Chapter 10

When Vice Principal Li appeared at the door of Class 5, Grade 1, Xia Hou Zhong Ying had already prepared himself for a heroic and tragic end. Without waiting for Vice Principal Li to call his name, he stood up on his own and walked to him, looking like a hero who would never return.

"You look good and seem quite smart, so why do you always do such despicable things?" Vice Principal Li was amused by Xia Hou Zhong Ying's brazen appearance and chuckled, saying, "It seems you know you can't escape, so come with me."

Xia Hou Zhong Ying lowered his head and followed Vice Principal Li dejectedly. People passing by pointed at him and laughed secretly.

"It seems you don't have very good relationships with others," Vice Principal Li observed the surrounding situation, turned to Xia Hou Zhong Ying, and asked, "How do you feel about being ridiculed and excluded by everyone in the school?"

"Um, report to the principal, following the crowd is a human instinct, and humans also have a nature to derive joy from others' pain," Xia Hou Zhong Ying said. He had splashed milk on the vice principal's daughter's head, and considering his previous mistakes, he probably couldn't avoid being expelled. So he decided to speak his mind, "Moreover, they are laughing at me on the surface, but most of them are not mocking me. They just find my experiences interesting. Besides, they might secretly envy me because I did what they dare not do."

"Hey, little guy, you've studied philosophy and human psychology," Vice Principal Li was amused by Xia Hou Zhong Ying's shamelessness and shook his head inwardly, though he admired his boldness.

"Do you know why I called you to the office?" Inside the office, Vice Principal Li sat behind his desk and asked Xia Hou Zhong Ying, who was standing in front of him.

"I know, because I splashed milk all over your daughter's head," Xia Hou Zhong Ying answered honestly.

Vice Principal Li was at a loss, this rascal really dared to speak his mind.

"That's one reason, but not the main one," Vice Principal Li said with interest, "I called you because of the incidents that have happened at school recently. The school feels it necessary to communicate with your elders and wants you to inform them to come to the school."

"Also, I think you should apologize to my daughter in person," Vice Principal Li paused for two seconds, a strange smile on his face, and continued, "Did you just say you would pay for her shampoo?"

"Is that it?" Xia Hou Zhong Ying was puzzled and asked, "What's next?"

"What next?" Vice Principal Li seemed unaccustomed to Xia Hou Zhong Ying's way of speaking.

"Based on my poor behavior, the school feels it can't teach a student like me and wants me to find another school," Xia Hou Zhong Ying said, "Besides, I also splashed your daughter..."

Xia Hou Zhong Ying glanced at the dejected Vice Principal Li and chuckled awkwardly, not daring to continue.

"Did I say I would expel you?" Vice Principal Li was at a loss.

"Oh, so you're not going to expel me," Xia Hou Zhong Ying sighed in relief. Being expelled from school would be very embarrassing, and since the school didn't intend to do so, he didn't need to volunteer to leave.

"What kind of person do you think I am? Am I the type to seek personal revenge?" Vice Principal Li said helplessly, "I know what happened, and it wasn't intentional. It was just an accident."

"Alright, that's it. Class is about to start, go back to your classroom quickly and don't be late," Vice Principal Li waved his hand, as if trying to shoo away a fly, wanting to get rid of this problematic student quickly, "Remember, inform your elders to come to the school tomorrow."

"Principal..." Xia Hou Zhong Ying looked at Vice Principal Li cautiously, hesitated for a moment, and said, "My father is currently in South Korea, so he can't come tomorrow."

"Hmm?" Vice Principal Li frowned, somewhat annoyed. This rascal was so troublesome. He asked helplessly, "When will your father return?"

"He said it will take two more months," Xia Hou Zhong Ying extended the time fourfold, thinking that by then the matter might have cooled down, and he might easily avoid it.

"What about other elders in your family?" Vice Principal Li asked.

"There are only my father and me in my family," Xia Hou Zhong Ying replied helplessly.

"What about other relatives?" Vice Principal Li asked, somewhat annoyed.

"Any relative will do, right? Even if they are not close?" Xia Hou Zhong Ying asked cautiously.

"Sure," Vice Principal Li was speechless, finding Xia Hou Zhong Ying extremely difficult to deal with. No wonder the head of the student affairs department wanted the school to expel him.

"I have a sister I recognize, can she come?" Xia Hou Zhong Ying had a plan, thinking of asking Zheng Xiuyan to help out and offer her some benefits.

