Chapter 33

"Director, we need your decision on the long leave application submitted by the student from No. 2 High School."

"Long leave application?" Director Fan of the Education Bureau frowned, speaking impatiently, "Why are you bringing this to me? Can't No. 2 High School just approve it directly? It's such a small matter!"

The narrator held up a piece of paper, hesitated for a moment, and then continued, "But Director, this is Hu Wenhai's long leave application."

"Hu Wenhai!" Director Fan's expression changed slightly, and he waved his hand at the narrator, "Bring me the application."

"Yes, Director."

The narrator handed over the application, saying resentfully, "Director, Hu Wenhai is really ungrateful. Why don't we make things difficult for him? It's absurd for a senior high school student to take a whole semester off. We might as well have him drop out!"

"Hmm—"

Director Fan held the application, not responding for a long time. He was conflicted. It was impossible not to be angry at Hu Wenhai's rudeness. However, if he were to make things difficult for him, Director Fan was a bit worried.

For one thing, Hu Wenhai still had $1.5 million in foreign currency that he hadn't handed over. If he were pushed to the limit and used a few hundred thousand dollars to buy his future from Wang Yichun, that would be disastrous.

Most people were currently watching and waiting for the same reason. It was true that the young Hu from the Hu family had a lot of money, but no one dared to act too harshly, as a temporary balance had been formed.

To put it bluntly, this situation was like shooting the leading bird. No one wanted to be the first to act. The one who came out first to cause trouble for the Hu family might end up being the chicken sacrificed to warn the others, or the head that others would use to curry favor.

Therefore, except for those with nothing to lose, no one dared to take drastic action. At most, they would do something soft, like Director Fan.

However, since Hu Wenhai had delivered the handle to him personally, it was hard to resist using it!

After much deliberation, Director Fan decided to give it another try. As for the official business trip, it was nonsense. Hu Wenhai was clearly preparing to run away. Once he really went to America, many people would be furious.

If he stopped him now, everyone would cheer, and no one would dare to stand up against him, or they would become the common enemy of all those who envied the Hu family's influence.

With a justifiable reason, a noble cause, and the support of the masses, this was something he could do. Director Fan made up his mind.

"I won't approve his long leave, and I won't even let him drop out!" Director Fan said firmly, "He's a student about to take the college entrance exam. What kind of nonsense is this? Missing a whole semester and still taking the exam? If he dares to leave, I'll issue a public reprimand and expel him!"

...

"Student Hu Wenhai, this is the handling opinion from the Education Bureau. Please take a look."

The principal of No. 2 High School placed a document signed by Director Fan in front of Hu Wenhai and sighed helplessly, "Student Hu Wenhai, you are already a senior high school student. Missing a whole semester at this time is indeed inappropriate. The college entrance exam is a matter of great importance for everyone. Even if you are a millionaire or a billionaire, does that mean you don't need to work or receive education?"

"I know you have many specific difficulties, but I still advise you to focus on your studies. No amount of money can improve your spiritual qualities; only education can elevate a person. You have great talent, but precisely because of this, you should cherish the opportunity to receive education..."

Hu Wenhai silently picked up the document. Director Fan's handwriting was bold and arrogant as he wrote his handling opinion: "Long leave application not approved. If a student does not prioritize learning, they cannot be called a student. If this student insists on his own way, he will be publicly reprimanded and expelled."

From the handwriting, Hu Wenhai easily read the arrogance and recklessness in Director Fan's mind when he wrote these words.

However, Hu Wenhai had spent six years at No. 2 High School, both before and after his rebirth. Although the principal sometimes went with the flow, he was still a competent principal.

From the principal's words, Hu Wenhai could sense that he was genuinely concerned for him. From the principal's perspective, Hu Wenhai's departure to America at this time was like the story of Fang Zhongyong, who lost his talent due to lack of education. Although time was the most abundant resource in youth, it was also the most precious and could not be wasted. Because Hu Wenhai had exceptional talent, he should persist in receiving education even more.

"Principal, please rest assured. Even though I won't be at school, I will still continue my studies," Hu Wenhai explained, "I have a valid reason for going to America this time, but I won't joke around with my future. You can be confident about my college entrance exam results. Even if I take the exam now, I am confident I can get into university."

