Chapter 3 — The Day the Whole School Went Wild

Gao Lan's complexion was now so ghastly and wretched that it was simply unbearable to look at. The voice roaring from the other end of the telephone continued to thunder furiously.

Who gave Gao Lan the permission to leave a student behind when leading the delegation yesterday? Who authorized posting those things in the class group chat? Screenshots have already been posted online by someone by now. Do you people have any idea how grave the nature of this incident is!

Sweat dripped down Headmaster Ma's forehead in heavy droplets.

I know, I am fully aware.

Within ten minutes, you must invite student Shen over here. If you fail to invite her, the lot of you had better prepare yourselves to be summoned for formal questioning!

The call disconnected. The living room was plunged into a dead silence. Gao Lan finally panicked completely. She looked at me, her tone softening drastically.

Nam Kuo, you truly handled things poorly yesterday, but you cannot let your personal emotions affect the overall situation.

I opened the photo album on my phone. Yesterday morning at the school gates, I had taken two pictures. One was the door of the large tour bus. The other was Xu Jiaoyan smiling brightly as she raised her phone up against the bus window. I opened the screenshot of the class group chat again. Beneath the group photo, more than forty likes were still proudly displayed there. I raised my head and looked at Gao Lan.

Is this what you call the overall situation?

Gao Lan's lips turned completely pale. Headmaster Ma hurriedly spoke up, Student Shen, just tell us whatever demands you might have. I replied, I want to meet someone first. Headmaster Ma hastily asked, Who? Before I could answer, the doorbell rang again. My mother went to open the door. Standing outside was a middle-aged woman dressed in a black suit, accompanied by two staff members behind her. Upon seeing me, she let out a visible sigh of relief first. Then, she bowed slightly toward me.

Student Shen, I am terribly sorry that we are late.

Gao Lan jerked her head up sharply. Headmaster Ma froze stiff as well. My mother covered her mouth with her hand, exactly as she had done when shielding the telephone receiver earlier, her voice trembling.

My daughter... just what kind of status do you actually have?

After my mother asked that question, no one in the living room spoke immediately. The woman in the black suit looked at me, as if waiting for me to give the word. I tucked my phone back into my pocket.

Mom, there is no special status.

It is simply that there is a meeting today which I am supposed to attend.

My mother looked at me, clearly refusing to believe it. The woman gently explained, Student Shen, my surname is Song, and I am an official with the municipal Youth Development Foundation. She presented an identification badge.

When we could not get in touch with you yesterday, we conducted an investigation and discovered that there were issues on the school's end.

Gao Lan's complexion turned another shade paler. Headmaster Ma immediately stepped forward half a pace.

Director Song, the school certainly had some shortcomings in this matter, but we came to fetch her the very first second we found out.

Director Song did not even spare him a glance.

The very first second?

Her voice was not loud.

When Student Shen was left abandoned at the school gates yesterday morning, where were your precious first seconds?

Headmaster Ma opened his mouth, completely speechless. Gao Lan clutched the strap of the fruit basket tightly. My mother finally understood the situation. She turned her gaze to Gao Lan.

So you already knew yesterday that the child did not go.

Gao Lan forced herself to speak awkwardly.

Parent, at the time I truly did not pay attention. Normally she rarely participates in group activities, so everyone might have simply misunderstood her intentions.

My mother laughed out of pure anger.

She asked you where her ticket was, and you told her she was ruining the mood of the entire class.

Gao Lan's expression froze. I raised my eyes to look at her.

Teacher Gao, you do not need to explain yourself.

Every single word you said, I remember clearly.

Her throat choked up. Director Song checked the time.

Student Shen, the car is waiting downstairs. The meeting starts at nine o'clock.

City leaders are waiting, and the media is already present.

I asked, May I bring my mother along with me? Director Song nodded immediately.

Of course you may.

Headmaster Ma hastily chimed in, Then we shall also return to the school together, so the institution can properly cooperate with the follow-up work. Director Song finally looked at him.

There is no need for that.

Headmaster Ma was stunned. Director Song stated, Today's reception work is directly managed by the municipal authorities.

If the Affiliated High School wishes to submit an explanation of the situation, you may file a formal written report through the proper channels later.

This remark felt like a resounding slap across the face, causing Headmaster Ma to turn ashen. Gao Lan grew frantic.

Director Song, I am Shen Nan Kuo's homeroom teacher, it is my responsibility to accompany her.

I looked at her.

You had responsibilities yesterday as well.

She was rendered completely speechless on the spot. I went back to my room to change my clothes. My school uniform jacket was still hanging over the back of the chair. When I picked it up, there was an ink stain on the cuff that would not wash out. That was a souvenir left over from last month's lunch break, when someone had tossed my pencil case straight into the trash can. I stared at that ink stain for two full seconds before putting the jacket on anyway. Mother walked in to help me smooth down the collar. Her hands kept trembling uncontrollably.

Nan Kuo, just how many things are you still hiding from me?

I said softly, Mom, after today, I will not hide anything anymore. The corners of her eyes grew red once more. As we walked downstairs, Gao Lan followed behind us. Several times she tried to call out to me, but did not dare to utter a single syllable. Beside the black car parked downstairs, the driver I had met at the school gates yesterday was waiting. Upon seeing me, he hurried over to open the car door.