Monday at Mingde School began like any other day, bustling with energy and the usual rhythm of academic life. I had only one class to teach today, while Xuě Róui and Měi Lín would handle the rest, wrapping up the day's activities. However, the calm was short-lived.
After my first class, I returned to the staff room to find an unusual tension hanging in the air. Ci Xing was on the phone, her expression grave. She spoke in hushed tones, her voice barely above a whisper. When she finally hung up, she sank into her chair, her face clouded with concern. Wǎn Tíng, Měi Lín, and Jun Cai cautiously approached her, and I, too, found myself drawn to the scene, curiosity piqued.
"What happened to Xuě Róu?" Jun Cai asked, his voice tinged with worry. Over time, I had picked up enough Chinese to follow conversations, though fluency still eluded me.
Ci Xing sighed. "She fell into a ditch and injured her knee. Thankfully, she didn't break her legs, but the doctors say she'll need to stay in the hospital for about a month."
Jun Cai exhaled in relief. "That's good news, at least. We'll just have to cover her classes until she recovers. Will the school be accommodating?"
"I'll need to speak with the chairperson and get back to you," Ci Xing replied, grabbing her jacket with an intention to go out of the door.
Měi Lín also gathered her teaching materials. "Alright, I'll head to my classes. We'll figure out the afternoon schedule later." With a nod from Ci Xing, she left the room followed by Ci Xing.
Wǎn Tíng turned to me with a warm smile. "Kasi, you look lovely today."
"Thank you, Tíng," I replied, smoothing down my white dress adorned with yellow flowers. My hair was in its natural afro state, and I had paired the outfit with simple platform shoes and black stockings. The curious glances from my students earlier had been endearing-their innocent faces always brought a smile to my heart.
"Mr. Jun, don't worry too much about Xuě Róu. Let's hope for the best," I offered, trying to lighten the mood.
"Hm," he murmured, his thoughts clearly elsewhere.
After breakfast, Ci Xing returned with good news. The chairperson had agreed to let us cover Xuě Róu's classes until she recovered. While the added workload wouldn't be easy, I didn't mind stepping in.
"Kasi, you don't have to take on too much. I can help with her classes too," Ci Xing offered as we gathered around the staff room table.
"It's no trouble," I assured her. "You already have your hands full with high school classes and helping me with Chinese. I can't let you overwork yourself."
"Alright, but if you feel overwhelmed, let me know," she said, relenting.
"I will," I promised.
Jun left for his class, and I made my way to Xuě Róu's desk to review her teaching materials. I'd be covering her afternoon class, and I wanted to be prepared.
After lunch, I headed to the elementary classroom. Fei Fei, one of my most enthusiastic students, ran up to me as soon as I entered. I scooped her up, and she immediately reached for my hair, her tiny fingers exploring its texture. Her wide, curious eyes and chubby cheeks never failed to melt my heart. Teaching children was my sanctuary-their simplicity and honesty were a balm to my soul.
"Alright, Fei Fei, sit down now. Today, I'll be teaching in place of your teacher, Xuě Róu," I said, gently placing her in her seat.
The lesson began, but it wasn't long before some of the children started yawning and nodding off. The rigorous schedule was clearly taking its toll. To combat their drowsiness, I led them in an orderly line to the school playground, where we settled under a shaded shed.
"The air here is much fresher, isn't it?" I said, speaking slowly in Chinese. "But remember, no shouting. If you do, the principal will make us go back to class. Do you want that?"
"Noooo!" they chorused, their exaggerated dismay making me chuckle.
We continued the lesson, identifying different animals. Fei Fei, as usual, climbed onto my lap, her small frame nestling comfortably against me. Her trust and affection were heartwarming.
As the class neared its end, I closed the study guide and began quizzing the students. "Shen, which animal did you like the most?" I asked a shy boy with glasses.
"The lion," he replied softly.
"Oh? Why is that?" I inquired.
"Because it has hair like jie jie," he said, his innocent gaze fixed on me.
I was momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter. The "jie jie" he was referring to was me. Children truly were the most honest and unfiltered beings.
"Well done, Shen! Let's give him a round of applause," I said, prompting the other children to clap as I masked my laugh. Shen blushed, clearly pleased but embarrassed by the attention.
"Sing for us!" Fei Fei tugged at my dress, her eyes wide with anticipation. I often ended classes with a song, and she had come to expect it.
"Alright," I agreed, and the children gathered closer, their excitement palpable.
I began singing Whitney Houston's 'I Will Always Love You', a song that had inexplicably popped into my mind. It wasn't my usual choice for a children's class, but the open air and the moment seemed to call for something different. As I sang, my thoughts drifted, and memories of Jason-buried deep in my heart-resurfaced. Emotions welled up, infusing my voice with a raw intensity.
As the final notes of the song faded, I noticed Fei Fei sniffling, her eyes brimming with tears. Startled, I gently wiped her cheeks. "What's wrong, Fei Fei?" I asked softly.
Before she could answer, the sound of clapping interrupted us. I turned to see the chairperson, Yi Ren, standing beside a strikingly handsome man. The man was tall, with jet-black hair styled to the side. His features were a blend of Asian and something else-perhaps mixed heritage. Dressed in a black turtleneck, a sleek jacket, and tailored jeans, he exuded an air of sophistication and mystery. His presence was commanding, and his applause was deliberate, his eyes locked on me.
My heart skipped a beat. Bringing the children outside the classroom was against school rules, and I feared I'd overstepped.
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