"Choose!"
Xu Yi felt a surge of excitement and quickly began browsing.
There was no need to look at the options above. Even after a ten-percent discount, they still cost tens or hundreds of thousands.
He decisively scrolled to the bottom, finally choosing the most suitable background and beginning to edit it.
"Father: Xu Fan, a border defense soldier, holding the rank of lieutenant and serving as a company commander. Five Third-Class Merits and two Second-Class Merits. He died a hero during a Border Defense War and was posthumously awarded First-Class Merit."
"Mother: Lin Li, the Angel Against the Current. She died fighting disease."
"Eldest brother: Xu Zhou, an anti-drug police officer. He died during an operation in the Golden Triangle and was posthumously awarded First-Class Merit. His police identification number was permanently sealed."
"Grandfather: Unknown. Grandmother: Unknown."
Since Xu Yi was an orphan, according to the system's rules of causality, he definitely couldn't choose someone who was still alive. Besides, he had limited Emotion Points.
After going back and forth, this was currently the most suitable option.
Very soon, a large block of memories appeared in Xu Yi's mind. At the same time, his pocket grew noticeably heavier.
All of Xu Fan's Meritorious Service Medals have been issued to the host. All of Xu Zhou's Meritorious Service Medals have been issued to the host.
At that moment, the principal's tense voice reached Xu Yi's ears. "Principal, it's not like that. Listen to my explanation."
"Explain what? Explain how you misused the financial aid for students with connections? Are you blind to the students who are actually struggling?"
Tension Points +60
The principal hurriedly shook his head. "I admit that I failed in my supervision. I didn't know about this. The instructor handled everything. I had no idea he would dare to act so recklessly. I'll talk to him when I get back."
—Principal, that was brilliant. He threw off all the blame in one sentence.
—What's everyone surprised about? Isn't the reckless distribution of financial aid extremely common?
—My family is one of the households guaranteed basic support, yet I didn't see a single cent of the financial aid for college. The instructor gave it all to students he had connections with.
—Tsk, tsk. That instructor is screwed.
—Screwed my ass. At most, that instructor will get a couple of reprimands. Xu Yi has no background or connections. The principal won't expel the instructor for his sake.
After hearing the principal's explanation, the director's expression softened slightly.
"Get this student's financial aid application processed immediately. Similar incidents are not to happen again.
"Otherwise, you won't be principal for much longer."
"Yes, yes. I guarantee it won't happen again."
Xu Yi was still too young, and he was somewhat dumbfounded. Was that it?!
Then what had I worked so hard to put on this act for?
I refuse to accept this! I want Emotion Points—lots and lots of Emotion Points.
The principal took out his phone, turned on the speaker, and placed it in front of the director.
"Instructor Li, what's going on? Are you still fit to be an instructor? Xu Yi's life is so difficult. Why didn't you give him financial aid?
"Are you trying to stay an instructor until you're dismissed? Get to the cafeteria immediately and process Xu Yi's financial aid."
"Principal, I..."
The moment a voice came from the phone, the principal slyly hung up.
The director merely lifted his eyelids and glanced at him without saying anything.
Before long, Li Yi came rushing over, his face full of resentment.
"Xu Yi, why do you have to make such a fuss? I already told you there are so many students in difficulty this year. Just bear with it for now.
"Make a selfless contribution for the time being. I'll arrange your financial aid next year. Why are you so selfish?
"Was it really necessary to take such a trivial matter to the principal?"
—This instructor is quite the schemer. The moment he opened his mouth, Xu Yi became the biggest villain in the entire scene.
—Another classic case of moral blackmail. I was cyberbullied for several days the last time I didn't give up my seat to an old woman.
At that moment, everyone present turned their eyes toward Xu Yi. Their earlier sympathy had vanished, replaced by a trace of contempt.
Unexpectedly, Xu Yi shrank his neck and said innocently, "But, Instructor, you said the same thing four years ago. Besides, we'll all have graduated by next year."
"..."
Li Yi instantly fell silent, standing there speechless.
Anger Points +60 Tension Points +60 Sympathy Points +20
The director glanced at the livestream camera, then at Li Yi.
"Director Li, you're excellent. Truly a responsible instructor. I ought to give you an award. Next year, I should promote you to director so you'll have even more authority to distribute as you please."
"Wait, who are you?"
Tense Emotion Points +20
The principal hurriedly coughed several times. "Li Yi! How can you speak like that? Apologize to the director at once."
"The director... the director?!"
Li Yi's face went pale. "Director, I'm sorry."
"Director Li, you should apologize to him. Hurry up and help this student apply for financial aid."
Li Yi shot Xu Yi a resentful look. You deliberately embarrassed me by taking this to the director, didn't you?
Just wait... Once the director leaves, I'll make sure you pay.
"What are you standing around for? Hurry up and process it for him." Yu Shu urged him impatiently.
Li Yi put on a troubled expression. "Director, I came in such a hurry that I forgot to bring the relevant documents."
"Go back and get them."
"It'll take a long time. At least half an hour, I'd say. I don't want to delay you.
"How about I go back and apply for him after you leave?"
The director hesitated slightly, then nodded in agreement.
Seeing the awkward atmosphere at the scene, Bingbing promptly stepped in to smooth things over.
"The main content of this episode is accompanying the leaders to inspect the cafeteria. We encountered a few minor incidents along the way, but the director handled them very responsibly."
The viewers in the livestream were furious yet powerless.
—Damn, they're calling something this serious a minor incident. I feel sorry for this student.
—Handled it, my ass. The way that instructor was looking at him, you'd think he wanted to eat him alive. Once the director leaves, that instructor will definitely make things difficult for him.
—Once the director leaves, there's no hope for the financial aid. He might even face retaliation from all of them together. This student is so pitiful. I sympathize with him.
Sure enough, the moment the director turned around, Li Yi pulled a stack of slips from his pocket.
They were all students' leave requests.
He stared coldly at Xu Yi, though his tone was gentle. "Xu Yi, there's a volunteer event the day after tomorrow. I hope you'll participate enthusiastically. As for taking leave, we can discuss it another time."
With that, he immediately tore up the leave slip.
But to his surprise, Xu Yi wasn't angry or frightened in the slightest.
Instead, he revealed an amused smile. That smile gave Li Yi a bad feeling.
"Instructor! I really have something important to do the day after tomorrow. Please approve my leave!" Xu Yi suddenly shouted.
Instructor: "???"
Come on, man. You're not following the script! Why did you suddenly start shouting?
The director and the others immediately stopped and turned around again.
Tension Points +40 Astonishment Points +50
However, the director didn't say anything. After all, it was only a minor matter of taking leave. He couldn't possibly interfere with even that, could he?
When the principal saw the director turn around, he immediately asked nervously, "Xu Yi, is there something important you need to do?"
"The day after tomorrow... is the anniversary of my father's death."
How pitiful... His father passed away.
The director shook his head with a trace of pity and turned around again, preparing to leave.
But Xu Yi suddenly dashed in front of him. "Director, you've been so good to me. Let me treat you to a meal. Longevity Noodles—I'll give you half."
Seeing this, the others couldn't help sneering. "You're trying to curry favor with the Education Bureau director? What's your status? Do you think you're worthy?"
As expected, the director gently refused. "No need, young man. I appreciate the thought. Happy birthday."
"It's fine. I have money. I really do."
As he spoke, Xu Yi rummaged through his pocket for money.
Suddenly, a heavy metallic clinking rang out.
Medals glinting with golden light kept tumbling out of Xu Yi's pocket.
Everyone looked at the ground, and the director couldn't help but freeze.
"What are these?"
"Medals."
Before you continue