The intern taught a top-performing class, and the parents wanted to change the homeroom teacher.

"I believe you!"

Secretary Sun's firm voice rang out in the conference room.

Zhang Chao looked up in surprise, only to meet the disgust in Secretary Sun's eyes.

Previously, whether Secretary Sun's questions were gentle or serious, his expression was always businesslike.

Now his eyes look at him as if he's looking at some rat in a sewer.

Disgust, aversion.

"Teacher Zhang, don't assume everyone is as greedy as you, and don't use your self-serving ideas to slander a good teacher."

"Teacher Lu used the evening self-study time to tutor students in the basic courses they had missed, which not only shows the teacher's dedication but also has been approved by the school."

"It's not just Teacher Lu; many teachers in the school provide free tutoring, teaching an extra class or going over an extra test paper, just so that students can learn a little more, master a little more, and improve their grades a little more."

"Even in other schools, there are countless responsible teachers like this."

"Zhang Chao, what right do you, a teacher who charges for tutoring, have to talk to them like that!"

Secretary Sun's last words were almost a growl, and his eyes were fixed on Zhang Chao as if he wanted to devour him alive.

Zhang Chao trembled, lowered his head, and stopped speaking.

Secretary Sun exhaled a heavy breath from his nostrils, calming the anger in his heart.

A few seconds later, his expression gradually returned to calm, and he continued speaking.

Secretary Sun: "Teacher Zhang, let's continue the conversation. Do you think your practice of providing paid tutoring violates any regulations regarding teachers' ethics and conduct?"

Zhang Chao: "..."

He didn't want to answer.

"...That's against the rules."

Secretary Sun: "What is your understanding of your own actions?"

Zhang Chao: "I realize I was wrong. I shouldn't have offered paid tutoring. I... I'm willing to accept the punishment."

Secretary Sun: "Please compile a list of students who need extra tutoring."

As he spoke, he pushed over a form to sign and a ballpoint pen.

Zhang Chao shakily shoved the paper over, reached for the pen, but his fingers went limp and he dropped it on the table with a crisp sound, which startled him and made him tremble.

On the second attempt, I finally gripped the pen and began to write.

I wrote and stopped, stopped and wrote, and then glanced at the list on my phone again.

...

A few minutes later, Zhang Chao pushed the list back.

Secretary Sun didn't even glance at it, and handed the signature form to Committee Member Wu next to him for inspection.

"That's all? If more is found out later, that would be considered concealment."

Zhang Chao nodded silently.

Secretary Sun: "Is what I said above true? Is there anything to add?"

Zhang Chao kept his head down and didn't say anything.

Secretary Sun asked again, emphasizing his words, "Is everything stated above true? Is there anything to add?"

Zhang Chao swallowed hard, looking at Secretary Sun and the other two with a hint of flattery in his eyes. "Secretary Sun, I've worked at the school for so many years and haven't made any major mistakes. This is truly the first time!"

I know I was wrong. Can you give me another chance, just one?

"I... I can return all the money to my parents, write a self-criticism, issue a public apology, or get a reprimand... anything is fine. Could you please write a few kind words for me? I was forced to do this; it wasn't my intention to accept it..."

Secretary Sun remained expressionless. "Teacher Zhang, our responsibility is only to compile and report; we will not interfere in your case."

The light in Zhang Chao's eyes gradually disappeared, and he lowered his head, his face ashen.

Just as Secretary Sun was about to ask for the third time, Committee Member Wu seemed to remember something and spoke first: "Teacher Zhang..."

Secretary Sun immediately shut up and handed the conversation over to Wu Qingyuan.

Wu Qingyuan was mainly responsible for supervision and supplementary questioning. The fact that he asked questions at this time must mean that he had discovered other problems.

Wu Qingyuan: "Teacher Zhang, I heard that your students need to buy their homework papers from a specific bookstore. Is that true?"

Zhang Chao trembled and looked at Wu Qingyuan in disbelief; he had completely forgotten about it.

"have."

"What's your relationship with the bookstore owner?"

"...Let's cooperate. I'll have my students buy it, and I'll get a cut."

"How much will it be divided?"

"Twenty percent."

Secretary Sun narrowed his eyes. "Good, very good. There's such a thing. If Wu Qingyuan hadn't asked about it, I would have missed it."

Two percent may not seem like much, but if Zhang Chao continues to collect steadily, who knows how much profit he will make over two years.

Secretary Sun raised his voice even higher, "Teacher Zhang, I'll ask you one more time, is there anything else you want to add? Did you accept any money or invitations to meals?"

Zhang Chao lowered his head and said, "...I received a few shopping cards and a few bottles of wine."

Secretary Sun's lips twitched slightly. He really wouldn't tell the truth unless he was asked for specifics. He only believed that being paid meant receiving money, didn't he?

"Okay, write down briefly what items were received and the amount on this list." Secretary Sun pushed another form over.

Zhang Chao: "I don't remember clearly."

Secretary Sun: "That's easy. Just give me a general overview so I can write the report."

Zhang Chao: "Six shopping cards, each with a limit of one thousand yuan, and six bottles of wine that I haven't opened yet."

Secretary Sun: "When you get back today, I need you to compile a detailed list of all fees collected, including the time, amount, student's name, parent's name, and transfer method. Please send it to Director Zhao by 8:30 tomorrow morning. If you have any questions, you can ask Director Zhao. Can you do that?"

Zhang Chao: "...Yes."

Secretary Sun: "Remember, this isn't about you going back to reconcile your story with your parents. It's for your own good. You know the consequences if tomorrow's details don't match the investigation."

Zhang Chao nodded silently.

This list is not a necessity, but merely supplementary material. Secretary Sun did not lie to him; it was for Zhang Chao's own good.

Secretary Sun and Committee Member Wu exchanged a glance, whispered a few words, and then asked Zhang Chao some questions before nodding to each other.

"Teacher Zhang, is there anything else you'd like to add?"

"there is none left."

"Okay, Director Zhao, please print out the transcript."

The transcript was 13 pages long, and after it was all printed, Director Zhao handed it to Zhang Chao.

"Teacher Zhang, you can check it page by page now. If you don't want to look at it, we can read it to you."

"If you feel there's anything wrong, feel free to point it out and we can make changes."

"After confirming that everything is correct, sign your name at the bottom of each page. On the last page, write, 'The above record consists of 13 pages. I have reviewed it and it matches what I said. Sign your name and date it.'"

Zhang Chao tremblingly took the 13-page transcript and carefully read through it, page by page.

Completely identical, not a single word is wrong. After reading a page, sign your name.

Upon reaching the last page, Zhang Chao picked up his pen, but remained suspended in mid-air for a long time without writing anything.

The three of them, including Secretary Sun, were not in a hurry and just watched him quietly.

Zhang Chao still signed, writing slowly and crookedly, and finally pressed his fingerprint on it.

After Director Zhao checked and found no problems, he returned with the written record.

Secretary Sun and the other two also signed their names below.

The record became effective and, along with the commitment letter signed by Zhang Chao, was placed into a brand-new file folder.

"Alright, that concludes our conversation for today," Secretary Sun said. "Teacher Zhang, you may leave now. Remember to submit the details before 8:30 tomorrow. The principal will report to the higher-ups on time."

.

.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

P.S.: The following is not included in the word count.

Parallel worlds, unrelated to reality!

All events in this book are purely fictional. All characters, school names, institution names, and events in the text are artistic creations and have no relation to any real person or organization.

Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and should not be taken as factual.

Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and should not be taken as factual.

Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and should not be taken as factual.

Have a wonderful life! ദ്ദി˶•̀֊•́)✧