Chapter 247: Chapter 247: Apology

Gu Qinghuan’s temples throbbed with anger. She didn’t even have time to put down the stool in her hand before striding quickly toward Wan Rong.

Her expression was terrible, as if she was about to get into a fight with Wan Rong.

Everyone was startled by her reaction.

Lin Xiaomeng hurriedly grabbed her, whispering in her ear, “Qinghuan, just bear with it. Don’t make trouble.”

Anyone who dares to embarrass them in public like this is clearly not an ordinary person—after all, you need confidence to talk like that.

If they offended all the teachers right after arriving, it would do them more harm than good.

Lin Xiaomeng was someone who knew how to read the room. In her opinion, it was just a matter of saying a few words—endure for a moment and things would calm down.

But Gu Qinghuan wasn’t the type to back down unless absolutely necessary.

This woman was clearly just looking for trouble, and if she didn’t deal with her decisively, Wan Rong would think she was easy to bully and come after her again next time.

“And who are you, exactly? What gives you the right to speak here?” Gu Qinghuan stared sharply at Wan Rong, her gaze so piercing that Wan Rong felt a chill run down her spine.

She had thought these two newcomers would be easy to push around, but Gu Qinghuan was clearly not someone to mess with.

Still, Wan Rong wasn’t afraid.

“Of course I’m a teacher at this school!” Wan Rong said proudly.

“I always thought our school’s teachers were all people of integrity and character. Turns out, some are just petty and vulgar—what a disappointment.”

Gu Qinghuan didn’t directly point out what was wrong with Wan Rong’s earlier words, but it was as if she’d slapped everyone there with invisible hands.

By seniority, Wan Rong was one of them. She’d just bullied the newcomers, and the others had stood by watching the show instead of stopping her—making it seem like they were all in on it.

People in this era cared a lot about honor and spiritual fulfillment, so Gu Qinghuan’s subtle sarcasm made them all hang their heads in shame.

“I didn’t say anything wrong! Didn’t you bring all this stuff from the countryside?” Wan Rong tried to defend herself.

“Countryside this, countryside that—who do you think you are? Don’t you have any country folk in your family history?

Our comrades worked hard to produce these things, and in your mouth, they become nothing but rural junk.

If you look down on country people so much and make such inappropriate remarks, I have reason to suspect you’re an enemy agent hiding among the people! A counterrevolutionary! A bad element!

I’m going to report you to the Public Security Bureau and have them investigate you and your family!” Gu Qinghuan declared passionately.

Her outburst drew everyone’s attention. People gathered to watch, and even teachers from several neighboring dorms came over.

Gu Qinghuan’s stance made Wan Rong take a few steps back, her face ashen.

She was used to throwing her weight around and everyone giving way to her, which made her think she could say whatever she liked. She’d forgotten that some things just couldn’t be said so carelessly—hadn’t there been enough cautionary tales over the years?

Now she was stuck, not knowing what to say.

“I…”

The middle-aged woman who had earlier mocked Teacher Fang sighed helplessly.

She stepped forward to mediate: “Let’s all calm down. We’ll be colleagues from now on—no need to hurt our relationship.

Let me introduce myself: I’m Chen Fang, but everyone calls me Sister Fangfang. You two are part of our big family now.

This is Teacher Wan Rong. She’s a bit young and sometimes speaks without thinking. Don’t take it to heart. I’ll have her apologize, and let’s put this matter behind us, all right?”

Wan Rong bit her lip in humiliation at the mention of apologizing, but she had no other choice. She clenched her fists and nodded.

If this crazy woman really went to report her and got the Public Security Bureau to investigate her family, her father would probably kill her.

She’d really met her match this time.

Gu Qinghuan stayed silent, thinking. She knew there was nothing more she could do to Wan Rong—at most, she could mock her a bit and teach her a lesson so she wouldn’t dare cause trouble again.

But she didn’t want to forgive her too quickly either, in case Wan Rong got cocky, so she kept a stern face and said nothing.

She needed someone to give her a way out.

Lin Xiaomeng quickly provided it.

She stepped forward and gently nudged Gu Qinghuan, then took two steps forward herself.

Smiling, she said, “Sister Fangfang, I’m Lin Xiaomeng, and this is Gu Qinghuan. We agree with what you just said!

What a scene this has become. Actually, Qinghuan has a very good temper, but Comrade Wan’s words just now were really out of line.”

“Yes, yes. Wan Rong, aren’t you going to clean up your own mess? Or do you want me to apologize for you?” Chen Fang’s patience was wearing thin.

She was old enough to be these kids’ mother, with a harmonious family and a stable job. She wasn’t looking for promotions or raises and wasn’t afraid of Wan Rong.

She stepped in only out of a sense of responsibility as the elder—and besides, Principal Chen was her own brother. If she didn’t resolve this quickly and things escalated, it would only cause trouble for him.

Wan Rong finally shuffled over.

“I’m… I’m sorry,” she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I didn’t hear you!” Gu Qinghuan said loudly.

“Wan Rong, say it louder! Did you skip lunch or something?” Chen Fang nudged her.

Wan Rong glared fiercely at Gu Qinghuan.

“I’m sorry! Happy now?” she shouted, her voice loud but full of resentment—more like she was picking a fight than apologizing.

“And you should apologize to the two carpenters as well!” Gu Qinghuan pointed at Master Xu and his son.

Master Xu hadn’t expected Gu Qinghuan to stand up for them, and his heart warmed. People really are different from one another.

Wan Rong’s patience had reached its limit.

With everyone watching, she’d lost all face.

“Sorry, sorry, sorry! Is that enough?” she shouted, then turned and ran off, sobbing as if she were the one being bullied.

Gu Qinghuan said nothing more and went back to moving things.

Chen Fang waved everyone off. Today’s drama had been more than enough.

Lin Xiaomeng sidled up and whispered, “Qinghuan, it might look like we won this round, but now we’re at odds with them. Let’s hope they don’t make things difficult for us later!

And who knows what background that Wan Rong has. Now that we’ve offended her, who knows what will happen next.”

That was why Lin Xiaomeng hadn’t wanted to confront them directly—any conflict would only end in mutual harm.

Still, what Gu Qinghuan did was satisfying. It felt good to finally vent some anger. For some reason, Lin Xiaomeng, who was used to swallowing her pride, suddenly felt a sense of relief.

“Sorry, I’ve got a bad temper and can’t stand injustice. I dragged you into this mess with me.”"

"Chapter 248: Hanging Herself