"Medals?"
"So many!"
The director's expression shifted slightly, and the secretary quickly picked up the medals.
"Director, I served in the military. These really are medals—Third-Class Merit medals."
"Oh, oh, Third-Class Merit..."
The director nodded. Third-Class Merit was relatively common. With a little extra effort, one could earn it.
"But having this many Third-Class Merit medals is rather uncommon."
"No, Director. There are five Third-Class Merit medals, as well as two Second-Class Merit medals."
Shocked Emotion Points +100
Second-Class Merit?!
And two of them!
That was something only major acts of merit could earn.
The director's expression changed several times before he looked at Xu Yi with utmost seriousness.
"Student Xu Yi, where did you get these medals?"
Xu Yi lowered his head deeply toward his chest. "My father sent them to me. He was a soldier."
Clack~
Everyone present instinctively felt their hearts skip a beat.
The director's breathing quickened. "What did you just say you were going to do the day after tomorrow?"
"Go pay my respects to my father. That day is the anniversary of his death."
Shock Points +200 Confusion Points +200
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh~
At that moment, everyone's gaze shot toward Li Yi like arrows.
Li Yi felt prickling all over his body. Fine beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead, and his heart pounded violently.
This is bad. I might be screwed!
"Then why did your father pass away?" the director asked cautiously, his heart hanging high in his chest.
"I...I don't know either. I only know that he went to the border and never came back. Then the army sent these to me."
Xu Yi lifted the largest and most dazzling golden medal with both hands. Under the lights, it shone brilliantly.
"First... First-Class Merit!!"
Shock Points +400 Shock Points +400 Rage Points +400
"Director, wait. There's another First-Class Merit medal here."
Two First-Class Merit medals??
Everyone froze, then looked at Xu Yi with scrutinizing gazes.
"Little classmate, these medals weren't bought, were they?" one of the school leaders asked tentatively.
"Generally speaking, earning First-Class Merit even once is extremely difficult."
Xu Yi lowered his head, his tone dejected. "My elder brother sent this to me."
"Your elder brother?"
"My elder brother was a police officer. One day, he went with his unit to the Golden Triangle. Then, just like my father, he never came back. But the police station sent this medal over."
Shock Points +400 Shock Points +400 Shock Points +400
Everyone present began breathing heavily. His father was a hero who had guarded the border, and his elder brother was an Anti-drug Hero.
"Then what about your mother?" the director asked.
"She fell ill two years ago and went to provide support. Then she never came back either."
Angel Against the Current!
Thump, thump, thump~
Everyone instinctively took several steps back, cold sweat running down their bodies.
A family of loyal martyrs. Every last one of them.
Whether in public or private, they deserved the highest respect.
The director's expression changed drastically, and his pupils contracted.
He felt as though the sky were about to collapse. The heart that had been hanging in his chest finally died.
Even after years in officialdom, he had long since trained himself to remain calm in the face of unexpected events.
But now, his entire body was drenched in cold sweat, and he could barely straighten his back.
The Defense War had caused a tremendous uproar at the time. Every soldier had been highly commended by the nation, let alone the heroes who had sacrificed themselves.
Now Xu Yi's father was also a First-Class Merit hero. This matter was far from trivial.
At that moment, Xu Yi's voice rang out like thunder, reaching everyone's ears.
"I really miss my father. If only he were still here. I want to tell him about all the grievances I've suffered. Unfortunately, the school encourages me to work but won't even let me go pay my respects to him."
Fear Points +200 Fear Points +200
Thud~
Li Yi could endure no longer. His legs went weak, and he collapsed to the floor.
This is bad. I'm really screwed!
The principal was the next to collapse.
Forcing a hero's child to work and not letting him pay respects to his father—a First-Class Merit hero at that.
If these words got out, his career as principal would be over.
No, this was being livestreamed.
It was already over!
A glint flashed through Xu Yi's eyes. Is this little bit of Emotion Points enough for anyone to use?
The next second, Xu Yi's eyes reddened, and he began crying to Li Yi. "Instructor, please let me go see my father. I'll only take one day off. After I come back, I'm willing to scrub the toilets for ten days.
"Or you can treat me the same way as before and beat and scold me as you please."
Li Yi was practically about to cry. Feeling the furious gazes around him, his entire body went cold.
Stop it, brother! I don't want to eat a purple egg yet.
With such an incredible background, why didn't you say so earlier?
"You beat him before?" the director's icy voice rang out.
"No...no, I didn't. I really didn't. I admit that because he didn't fit in, I usually made things difficult for him a little.
"But I really didn't beat him or give him physical punishment.
"Xu Yi, have I ever hit you?"
As though by reflex, Xu Yi covered his head with both hands and crouched on the ground. "Ah, don't hit me! I won't dare do it again!"
