Chapter 74: Changes
“This isn’t feasible. It can’t replace the current plan at all.”
Nie Hong took out a new document from her bag, which contained several printed pages of dense text. She placed it on the table, her expression hesitant.
Gu Zhi’s proposal was very detailed, each small proposal rich in content and well-organized, covering the specific direction of the association for a long time to come. The level of detail was completely beyond what a student could achieve. It was a very mature plan, much better than her own. But…
“Why not? Is there a reason?” Gu Zhi asked calmly, her tone unhurried.
Nie Hong argued, “The funding exceeds the budget too much. It’s impossible to get so much funding from the school. Such a plan is not mature.”
“That, well, what if there’s enough funding?”
“The funding issue is the only flaw in your plan, teacher. But this is a problem that needs to be seriously considered every year.”
Nie Hong answered truthfully. Gu Zhi was definitely not the type to be an incompetent figurehead. Her proposal was excellent. Even if Nie Hong had the same amount of funding, it would be difficult for her to write such a comprehensive plan.
“Then let’s use this plan. The funding will be allocated on schedule.”
Gu Zhi didn’t care about Nie Hong’s surprised expression. By the time Nie Hong had thrown the document on the table, she had no reason to refuse. She smiled and said, “Just consider it a small contribution from me as a newcomer.”
“Then on behalf of everyone, thank you, Teacher Gu.”
Nie Hong looked at Gu Zhi’s resolute attitude, as if she had expected her plan to be adopted from the beginning. Since Gu Zhi had readily agreed, with the funding and the plan, the association could develop better. She couldn’t say anything more.
Funding had always been a concern for the Youth Association. Teacher Song had reported a lack of funds almost every year, but the amount allocated was never satisfactory. But Gu Zhi’s proposal would require several times more funding, which seemed absolutely impossible to Nie Hong.
And then there was the matter of Teacher Song. Nie Hong’s expression remained unchanged, but she still felt that this was a bit too sudden. Why would he suddenly resign and disappear without a word?
Gu Zhi interrupted Nie Hong’s thoughts. She smiled and considerately asked about the association’s recruitment activities over the past few days.
“You guys should be quite busy these past few days. Do you need me to stay and help?”
“We won’t trouble you with that, teacher. But someone from the student union will come to verify the funding for this year with you soon. I hope everything will go as you said, and we can get the funding.”
“Alright then, I won’t disturb you anymore.”
Gu Zhi picked up her bag and stood up gracefully. Before leaving, she smiled at An Zhi, who was organizing documents. “An Zhi, what a beautiful name. I won’t forget it next time.”
“Okay, goodbye, Teacher Gu.”
An Zhi replied sweetly and waved at Gu Zhi as she left. Nie Hong stared at the proposal on the table for a long time without speaking.
“Da Zhuang, I’m going out this afternoon. It’s the last day of the holiday. I’m afraid I won’t have time once school starts.”
“Going out? Where are you going?” Da Zhuang asked, stunned, looking at the large pile of documents on the table that still needed to be processed.
“I’m going to see Teacher Song. He’s been so dedicated to the association for so long. Even if he really did resign, without him… the Youth Association wouldn’t be as good as it is now. I can’t just ignore it.”
Nie Hong left in a hurry, the matter of Teacher Song weighing heavily on her heart like a stone.
…
Song Mingde, nicknamed Old Song. Almost everyone could call him that. Familiar students would sometimes call him Old Song jokingly. Unlike the rigid and rigorous logic of the advanced mathematics he taught, he was a very easygoing person, always cheerful.
Not only was he the advisor of the association, but Nie Hong’s advanced mathematics in her sophomore year was also taught by Old Song. He was kind and had a good relationship with his students. Whether in class or in private, Nie Hong knew that he was a teacher with excellent professional ethics.
But the news she had received was completely opposite. She couldn’t figure out whether it was reality or herself that was absurd.
Old Song had been unilaterally dismissed by the school for committing an unforgivable mistake, a great insult to the teaching profession. He was reported for molesting a beautiful girl of about eighteen or nineteen, a student from the media department of Qingchuan University. The girl was in a daze when she reported the case, clearly traumatized.
