Chapter 88: Storm 1

Chapter 88: Storm 1

"Teacher Yun, you've only been at this school for a few months, yet you've taken quite a number of leaves," the principal complained to Yun He in his office, clearly dissatisfied. "If everyone were like you, I wouldn't have a school to run."

"I want to resign," Yun He said.

"Oh?" The principal was genuinely surprised. Perhaps he had been too stern just now. Although Yun He had indeed taken more leaves recently, he was highly competent and well-liked by both students and parents. The principal forced a smile. "Oh, oh, I was just venting. There's no need to resign over a few words."

"No, it's a personal matter—" Yun He attempted to explain.

"Which one of you is Zhao Mou's English teacher?!" A middle-aged woman burst into the office, looking agitated as she scanned the room.

"Excuse me, may I ask who you are?" Teacher Jin stepped forward.

"Are you Zhao Mou's English teacher?" the woman repeated, her eyes filled with an intense hatred. "No! It can't be a man!"

"I am," Yun He replied, observing the woman as she struggled for breath. Something seemed off about her emotional state. "May I ask why you're looking for me?"

The woman stared at Yun He, her composure on the verge of collapse. She took two steps forward and raised her hand to slap him without warning. Fortunately, Yun He reacted swiftly, grabbing her wrist before she could make contact.

Professor Jin gasped, "My goodness!"

The principal also hurried forward, "Are you a parent?! What are you doing here?!"

"What am I doing? Ask him!" The woman broke free from Yun He and suddenly burst into tears, cursing indignantly, "Animal! Animal! How can such an animal be a teacher?!"

"What do you mean? Explain yourself," Yun He frowned.

"How else should I make it clear?! Don't you know what you've done?!" The woman pointed at Yun He's nose. Her voice was fierce and loud, drawing the attention of passing students, other teachers, and even some parents who were on school grounds for business. The office was suddenly bustling with activity inside and out.

"What have I done?" Yun He was puzzled.

"You! You!" The woman pointed at Yun He, then despairingly sat on the ground, wailing, "You seduced my son! He's still so young! And you could do such a thing to him!"

Her words were like a bomb igniting a flurry of whispers and speculation.

"Oh? Teacher Yun seduced who?"

"Zhao Mou! That woman claims to be Zhao Mou's parent!"

"Which Zhao Mou?"

"The one from Class 3, always wears glasses and barely greets teachers."

"A boy, then?"

"Exactly!"

"Goodness, is Teacher Yun gay? No way!"

"Why not? These days, you can never truly know someone."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk..."

"I think this Zhao Mou's parent might be quite irrational. We shouldn't take everything she says at face value."

"Unless it's true, who would cause such a scene at school and risk their son's reputation like that?"

"Goodness, there's actually a gay person right next to us. You really can't tell in everyday life."

"This teacher is gay? Then how can I let my child study here?! There's something wrong with the school's atmosphere!"

...

...

Yun He clenched his fists, listening to the gossip outside the door. Uncontrollably, memories of the slander from years ago flooded his mind.

Seemingly, just the mention of homosexuality made people excited.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Yun He said coldly to the weeping woman on the floor. "Zhao Mou is my student, and nothing more."

"You dare say you're not gay?!" The woman stood up, spitting at Yun He. "Disgusting!"

"Whether or not I'm gay is my personal business, none of your concern."

"Oh dear, oh dear, parent, please calm down. There must be some misunderstanding. Let's not make a scene here. Come to my office, and we can discuss it peacefully," the principal tried to soothe the woman's emotions as he reached out to gently pull her arm.

Mrs. Zhao Mou fiercely shook off the principal's hand, "Don't touch me! None of you in this school are decent people!"

"Mrs., you've been talking for so long, do you have any evidence?" Teacher Jin, displeased, spoke with an edge to her voice, "If there's no evidence, we could report you for spreading rumors."

"What more evidence do you need? It's all clearly written in my son's diary!" Mrs. Zhao Mou thumped her chest and stomped her feet, "My son is so young, how could he lie?"