Vice Principal Li was exasperated. Bringing a younger sister to the school for communication, what could she understand? He wanted to grab the hopeful little guy in front of him and beat him up.

"Principal, can we wait until my father returns to South Korea and then inform him to come to the school?" Seeing Vice Principal Li not speaking for a long time, Xia Hou Zhong Ying asked.

"Alright, that's it. We'll wait until your father returns," Vice Principal Li waved his hand helplessly.

"By the way, isn't Zheng Xiuyan in your class? She has been absent for a week. When you go back to the classroom, ask her to come to my office," Vice Principal Li said to Xia Hou Zhong Ying, who was already at the door of the office.

Avoiding a crisis, Xia Hou Zhong Ying sighed in relief as he left the principal's office and walked to the classroom, humming a tune.

"Zheng Xiuyan." When Xia Hou Zhong Ying returned to the classroom, class hadn't started yet. He tapped Zheng Xiuyan's desk to wake her up from her nap.

"What?" Zheng Xiuyan raised her head angrily, glaring at the person who disturbed her sleep.

"Vice Principal Li wants you to go to his office," Xia Hou Zhong Ying said with a smirk.

"What for?" Zheng Xiuyan was startled, her sleepiness gone. She asked urgently, "Did the vice principal say why?"

"Hehe, you skipped class for a week, what else could it be? Good luck," Xia Hou Zhong Ying laughed, enjoying seeing Zheng Xiuyan scared.

Seeing Xia Hou Zhong Ying's smug face, Zheng Xiuyan was so angry she wanted to bite him. She glared at him and walked dejectedly to Vice Principal Li's office.

"Principal." Zheng Xiuyan entered Vice Principal Li's office and put on a pitiful face, calling out.

"Zheng Xiuyan, I don't know how to talk to you," Vice Principal Li looked disappointed, shaking his head, "I know you are a trainee, but you can't skip class like this. What if you don't debut? How will you live in the future?"

"Even if you become a star, what will you do after you retire? Don't you need a job? Without a good education, what kind of work can you do?" Vice Principal Li said earnestly.

"Principal, I know I was wrong, and I won't do it again," Zheng Xiuyan said, looking remorseful.

"I know kids your age all want to be stars, thinking that being a star means everything, but is that really the case? I have investigated this industry, and although stars look glamorous on stage, their income is not as high as you imagine," Vice Principal Li paused, organizing his thoughts, and continued, "You are a student of our school, and we have a responsibility to ensure your future and correct your attitude towards learning."

"I really know I was wrong, Principal," Zheng Xiuyan nodded repeatedly, looking like she agreed with everything the principal said.

The class bell rang, and Vice Principal Li sighed, looking at Zheng Xiuyan, "Think about what I said. Tomorrow, inform your elders to come to the school. Now, go back to class."

"Ah! I have to call my elders to the school?" Zheng Xiuyan was stunned.

"Yes, because you have skipped too many classes, the school feels it necessary to communicate with your parents about your education," Vice Principal Li nodded.

"Principal, my parents went to America a few days ago and won't be back soon," Zheng Xiuyan put on a helpless face and lied.

Vice Principal Li's face darkened, and he was furious. How could both students' parents not be in South Korea today? He asked angrily, "What about your other family members?"

"Can my brother come?" Zheng Xiuyan had the same idea as Xia Hou Zhong Ying.

"Sure, inform your brother to come to the school tomorrow," Vice Principal Li said gloomily.

"No need for tomorrow, I can call my brother right now. Please wait a moment, Principal," Zheng Xiuyan bowed to Vice Principal Li and ran out of the office.

After hearing Zheng Xiuyan's account, Xia Hou Zhong Ying was terrified. What was this? Were they playing a prank on the vice principal? Did they want to die?

Xia Hou Zhong Ying, on the verge of tears, recounted his own situation, leaving Zheng Xiuyan speechless. They stared at each other, unsure of what to do.

No matter how helpless they felt, the problem still needed to be solved, and they had to face it. When the two of them awkwardly stood in front of Vice Principal Li, he could no longer contain his anger and shouted, "You two are just recognized siblings?"

They nodded helplessly.

"You two, go stand in the playground as punishment," Vice Principal Li said angrily, writing "Star of the Week: I skipped class last week" and "Star of the Week: I was late, fought, and slept in class" on two small blackboards, and handed them to the two, "Each of you, hang one until the end of the day."