Chapter 265: Chapter 265: The Meaning of a Teacher, When Children Feel Wronged

Gu Qinghuan led Wang Qingchuan back to her dormitory. Many teachers watched them along the way, but Gu Qinghuan didn’t pay them any mind.

She took out a clean handkerchief and gestured for him to wipe his face.

“Your eyes are all swollen from crying. Is it really that serious?” Gu Qinghuan said, both touched and amused.

“Teacher Gu, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault for taking everyone to help you without asking. Otherwise, none of this would have happened… It’s all my fault!” As soon as he brought it up, Wang Qingchuan’s tears started falling again, unstoppable.

From a child’s perspective, Gu Qinghuan losing her position as homeroom teacher and being criticized by the principal was a huge punishment.

“Good kid, thank you for truly caring about me. But I’m not stepping down as homeroom teacher because of this incident—there are other reasons. It really has nothing to do with you.”

“But I’m so scared. I almost made you lose your job. Are you really not angry?” Wang Qingchuan looked at her with tear-filled eyes.

“You’re still young. There’s a lot you don’t understand yet. You don’t have to take everything upon yourself.

When I was your age, I was just like you—especially sensitive, always feeling like every problem was the end of the world, that I’d never get past it.

But all those things that once seemed so huge, looking back now, are really nothing at all.

Looking back, the little boat has already passed through thousands of mountains.

Those moments that felt so hard are all in the past now. The obstacles I thought I’d never get over—I got through them all.

If right now you’re going through something that feels overwhelming, suffocating, and stressful, please believe me: months or years from now, when you look back, you’ll realize it wasn’t such a big deal after all.”

“Is that really true?”

“It is. One day, you’ll have a strong heart too. Don’t be afraid when things happen. As long as you haven’t done anything wrong, no one can do anything to you.

And me, your Teacher Gu, I don’t have to be a teacher to live a good life. I believe in myself—I can succeed at anything I put my mind to.

That confidence comes from the knowledge and skills in my head. I hope that one day, you’ll have that same confidence, okay? Go and study!”

Gu Qinghuan had been through that age herself. She’d once had a sensitive and timid heart for many reasons, so she understood Wang Qingchuan’s feelings all too well. She hoped to give this child positive and encouraging guidance.

“Thank you, Teacher Gu!” He stood up and bowed deeply.

Gu Qinghuan’s words echoed in Wang Qingchuan’s ears, loud and clear. Years later, he still remembered every word she said—and they all came true.

Although Gu Qinghuan hadn’t taught him for long, she had a positive and lasting influence on his life.

A good teacher is enough to change a child’s entire life.

When Wan Rong learned that Gu Qinghuan had been removed from her homeroom teacher position but was staying at the school, she was a bit dissatisfied but couldn’t say much more—after all, she had to give Principal Chen some face.

She thought Gu Qinghuan would be devastated, heartbroken, but instead, Gu Qinghuan was doing just fine. Not only did she not fall apart, she even seemed more relaxed.

Without the pressure and responsibility of her students’ academic futures on her shoulders, Gu Qinghuan felt much lighter. For someone with such a strong sense of responsibility, being a homeroom teacher was actually a kind of torment.

Now she had time to cook delicious food for her two children—and to treat herself, too.

After eating at the school cafeteria for so long, she’d nearly lost her sense of taste.

Many teachers were secretly watching her and Wan Rong’s “battle from afar,” but it didn’t end in mutual destruction as they’d imagined.

Gu Qinghuan just went on living her life, making every day count.

There were always beautiful flowers in a glass vase on her desk, the smell of food often wafted from her room, and her two children not only excelled in their studies but were always neat and tidy.

What a lucky woman!

Seeing that Gu Qinghuan was unaffected, Wan Rong refused to give up and started spreading rumors around the school, saying Gu Qinghuan’s man was crazy, that she was divorced and raising someone else’s kids.

People were skeptical—after all, Gu Qinghuan was so outstanding, both in looks and learning. Why would she marry a lunatic?

On the surface, everyone was polite, but beneath it all, there was an undercurrent.

Gu Qinghuan knew many teachers were waiting to see her stumble—you could tell from the gossipy look in their eyes.

But she never bothered with them. She just did her job, letting the winds blow from all directions.

In a world of crows, even swans are guilty.

She didn’t want to waste time arguing with people who didn’t matter—it was pointless.

But Gu Qinghuan wasn’t a perfect saint, either.

She had her own dark side. For example, her patience with Wan Rong’s petty tricks had reached its limit. She was just waiting for the right moment to let Wan Rong fall into the abyss.

When people couldn’t get answers from Gu Qinghuan, some even went to ask Lin Xiaomeng.

Wan Rong was there too, but even Lin Xiaomeng couldn’t stand it and snapped.

“You people—why don’t you focus on your work instead of gossiping all day? Is it fun?

