Chapter 120: 117 and the kids play the slapping game [2nd update]

He really didn’t know what to say.

He Xun hadn’t been a teacher for very long, but because his first class was the International Class, he had only seen students who were serious about their studies.

If it wasn’t because Teacher Deng went on a business trip to O continent, which led to him teaching the Elite Class for a little over a week.

He would have never encountered students who occupied Verdant’s most precious learning resources, yet still performed so poorly, didn’t make an effort themselves, and only knew how to sleep during class.

Although Class 19 had many problematic students, He Xun had never taught them, so these problematic students naturally didn’t give him as direct an impression as Ying Zijin did.

The Dean hadn’t noticed the change in He Xun’s expression and said with considerable relief, “Principal, you wouldn’t believe it, but Class 19 has really improved a lot lately. They’ve been attending the morning exercises and lectures. It makes me wonder if they’ve all been body-snatched or something.”

The Principal had had his fair share of split seams recently, but he remained composed, “You should watch fewer time-travel dramas and be a role model for the students. If they find out, you won’t be able to keep your position as Dean.”

The Dean: “…”

He quickly left with the leave request slip in hand.

“Teacher He, going back to our previous discussion, we should—” the Principal began, then paused mid-sentence, frowning.

He knew He Xun harbored a great prejudice against Ying Zijin and hadn’t expected him to overhear this.

Although He Xun wouldn’t even set foot into Class 19, and Ying Zijin wasn’t really his student.

But the Principal always felt that it was too much for him to carry this prejudice and continue teaching. It was necessary to speak to him about it.

Besides, he felt that Ying Zijin had been making rapid progress recently.

Even though she was still lacking in her studies, her artistic talent should not be buried.

Who knows, she might become a dark horse in the mid-term exams, right?

The Principal pushed up his glasses, “Teacher He, the situation is like this, Classmate Ying’s family…”

“Principal.” He Xun interrupted him, slightly annoyed, “Let’s stick to the main topic, shall we?”

He still had to prepare lessons for the International Class and did not have the spare time to listen to a poor student’s situation.

Moreover, it was none of his business.

**

Second year, Elite Class.

Zhong Zhiwan held a pen in her hand but hadn’t moved at all.

She stared blankly at the exercise book laid out on the desk, lost in thought.

As the class president and the Verdant Goddess, seeing her distracted for the past few days, her classmates in the Elite class were all very concerned about her.

“Zhiwan, are you okay?” Lu Fang, as her most devoted admirer, naturally wouldn’t miss this opportunity to show his concern, “Speak up if there’s something bothering you. Everyone will definitely help you sort it out.”

“Yeah, Goddess Zhong, don’t keep it to yourself, it’ll only make you feel worse.”

Another classmate asked, “Zhiwan, are you worried about the Jade Pavilion thing? Hey, what’s there to be anxious about? You’re a student now; studying is your main job. There are so many people in the Zhong Corporation’s management; it’s not your turn to worry about it.”

Although there was nothing wrong with this statement, it made Zhong Zhiwan feel even more distressed when she heard it.

If it had been before, she would have known this was none of her business, and with her abilities, she couldn’t intervene in the corporation’s affairs.

But it was Ying Zijin’s appearance that had caused her status in Grandpa Zhong’s heart to plummet.

If it was just losing at the art festival competition, Zhong Zhiwan could have accepted it.

What she couldn’t accept was that Grandpa Zhong took Ying Zijin to the company but wouldn’t let her touch even the slightest of the company’s matters.

Why?

Zhong Zhiwan bowed her head and ignored her classmates’ concerns, her mind in turmoil.

“Don’t worry about it, Zhiwan,” the girl sitting next to her comforted her, knowing what was going on, “No matter what, Ying Zijin is an outsider after all. Your grandpa is just temporarily blinded.”

“Besides, it’s a good thing your grandpa doesn’t let you get involved with the company. The adults are all so busy; how could they throw the burden on you?”

Zhong Zhiwan pursed her lips, her mood finally recovering slightly.

“Zhiwan, all you need to do is focus on your studies and bring back a first place,” the girl continued. “You don’t know yet? The mid-term exams are coming up at the end of the month, and Ying Zijin has actually requested leave for a week.”

“Her grades are already poor, and her class attendance is ineffective. I think she’ll have to apologize to you in front of everyone when the time comes.”

Hearing this, Zhong Zhiwan smiled faintly and said no more.

**

Ying Zijin had locked herself in her room for a whole day and night without coming down to eat at all.

Master Zhong had gone up several times, but he hadn’t even managed to enter her room.

He had no idea what she was brewing inside, as his granddaughter simply wouldn’t let him see.

Just as Master Zhong was worried that Ying Zijin might wear herself out, the doorbell at Zhong family’s main gate rang.

Steward Zhong came out of the kitchen and hurried to answer the door.

Upon opening the door, he paused for a moment, “Young Master Xiao Qi?”

