The Ceremony Ends, Trifles Begin

The four speeches were rich in substance and lofty in purpose, crucial to shaping the students' character and spirit. Yet for children as young as six, standing and listening for several hours was undoubtedly a tremendous ordeal.

The morning sunlight gradually turned scorching, while the soreness and numbness in their legs came in waves. Their initial excitement and reverence had long since been replaced by exhaustion and impatience. Small fidgeting movements began to multiply throughout the ranks: some twisted their bodies, some secretly pounded their legs, and some of the younger Junior Division students pursed their lips as their eyes reddened, on the verge of tears. Only their teachers' quiet reassurance barely kept them composed.

Even Ye Qi, who was far more mature than most children his age, had gone pale. Fine beads of sweat covered his forehead, and his legs felt as heavy as lead. He could only keep shifting his weight in secret to remain standing. He glanced around and found that everyone was in much the same state. Even the older students from the Intermediate Division wore varying degrees of restrained agony on their faces.

When Li Xuansheng finished his speech and the dean presiding over the ceremony finally announced, "The ceremony is over. Each homeroom teacher, take your classes back to their classrooms," it was as if a silent, collective sigh of relief swept across the entire square. The orderly ranks instantly loosened. Granted a reprieve, the children hurried toward their respective teaching buildings under their teachers' guidance with almost liberated speed. The square immediately filled with chaotic footsteps and suppressed murmurs of complaint: "My legs are killing me," and "It's finally over."

On the platform, the powerful figures naturally saw the students' condition below and could not help exchanging amused looks. Li Yuanhui shook his