Be a Good Person, Be Righteous

Before the two major publishing houses vied to publish Li Ye's novel, the rumors about Li Ye in Retake Class One escalated, threatening to spread throughout the entire school.

But after Dong Yuejin arrived, these rumors vanished as if they were spiderwebs touched by fire, disappearing with a sizzle.

"Li Ye writes love letters in class instead of studying," "Li Ye is dating in class instead of studying." How ridiculous these accusations seemed in retrospect.

Was he writing love letters? He was engaged in literary creation, alright?

Was he dating? He was making money, understand?

As for Li Ye not helping his classmates by tutoring them, it was understandable and forgivable, as he was immersed in literary creation, bringing honor to the teachers and students of County Second High School.

As a result, many who had previously been labeled "ungrateful wretches" by Li Dayong and his group, and who had sided with Xia Yue's clique, now actively sought out Li Ye to exchange pleasantries and mend their relationships.

"Li Ye, I knew you were busy with important matters back then. You focus on your work first. My questions aren't urgent; just explain them to me when you're free."

"I won't be free today, tomorrow, or the day after."

"How about the day after that?"

"Do I really have to say I don't want to deal with you for you to get it?"

"."

"Li Ye, we're classmates. A few misunderstandings in the past mean nothing. I'm not holding a grudge, and you won't be petty about it, right?"

"No, I am very petty, extremely petty."

"."

Li Ye spent only half a day to shut down all the ungrateful wretches, leaving them in self-imposed silence.

Naturally, there was an uproar of criticism.

[I knew he was no good. Xia Yue was right, he's just Huang Shiren. He got a little money from royalties and now he looks down on people.]

[Saying Huang Shiren was too lenient on him, I think he's like Zuoshandiao, cutting himself off from the people and the masses.]

Li Ye, who used to wear Huili shoes and smoke Da Qianmen, had now suddenly earned several thousand yuan in royalties. It was impossible for others not to be envious.

This was human nature. Even if they were all pure-hearted youths, it couldn't circumvent the human tendency of "not worrying about scarcity but about inequality."

Of course, if Li Ye had been magnanimous at this time, getting along with everyone cordially, even sharing small favors and benefits, then everyone would have generously forgiven him.

But not only did Li Ye refuse to give face to their "show of goodwill," but he was also stingy and didn't mingle with the crowd. Wasn't that cutting himself off from everyone and everything?

Thus, the verbal warfare in Retake Class One reignited. Li Ye's loyal subordinate Li Dayong, along with the newly recruited lackey Fu Yingjie, engaged in a back-and-forth argument with Xia Yue and her group.

Although both sides behaved themselves and dared not act out when a teacher was present, during self-study sessions, the noise was guaranteed to disturb everyone, eventually alerting even the teachers.

Teacher Luo stood on the podium with a dark expression, his sharp gaze sweeping over the 49 quails in the class, plus Li Ye and Little Mute.

Despite Li Dayong and the others' usual boisterous arguments, none of them dared to challenge the teacher when their eyes met.

"The entire school can hear your shouting. What's going on? Are you all full of energy with nowhere to put it and want me to give you a good workout?"

"Song song gu" was a local dialect in Qingshui County, meaning "to loosen one's bones."

However, this was not the "Thai massage" that made one feel comfortable. The teacher wouldn't give you pressure, kneading, chopping, or stomping.

A round of slaps and foot jabs would bring tears and snot out of you.

No one spoke. Teacher Luo looked at Hu Man, "Class Monitor, what's going on?"

Class Monitor Hu Man stood up with a somber face and reported, "Teacher, Xia Yue and her group were giving Li Ye nicknames and cursing. We couldn't stand it, so we argued with them."

Xia Yue immediately retorted, "Teacher, Hu Man is lying. We weren't arguing over nicknames.

Li Ye disrupted class unity and refused our correction. Hu Man is deliberately covering for him."

Hu Man's heart fluttered, and she argued, "Teacher, Li Ye didn't disrupt class unity. He was just too busy to tutor everyone."

"No, Hu Man is lying. We spoke to Li Ye nicely, but he was rude and aggressive towards us."

"Yes, Teacher Luo, Li Ye and Li Dayong formed a clique and deliberately divided the class into two factions. When Xia Yue was the class monitor before, we never had this problem."

The situation in the class showed signs of losing control.

Teacher Luo did not intervene immediately. Since Xia Yue was replaced as class monitor, Class One had been in constant turmoil. He watched coldly, wanting to understand the extent of the conflict in the class.

