Chapter 16

Liyun Town didn’t pay much attention to education, so although Liyun No. 1 High School was the best school in town, it didn’t have as much of a presence as other institutions. Its principal, Tao Fangzheng, held his office for several years, but this was the first time such a big event occurred. Now that he finally had a chance to show his face to the leadership, he didn’t dare to act complacent. After hanging up, he urgently called all the faculty members for an emergency meeting to make meticulous arrangements—none of the faculties were spared. He included school hygiene and students conduct, and didn’t forget about the cafeteria. Halfway through the meeting, two of the chefs took money from his own pocket and, in a small three-wheel truck, rushed to the market to buy food.

Fish, meat, and eggs piled up in the school kitchen, and the whole administrative staff was dispatched to clean and tidy up the green areas. Tao Fangzheng blotted his oily forehead and struggled into a suit which barely fastened across his fat body. Together with the rest of the faculty, he stood on the sports field before the school entrance, eagerly awaiting the esteemed guests.

Spring had already passed into early summer, which in the southern provinces was almost unbearably humid. Soon, all the people waiting outside were hot and sweaty. Li Yurong’s head was full of hair curlers, and the new dress she changed into was soaked with perspiration. She couldn’t stand it. “Can’t we wait inside and come out when they arrive?” She asked.

“Don’t talk nonsense.” For the first time, Tao Fangzheng refused to indulge her. Was she kidding? What would the leaders think if the people who were supposed to receive them were hiding inside the school building to escape the heat? He would’ve set off firecrackers if he wasn’t afraid it would be overdoing it.

The vice-principal was pushed out to the second row, behind Li Yurong. He looked at the man and woman sticking to each other in front of him, and his brows furrowed. The academic director beside him shook his head, muttering, “Ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous.”

Just before the college entrance examination, none of the other teachers dared to slack off—they were teaching classes as usual. Why was Li Yurong an exception? The principal even arranged her to stand in front of the vice-principal! She was just an ordinary teacher, and not even that good, so why was she deemed so important? They completely treated the school as their private playground!

They had more grievances. Indignantly, the director continued, “And I don’t even know what to say about all those instructions he gave! The students have complained about the food in the cafeteria countless times—his answer was always, ‘Eating vegetables is healthy.’ Ha! Now that the leadership is coming to make an inspection, he ordered the kitchen staff to buy meat! Why isn’t he saying that vegetables are healthy this time, huh? Our students really are pitiful!”

The vice-president sighed. He had been teaching at the school for many years, slowly climbing to his position. Despite being the vice-principal, he had no say in the financial matters. He hated the current situation, but was powerless to change it.

The director, knowing exactly how he felt, patted him on the shoulder. Depressed, he said, “This still isn’t everything. Did you know what he gave a secret order to the senior teachers of each grade?”

The vice-principal inclined his head towards him. “No, what?”

The director couldn’t help but gnash his teeth. “He told them to inform the class teachers of Classes 2, 3, 4, and 5 that if recess arrived but the visiting leaders have not yet left, they have to restrain the more lively students and not let them rush out of the classroom. If possible, they shouldn’t leave at all, especially the children in Class 5. If they leave, they have to be unobtrusive, and can’t use the main staircase!”

The vice-principal listened in disbelief. Then, his incredulity changed into fury. Was this something that a school principal should say? Just how bitter were the teachers when they were informed? How sad would the children in ordinary classes be if they knew about the discrimination?

His hands began to tremble with anger. He wanted to step forward and have a word or two with Tao Fangzheng, but before he could move, a school security guard who was on a lookout on the street rushed back, shouting, “Coming! They’re coming! Several black cars just turned the corner!”

Immediately, everyone straightened, their expressions shifting to display respect. Li Yurong quickly took out the hair curlers, Tao Fangzheng looked even more solemn. It was too late; the vice-principal had no choice but to give up.

Du Kang peered through the car window. Seeing dozens of eager eyes, he chuckled. “So many years have passed, but No. 1 High School is still the same,” he said to his secretary.

“Indeed.” The secretary also smiled. “It’s the oldest high school in the municipality, and your alma mater, right?”

Du Kang nodded. He recalled fondly, “I still remember the names of the principal and my class teachers. They were excellent, always kind and taking their responsibilities to the students very seriously. They laid a solid foundation for the rest of my life. However, they were later transferred to the provincial capital. I never saw them again, and I regret it.”

“The evaluation of the current teachers is also excellent.” Stepping out of the car, the secretary opened the door for him. “It’s very considerate of you to take time out of your busy schedule to visit your alma mater.”

Du Kang smiled, accepting the compliment, though his purpose was far from so simple.

The museum delegation, the group of provincial leaders, and the antiques quietly left, leaving behind only the investigation team and the trembling municipal government. This was the biggest shame of his life; he hadn’t been able to sleep well for days. Humiliation aside, he was worried how his superiors would judge the mess and whether his future would be affected.

If Du Kang didn’t want the see the worst outcome, he needed to take remedial actions as soon as possible.

He remembered the boy who Elder Fang rushed to save. The old man was furious for his sake, and the provincial leaders acted more efficiently than ever. They even made clear they wouldn’t let the matter go. Du Kang couldn’t see through the young man, as if he was obstructed by a layer of fog—his information clearly stated that Lin Jingzhe was born and bred in Liyun Town, and had barely turned eighteen. His parents divorced when he was still small, leaving him to be raised by his maternal grandfather. There was nothing out of the ordinary about him, yet he caused the whole Qunnan Province to fall in a state of turmoil.

