"Vice Principal Zhao, is there really no way to change this decision? I’ve come all the way from Yun Province, and to return like this—do you think it’s fair to treat a doctor from a hospital this way?"
Bai Xiao truly didn’t want to cause trouble and hoped Vice Principal Zhao would change his mind deliberately. After all, declaring oneself a doctor should make it clear that this was not only about the school but also involved other institutions.
She also hoped Vice Principal Zhao would pull back from the brink.
It was understandable for their school to cover up their mistake, as this is a common human reaction.
After all, the better the school, the more it wanted to maintain a spotless reputation. Such a basic error getting out would indeed not look good for the school’s reputation.
However, as long as they were low-key about it, the education bureau and the school were part of the same system. With the hierarchical relationship in place, a simple intervention from the principal or vice principal would suffice, without causing any loss of face.
Their reluctance to resolve her issue, instead attempting to suppress it, suggested that there were factors involved that she was unaware of.
But whatever the underlying reasons, there should be no justification for expecting a student who had traveled so far to enroll to wait until next year—such an absurdity.
Though she was a further education student, the disparity in treatment surely couldn’t be this significant!
This was outright bullying.
The problem was that no one else had made a mistake, but when it came to her, the error was egregious. It was maddening.
She had made a commitment in front of the Capital City Chief, so why should she waste a year? So much could be learned in that time.
Vice Principal Zhao was just about to scold Bai Xiao when he heard Liu Hongmin join in.
"Indeed, Vice Principal! This situation is not the student’s fault, and both morally and logically, our school should have the courage to take responsibility for our own mistakes. How can we make a student take the blame? Even if it’s a further education student, as long as they’ve registered at our school, they are the future pillars of our nation. How can we afford to disregard that? Besides, the loss caused by a year’s delay is no small matter."
Vice Principal Zhao was surprised. Why would the old fox Liu Hongmin plead for this student? Was there something unknown to him?
Bai Xiao was also astonished. Director Liu had been on her side all along, and now, his words clearly favored her. Regardless of the reason, since he was being friendly, there was no reason for her to reject his help.
"Old Liu, what you’re saying..."
"Vice Principal, we mustn’t dishearten a student."
His meaning was profound; it was just a matter of whether Vice Principal Zhao would gracefully back down.
She hadn’t cornered him completely, giving him an opportunity.
Too kind!
Liu Hongmin was moved by his own actions.
In reality, he knew full well the principle of leaving room for maneuver on such a high seat.
Vice Principal Zhao picked up the phone and called the Office of Political Education and Counseling, asking Teacher Li to come over immediately.
He didn’t want to leave any opening for blame, so he intended to ascertain exactly what was going on.
Liu Hongmin gave him an uneasy feeling.
His instincts told him that this old fellow didn’t stir without reason; he wouldn’t have taken action so rashly.
There must be a reason behind his move.
Teacher Li, full of excitement, entered the office, thinking Vice Principal Zhao was summoning her for some good news.
Vice Principal Zhao was about to take the stage, and any observant person knew what to do.
She needed to ingratiate herself with this senior colleague, and considering the respect for her mentor, he wouldn’t lay a hand on her.
So, she had to cling firmly to Vice Principal Zhao’s coattails.