"Alright, then you should focus on your studies at school," the principal waved his hand and pointed to the document, "This is the direct instruction from Director Fan of the Education Bureau. Unless you give up your enrollment, you won't be allowed to leave."

"Alright, then I will." Hu Wenhai glanced at the document again, nodded faintly, and turned to leave the principal's office.

The school bell rang, and the teaching building suddenly transformed from complete silence to a cacophony of noise. Students, who had finished their day of learning, cheered and rushed out of the classrooms, heading to the bicycle shed, and then out of the school.

Only in the senior high school classes, where students were already in the rhythm of the college entrance exam, did they continue to study diligently. Even those who brought dinner to school were unwilling to spend a moment opening their lunch boxes, disrupting the atmosphere of the class.

It wasn't until the homeroom teacher, Xiao Huaidan, opened the door and announced that evening study would continue at 7 PM that the students began to leave in small groups.

"Bro Hai, where were you? You were absent for the whole last class," Xia Boyang put away his textbooks, took out his lunch box, and eagerly opened the lid.

"Wow, beef and potato stew!" Hu Wenhai deeply inhaled the aroma and laughed, "Not bad, you've already achieved communism. Give me some!"

The lunch box was filled with beef and potato stew, all cooked by Xia Boyang himself. This guy seemed to have a talent for becoming an excellent butler, and many girls would likely fall for his cooking skills in the future.

"Here, take this, eat slowly," Xia Boyang took out a glass jar from his backpack and opened it, releasing a strong aroma of beef.

"Wow, Korean-style braised beef!" Hu Wenhai's mouth watered. This was a specialty of Xia Boyang's family, absolutely authentic and so fragrant that it made him want to swallow his tongue.

"Hey, I smelled it from far away, save some for me!" Zhou Shuo, the chubby one, hugged his lunch box and squeezed over. The three of them often had such group meals.

Zhou Shuo scooped some of the braised beef from Xia Boyang's jar into his mouth, satisfying his craving, and then asked Hu Wenhai, "Bro Hai, I saw you leave the school during the last class. I thought you were skipping school."

"Would I skip school?" Hu Wenhai helplessly tapped his head and sighed, "I just went out to make a phone call. I'm a good student, you know."

...

At the Xiu Cheng Education Bureau, when it was time to leave, the staff members came out of the office building in small groups.

However, before the first staff member could ride away, there was a screeching sound, and two military green Beijing 212s stopped at the entrance of the Education Bureau.

"Comrade, who are you looking for—"

The security guard was pulled to the side by two soldiers in military uniforms before he could finish his sentence. Then, one after another, seven or eight soldiers in peaked caps jumped out of the military vehicles and rushed into the Education Bureau building. The two cars blocking the entrance didn't move an inch.

The staff members of the Xiu Cheng Education Bureau had never seen such a scene. The crowd parted like the Red Sea as the soldiers passed through, forming a wide path for them to move freely.

"Are you Director Fan of the Xiu Cheng Education Bureau?"

With a bang, the door to Director Fan's office was kicked open, and a group of stern-faced soldiers rushed in.

"Who are you?" Director Fan's head buzzed, and he was stunned by the imposing presence of the soldiers. At his age, he had never seen such a scene in his life!

"We are from the Shengjing Military Region. This is my identification," the leader showed his military ID and then confirmed coldly, "Are you Director Fan of the Xiu Cheng Education Bureau?"

"Yes, I am. Comrades of the People's Liberation Army, what can I do for you?" Director Fan tried to remain calm, but his trembling legs betrayed him.

"We are here to investigate an obstruction of military operations. Please cooperate," the officer said expressionlessly.

"I will cooperate. How can I assist you, Comrades of the People's Liberation Army?"

"Come with us first," the officer looked around the office and then said, "By the way, gather all the materials related to Comrade Hu Wenhai."

"Hu Wenhai?" Director Fan was a bit confused and asked, "Which Hu Wenhai?"

"Hu Wenhai from Class 2, Grade 3 of No. 2 High School," the officer snorted and said to the still confused Director Fan, "Director Fan, didn't you know that Comrade Hu Wenhai is on a military mission?"

Thud, Director Fan's heart shattered into pieces.