Chapter17
1322 Words
With over a thousand students in the entire grade, he's ranked first for two consecutive years.
The difficulty of this achievement is unimaginable to Leonard.
He only knows that his youngest son, Zhuang Yuhang, is still in elementary school, with over forty students in his class.
Just by looking at Zhuang Yuhang's exam ranking, he can basically tell how many students are in his class.
"Mr. Zhuang, you've never attended a parent-teacher conference at school, but many parents in our class actually want to get to know you," Mr. Tommy said in a deep voice.
"Get to know me?" Leonard was taken aback. "Why?"
“They want to ask you for advice on how to raise such an outstanding child,” Mr. Tommy said with a wry smile.
It was rather ironic.
Leonard’s face turned pale, alternating between ashen and ashen.
For a moment, he didn’t know how to refute him.
From childhood to adulthood, he had never interfered in Zhuang Zi’ang’s education.
He only knew that Zhuang Zi’ang’s grades had always been excellent, always easily getting into the best schools in the city, without him having to worry at all.
“Mr. Zhuang, if this isn’t enough, I can show you some photos.”
Mr. Tommy took out his phone, flipped to a special photo album, and showed it to Leonard.
It contained photos of Archer's awards from various competitions over the past two years.
He had won many honors not only for himself but also for his class and school.
But at each award ceremony, no family member was there to cheer for him.
"Other children, even if they only win a third prize, will receive hugs and encouragement from their parents."
"Every time Archer wins a first prize, he can only stand alone on the podium, looking at others with envy."
"Almost every time, it's me, his homeroom teacher, who accompanies him."
Hearing Mr. Tommy's poignant words, Leonard was speechless.
He had to admit that he hadn't shown enough care for Archer and wasn't a good father.
Archer tried hard to suppress his emotions, but his eyes still reddened.
Isn't family affection something we're born with?
Why is it that what others obtain so easily, he has struggled so hard for, yet still has nothing?
No matter how outstanding Archer was, like all children, he longed for his parents' love.
He wanted to be praised, hugged, and surrounded by endless love.
But Leonard and Xu Hui disappointed him time and time again.
Until one day, he finally forced himself to accept reality: he had never been their pride.
A long silence followed in the office.
Leonard finally spoke awkwardly, "Teacher, although Archer's grades are good, that's no excuse for him to talk back to his parents."
"Archer is usually very obedient. There's a reason he did this today, don't you know?" Mr. Tommy blurted out angrily.
"Teacher Zhang!" Archer interrupted.
He looked at Mr. Tommy with pleading eyes and shook his head.
His eyes gradually reddened, and his lower lip was bitten until it bled.
“Archer…” Mr. Tommy’s nose stung, and he choked up.
Archer didn’t want his secret to be revealed.
Once Leonard learned the truth, he would immediately be filled with remorse and self-blame, and would desperately try to be good to him, giving him meticulous care, attempting to make up for the more than ten years of missing fatherly love.
But that was just guilt, not true love.
He was unwilling to use his life and dignity as bargaining chips to exchange for this false love.
Mr. Tommy could only respect Archer’s choice, his fists clenching so tightly they cracked.
Tina took out her phone to check the time, then leaned close to Leonard's ear and whispered, "Yuhang will be out of school soon; we need to go pick him up."
Leonard stared intently at Archer: "I'll ask you one more time, are you going home or not?"
"No, I'm fine staying with my mom." Archer's mind was made up.
"Fine, if you don't come back today, don't ever come back for the rest of your life." Leonard said angrily, slammed his chair down, and stormed off.
Tina hurriedly followed, afraid that if she was late, Zhuang Yuhang would be anxiously waiting.
Against the light, watching Leonard's retreating figure, Archer suddenly spoke, "Dad, with a son like me, have you truly never felt a moment of comfort?"
Leonard stopped, neither turning around nor answering.
He stubbornly believed there was no reason for a father to apologize to his son.
"Fine, go!" The last glimmer of hope extinguished in Archer's eyes.
"If you didn't love me, why did you bring me into this world?"
Leonard paused for a few seconds, then resolutely continued walking.
After all, Archer was eighteen years old and capable of taking good care of himself.
He'd come back once he figured things out.
In the office, only Mr. Tommy and Archer remained.
All the hostility dissipated.
"Archer, don't be sad. There are still many people in this world who care about you, like me, like Li Huangxuan and Lin Mushi. Think of us more," Mr. Tommy gently comforted him.
"Teacher Zhang, thank you," Archer said, clenching his teeth, his jaw trembling slightly.
He was trying hard to hold back his tears.
In front of Leonard, no matter how strong he pretended to be, he was still a vulnerable child at heart.
Mr. Tommy asked, "Such a big thing, you really don't plan to tell your father?"
Archer's voice trembled with tears, "I just want to keep myself looking presentable."
Mr. Tommy nodded, indicating his understanding.
But as a teacher, he had his responsibilities.
Archer seemed relatively normal for now and could follow the doctor's instructions for treatment. If his condition worsened, his parents would have to be notified.
"Teacher Zhang, can I take the afternoon off? I'm in such a bad mood that I can't concentrate on the lesson."
"Okay, I'll approve your leave slip. Try to relax." Leaving the office, Archer walked aimlessly, looking lost.
Passing a classroom, he heard a class having a music lesson, singing old songs with a nostalgic feel.
Little child, did you cry today?
Have all your friends left, leaving behind an inescapable loneliness?
Beautiful child, did you cry today?
Did you get your beautiful clothes dirty, but have no one to confide in?
With a ding, Archer's phone received a message.
Little Butterfly: Archer, are you unhappy again?
Archer quickly typed back: How did you know? I took the afternoon off.
Little Butterfly: Pick me up outside the ginkgo tree, I'll climb over the wall to come play with you.
Archer quickly looked towards the northwest corner of the basketball court; it was empty.
The tall ginkgo tree swayed its branches gently in the wind.
Holding the leave slip approved by Mr. Tommy, he exited the school gate, then made a wide turn to reach the outside of the wall.
From afar, he saw Jocelyn sitting on the wall.
Her small feet, clad in white canvas shoes, swung back and forth in mid-air.
"The wall's so high, how did you climb up?" Archer asked curiously.
"I stole a ladder from the equipment room," Jocelyn explained with a smile.
Archer was even more puzzled.
Wouldn't a school beauty carrying a ladder across the playground get her caught by security?
"What are you daydreaming about? Hurry up and catch me!" Jocelyn urged.
"Oh!" Archer quickly stretched out his arms, gesturing for her to jump down.
Jocelyn leaped, landing precisely in Archer's arms.
She was very light, and holding her was effortless.
Gazing closely at her exquisitely beautiful face, Archer's breathing became heavy, and his heart raced.
"Are you going to hold me like this forever?" Jocelyn's pretty face flushed.
Archer then came to his senses and hurriedly put her down.
A spring breeze swept by, ruffling the girl's hair.
And ruffling the boy's heart as well.
- Writer
