Chapter 25: Dealing with Bai Nana

*Snap.*

Ji Ling strode forward, seized Bai Nana by the hair, and delivered a crisp, resounding slap across her face.

She had been nursing a foul mood, and Bai Nana had just happened to cross her path at the worst possible moment.

Bai Nana was stunned. She had been enjoying herself, stomping away with satisfaction. She had long detested Ji Ling, harboring deep resentment from back when Ji Ling had shamelessly tried to become betrothed to her Li Mao—a classic case of a toad lusting after swan meat. Even after the engagement was called off, Ji Ling had allegedly tried to extort Li Mao, causing him to distance himself from her entirely.

"Ji Ling, what do you think you’re doing? How dare you hit me?" The searing heat on her cheek ignited a fierce rage in Bai Nana. She lunged forward, intent on tearing Ji Ling apart.

Ji Ling met her with a savage kick, sending Bai Nana crashing to her knees. Ji Ling pressed a knee firmly into Bai Nana’s back and, with a look of utter disdain, tilted her chin up with one hand. "Bai Nana," she said, enunciating every word, "I hit you. So what? Do I need to check the calendar to see if it’s a good day to hit you?"

Ji Ling shoved her away violently and wiped her hand on a handkerchief with a look of disgust. "Besides, you started it."

"You!" Bai Nana tried to retort, but before she could, Ji Ling spun around and slapped her again, several times over.

"Teacher Ji! Teacher Ji!" Principal Wang Gang hurried over from a distance, rushing to intervene. "Teacher Ji, this is—this is Teacher Bai, our school’s newest hire."

He cleared his throat, looking awkward. "The thing is, we heard you’ve been working as a scorekeeper in the village over the break. After some discussion, the school board decided that since you’ve already secured a good position, our teaching post should be offered to someone who needs it more. You understand, don't you?"

Ji Ling lifted her eyes to the principal, then cast a glance at Bai Nana, who was glaring at her with a mix of hostility and smug delight. Ji Ling let out a cold laugh. "A teacher?"

"Fine. If Teacher Bai can answer a few questions, and answers them correctly, I’ll leave of my own accord."

Bai Nana curled her lip, muttering to herself. She thought Ji Ling was just putting on airs—what could a country girl like her possibly know? She clutched her swollen cheek and sneered, "Fine! If I answer them, you’re coming with me to the police station. I’m going to report you for assault. You arrogant little country bumpkin!"

Ji Ling had no patience for further circular arguments. She nodded. "Deal. If you get them right, I’ll go to the station with you. I’ll pay your medical bills, and you will pay for my textbooks, my miscellaneous expenses, and my mental anguish."

"What are you talking about? You’re the one who hit me..." Bai Nana began, but Ji Ling cut her off. "Listen closely. Explain the meaning and the origin of the idiom 'to carry weapons in broad daylight.'"

"I—I—what kind of phrase is that? You’re probably just making it up!" Bai Nana panicked. When she was in school, she had only cared about dressing up, shopping with her friends, and going to the movies with boys. She had never truly studied.

Ji Ling gave the principal a look of amused mockery, which made him visibly uncomfortable.

Ji Ling continued, "A mussel was basking in the sun when a sandpiper pecked at its flesh. The mussel clamped its shell onto the bird's beak. The sandpiper said, 'If it doesn't rain today and it doesn't rain tomorrow, there will be a dead mussel.' Please add the appropriate punctuation to this passage."

Bai Nana’s face turned from pale to green, then back to white. Her lips trembled, but not a single word came out.

At this, Ji Ling burst into genuine laughter. She turned to Principal Wang, whose face was now flushed deep red. "Principal Wang, I shouldn't have to say what follows, or some might think I’m just being petty. But for the sake of the students, I must speak up, even if it offends you. As teachers, we are shaping the next generation of this country; they are our hope. We must not mislead our youth."

Principal Wang felt utterly wretched. He shot a hateful glare at Bai Nana. Did he not know that? Did he want his reputation tarnished in his twilight years? He had been forced into this decision by those pressuring him from above!