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Chapter One Hundred Ninety-Four The Principal Can Wait!
Zhao Jialiang once again surprised Zhang Qiu; this seemingly slender boy spoke with quite a commanding presence. Zhang Qiu asked, "Were you the one who organized the Senior Year strike as well?"
Zhao Jialiang replied in surprise, "Brother Qiu, wasn't it you who organized the Senior Year strike?"
"It wasn't me; I thought it was you."
Zhao Jialiang smiled wryly and said, "Brother Qiu, I'm the Chairman of the Sophomore Student Council. Organizing a Sophomore strike took a lot of effort; how could I possibly have the power to organize a Senior Year strike?"
Zhang Qiu's brows gradually furrowed into a frown. Could it be that someone else organized the Senior Year strike? Was there really someone trying to suppress him? Or was this simply a misunderstanding, with the Senior Year strike being a spontaneous movement inspired by the Sophomore strike?
"Brother Qiu, did this cause you trouble?" Zhao Jialiang lowered his head, not expecting that the graduating class would also join in on the strike.
Zhao Jialiang's concern was justified; this trouble felt like a heavy stone pressing down on Zhao Pingchuan's chest. He immediately responded, "Isn't that right? This uproar gave the school a legitimate reason to deal with the Hall Society."
"Zhao Pingchuan, you can't say that." Zhang Qiu looked at Zhao Jialiang again and earnestly shook his hand. "I want to thank you; thank you for helping me. I'm very touched." Zhang Qiu then called out to the students behind Zhao Jialiang, "Classmates, I'm very touched; thank you all."
Scattered applause broke out, but the atmosphere was far less enthusiastic than during the Senior Year events. Zhang Qiu asked Zhao Jialiang, "Aren't you afraid of being punished by the school? They don't care whether you're standing up for justice."
"Brother Qiu, come take a look." Zhao Jialiang pulled Zhang Qiu toward the classroom. Zhao Pingchuan, Ma Zhen, and Lan Ningshan hurriedly followed. The Sophomore students automatically made way for them, keeping a respectful distance from the two officers.
Once inside the classroom, Zhao Jialiang pointed at the neatly arranged desks and chairs and said, "Brother Qiu, see? Everything is normal. We just found some old desks and benches from the storage room to block all four doors so that teachers can't enter. Outside, we hung up banners to make it look serious; however, inside, students are doing what they need to do—studying or doing homework. If it weren't for this arrangement, students wouldn't agree to follow me in this chaos."
Zhang Qiu laughed, "You're really clever! This trick could even fool the principal. Plus, let me reassure you—the principal has already promised me that no student participating in the strike will be punished."
"Really? Brother Qiu," Zhao Jialiang exclaimed excitedly, his eyes shining. Since starting this endeavor, he had prepared himself for losing his position and facing consequences. Now that everything seemed fine, he felt relieved.
Zhang Qiu nodded and said, "Really." He then asked Zhao Jialiang, "If you could choose again, would you still do this?"
Zhao Jialiang shook his head and smiled awkwardly. "Brother Qiu, probably not."
Zhang Qiu admired Zhao Jialiang's honesty and asked, "Why?"
"This time I was too impulsive. By the time I realized the seriousness of the situation, it was too late to turn back, so I could only continue. After going through this, I feel that I will think things through more carefully in the future."
"That's good," Zhang Qiu said, patting Zhao Jialiang on the shoulder. He solemnly invited, "Join our Hall Society."
Zhao Jialiang hesitated a bit. "Brother Qiu, let me think about it some more."
"Alright, no rush. I won't force you if you don't want to. Thank you this time, and if there's anything in the future, feel free to come to me."
Lan Ningshan watched Zhang Qiu win over people and recruit members. She nudged him and reminded, "Hey, can you two put your matters aside for now? We need to get down to business."
"Okay, okay." Zhang Qiu became serious and said to Zhao Jialiang, "I've organized classes for Senior Year again. Come join us in Sophomore Year."
"Sure, I'll go to each class," Zhao Jialiang replied and started to leave when Zhang Qiu pulled him back and pointed upstairs. "Go broadcast from the Director's Office."
"Good idea, let's not delay," Zhao Jialiang said, even more anxious than Zhang Qiu. He was scared by the big decision he made in a moment of impulse. He had been trying to maintain a composed demeanor, but now he could finally wrap things up.
Zhang Qiu and the others followed Zhao Jialiang upstairs. The reason they wanted him to make the announcement was that Zhang Qiu could tell that in Sophomore Year, Zhao Jialiang's prestige was much greater than his own. This was evident from the sparse applause he received when he expressed his gratitude.
The Director's Office in Sophomore Year was much larger than that of Senior Year, with two big windows letting sunlight stream in. There were flower pots on either side of the desk. On one side of the wall, a sofa held an open book haphazardly, while a standing fan blew air toward an empty seat.
"Let's get started," Zhang Qiu said as he adjusted the microphone and turned to Zhao Jialiang.
Zhao Jialiang walked over to the desk but hesitated to sit in the director's chair.
"Go ahead and sit," Zhang Qiu urged.
