Chapter 3

The parent meeting was set for 4:30 PM. The auditorium was packed.

An unusual atmosphere churned through the air.

Anger, doubt, spectators eager for drama, and a barely detectable smugness.

Marcus Bennett sat front and center, surrounded by several parents, gesticulating as he spoke.

When he saw me enter, he immediately stopped talking, replacing his expression with one of righteous indignation, like a judge about to sentence a criminal.

Melissa's mother sat beside him, eyes red-rimmed, clutching a tissue, looking both haggard and aggrieved.

I ignored the gazes that seemed ready to devour me and walked straight to the podium.

"Miss Harper, you're finally here."

Marcus spoke first, voice not loud but enough for the entire room to hear.

His tone carried a condescending sort of "concern."

"We're here today not to accuse you. We just want to communicate with you. The children are under too much pressure. I'm sure you saw that online post. The children's voices are the most genuine. As parents, we can't ignore this!"

He looked around as if seeking support.

"That's right, Miss Harper, this can't continue!"

"My child has been suffering from insomnia lately, always complaining of headaches!"

"The SAT is important, but our children's lives are more important!"

Echoes rose one after another.

Just then, Melissa's mother burst into tears with a wail, her voice shrill and full of accusation.

"Miss Harper! I'm begging you! Please let my daughter go! She's only seventeen! Two nights ago she had nightmares, crying about 'worksheets, endless worksheets'! Her hair is falling out in clumps! If this continues, you'll drive her insane!"

As she cried, she stared at me with those bloodshot eyes.

"We don't ask for her to get into some top university! We just want her healthy! Happy! Living like a normal kid! Is that too much to ask?!"

Her tearful accusation was like gasoline poured on an already smoldering fire.

The entire auditorium's emotions ignited completely.

"This is too much! Practically abuse!"

"We need answers!"

Just as the situation was about to spiral out of control, the back door of the classroom opened.

Principal Anderson entered with two stern-looking men.

"I'm from the Department of Education investigation team, surname Li." The lead man got straight to the point. "We've received numerous formal complaints alleging that Miss Harper has engaged in unauthorized supplementary classes and excessive student workload. We're here today to investigate on-site. The Department of Education's position is clear: students' mental and physical health always comes first!"

Investigator Li's words were like a final judgment, giving all the "denouncing" parents a shot of confidence.

The smugness on Marcus Bennett's face was barely concealed.

I stood on the podium, looking at those faces with their various expressions.

My gaze passed through the crowd, landing on a corner.

That was Lily's father.

A quiet, taciturn middle-aged man.

Last semester, Lily had acute appendicitis requiring immediate surgery. He was on a business trip at the time, beside himself with worry.

It was me who, without hesitation, advanced all the medical expenses, signed the forms, and stayed at the hospital all night until he rushed back.

At the time, he had gripped my hands, eyes red-rimmed, words incoherent, bowing repeatedly.

And now, this man, as Marcus delivered his passionate speech, as Melissa's mother wept bitterly---he simply nodded in agreement.

That nod felt like a red-hot steel needle piercing my heart.

More than the vicious online curses, more than Marcus's public confrontation, more than Melissa's mother's tearful accusations---it made me feel bone-deep cold.

So the devoted help I thought I'd given, the teacher-student bond I thought existed, was so worthless in the face of so-called "public opinion."

I closed my eyes, forcibly suppressing the surge of blood and qi.

When I opened them again, all emotion had drained from my eyes, leaving only deathly calm.