33: Chapter 33: Rewards 33: Chapter 33: Rewards The next morning.
Su Ming, dressed in his sportswear, stepped out from his home and jogged toward Teacher Tang Yanâs place.
Originally, Su Yuan had planned to drive him there personally, but Su Ming had refused.
He needed to review for the city exam now, which left him with very limited time to exercise, so this distance was a good way to make up for some physical activity.
A little over an hour later.
Panting, Su Ming arrived at Tang Yanâs home, where Mink and the others had already gathered.
âSu Ming, youâre here.â
Mink greeted Su Ming enthusiastically.
Leaning against the wall, Chen Tong hummed and said,
âDragging your feet, come earlier next time; weâre about to start.â
âSure!â
Su Ming replied with a smile.
Ever since they were beaten up together and fought side by side, the trio had naturally become much closer.
At that moment, Teacher Tang Yan, holding a stack of teaching materials, walked out of the bedroom and glanced at everyone present, saying,
âEveryone is here; we will officially start the sprint review today.
But before we begin, I have some news to share with you.â
âTeacher, please tell us!â
Mink and the others looked at Tang Yan with curiosity.
âAccording to some insider information Iâve received, this yearâs city exam might be more difficult than in previous years.
So, prepare yourselves mentally, and you will need to double your efforts!â
Tang Yan told Su Ming and the others with a very serious expression.
âAh, why?â
âYeah!
Teacher, why will it be harder than in previous years?â
âŠ
Mink and the othersâ hearts sank, filled with incomprehension as they asked.
âIâm not sure myself, as itâs only a rumor after all.â
âHow much more difficult will it be?â
âHow could I possibly know?
But most of you are aiming for the High-level College, so as long as you score well on the basics, there shouldnât be a big problem.
So, everyone perk up and work hard for the sake of your future lives!â
Tang Yan encouraged all the students!
âOkay.â
Mink and the others quickly adjusted their mindset; they had no way out now.
Knock knock~~
Suddenly, a jarring knocking sound echoed.
Tang Yan looked towards the door, puzzled and wondering who it could be since everyone had already arrived.
Could it be a new student?
He said to Zhao Ran,
âZhao Ran, go open the door!â
âOkay.â
Zhao Ran got up, walked to the door, and opened it.
Upon seeing the knocker, her face also showed an incredibly surprised look.
At that moment, Principal Luo Ken entered with a beaming smile.
âThe principal?â
Tang Yan was also bewildered; why had Principal Luo Ken suddenly come to his house?
Luo Ken didnât acknowledge Tang Yan but instead looked around the living room.
When he saw Su Ming, Mink, and Chen Tong, he promptly said with a broad smile,
âEveryone is here!â
Su Ming whispered to Mink,
âMink, why has the shameless principal come here?â
Mink, upon hearing how Su Ming described the principal, replied with a very expressive face,
âI donât know either.â
âIf youâre going to talk, say more!â
Chen Tongâs face revealed a mocking smile, looking as if he relished the chaos.
âPrincipal, donât just stand at the door; come in and have a seat!â
Tang Yan hurried forward to greet him.
âNo need.â
Principal Luo Ken replied with a perfunctory comment and then stepped out of the room with a smile plastered on his face.
He then enthusiastically invited seven reporters carrying cameras to come inside.
Su Ming and the others were quite puzzled to see so many reporters.
At this moment, Principal Luo Ken pointed at Su Ming and the three of them and introduced.
âThese three students are the brave ones praised by Captain Han Le.
During the Chilami invasion incident, they behaved very heroically, not only piloting the training craft to evacuate and escort their classmates but also, when danger struck, they fearlessly picked up weapons to fight shoulder to shoulder with them!â
The reportersâ eyes lit up one by one and they crowded around to interview Su Ming and his companions.
âCould you tell us about your heroic deeds, student?â
âŠ
Su Mingâs mouth twitched slightly as he subconsciously stepped back a bit.
Mink, facing the microphone, was also a bit nervous as he replied.
âActually, we didnât think too much at the time, just got caught up in the moment andâŠâ
Before Mink could finish, Principal Luo Ken leaned in with a cheery smile and said,
âWhat they mean to say is that the situation didnât allow for much thought; they remembered my teachings and heroically charged forth, fighting against those evil creatures!â
âIt seems that their success today is really thanks to the great education you provided, Principal!â
The reporter said, giving him due respect.
âItâs nothing, really.
I pour my heart and soul into educating every student, so I am doubly pleased that they performed so well.
Thatâs why I have prepared honor certificates and a cash prize especially for them!â
As he spoke, Luo Ken took out three certificates and three thick envelopes written with âPrize Moneyâ and eagerly stuffed them into the hands of Su Ming and his two companions.
They were somewhat surprised.
At this moment, a photographer with a monkey-like face, clad in khaki, smirking sickeningly, held up a camera and said,
âPrincipal Luo Ken, let me take a photo of you all together!â
âGood, you three line up!â
Principal Luo Ken, with a beaming smile, urged Su Ming and his companions to get ready.
Su Ming and his companions, not wanting to refuse in front of so many reporters, lined up with Mink on the left, Su Ming in the center, and Chen Tong on the right.
Principal Luo Ken stood directly in front of the three, blocking Su Mingâs view.
âPerfect, smile everyone!â
The photographer shouted with a smile.
Principal Luo Kenâs smile was dazzling, and one might not know better and think he was the one being honored.
Click!
âOkay, Principal, take a look!â
The photographer handed over the camera for Luo Ken to take a peek.
Luo Ken looked carefully, and saw that he was captured quite prominently, standing tall.
Behind him, Su Ming was completely blocked, with only half his forehead and hair showing; the rest was invisible.
âXiao Gao, good shot!â
Principal Luo Ken praised with satisfaction.
âThank you for the compliment, Principal.â
Xiao Gao replied happily.
âPrincipal, may we interview them about the specifics of the battle?
It would help us write the article.â
At this time, a female reporter politely inquired.
âNo need for that trouble.
Let me tell you, I was there too.
You come with me first.
Itâs too cramped here to give details, letâs go outside.â
Principal Luo Ken warmly led the reporters away, completely disregarding Su Ming and his companions.
After all, the photo had been taken; they were no longer needed.
The rest would be handled by himself to avoid them saying something inappropriate out of ignorance.
âHmph, truly hypocritical.â
Chen Tong sneered disdainfully after Luo Ken left.
âThis is just a show!â
Mink also looked displeased.
âIt doesnât matter, at least they gave us certificates and a cash prize, which looks pretty thick; letâs count it!â
Su Ming opened the prize envelope and pulled out a stack of Federation currency.
When he saw what he pulled out, his smile froze on his faceâall were ten-dollar bills, meaning the entire stack was just a thousand Federation dollars.