Chapter 55

Sitting in the car heading towards Jeonju, this time without a driver, just a regular bus. Looking out the window, Moon Jung-woo wore headphones and listened to music, but his mind was elsewhere. That abandoned teaching building at the back of the mountain... would anyone go there?

For half a year, he had hardly gone to school at all. However, these few times he did attend left him quite helpless. As his personal skills gradually improved, although he was not yet as proficient in singing and dancing as those trainees who had practiced for years, he was still a proper cute and sunny young man. With his piano skills and being the only trainee in the entire school, it was only natural that he should perform once or twice.

Moon Jung-woo was never arrogant when facing unfamiliar people. Performing was just performing; singing and dancing in front of his classmates was also a form of stage experience. But the Chinese idiom "a crane standing among chickens" aptly described his situation. His appearance was already a stark contrast to his classmates, and now his singing, dancing, and musical skills were all outstanding. He was also an excellent student, and his infrequent visits to school only made his classmates more fond of him.

Perhaps it was just his natural charisma? After he matured and shed his childish image, he became approachable, talented, and an excellent student, with a sunny smile. Everyone greeted him with a smile, and some even felt honored to speak to him. Those who could become close to him were even more remarkable.

After all, they were still young, not yet at the age where self-awareness was too strong. Such behavior was quite normal. However, Moon Jung-woo himself found it a bit unbearable. No one knew that despite his seemingly friendly and adaptable demeanor, he had already developed a desire to seek solitude.

However, if he really sought solitude, no one would think he was doing it on purpose. Being too successful sometimes was also a burden. This was Moon Jung-woo's reflection when he found that abandoned teaching building at the back of the mountain. It was a good place, with no one coming there because it was said to be haunted.

But Moon Jung-woo was not afraid. After seeing it with his own eyes, he found it very clean and refreshing. It was also open to the sky. Only the stairs and one wall remained standing, the rest were ruins. It was very cool to hide there in the summer, and even in winter, it wouldn't be cold, as it was shaded by untrimmed branches. It was a very pleasant environment.

So from then on, whenever he had free time, he would come here. It was a place to seek solitude. He understood his classmates' enthusiasm but felt he couldn't fully enjoy it. He didn't have to come to school often, but when he did, he no longer arrived late or left early. He would attend classes all day. So if there was a physical education class or other free activities, he would play with his classmates for a while and then hide here.

Gradually, it became a habit. Just last week, he had been there, and during that time, Lee Soo-young had instructed him to create a work. Moon Jung-woo thought of that place, found the environment nice, and took his diary to find inspiration. Perhaps because the environment was too nice, or because he was too tired, he fell asleep without realizing it. When he woke up, it was already dark, and he hurried to the bus station, just in time for the last bus.

Entering the city of Jeonju, Moon Jung-woo watched the bus slowly stop at the terminal. A place that made him feel so at ease, it seemed he had never encountered such a place before. That nap was very good. Since it was such a wonderful place, it probably wouldn't be discovered and occupied by anyone else. He got off the bus with his backpack and headed towards Yangji High School. It should still be there, as the place was said to be haunted. Who else besides him, a transfer student, would dare go there alone?

Today, he had no choice but to come to school at noon. It was exactly 12 o'clock, and the first class had already started. There would always be classes on the playground, even if they weren't from his class. Jeonju was not a big city like Seoul or Busan, and Yangji High School was not very famous. There weren't many students. Moon Jung-woo was already a well-known figure in the school, and almost no one didn't know him.

He joined the literary club and was now the vice president. The president was a third-year senior. Because of his joining and position, even though he didn't come often, many other students, mostly girls, applied to join the literary club. Moon Jung-woo was friendly, and who didn't know and like him?

"Jung-woo, is that you?"

"Jung-woo senior."

"Look, he changed his hairstyle, didn't he?"

The chatter was audible even as Moon Jung-woo walked around the playground. He took a deep breath, squinted his smiling eyes, and waved to everyone. The students who were playing and jumping also smiled in response. Of course, the students in his grade could be a bit more reserved. After all, they were almost in high school, not just big boys or big girls, so they wouldn't be as outgoing. The first-year students, on the other hand, were the opposite.

