Chapter 297: Joy and Sorrow When Parting ②
Even though she felt discomfort in her heart, Teacher Yang was still clear-headed enough to know that in this world, there are no eternal banquets. He smiled, swept his gaze over everyone, and said, “Eat! Why aren’t you eating? I know everyone is very reluctant to part with their teacher… I’m also reluctant to part with you. Once we separate, who knows when we’ll see each other again? Can’t you leave me with a happier and more beautiful memory?”
Upon hearing Teacher Yang’s words, the students who were sadly silent stiffened. After a good while, Zhang Haiyang made a move. He disregarded any etiquette or rules about elders picking up their chopsticks first. He picked up the chopsticks on the table and called out to the people around him, “Everyone eat! Just as Teacher Yang said, after we separate this time, who knows when we’ll be able to meet again? We really can’t be sad today; we have to eat a happy meal and finish all the remaining class funds. After we eat, we’ll go singing, walk the streets, and take photos. No matter what, we have to leave behind the happiest, most beautiful memory today. Ah Xu, Ah Kai, let’s eat!”
Nie Qiu looked up, wanting to say something, but Huang Yan, next to her, had already responded to Zhang Haiyang’s call. She picked up a piece of stir-fried peppers with meat with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth. Li Kai, sitting on Nie Qiu’s other side, also picked up a slice of beef. Driven by their actions, everyone else also started using their chopsticks.
“That’s more like it,” Teacher Yang said with a smile. “I feel very proud to be able to teach you all as your homeroom teacher.”
“Teacher… are we your most proud students?” Zhao Bao Cui asked, standing up with chopsticks in her mouth, a cheeky grin on her face.
“Yes!” Teacher Yang also stood up and said with a smile, “Didn’t Teacher Yang say before? When I first entered society, I had a burst of energy and thought I could change many people. When I first entered the school, I boasted that I would be the homeroom teacher of the slow class. At that time, only one person joined our school as a teacher with me. Before, the principals and directors were the ones who taught the slow classes. None of the veteran employees wanted to be the homeroom teacher of a slow class. I was the one who became a homeroom teacher as soon as I started working at the school!” As he spoke, Teacher Yang puffed out his chest with a hint of pride.
“Hahaha…” The students in the class burst into laughter at the teacher’s words. They had all graduated from junior high school; they understood what they needed to understand. They should now be moving towards their dreams. Each of them now had that same drive.
“After being a homeroom teacher for nine years and seeing three classes of students graduate, I’ve gradually come to understand why many teachers are unwilling to be homeroom teachers for slow classes… many students are unwilling to listen to what teachers say, and I believe you all feel this deeply.” Because they were all students who preferred playing to studying, they had grown up listening to the reprimands or earnest teachings of teachers and parents. Therefore, they had developed a certain immunity to what teachers and parents said. Or perhaps they understood what teachers and parents said, but they had the same rebelliousness as all adolescent boys and girls. If teachers and parents told them to go east, they would insist on going west. Teacher Yang said this, looking at Nie Qiu, “But Nie Qiu is different. They are the same age as you. Only what she says can resonate with you. I am very fortunate, truly fortunate, to have met a class of students like you, who have shown me that even the slowest class, and the most disobedient students, are not beyond hope.”
