We Really Aren't in a Puppy Love

Dean Zhang took a deep breath, deciding to temporarily ignore Zhang Guifang's previous shocking remark about why didn't you hide it from people. He adjusted his posture, picked up his teacup to moisten his smoking throat, and tried to steer the conversation back on track. He felt that since playing the emotional card didn't work, he had to rely on rationality and data, using cruel reality to shatter these parents' blind optimism.

He turned his gaze to Chen Zhi's mother, Zhang Guifang, and said earnestly, Mother of Chen Zhi, I understand that parents nowadays are more open-minded and not as conservative as our generation. However, we have to look at reality. Junior high school is a crucial period for children to build a foundation in their studies. Puppy love is like a poisonous weed that drains a child's energy. If they focus all their attention on romance, daydreaming in class and not doing their homework at home, there will be only one result—both of their grades will take a dive.

The more Dean Zhang spoke, the more he felt he was right. He tapped his fingers on the desk, making a thump, thump sound. By the time the high school entrance exam becomes a disaster and they can't even get into a regular high school, it will be too late for regrets! This is a major matter that affects a child's entire life!

Zhang Guifang was about to speak, but the homeroom teacher, Wang Qian, who was standing to the side, suddenly coughed.

Wang Qian's expression was a bit strange as she whispered a reminder, Um... Dean Zhang, excuse me for interrupting. Chen Zhi is ranked first in our seventh grade.

Dean Zhang's hand, which was tapping the desk, froze in mid-air.

An eerie silence fell over the office.

Dean Zhang slowly turned his head and looked at Wang Qian, his eyes filled with a resentful why didn't you say so earlier look. He opened his mouth to say something, but felt that anything he said would be pale and powerless. Ranked first in the grade? How could he still rank first while in a puppy love?

Ahem... Dean Zhang cleared his throat tactically to cover up his embarrassment. Since the grades card couldn't be played, he would change his angle. Good grades didn't mean a good future; society was very cruel!

He quickly adjusted his strategy and aimed at Lin Wanwan's mother, Lin Jing. This woman looked elegant and should be a reasonable person.

Mother of Wanwan, Dean Zhang said earnestly, wearing an expression of deep sorrow. I know your two families are neighbors and have a good relationship, so you might not care about these minor details. However, you need to take a long-term view. Romance in junior high is like a flower in the mirror or the moon in the water; most of it bears no fruit. When they go to high school, they will face the pressure of entering higher education, being placed in different classes, or even living in different cities. There are too many variables.

Dean Zhang felt he was hitting his stride, and his voice rose a few pitches. Looking further ahead, stepping into society and facing the pressures of employment, buying a house, and daily life trivialities—that is the real test. Chen Zhi has good grades now, but who can guarantee he will always be good? What if he gets distracted by relationship issues in the future, fails to get into a good university, has an unsatisfactory job, and can't even support his family? When that time comes, a poor couple will find everything sad. What will happen to their future? As responsible parents, we must nip these risks in the bud. Wait until they are in college and have stable jobs; it won't be too late to date then.

Dean Zhang spoke these words with earnest and well-meaning intentions. His logic was tight, not only analyzing the current situation but also predicting the future. It could be called a perfect score essay for the discipline office's efforts to dissuade puppy love.

Lin Jing listened quietly, a polite smile always hanging on her face. She gently smoothed her skirt and slowly sat down.

Dean Zhang, you've gone to a lot of trouble, Lin Jing's voice was gentle but carried an undeniable confidence. However, regarding future pressures, I think you might be worrying too much.

She paused slightly, her gaze sweeping over the two children standing in the corner of the room, and said lightly, Our Lin family's current asset allocation, although I wouldn't say we are wealthier than a nation, is enough to keep these two children well-fed and clothed for the rest of their lives. Even if they do absolutely nothing in this life and just lie at home every day, they can still live better than the vast majority of people. As for Chen Zhi...

Lin Jing looked at Chen Zhi, her eyes full of a mother-in-law's satisfaction with her son-in-law. This child is smart and has good character. Even if he doesn't work in the future, our family raising two idle people is still more than enough.

Pfft—

Wang Qian, who was enjoying the drama on the side, almost spat out a mouthful. She quickly covered her mouth, turned her face away, and her shoulders shook violently.

Dean Zhang was completely dumbfounded.

At this moment, his brain's CPU seemed to emit a puff of smoke.

He had been the director of the discipline office for twenty years. He had seen parents crying to the heavens and earth, parents giving their kids a double beating, and fiercely protective parents. But he had never seen this kind—parents directly using money power.

Good grades? Fine, I'll endure it.

Your family owns a mine? How do we talk about this? How can we possibly talk about this?!

Dean Zhang opened his mouth, but couldn't squeeze out a single word for a long time. He felt like he had prepared a bellyful of reasoning, only for it to be like a punch landing on cotton—not only failing to hurt the opponent but also spraining his own old waist.

Finally, Dean Zhang could only wave his hand weakly, as if shooing away a fly, pinning his last hope on the two parties involved. He turned to look at Chen Zhi and Lin Wanwan, his tone lacking its previous momentum, instead carrying a bit of weakness. Are you two really dating?

Chen Zhi and Lin Wanwan exchanged a glance.

Chen Zhi looked righteous, shaking his head like a rattle. Absolutely not! Dean, we share a pure revolutionary friendship, purer than distilled water!

Lin Wanwan also shook her head desperately, her ponytail swinging back and forth. No, no, Dean, you really misunderstood. We are just neighbors taking care of each other.

Dean Zhang looked at these two little slickers working in perfect harmony, then looked at the two god-level parents beside them, and was completely out of ideas.

He let out a long sigh, feeling like he had aged ten years.

Alright, alright, Teacher Wang. Dean Zhang slumped in his chair and waved his hand. You take these two students back first. These two parents, please stay. I will... communicate with you a bit more.

Although he knew that communication would likely be ineffective, his dignity as the director of the discipline office made him persist until the last moment.

Okay, Dean. Wang Qian felt as if she had been granted amnesty and quickly called out to Chen Zhi and Lin Wanwan. You two, come out with me.