"Pei Shuo, although Teacher can understand your feelings, as the saying goes, 'Listen to both sides and you will be enlightened, heed only one side and you will be benighted.' Only by listening more to others' opinions can we become better versions of ourselves, you cannot be too extreme."
Teacher Jiang Xian attempted to make a certain cub seem slightly less evil.
She even started considering reading the toddler picture book version of Intrigues of the Warring States in the next class, specifically letting Pei Shuo focus on learning the historical short stories emphasizing "opening wide the avenues of speech."
Instead of eliminating the people who raise the problem when there is a problem, rather than solving the problem itself.
It was a good thing this was in a modern civilized society that emphasized the rule of law. If it were in ancient times, wouldn't this kid Pei Shuo have succeeded?
"Listen to both sides and you will be enlightened, heed only one side and you will be benighted?"
The other little friends around were also confused by Teacher Jiang Xian's new phrase.
"I know, it means that only by listening to others' opinions more can the truth come to light. Otherwise, it's like walking blindfolded, totally dark and unable to see anything."
Song Zhiang instantly pushed up his glasses and answered confidently. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] This was an allusion he just learned yesterday!
Hehe, sure enough, he was the only one in the class who knew. Even Pei Shuo didn't understand the reasoning within.
"Wow, not bad, not bad. It seems Zhiang reads very solidly after class."
Teacher Jiang Xian looked at Song Zhiang in amazement, a sense of gratification welling up spontaneously.
Look, this is the Three Good (morally, intellectually, and physically sound) cub of the new era! The internal drive for learning is extremely stable and powerful.
To this, Pei Shuo's expression didn't show the slightest change. Instead, he lowered his head and organized the books on the desk:
"If you have to listen to everyone's opinion once, then in the end you won't be able to make any decision."
"Who told you this?"
Teacher Jiang Xian felt a slight headache, beginning to doubt Pei Shuo's family education.
"My grandpa."
Pei Shuo raised his head and said.
"…"
Although after hearing Pei Shuo's answer, Teacher Jiang Xian couldn't even catch her breath.
As a young teacher, she couldn't possibly accuse Elder Master Pei of speaking nonsense, right!?
The key was the Elder Master's words definitely had a specific context, such as when making certain major decisions, there indeed needs to be someone to make the final call and set the tone.
How could it be casually taken and applied here?
"Moreover, Teacher Jiang, you are the one who is a bit extreme."
Unexpectedly, Pei Shuo then earnestly pointed out this point.
"Ah? Teacher is extreme?"
Teacher Jiang Xian started trying hard to think which sentence she just said was extreme, completely unaware she was starting to be led in circles by Pei Shuo.
"Because the premise of speaking ill of someone is that there must be bad points for them to be spoken ill of."
"Yet Xueyan clearly doesn't have a single place that can be spoken ill of by anyone. Then aren't these people speaking ill of him bad guys with ulterior motives?"
Pei Shuo pointed out the incorrectness in Teacher Jiang Xian's expression just now quite seriously.
In Pei Shuo's eyes, Xueyan, from beginning to end, was perfectly flawless in every way.
Even his occasional sneezes when afraid of the cold made people want to stare, because when Xueyan sneezed he would slightly squint his eyes, the hair by his ears would also tremble a bit, and when he opened his eyes they were wet, incredibly pretty!
As soon as Pei Shuo uttered these firm words, the many surrounding cubs who were originally caught in a dilemma also suddenly experienced a great realization, feeling that it truly seemed to be so!
Xueyan is clearly so good, so those people speaking ill of him are indeed too despicable! Their words should just be deleted!
"…"
Teacher Jiang Xian was silent for a long while, finally waving her hand weakly to signal Pei Shuo to hurry up and accompany Xueyan to the recitation class to rehearse the program.
This reasoning is completely impenetrable. Child, you should just hurry up and leave, child!
Although on the way to rehearse the recitation, taking advantage of Pei Shuo going to put away books, Song Zhiang also leaned close to Xueyan and supplemented softly.
