Going back to 18, demanding 30,000 yuan in compensation from the school beauty.

Zhu Mingna didn't have time for pleasantries, so she gave a few polite words and got straight to the point.

"The application process for this academic year's financial aid started a week ago. A total of 9 students in our class applied, but because the quota is fixed and can only be 7 people at most, two students will have to consider it next year."

As Zhu Mingna spoke, she took out materials from the drawer. "These seven are the final list! You two divide the work and tell them privately to have their families issue a certificate of poverty and send it to the school. I will submit the application materials together, and that should be about it."

Lin Zhao nodded in agreement: "Okay, teacher."

He took the materials in his hands and flipped through them one by one. After he finished, his expression changed.

There were seven people: five girls and two boys.

The proportions were controlled reasonably well.

He didn't know much about the girls' side, but for the boys, Liang Junlei and Zhou Rui got the spots, not Li Shun.

Lin Zhao grinned: No wonder Zhou Rui is so generous, treating the whole class to dinner. It turns out it was all arranged beforehand!

As the newly appointed class monitor, I shouldn't question the counselor's decisions.

But Lin Zhao was not that kind of cunning and worldly-wise person.

He's a domineering CEO. Domineering CEOs don't need to consider other people's feelings; they only need to achieve their own goals.

"Teacher Zhu, may I ask if Li Shun has submitted his application form?"

Lin Zhao asked directly.

Zhu Mingna didn't expect him to be so talkative. She looked up, then took out another document from the drawer.

"He submitted it, but compared to other students, his application materials didn't really show any signs of poverty."

Lin Zhao remained noncommittal, took the application form, and glanced at it.

Indeed, as Zhu Mingna said, Li Shun wrote very "normally." Apart from mentioning his mother's death, he did not say how difficult things were for his family, nor did he mention the most obvious aspect: the family's annual income.

In contrast, the other students' materials were much more "vivid," with at least one parent unable to work, deceased relatives listed first, and annual family incomes of several thousand yuan... You can't say he's exaggerating, because without a formal organization, these figures are impossible to verify.

In comparison, Li Shun's case was indeed not so pitiful, and Zhu Mingna was not lying.

However, this does not prove that Zhu Mingna had no ulterior motives.

After all, Zhou Rui, the former class monitor and current academic representative, had applied and received a spot.

Lin Zhao spoke directly: "Teacher Zhu, from what I understand, Li Shun's family is indeed poor. He basically doesn't eat meat or vegetables, and his clothes and shoes are all old, clearly worn for many years. On the other hand, Zhou Rui treated the whole class to a meal yesterday, so it seems he doesn't need the subsidy."

Even Zhang Fei, who seemed carefree, was stunned.

Lin Zhao's two sentences were really harsh: she talked back to the teacher, showed favoritism towards her roommate, and openly sabotaged her competitor.

Chang Fei: I couldn't say that even if I were deliberately picking a fight!

Zhu Mingna was also stunned; she hadn't expected this freshman to be so bold.

Lin Zhao's words sounded like he lacked emotional intelligence, but his popularity and speech during the class monitor election didn't seem like the kind of reckless personality he had.

So, was speaking up for Li Shun in front of him really just about speaking out for justice?

"So, Squad Leader Lin means to replace Zhou Rui with Li Shun?" Zhu Mingna leaned back and asked in a low voice.

This dissatisfaction is already quite evident.

Lin Zhao, however, seemed not to hear her and laughed, "I think that's for the best. After all, poverty subsidies should reach the truly impoverished students. What do you think?"

Zhu Mingna stared at him with great interest for three seconds, and finally nodded.

"The squad leader is right, let's do it your way!" he said, opening a document on the table to read it.

Lin Zhao bowed slightly: "Thank you, teacher. We'll be going now."

I went straight out the door.

Zhang Fei was extremely embarrassed. She didn't know what to say to the obviously angry counselor and reluctantly followed him out.

