The bus from Jiangcheng No.1 Middle School had not yet come to a complete stop.
The people inside the carriage could already feel the suffocating heat outside the window.
At the school gate, two red banners with gold lettering were stretched straight.
It says on the left:
Warmest congratulations to our students Zhao Zichen and Zhang Ya for winning first and third prizes respectively in the provincial essay competition!
The one on the right is even more exaggerated; the font size is a whole circle larger.
The gold dust was blindingly bright in the sunlight.
[Great news! Warmest congratulations to Lin Que from Class 3, Grade 11 of our school for winning the only Special Prize in the first "Relief Cup" provincial competition!]
Besides the banner, there were two rows of students standing at the entrance.
They were wearing ceremonial attire that was only worn by higher-level leaders during inspections.
He was holding a plastic flower that he had found somewhere.
Principal Jiang Changfeng stood at the very front.
That usually serious face was now all smiles, and he was holding a megaphone in his hand.
Lin Que stared at the two rows of students outside the window, who looked like welcoming hostesses, and his Adam's apple bobbed.
"Teacher Shen, if I start foaming at the mouth right now, can I be taken directly to the infirmary?"
Shen Qingqiu touched up her lipstick in front of the small mirror without even lifting her eyelids:
You can give it a try.
However, Principal Jiang even stopped the morning exercises for this big show.
If you dare to faint, he can have someone carry you around the track three times, and then drape a banner over you.
"..."
Lin Que imagined the scene and felt that it was more dignified to live on.
The car door opened with a "whoosh".
Before anyone could react, deafening drumbeats erupted outside.
Several physical education students were banging on the drums and gongs as if they had a grudge against them, without any rhythm whatsoever.
It didn't sound like a welcoming ceremony; it sounded more like a court hearing in the old days.
Instead of shouting "majesty," all that's left is disturbing the peace.
"Welcome! Welcome! A warm welcome!"
Principal Jiang took the lead in shouting slogans, and the loudspeaker emitted a piercing whistling sound.
Zhao Zichen walked ahead, carrying the trophy.
Although I was mentally prepared, I was still so frightened by the scene that I stumbled.
He pushed up his glasses and waved stiffly.
He looked like an official who had just come to inspect the countryside.
When it was Lin Que's turn to get off the bus, the sound of gongs and drums suddenly rose an octave.
The car door had barely opened a crack when Principal Jiang's well-maintained face squeezed in.
He took two steps onto the footboard, grabbing Lin Que's right hand with both hands.
The frequency of its up-and-down shaking is almost as fast as that of a pile driver.
"Lin Que! Well done! You've really made our school proud!"
The loudspeaker blared right next to my ear, accompanied by a shower of spittle.
"The Grand Prize! The only Grand Prize in the entire province!"
Principal Jiang was so excited that his cheeks were trembling.
"Even the provincial leaders praised you by name! Our No. 1 High School hasn't produced a talent like you in so many years!"
Lin Que laboriously pulled his hand back, a standard fake smile on his face:
"Principal, you flatter me. It's all thanks to Teacher Shen's excellent teaching."
"Teacher Shen certainly deserves credit!"
Principal Jiang turned to look at Shen Qingqiu, his eyes filled with kindness.
"Teacher Shen, your bonus has been doubled this time!"
Furthermore, the school will give you its full support in the city's selection of outstanding teachers!
Shen Qingqiu nodded reservedly, but she couldn't hide the smile in her eyes.
"That's Lin Que."
Principal Jiang changed the subject and patted Lin Que on the shoulder.
"You'll give a speech at Monday's flag-raising ceremony."
Write the article well! Make it insightful! Make it sharp!
Since the provincial leaders all say you are a 'scalpel',
Then we'll have to draw our swords!
Of course…
The principal changed the subject and lowered his voice.
"We still need to be a little careful about the scale, there needs to be that... what's the word again?"
Yes, a truly awe-inspiring and powerful momentum!
Lin Que's smile froze on his face.
"Principal, can the speech be disregarded? I have social anxiety."
Social anxiety?
Principal Jiang's eyes widened.
“When you said ‘literature is a scalpel’ on the provincial award stage, you didn’t sound like someone with social anxiety.”
It's settled then! This is the mission!
After saying that, Principal Jiang waved his hand.
The signal to the marching band to continue playing was given no chance to refuse.
...
Back in the classroom, Lin Que was treated like a hero.
Wu Di charged forward like a human bomb.
If Lin Que hadn't dodged quickly, he probably would have suffered internal injuries from the impact.
"Brother Que! You're amazing!"
Wu Di grabbed Lin Que's shoulders and shook him violently.
"The grand prize! I've heard about it. It's a perfect score from Professor Jian Shen!"
Lin Que felt dizzy from being shaken and slapped his hand away:
"Be gentle, my bones are brittle."
"Brother Que, can you give me a hint?"
Wu Di lowered his voice, his chubby face almost touching Lin Que's nose.
"It's all over the news in the next class, they're saying you wrote about a psychopathic killer."
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