Chapter 396: 119: The results are out, a slap in the face came so fast_6
Principal Zhao spoke at the right moment, “Let’s stop arguing. The students will be evenly distributed to each class, except for Ni Yang, who will be assigned by lottery. The homeroom teacher who corrects the tests gets to draw in a luck of the draw. Whichever of you draws Ni Yang, she will join your class. Does anyone still have objections?”
“I don’t.”
“I don’t either.”
Once the lottery drawing is in place, what else can be objected?
“Principal, lets start the draw now.”
“Yes, yes, yes! Let’s get started!”
Everyone was in a hurry.
Principal Zhao went on, “Wait a minute, could one of you fetch Teacher Zhang Qiang to join the draw?”
“Get Zhang Qiang to come over? Why? Zhang Qiang isn’t even involved in grading the tests!”
“Principal, do we really need to involve Zhang?”
“Principal, isn’t this a bit unfair! We were the ones who discovered Ni Yang, how can you invite Zhang Qiang! The more people drawing, the less chance we’ll have of getting selected.”
“Exactly!”
Principal Zhao explained, “Ni Yang was recommended by Zhang Qiang’s partner. It would be improper if we didn’t invite him, right?”
If it weren’t for Zhang Qiang, Ni Yang might not have even considered coming to our school.
Especially since our middle school is adjacent to two other schools.
But Zhang Qiang is an odd one, he had such a promising student right in front of him, but instead let her take the exam.
If he’s lucky enough to draw Ni Yang, that’s fine.
If he doesn’t, he’ll probably regret it forever.
Since the principal had said so, the teachers being reasonable people, quickly sent someone to call Zhang Qiang.
When Teacher Qi arrived at the staff dormitory, Zhang Qiang was cooking red-braised fish at home, filling the air with a rich aroma.
“Zhang, stop cooking! Quickly come with me to the principal’s office.”
“What’s the matter, Qi?” Zhang Qiang asked as he turned down the heat.
“Good news!” said teacher Qi excitedly, “A big piece of good news!”
“What good news has got you laughing like this?” Zhang Qiang asked curiously.
Teacher Qi continued, “There’s a dark horse among the transfer students from yesterday’s test who we think could be the top student in the city!”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Qiang’s spirit rose sharply, “Really?”
“Why would I lie about this?” Qi laughed, “The principal asked me to let you know about the lottery draw. Turn off the stove and let’s get going.”
Would the principal really be that kind? He even asked him to join the lottery draw?
Zhang Qiang suspiciously turned off the stove, removed his apron, and followed Teacher Qi out.
“Qi, what’s going on? Why did the principal invite me to the lottery draw?”
Teacher Qi explained as they walked, “This dark horse seems to have some connections with you.”
Zhang Qiang was confused, “What does it have to do with me?”
Teacher Qi continued, “The student’s name is Ni Yang. I heard she was recommended by your partner.”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Qiang was dumbfounded.
What?
Ni Yang is the dark horse?
What’s going on here?
Is he dreaming?
Zhang Qiang pinched his thigh hard.
Hisss!
It hurts.
So this isn’t a dream?!
Qi continued, “Ni Yang is really incredible! She scored full marks in maths, biology, chemistry, English and history! She made just one mistake in Chinese. Zhang, how could you have not kept such a talented student for yourself?”
His last sentence was laced with a sense of gloating.
He was mocking Zhang Qiang’s lack of foresight.
He had sacrificed something significant just to maintain his class’s overall college placement rate — truly regrettable.
He could have had this dark horse for himself, but to his surprise, he had turned her away.
One can imagine how Zhang Qiang must be feeling right now.
He was really upset!
After a while, he asked, “Qi, are you joking with me? Is the dark horse really Ni Yang?!”
Is Ni Yang really that talented?
Teacher Qi said, “Why would I joke about something like this?”
Zhang Qiang continued, “Could it be another Ni Yang with the same name?”
Teacher Qi shook his head and laughed, “Shouldn’t be the case, we’ve confirmed it. Among this batch of examinees, except for a few people named Chunhua Qiuyue, almost none of them have the same name.”
With that, teacher Qi added, “Zhang, if you really think it’s someone else with the same name, you can opt-out of the lottery.”
Opt out?
Why would Zhang Qiang do that?
No one could resist the honour that the top student brings.
Before long, the two arrived at the principal’s office.
“Teacher Zhang, you’re here.” Principal Zhao smiled at Zhang Qiang.
Zhang Qiang smiled back, “Principal.”
No matter what, Ni Yang was someone he introduced. Since she was destined to be in his class, he was bound to win the draw.
He was sure he’d win!
Zhang Qiang comforted himself.
The principal held a handful of crumpled slips of paper, “There are 21 slips of paper here, one of them has Ni Yang’s name written on it. Whoever draws that piece will become Ni Yang’s homeroom teacher.”
He then put the slips into a box and shook it, “Who wants to go first?”
It seemed a bit unfair to let anyone go first.
In the end, the teachers decided to use ‘rock-paper-scissors’ to determine the order of the draw.
Ten minutes later, everyone was holding a small piece of paper.
Everyone was apprehensive.
Everyone was praying they’d draw the right slip.
The principal smiled, “Teachers, what are you waiting for? Look at your slips.”
Upon his words, everyone began to secretly peek at their slips.
The next second, a series of sighs swept through the room.
Zhang Qiang hadn’t dared to look at his slip.
Seeing everyone sighing around him, he felt a sense of relief.
If they didn’t win, then he had to be the winner!
“Zhang! Look quickly! What are you waiting for?” Qi urged Zhang Qiang impatiently.
“Yeah, Zhang, hurry up!”
Zhang Qiang boasted, “Is there a need to look? I’m sure I’ve won the lottery! Everything happens for a reason, Ni Yang was introduced by me after all, she is destined to be in our class. How could anyone else get her?”
Just then, an exuberant voice erupted in the room, “Ah! Ah! Ah! I won! I won the lottery!”
Everyone turned their heads to look, and saw the near fifty-year-old Teacher Xu, as excited as a child.
And Zhang Qiang’s face changed in an instant, his smile froze on his lips.
How… can this be?
