Chapter 121 : Shen Zheng’s Aura   

Zhou Yueshan scrutinized Shen Zheng from head to toe. In his crisp white shirt and army green pants, Shen Zheng looked strikingly handsome.  

Sometimes, it makes sense that similar people repel each other.  

In short, Zhou Yueshan felt uneasy looking at Shen Zheng. It was as if this kind of person radiated a natural brilliance just by standing there, completely overshadowing him.  

How could this be?  

Zhou Yueshan stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and assumed the demeanor of an elder gentleman. “So, you are Shen Haifeng’s father. I’m Shen Haifeng’s Chinese teacher.”  

Shen Zheng was already familiar with the name of Shen Haifeng’s Chinese teacher. He stepped forward and extended his right hand. “Hello, Teacher Zhou.”  

As they shook hands, Zhou Yueshan noticed that Shen Zheng’s hand was rough, likely from labor.  

In a tone full of righteous authority, Zhou Yueshan began, “Although I’m not Shen Haifeng’s homeroom teacher, I am still his teacher. I believe it’s my responsibility to inform his parents about his performance at school.”  

Shen Zheng didn’t believe Shen Haifeng’s performance could be that poor, especially after the midterms. With Fang Xiaoluo’s encouragement, he had taken the time to review Shen Haifeng’s homework. Compared to before, his progress was good.  

He had seen all of Shen Haifeng’s hard work.  

“Teacher Zhou is right. Could you please tell me how Shen Haifeng is performing at school?” Shen Zheng asked.  

Zhou Yueshan pulled up a chair and gestured for Shen Zheng to sit. Taking his seat as well, he exuded a composed and authoritative air. “Shen Haifeng’s academic performance was evident in the midterm exams. He’s often distracted in class, inattentive, and lacks commitment in his work. With his current grades, if he continues like this during the final exams, he’s at risk of repeating the year.”  

“I’m sure Teacher Ding already mentioned the possibility of repeating a year during the parent-teacher meeting this semester. However, Shen Haifeng doesn’t seem worried at all, which is undoubtedly a reflection of parental negligence.”  

Shen Zheng raised an eyebrow. He was unaware of any mention of repeating a grade, Fang Xiaoluo hadn’t told him about it.  

During this time, Fang Xiaoluo had put in so much effort that Shen Zheng was confident Shen Haifeng would perform well in the finals. Based on his understanding of Fang Xiaoluo, she likely refrained from mentioning repeating a grade to avoid demoralizing Shen Haifeng. On the contrary, Shen Haifeng had even said he needed to score over 80 points to prove himself to Fang Xiaoluo.  

Shen Zheng began to sense that Teacher Zhou harbored dissatisfaction toward his son.  

Zhou Yueshan continued, “Given these circumstances, you as parents are still indulging him with toys and allowing him to bring them to school. His mind is always on play, how could he focus on studying? This is unacceptable! Worse still, he doesn’t just play by himself, he even distracts other students. I firmly believe you need to discipline him.”  

When Shen Zheng remained silent, Zhou Yueshan felt a surge of pride. After all, he was the teacher, and parents typically humbled themselves, acknowledged their child’s faults, and promised stricter discipline at home.  

But this time, he had severely miscalculated because the person sitting across from him was Shen Zheng.  

A deep, resonant voice broke the silence. “Teacher Zhou, may I ask, what is the role of a teacher?”  

“To teach and nurture students,” Zhou Yueshan replied instinctively.  

Shen Zheng nodded. “Very well. Teacher Zhou, I believe you haven’t fulfilled your teaching duties. My son’s poor performance in the midterms indicates that you, as his teacher, have fallen short. I entrusted my child to your school to learn, and we paid tuition with full trust in the school and its teachers. Teacher Zhou, how can you justify betraying that trust?”  

Zhou Yueshan was completely flustered. “Y-you…! You’re twisting the facts!”  

Shen Zheng’s voice was steady, but Zhou Yueshan’s response grew increasingly agitated and loud.  

All the other teachers in the office who weren’t teaching a class were now watching the scene unfold.

Those familiar with Shen Zheng knew he rarely smiled. In fact, the only time he ever smiled was when he was with Fang Xiaoluo.  

At this moment, his face was cold and stern, exuding an icy demeanor that sent chills through the room.  

Shen Zheng continued, “As for what Teacher Zhou said about Shen Haifeng being distracted and inattentive in class, we haven’t observed this behavior at home. If this only happens in your class, Teacher Zhou, then perhaps the issue lies with your teaching methods. A competent teacher should be able to engage their students.”  

“Additionally, regarding the possibility of repeating a grade for the final exams, Shen Haifeng has been putting in a lot of effort recently. Rest assured, he will not be repeating a grade. Thank you, Teacher Zhou, for your concern and reminder.”  

“The most important point is this: Teacher Zhou, you are judging my son’s character based solely on his midterm results. This is highly inappropriate. It’s clear that you are failing in your duty to educate and guide students. I’ve already explained that my son didn’t bring the water gun to school. He tried to take responsibility for the situation, yet somehow, in your words, my son has become the villain.”  

“He wasn’t the one who brought the water gun. He wasn’t the one playing with it. He wasn’t the one who sprayed water on you. The only connection he has to this situation is that the water gun happens to belong to him. Teacher Zhou, how does this make him guilty of wrongdoing?”  

“Mr. Zhou, as a veteran teacher, have you been wearing tinted glasses and unjustly maligning children all these years?”  

Shen Zheng’s words were firm and resonated throughout the office like thunder.  

Just as the class period was ending, Ding Xiuying, the homeroom teacher, overheard someone lecturing Zhou Yueshan and hurried into the office.  

Every teacher in the room was left stunned by the scene.  

Zhou Yueshan was visibly furious. Over the years, he had grown used to deference due to his seniority. He never anticipated that Shen Zheng would confront him so directly and without regard for his reputation.  

Rising from his seat, his chest heaved with anger. “You… you…”  

At that moment, Ding Xiuying entered the room and quickly introduced herself. “Hello, I’m Shen Haifeng’s homeroom teacher.”  

Shen Zheng stood as well. “Hello, Teacher Ding. I’m here to collect Shen Haifeng’s water gun.”  

Ding Xiuying retrieved the water gun from her drawer and handed it to Shen Zheng. She had initially intended to speak to him about a few matters, but after overhearing the exchange, she found herself at a loss for words.  

Instead, Shen Zheng asked, “Teacher Ding, how has Shen Haifeng been performing in school since the midterms?”  

Ding Xiuying replied, “He’s been working very hard. He told me his mother has been helping him review his previous lessons diligently. I sincerely hope he does well in the final exams.”  

Shen Zheng nodded. “Thank you, Teacher Ding, for your guidance and support. I appreciate your efforts.”  

His attitude toward Ding Xiuying was markedly different from his demeanor toward Zhou Yueshan, and this disparity didn’t go unnoticed.  

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave now.”  

Ding Xiuying assured him, “Of course, take care.”  

Before leaving, Shen Zheng turned to face Zhou Yueshan and said, “I’ve always been blunt and straightforward. Everything I said today is the truth. I hope you won’t take it personally, Teacher Zhou. I trust that with your character, you wouldn’t make things difficult for my son at school.”