Chapter 45: Sudden Turn
Chapter 45: Sudden Turn
This graduation ceremony, disastrous for Zhao Tianping and his faction, was finally over.
But the impact it caused far surpassed the previous press conference held by Luo Xue and He Qin.
No matter how sensational the press conference was, it was just a group of young people seeking justice for their wronged classmate. However, the significance of this graduation ceremony was far more profound!
It was even enough to influence an entire generation!
As soon as it ended, the internet erupted completely.
—The student representative of Zongwu Academy publicly spoke up for Ling Yi at the scene; peace is not begged for by groveling!
—Large-scale disaster at Zongwu Academy’s graduation ceremony; carefully selected student representative showed no respect to the school leadership, directly pointed out darkness, and condemned injustice.
—Zhao Tianping lost all face, all because his alternate online account was exposed?
—A large number of Zongwu Academy students chose to leave school and join the military. According to incomplete statistics, the number has already exceeded ten thousand, which is almost one quarter of Zongwu’s total student population!
Serious, shocking, funny, mocking… all kinds of headlines instantly dominated the top news across the entire internet.
The entire Qin State was in an uproar.
In Zhao Tianping’s office, it was a complete mess.
Almost everything that could be thrown or smashed was gone.
This disaster was too thorough!
What chilled him to the bone was that his and his associates’ deeply hidden alternate online accounts had been exposed!
All those words that felt piercing and unbearable to every citizen of Great Qin who deeply loved their country were completely exposed to the sun.
The headmaster of Zongwu Academy, at his core, was actually a capitulationist, a traitor?
This label was far more serious than the disaster at the graduation ceremony countless times over!
The former would at most cost him his position as headmaster of Zongwu Academy, but the latter… could potentially ruin his entire future!
The status of the headmaster of Zongwu Academy was only half a rank lower than a provincial governor. In some ways, its influence even surpassed that of a provincial governor!
It was a position of truly high status and great power!
Only in this position was he Zhao Tianping, the greatly admired big shot.
Without this position, without his political future, what was he, a Golden Body Expert, really worth?
The leader who had chosen that female student as the graduation representative earlier was now scared out of his wits. He stood at the door of Zhao Tianping’s office, trembling like a quail waiting to be slaughtered.
At this moment, it wasn’t just him trembling outside Zhao Tianping’s office door.
There was also a group of Zhao Tianping’s trusted and devoted followers.
Right now, the expressions of this group were all similar—dull and gray, as if a family member had just passed away.
For them, the events that happened today were far more serious than a family member’s death!
After smashing enough things, Zhao Tianping took out his phone and started making calls.
He knew a group of people was waiting outside the door, but he didn’t want to deal with any of them.
A bunch of pig-like subordinates!
The call connected, and an old yet calm voice came from the other end.
“Finished smashing things?”
Before Zhao Tianping could speak, that question, sounding almost teasing, came directly from the other side.
A drop of cold sweat instantly trickled down Zhao Tianping’s forehead.
“Good that you’ve calmed down.”
The voice on the other end remained very calm.
“I…” Zhao Tianping’s lips were dry, his throat was dry.
“Regarding those things spreading online, later, I’ll have someone refute the rumors. This problem isn’t difficult to solve.”
A light instantly burst forth in Zhao Tianping’s once desperate eyes.
“But don’t get too happy too soon. From the time you took over until now, your performance has made many people dissatisfied. Many believe you are not capable of continuing to sit in that position.”
The old voice was very matter-of-fact, but every word could potentially decide Zhao Tianping’s life or death. This feeling was particularly agonizing, making him feel as if sitting on pins and needles.
“However, I also said that the root of this matter isn’t really with you. Our actions were somewhat too aggressive, stirring up the anger of those people. You were caught in the middle, powerless to change it.”
A look of gratitude appeared in Zhao Tianping’s eyes. “Teacher, thank you!”
“Although you have been very disgraced recently, we have also inferred a lot of things from this. Including the bottom line and attitude of those people. So, in this matter, you have actually contributed.”
Zhao Tianping finally felt a weight lift off his body, his spirit feeling as if it might float away.
