Chapter Eighteen: The Class Monitor Intervenes

“Not this one, it’s another book. Wei Xiaofan hid it!” Li Bufan declared.

“We’ve been reading this book together since morning study, and discussing a question together. We haven’t looked at any other book. Li Bufan, you’re just making things up and trying to frame someone!” Wei Xiaofan said angrily.

“Why would I frame you? What do I stand to gain? I really saw you reading that kind of book, and I reported it to the teacher so everyone would follow the school and class rules.” Li Bufan pretended to be innocent.

“But I haven’t read that kind of book, nor do I have such a book, nor have I had time to read it. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Wei Xiaoping.”

“Wei Xiaoping is your desk mate and your brother. Why would he expose his own brother?”

“Li Bufan, what are you talking about?”

“Isn’t Wei Xiaoping your brother?”

“What brother? Nonsense! Wei Xiaoping is my good friend, alright? You transferred into the class, so if you don’t know, don’t make things up!”

“Wei Xiaofan and I are good friends! When did we ever become brothers?” Wei Xiaoping explained.

“You look so alike, you’re so close, and your grades are almost identical. I thought you were twins! Lots of twin siblings are like that!” Li Bufan said.

“That’s enough, Li Bufan! You’re getting more and more ridiculous,” Teacher Li said. “If I catch you making up stories and falsely accusing classmates again, I’ll call your parents.”

The woman known as Teacher Li waved her hand and walked toward the podium.

“I didn’t frame Wei Xiaofan. I really saw him reading that kind of book. Teacher Li, you didn’t even finish checking his desk, so why say I’m framing him? He must have hidden it in the drawer. You didn’t finish checking and say I’m making things up—I refuse to accept that!”

“You said he put the book under his textbook, and when it was taken out, you saw it, right? Was it that kind of book? And who told you Wei Xiaofan and Wei Xiaoping are twins? Isn’t that nonsense?”

“I was wrong about them being twins, but it’s true about Wei Xiaofan reading inappropriate books!”

“Li Bufan, I’m warning you again. If you keep saying Wei Xiaofan reads unsavory books, then please leave!”

“I refuse! I clearly saw him reading that book. He must have hidden it. To prove I’m not wronging him, can I check his drawer?”

“Li Bufan, please leave!” Teacher Li shouted, pointing toward the classroom door.

The atmosphere in the classroom suddenly froze.

...

“Li Bufan, I told you to leave. Did you hear me?” Teacher Li glared sternly at Li Xiaofan.

Li Bufan...

“How about this: to prove our innocence, Wei Xiaofan and I will take out all the books in our drawers and put them on the desk, then have someone check the drawers and the books on the desk to see if there’s any book like Li Bufan claims!” Wei Xiaoping stood up and said.

“I agree with Wei Xiaoping!” No sooner had Wei Xiaoping finished than Li Bufan raised his hand.

“Wei Xiaoping, why are you getting involved? Do you know what time it is? How much class time has passed? Are we not having this lesson?” Teacher Li said.

Thirty minutes later, class ended.

“Wei Xiaofan, you’re shameless! Ha! You read that kind of book and won’t admit it. Your skin is truly as tough as a fortress!” After class, as Teacher Li stepped out the door, Li Bufan began mocking Wei Xiaofan.

“Li Bufan, what good does it do you to slander others? Did I offend you somehow? If I did, tell me and I’ll change. Is that alright?” Wei Xiaofan said.

“You didn’t offend me, and there’s nothing I want from you. My dad is a big businessman, my family is the richest in the county, I lack nothing!”

“Then why can’t you stand me? I’ve thought about it many times. You transferred from another school and have only been here half a term. Before you came, we didn’t know each other. Even this past half term, though we’re in the same class, we rarely cross paths and barely talk! So I don’t think I’ve done anything to upset you.” Wei Xiaofan said.

“That’s right, Li Bufan! I’ve thought about it, too. I really don’t think either of us have done anything to offend you. Except that we rarely talk to you, we can’t think of anything else. Maybe we unknowingly upset you—if so, tell us and we’ll change, okay?” Wei Xiaoping chimed in.

“There’s no grudge between us. You haven’t done anything to me. I really saw you reading that book. Why won’t you admit it? Are you suffering from amnesia? Doing things and forgetting so quickly! Should we all check your drawer?” Li Bufan raised his eyebrow at Wei Xiaofan and gave a sly smile.

At that moment, several of Li Bufan’s friends began shouting, “Check Wei Xiaofan’s drawer! Check Wei Xiaofan’s drawer! Check Wei Xiaofan’s drawer!”

Seeing a few people clamoring to check the drawer, some students eager for drama joined in, laughing and repeating the call to check Wei Xiaofan’s drawer.

Some even volunteered to come inspect Wei Xiaofan’s drawer themselves!

“You’re being too much! That drawer belongs to Wei Xiaofan, and unless he allows it, no one has the right to search!” said a girl.

Everyone turned to look—it was the class monitor, Zhang Liying.

“Pretty monitor, we’re not talking to you, so why meddle? Besides, reading that kind of book breaks the rules. If Wei Xiaofan did it, he should admit it!” said a student with a side-part hairstyle next to Li Bufan.

“How is it none of my business? I’m in charge of discipline in the class—shouldn’t I interfere? Besides, you say Wei Xiaofan has that book, but do you have proof? Without evidence, accusing him of reading that kind of book is slander! Slandering someone is illegal, understand? Everyone disperse, go back to your seats, and get ready for the Chinese lesson!”

“Oh, come on! That’s illegal? Pretty monitor, class hasn’t started yet, and you’re stopping us from checking Wei Xiaofan’s drawer—do you have some personal motive? Ha ha ha!”

“Maybe! He’s one of the top students and handsome, too—a perfect match with the class monitor!”

“So grades make a perfect match? Wei Xiaoping’s grades are even better—why isn’t he a match?”

“But two male top students and one female—how do you divide that? Playing both sides?...”

“Ha ha ha! Ha ha ha!...”

“You—what are you saying? Do you even know what you’re saying? Is this how students talk? If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll report you to the homeroom teacher and the principal!” Zhang Liying was livid.

“Go, go, go!” Seeing Zhang Liying angry, Li Bufan yelled at the students who had been speaking, “Who taught you to talk to the monitor that way? Quickly, get back to your seats and get ready for class.”

Wei Xiaofan stared at the books on his desk as if his eyes could burn holes through them, his tightly clenched teeth making the jawbones on either side of his face stand out, and his fists resting on the table gripped so tightly that the veins bulged.

Wei Xiaoping gently stroked Wei Xiaofan’s fist and shook it lightly, as if comforting him: Don’t be angry, try to endure...