Chapter 41

Cao Zhe was very upset. He originally wanted his father to escalate the matter to the principal. Even if they couldn't expel Ding Hao, at least they could give him a reprimand or a public criticism. After all, high school students have a strong sense of self-respect. If Ding Hao were publicly criticized, many boys and girls would likely avoid him. However, his mother chose to call the police.

Cao Zhe had planned to put on a performance in front of the police, making the matter seem more serious. Even if they couldn't detain Ding Hao, a scolding from the police would be satisfying. But when the police arrived, things didn't go as planned. Now, watching the homeroom teacher scold Ding Hao, Cao Zhe felt a bit better. However, the situation soon changed. Cao Changlong entered!

Seeing the principal, Huang Rongwu quickly stood up: "Principal, I'm currently criticizing Ding Hao. Do you think we should just let it go...?" After all, Ding Hao's grades were good, and he was a key student. Huang Rongwu didn't want this incident to affect him.

"Teacher Huang, please step out for a moment. I need to talk to them."

"Oh..." Huang Rongwu glanced at Ding Hao, implying that he had done his best and that Ding Hao should seek his own fortune.

After Huang Rongwu left, Cao Changlong locked the door and walked towards Cao Zhe.

"Dad, Ding Hao was just talking nonsense. Actually..."

Slap! A loud slap made Cao Zhe's eyes see stars.

"Dad!" Cao Zhe looked aggrieved. Although his father was usually strict with him, in this situation, he should have waited until they got home to be strict. How could he hit him in front of Ding Hao, which would only embolden him?

"Brat, are you getting more and more out of control? Last time, Teacher Huang told me that you mocked Ding Hao. What was the result? If it weren't for Teacher Huang protecting you and Ding Hao not caring, do you think you could still be the class president? Not only did you not learn your lesson, but now you're jealous of a female classmate and causing trouble, even involving the police! What do you want, you little brat?" As he spoke, he raised his hand to hit Cao Zhe again, scaring Cao Zhe into running away.

Ding Hao, watching from the side, wanted to laugh but felt it was inappropriate. It seemed that Cao Changlong was putting on a show for him. The two police officers must have told him something. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so harsh, especially since Cao Zhe had a red wound on his forehead.

The atmosphere in the office was completely different from when Huang Rongwu was there. Finally, Ding Hao couldn't bear it anymore: "Principal Cao, it's not a big deal. I hit a bit too hard, and Cao Zhe fell. How about we just let it go?"

"No! Cao Zhe, today you must apologize to Ding Hao and promise not to cause trouble in the future!"

"Dad!" Cao Zhe was furious. Cao Changlong, who is your son? Is Ding Hao your illegitimate child? Even if he were, you shouldn't be so biased.

"Ding Hao, I'm sorry. I failed to discipline him properly. Rest assured, I won't let him misbehave again. If necessary, I'll transfer him to another school! Cao Zhe, will you apologize or not? If not, starting tomorrow, you'll go to No. 1 High School!"

"..." Cao Zhe was speechless. No. 1 High School was much worse than No. 2 High School. Without his father's protection, he wouldn't even be a class president, and he would have to be careful. Most importantly, he wouldn't see Xia Lin and Gu Wen anymore... He had no choice but to apologize. After weighing the options and seeing his father's determined attitude, Cao Zhe gave in.

"I'm sorry, Ding Hao. Today I was too impulsive and shouldn't have acted without thinking..."

"I don't mind, but by spreading rumors, you've damaged Gu Wen's reputation." Ding Hao didn't really care. He was woken up by Cao Zhe, but he also beat him up. Cao Zhe was already disfigured, and his anger was gone.

"Right, find an opportunity to apologize to Gu Wen. Ding Hao, do you think this is okay?" Cao Changlong was worried that Ding Hao would be unhappy and insist on giving Cao Zhe a punishment, which would be disastrous. Cao Zhe's grades were good, and he could get into a key high school, but a punishment would have a significant impact. If he wasn't accepted, Cao Zhe would have to repeat a year.

"Principal Cao, you're the principal, so you decide. I'm fine, but about Gu Wen... And because of the class president's shouting, the whole school might give me a punishment for early romance." Seeing Cao Changlong's fawning, Ding Hao suddenly thought of Yang Xinmin. This guy must have scared our Principal Cao!

"Don't worry, I'll explain to the school, and I'll make sure Cao Zhe apologizes to her in person."

"Then I'll leave first?" Ding Hao felt secretly pleased. It seemed that Chen Tao was his mysterious backer, and in this small Yun Gang, he was quite influential. Next time in Qianjiang, he should find an opportunity to thank him.

"Good, good!" Seeing that Ding Hao didn't intend to pursue the matter further, Cao Changlong felt much relieved and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Dad, what are you doing?" Seeing Ding Hao walk out calmly, Cao Zhe couldn't hold back his tears.

