Chapter 21
C21 – Xu Li’s Shock
Upon Hsu Lee’s arrival at the office, she was met with congratulatory remarks from numerous colleagues.
“Miss Hsu, congratulations on your advancement.”
Hsu Lee was inwardly delighted by her colleagues’ praises but maintained a neutral expression, responding, “The matter hasn’t been finalized yet.”
“Miss Hsu, Ye Hao’s score of 928 has astounded the entire educational sector in Jiangnan City. Given your role as Ye Hao’s homeroom teacher, your contributions have been significant.” The Class 3 homeroom teacher smiled, “The principal has resolved to assign you as the team leader of the third year.”
“You shouldn’t spread unfounded statements,” Hsu Lee swiftly interjected.
Currently, the team leader of the third year was the homeroom teacher of Class 1.
“It’s merely procedural,” the homeroom teacher of Class 4 said with a chuckle. “Once it’s official, Team Leader Hsu, you owe us a meal.”
Hsu Lee refrained from making any commitments at that moment.
She hadn’t yet received official notification of her promotion.
To agree to a celebratory meal now would seem overly presumptuous.
While Hsu Lee was basking in her colleagues’ accolades, an individual with a sullen expression entered the room.
“Hsu Lee.”
“What matters bring you here to me, Director Zhang?” inquired Hsu Lee promptly.
Director Zhang oversaw the logistics department of the school and was reckoned as one of the senior officials of the institution.
“Hsu Lee, could you clarify why Ye Hao’s file was moved to No.3 High School?”
“Excuse me?” Hsu Lee was taken aback.
The office burst into turmoil.
This was an unforeseen development for everyone.
Had the most meritorious students, prime candidates for the six leading universities, been poached by No.3 High School?
“Recently, a vice principal from No.3 High School, flanked by the Head of the Department of Education, relocated Ye Hao’s file,” Director Zhang, with a glare, communicated to Hsu Lee, “The principal has summoned you to his office.”
Having conveyed this, Director Zhang spun around and exited.
Director Zhang couldn’t suppress his irritation.
The significance of Ye Hao was immense; the school had even strategized to leverage him to enhance the school’s prestige.
Ultimately, it appeared that Hsu Lee had driven Ye Hao to depart.
Hsu Lee remained bewildered until she reached the principal’s office door.
The move of Ye Hao to No.3 High School was beyond her anticipation.
After a pause, Hsu Lee concluded that Ye Hao was pivotal to resolving this predicament.
When Hsu Lee opened the door, she observed that the institutional leaders were all assembled in the principal’s office.
“Principal, were you seeking me?”
“Hsu Lee, were you aware that Ye Hao has changed schools?”
“There seems to be a misunderstanding, Principal. I’ll head to Ye Hao’s home straight away to clarify and try to bring him back,” Hsu Lee pondered momentarily before responding.
“Persuasion will be futile,” uttered a bespectacled vice principal with a derisive snort. “Perhaps you’re not yet aware, but it seems Ye Hao’s transfer was a consequence of your actions.”
“What?” Exclaimed a shocked Hsu Lee.
“You belittled him incessantly when his grades were poor. When he excelled, you not only openly accused him of plagiarism but also threatened to document the purported dishonesty in his record,” The vice principal questioned sternly, scrutinizing Hsu Lee, “Is this your method of instruction?”
A bead of perspiration trickled down Hsu Lee’s forehead. Any student could attest to these actions, rendering any rebuttal futile.
“Each monthly test is supervised by three teachers, with additional faculty patrolling externally, and ten more monitoring live footage. Do you truly believe Ye Hao could contrive to cheat under such surveillance?” Another vice principal couldn’t restrain his irritation towards Hsu Lee, retorting, “Has a donkey kicked your head?”
“Regardless, as Ye Hao’s homeroom teacher, I believe I might be able to reason with him.” Hsu Lee remained unwilling to concede defeat.
