Chapter 34 Making a Scene
Yan Yu: "Make a big fuss about it."
Xiang Ruzhen frowned. "It concerns the dietary health of more than 300 students, and it involves illegal business operations and bribery. Isn't this a big deal?"
Yan Yu shook his head. “In your view, it’s a big deal. But from the perspective of those in power, it’s insignificant. Think about it, who are the students to those officials? They don’t know them. But who are the school supervisors? They’re their colleagues. If you were in their shoes, whose side would you take?”
Xiang Ruzhen resolutely replied, "Of course I will side with what is right, not with my relatives. I will do my job in this position. If I wear that official robe and still bend the law for personal gain, am I still worthy of being an official?"
Yan Yu shook his head with a wry smile, “Ruzhen, you’re too idealistic. Once you become an official, you’ll know how complicated the word ‘relationship’ really is. Even the emperor has to consider the relationships and interests of all parties, and he also has to take into account many things beyond the law. Sometimes, showing favoritism is understandable.”
Xiang Ruzhen said, "I don't believe it, even the Emperor..."
"Hey!" Lu Jinlan quickly grabbed Xiang Ruzhen's wrist, forcibly stopping her from saying anything more, and smoothed things over by saying, "We're talking about the cafeteria today, it has nothing to do with the Emperor. Let's stick to the point and not go off-topic."
Yan Wuxin quickly chimed in, "That's right, and I think the Dean will stand up for us; she's not the kind of person who can't distinguish right from wrong."
Lu Jinlan sighed, "Anyway, we should have backup plans for every link to deal with emergencies, and not just rely on the dean. I think Yan Yu is right. If we make a big fuss about this, whoever handles it will have to face public pressure and won't dare to show favoritism."
Xiang Ruzhen nodded. "Okay, let's make a big deal out of this."
Sun Lewen hurriedly said, "But there will be contradictions. It's better to make a big fuss so that more people know, but we need to prevent the news from leaking out in advance, so we can't let anyone know."
Yan Yu nodded. "That's what I'm worried about too. Although all three graduating classes in the academy are victims and should be considered as one, it's hard to guarantee that every single one of them is a good girl. What if one or two muddle-headed traitors report us beforehand?"
Everyone fell into deep thought. Lu Jinlan tapped the table with her nimble fingers, a sly glint in her eyes. "As long as we make good use of the time difference, we can mobilize all the students without letting the news leak out. It's a win-win situation."
Xiang Ruzhen: "I would like to hear the details."
Lu Jinlan said, "We mobilized everyone in advance, but only a little while in advance. We gave the presentation to the whole class when the third class was almost over. We started class immediately after that, so even if someone wanted to spread the news, they wouldn't have a chance. We also kept watch over the front and back doors to ensure that no one could enter or leave to pass on the news before the incident, so that we would be absolutely safe."
Yan Yu agreed, "This method should work. We can control the entrances and exits in the name of the student council, and I doubt anyone will say anything."
Xiang Ruzhen nodded and said, "Then let's be thorough. Pick two more skilled students to keep an eye on the student supervisor. From the time of the mobilization until the incident, don't let any student have a chance to contact her. I'm not worried about the freshmen. I'll try to talk to Senior Jin about the sophomore class. If she can help, we can do the same for the sophomores. But the juniors probably won't listen to us."
Yan Wuxin said, "The juniors have only been back on campus for a few days and could be sent abroad again at any time. They might not even be back until they graduate. They've spent less than a month in total at the college, so they might not be willing to get involved with us. Besides, they won't forget the grudge from when they attacked the wrong person last time. They always have a dark look on their faces when they see us, so we probably can't persuade them."
Lu Jinlan smiled and said, "I didn't intend to mobilize them at all. It's just to create momentum. As long as they come and make up a number, it's enough to help us. We'll take care of the rest."
Yan Yu shook her head. "You're too optimistic. I don't think they'd even bother to contribute that number."
Lu Jinlan laughed and said, "If you say, 'Senior, could you please come to the cafeteria to help us make up a number?' of course they won't come. But if you say, 'Senior, the dean wants you to gather at the cafeteria immediately,' do you think they won't go?"
Xiang Ruzhen hesitated for a moment, "Isn't this a lie?"
Lu Jinlan hurriedly said, "The cleverness of this lie is that they won't have a chance to expose it. The scene might be chaotic by then. When they get to the cafeteria and find everyone there, they'll only think it was organized by the college. If we expose the truth, the dean will definitely turn pale. Do you think a third-year student would go up to us without a straight face and ask, 'Did you send us here?'"
Yan Wuxin clapped his hands excitedly upon hearing this, "Brilliant! I think that's the way to do it. Oh, Ruzhen, don't worry about whether it's a lie or not. It's just a matter of them going to the cafeteria, they won't lose anything."
Xiang Ruzhen said helplessly, "Alright, those who achieve great things don't concern themselves with trifles, let's do it this way. Everyone come over here, let's review the details and manpower allocation."
*
After the agreement was reached that evening, everyone went their separate ways to prepare. The next day, everyone was supposed to strictly follow the plan. But as anyone who has made a plan knows, when it comes to actual execution, even the most perfect plan will be compromised. The more people involved and the more complex the process, the more likely problems are to arise.
As soon as the third class ended, Xiang Ruzhen and Lu Jinlan, as planned, mobilized the whole class. The effect was excellent; the class was enthusiastic and expressed their full support.
But these people were only sixteen or seventeen years old. Young people can't keep their composure, and their worries were written all over their faces.
