Chapter 6 — The Day the Whole School Went Wild

Yesterday morning in class, you stated clearly that the total headcount was forty-seven tickets, with not a single one missing.

I asked you why, when the automatic allocation was finalized, my name was nowhere to be found.

You told me not to make things difficult for you.

Chiaoyan abruptly raised her head.

Are you recording this?

I gave no response. In truth, I had never made any recording. Yet, those few words spoken by her were already more than enough. A sudden wave of murmuring erupted from the audience seating below. The principal sat with his eyes tightly shut, his expression dark. Head Teacher Ma's face had drained of color, turning as pale as a layer of ash. The officials from the Education Bureau directed their stern gazes straight at Chiaoyan.

I require you to answer honestly.

Before the outdoor excursion tickets were reserved, did you compile and collect the opinions of the entire class?

Chiaoyan's lips trembled uncontrollably.

Yes, she stammered.

I spoke up, demanding to know: Where is the summary spreadsheet? She fell entirely silent. Hao suddenly chimed in to interrupt.

Nanqiao, you really shouldn't go too far.

Our class monitor had the kindest intentions in stepping up to organize this group activity, so why are you so stubbornly determined to drag everyone else down with you?

I turned my gaze slowly toward him.

Drag everyone down?

Who was it that held up their phone yesterday to record me standing alone outside the school gates?

Hao's complexion shifted instantly. I unlocked my phone and pulled up my photo gallery. Reflected clearly through the window of the tour bus, Hao's mobile phone was pointed directly at me, while someone beside him pulled a comical, mocking face. Head Teacher Song stepped forward to take my phone, handing it directly over to a staff member. With a few taps, the staff member connected the device to the auxiliary projector, casting the image onto the massive screen overhead. A collective gasp echoed throughout the auditorium. The resolution was remarkably sharp. My solitary silhouette stood framed against the school gates, while the mocking, jeering faces pressed against the bus windows appeared far more glaring and blinding than any spoken justification could ever be. Sitting in the audience, my mother wept silently, tears streaming down her face as she pressed her hand tightly over her mouth to suppress her sobs. Staring at that photograph, I suddenly felt the biting wind from yesterday morning's school gate sweep back over me, chilling me to the very bone. A leader from the Education Bureau spoke in a low, heavy tone, asking the principal if this was the kind of advanced model collective his institution prided itself on. The principal slowly stood up, his voice hoarse and strained.

The school will handle this matter with utmost severity.

There is no need for it to wait, I said coldly.

Deal with it right now.

The auditorium fell into an absolute, suffocating silence once again. Continuing, I addressed the gathering: Today's conference was scheduled to be the second-phase signing ceremony for the Nanqiao Development Foundation.

As the founder representative, I reserve the full right to propose an immediate suspension of the second-phase cooperation with this high school.

The principal jerked his head upward in shock.

Student Nanqiao!

I refused to look at him.

Until a thorough investigation is concluded, every single nomination quota allocated to this school must be subjected to a strict re-evaluation.

As for class eleven dash three applying for the advanced collective award, I firmly object to using them as a benchmark example for the foundation's partnership.

Chiaoyan's limbs turned weak and rubbery, forcing her to grab onto the edge of the lectern for support. Hao's face was completely drained of blood. Lan attempted to interject with something, but was instantly silenced by the crushing, authoritative glare from the Education Bureau official. At that exact moment, a sharp ping rang out from Hao's mobile phone. Immediately afterward, the phones of several other students seated around the auditorium chimed in rapid succession with incoming notifications. As they glanced down at their screens, their expressions morphed instantly into absolute shock. Someone had forwarded the entire chat history from the private messaging group of class eleven dash three directly into the main, all-inclusive school group. The very first message at the very top had been sent by Chiaoyan herself the previous night.

If the leadership asks about it tomorrow, just tell them Nanqiao simply didn't want to go of her own accord; no one is allowed to mention that I deliberately left her ticket out.

07

The moment those text messages materialized on the screens, the atmosphere within the auditorium felt as though someone had forcefully pressed a pause button on reality. Chiaoyan stared blankly at her own phone, her complexion shifting rapidly from pale white to a sickly ashen blue. Hao's instinctive reaction was to lunge forward and snatch the mobile device from the hands of a nearby classmate.

Who sent this?

Who leaked the screenshots from the private group?

Not a single soul answered. Several student representatives kept their heads lowered so low that even their breathing grew cautious and faint. Inside the large group chat, the screenshots continued to stream outward, one after another.

She definitely won't dare to make a big fuss; someone like Nanqiao is just the best at swallowing her grievances.

Teacher Gao isn't even going to discipline us, so what do we have to be afraid of?

Remember to take plenty of group photos tomorrow just to piss her off to death.

Hao, make sure you record what she looks like standing there dumbfounded by the gate; it's bound to be hilarious.

The final attachment was an audio message sent by Chiaoyan, automatically converted into text format.

I deliberately left her ticket out, so what? Who told her to always put on such a high and mighty act around everyone.

A sharp intake of breath rippled through the crowd. Chiaoyan's legs gave out completely beneath her. Clinging desperately to the wooden lectern, her lips quivered without producing a single coherent syllable. Still clinging to desperate denial, Hao attempted to argue his way out.

I didn't send these.

These screenshots could easily be fabricated.

I lifted my gaze to meet his.

Then do you dare to hand over your phone for inspection?

Hao's expression stiffened rigidly. By pure instinct, he shoved his hand deep into his trousers pocket. That single guilty movement spoke volumes, laying bare the truth far more clearly than any spoken defense could ever hope to achieve. The Education Bureau official turned to look at the accompanying staff member.

Please preserve all evidence right here on the spot.

The staff member stepped forward without hesitation. Hao instinctively retreated a single step.

On what grounds are you taking my phone?

I am a student, and you have no right to violate my personal privacy.

Head Teacher Song stated coldly, You are entirely within your rights to refuse to hand it over.