Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1781 - 980: Skill: Men A, Women Exempt

Office.

The kind Mrs. Zhou had at last managed to coax the utterly heartbroken Teacher Xiao Tao from her melancholic state. Xiao Tao indulged in some cake, and her tears finally ceased to fall.

"Is it sweet?" Mrs. Zhou inquired gently.

Teacher Xiao Tao was deeply touched. "It's very sweet."

A smile graced Mrs. Zhou's lips. "Xiao Tao, I understand you showed that movie to the students out of pure kindness. However, the way you treat the students is precisely how they will, in turn, treat you."

"As educators, each of us must forge our own distinct path. My path is one way, and Mr. Gao's path is another."

Recalling the infuriatingly smug expression on Gao Heshuai's face as he departed, Xiao Tao suddenly posed a question, "So, was Mr. Gao also subjected to some sort of 'surprise' by those students over there?"

The moment these words left her lips, Gao Heshuai reappeared in the office, his countenance dark, dragging two young male students behind him – one was the pale and slender Shen Xinli, and the other, the robust Lu Zhenxin.

Gao Heshuai declared sternly, "The instant I stepped into the classroom, I witnessed these two engaged in a brawl."

Mrs. Zhou commented, "Ah, that sounds quite true to life."

The more Gao Heshuai contemplated the incident, the more his anger surged. "Damn it all!"

He raised his hand and, with a couple of resounding slaps, struck the students.

His fury was palpable. "I told you to focus on self-study in the classroom, and you treat it like a boxing ring?"

Gripping both of them by their collars, he violently smashed them together. "Fight! Go on, fight! Fight for me right this instant!"

Both students looked utterly miserable.

Gao Heshuai bellowed, "What, not convinced? Fine, accompany me to see the principal, and let's find out if you'll be expelled!"

The entire office reverberated with the force of his irate shouts.

Guo Ran was poised to increase the volume of the horror movie they were watching. Jiang Ning interjected, "What movie are you watching? Isn't this far more exciting?"

"Indeed..." Guo Ran hit the pause button. Teacher and student alike settled in, munching on sunflower seeds, engrossed in the unfolding drama.

Gao Heshuai demanded an explanation, "Why were you fighting? Provide me with a reason, or I will suggest that both of you withdraw from school!"

Lu Zhenxin, a recent arrival from the countryside, felt a profound sense of injustice. He explained, "I was merely discussing CPR with my classmate. I observed that Shen Xinli appeared exceedingly pale, so I proposed that if he ever fainted during PE class, I would find someone to administer CPR. If our class lacked the knowledge, I could fetch someone from the adjacent classroom!"

His voice was filled with genuine distress. "Then, he suddenly lunged at me."

Initially, his explanation seemed perfectly reasonable.

Gao Heshuai's brow furrowed with increasing intensity. As the homeroom teacher, he had become aware of certain whispers – specifically, that in full view of numerous onlookers, Shen Xinli had once received mouth-to-mouth resuscitation from Pang Jiao...

Although Gao Heshuai staunchly advocated for "education without discrimination," he had, on one occasion, found himself compensating Pang Jiao with a lipstick.

Of all the sensitive topics to bring up, this was it?

Gao Heshuai questioned, "Shen Xinli, why did you strike him?"

Shen Xinli's expression remained vacant. He offered no direct answer to the question. Instead, he stated, "Teacher, I require a few days of leave. I need to rest."

Gao Heshuai found himself in a difficult predicament. This student's academic performance was actually quite commendable. He attempted to offer comfort, "Xiao Shen, everyone carries a significant burden in their heart. No matter how arduous...".

Shen Xinli exhibited a stress reaction, gagging violently on the spot, clearly in great distress.

"Teacher, I want leave, I need leave!" Shen Xinli writhed on the floor.

Gao Heshuai's heart constricted with alarm. "You had better not drop dead on me right here!"

He hurriedly knelt down to assist Shen Xinli.

However, Gao Heshuai's imposing build only exacerbated Shen Xinli's discomfort. The young student began to crawl along the floor in a peculiar, unsettling manner.

One pursued, the other fled.

Mrs. Zhou and Teacher Xiao Tao watched, mouths agape in astonishment.

Jiang Ning extended a hand. "Why complicate matters? Simply summon Pang Jiao for a treatment."

Upon hearing these words, the affliction vanished – Shen Xinli sprang up as if startled, like a toad, with a sudden 'snap!'

Guo Ran expressed his amazement, "He's cured?"

Shen Xinli fixed Jiang Ning with a glare. He would forever remember that fateful day. It was due to his attempt to conquer the cloud-ladder parallel bars that he had paid such a steep price!

Shen Xinli harbored intense hatred for him yet felt utterly powerless!

Jiang Ning, conversely, was in excellent spirits. He possessed a clear understanding of Shen Xinli's character. In the past, Shen Xinli frequently banded together with other classmates, under the guise of "roughhousing," to bully Liang Sheng and his peers.

In fact, during Jiang Ning's previous existence, even until the day of graduation, Shen Xinli had successfully gained admission to a rather reputable university.

Lu Zhenxin, the young man from the rural village, cast a bewildered glance at Jiang Ning. The other boy appeared to be a student as well, yet he could casually lounge in the office, consume sunflower seeds, and observe the unfolding spectacle. It seemed preposterous.

At this juncture, even the recently transferred Teacher Xiao Tao had ceased her weeping and was now brimming with keen interest.

Shen Xinli addressed Mr. Gao, "Mr. Gao, please grant me a week's leave!"

Gao Heshuai offered words of encouragement. "Xiao Shen, you must realize that giving up is simply the path of least resistance."

"Rather than fleeing, I'd prefer you simply forget," Shen Xinli stated.

Shen Xinli let out a hollow laugh. "As if forgetting were that simple."

With a look devoid of any desire to live, Shen Xinli declared, "I no longer wish to attend school."

Gao Heshuai replied, "You are a student. Your foremost duty is to attend school."

Shen Xinli retorted, "And you are a teacher. Do you truly enjoy coming to work?"

Gao Heshuai was left momentarily speechless.

Teacher Xiao Tao, who had been quite displeased moments before, suddenly erupted into laughter.

Gao Heshuai granted three days of leave, dismissively telling Shen Xinli to go home.

Next to step forward was Lu Zhenxin.

Observing him, Gao Heshuai remarked, "Lu Zhenxin, I've reviewed your file. You come from a modest background as a left-behind child; your family's circumstances are quite ordinary. This opportunity to study was not easily obtained. Do not squander it."

"Yes, Mr. Gao!" Lu Zhenxin felt a twinge of confusion regarding the teacher's leniency with Shen Xinli. However, seeing that Gao Heshuai had regained his composure, he sincerely admitted his transgression.

"Mm. You lack the parental support they possess, so do not emulate them by chatting during evening self-study."

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhenxin paused for a beat before bowing deeply with utmost respect.

Now it was Gao Heshuai's turn to be taken aback. He then placed a hand on Lu Zhenxin's shoulder. "You may return."

Being bowed to by a student, Gao Heshuai felt an immediate influx of the esteemed aura of a "master educator." His sense of self-importance surged!

He cast a glance at Jiang Ning, who was still occupied with eating sunflower seeds, and his tone softened slightly as he addressed him:

"Jiang Ning, your parents are quite successful. This makes it all the more imperative for you to strive diligently, to become someone who contributes to the nation. Are you truly content to languish in mediocrity?"

Guo Ran felt a prickle of indignation, interpreting the teacher's words as a veiled criticism. He resolved to offer his support to the newest disciple of the current academic term.