougher and more difficult to deal with.

Everyone bullies the weak and fears the strong. Li Fengying, used to being flattered, was frightened by a girl ready to resort to violence.

She involuntarily stepped back, saying, "What do you want? I’m going to tell Teacher Li and make sure you can’t come to school tomorrow."

This was a threat. Unfortunately, if her classmates from the same village heard this, they might be intimidated, but Gu Juying was from Gu Family Village and didn’t know Li Fengying’s connections.

Even if Gu Juying knew, she wouldn’t be scared. Her father was a regiment commander in the army—who would dare give her a hard time?

Who would risk being labeled as bullying a military family?

Even the captain of Gu Family Village and the village itself treated Gu Juying’s family with respect—let alone a mere student, acting all arrogant.

Gu Juying stepped forward, raised her tiny fist, and said fiercely, "Hmph, you think Teacher Li is your dad? You think you can do whatever you want? Go ahead and report me. If I don’t end up in jail, I won’t come to school ever again."

This was a showdown between two strong-willed people.

Gu Xiaoqing, not wanting to stir up trouble, stepped forward to pull Gu Juying back, saying, "Forget it. Don’t stoop to her level. Let’s go work on our exercises."

Only then did Gu Juying return to her seat with Gu Xiaoqing.

Li Fengying’s legs gave out, and she fell to the ground, covering her face and crying.

A few of her close friends gathered around to comfort her and help her up.

Li Fengying stopped crying, but her malicious intent lingered as she stood up and ran out.

A boy named Zhao Xiancheng, who rarely spoke, walked past Gu Juying’s seat. He hadn’t said a word in days, almost like a ghost in the class.

"Li Fengying went to the teacher’s office. You better be prepared; her dad is the secretary of the county’s education bureau. You’ve offended someone."

He whispered and left without stopping, as if he wasn’t the one who had just spoken.

Gu Xiaoqing wasn’t worried. This was just a middle school with students from various villages. How much could connections matter?

Gu Juying was even less concerned. No matter what people might find out, it wouldn’t affect her—she had strong backing.

Ten minutes later, the bell rang, and all the students returned to the classroom.

Teacher Li appeared on the podium; there was only one teacher here who taught all subjects.

Math, Chinese, English, Physics, Chemistry, History, Geography—all taught by one person.

Li Fengying had returned to her seat but kept turning back to glare proudly at Gu Xiaoqing and Gu Juying before looking at the teacher on the podium.

Teacher Li glanced at Gu Xiaoqing, then at Gu Juying, and said, "Today, a student reported to me that someone isn’t getting along with classmates, refusing to lend notes, and even physically threatened her—attacking her personally. This behavior is unacceptable.

Students, you’re all middle schoolers. Apart from learning cultural knowledge, you need to learn how to behave. Friendship and mutual assistance between classmates are essential.

Therefore, I must criticize these two students. Gu Xiaoqing and Gu Juying, write a reflection after class, and stand at the door of the classroom."

As soon as these words fell, all eyes turned to Gu Xiaoqing and Gu Juying.

Their gazes contained hidden ridicule, as many were aware of Li Fengying’s family background. They had thought, seeing Gu Juying so fierce, that she had connections too. But turned out, she was just a paper tiger, easily dealt with now.

There would be more to see in the future. One reason many were afraid to mess with Li Fengying was that she was vindictive and petty; once she had an issue with someone, it wouldn’t be the last.

So everyone watched Gu Xiaoqing and Gu Juying.

Gu Xiaoqing didn’t expect this. She thought it was just a verbal spat among students, something teachers typically wouldn’t bother with.

After all, who doesn’t have little run-ins with each other? Especially at their age, just around twelve, all these incidents were unavoidable.

Teachers usually let things go with a few words; this wasn’t something to make a fuss about.

Now, Gu Xiaoqing’s impression of Teacher Li had greatly deteriorated.

Is this how a role model for students behaves?

Wasn’t this misleading students?

If this continues, isn’t it basically saying that students without connections can’t even go to school? How could they bear such unfair treatment the next time?

It would never end.

Originally, Gu Xiaoqing didn’t want trouble and just wanted to have a peaceful school life, but trouble kept finding her.

Gu Xiaoqing wouldn’t tolerate this. In her past life, she didn’t dare to provoke trouble and might’ve silently accepted punishment in such a situation.

But in this life, even if she couldn’t attend school anymore, she wouldn’t accept such a result. At worst, she’d just drop out.

What could be worse?

Besides, Gu Xiaoqing didn’t believe even the principal would act like this.

If everyone were like this, Gu Xiaoqing would rather not study under such people; it would just lead her astray.

Both Gu Xiaoqing and Gu Juying stood up, but instead of walking to the door, they remained motionless.

Teacher Li clearly grew impatient, adjusting his glasses and speaking sternly, "You two, hurry up; the classmates need to continue their lessons. Don’t waste everyone’s time."

Gu Xiaoqing and Gu Juying still didn’t move. Gu Xiaoqing calmly said, word by word, "Teacher Li, we won’t write a reflection, and we won’t stand at the door!"