"Have you heard? Xia XiaoXi is planning to give a gift to whoever performs the best at tomorrow's talent show!"
"Really? Is that true? If I’d known, I would’ve signed up too."
"Forget it. You're tone-deaf and clumsy. You’d just be a laughingstock up there."
Han ShuYi overheard the chatter as he walked past a certain classroom. He hadn’t heard anything about Xia XiaoXi doing such a thing—could it have been a last-minute decision?
But hearing this piqued his interest.
If he could make a good impression on Xia XiaoXi, he was sure it would change her opinion of him.
This thought filled Han ShuYi with anticipation, though he had more pressing matters to handle right now at the broadcasting station.
Because of what had happened yesterday, the principal was so angry at how two teachers handled the situation that he lost a few more hairs—an unwelcome addition to his already thinning head of hair!
The incident had stirred up two of the school’s most important students, leaving the principal baffled at the teachers’ lack of judgment.
What made it worse was that the situation could have been resolved the previous evening, yet it had dragged on until now.
In the past, when similar issues arose, Ye QiuXue had always dealt with them promptly.
For some reason, the principal found himself missing Ye QiuXue, who was now far away in the capital. If she had been here…
With a resigned sigh, the principal admitted that it wasn’t that Han ShuYi was incapable, but compared to Ye QiuXue, he still had a lot to learn.
His sharp gaze shifted to the culprits standing on the stage in the schoolyard, a look of sternness in his eyes.
The two broadcasters from yesterday stood there, barely daring to breathe under the scrutiny of so many people. It was far from an ideal situation.
Beside them were a few girls—classmates from Wu Qing's class—who had leaked Wu Qing’s novel. They couldn’t escape their share of the blame.
Several teachers on duty were also standing there, their expressions grim. They had been made examples of for their mishandling of the situation.
Initially, they were indignant, but a stern phone call from the principal last night had warned them that failing to address the issue properly would mean they could kiss their jobs goodbye.
That single warning had quashed any lingering defiance.
Now, they stood on the stage to apologize to Wu Qing.
HuMing watched calmly from the crowd as one person after another on stage apologized.
Finally, Han ShuYi, the student council president, stepped forward. He scanned the audience, his gaze pausing briefly on Xia XiaoXi and then HuMing.
Taking the microphone, he began his apology in a measured tone.
"I was present at the scene of last night’s incident. As the student council president, I must take responsibility and apologize for what happened."
"I failed to arrive in time to handle the situation, leading to harm toward Wu Qing. That was my mistake. Furthermore, I didn’t manage the aftermath appropriately, which was my oversight."
"Wu Qing, I sincerely apologize!"
With that, Han ShuYi bowed deeply in Wu Qing’s direction.
Wu Qing was taken aback by the gesture, biting her lip with uncertainty, unsure of what to say.
Meanwhile, HuMing yawned, clearly unimpressed. Han ShuYi’s apology struck him as bland and calculated.
In essence, Han ShuYi’s approach downplayed the entire incident. To most students, the president’s public apology seemed like the perfect resolution.
And as students are wont to do, they jumped on the bandwagon, spreading sentiments akin to what you’d hear online: "He’s already apologized. What more do you want?"
Such naïve reasoning flowed effortlessly from their lips, untainted by the complexities of the real world.
HuMing smirked. He noticed the principal stepping onto the stage, taking the microphone from Han ShuYi.
"This incident has had a profoundly negative impact. Our school has always prioritized the personal development of our students, offering various clubs and activities for everyone to explore their passions. What I fail to understand is why certain students would harbor such hostility toward someone’s dreams."
"And you teachers—do you think this behavior is acceptable?"
The principal’s sharp gaze swept across the students.
"Before Ye QiuXue left for the capital, she told me something that resonated deeply. She hoped I’d never give up on any student. Take Han HuMing, for example. He used to be at the bottom of the advanced class, yet he climbed to the middle ranks through sheer determination. Who knows how much further he could have gone given more time?"
At the mention of Han HuMing, many turned their gaze toward HuMing, though their thoughts were on the boy who looked identical to him.
It was clear, though, that this young man—like Ye QiuXue—was a legend in his own right, far beyond Han HuMing’s league.
Even so, Han HuMing’s progress has been remarkable.
"What I want to say is this: as long as you’re willing to work for it, there’s nothing you can’t achieve.
"If Wu Qing has a dream, our role is to support her—not to trample on it with malice.”
"Every student here has their own dreams. None of us would want our dreams to be mocked, right?"
"So, I ask you, don’t underestimate the dreams of those around you. Nurture them instead of crushing them!"
With that, the principal declared the penalties: the two broadcasters would receive demerits, the students involved would be placed on probation, and the teachers would write self-reflection essays to be read aloud to the entire school.
"And as for you, Han ShuYi, I expect a written reflection from you as well."
The principal’s severe verdict stunned the audience—it was harsher than anyone had anticipated.
Previously, even serious punishments rarely involved the teachers.
Though the implicated teachers looked sour, none dared defy the principal’s orders.
HuMing’s voice suddenly rang out as he clapped, and soon, scattered applause turned into a resounding ovation across the schoolyard.
Han ShuYi’s face darkened. He glanced at HuMing, who stood smirking, his expression full of mockery.
Clenching his fists, Han ShuYi realized with certainty that HuMing must have influenced the principal’s words.
‘That guy, Is he targeting me?’
Earlier that morning, HuMing had sought out the principal, determined to ensure Han ShuYi didn’t get away with brushing off the incident.
He had to bring down his reputation, no matter what.
On stage, the principal watched the energized students with a benevolent smile, his hand in his pocket, crumpling a piece of paper into a ball.
The warm expression on his face resembled that of a farmer admiring his crops.