Beast Taming Star Journey

The sky outside the window gradually turned white, and a new day began. I hadn't slept all night, my mind filled with how to deal with the rumors. After a quick wash, I picked up the pastries that Zhang had brought me last night, and they felt heavy, like I was carrying a stone. The morning bell rang, and I walked into the classroom, noticing that the students were looking at me strangely, and whispers were rising and falling.

I took a deep breath, placed the pastry on the podium, and calmly said, "This is a small token of appreciation from Zhang and his mother to thank them for their trust in me."

I looked around the classroom and my gaze fell on Zhang, the student.

"Zhang Xuesheng, come up here for a moment."

Zhang walked nervously onto the podium, and I handed him the pastries: "Share these with everyone, and also share your progress in your studies during this time."

Zhang paused for a moment, then nodded and began distributing the pastries. As he distributed them, he recounted how I patiently guided him and helped him overcome his learning difficulties.

His sincere words gradually quieted down the previously noisy classroom.

“Teacher Nong’s teaching methods are really effective,” Zhang said. “I can understand the knowledge points that I used to never be able to learn.”

He looked at me, his eyes filled with gratitude. Some dissenting voices began to emerge in the classroom.

"Really? I feel like Teacher Nong's teaching methods are a bit strange?"

"Exactly, even Professor Qian said his method is unorthodox..."

I didn't interrupt them, but instead gestured for Zhang to continue. Zhang took out his notebook and showed it to everyone.

"This is my recent homework. You can see that my grades have indeed improved a lot."

Other students gathered around, looking at the progress in Zhang's workbook, and began to doubt the previous rumors.

"It seems that Teacher Nong's teaching methods are still effective..."

"Yes, Zhang has indeed changed a lot..."

I watched the students discussing amongst themselves and felt a slight sense of relief. I knew that rumors couldn't be completely dispelled overnight, but at least I had taken the first step.

After class, I called out to student Zhang.

"Thank you for your performance today."

Zhang smiled shyly: "Teacher Nong, you don't need to thank me. I was just telling the truth."

I nodded and watched him leave the classroom. Just as I was about to pack my things and leave, a figure appeared at the classroom door.

“Teacher Nong,” Zhou stood at the door, a barely perceptible sneer on his face, “I didn’t expect you to have this trick up your sleeve…”

I looked at Zhou and said calmly, "I just did what I was supposed to do. As a teacher, it is my responsibility to help students improve."

Zhou snorted coldly: "That sounds nice, but who knows what you're really up to? Don't think I don't know why you're getting close to Zhang!"

Her voice wasn't loud, but it was loud enough for the remaining students in the classroom to hear. I frowned, not wanting to argue with her, and turned to leave.

"What? Feeling guilty? Afraid to face it?"

Zhou pressed on, "I think you're just trying to use Zhang to gain sympathy so you can cover up your subpar teaching methods!"

I stopped in my tracks, took a deep breath, and forced down my anger.

“Zhou, please watch your words. The students’ progress is the best proof of whether my teaching methods are effective.”

"Hmph, who knows if those advancements are real?"

Zhou smiled dismissively, "Maybe you forced Zhang to forge it!"

At this moment, my colleague Wu walked in. He looked at me with a serious expression and said, "Teacher Nong, Zhou is right. Your teaching methods do have many problems. Professor Qian is also very dissatisfied with you. You'd better tone it down a bit."

I looked at my colleague Wu and a cold smile crept across my face. I knew they were all in cahoots to get me.

I calmly said, "Whether my teaching methods are problematic or not is not for you to decide. The students' grades will prove everything."

"Grades? Who knows if those grades are even real?"

Wu's colleague said with a sneer, "There are rumors circulating that you're using some improper methods to improve students' grades..."

I couldn't hold back any longer and slammed my hand on the table: "Enough! Stop talking nonsense!"

My voice was loud, and the whole office went silent. I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down.

"I believe that the innocent will clear themselves, and rumors will stop with the wise. I will not be defeated by your gossip, and I will continue to teach my students well using my own methods."

After saying that, I turned and left the office. Walking on campus, I felt a wave of exhaustion.

These endless rumors are like a boulder pressing on my heart, making it hard for me to breathe.

Suddenly, a familiar voice rang in my ears: "Nong Yu!"

I looked up and saw Su Yao. She quickly walked up to me and asked with concern, "Are you alright? I heard..."

I shook my head and forced a smile: "I'm fine, don't worry."

Su Yao looked at me with eyes full of trust and encouragement.

"I believe you. I know you're not that kind of person."

Her tone was firm yet gentle, like a warm current flowing into my heart. These past few days, Su Yao had been speaking up for me throughout the academy, refuting those rumors.

I know she meant well, but I felt even more uneasy. I didn't want her to get involved in this conflict because of me.

"Thank you, Su Yao."

I said softly, "I will handle all of this."

Su Yao nodded, took my hand, and her hand was warm and strong, giving me immense strength.

I know that Zhou and Wu will not let this go, and they will definitely try every means to continue to smear me.

But I won't give up. I will continue to work hard and prove myself with my abilities. Just then, a commotion came from the academy gate.

Several students in school uniforms swaggered in, one of them, a tall student, shouting, "Who is Nong Yu? Come out!"

Several students around me looked at me nervously. I took a deep breath, calmly fixing my gaze on the provocateurs, a strange premonition rising within me…

"It seems things aren't going to be peaceful today."

I said in a low voice and walked towards the school gate.