Entering the teaching building, Moon Jung-woo secretly sighed in relief. He walked towards the principal's office. Along the way, he greeted the teachers he met, and a few who were more familiar even ruffled his hair. Moon Jung-woo smiled and responded, but he was secretly puzzled. I've only been to school for less than thirty days in ten months, how did I become so familiar with everyone?

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Come in."

Moon Jung-woo arrived at the principal's office, knocked, and entered. The principal's surname was Choi, as he later learned from Lee Soo-young. Moon Jung-woo called him Principal Choi. At that moment, he was writing something with a pen, looked up, and didn't react much, just gestured for him to sit. Moon Jung-woo didn't hesitate, put his backpack aside, and poured himself a drink.

After finishing writing, Principal Choi capped the pen and put it aside, watching Moon Jung-woo drink water by the window. He chuckled and said, "You're quite bold. You came all the way by bus, and the station isn't far from the school, yet you drink water so urgently... did you run here?"

Moon Jung-woo finished his drink, turned around, and sat back across from Principal Choi: "I feel like crossing the playground to enter the school is more tiring than coming to your office."

Principal Choi was taken aback, then understood something and waved his hand, saying, "That's good. You want to be a star, right? Consider this as early training."

Moon Jung-woo shrugged helplessly and leaned back in his chair.

Principal Choi put on a serious face and said to Moon Jung-woo, "Next week is the school anniversary, and the school wants to organize an event. You're in charge."

Moon Jung-woo was taken aback, then nodded casually, "Oh, okay."

Principal Choi looked surprised, "You didn't even ask what kind of event it is, what level it is, or what the requirements are, and you just agreed?"

Moon Jung-woo squinted his smiling eyes, "You care more about it than I do. Since you didn't say anything, what's there to be afraid of?"

Principal Choi's tone faltered, and he felt a bit choked. Finally, looking at Moon Jung-woo's smile, he couldn't help but laugh. He waved his hand and said, "Be serious. Although it's not a grand celebration like a 30th or 50th anniversary, or even a 5th or 10th anniversary, it should still be done properly."

Moon Jung-woo, knowing it wasn't a joke, frowned and leaned forward, "Is it an internal event?"

Principal Choi looked at him with a bit of annoyance, "Do you think I can afford to hire celebrities? The abandoned campus might be reactivated to build Yangji High School, and the board of directors will likely need to invest more money."

Moon Jung-woo chuckled, "Are we short of that much money?"

Principal Choi looked embarrassed, put on a stern face, and waved his hand, "That's not your concern."

Moon Jung-woo shook his head, "I'm just a second-year student. What do you mean by giving it to me?"

Principal Choi chuckled, "Maybe I'm just used to it. Whatever task I give, I always speak in this tone. It's just about selecting people and organizing an event like a party. Find some talented students to perform. You're the vice president of the literary club, right? Make it lively and try to make the students feel a sense of belonging..."

"Also, to encourage them to continue to Yangji High School after junior high?" Moon Jung-woo interjected with a strange look, waiting for Principal Choi's response.

Principal Choi looked serious, "Also, to give you practical experience in the details of stage management, which will be helpful for your future performances. Many idol singers also perform at schools. This is an important aspect that no one can ignore... and it's what your teacher requested."

Moon Jung-woo was frowning, thinking about something, and subconsciously said, "Mr. Liu..."

Principal Choi looked amused, "You're quite close to him. It was your club president who suggested this arrangement. It's a shame you don't even think of your club president as a teacher."

Moon Jung-woo sighed, "If you mention a teacher at school, I can't just say who you're talking about, can I?"

Seeing that Principal Choi had no other business, Moon Jung-woo jumped up and stretched, "I'll handle it. It's just about making it lively and getting the students excited, right? No other requirements?"

Principal Choi chuckled, "If you can make money, I won't object."

Moon Jung-woo bowed and left, his movements quick and decisive, leaving the principal speechless.

Talking about money... there's nothing to talk about.

(Thank you to kinggao.xi and sooyeon.xi for your generous support. I am very grateful. Bowing in gratitude. O(∩_∩)O)

{Piaotian Literature}