"Director Lu, is there something you need from me?"
As soon as he stepped inside, Byron Yang felt a wave of anxiety in his heart.
Inside the office, Director Ben Lu was watching footage on the DV. Hearing the door open, he nodded slightly: "Mm, Mr. Yang, you're here."
"Come here. Normally, this isn't something I'd let you see ahead of time. It should be revealed directly at the Teacher–Student Assembly, and then I'd talk to you afterward. But since there are some extenuating circumstances this time, I'm calling you in early."
Director Ben Lu handed the DV recorder to Byron Yang.
Byron Yang glanced at Wendy Wen, who was standing to the side. Byron knew this kid—she usually handled the school radio station, and had exposed plenty of student rule-breaking and uncivil behavior before.
Now, seeing Wendy Wen beside Director Ben Lu, and with Director Lu speaking in that tone, Byron's heart tightened immediately, sensing trouble.
"Take a look for yourself first."
Director Ben Lu pointed at the DV camcorder on the desk. Byron stepped forward and turned it on. The footage showed Evan Lin grabbing Ryan Luo by the collar and tossing him aside.
"This..."
Seeing this scene on the DV, Byron Yang's heart sank and his face turned ugly.
"Old Yang, you know the Teacher–Student Assembly is this afternoon, and it's starting soon. This footage will be played and criticized in front of everyone."
"You really dropped the ball here. How could you lose control of your own class at such a critical moment?"
Director Ben Lu looked at Byron Yang, who stood there dazed, and continued earnestly: "For a while now, Class 12's overall grades have been disappointing. As homeroom teacher, let's not talk ideals—your performance bonus is directly tied to student results. If their scores don't go up, your salary won't either, right?"
"And this time, the school's Teacher–Student Assembly is focused on cracking down on uncivilized behavior. But look at this DV footage—this is way beyond just 'uncivilized.' It's blatant disregard for school discipline!"
Director Ben Lu's tone grew harsher. Byron Yang, staring at the DV, went pale. He looked up and said, "Director Lu, this new student has only been here one day..."
Byron Yang felt wronged. This kid Evan Lin had just arrived and already stirred up a mess—he hadn't even had time to deal with this transfer student yet.
But now that something happened, all the trouble caused by this transfer student was getting dumped on his head.
"I know, Mr. Yang, don't worry. I understand this Evan Lin kid just started today, and you couldn't possibly manage him yet. That's why I called you in—to give you a heads-up. That way you won't be caught off guard and embarrassed when the footage is played at the assembly."
Director Ben Lu looked at Byron Yang, saw his face getting worse, and nodded: "Go on back. Since he's in your class, he's your student now. You need to teach and guide him. Even if his grades don't improve right away, you still have to talk to him about how to behave."
When Byron Yang left the Academic Affairs Office, his legs felt weak. He stood by the corridor railing, let the cold wind blow over him, and clenched his fists tightly. "Evan Lin!"
"What did I ever do to deserve this? Why did I have to get stuck with a student who only brings me trouble!"
Byron Yang slammed the railing in frustration, thinking how his performance bonus for the month was basically gone. He was bitterly unwilling. He wanted to storm into the classroom right now and drag Evan Lin out for a good scolding, but after thinking it over, he forced himself to hold back.
"I'll deal with you after the Teacher–Student Assembly! Evan Lin, if you don't want to study, then just go home! This time, even if I have to go head-to-head with the principal, I'll get you out of my class. I absolutely won't allow a parasite to stay in my Class 12!"
Still fuming, Byron Yang returned to the math office. There, the math department head, Henry Wang, came out holding a stack of graded papers and smiled at him. "Mr. Yang, why do you look so down?"
"It's nothing, Mr. Wang. Are the scores out?" Byron forced a smile. Henry Wang, beaming, replied, "All the results are in. There are two top scores—one is a perfect 150, the other is 140. Both are excellent!"
"That high? It must be one of your students." Byron Yang was startled and a bit envious.
"Let's hope so! The name slips haven't been opened yet. We're saving it for the Teacher–Student Assembly, to let the principal announce it in front of everyone. That way, there's some suspense and it'll motivate the whole school." Henry Wang glanced at the clock. "Anyway, I need to hurry to the principal's office for a quick report."
Watching Henry Wang walk away, Byron Yang felt another wave of discomfort. The monthly performance bonus was all about student grades—what Henry Wang could earn was several times his own, and if his class produced another perfect score, his salary would jump again.
"No way I can compete with that."
Byron Yang shook his head.
As he was thinking, he suddenly saw a police car drive into the school and park. Several officers got out, making Byron's heart skip a beat with worry.
"Could this be because of Evan Lin? Did things get that serious?"
Byron Yang grew even more uneasy. If Evan Lin really got taken away by the police, forget the bonus—he might lose his job as homeroom teacher!
Restless, Byron Yang went to Class 12 and stood at the back. In the last row, Evan Lin leaned back in his chair, looking calm and thoughtful.
There were three periods in the afternoon. After the second period, the entire third period was reserved for the Teacher–Student Assembly.
"Wendy Wen caught the whole thing on video—he actually hit someone. After the assembly, let's see how tough you act!"
"So what if you can fight? All it takes is one word from the school and you're out!"
Ryan Luo looked at Evan Lin, his eyes flickering, and let out a cold laugh.