Chapter 38: I Am Proud to Be a Member!

All eyes turned toward him at once! Except for Song Ningsnow, every gaze directed at him was full of intense disgust.

“Ling Qiu, who gave you the right to speak here? Just now, out of respect for Director Song, we didn’t throw you out. But do you really think you belong at this table?” Old Zhao, the homeroom teacher, shouted angrily.

The other teachers chimed in, “How can this student be so tactless?”

“High school exams are only a few days away, so yes, students have a bit more freedom... but basic respect for teachers should still be observed! Young man, leave this room immediately! You have no right to sit here!”

“Students nowadays really have no manners! Especially this kid—didn’t we hear recently he got tangled up with some local hoodlums? Having him here is an eyesore!”

“Hah! That’s right! I remember Ling Qiu—he ranked dead last in the most recent mock exam. He’s a parasite in school, a burden to society. Once he steps out of school, he’ll just be a petty criminal!”

Emboldened by the alcohol, the teachers dropped all pretense.

Most importantly, Ling Qiu’s insolence had spoiled Zhang Junfeng’s plans.

For tonight’s gathering, Zhang Junfeng had slipped each teacher a two-thousand-yuan red envelope, under the guise of “gratitude for their guidance,” but in truth, it was little more than bribery.

With their mouths stuffed, these teachers had to put on a show.

“Get out! Hurry up and get out!” Old Zhao rose, making as if to grab Ling Qiu.

But Song Ningsnow stepped forward, slapped Old Zhao’s hand away. “What are you doing, Old Zhao?”

Old Zhao was stunned, “Director Song?... This student is out of line, and this is no place for him—”

“And you, as educators, think it’s acceptable to ridicule a student like this? Listen up! I invited him here!” Song Ningsnow was drunk tonight; she had no other thought but to see Ling Qiu.

She was furious.

“So you want us to leave, huh? Fine. Ling Qiu, come on, let’s go together.” She seized Ling Qiu’s arm, about to leave.

“Wait, wait! Please! Director Song, don’t be angry!” A crowd rushed forward to apologize.

Ling Qiu, unfazed, said offhandedly, “Yes, and look at that guy, still kneeling there—poor thing. If you leave now, does he stay kneeling or stand up? If he stands, and you come back for something and see him standing, it’ll seem he lacks sincerity. But if he keeps kneeling and you never return, he’ll be miserable. Isn’t that right?”

Zhang Junfeng: What the hell?

You really know how to set the stage!

Honestly, if not for Ling Qiu’s words, Zhang Junfeng would have stood up the next instant to stop Song Ningsnow.

“Mind your own business!” Song Ningsnow, the alcohol now affecting her, was nearly infuriated by Ling Qiu’s attitude. She glared at him, aggrieved and indignant: Do you know, right now, you’re the only one I want to see? And you, you troublesome Ling Qiu—do you realize it’s because of you I was transferred out of town?

Her heart raced as she tried to calm herself, taking a deep breath.

After a moment, she turned, her dislike plain as she looked at Zhang Junfeng and the other teachers. “Fine, I won’t leave yet. Let’s hear your explanations.”

“Explain what?” Everyone exchanged glances, feigning ignorance.

Song Ningsnow frowned, pointing at Zhang Junfeng, still kneeling. “I don’t know what you’re thinking! As educators, you know about his intentions but not only don’t stop him, you even support him?”

The teachers protested, “Oh, Director Song, that’s not fair! Zhang Junfeng is practically an adult now, taking on his family’s business!”

“Exactly! You can’t treat him as just a student anymore! And we’re not supporting him, we’re simply wishing him well! In fact, we’re trying to help you!”

“Help me?” Song Ningsnow wondered if she’d misheard.

“Yes! Of course! We’re helping you!”

“That’s right, Director Song! We’ve heard your second uncle went bankrupt, and your family suffered too. To help with the financial strain, you had to transfer to a private education institute in the provincial capital to earn quick money... But if you accept Zhang Junfeng’s pursuit, you could remain in your current position and uphold your educational ideals!”

“Yes, yes!” At this, Zhang Junfeng finally took over the topic, “Ningsnow! I, Zhang Junfeng, won’t promise much, but if you become my girlfriend, my father will arrange everything in the provincial capital. I’ve looked into your uncle’s situation—don’t worry, my family can definitely help you!”

Ha... ha...

At that moment, Song Ningsnow suddenly laughed.

A silent laugh—cold, bitter, and mocking.

She wasn’t mocking anyone, but the world itself.

What did these people take her for?

Previously, Zheng Qian had tried to coerce her with benefits, forcing her to accept him. She refused, and ended up in her current predicament.

Now, the immature Zhang Junfeng was also using benefits—not coercion, but temptation.

What did they think she was?

Was she a tool to be willingly sold for profit?

What was worse, it wasn’t just them—even her parents and relatives had tried to use her as a tool to trade for gain!

The wine hadn’t intoxicated her, but sorrow overwhelmed her. In the dim light, no one noticed—except Ling Qiu—a stubborn tear was quietly gathering at the corner of her eye.

“You must not cry.”

Just then, a hand suddenly clasped Song Ningsnow’s delicate fingers.

She felt warmth in her palm and a calming aura in her heart. She turned to see Ling Qiu holding her hand, giving her a serious look. “Would you let these people see your tears?—Your tears should only be seen by those who cherish you. They do not deserve them.”

Hearing this, Song Ningsnow’s nose tingled with emotion, waves of pent-up grievances surging through her.

Yet... for some reason, Ling Qiu’s warmth was like the rising sun, gradually soothing her mood.

This Ling Qiu... seemed to possess a kind of magic!

His voice, his gaze, his touch... gave Song Ningsnow an unprecedented sense of comfort and reliance.

“Damn you, kid! Take your filthy hand off her!” Zhang Junfeng, seeing Ling Qiu holding Song Ningsnow’s hand, finally erupted in fury.

And at that moment—

Bang bang bang!

Suddenly, the door was pounded loudly!

Song Ningsnow saw from the window a student outside, face full of panic. Instinctively, she opened the door.

Bang!

The door was thrown open.

A student, flustered and breathless, exclaimed, “Director Song... Senior Zhang... no... something’s wrong! There’s been an incident!”

The sudden emergency shattered everyone’s previous train of thought.

“What happened?”

“There’s someone... very fierce... he said... he’s going to break Li Gang’s leg!”