Forcing Me to Raise Noodle Prices

"Medals?"

"So many!"

The Director's expression shifted slightly. His secretary, quick-witted, immediately bent down to pick them up.

"Director, I was in the military. These are indeed medals, Third-Class Merits."

"Oh, oh, Third-Class Merits..."

The Director nodded. Third-Class Merits were relatively common; one could earn them with a bit of effort.

"But five Third-Class Merit medals are a bit unusual."

"No, Director, there are five Third-Class Merit medals, and also two Second-Class Merits."

[Shock Emotion Value +100]

Second-Class Merits?!

Two of them!

These were only awarded for significant contributions.

The Director's expression changed several times. He looked at Xu Yi with extreme seriousness.

"Student Xu Yi, where did you get these medals?"

Xu Yi buried his head towards his chest. "My father sent them to me. He's a soldier."

Thump~

Everyone present felt their hearts skip a beat.

The Director's breathing quickened. "What did you say you were doing the day after tomorrow?"

"I'm going to pay respects to my father. It's the anniversary of his death."

[Shock Value +200]

[Confusion Value +200]

Swish swish swish~

At that moment, all eyes shot towards Li Yi like arrows.

Li Yi felt a prickling sensation all over, fine beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead, and his heart pounded violently.

This is bad, I might be in trouble!

"Then why did your father pass away?" the Director asked cautiously, his heart suspended.

"I... I don't know. I only know he went to the border and never came back. Then the military sent this to me."

Xu Yi held up the largest, most golden medal in his hands. Under the light, it shone brilliantly.

"F-First-Class Merit!!"

[Shock Value +400]

[Shock Value +400]

[Anger Value +400]

"Director, wait, there's another First-Class Merit medal here."

Two First-Class Merits??

Everyone was stunned and looked at Xu Yi with scrutiny.

"Young man, you didn't buy these medals, did you?" one of the school leaders probed tentatively.

"Generally speaking, earning even one First-Class Merit is incredibly difficult."

Xu Yi lowered his head, his voice filled with sadness. "My elder brother sent these."

"Your elder brother?"

"My elder brother is a police officer. Later, he went with his team to the Golden Triangle. Then, just like my father, he never came back. However, the police station sent this medal back."

[Shock Value +400]

[Shock Value +400]

[Shock Value +400]

[...]

Everyone present gasped for air. A father, a border defense hero; an elder brother, an anti-drug hero.

"What about your mother?" the Director asked.

"She went to provide support during the epidemic two years ago. And she never came back."

Angel Against the Current!

Thump thump thump~

Everyone involuntarily took a few steps back, cold sweat streaming down their faces.

Loyal and heroic, a whole family of loyal heroes.

For public and private reasons, they deserve the highest respect.

The Director's expression changed drastically, his pupils contracting.

He felt like the sky was about to collapse. The anxiety that had been hanging over him finally died.

Even after years in officialdom, he had long since developed the ability to remain unfazed by change.

But now, he was drenched in cold sweat, unable to straighten his back.

One must know that the defense battle at the time caused a huge uproar, and all the soldiers were highly praised by the country, let alone the heroes who sacrificed.

Now that Xu Yi's father is a First-Class Merit hero, this matter is no small thing.

At this moment, Xu Yi's voice was like thunder, spreading to everyone's ears.

"I miss my father so much. I wish he were still here. I want to tell him about all the grievances I've suffered. But the school encourages me to work and doesn't even let me pay respects to him."

[Fear Value +200]

[Fear Value +200]

Thump

Li Yi could no longer hold back, his legs went weak, and he collapsed on the ground.

This is bad, it's over!

Next to collapse on the ground was the Principal.

Forcing a hero's child to work, not allowing him to pay respects to his father, and he's a First-Class Merit hero.

If this gets out, his tenure as Principal is over.

No, this is being broadcast live.

It's already over!

A glint flashed in Xu Yi's eyes. This little bit of emotional value is not enough for anyone.

The next second, Xu Yi's eyes turned red, and he cried out to Li Yi, "Instructor, please let me go see my father. I'll just take a day off, and when I come back, I'm willing to clean toilets for ten days.

Or, like before, you can scold and beat me as you please."

Li Yi was almost in tears, feeling the angry gazes of those around him, and felt utterly chilled.

Stop it, man, I don't want to get beaten up.

With such an impressive background, why didn't you say so earlier?

"Did you hit him before?" the Director's icy voice cut through the air.

"No... No. I really didn't. I admit that because he was unsociable, I often made things difficult for him.

But hitting him, corporal punishment, or anything like that, I really didn't!