"Actually Xueyan, you can be a big star. Don't worry about anyone daring to steal you."
Xueyan instantly looked over in confusion, not expecting Song Zhiang to actually have a certain obsession with him becoming a star just like Louis.
"Because stealing children is breaking the law, I will sue them all in court. I am a professional in this aspect."
Song Zhiang said earnestly and proudly.
Just like his eldest uncle negotiating for Xueyan's Third Brother the other day!
Although Xueyan didn't know how Song Zhiang planned to sue the bad guys in court, it didn't prevent Xueyan from feeling that Song Zhiang at this moment was truly very amazing:
"Zhiang, you are so amazing! You know so many things."
Upon hearing Xueyan's praise, Song Zhiang uncharacteristically felt a bit embarrassed behind his glasses.
On the surface he was calm, but inside his heart was already—Xueyan actually praised me for knowing a lot of things!
One must know, Xueyan has never praised anyone else like this before.
Therefore, the moment Pei Shuo turned around, he stared suspiciously at Song Zhiang, whose face was full of an unconcealable happy expression. This instantly made Song Zhiang purse his lips, stiffly hiding his smile.
What if Pei Shuo found out, and domineeringly forced Xueyan to praise him like this too? Then I wouldn't be the only one.
"Yo, you few came quite early today."
Fortunately, at this moment, Teacher Ding Jiaying, responsible for tutoring Xueyan for the competition, finally arrived at the classroom. Teacher Ding used to be a famous host on S City's local television station, an extremely elegant, bright, and beautiful great beauty. Later, she was hired by Princeton with a high salary as a subject teacher, and incidentally put in charge of tutoring the cub contestants for past language competitions.
And this time, the toddler group's little host competition was divided into two parts.
The first part was self-introduction, and the second part required telling a short story without a script. The additional segment for the finals was to perform a talent in English. For the self-introduction part, Teacher Ding felt Xueyan had absolutely no problem. The little guy just standing on stage was already enough to make the judges' eyes light up.
As for this unscripted short story, it was relatively more complex, because it involved the choice of clothing and props for the day. For example, the little friend who won first prize last year told a story about a little snail looking for a house.
So, on the day of the competition, he wore a tender yellow cartoon outfit of a little snail, and specifically prepared a large snail shell prop. It was exceptionally eye-catching when he went on stage to tell the story. Whether it was the professional judges or the popular judges, in the end, they unanimously gave the highest score.
Therefore, this time Teacher Ding wanted to select a few picture books with distinct characteristics that also fit Xueyan's image, for Xueyan to adapt as the basic script for the competition.
"Teacher Ding—I want this one!"
However, before Teacher Ding could suggest anything, Xueyan hugged one of the books like a precious treasure.
"Oh? You chose that fast? Let Teacher see which one you chose…"
Not only did Teacher Ding look over with some curiosity, but Pei Shuo and the others nearby also couldn't help but lean closer to take a look.
The Big Tiger That Escaped the Zoo!?
On the cover of the picture book was impressively a majestic big tiger, bearing the character "King" (王) on its forehead, staring with bright, piercing eyes at the little readers outside the cover.
Teacher Ding forcibly shifted her gaze back and forth between the cover and Xueyan several times, hesitating to speak.
No way!?
She had originally picked several books for Xueyan. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] A little lop-eared rabbit, for instance, would be incredibly suitable. Once he changed into the outfit, it would definitely overwhelm the whole venue with cuteness.
As a result, now she has to let Xueyan play a big tiger when telling the story?
This image is too much of a contrast.
"Xueyan, what made you want to choose this story? Can you tell Teacher?"
Teacher Ding wanted to carefully inquire about the cub's thoughts before making a decision.
"Because Papa taught me how to be fierce." Xueyan said happily.
Papa also said I learned it very well, and it was very scary. I didn't expect it could be put to use so quickly.
"Really? Can you really get angry, Xueyan? This kind of big tiger can roar and even eat human meat! Very scary!"