“Hello, Steward Zhong,” Fu Yunshen greeted lazily, barely glancing up, “I came in a rush, didn’t bring anything.”

“No need to bring anything, we have everything at home.” Steward Zhong ushered him in and called out, “Elder Zhong, Young Master Xiao Qi is here.”

“Roll, roll, roll.” Master Zhong grumbled upon hearing this, “Spit it out, did your grandpa send you here to steal my cakes?”

Fu Yunshen: “…”

He really didn’t share his grandpa’s hobby.

He wondered just how shamelessly Old Master Fu used to poach in the past.

“`

This sneaking of snacks has even given Old Master Zhong a psychological shadow.

Fu Yunshen looked up at the second floor, “Grandpa Zhong, I’m here to see Yaoyao.”

Unexpectedly, Old Master Zhong agreed without much hesitation, “Sure, go on up. It’s the fourth room on the right-hand side of the second floor.”

Watching the man ascend the stairs, Old Master Zhong harrumphed.

He wouldn’t allow even him, her grandfather, to see his granddaughter, so how could he let this stinky boy have a look? Surely, he would come down after finding the door locked.

Fu Yunshen was completely unaware of Old Master Zhong’s thoughts. When he reached the door, he knocked, “Yaoyao?”

There was no response from inside.

He inclined his ear slightly and heard faint, steady breathing.

She was evidently asleep.

Fu Yunshen’s hand rested on the doorknob, applying a slight force.

The lock clicked open.

In the room, Ying Zijin was sprawled on the table, fast asleep.

Sunlight streamed in from the window, casting a pale golden glow upon her.

Next to her lay a jade carving that was half completed.

Fu Yunshen glanced at the jade carving, his gaze flickering slightly.

The little girl was quite stubborn.

Fu Yunshen walked over, bent down, and hoisted the girl into a horizontal carry, then brought her into the adjoining bedroom.

Afterward, he returned to the previous room.

Fu Yunshen looked at the half-finished jade carving, his eyebrows lifting slightly, an air of nonchalance about him.

He raised his slender fingers and picked up the carving knife from the table, starting the work.

Hm.

His own little friend, of course, should be doted on by him.

And if she wore herself out, he’d just have to nurse her back to health.

**

Several days passed in the blink of an eye, and before they knew it, the day had arrived for the gambling agreement between Zhong Corporation and DK Corporation.

It was the same conference room where the bet was made. This time, it wasn’t just Eugene who came but also the CEO of DK Corporation.

Eugene stood up and smiled slightly, “Five days have already passed. I wonder if Zhong Corporation has found the Ten Directions Realm? We would like to pay the remaining deposit as well.”

Hearing these words, the faces of the shareholders turned ugly.

To say nothing of finding the Ten Directions Realm, they hadn’t a clue where to start.

These five days of delay might as well not have happened at all.

Old Master Zhong sat at the head of the table, not speaking, his gaze heavy.

Seeing their expressions, Eugene understood, “It seems Zhong Corporation has betrayed our trust after all.”

“What a pity. The gambling agreement is now in effect; Jade Pavilion will be taken over by DK Corporation.”

The moment the betting agreement was signed, it had legal effect.

Not to mention, many people on Weibo had been waiting several days, eager to see which of the two corporations would win or lose.

Just a couple of days ago, a netizen had posted this comment.

[If Zhong Corporation loses, it will be a disgrace to us people of Hua Country, to be outdone by a foreign corporation.]

No sooner had Eugene spoken than the shareholders’ complexions shifted.

The CEO of DK Corporation sat opposite Old Master Zhong, nodding and smiling, never saying a word, as if everything were already decided.

“Director Zhong said before that if he lost, he would step down,” a shareholder said, standing with a smile. “Later, we would appreciate it if Director Zhong could also sign the share transfer document.”

This shareholder belonged to Zhong Tianyun’s faction and had been waiting for this day when Old Master Zhong would step down.

An older shareholder became angry, “If Uncle Zhong steps down, do you think you can uphold Zhong Corporation?”

“That’s not for you to worry about,” another shareholder interjected, full of scorn, “Director Zhong, you can’t blame us for this. Who asked you to tie Jade Pavilion’s fate and your own to a foster daughter from the Ying Family who knows nothing?”

It was a self-inflicted bind.

If Old Master Zhong had grown senile, then indeed, he had no right to control Zhong Corporation any longer.

“Oh, by the way, I recall that the agreement was signed by Director Zhong’s granddaughter?” Eugene said, feigning indifference, “How come, having signed the gambling agreement herself, she isn’t here now?”

Still too young and thoughtless, aiming too high.

Talking big about their three hundred million dollar deal with DK Corporation, now so frightened she doesn’t even show up.

Eugene shook his head, seemingly regretful, “Such a pity. If she hadn’t—”

“Bang!”

Right then, the door was kicked open.