Gu Qinghuan’s man is a retired soldier, a first-class merit winner. Some people here aren’t even fit to carry his shoes, yet you’re all talking nonsense.

How she lives her life is none of your business. Worry about yourselves first!” She said this deliberately for Wan Rong to hear.

Wan Rong knew Gu Qinghuan and Lin Xiaomeng were sisters-in-law, and everyone says sisters-in-law are natural enemies.

She thought that if she handed Lin Xiaomeng a knife, Lin would use it to stab Gu Qinghuan, but instead, Lin Xiaomeng defended her and even threw shade at Wan Rong, making her grit her teeth in anger.

Neither of these sisters-in-law were easy to deal with. Sooner or later, Wan Rong vowed to drive them both away.

Lin Xiaomeng, for all her self-interest and tendency to play it safe, at least had a conscience and knew right from wrong.

The world isn’t always black and white. No one is flawless, and there’s no such thing as a perfect choice.

Lin Xiaomeng’s explanation made everyone realize how hard Gu Qinghuan had it.

For a woman to treat her stepchildren so well, with two healthy, clean, and happy kids—that was proof enough. No need for further explanation.

Chen Fang also stepped up to scold the gossipy family members, under Principal Chen’s orders, of course.

“You people, always wagging your tongues—why not go clear some land and grow more food instead?

It’s just that Teacher Gu can’t be bothered with you. If it were me, I’d slap you right across the face!

Let me make this clear: if I hear anyone gossiping again, I’ll help Gu Qinghuan deal with you myself!”

Chen Fang still had some authority in the family compound.

For a while, the gossip died down, and things got much quieter.

When Gu Qinghuan heard about this, she brought some homemade snacks to thank Chen Fang.

“Sister Fang, thank you for your trouble. Honestly, I don’t take it to heart—they’re not worth my time or feelings.

But I still appreciate you speaking up for me.”

Chen Fang felt a bit embarrassed.

“It was mostly my brother—he was worried you, a young woman, couldn’t handle all the gossip.

Please be understanding. The school staff’s families are mostly from the countryside and not very cultured.”

“You and Principal Chen are very thoughtful. Thank you.”

On her way back from Chen Fang’s house, Gu Qinghuan happened to see a group of kids surrounding Dabao and Beibei in the yard.

A few old women were sitting nearby, knitting and gossiping, but they didn’t intervene.

“You two aren’t Teacher Gu’s real kids—we all know now!”

Recently, Dabao and Beibei had been the envy of the other kids in the compound.

Teacher Gu was so gentle, cooked delicious food, and bought them snacks.

How come such a beautiful, gentle mom wasn’t theirs?

Now that they knew Dabao and Beibei weren’t her biological children, they felt a sense of relief—so Dabao and Beibei weren’t that lucky after all!

The cruelty of human nature isn’t limited to adults—even children can be cruel.

“So what?” Dabao tried to stay calm in front of the older, taller kids.

Beibei clung tightly to her brother’s hand, trembling with fear, remembering being bullied back in the village.

“You’re just a couple of orphans, acting all high and mighty here.

Pretending to be generous, giving us candy and cookies—who wants your stuff anyway?” the oldest kid shouted.

Gu Qinghuan often prepared snacks for the kids and taught them to share, but she hadn’t expected to encounter such ingrates.

Some of the onlooking kids felt uneasy—it wasn’t right to eat someone’s food and then turn around and bully them.

But if they wanted to keep playing with the older kids, they had to join in picking on Dabao and Beibei.

“We have a dad and a mom! My dad is Xu Huaian, and my mom is Gu Qinghuan.

If you don’t want my stuff, give it back!” Dabao shouted, holding back tears.

Gu Qinghuan didn’t rush over to protect them—she wanted to see if Dabao could handle it himself.

She was pleased with his answer; all her efforts to give the kids a sense of security hadn’t been in vain.

“She’s not your real mom. You’re just unwanted strays.

I’m not giving it back—what can you do about it?” Once something’s in your mouth, you’re not giving it up!

Dabao wasn’t the impulsive, brute-force kid he used to be.

He knew he and his sister couldn’t beat these older kids, so he chose to avoid direct conflict.

“My mom says, ‘Compete with those who are worthy, don’t argue with fools.’

I don’t want to waste words with you. Move aside, I’m going home.” Dabao said firmly.

The old women nearby snickered, “Look at that, Teacher Gu’s kid sure likes to show off with big words.”

The older kid was completely enraged by Dabao’s words.

He hated studying, and all the teachers praised Dabao’s talent and academic ability.

Why should this unwanted brat get all the praise?

“Who are you calling a fool?”

“Whoever argues with me is a fool!”

Tension was about to explode. The oldest kid swung a fist at Dabao’s head.

But Dabao wasn’t one to back down—he fought back.

He’d never been afraid of a fight; he just worried about his sister getting hurt."