Ms. Tan Is The Real Boss

However, this teacher’s thought process was clearly not normal; she instantly chose Tan Rou and Zhuang Liu, though she did not know their names, but that did not stop her from calling them up, “Those two students in the last row, a man and a woman, please come to the podium. We are going to draw lots for teams shortly.”

Tan Rou and Zhuang Liu exchanged glances, puzzled as to why the teacher had picked them, but with filming going on behind them, they couldn’t call a halt and just had to go along with the teacher’s request.

It was quite amusing actually, the topic was “Should students date in college?” and it was obvious to anyone that they were a couple. The teacher had picked them on purpose. Surely she wasn’t planning to split them into opposite teams? That would be really mean-spirited.

The teacher took two different colored sticks, four of each, and stuffed them into an opaque box. Next was drawing the sticks. Those who drew white sticks would be in the supporting team, and those with red sticks would be on the opposing team.

Zhuang Liu stared at the red stick in his hand and the white one in Tan Rou’s, deep in thought. It was bad enough making them go up there for show, and now they had to be on opposite sides; how was he supposed to focus on the debate?

The teacher didn’t give him a chance to back out or withdraw. Even if he didn’t want to play, he had to sit in his seat until the game was over.

Zhuang Liu really wanted to abstain because he couldn’t bring himself to speak against it. Since Tan Rou had started dating him soon after joining college, which essentially meant he supported the proposition’s view. How then could he possibly voice an opposition?

After the teams were divided, Tan Rou and Zhuang Liu returned to their respective teams. Tan Rou was somewhat looking forward to the debate today, but Zhuang Liu just couldn’t muster any enthusiasm.

“Okay, have both teams clearly understood the topic?” the female teacher stood before the central podium, “On my left is the white team, supporting the idea that students should date during college. On my right, the red team, is opposed to students dating during their college years. I declare the debate competition open, and now, the first speaker from the proposition will present their views.”

The proposition’s first speaker was a chubby boy. He rose slowly and began, “I believe students should date during college because they have more spare time to spend with their loved ones during these years. Moreover, college is the most beautiful age, and dating at this age is the most romantic.”

Tan Rou turned to glance at the chubby boy; unexpectedly, while not particularly handsome, he had good points—his belief that college dating was romantic, clearly showing he’d often indulged in romantic love stories.

After the proposition’s first speaker finished, it was on to the second speaker. Tan Rou was the fourth speaker from the proposition, so she had to wait until her teammates had spoken. Each speaker was allowed no more than one minute for their statement.

Tan Rou stood and said, “I think students should date during college. Observations on campus show that it is common for couples to go to the library together. Moreover, if one partner studies, the other will surely study alongside them because the studying partner understands that they cannot waste their time or jeopardize their loved one’s future.”

Her statement was met with nods from many college students who had boyfriends or girlfriends; after listening to her, they began discussing among themselves, and Tan Rou overheard quite a few agreeing with her.

The teacher nodded in approval at their answers, then turned her attention to the opposing side’s speakers, “Opposition’s first speaker, please present your argument.”

The first speaker from the opposition was a slim boy wearing thick-rimmed glasses. He immediately countered Tan Rou’s statement, “I would like to rebut the proposition’s fourth speaker’s point. You said if one person studies, the other certainly will too. But have you considered that a poor student who likes to play could lead a good student astray? My statement concludes.”

According to the rules, Tan Rou could not respond. She had to wait for her turn to speak.