Chapter 86: Pre-Exam Pep Rally (2/2)

Zhao Qingfeng chuckled, “Read the back, there’s another sentence there.”

Shen Lingyao flipped it over, her face instantly blushing. She quickly pinched Zhao Qingfeng and then tucked the paper into her pocket.

……………………………

The two of them frolicked for a while before heading to school. Today was Wednesday, and the entire school was organizing a pep rally. As the top middle school in the county, the event was given special attention. Not only were the major leaders in education attending in person, but deputy county leaders and the county television station were also there to record the entire event for broadcast throughout the county.

According to the school’s rules, students had to have the venue ready by 8 a.m. The venue was set up on the large playground, with all teachers and students of the school participating. Middle school seniors sat in the front rows, parents sat behind them, and juniors and sophomores sat at the very back.

The 7 a.m. sun was warm and bright. The school was bustling with activity at this hour. When Zhao Qingfeng and Shen Lingyao arrived in their class, Zhang Yang had already started moving chairs out. Zhang Manman, Fu Xiaoli, and other girls were tidying up towels, preparing to clean the leaders’ tables on the stage.

“Zhang Yang, wait a minute!” Old Yan asked Zhang Yang to stop, “Is your speech ready?”

Zhang Yang recited it to Old Yan, who nodded in satisfaction, “Not bad. Are your parents coming?”

Zhang Yang smiled, “Old Yan, aren’t the parents supposed to come at 8? My parents are tidying up the house and will close the shop for the morning. They’ll be here soon.”

Old Yan didn’t ask him further and turned to Zhao Qingfeng, “Qingfeng, are your parents coming?”

Zhao Qingfeng nodded, “My mom said last night she would come with Shen Lingyao’s parents. They went to the market this morning and will definitely be here later.”

Old Yan seemed thoughtful, glancing meaningfully at Zhao Qingfeng as if he had something to say.

At that moment, the class teacher of Class 1 of senior year, Old Bian, came in, wrapped an arm around Old Yan’s shoulder, and took out a speech with a mischievous smile, “Old Yan, as a language teacher known for your literary talent, could you please review this speech written by Li Sibo from our class?”

Li Sibo was a top student and a seed player for Tsinghua University.

Old Yan knew Old Bian had no good intentions, joking as he read, “Look at you, all smug. Li Sibo hasn’t even gotten into Tsinghua yet. If he really does, won’t you be jumping for joy?”

Old Bian laughed heartily, patting Old Yan’s back, walking him outside as he spoke, “I’ve told you before, some mischievous students just aren’t worth your expectations. We should give up when we should. You’re working so hard every night, for what? People shouldn’t always think of others. You should also think about your own career, right?”

What Old Yan was living for, he wasn’t quite sure. It might be a complex issue, but he always held one belief. Standing still, he seriously said to Old Bian, “I like the idea of a career, but more than that, I want to be true to myself.”

Old Bian wanted to scold Old Yan for being stubborn. Looking at Zhao Qingfeng helping Zhang Yang with the chairs downstairs, he said, “Another thing, it’s almost decided internally that I’ll be promoted after the university entrance examination. When that happens, I’ll treat you to a meal, so don’t you skip it. Bring a decent gift.”

After saying this, Old Bian strolled downstairs leisurely.

Old Yan gently shook his head, smiling at the corners of his mouth, following him downstairs. He believed he was true to every student. Though there might never be any return, this feeling of being true to himself always made him feel proud and fulfilled from the bottom of his heart.

“Cough, cough…”

Old Yan walked a bit, then leaned against the wall, coughing twice. His lungs felt increasingly uncomfortable. The university entrance exam, oh the university entrance exam, let it end soon. He hadn’t managed to borrow the money yet. He would try again this weekend…

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