Chapter 69

Summer continued in a gentle voice, "Take these two comic books home. Read them, and once you've learned all the words, bring them back, and I'll lend you more."

Amy, her eyes still wet, nodded, her voice a bit louder, "Okay, Miss Summer. I'll take good care of them and return them in perfect condition as soon as I'm done."

Summer glanced at the clock; it was almost time for the next class. She didn't say more to Amy but grabbed the bell hammer and walked out of the office with her, watching Amy leave through the school gate. Then she struck the bell to signal the end of the break.

Returning to the office, she didn't wait long before Logan came back, having finished his class. He sat down at his desk and took a drink of water. After a sip, he spoke up, "Did you send that girl with the baby away?"

Summer looked at him, surprised. She hadn't realized Logan had noticed Amy. She had assumed he would have driven Amy away if he had seen her sneaking into the school.

After a moment, she said, "I'm not that cold-hearted. I taught her how to use a dictionary and lent her one, along with some comic books, so she can continue learning at home."

Logan set his cup down with a small smile, "You're quite the humanitarian."

Summer couldn't quite tell his tone, but she looked at him earnestly, "Isn't kindness a fundamental moral quality?"

Logan responded with a simple, "Is it?"

Summer nodded firmly, "Yes, it is."

Logan had no interest in continuing the discussion and remained silent. Summer took the hint and prepared for her next class.

When it was time, she grabbed the hammer again and went outside to ring the bell. As she raised the hammer, she noticed a commotion in the classroom. She had heard some noise earlier but had paid it no mind, thinking it was just the usual classroom chatter.

But now, she clearly heard a student shouting, "Down with the little landlord, Billy!"

Sensing trouble, Summer quickly rang the bell and rushed to the classroom. She found a large group of students clustered in the back, with only a few still seated, watching the scene unfold.

"What's going on?" she demanded, pushing through the crowd. In the center, seven or eight boys were kicking and punching Billy, who lay on the floor, covering his head and remaining silent despite the onslaught.

Summer, familiar with her students, recognized the ringleader, Tiger, and pulled him aside. "Stop it, all of you!"

But Tiger and the others ignored her, continuing their attack. Summer struggled to separate them and finally managed to pull Billy up. He was covered in black ink and had a bleeding gash on his forehead. Tears mixed with ink streaked down his face.

Summer frowned and asked Tiger, "Why are you doing this?"

Tiger spat at Billy and turned to Summer, "He's not a person, he's a little landlord! An enemy of the people!"

Furious, Summer repeated, "I asked you why you attacked him!"

Tiger, unafraid, shouted back, "Why shouldn't I? His family are landlords, enemies of the people! Do you want to defend him, Miss Summer?"

Before Summer could respond, Logan pulled her back. "Billy, go home, clean up, and change your clothes. Don't disrupt the class."

Billy, head bowed, quickly left without a word. Summer, still fuming, said, "We need to find out what happened."

Logan shot her a warning look, "Stay quiet."

Once the classroom settled, they returned to the office. As soon as they were inside, Summer said, "Didn't you see how badly Billy was beaten? Covered in ink, bleeding!"

Logan turned to her, "So what?"

Summer, despite her fear, stood her ground, "We're their teachers. If we don't handle this, who will?"

Logan replied, "And what will you do? Defend Billy?"

Summer insisted, "If he did nothing wrong, then yes—" Logan cut her off, pulling her aside and covering her mouth. He closed the office door and whispered, "Billy's grandfather was a landlord. He's guilty by association. Keep your thoughts to yourself. If Tiger's parents get involved, you'll be labeled as having the wrong class stance, and no one can save you."

The kids' fights were usually minor, but if it escalated to involve their parents, it could become a serious issue. Summer's defiance waned as she listened to Logan.

Logan continued, "Billy shouldn't be here in the first place. The fact that he is shows the others' tolerance. Teachers have little power. If you don't want to lose your job or end up doing hard labor, act like nothing happened."

Summer nodded slightly, understanding the harsh reality. Logan let her go and said, "I'll take this next class. You stay here and cool off."

With that, he left with some comic books, ready to distract the class.

***

Summer took a deep breath, trying to calm down. She sat at her desk, staring blankly for a while. Her gaze eventually fixed on the door, where she saw Billy returning. She called him over.

Billy, head down, approached. His clothes were still stained with ink.

Summer asked softly, "What happened?"

Billy, eyes downcast, murmured, "It's nothing."

Summer pressed, "Tell me the truth."

Billy, holding back tears, finally broke down. "He took my ink. I didn't mind, but he wasted it... That ink was bought with money my dad exchanged for food... I asked him to give it back, and he didn't. When I insisted, he threw it in my face and hit me with the bottle. Then he and the others beat me up. I didn't fight back..."

Summer's heart ached as she listened. She said, "I'm sorry, Billy. I can't seek justice for you. I can't make him apologize or replace your ink and clothes."

Billy, wiping his tears, said, "It's okay, Miss Summer. I'm used to it. Thank you for caring."

Summer looked at him, unable to speak further. She opened her drawer, took out an unopened bottle of ink, and handed it to him. "Here, use this."

Billy looked at the new ink, tears welling up again. But he shook his head and stepped back. "I can't take your things, Miss Summer. I'll go back to class now."

He left before Summer could respond. As he walked out, he passed Logan at the door. "Mr. Logan," he muttered, and Logan let him go.

Logan entered the office, watching Billy leave. Summer, seeing Logan, quietly put the ink back in the drawer.