You're dumping me, huh? Fine, then I'll just pick up the school beauty and make her my wif

Shortly after Zhao Wenyu finished apologizing, a series of hurried footsteps came from backstage—

Immediately afterwards, everyone saw the head of the teaching department rush in through the side door with a livid face, followed by two other teachers.

"Have you gone too far?! Who gave you permission to do this mess in the Great Hall of the People?!"

"The awards ceremony is about to begin, and instead of sitting properly, everyone's just making a fuss!"

Several teachers scolded and shooed Wang Kai and others, who were still standing on the stage, off the stage.

Wang Kai and the other boys didn't seem to care. They chuckled twice, jumped off the stage nimbly, and scurried back to their seats.

As for Zhao Wenyu...

When he heard the teacher say "Come down quickly," he felt as if he had been granted a pardon.

He scurried off the stage, not caring about his image anymore, and walked through several rows of seats with his head down and back bent in an extremely comical manner.

Finally, he squeezed into the most inconspicuous corner of the Great Hall of the People.

His pink maid dress fluttered and swayed as he fled in panic, attracting countless cell phone flashes and bursts of laughter along the way.

Jiang Che witnessed Zhao Wenyu's hasty retreat and shook his head helplessly.

To be honest... he really felt sorry for this guy.

Although he may be a bit sharp-tongued, have poor character, low emotional intelligence, and not very popular...

But all in all, it doesn't warrant such a serious crime.

But on second thought, no one can be blamed for this. After all, he was the one who spoke recklessly and insisted on making the bet, and he himself said, "Even if it's only 0.5 points more, it counts."

Hopefully, having learned his lesson today, Zhao Wenyu will not do anything that backfires again.

After a reprimand from the head of the teaching department, the auditorium finally regained some of its former order.

The teachers on stage quickly tidied up the venue that Wang Kai and his gang had messed up, put the microphones back in their places, and adjusted the lights to a proper warm white.

Not long after, a series of steady footsteps came from the direction of the main entrance of the Great Hall of the People.

Everyone looked up and saw the principal, dressed in a sharp dark gray suit, walking unhurriedly through the corridor beside them and onto the center of the stage.

Behind him followed a teacher carrying a stack of red certificates of merit.

After the principal stopped, he reached out to adjust the microphone stand, cleared his throat, and said, "Ahem... Students, please be quiet."

The last murmur in the auditorium vanished as soon as the principal spoke.

Putting everything else aside, the principal still commands immense authority at the school.

He usually looks like a kind old man with a smile, but as soon as he stands on the stage and picks up the microphone, an aura of authority without anger will instantly spread out.

"First of all, on behalf of the school, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the students who achieved excellent results in this mock exam."

"Everyone is probably aware of how difficult this mock exam was; the difficulty level was significantly higher than in previous years."

"Students who can achieve good results under this kind of pressure deserve recognition."

Jiang Che listened half-heartedly; to be honest, he really wasn't interested in this kind of official speech.

It wasn't that he was arrogant; he had attended these award ceremonies more than a dozen times from his first year of high school to his third, so he knew the procedures by heart.

First, the principal went on stage and gave a ten-minute speech of nonsense... no, I mean, an encouraging speech.

Then they started reading out the list of the top ten students in the whole school, and called them up to the stage one by one to receive their awards.

Next are the eleventh to fiftieth places.

Finally, I'd like to give special praise to a few students who have made particularly significant progress.

It's the same old thing, year after year.

However, on the other hand... this year's situation seems to be slightly different from previous years.

Jiang Che's gaze shifted slightly downwards, landing on his and Su Qinghe's hands, which were clasped together on the armrest.

At this year's awards ceremony, people he cares about will be invited to the stage.

Just thinking about this softened Jiang Che's originally lazy eyes, and added a hint of heartfelt expectation.

After the principal spoke at length on the stage for about seven or eight minutes, he finally got to the point.

"Okay, next, I will read out the list of the top ten science students and the top ten arts students in the whole school in this mock exam."

"Students whose names are called, please come up to the stage to receive your awards."

The principal picked up the list and adjusted his reading glasses. "First place in science, Lu Ang, with a total score of 718."

A round of applause erupted from the audience, and then a tall, thin boy wearing glasses stood up from the front row and walked onto the stage.

"Second place in science..."

The principal read out the names one by one in order of ranking.

Jiang Che's attention was not on these names; he was just looking at Su Qinghe's profile as she sat quietly beside him, silently counting them in his mind.

Fifth place... Sixth place... Seventh place...

"Eighth place in science – Su Qinghe, with a total score of 695."

When the principal read the name, he paused noticeably, and his tone carried an extra hint of admiration.

A collective gasp filled the Great Hall, followed by enthusiastic applause and whispers.

"Holy crap... Top eight! That's amazing on the first exam after transferring majors..."

"Su Qinghe is too amazing! What kind of monstrous brain does she have...?"

"It's one thing for her to be good-looking, but her grades are also amazing. I'm truly impressed."

As Jiang Che listened to the surrounding discussions filled with amazement and admiration, an inexplicable sense of pride welled up in his heart.

Even though he wasn't the one who got the high score... the person who got the high score is his.

Isn't this something that brings immense joy and exhilaration?

At this moment, after hearing the principal call her name, Su Qinghe gently pulled her hand away from Jiang Che's and stood up from her seat.

She lowered her head and carefully straightened the collar and cuffs of her school uniform, then walked at a leisurely pace through rows of seats toward the stage.

She was wearing a baggy school uniform today, but even with such a loose fit, it couldn't hide her slender and graceful figure.

With long, flowing hair and a cool, aloof expression, many people couldn't help but crane their necks to look at her as she walked past from the back row.

Even with hundreds of eyes following her, her expression remained aloof and composed.

Keep your eyes straight ahead and walk steadily.

She is exactly like a high-mountain flower walking among humans.

Jiang Che watched Su Qinghe's retreating figure as she walked up the steps and stood in her place on the stage.