“You might be unaware, but after the recent exams, Ye Hao cleared his locker of textbooks, indicating his long-standing intent to leave No.2 High School,” the principal of No.2 High School sighed. “Very well, proceed with your attempt.”
Hsu Lee acquiesced and hastily exited the principal’s office.
Subsequently, Hsu Lee acquired some gifts before proceeding to Ye Hao’s residence.
Seeing Hsu Lee at the door, Guo Xiu’s expression soured. “Whom do you seek?” She queried.
A sense of foreboding gripped Hsu Lee.
Guo Xiu displayed no inclination to engage in conversation.
Before Hsu Lee could clarify her intentions, Guo Xiu interjected, “Ye Hao’s transition to No.3 High School was a family decision. A return to No.2 High School is non-negotiable.”
“But No.3 High School is understaffed compared to No.2 High School.”
“It is irrelevant. Regardless of whether Hao’s academic performance escalates in the ensuing month, his admission to a premier university is assured,” Guo Xiu responded.
Hsu Lee strived to continue the discussion when Ye Zhiguo appeared in the doorway.
“Miss Hsu, apologies, but we have pressing matters to discuss.”
Guo Xiu, arm interlocked with Ye Zhiguo’s, closed the door and exited.
Hsu Lee remained, lost in her thoughts.
The condescending demeanor of Ye Zhiguo and Hsu Lee left her feeling demeaned, yet she had overlooked her previous behavior towards them.
Guo Xiu uttered gently, “Finally, I can converse with Hsu Lee with my head held high. It brings me immense joy.”
Ye Zhiguo had encountered Hsu Lee on several occasions and was aware of her elitist demeanor and her lack of qualifications as a teacher, remarking, “Hsu Lee has an overly superior attitude.”
“Let’s cease discussions about her. Zhiguo, to whom do you intend to return the fifty thousand yuan?” inquired Guo Xiu.
It was beyond the anticipation of Ye Hao’s family that No.3 High School would offer fifty thousand yuan to Ye Hao merely for him to attend.
Such a reward substantially exceeded their presumptions.
Early morning saw the vice principal, alongside Niu Li, presenting a fifty thousand yuan cheque to the Ye family. Guo Xiu and Ye Zhiguo were en route to the bank to encash it.
After a brief reflection, Ye Zhiguo conveyed, “I intend to settle the debts with Kang and Lee first. They’ve been persistent about repayment lately.”
The Ye family was submerged in debts and needed to prioritize repayments to those in immediate need.
For instance, Ye Zhiguo was indebted to Zhou for fifty thousand yuan, but given Zhou’s lack of urgency, immediate repayment was unnecessary.
“Zhiguo, do you reckon our son can secure a position among the top three?” inquired Guo Xiu softly.
Ye Zhiguo, with a smile, responded, “The ranking is inconsequential. I’d be content if he gains admission to one of the top six universities.”
“Indeed. Gaining admission to one of the premier six universities is the goal,” Guo Xiu concurred with Ye Zhiguo’s viewpoint.
Ye Hao’s graduation in four years would ideally position him to acquire substantial social stature, enabling him to settle the family’s substantial debts.
Ye Zhiguo chuckled, “Never did I envisage relying on my son for sustenance.”
Guo Xiu declared with pride, “Having such a proficient son is not everyone’s fortune.”
Prior to consenting to the transition to No.3 High School, Ye Hao stipulated the provision of exemplary teachers to resolve his queries promptly.
The principal of No.3 High School readily acquiesced to such a proposition.
In a pristine and well-lit office, Ye Hao was perusing the examination sheets on the table.
These sheets comprised intricate questions meticulously chosen by the No.3 High School teachers from a vast array of questions.
Ye Hao scanned the test papers and commenced responding.
Beside Ye Hao was the eminent mathematics teacher of No.3 High School, scrutinizing the solutions while Ye Hao worked on them.
Several questions were advanced beyond the curriculum, eluding even his understanding. His role was to elucidate these questions to Ye Hao.