Zhao Jialiang fidgeted and said, "Brother Qiu, isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
Zhang Qiu was speechless. You dare to organize a class boycott but are hesitant to sit in the director's chair? This change is too sudden.
Ma Zhen patted Zhao Jialiang's shoulder and said in a low voice, "Sit down quickly, I’ll let you take a seat."
Zhao Jialiang gritted his teeth and sat half on the director's black leather swivel chair. Zhang Qiu pressed the microphone switch and said softly, "Let's begin."
Zhao Jialiang nodded, tapped the microphone twice to make a sound, and then said, "Classmates, classmates, I am Zhao Jialiang, please listen to me." He covered the microphone with his hand, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he looked at Zhang Qiu for help and asked, "Brother Qiu, what should I do?"
Can a person's change be this drastic? Zhang Qiu shook his head helplessly and said, "You've already succeeded in skipping class; I’m back now, so let me say a few words."
"Okay, okay." Zhao Jialiang adjusted the microphone as Zhang Qiu had taught him. He stood up from his seat to give way to Zhang Qiu.
"Zhao Pingchuan, find the nearest classroom and keep an eye on the students' reactions. If they seem impatient, let me know in time." After instructing Zhao Pingchuan, Zhang Qiu turned around and sat down in the chair. He swayed a couple of times and sighed, noting that it was much more comfortable than Director Zhao's chair. Since Zhao Jialiang wasn't stepping up, he had no choice but to take matters into his own hands. As for the outcome, Zhang Qiu wasn't sure, but things could not be delayed any longer.
"Hello everyone, I am Zhang Qiu. First of all, I want to thank you all for everything you have done today. I believe many of you will remember this moment vividly; it is you who upheld justice and maintained the integrity of a One Middle School Student. Just like our school motto states: integrity, rigor, diligence, perseverance—the first is integrity. You all did very well; thank you."
Seeing Gao Zhi giving him a thumbs-up, Zhang Qiu knew that the effect was good. He quickly changed the subject and said, "With everyone's joint efforts, justice has been served. Now we should continue doing what we need to do. The Senior Year has already resumed classes; next up is Sophomore Year. I've roughly assessed the situation; order is being maintained in the teaching building. You are calmer than the seniors in Grade Three. Students on the first floor, arrange for someone to remove the barriers at the entrance and have the class representative invite the teachers back. Everything will return to normal."
Zhao Pingchuan rushed in and leaned over the desk. Zhang Qiu turned off the microphone and asked, "What happened?"
"Brother Qiu, it's not good. I checked two classes; as soon as you mentioned resuming classes, chaos broke out." Zhao Pingchuan panted heavily with sweat streaming down his forehead.
Zhang Qiu said, "Take a break. Captain Ma, could you please help keep an eye on things?"
"Brother Qiu, I'll go," Zhao Jialiang volunteered.
Zhang Qiu nodded and opened the microphone again to continue: "I know that as soon as I mention resuming classes, everyone feels anxious. In such a strict school like One Middle School, even minor mistakes can be serious; how can we handle such a major incident like skipping class? I'm here to share some good news: my first task upon returning was negotiating with the principal. The principal has personally assured me that there will be no repercussions for anyone involved in this strike; there will be no hidden consequences afterward either. You can all rest assured."
Seeing Zhao Jialiang's gesture indicating understanding, Zhang Qiu breathed a sigh of relief. Sophomore Year wasn't like Senior Year; there were more members of Hall Society among seniors who had a solid support base and could easily rally responses. However, in Sophomore Year, facing mostly non-Hall Society members meant that Zhang Qiu's words didn't carry as much weight. Fortunately, the students were listening to him.
Zhang Qiu continued: "Finally, let's hear from our Sophomore Year student Zhao Jialiang for a few words. I hope to hear your reading voices during third period."
Zhang Qiu's words were clearly audible in the hallway as Zhao Jialiang ran back with a bitter smile towards Zhang Qiu: "Brother Qiu, why do you still want me to speak?"
"You are the Student Council Chairman, and it starts with you. Make sure to conclude well. A person who can become the Student Council Chairman must have at least this ability, right?"
"Ah, I'm nervous." Zhao Jialiang took the microphone, forcing himself to speak, but he couldn't even remember what he said. Fortunately, as Zhang Qiu and others went downstairs, the students on the first floor were already clearing the obstacles. Ma Zhen picked up the walkie-talkie and said, "Li, Wang, inform Principal Wu that the Sophomore Year has agreed to resume classes. We are heading back to the Principal's Office now."
"Received!"
Zhang Qiu looked tiredly at Lan Ningshan and said, "Sister, I'm so tired. Can you help me massage my shoulders again?"
"Dream on!" Lan Ningshan rolled her eyes at Zhang Qiu and pushed him forward, urging, "Hurry up! Didn't you hear Captain Ma? We still need to meet your principal."
Zhang Qiu turned back with a smile and said, "You all go ahead; I have something more important to do."
Ma Zhen grabbed Zhang Qiu: "You're the main character; how can you slip away?"
"I'm not slipping away, but I have something more important. Let the principal wait!" Qiu Wan broke free from Ma Zhen and dashed into the Senior Year Teaching Building.
Eighty years have passed; never forget national humiliation; let the alarm bell ring continuously!
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