A teacher is under investigation for allegedly having an affair with their student. The teacher in question is a 25-year-old married woman surnamed Zhang, who taught at Shanghai No.2 High School. She was suspended from her duties during the investigation for having an affair with her 16-year-old male student, surnamed Chang.
According to information circulating online, Zhang teaches chemistry and works as the class teacher of Chang’s class of senior high school grade one. Their conversation shows that the two people fell in requited love where they were attracted to each other.
— Global Times
“Majo no Jōken” is the forbidden love story between a female teacher and a male student. Like this real-life story, the main character is a teacher in her mid-20s who falls in love with her 16-year-old student despite having been engaged/married.
The local education authority in the Xuhui district responded to public concerns. The district promised that “the involved personnel will be dealt with in accordance with laws and regulations based on the results of the investigation.”
“Love & Fortune” main characters, Wako Taira (left) and Yumeaki Iko (right), who are teacher and student, respectively. The story focuses on a middle-aged teacher who develops an interest in the high schooler after becoming frustrated with her boyfriend. | Netflix
Zhang and Chang’s alleged WeChat conversations went viral due to the incident as well. These messages were flirty and sexual as they included personal information that implied the two had been intimate or planned to. Both mini cinemas and hotel rooms were mentioned.
“Love & Fortune” sex scene | Netflix
Zhang’s husband surnamed Wu, allegedly exposed the now-viral screenshots of the WeChat messages. This also exposed the student’s identity, including both name and portrait.
A man in Shanghai came forward to report his wife’s love affair with her 16-year-old grade 10 student. She had sexual relations with a minor.
— Post translation
A leaked WeChat screenshot in question | @Edourdoo/X
Person 1: Wait
Person 1: What did you delete!
Person 2: I didn’t delete anything
Person 2: Are you done, end of topic. (You must delete the chat logs once you get home tomorrow!)
Their school, Shanghai No.2 High School, released a statement after the screenshots circulated. The school launched an investigation, looking into the matter, and suspended Zhang from her teaching duties.
School’s statement | @Edourdoo/X
Notice
Recently, “a female teacher is having an improper relationship her student” has been circulating on the internet. Our school is taking this very seriously and will immediately start an investigation with related departments. We have immediately suspended the teacher involved in the incident, and will handle the matter seriously according to the investigation results.
Shanghai No.2 High School
February 19, 2024
— China News Weekly
Naturally, netizens were shocked about this scandal. As the screenshots went viral, it sparked discussions concerning the husband exposing the matter, private information, and the sexual chemistry between a teacher and her student.
Shockingly, many livestreamers pretended to be Zhang, and many netizens were straight-up sympathetic toward the teacher and and student. Some compared the relationship to that of French President Emmanuel Macron, whose wife is 24 years his senior and his former high school teacher, as well as wuxia novel The Return of the Condor Heroes protagonist Xiaolongnü and her apprentice Yang Guo, as they fell in love.
Netizen reactions | @Edourdoo/X
- The little boy is so lucky in terms of love.
- They love each other. The general public is full of jealousy and hate.
- I feel so bad for Teacher Zhang.
- I suddenly thought of Emmanuel Macron and his teacher.
- Yang Guo and Xiao Long Nv experienced this, too.
- There’s no need to hate on them.
These livestreamers all claim to be Teacher Zhang; coincidentally, many wore glasses. | @Edourdoo/X
Legal experts have examined the WeChat exchanges and determined that Zhang “innocently” entered a relationship with Chang. According to the legal experts, her actions shouldn’t be considered a crime as there was “no sign of rape or seduction exerted.” However, the education administrative department and the school likely punished her in some way, such as contract termination, as she was already suspended at this time.
Zhou Zhaocheng, a lawyer from Beijing An Jian Law Office, told the Global Times on Tuesday that despite that their conversations were so blatant in content that cause extreme uncomfortable feelings, it is hard for the female teacher to be held accountable from the perspective of criminal law and the law on penalties for administration of public security.
— Global Times
Japanese drama “Majo no Jouken”
There are clearly many things wrong with the relationship, from Zhang being Chang’s teacher to her cheating on her husband and, of course, the age gap. Yet, the age gap is actually, by China’s standards, the least of the problems. Lawyer Zhou Zhaocheng pointed out that Chang reached the age of consent two years ago. China’s Criminal Law states that a 14-year-old boy “has the capability of deciding sexual behaviors.” If it were sexual assault, the law mainly protects underage females rather than males.
Besides, according to the sexual assault by person with caring responsibilities stipulated in the amendment to the criminal law, although the age of consent was raised to 16 years old, the law mostly protects underage females but not underage males.
— Global Times
“Love & Fortune” sex scene | Netflix
Regardless of the controversial age gap, most can agree that there is an issue of power dynamics. Schools and universities worldwide often prohibit relationships between teachers or professors and their students. Zhou explained it as “sexual exploitation.” So, Zhou believes that Zhang should be held accountable for her actions as underage students “lack the capacity to discern their own actions.”
This is currently a topic of discussion in academic circles, and it remains a controversial topic in reality. The case once again exposes the dual dilemma of ethics and laws, and perhaps it is time to take another step forward to advance the legislation on sexual crimes.
— Zhou Zhaocheng
“Love & Fortune” | Netflix “Love & Fortune” | Netflix