The main subjects of the conflict were undoubtedly Li Ye and Xia Yue.

Xia Yue, sitting in the front row, lowered her head as if deeply distressed, but if anyone could look under the desk, they would see her triumphant smile.

[Hmph, you have no idea how powerful the masses are!]

Meanwhile, Li Ye, at the center of the storm, looked at the impassioned classmates with the indifference of a sculpture.

"Teacher, we argued with Li Ye and his group, and he and Li Dayong even tried to hit people. He's like Zuoshandiao, with bandit habits."

"Crack~"

Li Ye suddenly stood up, took three quick steps to Zhou Chenggong in the front row, and grabbed the unlucky fellow who had no foresight.

"What are you doing? Let go!"

Zhou Chenggong, who was speaking enthusiastically, was suddenly grabbed by his cotton jacket and pulled from his seat by Li Ye, causing him to flail his limbs in fright.

"Li Ye, what are you doing? No violence!"

Study monitor Jin Shengli stood up and yelled at Li Ye.

But if one looked closely at his palm, the trembling of his fingers could be clearly seen.

During the past few days of arguments, Li Ye had remained silent, with only his "henchman" Li Dayong leading the charge against Xia Yue, Jin Shengli, and the others. Everyone had thought that Li Ye, the great writer, had changed his ways and become a refined gentleman.

But when Li Ye suddenly became belligerent, they realized just how terrifying a fierce Li Ye could be.

Zhou Shengli was even more scared.

How dare he? How dare he do this with a teacher present?

He and Li Ye had no prior grudges. It was only because he had wanted to copy one of Wen Leyu's test papers that day and had been glared at by Li Ye that resentment had begun to fester in his heart.

Later, Xia Yue said Li Ye was not unifying the class, and Zhou Shengli thought Xia Yue was right. Without realizing it, his disposition had soured.

But Zhou Shengli had truly never intended to oppose Li Ye!

Being suddenly grabbed by Li Ye at this moment, he was so panicked he was almost crying.

So many people were scolding you, why did you single me out? Aren't you supposed to capture the king first?

But no matter how wronged Zhou Shengli felt, or how much he struggled, he couldn't break free from Li Ye's grip.

He was dragged along by Li Ye like a piglet, knocking over other students' desks along the way and scattering papers and pens all over the floor.

At this point, Teacher Luo on the podium had only just reacted.

But Li Ye was unmoved, dragging him all the way to the front of the podium. Even when faced with Teacher Luo's stern gaze, he showed no fear.

"Come on, explain to Teacher Luo why you called me 'Mountain Bandit' and 'Huang Shiren'. Who taught you that?"

"I-I didn't do it~~"

Zhou Shengli was actually an honest and simple kid. It was only under Xia Yue's instigation and encouragement that he dared to curse Li Ye as "Mountain Bandit." Now, facing the dual mental pressure of Teacher Luo and Li Ye, how could he remain calm?

Looking at Teacher Luo's dark expression and thinking of Li Ye's strong fists, Zhou Shengli burst into tears on the spot.

Teacher Luo was so angry his teeth were almost ground to dust. He didn't need to guess to know that these two nicknames were definitely related to Xia Yue.

However, Xia Yue had already written a self-criticism last time. If he were to pursue this again, and the disciplinary office became harsh and recorded it in her file, it would ruin the girl.

It was truly not easy for a girl to reach high school and still be at the top of her class in these times.

Seeing that Teacher Luo remained silent, Li Ye guessed his intentions.

So he said calmly, "Teacher Luo, I really don't understand why, from the first day I arrived in Class One, I've been targeted."

"They gave me nicknames, and I tolerated it. I never actively looked for trouble with others; others always came to me first."

"But what did my tolerance get me?"

"Now they're trying to pin the blame for disrupting unity on me. Teacher Luo, you surely know how malicious the labels of 'Huang Shiren' and 'disrupting unity' are, right?"

"What do they want to do? Are they using tactics from a few years ago to force me to transfer schools?"

"..."

Li Ye's words were not loud, nor was his tone impassioned, but to everyone who heard them, they carried a chilling weight.

Teacher Luo's eyes suddenly widened, his face filled with a solemn expression.

Transferring schools, Li Ye had actually brought up transferring schools.

This was something Teacher Luo had not expected at all, and it was a consequence he absolutely could not afford.

