TNIBFT -Chapter 42 This child is beyond redemption

Tao Lichun spoke sternly.

This was the child’s first day at school—if he gave her ten swats, she’d probably end up hating school!

Tao Lichun intended to give Ye Shuangxue a way to save face.

But Ye Shuangxue lifted her small face fearlessly, showing no sign of gratitude. “Then go ahead and hit me.”

She had endured countless beatings over the years; her tolerance for pain was exceptional. A few swats on the palm were nothing more than a tickle to her.

Tao Lichun gritted his teeth in anger. “Smack!”

“Smack!”

After a few consecutive strikes, Ye Shuangxue’s delicate palms were already swollen. Tao Lichun could no longer bring himself to continue. He looked up at the child before him and saw her clenching her teeth, her stubborn gaze fixed on him.

In his decades of teaching, Tao Lichun had never seen such an unruly child. Furious, he slammed the ruler on the table with a “smack!” and stood up to face everyone. “So, we’re going to fight together, huh?”

“Tonight at home, each of you will copy the Thousand Character Classic twice.”

A group of little brats lowered their heads, none daring to challenge the teacher at that moment.

Ye Yunting pulled Ye Shuangxue close, concerned. “Shuangxue, are your hands okay?”

“It doesn’t hurt.”

Ye Shuangxue grinned mischievously at her brother and little brother, winking at them. Tao Lichun was so furious he nearly spat blood.

He was this close to shouting: “This child is incorrigible!”

Once the classroom was tidied up, the students finally sat quietly to begin the lesson.

…

Outside the door.

Tao Ling’er stood by the window, observing everything happening inside the classroom.

Next to her, Shen Jie wore a mischievous grin and whispered, “Ling’er, I told you, didn’t I? These three kids are little demons—learning mischief from their father Ye Tian. They’re no good. You and the teacher mustn’t be fooled by appearances.”

Tao Ling’er and Shen Jie had arrived slightly earlier than Tao Lichun, and had only seen Ye Shuangxue hitting someone—they didn’t know the full story.

She furrowed her brow, conflicted.

These three children had grown so cute; surely they wouldn’t be petty thieves. And Ye Tian didn’t act like a bad man in any way.

Seeing her hesitation, Shen Jie continued, “Time reveals a person’s heart. Ling’er, trust me—why would I lie to you?”

“I’ll go wait for the teacher inside.”

Saying that, Shen Jie left, while Tao Ling’er went to the backyard to prepare lunch for the children.

A lesson lasted about half an hour.

By the time Ye Shuangxue finished reading the classical texts, her mouth was dry and her eyelids heavy with sleep.

Tao Lichun hadn’t dismissed the class yet, but she had already collapsed on the desk, snoring loudly enough to shake the room.

Tao Lichun left with a scowl.

After class, the group of little brats huddled together, giggling and whispering. They cast mocking glances at Ye Shuangxue but dared not speak too loudly, afraid of waking the little tyrant. After all, they had just witnessed her hit Shi Hao—who else would dare challenge her?

“Brother, I need to go to the latrine.”

Xiao Jiang turned his head and said this, his cheeks flushing red.

He didn’t dare go alone; so many eyes were on him, as if waiting for him to embarrass himself.

Nervously, he twisted the hem of his clothes with his small hands.

Ye Yunting glanced at his chatty classmates, then at Ye Shuangxue in the front row, feeling helpless. He stood and said, “Come on, I’ll go with you,” taking Xiao Jiang’s hand.

Backyard.

The house of Tao Lichun was relatively large. The front courtyard and main hall served as the school, with space for student activities, while the back courtyard had the dining area, bedrooms, and an outhouse.

Shi Hao pinched a chunk of snow with his chubby little hands and pressed it gently against his cheek. “Ouch!”

He grimaced in pain.

Thinking of Ye Shuangxue made his teeth itch with hatred. How dare this little brat hit him—and hit so hard!

Afraid that his classmates would see him looking pathetic, as soon as class ended he put on a stern face, sent his little sidekick away, and sneaked to the back courtyard to press snow against his swollen cheek. How could he explain this at home? He certainly couldn’t admit he’d been beaten by a five-year-old girl.

“Shi Hao.”

At the sound of his name, Shi Hao turned and saw Shen Jie standing behind him in a light-colored cotton robe, as elegant and graceful as ever—like an orchid among trees. But what was wrong with his face?

Noticing Shi Hao staring, Shen Jie quickly lowered his head and stepped closer. “Was it Ye Shuangxue who hit you?”

“I just heard about it,” Shi Hao snapped.

“What else did they say?” Shi Hao was furious. He knew that as soon as he left, that little troublemaker Ye Shuangxue would definitely be talking behind his back.

She not only hit him but was now playing dirty tricks?

Such treachery!

Gnashing his teeth in anger, Shi Hao watched Shen Jie’s reaction. Shen Jie smiled faintly. “What else can be said? You can’t compare to Ye Shuangxue at all. Her father… what a piece of trash. A thug, a scum that anyone could kick like a dog. Are you really afraid of someone like her?”

“If it weren’t for the teacher, you’d have dealt with her already.”

“Of course. Just wait—after school, I’ll make her regret it.” Shi Hao smirked, already plotting how to deal with Ye Shuangxue.

Shen Jie’s eyes flicked. “Do you really want someone like that as your classmate?”

“What do you mean?”

Shi Hao’s chubby face twisted in confusion.

Shen Jie continued, “Ye Shuangxue has stolen things before—more than once. In our school, stealing from classmates is a serious offense. If you secretly put something valuable in her bag, I can make sure they kick her out immediately.”

Shi Hao’s ears perked up. This sounded serious.

Fighting was one thing, but framing a child… he hesitated.

Shen Jie’s eyes glinted. “Or do you want her to turn everyone against you in the future? Don’t forget how you’ve bullied others before.”

“I…”

Shi Hao’s expression grew tense as he nervously looked at Shen Jie.

“Big brother, it’s Shen Jie again…”

From a corner, Xiao Jiang spoke angrily. Ye Yunting quickly covered Xiao Jiang’s mouth and led him away. Both of them ran, out of breath, to the front courtyard. Ye Yunting frowned. “We can’t tell the teacher. He and Shen Jie have a history, and Tao Ling’er is close to Shen Jie. Even if we told, they’d side with Shen Jie and Shi Hao.”

“Then what should we do?”

Xiao Jiang frowned. Ye Yunting remained calm. “I have a plan.”

There was lunch and a short midday break, then two more classes. School ended at sunset.

Tao Lichun took his books and left first. The group of little students in the school happily packed their bags. Shi Hao sat frozen in his seat, seemingly wrestling with his thoughts. He didn’t even hear his little sidekick speaking.

“Shi Hao?”

“Boss, go home now or go play?”

Someone asked, and Shi Hao finally snapped out of his daze. His eyes flickered nervously as he fumbled with his bag. “My things are gone! The purple jade brush my father bought me—there’s only one in the entire Sifang City! My father will kill me! Who stole my brush?”

“No one leaves until it’s returned!”

Shi Hao began to lose it.

The children in the classroom, packing their bags, all nervously glanced at him.

Ye Yunting and Xiao Jiang exchanged a look, staying calm.

Ye Shuangxue, awakened by Shi Hao’s yelling, stretched leisurely, picked up her bag, and prepared to leave. Shi Hao was the first to rush over, his eyes immediately locking onto Ye Shuangxue’s bag. He reached out to stop her. “You can’t leave!”