Fear Points +100
"Xu Yi, you...!"
"Director, Instructor Li is a good person. He's never bullied me.
"I've never given him gifts, and he even helped me apply for financial aid. I'm very grateful to him." Xu Yi hurriedly explained.
Rage Points +150
The director and the school leaders all wanted to kill him. Their gazes looked ready to tear him apart and devour him alive.
Abusing a hero's orphan? You're really something!
The principal was even more furious as he roared, "Li Yi, you're fired."
The director let out an angry laugh. "Director Li, you really do hold tremendous power. You're quite something..."
"Director, listen to my explanation. This isn't..."
"You don't need to explain it to me. Explain it to the Garrison Officer. This matter is no longer something I can decide."
Li Yi's face turned deathly pale. "All right, all right. This time, I'm really going to eat a purple egg."
"Director, just agree to let me treat you to a meal. I definitely have enough money to buy two bowls of Longevity Noodles. Maybe I can even add an egg. I haven't eaten an egg in a long time." Xu Yi looked at Yu Shu with anticipation.
Fear Points +100 Sympathy Points +50
The principal's legs, which had just straightened, bent again.
But he still shouted at the top of his lungs, "Have the kitchen prepare a birthday banquet immediately! Make it the highest standard!"
Yu Shu stared coldly at the principal. "You're quite a principal. Is this how you treat a hero's orphan?"
The principal put on a mournful expression. "I...I didn't know either. This was all Li Yi's fault. He deceived his superiors and concealed things from his subordinates, abusing his authority. He's simply despicable."
The principal's smooth passing of the blame left Li Yi stunned on the spot.
His mouth hung open for a long while, but he couldn't force out a single word.
"Prepare to be investigated by the Disciplinary Committee."
Fear Points +200
Although the principal was anxious, he wasn't overly worried. After passing the blame, at worst he could be accused of inadequate supervision. The most that would happen was probably demotion.
Thinking this, the principal's legs straightened again, and he immediately picked up the phone.
"Get Xu Yi's financial aid application processed as soon as possible. Also, make up the aid payments for the previous three years."
The director ignored his hypocritical display and instead looked warmly at Xu Yi.
"Xu Yi, I've ordered a cake. We'll celebrate your birthday together later."
"Thank you, Director."
"Don't call me Director. Just call me Uncle Yu."
The director sighed inwardly. Damn that Li Yi.
If this matter wasn't handled properly, he really would become Uncle Li.
A hero's orphan had been abused at school, and the whole thing had even been livestreamed.
This matter had already exceeded the authority of a director.
He had been planning to enter the ministry next year. Now, being able to get through this smoothly would be enough.
Thinking of this, the director's gaze toward Li Yi grew even more resentful.
Unfortunately, killing people was against the law in Great Xia.
By then, the livestream had already caused a huge uproar.
--Why didn't this guy bring out such an incredible background sooner?
--Li Yi kicked an iron plate. He'll probably spend the rest of his life in prison.
--Watching this made me so angry. I wish I could go there and slap every school leader across the face.
--But I'm kind of envious. This is what happens when you send your father off to war.
Before long, a sumptuous feast overflowing with fragrance was ready.
Xu Yi devoured the food like a whirlwind.
The director brought the Longevity Noodles to Xu Yi, with a fried egg placed on top.
"Xiao Yi, the cake hasn't arrived yet. Eat the Longevity Noodles first."
"Thank you, Uncle Yu."
Xu Yi had just picked up a mouthful with his chopsticks when he suddenly remembered something and immediately stood up.
"Sorry, Uncle Yu, but I can't eat with you. It's time for me to work."
"Work?"
Xu Yi went to a service window, set out the pots, bowls, and utensils, and began working with practiced skill. It was enough to break one's heart.
The orphan of a hero actually had to support himself by cooking instant noodles for others?!
The director swept his cold gaze across the school leaders. They all lowered their heads guiltily, their palms covered in cold sweat.
Li Yi, you really deserve to die!
Li Yi: Let it all be destroyed. I'm tired.
Sympathy Points +50 Rage Points +100
"Come on, instant noodles! Three and a half yuan a pack..."
The students hurried over after hearing the news. Before long, a long line had formed at his window.
"Xu Yi's instant noodles are delicious. The noodles are chewy, and the seasoning is just right."
"Three and a half yuan is such a great deal, and he cooks them for you too. The school supermarket has raised the price to ten yuan a pack."
The director and the others didn't touch their chopsticks again. Instead, they patiently waited for Xu Yi to finish selling.
Suddenly, two men and two women appeared aggressively in front of Xu Yi's stall.
"I already told you before—raise the price to ten yuan and match our supermarket's price. Why do you still dare to sell them for three and a half yuan?"
Before you continue