Li Ye had already officially signed a publishing contract with Blue Sea Publishing House. His name had already been reserved for the county's educational achievement report this year, and this name could even be utilized for many years to come.

County Second High School could only send out two or three students a year, and writing the report was already difficult. If this item were also removed, Principal Chang could lock himself in his office and curse Teacher Luo to death.

"Li Ye, don't be so sensitive, and don't get so agitated. Students joking around with each other doesn't necessarily mean any malice.

A class is a collective; everyone should help each other. Look... if you could spare some time to help everyone with their problems, then perhaps misunderstandings about disunity wouldn't arise."

Teacher Luo was still trying to resolve the conflict within the class, so he patiently advised Li Ye.

But Li Ye let out a cold laugh, "Teacher Luo, you think that since I'm already Huang Shiren, I should still help people and teach them?"

"..."

Teacher Luo felt a blockage in his chest; Li Ye's words were too cutting.

But he couldn't refute Li Ye.

If he were in Li Ye's shoes, he wouldn't be able to stand it either.

It was like someone riding on your head, and then expecting you to help them pull down their pants to defecate.

Not chopping off that brat's balls with a knife was already self-restraint.

"Li Ye, come out for a moment."

But as a teacher, Teacher Luo had many constraints. He could only pull Li Ye outside to patiently persuade him.

"Student Li Ye, I can understand how you feel. It's not wrong for you to feel wronged or resentful.

However, everyone is here for the college entrance examination. If we can't even maintain order in the classroom, how can we study?

If I were to give Xia Yue and Zhou Shengli demerits, wouldn't the animosity between everyone deepen even further?"

You are all classmates, and you can help each other after you start working. Li Ye, just be magnanimous this once. Let's reconcile!"

Li Ye looked at the sincere Teacher Luo and shook his head slightly. "Teacher Luo, Huang Shiren's nickname hasn't just appeared for a day or two. I believe the teachers at the school must have heard about it, but the result is truly regrettable."

"You don't have to give Xia Yue and Zhou Shengli demerits, but it wouldn't be difficult to call their parents in once, would it?"

"It's not difficult," Teacher Luo immediately said. "I'll have them call their parents tomorrow and give them a good scolding. We will absolutely not allow hateful nicknames to circulate within the school again."

Li Ye nodded and continued, "Also, we are here to study, and we need a quiet learning environment. But it seems difficult now, so..."

"So what?"

Teacher Luo's heart tightened, extremely afraid that Li Ye would say the word "transfer."

"So, a few of us won't be coming to self-study sessions anymore!"

"A few of you?" Teacher Luo asked in surprise. "Who else? What do you mean you won't be coming to self-study?"

Li Ye said, "Teacher Luo, I've actually told my family about the situation in the class. To allow me to study and write peacefully, they've cleared out a warehouse for me at the No. 2 Grain Store opposite the school."

"Hu Man, Li Dayong, and Fu Yingjie have already had conflicts with Xia Yue and the others, and reconciliation is impossible in the short term."

"It just so happens that the No. 2 Grain Store is quite large and has a stove. There are no restrictions on lights out at night, and if we squeeze in, seven or eight of us will fit just fine."

Teacher Luo took a sharp breath. "That doesn't seem appropriate, does it?"

Li Ye replied, "We will still attend regular classes. We just won't come to self-study sessions, and they will still return to the school dormitory to sleep at night."

"Then we'll have to trouble you, Li Ye."

Teacher Luo agreed.

Many day students didn't come to evening self-study anyway. By Li Ye taking Hu Man, Li Dayong, and these "troublemakers" away from Xia Yue, at least they wouldn't argue anymore and affect everyone's studies. The class would return to its former peace.

Although this might be unfair to Li Ye, it was the least disruptive solution available.

"Heh, if you can't afford to offend them, you can at least avoid them."

Given Li Ye's current status and capabilities, it was impossible to expel Xia Yue or give her a major demerit. His grandfather would look down on him for using him to deal with a mere girl who was still immature.

As for "avoiding them," that was a plan Li Ye had formulated long ago.

The chaotic self-study environment had severely impacted his writing and his studies. Continuing to get bogged down in internal conflicts with "children" like Xia Yue would only affect his grades and those of his close companions.

Li Ye was not a saint, but he was not heartless either.

Fu Yingjie, Hu Man, and the others were already at odds with Xia Yue. If he were to slip away alone, their situation in the class wouldn't be very good.

One should be decent, and even more so, loyal to friends.