Lu Mian had a remarkably annoying day at school. Her classmates were nosy. They stared and whispered and even tried to pick fights. Lu Mian wasn't impressed. At All. She had Olympiad questions to get through and wanted to start on her project for the National Defense Academy.
She had not interest in developing relationships with any of her classmates or even proving herself to them. To her, these kids were a lifetime ago. They were just kids, and she found them really silly. And anyway, once her results were out, they would speak for themselves.
After lunch break, she hurried to find Teacher Zhao.
"Student Lu. How can I help?" he asked with a note of concern in his voice. They had just met that morning - had she hit a snag already?
"I think Student Lu has problems beyond our help" snorted Teacher Sun. He had seen the viral video and was glad he hadn't tried to help her. "Student Lu is focussed on men - and is not interested in studies. I advise you to reframe priorities."
"Can I ask what Teacher Sun is referring to?" asked Lu Mian politely. She detested teachers like this who condemned students without helping or asking. If she really was a struggling, helpless teenager, such indifference or judgement from a teacher would definitely ruin her life.
"Don't try to act smart Lu Mian" rebuked Teacher Sun sharply. "Here, Teacher Zhao, watch this" he extended his phone to his colleague, determined to expose her.
Just as Teacher Zhao finished watching, the door opened and in walked Xu Linhua, on cue. Her Mother in law had sent her with a task - and she was determined to add fuel to the fire.
"Teacher Sun, Teacher Zhao, it's all my fault. I am sorry for not educating my daughter well."
Teacher Zhao looked at Aunt Xu evenly. "What does Madam Lu mean?" he asked.
"Our Lu Mian is indeed at fault here. She has yelled, caused a ruckus, and it's reflecting poorly on the school. We listen to the school and are okay with any punishment you give her." replied Aunt Xu without missing a beat. Her instructions were simple - discredit Lu Mian. The more disgrace she has, the easier it would be for the Pei family to switch her out. Piling the blame on Lu Mian for this morning's incident meant it could take the heat off the Pei family as well - and could be considered as giving them an explanation.
"Lu Mian, apologise to the school. And to the Pei family." she instructed, "I am sure they would be gracious enough to forgive you."
Lu Mian steadily looked at Teacher Zhao. "Teacher, I find the environment in the school very disturbing for me to continue studies. I would like to request a few days leave to work on my Olympiad questions."
"Nonsense" bristled Teacher Sun. "Students like you who lack morality will not succeed. What holidays? You need to come in early everyday and work even harder so as not to embarrass the school."
"Teacher Sun should focus on his students. I can handle my students just fine, thank you. Teacher Sun, we won't keep you from your next class." retorted Teacher Zhao and waited with exaggerated politeness for Teacher Sun to leave.
Embarrassed, Teacher Sun made for the door "hmph, you will regret it when she fails her exams and doesn't bring you glory."
"A teacher's job is to guide their students, Teacher Sun." reminded Teacher Zhao quietly. "It doesn't matter if she doesn't bring glory. It matters if we can help them prepare for a good life." Teacher Sun was dumbstruck. He flushed red and left. Nonsense. That's just grand speech. I am sure he will be regretting it once the college exam results are out.
Teacher Zhao turned and looked at Aunt Xu steadily. "Madam Lu was saying?"
Xu Lihua sensed this teacher hadn't bought into her pretense fully. She reframed what she was about to say "I wanted to apologise for the trouble my girl has caused." she began cautiously.
"And what does Madam Lu plan to do about it?" Teacher Zhao enquired.
"I will ask Lu Mian to apologise, take her home and bring her back once all this has blown over." brightened up Aunt Xu. That wasn't too hard. Looks like the teachers don't like her either.
"Madam Lu is joking. What does the troubles your daughter has caused have to do with me? She chased a man.." Lu Mian was annoyed.
"Student Lu. As a school student pay attention to your words." rebuked Teacher Zhao sharply.
"I apologise" Lu Mian admitted. She had indeed spoken out of turn.
"Madam Lu, I don't understand your words. You are welcome to reprimand your own daughter as you see fit. As Student Lu Mian's teacher, I will handle her side of things." continued Teacher Zhao.
Aunt Xu turned red. "I.."
But Teacher Zhao wasn't finished. "I agree with you. Your daughter, Student Lu Xinya has indeed caused trouble this time. She can give a public apology and stay at home till things blow over. It will be recorded as a suspension from school."
Aunt Xu was alarmed "But, Teacher Zhao, it really wasn't her fault. And isn't that too harsh? She is giving her college entrance exams soon. The suspension will affect her admission."
"So Madam Lu knows the impact and still suggested the same for Student Lu Mian?" Teacher Zhao's eyes glinted dangerously. "Every student has the right to fight for their future through the college entrance exams. How cruel of you Madam Lu to sabotage your step child's future so casually" he tore Aunt Xu's face completely.
Left without an explanation, Aunt Xu spluttered.
"I have repeatedly warned you of sidetracking Student Lu Mian from her studies Madam Lu. I could ignore the unnecessary demands of company work on a teenage girl's time. But this is going too far. I will handle Lu Mian's affairs now. If Madam Lu has the time, please take care of your other daughter." Teacher Zhao paused for effect "She seems to need direction more."
What a direct hit! Cheered Lu Mian silently. Teacher Zhao is so awesome.
Aunt Xu was now embarrassed and angry. "Teacher Zhao don't forget, she belongs to our Lu family after all. I will see how much you can help her." throwing down that challenge, she beat a hasty retreat.
"Given your family is so tricky, why are you taking holidays to stay home? Won't you be able to do more at school?" he asked Lu Mian seriously.
"Teacher Zhao, it's like this" explained Lu Mian. "One, I need to file patent for my mother's prescriptions. Second, I have a legal severance agreement from the Lu family. I am trying to see how to process it. Finally, with all this, I am also preparing for the projects for the National Defense Academy." Lu Mian explained her plans in detail to Teacher Zhao. She needed him to know how serious she was taking this. "So even if I take time off, I will not necessarily be at home."
Teacher Zhao watched her silently "You've changed Student Lu."
Lu Mian hung her head in shame "I am sorry for not seeing Teacher Zhao's efforts sooner. I promise to strive harder."
"I can take care of the patent and the severance legality. Do you have a temporary guardian who can assume responsibility for you? Asked Teacher Zhao patiently.
"Not yet." admitted Lu Mian. "Would TEacher Zhao be willing to...?
"It's not proper" admitted Teacher Zhao with a faint flush. "I don't have a wife and there's a power dynamic in the relationship that works against you. Also, the school will disapprove."
"I wouldn't want to trouble Teacher Zhao.." she said softly.
"It's no trouble Student Lu. I want to make sure you have all the chances to succeed and chase your dreams. A black mark on your record will make it harder for you."
Lu Mian choked up. Such obvious frank care was not something she was used to. She once again resolved not to let down Teacher Zhao's kindness and trust in her.
"Leave this with me. I will find suitable candidates and we can see." he murmured. "As for your leave, I approve. If you are stuck in the Lu family and need help, send word. I will come get you."
Lu Mian had no more words. She once again gave her teacher a deep bow. "I will come in once a week to show you progress, and learn." she promised and walked away more determined than ever before.
Having someone believe in you and fight for your chances was an exhilarating feeling. Lu Mian did not feel so alone. It wasn't just her mother or Aunt Lin who cheered her on. She had other good people in her life. With a smile that took the passers by's breath away, Lu Mian confidently headed out of school. The sun shone down and glinted on her her hair, giving people the illusion of a woman stepping towards her destiny.
Now to find a place to work and prepare for her future.