This was news that no one who knew Old Song would believe at first glance. But the other party had provided video and photos, which were like irrefutable evidence, leaving no room for doubt.
The video and photos could have been faked to create a misunderstanding, but it was illogical for someone to orchestrate such a plan to retaliate against an older man who was nearing retirement. There was no trace of a conspiracy. But due to the impact of public opinion on the school, Old Song was quickly dismissed.
Last Mid-Autumn Festival, Old Song had invited many members of the Youth Association to his home for a celebration. Nie Hong had also gone, and she still remembered where his home was. She wandered around the old neighborhood for a while before finally finding his house.
“Knock, knock, knock!”
Nie Hong knocked on the door. After a while, the door opened. A middle-aged woman opened the door. It was Teacher Song’s wife. Nie Hong had met her before.
The woman also remembered Nie Hong. Nie Hong had helped her in the kitchen during the Mid-Autumn Festival. She looked at Nie Hong in surprise, her voice a little hoarse, as if she had just been crying.
“You… you’re here to see Old Song?”
“Yes, I’m looking for Teacher Song. Is it a good time?”
The woman sighed heavily and opened the door to let her in. “Sigh, you’d better come in first.”
The lights in the room were dim. Nie Hong looked into the living room but didn’t see Old Song.
“He’s in the study.” The woman explained, her face full of sorrow. “After what happened, even with his good temper, he can’t take it. I’ve slept on the same pillow with him for decades. I believe him.”
“I also believe Teacher Song is not that kind of person. Can I see him?”
“I’ll go ask him for you.”
The woman knocked on the study door and said softly, “Nie Hong is here to see you.”
After a while, the study door opened a crack, and a tired voice came out. “Come in.”
…
A video and a few photos seemed to be enough to negate a person’s decades of life.
The once-cheerful middle-aged man seemed to have aged decades. The black hair on his temples had turned gray, and wrinkles were etched on his forehead, almost leaving no space.
“Teacher Song…”
“Don’t call me teacher anymore. I’m not.” Old Song interrupted Nie Hong abruptly, his head almost hanging to the ground, along with all his dignity. “Don’t call me that.”
“I believe you, Teacher Song. Did they do anything to you later?”
“No, they didn’t even ask for much compensation. The matter was settled privately.”
Old Song shook his head, but his words made Nie Hong frown. “No compensation, and they still made such a big fuss? Isn’t it obvious…”
“I know, but what can I do? I can’t fight them. I still don’t understand who I offended, but it doesn’t matter anymore.” Old Song stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, which was already piled high with cigarette butts. “I’m about to retire anyway. Your aunt and I are planning to move away, not stay in Qingchuan. If we go far away, maybe they’ll let me go.”
“But teacher, why should a good person be wrongly accused? It’s not fair!”
Old Song seemed to have made up his mind. He had lived for more than half his life and naturally wasn’t as naive as a young girl. “Fair… Nie Hong, you’re a stubborn girl.”
“But the Youth Association will definitely be better in your hands. Don’t worry about me anymore. Just focus on the Youth Association. It’s a pity I can’t be your advisor anymore. I don’t know if my matter will affect you.”
“A new teacher has already come. She just arrived at the association today.”
“Is that so? So fast… but that’s good. It won’t delay your progress. Which teacher is it?” Old Song sighed in relief and then asked.
“I don’t know her. She seems to be a new teacher, with the surname Gu.”
“Surname Gu?”
Old Song suddenly looked up, his cloudy pupils constricting, his voice becoming a little rushed.
“What’s wrong? A very responsible female teacher. Her name is Gu Zhi.”
“N-nothing. I misheard. I’m probably just too tired.”
Old Song quickly shook his head, his smile a bit pale. The image of the well-dressed young man at the police station suddenly appeared in his mind.
The man had casually taken out evidence from his pocket at the police station. His logical and irrefutable argument had completely crushed Old Song’s spirit. Whether he went through legal channels or settled privately, he wouldn’t have a good ending.
The case wasn’t even closed when the man had left in a hurry, as if he had just dealt with a trivial matter.
He vaguely remembered that the man’s surname was also Gu.
