"Mom, you haven't met them yet. These are my classmates," Shen Qingqing introduced the two boys to the woman enthusiastically.
The woman looked at the two dejected boys in front of her and asked in surprise, "Did they do something wrong?"
The female teacher glared at them impatiently. "They've been punished, but they're still fooling around instead of working hard. How could they not have done anything wrong?"
"They're just a bit playful. Don't I act like this at home too?" Shen Qingqing nestled in her mother's arms and pleaded coquettishly. "Mom, don't scold them. They're my classmates and friends."
The female teacher frowned even more. "Friends? Qingqing, have I ever told you not to make friends with just anyone? What's good about these country kids? Go home right now!"
"Mom!"
"Go home!"
The female teacher was getting impatient, so Shen Qingqing had no choice but to shut up. She turned around reluctantly and gave Yun Que'er and the others a pitying look before leaving.
Yun Que'er and Ji Chengxuan were completely dumbfounded.
What on earth was going on?
Were they being played by this mother - daughter duo?
"What are you looking at?" the female teacher scolded. "You did something wrong, and you shouldn't think you'll get any special treatment just because you're in the same class as my daughter. Stay away from her in the future. Don't lead my girl astray. She's going to college in the future, not like you, stuck in the fields for a lifetime!"
Yun Que'er and Ji Chengxuan stared at each other, completely at a loss.
What was all this nonsense?
They had been patient before, but now they couldn't take it anymore.
"Teacher, we've never thought about having any special privileges," Yun Que'er said first. "We've never been proud of being in the same class as your daughter. You're really overthinking things."
Yun Que'er's eyes were red with anger as she poured out all the words that had been pent - up in her heart for a long time.
"As for what you said about not leading your daughter astray, you don't have to worry at all. It wasn't us who wanted to be friends with her. She came to us on her own. We've never been proud of being her friends. On the contrary..."
Yun Que'er didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was clear.
The female teacher was so angry that her hair seemed to stand on end. She pointed at Yun Que'er for a long time but couldn't say a word.
"Oh, you little brat, you..." The female teacher clutched her stomach, looking extremely angry, as if she was about to have a miscarriage the next second.
Yun Que'er was also extremely angry and was breathing heavily.
Seeing that the situation was getting out of hand, Ji Chengxuan quickly stepped forward and pulled Yun Que'er back.
Yun Que'er suddenly turned her head. Clearly, she was so angry that she didn't recognize anyone. She glared at Ji Chengxuan angrily.
Was he going to stop her and make them both act like cowards?
In life, some grievances could be endured, while others couldn't!
But Ji Chengxuan held Yun Que'er tightly, not allowing her to say another word.
"Teacher, you're right," Ji Chengxuan said with a smile, voluntarily giving in. "Don't worry. We definitely won't hold your daughter back. We were really wrong today. We admit our mistake. I'm sorry."
The female teacher stared at them, clearly still not satisfied.
"Since you've admitted your mistake, you should also accept the punishment. Scrub the flag - raising platform again, and clean the platform in front of the classroom. Otherwise, I'll call your parents in tomorrow!"
With that, the female teacher stormed off, still muttering.
"Today's students are so uneducated! It seems anyone can come to school these days!"
Watching her leave, Yun Que'er finally couldn't hold back her anger.
"What does she mean? Can't kids from the countryside go to school?"
Yun Que'er turned around and glared at Ji Chengxuan. "And you, why did you stop me? What do you mean by holding her daughter back? Did we hug Shen Qingqing's leg and beg to be her friends?"
Ji Chengxuan was both amused and helpless. "Don't be so impatient. That's not what I meant. But the situation here isn't as free as outside. We've been caught in the wrong, so we have to admit defeat. Anyway, let's get through today first. Giving in a bit will save us from future trouble."
Yun Que'er looked unhappy but managed to take Ji Chengxuan's words to heart.
She was just feeling indignant.
"I can see now. This is just a family of weirdos! We'd better stay away from Shen Qingqing in the future to avoid any more trouble."
"Tell me about it," Ji Chengxuan sighed. "Shen Qingqing is just the type to cause trouble out of nowhere. I'm afraid we'll have to be careful about what we say and do in front of her from now on, or she'll always find something to pick on."
Just like today, wasn't it Shen Qingqing who caused trouble out of nowhere and ended up bringing them this undeserved disaster?
The two complained to each other for a while and then buried their heads in their work.
They worked for I don't know how long. When Yun Que'er came to her senses, it was completely dark.
The huge campus was empty. Yun Que'er felt a bit scared and reached out to tug at Ji Chengxuan's sleeve.
"How much more is there... It's already dark. Let's hurry up."
Ji Chengxuan looked up. "There are only two classrooms left at the back. If you're scared, wait for me here. I'll be quick."
Actually, Ji Chengxuan didn't want to work anymore either. He was sweating all over and his back ached.
He hadn't eaten yet, and he still had homework to do when he got home. He might even have to stay up late.
But that female teacher looked like a tough cookie. If she took it seriously and saw that they hadn't cleaned properly tomorrow, it would be troublesome.
"I... I'd better go with you," Yun Que'er said timidly.
With Ji Chengxuan by her side, Yun Que'er felt a bit more at ease.
She picked up the bucket beside Ji Chengxuan. Just as she was about to turn around and follow Ji Chengxuan, someone suddenly patted her on the shoulder from behind.
"Ahhh!" Yun Que'er let out a terrified scream.
At that moment, Yun Que'er even thought about her own will.
Ji Chengxuan was also startled.
It was pitch - black, and it was hard to see the way. With Yun Que'er's scream, even a tall and strong man would probably be scared out of his wits.
"What's wrong with you, kid?"
A kind voice came from behind. Yun Que'er turned around nervously and saw that it was the school guard. She let out a sigh of relief.
She pursed her lips and let out a sob, looking a bit aggrieved.
"Grandpa, you scared me to death. I thought there was a ghost."
The grandpa laughed and stroked Yun Que'er's head reassuringly.
"Don't be afraid. Our school is very peaceful. I think you look familiar. Are you Teacher Yun's daughter?"
Yun Que'er nodded. "Yes. We've met before."
The grandpa smiled. "That's what I thought. Why aren't you leaving yet? It's so dark. You'd better go home early. You still have school tomorrow."
Yun Que'er sighed. "It's not that we don't want to go home. We've been punished. We can't leave until we finish the work."