Louis, unable to believe it, attempted to demonstrate a roaring motion.
Louis felt Xueyan always had an especially good temper and was especially gentle; he definitely couldn't act it out well.
Only Pei Shuo silently recalled a scene from before, a certain speculation surfacing in his heart.
"Mm, of course I can mimic a big tiger getting angry."
Facing Louis's doubt, Xueyan wanted to prove himself.
Therefore, the teachers and cubs present watched helplessly as Xueyan pursed his lips, puffed his cheeks, and glared over with a pair of beautiful, wide-open big eyes.
Not only did Louis instantly blush a bit and shut his mouth, unable to speak, but even Pei Shuo uncharacteristically tensed his body, not knowing where to put his hands, finally simply sitting upright on the small stool.
He felt like Xueyan's big eyes could speak!
"Aowu—"
The next second, Xueyan tried hard to roar fiercely, as if he truly were a majestic King of the Forest.
Xueyan, slightly out of breath after "aowu-ing", was even a bit embarrassed. Thinking of what Papa said before, he felt he was truly very fierce, and would startle the teacher and Pei Shuo and the others:
"Was it a bit too scary like this?"
And the row of teachers and cubs staring at Xueyan in front of him couldn't utter a single word for a long time. Because everyone found that Xueyan, after "aowu-ing", had a bit more color on his soft cheeks that were usually slightly too pale, making him look vivid and full of vitality.
It was just like a pretty crystal figurine in an expensive glass display case in a mall suddenly coming to life, becoming radiant under the lights.
The most crucial point was, did the little guy truly know just how cute he actually was!? Teacher Ding was already exerting all her strength to restrain herself from directly stepping forward, hugging the cub, and kissing him fiercely.
"Xueyan, this was… taught to you by your papa at home?"
Teacher Ding carefully confirmed.
"Mm. Papa is very amazing, Papa is the big tiger, and I am the little tiger."
Xueyan nodded, earnestly introducing it to the teacher.
And these words, falling into Teacher Ding's ears, made her feel that Xueyan's dad, that Chairman Lu Ting, truly had formidable cub-raising skills!
Although this was also human nature. If she had given birth to such a beautiful little cub, she would also secretly teach the little guy at home to "aowu" and mimic a big tiger being fierce to people!
And then hug him and kiss him ten times fiercely!
"Teacher Ding, so can I tell this story for the competition?"
Xueyan hugged the picture book in his arms, looking at the teacher with joy and expectation to confirm.
Teacher Ding Jiaying, being stared at with such expectation by the cub, found her mouth already outrunning her brain, directly promising wholeheartedly:
"You can, of course you can! Then we will just use this one!"
Who could refuse a Xueyan staring at you with a heart and eyes completely filled with expectation?
No one!
Teacher Ding suspected that even if the little guy made some unrealistic and absurd requests, she might still promise wholeheartedly. It was probably because once feelings of disappointment and loss surfaced in these beautiful big eyes, it would always instantly make parents feel exceptionally heartbroken.
As for the competition results or whatever… the focus was just on participating. Wasn't the little guy having fun the most important thing?
"Xueyan, then do you need performance props for the competition."
Right at this moment, Pei Shuo also suddenly took the initiative to raise his hand and ask.
"Xueyan's props? For the performance clothes, props, and such at that time, Princeton or Xueyan's family should be able to prepare them. It probably doesn't require your participation, Pei Shuo…"
Before Teacher Ding could finish, Pei Shuo earnestly proposed:
"How about I bring Mo Dian over to use as a prop for you?"
Xueyan playing a little tiger going on stage hugging a real tiger, wouldn't this directly eclipse all the competitors present?
Then Xueyan would definitely be first place!
On the point of competition rankings, Pei Shuo's obsession was much deeper than Xueyan's, belonging to a standard career fan.
"Mo Dian…?"
Teacher Ding repeated suspiciously.