"Diary? Your son's diary? What does it say?" the principal asked.

"It says his English teacher always smiles at him, and he likes his English teacher! He even saw the English teacher kissing a man at the school gate, in a car!"

"His English teacher likes men!"

"His English teacher patted his shoulder! Rubbed his head! Isn't his English teacher giving him hints?!"

Mrs. Zhao Mou screamed hysterically, pulling out a diary from her bag and throwing it at Yun He, "It's all clearly written in black and white here, what else do you have to deny?!"

The principal hastily picked up the diary and quickly scanned through several pages.

Yun He maintained eye contact, his expression unwavering, "I haven't given Zhao Mou any hints. If Zhao Mou truly feels there's an issue, I suggest you should pay more attention to your child's mental state instead of causing a scene here."

"Rubbish! Absolute rubbish! You're nothing but a beast in human clothing! My child is still so young, and you won't even spare him!" Zhao Mou's mother refused to listen to Yun He's explanation.

"The, uh, Mrs. Zhao Mou, the school will look into the specifics," the principal's expression changed as he perused the diary pages. Struggling to maintain his composure, he continued, "Please rest assured, I guarantee that no harmful actions will be taken against children in my school. We will strictly monitor our teachers—"

"Mum!" At that moment, Zhao Mou rushed in, panic-stricken. Seeing the crowd at the door, he lowered his head fearfully. "Mum, stop this. Let's go home..."

"Son, speak up!" The woman pulled her son by the arm and pointed at Yun He. "Did he corrupt you?! You're still so young, how could you... know such nonsensical things!"

"Zhao Mou, I'd like to talk with you," Yun He said calmly to his student.

Sixteen years old, Zhao Mou should have been full of vigor, but now he cowered, shoulders hunched, avoiding Yun He's gaze.

"Teacher Yun... I...," Zhao Mou stammered. "I'm... sorry..."

"He's the one who should apologize! What do you have to apologize for?!" Zhao Mou's mother lashed out at her son in frustration.

"There's nothing for my son to discuss with you. I'm here today to seek justice for my son! I demand that the school dismiss this scoundrel of a teacher! Disgusting! He's not fit to be a teacher!" Turning to the principal, she declared, "You're the principal, aren't you? If you don't give me a resolution today, I'll come to this school every day with banners! I'll ruin this school and that gay teacher's reputation!"

"Please calm down, Mrs. Zhao Mou," the principal placated. "We will definitely investigate what happened. Being agitated like this won't solve anything. How about this, let's go to my office first. I'll get you some water, and we can sit down and discuss it slowly. As for Teacher Yun..."

After a few seconds of hesitation, the principal turned to Yun He and said, "Teacher Yun, how about the school gives you a few more days off? You can go home and rest first. We'll figure things out before we proceed."

Yun He had intended to resign today anyway. He had considered his relationship with Gu Jiabei and decided that he wouldn't let them become long-distance lovers. Thus, he planned to quit his job and follow Gu Jiabei wherever he went. However, he hadn't expected this sudden turn of events.

Looking helplessly at the principal, Yun He replied, "Principal, there must be a misunderstanding here. Anyway, I was planning to resign. I'll leave after the investigation is over."

The principal sighed. "Alright then. Go home for two days first."

Yun He glanced at Zhao Mou and spoke earnestly, "Zhao Mou, you're my student. I hope all my students can live well, regardless of their identity. Do you understand?"

Zhao Mou kept his head lowered throughout, lacking the courage to look Yun He in the eye.

Yun He patted Zhao Mou's head gently before leaving.

"Did you see that? Did you see him touching my son's head right in front of me? What does that mean? Isn't he being too arrogant?" Behind him, Zhao Mou's mother was making a scene without bothering to find out the truth.

Yun He didn't turn back. More people were gathering at the office entrance, stepping aside to make way for him as they saw him emerge.

As he left, he could hear endless whispers.

But he didn't turn back.