Chapter Thirty-Four: His Light Was Extinguished

Was he recalling the outburst in the auditorium and planning to settle scores?

Principal Pei’s mood was like a roller coaster, and he had a few choice words for Yan Chang. Yan Chang, who had been about to chase after them to beg for forgiveness, saw this and his eyes lit up. Was Jiang Changyuan giving him a chance?

"Young Master Jiang, I..."

"Step aside."

Pushing past the encroaching Yan Chang, Jiang Changyuan pointed to the gifts left by the former board members on the guest table. "Mom, Dad, you don't want these things?"

"We have no use for them. If you like them, just take them," Zhong Qing said with a gentle smile.

"Then I'll dispose of them?"

"Do as you please." Jiang Zhengguo didn't care; he hadn't even thought about those items, as he held them in low regard.

"Young Master Jiang, please, listen to one more explanation from me..."

Jiang Changyuan picked out three items and walked over to Principal Pei, completely ignoring the persistent Yan Chang. "I’ve taken up quite a bit of your time today; consider these small gifts as compensation."

"No, no, no, this simply won't do. How could we accept gifts from a student?" Principal Pei waved his hands repeatedly. Not to mention that he didn't accept gifts privately, even if he did, he wouldn't dare accept them in front of the newly appointed board member! The Vice Principal and Director Lu also declined hurriedly. Yan Chang’s cautionary tale was right before their eyes, and they had no intention of following his lead.

"Just treat it as if I brought them to the school and you held onto them for me."

Forcefully pressing the items into the three men's hands, Jiang Changyuan found a trash bag, packed the remaining items, and left with his parents.

The world is not just about fighting and killing; it is about human relations and worldly wisdom. Gu Qing would return to the school to make a donation in the future. Jiang Changyuan’s seemingly casual effort to build goodwill with the principal and the others now would become a fortunate boomerang that would eventually bring benefits back to him.

Once the door closed, the three men exchanged looks. The items in their hands felt scorching, heating them to the very core—they were moved, yet they dared not move.

"Ahem!" Principal Pei was the first to remember there was still an outsider present. He cleared his throat and set the gifts down. "Since Student Jiang said to let us keep them, we shall return them to him after he graduates from high school."

"The Principal is right." The Vice Principal and Director Lu nodded, setting their gifts aside as if they cared nothing for them. Yan Chang, who would be dismissed tomorrow, was still present; they didn't want to get themselves implicated over such a trivial matter.

"Yan Chang, you have already personally admitted that you slandered Student Jiang. Now, what else do you have to say?"

"Principal, please, help me put in a good word with Mr. Jiang. I have worked conscientiously at this school for so many years..."

"Conscientiously and diligently almost buried the future of this school—is that what you mean?" Having no desire to listen to Yan Chang’s sophistry any longer, Principal Pei waved his hand in disappointment. "Don't bother going home today. Tomorrow morning, the school will handle this matter. If you don't want to be unable to survive in Beining City, just wait obediently for your punishment."

The last glimmer of light in Yan Chang’s eyes went out.

"Tell the security guards watching Yan Chang to be careful. Other than calls to his family, no contact with anyone else. We don't want him colluding with Zhang Chengliang to stir up trouble tomorrow morning."

"Understood. Old Lu and I will keep watch tonight as well; otherwise, I won't be at ease." The Vice Principal knew how to handle things. The school's situation was looking excellent, and he was full of drive. "Let's discuss the announcement for the entire school tomorrow morning. It must be done perfectly to ensure Student Jiang is satisfied."

"Right. It’s been two days since the results came out; we must investigate exactly what grievances Student Jiang suffered during these two days..."

While the school’s big three worked overtime, the group led by the chubby boy remained at the school gate, all waiting for Jiang Changyuan.

"Young Master Jiang, Uncle Jiang, Auntie Zhong, what did the principal and the others say?"

"Don't worry, children. There will be a result tomorrow." Zhong Qing showed the utmost kindness to these students who were genuinely concerned about her son.