A few days earlier, he heard the news that the provincial government wanted to give an official commendation to the child who donated the antiques. He realized that he shouldn’t delay any longer. How could he forget that the potentially life-saving means were actually right under his nose?

The principal of No. 1 High School stepped forward, courteously shading Du Kang’s head with an umbrella.

Du Kang said with a smile, “I’m sorry to bother you on such a hot day, Principal Tao.”

“No, no! How could you bother us?” Tao Fangzheng replied, trying to put a welcoming smile on his face. “Both the teachers and the students are truly honored that you have come to visit our school.”

As he spoke, he waved the shy-looking Li Yurong forward. “This is the teacher of third grade’s Class 1. She admires you very much, so she was really excited to hear you were coming!”

Seeing Li Yurong, Du Kang’s eyes flashed. He nodded and shook her hand, saying, “You’re so young, yet you’re already in charge of the special class, Teacher Li—your teaching ability must be outstanding. Don’t let anyone tell you that a woman must be worse than a man!”

He exchanged a few more pleasantries with them, but was actually getting impatient. As his gaze swept around the empty school grounds, he realized the students were in class.

The other members of the inspection exited the cars. Du Kang stopped Tao Fangzheng, who wanted to introduce Li Yurong to them, and spoke with calm authority. “Principal Tao, everyone is waiting. Let’s stop with the small talk and hurry inside.”

The last morning class was underway. Du Kang strolled through the whole school. Though he appeared impassive, he actually covertly scanned the faces of all the students he saw. When passing by Class 1’s classroom, he slowed his steps and looked more carefully over the students but unfortunately, he couldn’t find the face so deeply engraved in his memory.

Was the information wrong? It clearly stated he went to Liyun No. 1 High School, he should be here!

Du Kang was somewhat anxious, but none of it showed on his face. He only seemed to observe the students a bit more solemnly.

Li Yurong saw that Du Kang passed the rest of the classrooms by yet stopped next to her own, and her joy was beyond words. Prompted by her meaningful glance, the principal stepped forward and said, “This is Teacher Li’s class, third grade Class 1. All the children here have excellent academic performance and exemplary conduct—they’re the students we’re most proud of.”

Du Kang nodded absently. “Teacher Li seems to guide them well.”

Li Yurong wanted to jump for joy. She had to bite her lower lip so she wouldn’t laugh out loud.

Du Kang glanced around, his gaze lingering on the other end of the corridor. Tao Fangzheng did not take him that way, on none of the three floors.

That part of the corridor was badly lit. It was so dark that it was hard to see clearly from the distance. Curious, he asked, “What’s over there?”

It’s Class 5! The worst students, useless trash! He can’t see them! Principal Tao’s heart skipped a beat. He exchanged quick glances with Li Yurong, then smiled and replied, “Oh, the toilets.”

Tao Fangzheng had great plans. Class 5’s students, especially those in the third grade’s Class 5, were nothing more than a disgrace. Their grades were awful, and they even dared to boycott Li Yurong’s English class. Who knew what they would they do in front of Secretary Du? The visit must go off without the slightest hitch—there was no way he would let Class 5 make a mess of things.

Du Kang didn’t doubt his words. He nodded, and Tao Fangzheng promptly continued, “Class is about to end. Should we go to my office for a cup of tea? The university admission recommendations list for the honor students is ready for your review. Why don’t you have lunch in the school cafeteria later? The dishes are healthy and nutritious, and you won’t be disappointed by the taste either.”

Du Kang sighed silently, wondering why the situation didn’t develop the way he wished. Faced with such arrangements, he could only nod.

The school bell rang just as Tao Fangzheng finished speaking.

He stood in front of Du Kang, protecting him from being jostled by the students leaving the classrooms. The inspection team had to wait several minutes for the crowd to disperse. When they finally could move on, Du Kang glimpsed something out of the corner of his eye. Startled, he turned toward the dark part of the corridor, only to see a teenager in an ordinary school uniform stepping out the door alongside his classmates.

He didn’t look any different than when they first met. His body was thin, his smooth black hair cut short, his face handsome but cold and expressionless. He had an aura that made him stand out from the other students.

Lin Jingzhe!

Du Kang stared at him, barely managing to keep his face calm. When he saw the teenager was about to leave, he snapped out of the daze and shouted, “Lin Jingzhe!”

Hearing his name, Lin Jingzhe instinctively turned around. He seemed to recognize Du Kang as the frown on his forehead smoothed out.

Seeing the man was accompanied by the whole school leadership, Lin Jingzhe only nodded, not wanting to disturb him.

Du Kang gestured for the people in front of him to move aside, and deliberately walked over with a kind smile on his face.

When he came near, he even held out his hand. “It’s really you. We meet again, young man.”

Lin Jingzhe wasn’t sure what the man wanted, but he also smiled and offered his hand. “Hello, sir.”

Du Kang took the pale, slender palm in both of his hands and shook it solemnly. The warmest, most sincere smile he’d showed since passing through the gate of the school lit up his face.

The school leaders and the inspection team members he abandoned stood at the corner of the corridor, utterly bewildered.

Tao Fangzheng stared at Du Kang, whose amiable manner was completely different with the student than with him, and seriously wondered whether he was under so much pressure today that he was hallucinating.

Shocked beyond words, he mechanically stepped forward, forcing his sluggish mind to start working again. Du Kang’s secretary woke up and followed him.

Du Kang called someone’s name just now? It was… Who?

Tao Fangzheng searched through his memory. A moment later, he remembered, and finally saw the young man’s face clearly.

In an instant, his legs turned to jelly, then tangled together. He fell to the ground with a heavy thud.