Chapter 32

After getting familiar with the situation, it became clear what was going on. Lee Joo-young, the CEO of Moon Jung-woo's company, was a classmate of the principal. It was that simple. Moon Jung-woo's identity couldn't be revealed, but since everything had gone through the principal and he had transferred from Minjok Middle School, it would seem too deliberate not to know anything. Especially with this stack of files, which were filled with his academic records.

Moon Jung-woo felt much more relaxed. Some things didn't need to be complicated. He just needed an opportunity to ask his questions easily: "Principal, so you must know about my trainee status, right?"

The principal nodded: "From Seoul to Jeonju, it's a three-hour drive. Six hours round trip. If you really come to school, it would be quite a commute. Your grades are good, so my requirement is that you don't fall behind in your studies and don't skip school for the whole year. The rest is up to you."

Moon Jung-woo smiled and nodded: "Don't worry, I've already finished the middle school curriculum. A month ago, I started the high school curriculum."

The principal looked interested: "As a trainee, I heard you're also proficient in Chinese and English? That's quite impressive for someone your age."

Moon Jung-woo smiled slightly, as if in response.

Suddenly frowning, the principal seemed a bit unhappy: "You're so good at studies, why do you insist on being a trainee? Koreans aren't naturally gifted in languages. Except for Korean expatriates, locals who learn foreign languages usually have a strong accent. You could specialize in language studies at university."

Moon Jung-woo replied: "Everyone has their own aspirations. Things that can be achieved through effort often lack a sense of accomplishment. I want to try something challenging, something that might not be achievable no matter how hard I try, or something that might bring more rewards even if I don't do enough."

The principal was taken aback: "You mean being an idol... is also like that."

The principal seemed to understand something: "Language skills can be learned with hard work over five to ten years. There's a good chance. Being an idol, you might become famous right after debuting, or you might never become famous no matter how hard you try, or even fade away."

The principal looked at Moon Jung-woo with a strange expression and shook his head with a smile: "But your background is definitely golden. Ordinary families can't afford to let their children pursue such aspirations."

Moon Jung-woo squinted his eyes and smiled: "Idols make a lot of money. Otherwise, why would there be so many haters? They're just sour grapes."

The principal looked at Moon Jung-woo, sizing him up as if formally recognizing him: "Kid, you're only fourteen, right? You talk like a grown-up."

Moon Jung-woo touched his nose and said helplessly: "Principal, fourteen... isn't that old?"

The principal laughed heartily and pointed at him: "Alright, everything is fine. But since you say you're not young, I want to add more requirements. Who asked you to say you're not young?"

Moon Jung-woo nodded quickly: "Please go ahead, Principal."

The principal thought for a moment and put on a serious face: "Attending school depends on your training situation. But your academic performance must meet the requirements. You were second in your year at Minjok Middle School, which has top-notch teaching quality. Now, if you take time off to train as a star, would it be too much to ask you to be first in your class?"

"Too much," Moon Jung-woo said immediately after the principal finished speaking.

He had to live up to his intelligence. It wouldn't be smart to do something that was clearly a loss, even if he could do it. It would be smarter to refuse outright.

The principal was stunned by Moon Jung-woo's straightforward answer. Pointing at his sunny face, he was speechless for a moment.

Moon Jung-woo stood up and bowed: "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave. You said I should go to Mr. Liu's class, right?" He bowed and turned to leave. Just before reaching the door, he was called back by the principal.

"Come back," the principal said, half-laughing and half-serious.

Moon Jung-woo paused and turned back, feigning confusion: "Is there something else? I doubt you'd be this patient with other transfer students."

The principal frowned: "If it were another transfer student, they wouldn't dare to play smart with me."

Moon Jung-woo shook his head: "I'm not. How can I move forward if I'm misunderstood by you at thirteen?"

The principal waved his hand helplessly: "Alright, I don't believe you don't understand my point. Such a smart kid, I didn't believe Joo-young when he said it before, but now I do."

Moon Jung-woo didn't respond, leaving the principal feeling frustrated.

After a moment, the principal put on a serious face: "I'll take it that you agree. Resisting won't help."

Moon Jung-woo frowned: "What if I can't do it?"

The principal narrowed his eyes: "Then you'll have to come to school every day. Or transfer to another school."

Moon Jung-woo paused and nodded slightly: "I understand. I'll talk to the CEO and have him handle the transfer procedures."

The principal was taken aback and chuckled: "Kid, playing smart once is cute, but twice is just stupid."

Moon Jung-woo bowed slightly: "Principal, I don't know if this school has trainees, but you must be familiar with such students. Balancing school and training, the focus is always on the entertainment company. Maintaining good grades is already impressive, and some even fall behind. Now you want me to balance training as an idol and be first in my class. Regardless of whether I can do it, why should I do it?"

The principal waved his hand: "No reason, I'm the principal, and you have to do it. If you can't, don't come to my school. I know a bit about you. You won't get into Seoul schools, and whether you'll get the special treatment here if you really enroll is another matter. Do you think transferring is that simple?"

Moon Jung-woo nodded perfunctorily: "No, it's not simple."

He suddenly looked up at the principal: "But what does that have to do with me? Whether it works out or not, the CEO will handle it. I don't need to sit here and listen to you threaten me with your special treatment, right?"

The principal was taken aback: "Don't you care? Do you think I'm just scaring you?"

Moon Jung-woo shook his head helplessly: "You say I'm not like a kid, but you still treat me like one. Is scaring someone enough to make them do what you want? Don't blame me for being too honest, but a few words of encouragement won't make someone enthusiastically follow your path, even if your intentions are good. I feel like I'm being directed by you, not myself."

A sunny smile spread across Moon Jung-woo's face, and he squinted his eyes: "Don't underestimate me because of my age. I have strong willpower."

The principal looked at Moon Jung-woo's smile, leaned back in his chair, and sighed. It wasn't strong willpower, but a clear mind. This wasn't like ordinary kids who would eagerly agree to do something after a few encouraging words. If it were just about encouragement, it wouldn't be possible to demand so much from a child. Ultimately, the principal saw that Moon Jung-woo was outstanding in every way. A sudden idea struck him, and he hoped to use Moon Jung-woo to make the school a model, attracting more students. A trainee who could be first in his class and was so excellent in every way—what did it matter if he transferred? He hadn't transferred anywhere else. This was the principal's true intention behind his casual demand. As for the rest...

Moon Jung-woo looked at the principal's silence, smiled slightly, and said: "Actually, since the principal and the CEO are such good friends, and I'll need your support in the future, making such a request is for my own good. I don't mind agreeing."

The principal didn't treat him like a child: "What are your conditions?"

Moon Jung-woo shrugged: "As long as I don't violate school rules, give me as much freedom as possible. That's all."

The principal was taken aback and looked at him strangely: "That's all?"

Moon Jung-woo nodded: "Yes, that's all. But if you could increase the scholarship, I'd be even happier... You must have a scholarship, right? If not, setting one up for me would be worth it."

The principal, unable to help but laugh, waved at Moon Jung-woo: "Go to class."

Moon Jung-woo squinted his eyes, stood up, and bowed deeply: "Thank you, Principal."

He turned and left, and this time wasn't called back. The principal looked at the door and smiled helplessly. How did he see through my thoughts? Or did I just underestimate a child? (Thank you, Kinggao, Zhong Mingzhi, and Ai de Niben for your support and encouragement. I wish you all happiness, success in your work, academic achievements, and finding a girlfriend like those in K-pop. Bowing in gratitude.)

{Piaotian Literature}