Teng was the only one about whom little information was known locals rarely spoke about the child when asked. All that was clear was that Teng came from a wealthy family who had no time to care for their child, so it wasn't surprising that Teng had moved schools almost everywhere in the province.
No one seemed able to handle this six-year-old until landing at a small, simple school with no strict rules, where freedom was abundant. Teng's bold, straight-backed demeanor probably thrived here because teasing a seemingly naïve teacher like me was a source of amusement.
From what could be observed, the child was always dropped off and picked up by a caretaker even during parent-teacher meetings, it was the caretaker who handled the responsibility. Teng didn't care about others' actions and maintained a calm, composed expression most of the time.
The face carried both charm and a touch of mischief at once. Teng often sought advantage through numbers, using them to draw people in without saying much. School notebooks were filled with digits, as if every page were a careful analysis of possibilities.
Teacher's Residence
Teng was wearing my oversized shirt that reached the ankles and his tiny underwear. The child had plastered the face with so much powder that the entire face and even the floor looked white, and had casually grabbed my phone to play games while waiting for the fried eggs that I had to cook since Teng was staying over… which meant the extra hassle of feeding him.
I couldn't help but wonder what kind of parents would leave their child home alone like this such a concerning family situation.
"Why do you live here, teacher? The countryside is so dead," Teng said without lifting the eyes from the phone screen.
"I like it here because I love kids like you," I replied, keeping a polite tone.
"Liar. Your family must be poor to rush into work like this." I had to bare my teeth slightly at that, impressed by how sharp the kid was. I wanted to ruffle his hair but restrained myself not supposed to mess with this little tycoon.
"…Then Teng, why do you live here?"
"My parents don't care. Mom left me with grandma because she's rich, but grandma is sick, so no one looks after me."
"Who taught you to talk like that? Maybe your parents are busy working, they don't want things to be like this."
"Mom always says… Dad and Mom don't love each other but they have a child together… funny, right?"
"Why is it like that?"
"They… kinda got together back in school. Grandpa and grandma didn't get along, so they split them apart."
"Oh, Teng, that's so sad."
"Feel sorry for yourself instead I'm rich but you're the poor teacher."
Ah!
Kid!
Little devil!
Teng!!
Even though little Teng's story as a rich kid stirred a mix of sympathy and annoyance in the young teacher, there was a sense that letting things continue like this wouldn't be good for the child.
Such a smart and charming kid if left unchecked, there was a real risk of heading down the wrong path early on. As someone shaping the future generation, something had to be done.
"Should we call the parents?"
"Yes. Ask them to come meet me within three days, Teng. There's something important I need to discuss."
"They won't have time. Why even bother?"
"If that's the case, give me their address I'll go myself."
"Wait… just because I peed on your bed, do you really have to tell my parents? Such a tattletale!"
"That's not it, Teng. But you've been staying at my place a lot lately. It's getting unusual."
"Unusual? Sleeping alone at home isn't unusual!"
"That's exactly why it's the unusual part!"
"Fine, then. You going to visit my parents and let them know is enough."
"Being your kid would actually be easier."
…(Though, the teacher definitely didn't want a kid like that.)
Lately, all attention had been tied up with the beloved student, little Teng, until someone else was completely forgotten. Suddenly, it was time to head to the child's home together, to bathe and feed this self-proclaimed "adopted child of a poor teacher" whose real family was very wealthy.
Those sharp, intense eyes reminded the teacher of someone familiar, though the face wouldn't come to mind. Proud, commanding, speaking older than age, always wanting to lead it probably came from being alone so much. At times, it was pitiful enough to want to do something about it. Talking with the child's parents was probably the right thing to do.
"Hello~ Hello, is anyone home? I'm Teng's homeroom teacher, here as arranged~"
The small-framed teacher drove the trusted car to park in front of a large garden house at the end of the village, just as the student had described. Huh… this place looked vaguely familiar.
"Who's here to see us?"
"I'm here to meet Teng's parents, as arranged."
"Oh~ yes, just a moment. He's busy right now."
It was the fifteenth, a Saturday. It wasn't surprising that the morning felt quiet, though some households that sold lottery tickets were particularly lively. Tonight, the lottery would be drawn the only excitement in this rural area. It might seem trivial, but this world was so different from the city.
If you weren't here, you'd never understand.
An elderly woman came to open the door and led the teacher to the house's stilts, placing drinks and snacks out before hopping on her motorcycle and riding off. She said she had to check the fields and orchards. As for the owner, there was no sign of him yet. No wonder Teng had turned out the way he did.
A gentle breeze drifted through the spacious, cool house much more comfortable than the shabby teacher's quarters. The snacks and sweet drinks laid out for guests had all been cleared away. Full and drowsy, the teacher sank into the sofa. Wow… this sofa was so airy and comfy.
Lately, all attention had been tied up with the beloved student, little Teng, until someone else was completely forgotten. Suddenly, it was time to head to the child's home together, to bathe and feed this self-proclaimed "adopted child of a poor teacher" whose real family was very wealthy.
Those sharp, intense eyes reminded the teacher of someone familiar, though the face wouldn't come to mind. Proud, commanding, speaking older than age, always wanting to lead it probably came from being alone so much. At times, it was pitiful enough to want to do something about it. Talking with the child's parents was probably the right thing to do.
"Hello~ Hello, is anyone home? I'm Teng's homeroom teacher, here as arranged~"
The small-framed teacher drove the trusted car to park in front of a large garden house at the end of the village, just as the student had described. Huh… this place looked vaguely familiar.
"Who's here to see us?"
"I'm here to meet Teng's parents, as arranged."
"Oh~ yes, just a moment. He's busy right now."
It was the fifteenth, a Saturday. It wasn't surprising that the morning felt quiet, though some households that sold lottery tickets were particularly lively. Tonight, the lottery would be drawn the only excitement in this rural area. It might seem trivial, but this world was so different from the city.
If you weren't here, you'd never understand.
An elderly woman came to open the door and led the teacher to the house's stilts, placing drinks and snacks out before hopping on her motorcycle and riding off. She said she had to check the fields and orchards. As for the owner, there was no sign of him yet. No wonder Teng had turned out the way he did.
A gentle breeze drifted through the spacious, cool house much more comfortable than the shabby teacher's quarters. The snacks and sweet drinks laid out for guests had all been cleared away. Full and drowsy, the teacher sank into the sofa. Wow… this sofa was so airy and comfy.