CHAPTER 259: CHAPTER 258: BEING MYSELF AGAIN

Han Mingyue had already declined quite a few classmates’ invitations to form study groups the day before, but the next day, there were still people who would not give up. Out of helplessness, he had to avoid them by leaving the classroom each time the break started and only returning just before the class resumed.

And yet, Shen Qi managed to intercept him twice, and his excuse remained the same as the day before— he neither needed nor wanted to join any study group!

During the break of the third class in the afternoon, Teacher Jiang suddenly sent for him to go to the office.

When he went, Han Mingyue thought it was just about some routine class affairs that he needed to handle. But when he arrived at the office, he found out that someone had lodged a complaint against him!

"Han Mingyue! How do you see this study group situation?" asked Teacher Jiang with a smile that immediately put Han Mingyue on alert, knowing from the expression of the class teacher that his mood wasn’t good!

"Well... it’s pretty good for most students!" Han Mingyue replied cautiously and conservatively.

Teacher Jiang’s mouth twitched almost imperceptibly, "Why do you say most? Is it not good for some others?"

"Teacher Jiang! What’s the purpose of forming study groups? To make progress together, right?" Han Mingyue coached patiently.

"Yes," Teacher Jiang nodded, that much was certainly true!

"How do we make progress together? By helping and supervising each other, right?" Han Mingyue kept setting the stage.

Teacher Jiang felt something was off, but he couldn’t put his finger on what it was. After all, Han Mingyue was just reiterating what he himself had said in class, and there wasn’t anything wrong with that!

"Right," Teacher Jiang decided to wait and see what the boy was getting at.

"If that’s the case! Then some students don’t need help or supervision from others and can study independently! For such people, is there any need to join a study group?"

"You clever boy! So you were waiting for me here!" Although Teacher Jiang kept a straight face, he thought to himself.

A small stand-off occurred between the two men with an exchange of looks. Teacher Jiang felt he had to speak since it seemed inappropriate to remain silent. He deliberated for a moment before saying, "What you say does make some sense. But! As the study committee member, you won’t be part of this cohort! You should know that the primary duty of a class leader is to unite your classmates and be willing to help others!"

"Then I quit," Han Mingyue suddenly replied calmly, with a tone so placid it was as if resigning from his position was the most ordinary matter.

"!" Teacher Jiang was genuinely taken aback, he hadn’t said much! Why had the boy suddenly thrown in the towel?

"Han Mingyue! How can you just give up over something so trivial, so, so," Teacher Jiang suddenly found himself at a loss for words, not knowing what term to use to describe Han Mingyue’s current behavior.

But what surprised him was yet to come!

Han Mingyue suddenly said earnestly, "Teacher Jiang! I’m not being impulsive! I’ve been meaning to resign for a while now! Being the study committee member has taken up too much of my time! I just want to study quietly, but I can’t even do that. I hope you can allow me to return to just being myself!"

As Han Mingyue’s words trailed off, the entire science faculty office fell silent.

Feeling a stir in his heart upon Han Mingyue’s particularly soft utterance of ’I can’t even do that,’ Teacher Jiang thought perhaps he shouldn’t only consider grades and force this introverted boy to continue serving his classmates...

Han Mingyue didn’t say much more, quietly waiting for Teacher Jiang’s response.

"Old Jiang!" In the midst of the silence, Cao Yong suddenly spoke up, startling everyone.

"What?" Teacher Jiang glared at him irritably.

Cao Yong was undeterred and bluntly said, "See, I told you you were unreliable! I’m warning you, even if this brat quits, don’t you dare assign the damn study committee position to Zhen Yu! Some students just need to focus on their studies! Stop fussing over useless things!"

Teacher Jiang agreed internally but still retorted on purpose, "Why didn’t you think of that when you made Zhen Yu the host?"

"What do you know!" Cao Yong felt completely justified, "That hosting gig is just a temporary thing! Even if she’s not hosting, she still has to stand there and listen! Better to be on the stage than! Unlike your..."

"Alright, alright! You’re right!" Teacher Jiang, unable to win the argument, conceded to a truce.

Turning to look at Han Mingyue who had been waiting quietly, Teacher Jiang let out a big sigh, "Fine! I get it! It wouldn’t really matter if you didn’t join the study group, but now some students have brought it up to me! So, about your study committee position... if you don’t want to do it, then don’t do it!"

Han Mingyue bowed deeply and said, "Thank you for your understanding!"

"Alright, go back to your class."

"Goodbye, Teacher."

——

Ten minutes before school was dismissed, Teacher Jiang, who had readjusted his demeanor, entered the classroom of the ninth grade, class one, and announced that Han Mingyue would no longer be serving as the study committee member.

Also announced was the list of study group members reported by Shen Qi.

The classmates were shocked by Han Mingyue’s removal, hardly paying attention to the list of the study group.

Shen Qi and several other insiders to the ’complaint’ incident all turned their attention to Han Mingyue with mixed feelings of surprise, disappointment, and anger.

They hadn’t expected Teacher Jiang not only to waive the requirement for Han Mingyue to join a study group but also to relieve him from his role as study committee member!

This decision removed the ground from under their complaint, leaving no reasons to demand Han Mingyue’s participation in the study group!

Teacher Jiang was too much! They couldn’t bring themselves to hate Han Mingyue... only a touch of wistfulness was inevitable.

So as soon as Teacher Jiang left, and the bell announcing the end of the last class rang, the girls immediately surrounded him at his seat.

"Did Teacher Jiang remove you?"

"Did you get removed because you didn’t want to join the study group?"

"You... you didn’t resign on your own, did you...?"

Han Mingyue silently packed his bag, stood up after he was done, and said, "Please step aside! School is out! It’s time for me to go home!"

"But you haven’t explained what happened!"

"Yeah! If Teacher Jiang misunderstood, we’ll clear it up for you!"

"You don’t have to join the study group, but don’t quit as the study committee member! Who will I turn to for help with questions if you’re not there!"

Zhen Yu and Bai Xue had already packed their bags. Unable to see Han Mingyue while encircled by the girls, they decided to wait for him outside the classroom.

Just as they reached the door, they suddenly heard the commotion of desks and chairs and the exclamations of the girls. They turned around to see—

Whoa! Han Mingyue was leaping over desks!

As he jumped, Han Mingyue shouted, "Xiao Yu! Wait for me!"

Zhen Yu, under the probing gazes of the female students like spotlights, was at a loss for words.

Internally repeating the phrase, "What are you looking at... what are you all looking at..."

The girls’ gazes: "We’re looking at you! Yes, you!"