Principal Sun felt troubled.
Troubled and angry – not only had that old dog Qian from Fengxian No. 2 come, but Principal Luo from Fengxian No. 1 had shown up too.
In Anqing County, No. 1 High School thoroughly dominated No. 2. In Fengxian City, No. 1 and No. 2 were often evenly matched in their rivalry. Both Principal Qian and Principal Luo wanted to snatch Xia Xiaolan, hoping the future provincial champion candidate would graduate from their school. They made grand promises, praising their schools to the heavens – provincial-level excellent teachers, teachers who could predict exam questions, private tutoring, special treatment – their extravagant claims gave Principal Sun a headache.
Xia Xiaolan wasn’t playing hard to get – she just hadn’t expected the principals of Fengxian’s two high schools to be so aggressive.
In her previous life, she’d heard about special treatment for top students. Once the mock exam results came out, “Xia Xiaolan” became a coveted name in all Fengxian schools.
Principals Qian and Luo weren’t wrong – Anqing County No. 1’s teaching resources couldn’t compare to these two schools. Xia Xiaolan had the potential to compete for the provincial championship; staying at Anqing County No. 1 would waste her talent. Principal Qian wasn’t simply trying to steal credit from Principal Sun – he genuinely valued talent!
The two principals talked back and forth, giving Xia Xiaolan no chance to interject.
With their combined age over 100, Xia Xiaolan felt it would be impolite to interrupt, so she let them continue.
Principal Sun had promised the Education Bureau leaders to let Xia Xiaolan choose, so he could only hold his tongue. When Xia Xiaolan didn’t stop them, Principal Sun assumed she really wanted to transfer to Fengxian – indeed, not only did the two Fengxian schools have stronger faculty, but they hadn’t experienced any of the troubling incidents that had occurred at County No. 1.
Principal Sun felt wrong – he’d had good intentions, how could he have known Xia Zihyu would be so scheming, turning his good intentions into mistakes?
With Xia Dajun still missing after being attacked, Principal Sun felt guilty.
Though maintaining his principal’s dignity, he kept sneaking glances at Xia Xiaolan, trying to read her expression. Xia Xiaolan listened attentively, making Principal Sun feel the situation wasn’t favorable, his heart in turmoil.
His school had discovered this talent first.
Set precedents, giving Student Xia Xiaolan great freedom.
Agreed to conditions allowing her to skip classes.
Principal Qian talked about special tutoring at Fengxian No. 2, but hadn’t Anqing No. 1 done the same? Every time Xia Xiaolan came to school, teachers from every subject attended to her, worried she might have questions or unclear points! That was special tutoring too. Though they had fewer provincial-level excellent teachers than Fengxian No. 2, that wasn’t Principal Sun’s choice. Four classes had graduated and entered universities since the college entrance exams resumed, including graduates from normal universities.
Unfortunately, graduates from better normal universities were picky about job assignments. If a Beijing Normal University graduate was willing to be assigned to Yunan, provincial city schools would fight over them – how could a county high school have any chance?
Sun Tian was a new teacher assigned last year, and she’d only graduated from a junior teachers’ college.
The more Principal Sun thought, the more dejected he felt.
Whether Xia Xiaolan went to Fengxian No. 2 or No. 1, she wouldn’t stay at Anqing County No. 1.
This was why Principal Sun hadn’t hung the banner announcing the city’s mock exam champion – if he put it up just before Xia Xiaolan was poached by a Fengxian school, Anqing No. 2’s principal would have laughed his teeth off!
After talking at length, Principals Qian and Luo had nothing more to say. They’d laid out their conditions and were waiting for Xia Xiaolan’s choice.
All three principals waited for Xia Xiaolan’s decision.
“Well…”
The office was too quiet, with all three men’s gazes fixed on Xia Xiaolan as she cleared her throat.
“I’m very grateful for both principals’ kindness. Your conditions are very attractive, and you’ve come from Fengxian for one student. However… I have no intention of transferring schools.”
Choose Fengxian No. 1 or No. 2.
Both Principals Qian and Luo thought their chances were good.
Principal Sun thought his chances were slim.
Xia Xiaolan’s voice was pleasant, but what? Why couldn’t they understand the content?!
It wasn’t that they didn’t understand – they just couldn’t believe what they’d heard!
Principal Sun was overjoyed, while Principal Qian frowned, “Student Xia, don’t feel pressured, thinking this is betrayal or letting someone down. Good teachers will only be happy to see you have better prospects!”
Principal Sun’s eyes dimmed – he couldn’t refute old dog Qian’s words.
Of course, he didn’t want Xia Xiaolan to leave County No. 1, but if going to a Fengxian school could help her improve in the final month, he wouldn’t hinder her future.
The college entrance exam was like thousands of troops crossing a single-log bridge.
Every point mattered – 565 was high, but who would refuse an even higher score?
“Student Xiaolan, if you stay at County No. 1…”
It would benefit next year’s recruitment and Principal Sun’s achievements, but wasn’t this request too selfish?
Principal Sun’s joy vanished as he struggled – he had teaching ethics too.
For Xia Xiaolan’s better future, Principal Sun shouldn’t just avoid keeping her but should encourage her to study in Fengxian. Principals Qian and Luo had their interests, but they shared the same “teaching ethics” as Principal Sun.
However, Xia Xiaolan remained firm:
“There’s only a month left. I’m familiar with County No. 1’s teachers and students, and I don’t want to change schools now. I can only disappoint both principals’ kindness. I’m sorry, but I won’t transfer.”
Principal Sun felt mixed emotions.
If Xia Xiaolan didn’t want to leave, how could he drive her away?
Principals Qian and Luo had tried hard but couldn’t change Xia Xiaolan’s mind.
Principal Qian was somewhat angry, “Old Sun, you’re holding back a promising student. Too selfish!”
He wanted to say Xia Xiaolan would regret it, but being a female student, Principal Qian couldn’t speak too harshly. The two principals had come to Anqing full of confidence but left with dashed hopes. Principal Sun felt differently – now he couldn’t help but look at Xia Xiaolan with approval.
Xia Xiaolan felt uncomfortable under Principal Sun’s ‘loving’ gaze.
She hadn’t lied – she was quite familiar with County No. 1, both teachers and students. In less than a year, without attending classes daily, this level of relationship was already good. With just over a month left, why change schools? As for special tutoring, studying at the Business School library was quite good – there were top students in every subject who were patient and enthusiastic with her.
To prevent Principal Sun from getting too emotional, Xia Xiaolan quickly changed the subject:
“Principal, how did the police station classify Zhao Gang’s case?”
After handing Zhao Gang to Chief Liang, Xia Xiaolan had gone to Yangcheng. Returning from that trip, there should be some resolution to Zhao Gang’s case.
Principal Sun was still angry about it, “I used to think Xia Ziyu was good in both character and studies, never imagined he had such a different private face! Zhao Gang confessed everything – it was Xia Ziyu’s instigation. But without concrete evidence, just Zhao Gang’s word… nobody could take action against Xia Ziyu.”