The Forbidden Curriculum, Ch 43

The memory of Jennifer's tears, the anguish that had etched her face, lingered in his mind, a bittersweet reminder of what could never be. The world, it seemed, was not always as one wished it to be, and Evan's experience, though enviable to some, was now tinged with a deep sense of regret.

With a sense of resignation, Evan decided to continue on to school, to lose himself in the familiarity of his studies. He walked quickly, his feet carrying him towards the campus, even as his mind remained rooted in the past, reliving the moments that had led to this point.

The image of Jennifer, her face etched with sorrow, continued to haunt him, a ghostly presence that seemed to accompany him every step of the way.

As he approached an intersection, his mind preoccupied with the events that had transpired, he failed to notice the red light, and stepped forward, into the path of oncoming traffic.

It was then that he heard a sharp, piercing sound, one that seemed to shatter the reverie that had enveloped him, and brought him back to the harsh realities of the present.

The sound of screeching brakes filled the air as an audi came to a sudden halt in front of Evan, barely avoiding a collision. Evan stood frozen, his eyes fixed blankly on the car as the reality of the situation slowly sank in.

Before he could gather his wits, a vision of loveliness emerged from the vehicle. The girl, clad in a dazzling blue dress, possessed a radiant complexion and a statuesque figure that commanded attention. It was Kang Alison, the renowned beauty of the Class, and her presence was nothing short of mesmerizing.

As Alison rushed towards Evan, her expression was etched with worry.

"Evan, are you okay? You looked like you were scared to death just now," she exclaimed, her voice laced with concern. "Why didn't you check the traffic lights before crossing the road? My dad honked the horn several times, but you didn't seem to hear it."

Evan's response was awkward, his words tumbling out in a hesitant manner.

"Ah… I was preoccupied with something and got a bit distracted."

As the scene unfolded, a middle-aged couple stepped out of the car.

The woman, resplendent in a white cheongsam, exuded an air of maturity and elegance. Her curvaceous figure was accentuated by the fitted dress, making her appear all the more captivating.

She was Kang Su-bin, Alison's mother, and her poise was undeniable. The man, with his distinguished gray hair and regular features, possessed an aura of refinement. He was Kang Asher, the principal of the No. 3 Secondary School, and his dignified demeanor commanded respect.

Kang Asher was a seasoned educator, renowned for his exceptional leadership in the Inje County education system. His reputation preceded him, and his accomplishments were a testament to his dedication.

Initially, the three middle schools in Inje County had been ranked in a clear hierarchy, with No. 1 School being the most prestigious, No. 2 School following closely, and No. 3 School lagging behind as the least desirable option.

However, after Kang Asher assumed the role of principal at No. 3 School, he implemented a series of reforms that transformed the school's discipline and atmosphere.

By actively recruiting talented teachers from Inje County, he significantly enhanced the school's teaching quality. As a result, No. 3 School underwent a remarkable turnaround, surpassing No. 2 in a short span of five years and gradually closing the gap with No. 1 School.

In the heart of Inje County, a prestigious institution stood tall - the revered No. 3 School, a beacon of knowledge and growth.

It was here that Jennifer, a talented and beautiful individual, had returned to her roots a few years prior, securing a position as a high school korean language teacher through an open recruitment program.

Her journey had begun at an esteemed university in the provincial capital, where she had diligently studied the intricacies of the Korean language.

Upon graduation, Jennifer had initially hoped to establish herself in the capital, but her husband, Michael Jang, who had been her boyfriend at the time, had been resolute in his desire to return to his hometown.

Thus, Jennifer had reluctantly followed Michael back to their hometown, only to find herself alone soon after, as Michael had chosen to pursue more lucrative opportunities in the southern regions, leaving his stunning and alluring wife to navigate the complexities of her new life.

As Kang Asher, the principal of the No. 3 High School, chanced upon his daughter, Alison, in the midst of a lively conversation with a boy, he couldn't help but intervene, his face adorned with a warm smile.

"Alice (Alison's nickname), why don't you introduce your friend to us?" he suggested, his tone filled with a hint of playful curiosity. Alison's face flushed with a soft crimson hue as she replied, "Dad, Evan is also in our class."

Her father's jest had clearly caught her off guard, and she hastily added, "We rarely talk to each other, though."

Kang Asher's eyes sparkled with interest as he turned his attention to Evan, inquiring, "Oh, are you also from No. 3 High School?" For a moment, he seemed taken aback, his gaze scrutinizing Evan's features, as if attempting to recall their previous encounters.

Although Kang Asher had crossed paths with Evan on several occasions within the school premises, the demands of his position as principal often left him preoccupied, making it challenging for him to commit every student's face to memory.

With thousands of students, including those from junior and senoir classes, it was a daunting task to remember each one, especially when Evan's academic performance, though commendable, didn't particularly stand out from the crowd.

Evan, unfazed by the principal's presence, extended a courteous greeting, "Hello, Principal Kang. My name is Evan."

His tone was sincere and unassuming, reflecting the demeanor of a student who, while respectful, didn't feel overly intimidated by the encounter.

For many students, the individuals who inspired a sense of trepidation were often the head teacher and the director of the political and educational department, whom they interacted with regularly.

In contrast, the principal, with his warm and affable smile, seemed more like a ceremonial figure, akin to the guests attending the flag-raising ceremony.

It was a moment of casual conversation when Kang Asher's eyes landed on Evan, and a spark of recognition ignited within him.

"Oh, you are Evan," he said, his voice laced with a hint of familiarity. "I have some impression of you. You write good essays, and your teacher, Mrs. Park, admires you very much."

As he spoke, Kang Asher's expression transformed, revealing a genuine interest in the young boy. Although Evan's academic performance was not particularly outstanding, his exceptional essay-writing skills had earned him several prizes in the school's essay competition, a fact that did not escape Kang Asher's notice.

The latter attached great importance to the Korean language, especially composition, an area where No. 3 High School had managed to surpass its rival, No. 1 High School.

In fact, the top scorer in liberal arts in the previous year's college entrance examination was a student from No. 3 High School, a testament to the school's strong emphasis on this subject.

* * * 

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