They All Say I've Met a Ghost

20

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With Ning Tiance's consolation, my mood improved at once. I was a new employee. There were many things I would have to ask Teacher Liu for instruction on. It was entirely normal that my teaching abilities wouldn't be as good as his. For those of us engaged in education, our own gains and losses weren't the most important thing. What mattered most were those students standing at the crossroads of life. As long as they could choose the right path, what did it matter if I endured some hardship?

Every time Xiao Ning replied to my messages so quickly, I felt a sliver of expectation in my heart.

I considered, then continued writing: It's so late and you aren't asleep yet. It seems like you stay up late every night.

Ning Tiance: I absorb the essence of the moon and stars every night, so I go to bed late. Lately I have also been concerned about you.

I was at once full of emotion. I wildly typed into the input box: I'm concerned about you, too. I really like you!

Before I clicked send, Xiao Ning sent another message: About your roommates.

I silently deleted the unsent text, restrained my surging emotions, and switched to a calm, professional tone: Yes, Xiao Ming is really concerning. I hope Teacher Liu will be able to persuade him to move on. Now that I mention it, I also have another student who has gone too far.

My fingers moved quickly, briefly describing the circumstances related to Tian Bowen. In my opinion, Teacher Liu was a teacher who should be deeply loved by his students. Tian Bowen had really gone too far in bullying him. I wanted to use insecticide to teach Tian Bowen a lesson and make him stop growing bugs. But when I considered that he was perhaps a student with psychological problems, I couldn't tell whether this would hurt him.

So I wrote to Principal Zhang about this issue. Principal Zhang was such a kind and responsible person, she would certainly have a clear understanding of all the students' situations. Her advice was very useful to me.

Two messages came in at the same time. First, I read Xiao Ning's: Generally insecticide wouldn't be useful for dealing with your student, but it will be if you buy it. Also, I'm going to be staying in H City for some time, and I still lack some basic necessities. Do you have time tomorrow?

Of course I did! I quickly arranged to meet Xiao Ning to go shopping. We were going to Xia Jin's mall. I often worked part-time there, so I had coupons and discount cards. Naturally it was more cost-effective to go there.

Then I read Principal Zhang’s text: Tian Bowen's behavior is very bad. It goes beyond the level of a prank. You can carry on with your plan, Teacher Shen. If this continues, I will hand the matter over to a professional to be dealt with.

But isn’t he a student with psychological problems… I still hesitated. Although I had been disgusted by him, as a teacher, I should have an inclusive attitude towards my students.

Principal Zhang replied: He has a record of harming other students. I expelled him three years ago but he refused to leave. He has also bullied students and staff.

So that was it. There was no need to go easy on him. As Principal Zhang had said, I would carry on!

After making arrangements with Ning Tiance, finding out that Tian Bowen no longer belonged to the school and discussing how to deal with him, my mood improved a good deal. I went out to make myself instant noodles. Seeing that the light was off in Tan Xiaoming's room, I returned to my room, ate my noodles, and peacefully went to sleep.