Chapter 2 — The Day the Whole School Went Wild

Hello, we are from the office of Middle School.

Is Shen Nan Qiao at home?

I did not move. The next second, a deeper voice resounded.

She is not answering her phone, and the municipal side is urging us to bring her to the auditorium immediately.

My mother's tone changed.

The municipal side?

The person outside the door lowered their voice.

There is a symposium at nine o'clock this morning, and her name is right at the top of the list.

I stepped down from the bed and opened the bedroom door. Three people were standing in the living room. Gao Lan was among them. The moment she saw me, her complexion turned instantly pale.

In Gao Lan's hand was a fruit basket. The bright red wrapping paper was glaringly dazzling. She stood in my living room just as she would stand in the principal's office. Only this time, she did not immediately open her mouth to scold me. Director Ma of the school administration office had beads of sweat glistening on his forehead. He gripped his phone tightly as the screen continuously lit up with notifications.

Student Shen, it is so good that you are awake.

I did not speak. My mother stepped forward and blocked my path.

What on earth do you people want?

Director Ma glanced sideways at Gao Lan. Gao Lan cleared her throat.

Nan Qiao, regarding yesterday's field trip, I only found out afterward that you did not go.

I looked straight at her.

You were sitting on the bus.

Her expression stiffened. I said, The class monitor took attendance and confirmed forty-seven people were present, and you were there too. A dead silence filled the living room. Sweat dripped steadily down Director Ma's chin. He immediately turned to Gao Lan.

Teacher Gao, what is the meaning of this?

Gao Lan forced a twitch of her lips.

There were too many people at the time, so I did not pay close attention.

I asked, There are forty-eight students in the class, and you failed to notice that someone was missing? Her lips pressed tightly together. Under normal circumstances, she would have already accused me of having a bad attitude. But today, she did not do so. She placed the fruit basket onto the coffee table.

I came here to escort you back to school; we can discuss certain matters on the way.

My mother let out a cold laugh.

Yesterday you abandoned my daughter at the school gates, and today you want to welcome her back?

Gao Lan's face flushed crimson.

Parent, you cannot speak of it that way. The autumn field trip is a collective activity, and a student being overly sensitive bears a share of the responsibility as well.

My mother's hands trembled. I walked over, picked up the fruit basket from the coffee table, and just as Gao Lan let out a sigh of relief, I placed the basket right outside the threshold.

Take it back.

Gao Lan was stunned.

Shen Nan Qiao!

The moment those three words escaped her lips, she remembered something and forcefully reined herself in. I looked at her.

Teacher Gao, right now, it would be best if you did not use that tone of voice to speak with me.

Director Ma hurriedly stepped in to mediate.

Student Shen, at nine o'clock this morning, the city is holding a symposium on youth development, and you are the main student representative designated to give a speech.

I asked, Who chose me? Director Ma faltered.

The roster was finalized last month; it was decided jointly by the Education Bureau and the Municipal Publicity Department.

I said, The school did not notify me. Director Ma wiped away his sweat.

The notification had already been sent to the homeroom teacher.

Gao Lan's face turned completely white. I looked over at her. She deliberately avoided my gaze. My mother's voice dropped to a low, icy register.

So not only did you people fail to inform her, but you also crossed her name off the field trip roster?

Director Ma immediately chimed in, The school will thoroughly investigate this matter. I asked, Investigate whom? No one answered. I walked over to the edge of the desk and picked up my own phone. I pressed the power button. As soon as the screen lit up, missed calls flooded in continuously. Fifty-six calls. Over a dozen text messages. WeChat notifications were so numerous they caused the phone to freeze. I tapped into Gao Lan's chat window. At ten-seventeen last night, she had sent her first message.

Shen Nan Qiao, reply immediately when you see this.

Ten-twenty-one.

Do not throw a childish temper tantrum just over some trivial matter.

Ten-forty-six.

Tomorrow's activity is extremely important; you must possess a sense of collective honor.

Eleven-thirty-two.

The school has already been placed in a very passive position. If you do not reply again, bear the consequences yourself.

I handed the phone to Director Ma.

Is this the attitude with which you teachers come to fetch someone?

Director Ma took one glance for barely two seconds, and his complexion shifted dramatically. Gao Lan reached out an arm intending to snatch it back. I pulled my phone away.

Do not touch it.

Her hand froze mid-air. My mother stared fixedly at those messages, the corners of her eyes turning red.

My daughter was ostracized by her entire class, and you did not bother to show a shred of concern. Now that you people need something from her, you turn around and accuse her of throwing a temper tantrum?

Gao Lan gritted her teeth.

I am not begging her.

No sooner had those words left her mouth than Director Ma's phone rang loudly. He glanced at the caller ID, and his entire body instantly snapped straight.

Principal.

The living room was intensely quiet. The voice booming from the other end of the line was clearly audible.

Have you picked her up yet?

Director Ma cast a quick glance in my direction.

I have met with Student Shen, but at present, her emotional state—

The person on the other end directly cut him off.

Do not talk to me about emotional states! The leaders from the Education Bureau have already arrived at the auditorium, the municipal officials are there as well, and reporters are all waiting for her!

My mother whipped her head around to stare straight at me.