"Brat, remember, you must not provoke Ding Hao again! Even if he initiates, you must hide. If he hits you, run! If you can't run, don't fight back! You can't afford to provoke that little devil!"

"Dad, what's wrong with you? Ding Hao is just an orphan, is it worth it for you to do this?" Seeing his father's serious face, Cao Zhe was even more confused.

"Orphan? Do you know Zhang Yongwei? His father is the deputy county magistrate. Just because Zhang Yongwei fought with Ding Hao, he was put under double regulation the next day! Your father still has some influence in the school, but if we talk about rank..."

"What? Is that true?"

"I know the police chief. Those two police officers wouldn't lie! Remember, don't provoke him again!" Cao Changlong had no choice but to hit his son in front of Ding Hao. He was actually very worried about his precious son. So, he repeatedly reminded him not to provoke Ding Hao.

"Understood!" Cao Zhe finally understood. It turned out that Ding Hao sleeping with the girl he liked was for nothing, and the beating he received was also for nothing. Now he understood why Yu Feng and others suddenly became obedient in school.

"Go call Teacher Huang in. I think you should give the class president position to Ding Hao."

"Dad!"

"This is for your own good. Your grades are good enough! Why did you provoke him? Your father still wants to work in the school. As long as Ding Hao is happy, your sacrifice is worth it."

Cao Zhe, dejected, went outside the office. Huang Rongwu was nervously looking in. When Ding Hao came out smiling, he thought Cao Changlong was going to punish Ding Hao and was about to go in to plead for him.

During the morning self-study, almost the entire senior year knew that Ding Hao from Class 207 had caused trouble again, beating up the class president Cao Zhe and even involving the police! Everyone was worried about Ding Hao, thinking he would receive a punishment this time.

Especially Xia Lin, who, after hearing Gu Wen's account, knew that Cao Zhe was jealous and deliberately caused trouble for Ding Hao. Thinking about Cao Zhe's father being the principal, the matter could be big or small, but with Cao Zhe's small-mindedness and his mother's influence, Ding Hao would suffer. Ding Hao had been studying hard for a few months, and his grades had improved rapidly, which was something to be happy about. How did he end up fighting again? It seemed this guy needed to be disciplined more often.

All those who cared about Ding Hao, except those who were already on his side, were worried for him. Ding Hao, however, acted as if nothing was wrong, which impressed his desk mate, Su Jin. Not for any other reason, but for his calm demeanor, which Su Jin couldn't match.

In the first class of the afternoon, which was taught by the homeroom teacher Huang Rongwu, unexpectedly, he did not announce the school's punishment for Ding Hao. Instead, he said that Cao Zhe, due to the stress of his studies, had resigned as class president, and they would elect a new one. Of course, Huang Rongwu recommended Ding Hao!

"Hey, Hao, what's going on?" Su Jin nudged the dozing Ding Hao. At the same time, all sixty students in the class, except Cao Zhe, turned their gaze to Ding Hao, hoping for an answer. What was going on? He beat the principal's son, and not only was he not punished, but the homeroom teacher recommended him as class president? Who didn't know what the homeroom teacher's recommendation meant?

It was said that everyone would vote. Since the homeroom teacher recommended Ding Hao, as long as one person voted for him, Huang Rongwu could directly appoint him as class president. With the winter break approaching and the college entrance exam drawing near, most people didn't care who the class president was. But today's situation was too strange! Although they were still high school students, they all realized that Cao Zhe had kicked a hard rock!

Especially Yu Feng and others, who were secretly amazed! Ding Hao's backer was clearly stronger than the principal! Of course, Ding Hao's popularity in the class wasn't bad, so the election for class president was almost a foregone conclusion. Ding Hao, seeing the homeroom teacher's serious face, couldn't help but smile bitterly. He didn't expect Cao Zhe's father to be so shrewd, not only putting on a show in the office but also forcing Cao Zhe to give up the class president position!

Ding Hao didn't like being a class officer, but now that everyone expected it and it was Cao Changlong's heartfelt wish, he reluctantly accepted. Although he had never been a class officer before, he knew that after the New Year, the school would select provincial outstanding class officers and model students, which would give bonus points for the college entrance exam. Although Ding Hao wasn't desperate for the bonus points, being a class president would give him an advantage in the school's admissions process!

Of course, there was another reason. As a class president, he could legitimately discuss class matters with Xia Lin! Xia Lin, who had written Ding Hao's name on the paper, still didn't understand why the situation had changed so much. She would find an opportunity to interrogate him. In the past six months, too many changes had occurred in Ding Hao. Mysteriously having tens of thousands of yuan in his pocket, beating up Yu Feng, and fighting Zhang Yongwei...