Old Principal’s appearance was like pouring a basin of ice water into a boiling oil pot.
In that instant, the entire corridor of Building A Teaching Building became so silent you could hear a pin drop.
The air solidified.
The students who were enthusiastically discussing “teacher’s wife” a second ago were now all frozen in place like a paused video tape, their expressions a mix of emotions.
Director of Academic Affairs Office’s face, which was emblazoned with the words “discipline,” immediately turned from black to a liver-like color upon seeing Old Principal.
He rushed forward, stood at attention, like a soldier awaiting inspection.
“Pr-Principal!
Why are you here?” Nari’s heart also sank with a thud, plummeting into the Mariana Trench.
It’s over.
The final BOSS has been alerted.
His teaching career was probably going to end today, in a manner of extreme social death.
He even started to ponder whether he should apply to be a bubble tea shop clerk after being fired, or simply throw caution to the wind and become a full-time cross-dressing streamer.
The crowd parted automatically like the Red Sea, creating a pathway.
Old Principal walked with his hands behind his back, one step at a time, not fast, but each step seemed to land on everyone’s heart.
His gaze, projected through his presbyopic lenses, swept over the young and nervous faces in the corridor, over the mountain of “offerings” piled on Nari’s desk, and finally, landed precisely on Nari himself.
The entire place didn’t dare to breathe.
Director of Academic Affairs Office’s forehead had already started to sweat.
He cleared his throat, preparing to preemptively characterize Nari: “Teacher Nari!
Look at you!
What a bad influence!
As a Counselor, doing all these messy things in school…
Mmm!” His words were interrupted by Old Principal’s raised hand.
Old Principal ignored him, simply walked up to Nari, and scrutinized him from head to toe, very carefully.
It was a penetrating examination, as if he could see through every secret beneath his white shirt.
Nari felt his scalp tingle.
He stood ramrod straight, his hands pressed to the seams of his trousers, looking like a primary school student who had made a mistake and was awaiting punishment.
“Principal, I…” The speech he had prepared, about raising money for his daughter, about extenuating circumstances, couldn’t be uttered in front of Old Principal, not a single word.
It was too humiliating.
It was practically a public execution.
Old Principal remained silent, a silence that lasted for a full thirty seconds.
Every second felt as long as a century.
The air in the corridor was sucked dry, and the students’ hearts were in their throats.
Many girls had already begun to silently pray, hoping that the Principal would be lenient with their poor and beautiful “teacher’s wife.” Director of Academic Affairs Office’s lips had already begun to uncontrollably curl upwards; he seemed to have already seen the school-wide reprimand announcement.
Just when everyone thought a thunderous storm was about to descend.
Old Principal suddenly moved.
He adjusted his reading glasses, and then, under the gaze of all the teachers and students, revealed a remarkably kind smile.
He nodded heavily.
“Hmm, not bad.” These two words, light and airy, exploded like a depth charge in the crowd.
Everyone was stunned.
Not bad?
What’s not bad?
Old Principal completely ignored the bewildered expressions of those around him.
He turned to Nari, his tone filled with gratification.
“Teacher Nari, I heard.
To treat your adopted daughter’s illness, you didn’t hesitate to humble yourself and use your talents to earn money.
This kind of fatherly responsibility is truly remarkable.” Nari’s mind went blank.
The Principal…
knew?
“My granddaughter,” Old Principal continued, “is a fan of yours from the anime convention.
Yesterday, she showed me your photos and spent half the day explaining what COS is and who Jing Liu is.” He paused, then added in an even more approving tone: “To be so loved by today’s young people means you not only have a sense of responsibility but also talent, and you can keep up with the trends of the times.
Multi-talented, you are a model of an excellent contemporary teacher!” “Whoosh—” The crowd could no longer suppress themselves, and a collective gasp erupted.
A model of an excellent teacher?
This evaluation, coming from Old Principal, who was the most rule-abiding person in the entire school, had a value even higher than pure gold!