Xu Yi, did I ever hit you?"

As if by reflex, Xu Yi squatted on the ground with his hands covering his head, "Ah, don't hit me, I won't dare again."

[Fear Value +100]

"Xu Yi, you...!"

"Director, Instructor Li is a very good person. He never bullied me.

I never gave him any gifts, and he even helped me apply for poverty assistance. I'm very grateful to him," Xu Yi quickly explained.

[Anger Value +150]

The Director and the school's leaders wanted to kill him, their gazes practically wishing they could devour him alive.

Abusing a hero's orphan, you're really something!!

The Principal, furious, roared, "Li Yi, you're fired."

The Director sneered, angered, "Director Li, you really wield great power. You're amazing..."

"Director, please listen to my explanation, things are not..."

"No need to explain to me. You can explain to the Garrison Officer. This is no longer something I can decide."

Li Yi's face turned pale, "Okay, okay, now I'm really going to get it."

"Director, I'll treat you to a meal, please agree. My money is definitely enough for two bowls of longevity noodles. Maybe I can even get an egg, I haven't had an egg in so long," Xu Yi said expectantly to Yu Shu.

[Fear Value +100]

[Sympathy Value +50]

The Principal's legs, which had just straightened, bent again.

But he still yelled at the top of his lungs, "Quick, tell the kitchen to prepare a birthday banquet, the highest standard!"

Yu Shu stared coldly at the Principal, "You're a fine Principal, treating a hero's orphan like this."

The Principal cried with a mournful face, "I... I didn't know! It's all Li Yi's fault. He deceived his superiors and misled those below him, abusing his power. He's simply detestable."

The Principal's smooth deflection stunned Instructor Li on the spot.

He gaped for a long time, unable to utter a single word.

"Prepare to be investigated by the Disciplinary Committee."

[Fear Points +200]

Although the Principal was flustered, he wasn't overly panicked. Shifting the blame was, at most, a failure of supervision. The worst that could happen was a demotion.

With that thought, the Principal straightened his legs again and made a call.

"Xu Yi, hurry up and apply for the student aid grant. Also, make sure to pay out the grants from the past three years."

The Director ignored his feigned concern, his gaze falling gently on 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, cursing Instructor Li.

If this matter wasn't handled properly, he'd truly become "Uncle Li."

The orphaned child of a hero being abused at school and then having it broadcast live...

This incident had escalated beyond the Director's level.

He had planned to transfer to the ministry next year, and now, just managing to land smoothly would be good enough.

Thinking this, the Director's gaze towards Instructor Li became even more resentful.

Unfortunately, murder was illegal in Great Xia.

Meanwhile, the livestream chat had erupted into chaos.

--[Why didn't this guy reveal his powerful background sooner?]

--[Instructor Li has kicked a steel plate. He's probably going to jail for a long time.]

--[I'm so angry watching this, I wish I could go there and slap the school leaders myself.]

--[But I'm envious. I'm going to send my dad to the battlefield right now.]

Before long, the fragrant dishes were ready.

Xu Yi devoured them with gusto.

The Director presented the Longevity Noodles to Xu Yi, with a fried egg placed on top.

"Little Yi, the cake hasn't arrived yet. Eat the Longevity Noodles first."

"Thank you, Uncle Yu."

Just as Xu Yi picked up a mouthful with his chopsticks, he suddenly remembered something and stood up immediately.

"Sorry, Uncle Yu, I can't eat with you. It's my work time."

"Work?"

Xu Yi walked over to a stall, setting up pots and pans with a practiced, almost heartbreaking, efficiency.

The orphaned child of a hero had to make a living by cooking instant noodles for others?!

The Director's cold gaze swept over the school leaders, who all guiltily lowered their heads, their palms sweating.

Instructor Li, you truly deserve to die!

Instructor Li: Just destroy me already, I'm tired.

[Sympathy Points +50]

[Anger Points +100]

"Come on, let's eat instant noodles. Three-fifty a pack..."

Students, hearing the commotion, rushed over, and soon a long line formed at his stall.

"The instant noodles Xu Yi cooks are delicious. The noodles are chewy and perfectly seasoned."

"Three-fifty is a great deal, and he even cooks it for you. The school supermarket sells them for ten bucks a pack now."

The Director and the others also put down their chopsticks, waiting patiently for Xu Yi to finish selling.

Suddenly, two men and two women, looking aggressive, appeared at Xu Yi's stall.

"We told you before, to raise the price to ten yuan, the same as our supermarket. Why do you still dare to sell them for three-fifty?"