The old man’s voice continued from the phone: “And your luck isn’t bad either. The other side’s fierce counterattack, along with their strong cohesion and operational capability, has finally attracted… attention. Changes will probably occur within the next day or two. So, just wait. It just so happens that a large number of students are leaving school this time, right? That saves trouble. Consider it cleaning up the lingering poison and sores left by that Shen fellow. The pus must always be squeezed out. What remains is what we need to fight for!”
A flicker of excitement finally appeared in Zhao Tianping’s dead-fish-like eyes!
Finally, were they going to take action?
He had waited for this day for a very long time!
The call ended. Zhao Tianping stood up, ignored the mess on the floor, walked to the door, and reached out to open it calmly, wearing a peaceful expression.
Seeing the group of panicked and uneasy subordinates outside the door, a slight smile appeared on his face.
Many of them trembled directly.
Had the boss gone mad from anger?
He must have gone crazy, right?
“Prepare. In the next few days, I will hold a school-wide meeting for all teachers and students in the school gymnasium!”
After saying this, Zhao Tianping walked out with light steps—
“Oh, right. Have someone clean up my office. See what’s missing and replace it directly.”
The group watched Zhao Tianping’s departing back, completely bewildered.
…
“Why are you leaving in such a hurry? Didn’t we agree to get together tonight?” Ling Yi looked at the group of classmates who came to say goodbye, feeling rather confused.
“We don’t know what happened, but each of us suddenly received urgent orders to return to our units immediately. Military aircraft are already waiting for us,” Big Brother He Qin said with regret, looking at Ling Yi. “It seems we’ll have to get together properly next time.”
“Ah, really, who knows what problem occurred over there… Who knows when the next gathering will be,” Lao Ga Da Huo Chang said gloomily from the side.
“No choice. Military orders are like a mountain. As soldiers, we must obey orders,” Third Brother Xiao Ming said.
It wasn’t just the boys who entered various legions; even the few girls who entered the Military Headquarters all received orders requiring them to return to their posts immediately.
Although everyone felt it was a bit strange, facing urgent military orders, there was simply no time to say much. They could only leave in a hurry.
The group hugged each other goodbye.
In the end, only Ling Yi and Luo Xue remained.
The two strolled through the evening campus. A light breeze blew, and both remained silent.
After walking for a long while, Luo Xue and Ling Yi almost simultaneously looked up and spoke in unison: “Something’s not right…”
Then they looked at each other.
Luo Xue said, “You first.”
Ling Yi said, “You first.”
Then the two couldn’t help but laugh.
This kind of divine synchronization wasn’t something that could be developed in just a day or two.
When people said they were each other’s rumored boyfriend and girlfriend, they really weren’t being unfair.
Luo Xue said with a somewhat heavy expression, “These people belong to different units, yet they were all urgently recalled at the same time. This is very unusual. I suspect there are two possible reasons. First, either there’s trouble at the border, or there’s something abnormal with the Spatial Rifts.”
“In recent years, although there have been occasional frictions at the border, it hasn’t reached the level of large-scale military conflict. So, it’s unlikely that all the major legions and the Military Headquarters would recall everyone simultaneously for that reason.”
“If there were unusual activity from the Spatial Rifts, there would be even less need for such a massive mobilization. Only the garrisons near the rifts would recall their own personnel.”
“Moreover, if there was a problem with the Spatial Rifts, the news should have reported it. But right now, there’s no information at all.”
“So, I think it’s neither trouble at the border nor a problem with the Spatial Rifts.”
Ling Yi nodded. “Then it can only be the second reason.”
Luo Xue’s expression grew even more serious, and she nodded gently. “Yes, it’s very likely that something major that we don’t know about has happened! It should be…”
She raised a finger and pointed lightly upward.
Ling Yi’s expression also turned somewhat grave. He looked at Luo Xue. “What if you…”
“Let’s both go. I’ll return to Great Chu Academy, and you go back to Spring City. No matter what happens, don’t get involved!” Luo Xue looked at Ling Yi earnestly. “We’ve been drawing a bit too much attention lately.”
Ling Yi sighed softly. Actually, this was also something he had been worrying about.
