Chapter 82 - Zhang Ye brings the Child to School! (2/2)
Chenchen said nonchalantly, “He’s my uncle. My father is much more handsome.”
Dede’s parents were amused hearing this. Dede’s father took the initiative to stretch out his hand, “h.e.l.lo.”
Zhang Ye shook his hand, “h.e.l.lo. Are the both of you here to join the public cla.s.s? Aye, the school sure is something. The things they organize are getting more and more complex.”
Dede’s mother said, “Indeed. Both of us needed to work today, but ended having to take time off. Hur Hur. There’s no way around it. Children matter the most.”
Dede was also trying to chat with Chenchen.
“Did you prepare today’s composition?”
“No.”
“Did you do the homework our teacher a.s.signed for the weekend?”
“No.”
“Ah, why didn’t you do it? You will be reprimanded by the teacher again. I’ll let you copy mine. I did them.”
“There’s no need.”
It was Dede who kept the conversation going, but Chenchen appeared uncaring.
On Zhang Ye’s side, he had already finished chatting with Dede’s parents. They brought the children into the school building. Zhang Ye also held Chenchen’s tiny hand and as they walked, he said, “Dede was chatting with you. Why were you so cold? You won’t have friends in the future if you keep this up.”
Chenchen said nonchalantly, “Women need to be more reserved.”
Zhang Ye was dumbfounded, “Who taught you that?”
Chenchen said, “My aunt said it.”
“Let me tell you something: don’t keep learning from your aunt. Look at you. You are almost a duplicate of your aunt. Speak a bit more cutely and pleasing to others, understand?” Zhang Ye taught with utmost care.
Chenchen directly said, “I can’t.”
Fine, treat it as if this Bro didn’t say anything. Zhang Ye brought her to the cla.s.sroom of the first cla.s.s, second grade.
“Are you Dede’s parents?”
“Right, you are Qianqian’s mother, right? Hur Hur, I always hear my son talk about Qianqian. The two children seem to hit it off well. Whenever you are free, you can come visit my house.”
“Alright, let’s communicate more.”
In the cla.s.sroom, there were quite a lot of parents introducing themselves to each other as they got to know each other.
However, there was not much a reaction when Zhang Ye brought Chenchen in. Other than a few boys like Dede who were willing to speak to Chenchen, the rest ignored Chenchen. Some girls even gave her aversive looks. Zhang Ye finally understood. Indeed, little Chenchen was too unpopular in school.
“Hey, the teacher is here.”
“Teacher Zhao Mei, h.e.l.lo.”
“Teacher Zhao, thank you for taking care of our children.”
Zhang Ye whispered to Chenchen, “Who is she?”
Chenchen said indifferently, “Zhao Mei, my cla.s.s’ teacher-in-charge. She always criticizes me!”
Just as she finished saying that, Teacher Zhao Mei saw Chenchen, and then her eyes stared right at Zhang Ye’s face. She strode forward, “You must be Chenchen’s guardian, right?”
Zhang Ye said, “Ah, yes. I’m her uncle.”
Teacher Zhao Mei’s face turned sullen, “I’ve finally seen you. Uncle Chenchen, follow me.” Saying that, she went to the end of a corridor.
Zhang Ye could only follow, “Teacher, what’s the matter?”
Teacher Zhao Mei immediately said, “What sort of guardians in the world are you people? Chenchen has been in school for a year. This is the second year, but this is the first time I’m seeing her guardian. I heard that back when she first came to school, Chenchen had reported to school with her books and fees herself. Last year, I had been asking to see Chenchen’s guardians for an entire year, but none of you came. Do you even care about the child? I’ve been a teacher for so many years, but this is the first time I’m seeing such seniors like you!”
Zhang Ye was stunned, “No one brings Chenchen to school usually?”
“No.” Teacher Zhao Mei asked angrily, “You even asked me? I stand at the school gates to greet students almost everyday. Chenchen always takes the bus herself to school!”
Zhang Ye finally understood. It was no wonder the landlady auntie had gone through legal procedures to obtain the child’s custody, because her brother-in-law’s family didn’t take good care of her, so he immediately explained, “Teacher Zhao, it’s like this. Chenchen’s family situation is a bit more complicated. Her parents are no longer alive, and she had been under the care of her elders on her father’s side. They were not very attentive. Now, with the child’s custody in her aunt’s hands, who is also a big sister of mine, I will guarantee you that this will not happen again. If you have any problems, just give her aunt a call, or even call me. I a.s.sure you, I will be available immediately.” After understanding Chenchen’s family situation, Zhang Ye felt pity for the child.
She was just seven years old!
She had gone to school herself? She probably even needed to make her own meals. No wonder Chenchen was so much more mature than her peers!
Teacher Zhao Mei exclaimed, “Ah? Is that so? Aiyah, then I haven’t been a good teacher-in-charge. Sorry, I didn’t know before this.” After sighing, she said, “Actually this child is very pitiful. No wonder she never got along well with her cla.s.smates.”
Zhang Ye frowned, “Are others bullying her?”
Zhao Mei gave a wry smile, “You think too much. Who dares to bully Chenchen. If she doesn’t bully others, I’ll already be praying to the G.o.ds. As a guardian, you should know Chenchen’s mouth better than me. Many of the young children in cla.s.s have cried because of her words. Not only children, even her math teacher, a new teacher who just came for a year, nearly got sick from the stress due to Chenchen, and even had to take several days off!”
Zhang Ye said in an ashamed manner, “How can this be?”
“Why not?” Zhao Mei also felt angry and funny at the same time as she said, “A few days ago when school opened, the math teacher had just been a.s.signed to our cla.s.s. On the first day, the teacher had asked Chenchen to answer a question, but Chenchen could not answer. When the teacher reprimanded her, Chenchen retorted with a question that no mathematician could prove. In the end, Chenchen even said that since the teacher could not answer, then she had no right in demanding that she answer the teacher’s question! There was also the language teacher. She could not stand in anymore with Chenchen and even left the cla.s.sroom with her materials!”
Zhang Ye coughed, “I’ll speak to her about it. This child is not very sensible.”
“Don’t say things so heavily. Treat it slow and progress slowly. I can tell that she is a good child, but she doesn’t trust people easily. Hai, maybe it’s due to her family situation.” Zhao Mei could understand and felt pity, “A family’s influence on a child is too great.”
Zhang Ye said, “I’ll have to trouble you in the future.”
“I’ll try my best.” Looking at her watch, she said, “Cla.s.s is starting soon. There will be Leaders from the Education Ministry coming today. Chenchen’s guardian, please take a seat.”
“Alright.” Returning to the cla.s.sroom, Zhang Ye saw Chenchen sitting alone by herself. He felt his heart go soft. He went over to straighten her ruffled hair and adjust her school uniform’s collar. Then, he brought a seat to sit beside the child, just like the other parents were doing by their children.
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