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As the sun rose and the morning breeze felt cool, Monday began with a flag-raising ceremony followed by a morning meeting where school leaders and student council members reviewed the past week’s learning and living situations.
From the moment Zhuang Zi’ang gathered on the playground, his eyes scanned each class, trying to find Xiao Yudie’s figure.
But he ended up feeling very disappointed.
Xiao Yudie, which class are you in?
He had long wanted to ask Su Yudie this question directly, but he considered that her intentional concealment probably had its reasons.
When she was ready to share, she would naturally say it.
Due to his distraction, he didn’t hear a word of what was said from the podium.
It wasn’t until the meeting ended that he learned from Li Huang Xuan that Class 9 had not received the mobile red flag.
This was the first time since the start of the semester.
“It’s just a symbol of honor, like a little red flower for kindergarten kids; it’s not a big deal, right?” Zhuang Zi’ang said with a smile.
“It’s not much usually, but this is the first week of the new class monitor, Xie Wen Yong, and this happened. Just look at how his face looks like it could burst,” Li Huang Xuan replied, somewhat gleeful.
Li Huang Xuan had always looked down on Xie Wen Yong, and now he was relishing the situation.
Class 9, known for its top students, had always ranked high in academics, discipline, and cleanliness.
The mobile red flag had been hung in the classroom corner without ever being moved before.
Zhuang Zi’ang had been the class monitor and the former head of the student council’s disciplinary department, so everyone had given him some face.
Now that the monitor was Xie Wenyong, Zhuang Ziang went to communicate with the student council but faced a lot of closed doors.
No one was willing to listen to him.
Many students in Class 9 had a strong sense of collective honor and regarded the mobile red flag as quite important.
As soon as the meeting ended, students began to voice their criticisms of Xie Wen Yong.
“I said some people shouldn’t take on more than they can handle.”
“When Zhuang Zi’ang was the monitor, when did we ever lose the mobile red flag?”
“Why did Zhuang Zi’ang just give up his position for no reason?”
…
Hearing these comments, Xie Wen Yong felt as if he had eaten a fly.
Why did everyone think he wasn’t even worthy to carry Zhuang Zi’ang’s shoes?
The fourth period was class meeting time.
With the monthly exam tomorrow, there were many preparations to make.
As soon as the class bell rang, Xie Wen Yong strode to the podium, using the blackboard eraser as a gavel, and pounded it on the desk.
“Everyone, quiet down! As the class monitor, I will arrange the seating for the exam.”
He loved to remind everyone that he was the class monitor.
However, very few students paid him any attention.
Some students continued writing their homework, others chatted idly, and some even dozed off.
Xie Wen Yong forced himself to say a few more words but quickly realized that no one was listening. Frustrated, he pounded on the desk, causing a loud racket.
“Are you all even listening to me?”
Li Huang Xuan retorted, “You’ve been rambling on for ages without a single key point. Who would want to listen?”
Xie Wen Yong shot back angrily, “Zhuang Zi’ang used to talk just as much. Why were you willing to listen to him?”
“It’s simple: I respected Zhuang Zi’ang as class monitor, but I don’t respect you,” Li Huang Xuan countered.
“What’s the difference? Where am I worse than him?”
“He can get the top score in the grade; can you?”
That one sentence was a killer blow.
Xie Wen Yong’s face turned a mix of green and pale.
After coveting the position of class monitor for so long, he hadn’t even settled in before facing a slew of trivial problems.
When Zhuang Zi’ang was the monitor, everyone had taken it for granted.
Now, they realized how much he had silently contributed to the class.
Lin Mushu turned around and asked, “Zhuang Ziang, you were doing a great job as class monitor. Why did you resign?”
Zhuang Ziang slightly raised his eyes, “I was tired. I didn’t want to do it anymore.”
That response felt too perfunctory, leaving Lin Mu Shi quite dissatisfied.
She could never have imagined that the truth was Zhuang Zi’ang might frequently take leave in the days to come and wouldn’t have the energy to fulfill the duties of class monitor.
More and more classmates began to turn their attention to Zhuang Zi’ang.
“Zhuang Zi’ang, you’re still the most suitable class monitor; we all respect you.”
“Exactly, you’ve been the monitor for two years. You should see it through to the end.”
“I support you, Zhuang Zi’ang. Do you have any difficulties? Just tell us, and we’ll help you solve them together.”
“You’ve helped us so much in the past; you can’t bear the burden alone when you run into trouble.”
…
In Class 9, Zhuang Zi’ang was like an anchor.
He consistently ranked first in every exam, raising the class’s average score with his absolute strength.
He was so outstanding yet never became arrogant or complacent.
When classmates sought his help with questions, he was always patient and willing to explain.
As class monitor, he led everyone in participating in sports events, rehearsing programs for school celebrations, and organizing bulletin boards, always achieving excellent results.
Whenever classmates faced difficulties in life or health issues, they could always count on his care and assistance.
His strength and selflessness had made everyone overlook the fact that he was just an ordinary boy, with his own sadness and pain.
Only a few students, like Li Huang Xuan knew that his family situation was worse than most.
In the past week, Zhuang Ziang’s frequent absences had made classmates suspect that he was indeed facing some trouble.
Under the eager gazes of his classmates, Zhuang Zi’ang slowly stood up.
Looking at the familiar faces around him, tears welled up in his eyes.
“Thank you all for your concern; I’m fine; nothing’s wrong.”
“Resigning from the position of class monitor was a decision I made after careful consideration. I’m really sorry that I won’t be able to serve you until graduation.”
“The new monitor will continue to contribute to the class, so please support and cooperate with him and give him some time.”
As he spoke towards the end, his voice began to choke up.
I’m sorry, my dear classmates.
I may not be able to accompany you all to graduation.
Li Huang Xuan slammed his hand on the table. “Zhuang Ziang, what’s wrong with you? Why are you acting all sentimental like a girl?”
Zhuang Zi’ang pressed his hand on his shoulder. “Don’t ask; you’ll find out soon enough.”
The mood in the classroom became particularly somber.
Even though they didn’t know what was happening, everyone could genuinely feel Zhuang Zi’ang’s sadness.
Xie Wen Yong stood awkwardly at the podium.
He had been competing with Zhuang Zi’ang, only to find that Zhuang Zi’ang was still speaking up for him.
Perhaps that was why he would never measure up to Zhuang Zi’ang.
Their vision and mindset were worlds apart.
“What’s going on? You’re the loudest class in the whole building!” Zhang Zhiyuan appeared at the classroom door, delivering a classic teacher’s line.
“Teacher Zhang, we’re holding a class meeting and hope Zhuang Zi’ang can be the monitor again,” Lin Mu Shi boldly stood up to speak.
As soon as she finished, everyone chimed in.
“Yes, Teacher Zhang; we don’t want Zhuang Zi’ang to resign.”
“Among all the students, he is the most respected.”
“Is something happening at home for Zhuang Zi’ang? We can help him.”
…
Hearing the clamoring voices, Zhang Zhiyuan felt a lump in his throat.
He waved his hand, signaling everyone to quiet down.
“Zhuang Zi’ang’s resignation is a decision he made after deep consideration, and we should respect that.”
“Although he is no longer the monitor, we will never forget the contributions he has made to the class over the past two years.”
“In the future, please continue to respect and care for him as you always have.”
After saying this, Zhang Zhiyuan turned and rushed out of the classroom, wiping away a tear.
He was relieved he managed to hold back his emotions and not cry in front of the whole class.