Director of Academic Affairs Office’s face instantly changed from liver-colored to a color palette, vibrant and quite a sight to behold.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found that his logic couldn’t keep up at all.
What on earth was happening to this world?
However, Old Principal’s subsequent words truly pushed this farce to its climax.
He looked around, and to all the students watching, he made a decisive announcement in an unquestionable tone.
“I think this matter is better guided than suppressed.
Our school is about to hold its annual Art Festival, and the students are so enthusiastic, it’s a perfect opportunity to make it even livelier!” He clapped his hand on Nari’s shoulder.
“How about this, Teacher Nari, for this year’s Art Festival, the school will take the lead and organize a live fundraising ceremony specifically for your daughter!
All teachers and students can participate, contributing money if they have it, and effort if they can!” The students hadn’t yet recovered from this huge surprise when Old Principal dropped another bombshell.
“As for the performance, Teacher Nari, you can show off your best skills and talents!
The COS…
what was it called?” He turned to ask his secretary.
The secretary, a young man in his thirties, immediately understood and leaned forward: “Principal, it’s a character from honkai: star rail, Jing Liu.” “Right!
Jing Liu!” Old Principal slapped his thigh, as if he had finally remembered the name, “At that time, you will take the stage as Jing Liu as the grand finale!” Upon hearing this.
The entire Building A Teaching Building exploded.
After a brief silence, there was a roar of cheers and screams like a tsunami.
“Holy crap!
Long live the Principal!” “Official recognition!
This is official recognition, everyone!” “This is great!
I can see Goddess Jingliu live again!
And it’s the high-definition, uncensored, campus-exclusive edition!” “Mom asks why I go to school on my knees, because our school has immortals!” “I declare that from today onwards, the Principal is my only male god!
Director Nari is the goddess!” The students were so excited they danced, hugged each other, as if it were already Chinese New Year.
A few bolder boys even started shouting: “Principal is wise!
Director Nari is invincible!” Director of Academic Affairs Office stood by, dumbfounded.
He felt his worldview, along with the rules and regulations he had upheld for half his life, shattered into dust.
Nari himself was completely petrified.
He stood with his mouth agape, looking at the kindly smiling Old Principal, his brain completely unable to process the fantastical turn of events.
He was supposed to…
wear women’s clothing…
COS Jing Liu…
as the grand finale…
at the school’s Art Festival?
This was no longer just social death.
This was being nailed to the pillar of shame in the school’s history, to be admired by future generations!
Old Principal saw Nari’s dazed expression and thought he was simply too moved.
He patted his shoulder encouragingly again.
“Little Nari, don’t feel pressured.
This is a good thing, a manifestation of our school’s humanistic care.
Just go ahead and prepare with confidence, the school will give you the green light, whatever support you need, just ask!” With that, Old Principal walked away with his hands behind his back, contentedly, amidst the cheers of “Long live the Principal,” his Merit and fame deeply hidden.
Only Nari was left, bewildered in the wind, amidst the fervent crowd.
His campus life, it seemed…
was about to be completely idolized, heading in a completely unpredictable direction.
In the office, Brother Zhang, the physical education teacher, came over, looking at him with an expression like he was seeing an alien.
“Old Nari, you’re awesome.
Really, you’re the most awesome teacher I’ve ever seen.” Sister Chen from the English department also pushed up her glasses and spoke faintly: “Teacher Nari, can you reserve a front-row ticket for the Art Festival for me?
My husband…
he also wants to learn.” Suddenly, a group of students rushed in, looking at Nari with anticipation.
“Teacher Nari, Teacher Nari, can you COS Firefly?
Please, Teacher Nari, Firefly is the most suitable for you.” “No, no, no, I think Kafka is more suitable for Teacher Nari’s type.” “I think Robin looks better…” “Acheron is the true immortal, okay…” “Ruan Mei is forever the god…” “Feixiao…” Looking at the chattering students, Nari sighed, a helpless expression on his face.