Romantic Youth-04

Rise and Fall of Youth Romance Around the Corner

The history teacher's eyes lit up like summer fireworks, full of relief but also showing difficulty.

After a while, he spoke again, "You still don't understand."

I was stunned, full of confusion, "Then what is it?"

The teacher lowered his head again, speaking without looking at me.

"Do you know about Xiaohui's family? She has three brothers and three sisters. Her father was nearly sixty when she was born. They initially gave her away, but she later found her way back. However, this caused her great psychological harm. So, several of us teachers pay special attention to her."

"After returning home, she didn't receive the care and love she deserved. Her siblings felt she shouldn't have come back, and her parents often scolded her as unnecessary. In such a distorted family environment, she became very sensible, diligent, and obedient."

"Maybe it's a lack of love, and you're a very loving child; we all see that."

"Your presence might have filled that void of love for her. She relies on you, might even see you as family."

"Her family didn't care much for her. After graduating from junior high, her family didn't want her to continue studying. She secretly worked summer jobs to save tuition and came to high school on her own. These two years have been exhausting and terrifying for her. She needs a stable sense of security."

"And in these two years, we've seen that you genuinely care for her. Honestly, at first, we teachers had some complaints about you, but now it seems you're indeed trustworthy."

I was deeply moved and felt deeply guilty towards the teachers, unable to stop myself from sobbing.

The teacher patted my shoulder and continued.

"Do you know what stable security is?"

I asked urgently, "What is it?"

"It's university, getting into university. Only a college degree can provide her lifelong security. Just like my girlfriend, she left resolutely to pursue her security."

"I've said so much to tell you that as men, we must never obstruct a girl from pursuing her lifelong security in the name of love. It's a lifetime commitment."

The teacher's tone grew more serious and sincere.

But I felt breathless, as if countless hands were choking my throat.

I cautiously asked, "Then what should I do?"

The teacher lowered his voice.

"We all know that Xiaohui can't leave you, it's always been her who disagreed with breaking up."

"We also know that this time you are determined to break up with her, but what's the use? This will only increasingly affect her studies."

"The only way to remedy this now is..."

"You drop out of school."

Goodness, after talking all night, shedding tears all night, it turns out it was all a roundabout way to persuade me to drop out.

I felt so cold that I started convulsing, my limbs trembling uncontrollably.

Don't I need a sense of security? Don't I deserve to go to university? Don't I deserve a future?

Why must it be so ruthless? That was my most respected history teacher. He was kind, gentle, and elegant, yet he uttered the most heart-wrenching words.

Seeing my silence, he quickly pressed on.

"For two years, we've seen how much you love her. We all support you and hope for a happy ending for both of you."

"Just think of it as for your future together. You know, it's often us men who make sacrifices."

"All the teachers praise you, saying you are devoted, responsible, and willing to take on burdens. Now is the time to prove them right to all the teachers."

"Rationally analyzing your combined grades, who do you think has a higher chance of getting into university, her or you?"

I remained noncommittal.

He continued, "The whole class knows Xiaohui has excellent grades. She is definitely a candidate for a top university, and the school leaders are very optimistic about her. If you had to make a rational choice, I believe you would choose to let her go to university."

"You are very responsible, we all know that."

"Thinking long-term, once she gets into university, her family naturally won't support her studies, as her siblings already have their own families and heavy burdens. At that time, she will need you, her boyfriend."

"Love is selfless, it's about giving, it's about sacrifice. If you drop out, you won't disturb her studies. Even if she feels sad for a while, with the teachers and classmates comforting and guiding her, we believe she can quickly get back to her studies."

"And sacrificing your education to work and earn her tuition, to be blunt, is a great way to maintain your love."

"You are protecting her future, shielding her from the storms. At a higher level, you are admirable and praiseworthy."

...

The teacher continued speaking, but I could no longer listen or remember. I was caught in a difficult decision.

At the end of our conversation, I mustered the courage to weakly ask the teacher.

"If I drop out and go home... Teacher, can I still have the right to take the college entrance exam?"

The teacher was overjoyed, as if my response was exactly what he wanted.

He repeatedly answered, "Of course, of course."

"But during this time, don't contact her. We will handle everything else. We'll tell her you went to work to earn her tuition. Trust us, we teachers will speak well of you and keep an eye on her."

So, the next day I packed my things. I knew my mother would be the most upset. But I had made up my mind and didn't intend to explain anything to her.

I had no choice.

Before leaving school, I went to the office to get my "Off-campus Safety Agreement" signed by the class teacher.

As I approached the office, I heard many teachers chatting and laughing loudly, a festive atmosphere.

Just as I was about to knock, I heard a familiar voice.

It was the politics teacher, with her rare and distinctive mezzo-soprano voice, unmistakable.

I heard her excitedly ask, "Really? He's really going back? Great, now there's hope for the top university admission bonus."

Another familiar voice responded, "Don't worry, he promised me. There won't be any problems this time, he's definitely going back."

It was the history teacher.

I felt numb, the coldness in my heart knew no bounds.

Another voice chimed in, "Will he take the college entrance exam?"

It was the English teacher, with his usual gentle and calm tone.

The history teacher replied, "Yes, let him take it. The kid's grades are decent, especially in history. If it weren't for Xiaohui, I'd be really reluctant to let him go."

The politics teacher said, "Come on, with his political science grades, taking the exam means nothing."

T

he history teacher replied, "Don't say that, everyone has unlimited potential~"

The politics teacher said, "I believe that, everyone has unlimited potential. But the prerequisite is that he must be a person."

I felt a surge of anger. What had I done? Why am I not considered a person? I was about to barge in and argue.