The more excited everyone was, the more obvious their state became. Although no one wanted to go out and report the news, anyone with a discerning eye could tell at a glance that something big was about to happen.
The fourth lesson on "People's Livelihood" is about to begin.
The teacher of the "People's Livelihood" course is Situ Mei, a young lecturer who is only in her thirties.
She was aloof and arrogant, and although quite capable, she often offended people. It is said that she was ostracized in officialdom and dismissed from her post at a young age, being relegated to teaching at an academy. Naturally, she continued to offend people at the academy, so she often kept to herself.
Situ Mei was a person who didn't participate in cliques, disliked flattery, and was a loner wherever she went. But she admired the youthful spirit of her students, especially enjoyed discussing world affairs with those who had ideals and aspirations, and was very popular among them.
Today, as Situ Mei walked into the classroom, she keenly sensed from the tense and excited faces that a storm was brewing. However, she didn't know if the storm was coming for her.
She put the lecture notes aside. "Speak, what do you want?"
The crowd stammered in response, "We didn't mean to do anything..."
"Nonsense! Do you think I'm blind?" Situ Mei retorted, "I didn't intend to do anything, yet you're all so eager to try. And who are those empty seats? Where are they? Where did they go?"
Xiang Ruzhen and Lu Jinlan exchanged a glance, but before they could discuss a plan, Situ Mei said, "Xiang Ruzhen, Lu Jinlan, stand up!"
"Everyone's eyeing you two. You're obviously the organizers. What are you up to? Where's Yan Wuxin? Usually, the three of you are inseparable. Why did you break up today?"
The two exchanged a glance and said helplessly, "It's a long story."
Seeing that they couldn't fool her anymore, they simply told Situ Mei the whole story.
Situ Mei initially frowned, but the more she listened, the happier she became, nodding repeatedly. Seeing the compelling evidence they had obtained, her eyes shone, as if to say, "Truly worthy of being my students."
Lu Jinlan, observing her expression, simply revealed today's plan to her as well.
"Right now, Wu Xin has taken a few people to keep a close watch over the cafeteria, while Ling Zhaoren and Chu Yishu have gone to monitor the supervisor. Yan Yu and I will go to invite the dean in a bit, and Ru Zhen will take the students directly to the cafeteria. We've agreed to invite all relevant people to the cafeteria at 3:45 PM for a face-to-face confrontation."
"Great, great, very thoughtful arrangements." Situ Mei kept praising.
Xiang Ruzhen asked excitedly, "Do you think the school supervisor will be dismissed if things go smoothly?"
Situ Mei was startled. "You really dare to think this way. This matter could be a big deal or a small deal. At worst, it could be considered accepting bribes; at worst, it could be just taking money from a relative. She could say that she was unaware of the regulations and was suspected of negligence. But it's impossible for you to use this matter to bring down a fourth-rank school supervisor. Whether this matter is handled strictly or leniently is entirely up to the dean."
Lu Jinlan hurriedly asked, "Won't the dean deal with it severely? Ling Zhaoren said that the dean is impartial and doesn't even give face to relatives."
Situ Mei shook her head. "Don't blame me for pouring cold water on you. The Dean is impartial, but it depends on whose face he is giving face to. Miao Xuejian's great-grandmother was the Dean's childhood mentor, and their relationship is very close. The old lady is almost a hundred years old. How could the Dean not give her face?"
Upon hearing this news, the two frowned.
Situ Mei changed the subject and comforted them, saying, "However, your evidence is conclusive, and the dean will definitely reprimand the student supervisor. The cafeteria will probably have to be renovated. Don't be discouraged. Even if things don't work out today, I'll still give you the highest score in this course. Your courage is commendable."
Xiang Ruzhen and Lu Jinlan exchanged a glance. Lu Jinlan asked, "What are you thinking?"
Xiang Ruzhen: "I have only eight words: I will not give up until I achieve my goal."
Lu Jinlan: "Okay, I also have four words: just do it. If you don't do it, there will be no results. If you do it and the results are not satisfactory, then keep doing it."
Xiang Ruzhen nodded vigorously, "Let's do it that way."
At this moment, Yan Yu came over to remind them, "It's almost time, let's go."
Situ Mei reminded them to bring more people, and Lu Jinlan, seeing her master's rare support, simply called everyone who wasn't busy. If they had enough manpower, they could bring the dean if they couldn't get him.
Ling Zhaoren and Chu Yishu thought the same thing, and they were responsible for inviting the school supervisor. The two of them squatted outside the supervisor's office for half a class period, so nervous that they broke out in a sweat without doing anything. Just as they were about to go inside when the time came, Miao Jin pushed the door open and came out herself.
Supervisor Miao was taken aback when he saw the two of them. "What are you doing here?"
Chu Yishu quickly recited her prepared lines: "The dean is in the cafeteria, please go there as soon as possible."
Miao Xuejian immediately retorted, "Nonsense! It's the Dean's 60th birthday today. He didn't come to work at all. Why would he go to the canteen?"
"Huh?" The two were immediately dumbfounded.
Meanwhile, Lu Jinlan and Yan Yu, who had come up empty-handed at the dean's office, also received this unexpected news. Fortunately, the dean's residence was right next to the academy, so they didn't have time to worry about anything else. Lu Jinlan led everyone like carp leaping over the dragon gate, taking shortcuts and scaling the wall.
Ling Zhixu changed his clothes and was about to go to the front hall to greet the guests when he turned around and more than a dozen heads crowded at the window. "Dean, something terrible has happened! You should go to the cafeteria right away!"
Ling Zhixu roared, "Who gave you permission to come out during class time?"
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