Chapter 87: Joking with the Deputy County Chief (1/2)

At 8 a.m., the athletes’ march played loudly and vigorously through the speakers hung on the second-floor balcony of the academic building, echoing throughout the campus. The sprawling playground was crowded with thousands of teachers and students, each in their designated places, facing the morning sun.

Class 1, being the key class, was seated closest to the stage. Class 2, though not a key class, was positioned on the left due to Old Yan’s status in the school. The TV crew had arrived early. A female reporter in a short skirt was discussing shooting angles with three cameramen. When one of the cameras passed by Zhao Qingfeng, seated in the first row, he lifted his hand in a ‘yeah’ gesture, drawing an eye roll from Old Yan.

“Qingfeng, here’s some water.” His mother and Aunt Ding had just arrived, bringing two boxes of mineral water for the class. After Zhao Qingfeng took the water, they quickly rushed to their seats at the back. Zhang Yang’s parents, who arrived earlier, were seated next to Qingfeng’s mother and Ding. The adults greeted each other warmly.

Suddenly, an out-of-place voice cut in. A well-dressed woman in her forties asked, “How many points did your Zhang Yang score in the mock exam?”

“420,” Zhang Yang’s mother, Mrs. Zhu, answered casually.

The question was typical, as Mrs. Zhu had also inquired about the scores of Zhang Manman and Fu Xiaoli’s mothers when they arrived. She turned to the woman and asked, “Sister, whose parent are you?”

“Li Sibo’s.”

The woman’s face lifted slightly, filled with pride.

“Oh?”

Feng’s mother was slightly startled, then joyfully said, “I know Li Sibo, from Class 1 of senior year, right? Old Yan mentioned him at the last parents’ meeting. He’s an excellent student and a seed candidate for Tsinghua University. Sister, you must be so proud to have such a son!”

Li Sibo’s mother nodded lightly and asked, “Sister, who’s your child? Also in Class 1?”

After Feng’s mother mentioned Zhao Qingfeng’s name, Li Sibo’s mother suddenly covered her mouth, hissing and laughing, “Zhao Qingfeng, isn’t he the student who jumped from a building in the provincial city? The one who made a big bet near the brewery’s family quarters, is that him?”

Qingfeng’s mother was momentarily speechless, offering a forced smile, “Yes, my son. He’s really aiming for the top three in the county…”

Li Sibo’s mother covered her mouth again, laughing, “That’s a nice thought, but he’s far behind my son. Li Sibo has always been strict with himself since he was young. He’s not satisfied with just being among the top three in the county. He aims to be the first in the entire county!”

Her words were laced with pride and a hint of disdain. Qingfeng’s mother and Aunt Ding were somewhat angered but didn’t want to argue in such a setting, so they turned away, ignoring her.

But Zhang Yang’s mother couldn’t stand it. Like Zhang Yang, she was confrontational regardless of the setting. “Stop ridiculing others here! No matter how good your son is, to us, he’s nothing. Our children might not be the best, but they’re our treasures. Even if they don’t get into university, they’re still our treasures. You have no right to criticize!”

“Hey, what are you talking about!” Li Sibo’s mother was about to lose her temper.

“You glaring at me? Believe it or not, I’ll smash your windows!” Zhang Yang’s mother stood her ground, standing up and pointing at her, which prompted Mr. Zhang to quickly pull her back to her seat.

“Tsk~” Li Sibo’s mother stopped paying them any attention and turned to boast about her son to the parents of Class 1. She talked about how hard Li Sibo studied and how proud she would be if he got into Tsinghua University, drawing eye rolls from other parents.

“Look, look!”

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