"Auntie Zhong, does that mean Young Master Jiang won't be expelled?"

"I was framed. Why on earth would I be expelled?" Jiang Changyuan gave the chubby boy a playful kick. Now that his father was a board member, who would dare expel him? However, he didn't voice this, lest this already rowdy bunch of rascals become even more lawless.

Having wasted enough time, the group, anxious to return for their tutoring session, hailed taxis to Blue Sea Bay, while Chen Xiang and Su Yingying were enthusiastically pulled into the luxury car.

"A gift for you two. Take it." After the tutoring ended, Jiang Changyuan took two boxes from his pocket and pressed them into the hands of Chen Xiang and Su Yingying.

Chen Xiang opened hers and froze upon seeing the high-end women's watch worth tens of thousands inside. Su Yingying’s gift was similar, and she quickly tried to decline. "I can't accept this."

"Helping me study is hard work. If you don't take it, I'll be angry." Jiang Changyuan intentionally darkened his face. He knew Su Yingying didn't like wearing jewelry, but she could sell it to buy medicine for her mother, couldn't she?

"Young Master Jiang, that’s double standards! Why don't we get any?"

"Exactly! Women are like clothes, but brothers are like limbs. Young Master Jiang, you're playing favorites!" The chubby boy and the others teased. Though they were envious, they were only saying it in jest. If Young Master Jiang gave to them, they would accept; if he didn't, it meant they weren't qualified. It had to be said that although this group of rascals was often a drag, their loyalty to Jiang Changyuan was absolute.

"Go on, go on. A bunch of rough men—be glad you’re not running around naked."

"Next time someone scores in the top hundred, this young master will give them a gift, alright? Now get lost!"

At these words, the group howled like they had been injected with adrenaline. If the residential complex weren't famous for its good security, the nearby neighbors would have come out brandishing sticks.

Chen Xiang raised an eyebrow and stuffed the gift into her schoolbag. "Thanks."

"We're all friends, don't mention it."

Su Yingying frowned slightly, and just as she was about to refuse, Chen Xiang leaned in. "If you don't want it, give it to me. I'll sell it for money; it’ll be enough to pay for my entire high school tuition with some left over."

"No!" Su Yingying, who had dodged to the side, clutched the box and whispered, "I'm not giving it to you."

Chen Xiang pursed her lips, glanced at Jiang Changyuan, and turned to leave with a flourish. Watching her thin, slender back, Jiang Changyuan felt a stir in his heart. In the original book, Chen Xiang had a crush on Gu Qing because he saved her from her terrible original family, but in the end...

"Thank you, Jiang Changyuan. I like it very much." Su Yingying said in a low voice before hurrying to catch up with the main group. Her pretty face was flushed in the darkness, like a warm light blooming in the pitch-black night.

"Thank you, too, Su Yingying..."

"...for helping me shoulder so much of the protagonist's negative emotions."

The whispered murmur was spoken to the wind, and suddenly the wind rose, scattering it into the world.

*Ring-a-ling!*

The class bell rang, and Principal Pei’s voice suddenly erupted over the broadcast system. "Will all faculty and students please head to the playground? Will all faculty and students..."

The students, who didn't have to attend class, rushed out of the classrooms in a clamor, speculating in twos and threes about what was about to happen. Once everyone was gathered, Principal Pei took the stage alone, using the most solemn tone to explain the result of the cheating scandal. He, the Vice Principal, and Director Lu had worked late into the night, finally uncovering the truth.

"As teachers, they failed to set an example, instead colluding with bad students to slander a good one."

"The tumors that are Yan Chang and Zhang Xueliang, who framed Student Jiang Changyuan for their own selfish interests, have caused severe repercussions. The school will certainly..."

The students were all stunned, every single one of them. Even the chubby boy and his friends felt a bit awkward.

A *good* student?! Was the principal really talking about Young Master Jiang?