deskmate in the painting

VI. The Hero of the Yellow River

Mr. Tan Xiaojing's father was called to the school that day, and I happened to be in the office as well. Mr. Zhang asked me to help with grading papers. It was my first time seeing Xiaojing's father-tall, upright, and sporting a thick beard that reminded me of the hero in the movie *The Hero of the Yellow River*.

The large pencil was sitting on Mr. Zhang's desk. Mr. Zhang sat comfortably behind his desk.

"Mr. Tan, could you take a look and see if this is your child's pencil?" Mr. Zhang asked.

Mr. Tan, with thick glasses, had swollen eye bags that obscured his eyes from my view.

He picked up the large pencil, examined it closely, and said, "I'm not sure if this is Xiaojing's, but I have bought such pencils for her before. They are quite common. Mr. Zhang, what's this about?"

"Mr. Tan, please take another look. The students are saying Xiaojing took it... Well, they claim Xiaojing took other people's things," Mr. Zhang said.

"That's impossible, Mr. Zhang. Xiaojing wouldn't do such a thing. She's told me about the recent events at school. Even if you hadn't called me, I was planning to come by soon. We need to discuss this," Mr. Tan said sternly, resembling a hero.

"Let's not jump to conclusions just yet," Mr. Zhang interrupted, making a gesture to pause the discussion.

"The other students wouldn't falsely accuse her, would they? Actually, if Xiaojing could focus more on her studies and improve her grades, that would be best," Mr. Zhang added.

"Ah, yes... But this is a different issue. My Xiaojing..." Mr. Tan seemed momentarily deflated.

"Here's the thing, Mr. Tan. Perhaps transferring Xiaojing to another school might be a solution. I'm afraid I'm not able to teach her effectively," Mr. Zhang cut him off again.

"No, no, please don't, Mr. Zhang. It's the sixth grade, nearing graduation, and soon she'll be in junior high. I'll make sure to educate her properly and get her some extra help."

"But with only a few days left, can she catch up? If she's still at the bottom of the grade in the final exams, as a homeroom teacher..." Mr. Zhang glanced at the "Outstanding Teacher" certificate on the wall.

"I understand. I will tutor her well. Please don't worry," Mr. Tan assured.

"Alright then. We'll leave it at this for today. I'll keep the pencil for now. We'll see how Xiaojing performs in the midterm exams. If things don't improve, she'll have to transfer," Mr. Zhang said, locking the pencil in his drawer in front of Mr. Tan.

When I left the office, Mr. Zhang had already stood up, and Mr. Tan seemed to have shrunk, his shoulders slumped as if he were shorter than Mr. Zhang.

Back in the classroom, Zhang Jun rushed over and asked, "Jiang He, what did her dad come for?"

"Yeah, what did the teacher say about Xiaojing stealing things?" Sun Bo chimed in.

"Ha, Xiaojing's about to get it," someone's voice came from behind me.

The class crowded around me, their mixed scents creating an unpleasant odor. I didn't want to say anything, just staring at Xiaojing, who was sitting quietly at the back of the room, drawing as if nothing was happening.

Her calm demeanor only fueled the other students' anger. Zhang Jun led the charge again, shouting, "Xiaojing, your dad's here! In the office, being scolded by Mr. Zhang! Ha, get ready to be punished when you get home!" The others joined in, echoing his taunts.

"I'm not afraid. My dad believes in me," Xiaojing said firmly, with no trace of fear on her face.

"Believe in you? The pencil is still with the teacher!" Zhang Jun said smugly.

"That's not your pencil. It was bought for me by my dad," Xiaojing countered.

"Prove it!" Zhang Jun demanded.

"No need to prove anything!" a booming voice came from the classroom door. I turned around to see the Hero of the Yellow River standing there...