Chapter 4

I couldn't help but laugh bitterly at myself.

All along, I had accompanied these students for over two years, constantly adjusting study and review plans according to their individual situations.

Everyone had received one-on-one tutoring from me, especially in mathematics, where our class had a massive lead over others.

Fine. I gave up being this thankless teacher.

Stroking my belly and holding the review plan I'd prepared earlier, I walked into the classroom.

The students' faces changed drastically when they saw me, especially when they received another huge stack of review problems.

"Teacher, I'm sick of doing these problems."

"I'm dead tired right now. Can we please stop with all this problem-solving? I can't take it anymore!"

I gave my usual spiel:

"This is an important period. After the exam, you'll have a three-month vacation. Then you can do whatever you want!"

"Teacher, if we get into good universities, how much bonus will you get?"

Hugo stood up, looking at me mockingly.

I was slightly stunned.

"I asked about other classes, and none of them are like ours—keeping us locked up at lunch, not letting us go back, constantly pushing us to study, study, and study more. I heard you won't be our teacher soon, so stop wasting effort exploiting us."

Exploiting?

What kind of word was that?

Did they think they were taking exams for me?

Hugo was the biggest gossip in our class, with a mouth like a megaphone that leaked every piece of news.

Realizing this, standing on the podium, I looked around at the other students' reactions. They showed irritation and indifference.

The one thing they didn't show was... reluctance to see me go.

They seemed to wish I would leave quickly.

From their eyes, I understood they must think they were working toward good universities for my bonus and credentials.

I closed my textbook.

"Anyone who doesn't want to do the practice problems, return the papers."

Then I watched as all the students unanimously placed their papers in front of me.

I picked up the papers and left the classroom.

Immediately after, I heard a burst of joyful laughter.

"Finally free! No more looking at that ugly face!"

"Her test papers are so hard. Every problem she creates is difficult. You lose half your hair doing just one."

"Finally we can breathe. I'm getting fried chicken tonight to celebrate."

My steps paused slightly, then I straightened my back and left the teaching building.

For the first time, I questioned whether I should continue being a teacher.

The next day, Class 9's teacher was changed to a male teacher. He taught English.

He had just graduated from college not long ago and also had connections with the principal.

Hugo's mom had already done her research. The new teacher lived near the school, making it convenient to supervise students.

"Mr. Morris may be young, but he's very easy to talk to, answers almost any question, and he's an Ivy League graduate."

"Hugo's mom, thank you for thinking of our children. I don't think pregnant women make good teachers."

"Right, it's kind of unlucky."

Seeing the group's discrimination against pregnant women, I finished the handover with Mr. Morris and quit the group.

When the principal saw my resignation letter, he frowned:

"Ms. Griffin, this is wrong of you. Parents make a fuss—that's all. You don't need to threaten me with resignation."