……

Outside the college building, a light rain was still falling.

"Lin Zhao, are you crazy? How could you talk to the counselor like that?" Zhang Fei was dumbfounded. It was supposed to be cool and rainy today, but her back was already covered in sweat.

Lin Zhao looked bewildered: "How should I speak?"

Zhang Fei couldn't tell if he was genuinely naive or pretending: "The counselor has already finalized the list of those receiving poverty subsidies. We just need to follow the teacher's instructions. Why are you making such a fuss?" Teacher Zhu was clearly unhappy in the end!

Lin Zhao waved her hand dismissively: "It's her business if she's unhappy. Anyway, I said during the election that I wouldn't let any student in our class be wronged. You have to keep your word. If I clearly find this list unfair and keep quiet about it, what's the point of being class monitor?"

Zhang Fei frowned as she listened.

Although what he said makes sense, something still feels off.

"But... is it really appropriate to make the counselor angry just for Li Shun's scholarship?"

"What's inappropriate about it!"

Lin Zhao laughed and said, "Why are counselors called counselors? They play a guiding role in our university studies and life, unlike high school homeroom teachers who are all-encompassing and do everything personally, like servants or nannies."

"When it comes to our own rights, the counselor might not be so attentive; we have to fight for them ourselves. If I sacrifice the interests of my classmates for the sake of the counselor's pride, I'd rather not be class monitor!"

Zhang Fei was stunned.

She could accept the logic in Lin Zhao's words, but after being taught to respect teachers for so many years, the sudden idea of ​​disrespecting teachers made her feel awkward and even guilty.

Lin Zhao didn't force her, after all, she was just a high school graduate, and it wasn't easy for her to make the social transition.

Otherwise, why would universities be set at four years?

Many people may not be able to make a successful transformation even after four years, let alone with the inspiration from just one short conversation.

As agreed with Zhu Mingna earlier, Lin Zhao and Zhang Fei split up and informed the students who received poverty subsidies one by one, explaining the subsequent procedures.

Lin Zhao's workload is lighter, while there are only two spots available for the male applicants.

He first approached Liang Junlei and told him about it.

Liang Junlei is shameless and vulgar in public, but he seems a little embarrassed and ashamed to admit that his family is poor in private.

Lin Zhao immediately punched him: "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and get your poverty certificate from your hometown. The sooner you submit the certificate, the sooner you can get the money. It's better to have it in your pocket, understand?"

That punch shattered Liang Junlei's embarrassment, and he grinned sheepishly, "Alright, Brother Lin, don't worry!"

Lin Zhao tossed him a "You're such a jerk" and went back to her dorm room.

Li Shun wasn't there; Geng Ziye said he went to the library to apply for a work-study position.

Lin Zhao didn't pay any attention.

Today is the last week before National Day. After the class meeting, students who live close to home are preparing to leave.

Locals like He Ruiqi have already disappeared, and Geng Ziye is also packing his luggage; he's taking the afternoon train to visit his classmates.

Lin Zhao didn't plan to go home. He was in his dormitory thinking about how to spend the seven-day National Day holiday when his best friend Sun Jiajun called and invited him to go sightseeing in Shanghai during the holiday. Since Lin Zhao had nothing else to do, he agreed.

Li Shuncai returned to his dormitory around 8 p.m.

Lin Zhao asked him how the interview for the library job went, and he said he was waiting for news, but his expression was not very good.

Lin Zhao could picture his roommate's awkward silence when facing the librarian, and thought the matter was probably hopeless.

"By the way, your scholarship application has been approved."

Lin Zhao recounted everything Zhu Mingna had told him, without mentioning at all that he had replaced Zhou Rui.

Li Shun's reaction was the same as Liang Junlei's, a mixture of joy and embarrassment. But when he heard that he also needed to obtain a poverty certificate, that joy vanished completely.

"Brother Lin... I don't want the scholarship anymore..."

He suddenly said.