"Because this is the first time the underground ratfolk have dealt with young wizards like you, they don't know where the 'safe distance' lies, so they came up with this form in hopes of providing some guidance for future interactions."
"Mm, according to the official line, you should take the bigger picture into account... that way, both sides can leave a good impression."
Another way of putting "take the bigger picture into account" was to give fake scores.
Though Zheng Qing was not good at reading between the lines, he easily understood the unspoken meaning behind Old Yao's answer. Old Yao meant that everyone should be friendlier when scoring the Christmas Rats and not give them scores that were too low.
This made him deeply indignant.
Earlier, the old man had lectured him about not talking nonsense, nagging and scolding him for half the day. Yet less than a week later, the old man was openly standing at the podium, steering everyone toward giving fake scores!
"Typical—officials can set fires, but commoners can't light lamps!" the young government-funded student muttered under his breath.
"What did you say?" Zhang Jixin tilted his head and glanced at him.
"Nothing, nothing. I just choked on some saliva," the government-funded student immediately denied, waving his hands.
"I've decided to give them full marks!" Duan Xiaojian, seated in front of Fatty Xin, turned around and looked solemnly at the male wizards of the You Zui Hunting Team. "Full marks across the board... for the sake of the bigger picture."
"Because they gave me too few gifts, I've decided to give them only a passing grade." Fatty Xin scratched his chin with a Quill Pen and spoke lazily. "Let me see... I can deduct more points for their clothing, appearance, and manners. You don't know this,