Chapter 75: Stay ⑤
As soon as they walked out of the office, Nie Aifang and Nie Qiu were stunned. Standing outside the office were eighty percent of the students from Class 10, led by Ma Xin, who loudly declared, “Nie Qiu, don’t go. Nie Qiu, please stay!”
This synchronized shout echoed through the corridor. Teachers and students passing by couldn’t help but stop, and the teachers inside the office also came out, witnessing this unprecedented scene.
Nie Qiu smiled and looked at Nie Aifang. Nie Aifang glanced at the office, then smiled and nodded, “Okay.”
“Okay, I’ll stay!”
“Yay! Nie Qiu agreed to stay!” “Yay!” “Yippee yippee yippee!” “Wow! I didn’t expect it to actually work!” “This is great! Ah!” Hearing Nie Qiu’s answer, everyone in Class 10 cheered, with some even screaming with excitement.
“Everyone hurry! Teacher Yang is going to the Principal’s Office to submit the application. We have to stop Teacher Yang before then.” Someone shouted, and all the students rushed towards the Principal’s Office on the top floor of the office building.
The group moved forward, filled with joy and anxiety.
Nie Qiu looked at Nie Aifang, “Mom, I’m sorry. I know you really want me to study in Class 1.”
Nie Aifang shook her head, “Whether it’s in Class 1 or Class 10, as long as you study hard, that’s what matters. Mom doesn’t care how much money it costs, but Qiu Qiu, I hope you can be happy.”
“Mhm,” Nie Qiu nodded and smiled, “I’m very happy. Thank you, Mom.”
During the farewell party, she had already realized how reluctant she was to leave these people, but she also didn’t want Nie Aifang to be disappointed, so she had chosen to leave Class 10 and study in Class 1. But now, it seemed that whether it was Class 1 or Class 10, if she wasn’t happy, she wouldn’t be happy in any class.
Nie Qiu looked at the teacher standing at the doorway of the office. Teacher Liu’s visibly relieved expression made Nie Qiu feel that her decision to stay was real and correct! If this person considered her a burden, then this person would not truly be looking out for her best interests.
Nie Aifang also glanced at Teacher Liu standing outside the office, sighed, and pulled Nie Qiu away from the corridor, following the departing footsteps of the Class 10 students. If Teacher Yang had already reached the Principal’s Office, it would be easier for them to speak. How could those children possibly have the standing to stop her?
“I know you’re reluctant to part with Nie Qiu, but you can’t deceive your teacher like this!” Teacher Yang said helplessly, blocked at the fifth-floor stairwell by the students of the class. “I believe you all know that going to Class 1 is good for Nie Qiu, and you shouldn’t ruin Nie Qiu’s future! I also saw that you held a farewell party for Nie Qiu this morning. How can you face Nie Qiu now by blocking me like this?”
“Teacher, we’re telling the truth. Nie Qiu has agreed to stay, to stay in our Class 10! We’re not lying to you. Please don’t go and submit the application to the principal,” Huang Yan pleaded, tugging at Teacher Yang’s sleeve with some agitation.
“That’s right! Teacher, what Huang Yan said is true. Nie Qiu and Aunt Nie have both agreed, agreed to stay in our class!” Li Kai also stepped forward and said.
Zhang Haiyang jumped out and snatched the application form filled out by Nie Qiu and Nie Aifang, as well as Teacher Yang’s recommendation letter, from Teacher Yang’s hand. He smiled and said, “Teacher, it doesn’t matter if this is submitted early or late. It’s not too late to submit it after you’ve asked Nie Qiu. I’ll hold onto this for you.”
Teacher Yang was a little angry, “Don’t be flippant with me, you…”
“Teacher Yang.” Nie Aifang panted as she climbed to the fifth floor. After taking a few deep breaths, she interrupted Teacher Yang. The students of Class 10 looked at Nie Qiu and Nie Aifang with surprise.
Nie Qiu supported Nie Aifang as they walked forward. The students automatically made way for Nie Qiu and her. Nie Aifang led Nie Qiu towards Teacher Yang and said with a smile, “Teacher Yang, I’m sorry for troubling you. I’ve decided not to have Qiu Qiu transfer classes.”
Teacher Yang looked at Nie Qiu, “And you? Have you also decided not to transfer classes?”
Nie Qiu nodded, slightly apologetically, “I’m sorry, Teacher Yang. I’ve let down your expectations…”
Teacher Yang smiled, “I’ve also been thinking about whether it’s better for you to go to Class 1 or stay in Class 10. You should know the saying ‘the head of a chicken or the tail of a phoenix.’ If you go to Class 1, you might not be the best, and you might face some setbacks. Perhaps you’ll work even harder, or perhaps you’ll become discouraged. In Class 10, you might always be the one who continues to work hard. Whether it’s better to be the head of a chicken or the tail of a phoenix, there’s no definitive answer. But as long as you are determined and work hard, you will be a useful person, whether you are the head of a chicken or the tail of a phoenix.”
Nie Qiu nodded, “I understand. Thank you, Teacher Yang.”
Teacher Yang nodded at Nie Qiu, then turned and walked towards Zhang Haiyang, flicking his forehead hard. “You brat, you’re completely out of control, daring to snatch things from the teacher’s hand! Copy every physics formula Nie Qiu taught this morning one hundred times!”
Zhang Haiyang stuck out his tongue. The bell for the first class rang. He smiled, turned, and ran downstairs, “I’ll copy them. As long as you don’t give this to the principal, copying them a hundred or a thousand times is no problem.” At the turn of the stairs, he passed a trash can and then ‘accidentally’ the envelope in his hand ‘fell’ into it.
“You kid! Let’s be clear, you can’t use carbon paper, you can’t have someone else write it for you, and you can’t use multiple pens at once. If I find out, you’ll be in big trouble!” Teacher Yang shouted, a mix of amusement and exasperation in his voice.
Zhang Haiyang waved his hand with a smile, “Got it, got it! Don’t worry, I absolutely won’t cut corners!”
Hearing the bell, the students of Class 10 began to head towards the teaching building one after another. After Nie Qiu said goodbye to Teacher Yang and Nie Aifang, she followed behind the students, heading back to the classroom to attend class.
Teacher Yang watched the backs of these students, smiling as if bathed in spring breeze.
Nie Aifang still had to go home to buy, wash, and cut vegetables, and string them. After bidding farewell to Teacher Yang, she left the school and went to the market.
Nie Qiu’s application was not submitted. When she returned to the classroom, the students who had gone to stop Teacher Yang told the students who had stayed in the class, and everyone became excited. They were all happy that Nie Qiu would not be leaving.
The dark clouds that had been hanging over Class 10 finally dispersed, revealing a blue sky, white clouds, and the dazzling sun piercing through the heavens.
Nie Qiu looked out the window and smiled. Teacher Liu, I’m going to show you whether Class 10 can get into a provincial key school, whether they can get first place in the entire grade. You… you better watch closely!
