Chapter 1

I tutored Adam, a low-income student, and his grades improved. But his mother immediately fired me.

"Miss Lily, my child has been taking lessons for so long and still hasn't gotten first place. This shows your teaching skills are inadequate," she said.

"And you charge so much! I see Jessica only asks for $6 a day. How dare you make money off us poor people?"

The Jessica she mentioned is my roommate, who has never gotten along with me.

Jessica is willing to tutor at such a low price only to win the school's "Top 10 Outstanding Students" award.

Adam's mother eagerly drove me away, not knowing that once Jessica's dream of winning the award shatters, she won't care about them anymore.

I'd like to see if Adam can get into high school without my tailored study plan.

[Lily, you don't need to come to our house anymore.]

[We can't afford such a big shot like you!]

After finishing this week's review with Adam, I was exhausted. As soon as I squeezed onto the subway after leaving his house, I received these messages from Mrs. Wilson, Adam's mom.

I almost thought I had misread it. I rubbed my eyes and read it carefully again.

No mistake, Mrs. Wilson had unilaterally fired me!

Why?

I was utterly confused. Since I started tutoring Adam, I had broken down the knowledge points and spoon-fed them to him, helping him sort out concepts he didn't understand before, cultivating good study habits, and tailoring a study plan for him.

Adam's grades had improved significantly. Previously, he was at the bottom of his class, but in the recent monthly exam, he had leaped to ninth place!

Today, when I saw his report card, I was genuinely happy for Adam. But his mom had been frowning the whole time, apparently having already decided to fire me.

[Why, Mrs. Wilson? You should at least give me a reason.]

I asked, not understanding.

I had been diligent and conscientious, and Adam's progress was evident.

Moreover, I knew their family was struggling financially, so my fee was already very low, only charging $10 for a whole day of tutoring.

Before each tutoring session, I would spend a lot of time preparing exercises and content, just to truly help Adam improve.

I knew that in such an impoverished family, education was the only way out.

So I did my best, wanting to help Adam change his life.

[You have the nerve to ask?]

[You're not serious in your teaching, what's with all this heart-to-heart talk with Adam? Isn't that just wasting lesson time?]

[And my Adam is so smart, but he still hasn't gotten first in his grade. Are you not teaching wholeheartedly? Are you afraid that if Adam gets first in the school, we won't need you anymore?]

[And your price is so expensive. Others only charge $6 a day. How dare you make money off us poor people? I thought you were the cheapest before, but it turns out you're still profiting. College students are so scheming!]

[I'm telling you, people like you with bad intentions will face karma!]

I only sent one question, but Mrs. Wilson bombarded me with several 60-second voice messages, like a flood gate opening.

Her tone was very hostile. I could almost imagine her furrowed brows and angry glare.

I hadn't done anything wrong, but now I was being misunderstood and even having the results of my teaching denied.

During the time I tutored Adam, I would buy some milk and fruit to bring over every time I went to his house.

It was because he was from a single-parent family, living in poverty, and always looked thin and malnourished.

"Teacher, I don't want these. I'm just happy you're tutoring me," Adam would refuse, pushing the food away. "Your money doesn't grow on trees either."

"It's okay, teacher has enough money. Take these to supplement your nutrition. You're at a critical stage of growth," I would say.

I felt warm inside, feeling that all my efforts were meaningful. I was proud that I could help a good kid.

Although Mrs. Wilson often dragged her feet on paying the tutoring fee, I didn't rush to ask for it. After all, for me, this was preparation for becoming a formal teacher after college graduation, and it was also my initiative to help someone in need.

I never expected that now I would be used and discarded, directly fired.

[Every child has their limit. Adam and I both tried our best in this exam.]

[During the learning process, psychological counseling and encouragement are necessary. This isn't so-called wasting time.]

[Adam's improvement over this period is evident. Saying I'm not serious in my teaching is simply slander. And about the price, I dare say no teacher charges less than me for tutoring! I even bring milk and fruit for Adam every time, the tutoring fee isn't even enough to cover that. How am I making money off you?]

My hands were shaking with anger as I typed.

This was blatant slander. I couldn't let Mrs. Wilson casually smear me like this.

I argued based on reason, but I didn't expect Mrs. Wilson to hit me with a bombshell—

[You're still denying it? Adam said you don't teach during lessons. Can a child lie?]