Wait, is it that Mo Dian beside Pei Shuo she had heard about?!
"Tch, what is Mo Dian? Xueyan you wait, during the holidays this year I will fly to Africa and catch a big lion for you to come back, and name it Jinkuai (金块 – Gold Ingot)! Next year when you go to the competition again, just tell The Big Lion That Escaped the Zoo!"
Louis actually expressed unwilling to be outdone: he could also catch a live prop for Xueyan to come back!
"Eh, you two ancestors, please don't start fighting, okay!? Xueyan still needs to rehearse!"
Teacher Ding, caught off guard, found Pei Shuo looking over coldly. Recalling the sincere warning and reminder Teacher Jiang Xian gave her, she made a prompt decision, hugged Song Zhiang, and stood between the two.
Song Zhiang, acting as the "boundary river", was pushing up his glasses expressionlessly. Song Zhiang was just pondering deeply, Then what animal do I have to catch to be worthy of Xueyan.
A panda?
After all, a panda happens to wear glasses just like me. Xueyan would definitely also think of me when seeing a panda. But this difficulty seems to be even harder than a lion or a tiger.
"Mm… Mo Dian is probably not suitable right?"
Only Xueyan thought about it earnestly, feeling there would definitely be many little friends present on the day of the competition.
Although Mo Dian's temper was very good and it never bit anyone, quite a few little friends would be afraid of Mo Dian, which could easily disrupt the order of the competition venue.
If only Charlie were by my side.
Xueyan suddenly missed Charlie the little cat a bit.
How great would it be to let Charlie also play a little tiger, accompanying me on stage for the competition?
In Xueyan's heart, the smart Charlie didn't lose to any big fierce beast in the world!
"Alright everyone! Let's put the props matter aside for now. We are going to start rehearsing now, OK?"
Seeing Pei Shuo about to open his mouth to promote Mo Dian again, Teacher Ding also wiped her sweat, hurriedly interrupting this endless dialogue.
She suspected this group of cubs planned to let Xueyan directly go to the competition venue and open a zoo.
However, there were also quite a few benefits to choosing a picture book the cub liked.
For example, Teacher Ding quickly discovered that she had only demonstrated reading it to Xueyan three or four times, yet Xueyan's smart little brain had actually already remembered roughly seventy to eighty percent of it.
Even by the fifth time, he could basically already retell the entire story without a script! [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] Except occasionally when Xueyan would unconsciously start adding some tone and actions. Watching this, Teacher Ding inexplicably found an auntie smile surfacing. With one arm crossed over her chest and the other hand supporting the side of her cheek, she felt this was simply too cute.
Who says a little kitty isn't a feline?
Even the most hard-hearted judge might just soften their heart!
And Old Dad Lu Ting, who was responsible for picking Xueyan up from kindergarten today, had just seen Xueyan come out of the school gate when he found that his own sweet cub's mood today was especially excellent.
Uncharacteristically, he came out hopping and skipping, like a little bird returning to its nest, and was scooped up and hugged by the parent who squatted down and reached out with one arm.
"Sweet cub, why are you so happy today? Tell Papa so Papa can be happy too?"
Watching the sweet cub's eyes curved into crescents, Lu Ting couldn't help but also smile cheerfully along.
Even the recently quite uneven interactions between Old Third and Old Fourth were thrown to the back of his mind.
"Because I'm going to play a big tiger for the competition!"
Xueyan joyfully shared this good news with his parent.
"What!? Play a big tiger for the competition?"
Lu Ting forcibly held the picture book The Big Tiger That Escaped the Zoo in his hands, stunned for a long time.
No way, the pile of things I taught actually came in handy!?
If Eldest and Second and the others found out about this…
Thinking up to this point, Lu Ting instantly hugged the cub tightly with a guilty conscience.
For a time, he didn't know whether he should regret that this "encouragement education" was a bit over-encouraged. The sweet cub actually took it seriously!
Then when taking the stage for this competition, it might not be a big fierce tiger, but a little cute tiger.