The Open Class lasted two days. After teaching on the first day, Li Yuan had it much easier on the second.
He only needed to follow along and watch the other teachers teach.
Whether it was just an impression or not, everyone felt that the Education Department Leaders had become stricter.
Perhaps because of Li Yuan's outstanding performance on the first day.
The questions they asked were considerably harder than expected.
The only good news was that even the worst of the teachers received a B- and did not fall to a C Rating.
The two-day Open Class, featuring twenty teachers' lessons, officially ended at 6:40 p.m.
The students were dismissed, and the teachers participating in the Open Class were also allowed to go home and rest.
Principal Yin and Director Ma wanted to treat the Education Department Leaders to dinner.
Despite saying many flattering things, they still could not persuade them to stay.
Before getting into the car to leave, Zeng Chang, the deputy director leading the group, called Principal Yin aside.
Zeng Chang wore a solemn expression, his words carrying an obvious warning.
"Old Yin, we gave you special consideration this time.
Look at how these teachers performed today. You and I are both veterans in the education industry, and we know perfectly well what an Open Class is like.
It is perfectly normal for teachers to perform two or three times better in an Open Class than they usually do.
If this was all they could manage in an Open Class, then how bad were they normally?"
Principal Yin frowned tightly under the questioning. Naturally, he could see it too.
The results of those ten teachers today had truly been rather pathetic.
"This time, the city sent people down for an inspection, so we could show you consideration and save you some face.
What about next time, if people from the province come? Would they still spare your dignity?"
At those words, Principal Yin's expression tightened.
"Is the province coming to inspect us?"
"They definitely will, though it should still be a few months away.
These next few months are for you to investigate and correct your own problems. Don't drag us down and get us scolded too."
After delivering those warnings, Zeng Chang turned to leave.
After taking only two steps, he turned back to look at Principal Yin and offered another reminder.
"One teacher performing well cannot change the overall assessment result.
Teacher Li Yuan did perform well, but if you think you can prop things up with him alone, it is useless.
Don't play such petty tricks. Find a way to improve the overall quality of your teachers.
Lingshan No.1 High School is, after all, a key municipal high school."
With his warnings delivered, Zeng Chang boarded the government car heading back.
As he watched the government car start up and leave, Principal Yin's expression remained ugly.
He had not been playing any petty tricks at all.
He had arranged for Li Yuan to take part in this Open Class assessment and assigned Flickering Shadow Steps for Li Yuan to teach because he wanted Li Yuan to receive an awful evaluation.
He wanted to give him a C Rating and establish the authority of the school leadership.
At last Friday's meeting, Li Yuan had openly defied the leadership. He had to be punished.
Only once Li Yuan was punished could the school leadership manage the teachers more effectively.
Yet this plan to establish authority had instead boosted Li Yuan's morale.
The dinner gathering they had originally arranged could only be canceled now that the guests had left.
Inside the principal's office, several school leaders gathered to discuss the matter.
"Principal, you saw it as well. Li Yuan puts considerable effort into teaching, and his teaching ability really is quite good.
Dismissing a teacher like him would be a loss for the school..."
Before Director Ma could finish, Principal Yin snorted coldly. "What is the use of teaching well if he does not know his place and refuses to listen to advice?
As long as he is willing to leave, I absolutely will not keep him!"
His tone sounded quite tough, but Director Ma could tell that Principal Yin's attitude had softened considerably.
Previously, he had been extremely firm about wanting to dismiss Li Yuan.
In truth, Li Yuan's performance in this Open Class had indeed been excellent.
Regardless of Principal Yin's attitude, dismissing Li Yuan would not be so easy.
His softened stance seemed more like an attempt to give himself a way out.
Everyone beside him saw through Principal Yin's thoughts and echoed his words, saying they should let Li Yuan off this time.
"Director Ma, can Li Yuan still not be reasoned with?
After you spoke with him, does he still insist on fighting for a spot in the Youth Martial Tournament?"
After hesitating for a moment, Principal Yin asked about the latest developments.
As the principal of Lingnan No.1 High School, he did not handle many matters personally and instead left them to Director Ma.
Director Ma nodded, a helpless look appearing on his face.
"I even brought alcohol to his home and spoke with him alone.
But Li Yuan was very firm this time. He even blamed the school for taking away his opportunities before and dragged up a whole lot of old grievances."
Hearing this, Principal Yin revealed an angry smile.
"Does Li Yuan think that the reason his martial arts strength has not improved in years is because we took his resources?
Interesting. He really does not waste a moment blaming himself.
He has no achievements of his own, yet he puts all the blame on us school leaders."
The Vice Principal and the others beside him also wore helpless expressions.
It was as if these leaders had truly been wronged.
"Li Yuan probably saw other people participate in training expeditions, gain benefits, and improve, so he thinks anyone who goes will get the same results.
Leaving aside whether he would embarrass the school, if those past opportunities had been given to him, would he have improved?"
The school leaders spoke one after another, criticizing Li Yuan for not knowing gratitude.
In the eyes of the school leadership, they had truly treated Li Yuan very well.
But what was the reality?
All these years, Li Yuan had never even gotten an opportunity to join a training expedition.
He had not even been given a chance to try.
There were even two training expedition opportunities that Li Yuan remembered clearly.
Back then, he had only received those spots because articles he wrote had won awards.
When he was younger, Li Yuan had truly believed that foolish talk about taking the long view.
"Since he wants to compete, then give him the chance to compete with Jin Fan this time.
Director Ma, after Li Yuan loses the match next Saturday, go speak with him again.
If he still refuses to repent, do everything possible to dismiss him!"
Upon hearing Principal Yin's instructions, Director Ma nodded along.
This match had not even begun, yet Principal Yin and the others had already decided that Li Yuan would lose.
Of course, anyone who knew Jin Fan's background felt there was no suspense at all.
The disciple of a Grandmaster—the title alone carried an oppressive weight.
At this point, the Vice Principal beside them brought up another matter, also concerning Li Yuan.
"Over the past few days, Li Yuan has become fairly popular among the first-year students.
Many Advanced Class students have been sneaking off to ask him questions.
Li Yuan took this opportunity to say quite a few good things about himself.
Apparently, many students now support him even more in competing in the Youth Martial Tournament."
Hearing the Vice Principal's words, Principal Yin looked thoroughly puzzled.
"Advanced Class students need to ask Li Yuan questions?
Is he really that capable, enough to outshine the veteran teachers in the Advanced Classes?"
Seeing the leaders turn their eyes toward him, Director Ma hurriedly explained.
"The first-years have recently been learning Sinking Mountain Fist. Li Yuan has done some research on Sinking Mountain Fist, and Class Nine and Class Fourteen have learned it very well.
The students have been spreading the word everywhere. You know how these children are, Principal—they have no ability to judge for themselves.
Once other students say Li Yuan teaches well, they get carried away and immediately believe it."
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