This was also the problem his Adoptive Father was worried about before he died!
With their current small stature, they simply couldn’t bear the consequences of a fierce collision between the two major factions.
Now it seemed that what they feared most was indeed coming to pass. The thing they worried about the most was finally about to happen.
“Alright, I’ll give some instructions and leave immediately.” Sensing the seriousness of the situation, Ling Yi didn’t delay. He picked up the phone and called Su Qingqing directly.
To his surprise, Su Qingqing’s phone… was actually switched off!
Luo Xue was booking tickets at that moment. She looked up at Ling Yi. “Couldn’t reach her?”
“Qingqing’s phone is off.” Ling Yi frowned.
Luo Xue took a deep breath and exhaled. “Let’s go now! Don’t contact anyone else. Leave immediately!”
Actually, up to this point, nothing had happened yet.
The campus was peaceful. Some younger students saw them and came over with smiles to greet them.
Online, it was lively. Countless people were heatedly discussing the Graduation Ceremony incident that had just happened at Zongwu Academy.
The names of the Champion Class, Ling Yi, and the female graduate representative were mentioned by countless people.
Everything seemed perfectly normal.
The two quickened their pace and arrived at the school gate. Luo Xue had already booked her ticket. Her bright eyes gazed at Ling Yi, and she said softly, “If it weren’t for you being unable to go to Great Chu, I would definitely take you with me. If it weren’t for my own reasons for having to return, I would definitely go with you!”
These words were almost a confession.
Ling Yi didn’t say anything. He just opened his arms, hugged Luo Xue, and whispered, “Take care.”
Luo Xue leaned into Ling Yi’s embrace and hugged him tightly too. Then she turned, got into a taxi, and waved goodbye through the window.
Neither Ling Yi nor Luo Xue noticed that a pretty young girl had been following them out from inside the school. She seemed to want to come over and say hello, but after seeing the two walking side by side and hesitating several times, she ultimately didn’t approach.
Zhao Xinxin watched Ling Yi standing at the school gate from afar and murmured quietly, “Senior Brother, Senior Sister… I wish you well!”
“She confessed to you. Why didn’t you respond?” the Enchantress’s voice sounded in Ling Yi’s mind.
“Being single is great.” Ling Yi said.
“Scoundrel!” the Enchantress exclaimed angrily.
Being looked down upon by the Enchantress, Ling Yi just smiled and didn’t argue.
He wouldn’t tell the Enchantress that Luo Xue’s family had privately approached him several years ago, begging him…
He glanced at the time. There were no more flights returning to Spring City at this hour. If he wanted to leave, he could only choose the high-speed train.
Just as he was about to hail a taxi to the train station, Gu Tong suddenly called.
“Where are you?” Gu Tong’s voice sounded a bit serious but still calm.
“At the school gate.” Ling Yi said. “I was just about to return to Spring City.”
“Wait there for me. I’ll be there very soon!” Gu Tong said and hung up.
Now, Ling Yi understood that something had really happened!
What he really wanted to do most was call Qin Hao, but after hesitating repeatedly, he ultimately didn’t.
Because the center of the storm for this matter… was most likely at Qin Hao’s place!
Gu Tong was reliable this time. He said he’d be soon, and he was. In less than ten minutes, a black business car sped over from the distance and screeched to a sudden stop in front of Ling Yi.
Amid the harsh screech of brakes, the passenger window rolled down, revealing Gu Tong’s serious, handsome face. “Get in.”
After Ling Yi got in the car, he realized there was actually a quiet, pretty girl sitting in the back seat.
“Hello,” the quiet girl nodded gently at Ling Yi. “My name is Li Qianxue. I’m… a friend of Gu Tong’s.”
“Hello, I’m Ling Yi.” Ling Yi responded with a smile.
“Qianxue, I’m taking you home now…” Gu Tong said while driving.
“There’s not enough time. Besides, I can be of some use. I won’t hold you back.” Li Qianxue, sitting in the back, said.
Ling Yi was confused and glanced at Gu Tong.
Gu Tong stared intently at the road, pressing the accelerator hard. “I’ll explain it to you later.”