What's wrong with me, a school principal, listening to students' suggestions?

"Air conditioning? Really?"

Li Wan'er raised her head, her eyes brightening.

"real."

"Should they be installed in the teachers' offices too?"

"Everything, including teachers' offices, preparation rooms, security rooms, and all buildings belonging to No. 13 Middle School, is covered."

The buzzing sound from below grew louder, this time tinged with obvious excitement.

Teachers at No. 13 Middle School face low salaries, poor working conditions, and difficult student management.

Having class in the classroom in the summer is like being in a sauna.

Several teachers wanted to transfer because they couldn't stand the working environment.

Should we tell them now that we want to install air conditioning?

This is even more exciting than a pay raise.

"But..." Lin Yucai changed the subject.

"Everyone's cooperation is needed during the construction period."

"When the teaching building is being renovated, classes will have to be temporarily moved to the playground or other available spaces."

"Director Ma, you'll be in charge of coordinating this matter."

Ma Desheng pushed up his reading glasses, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"Principal Lin, what if it rains when we have classes on the open-air playground?"

"I checked the weather forecast. The next two weeks will be mainly sunny and hot in Tomato City, with less than a 10% chance of rain."

"If it really rains, we'll use the cafeteria as a temporary classroom."

"Can the cafeteria accommodate them all?"

"We'll implement it in batches. You need to come up with a specific plan this afternoon and submit it to me tonight."

Ma Desheng sighed and nodded.

Have you contacted the construction team that expanded the shower room?

Lin Yucai then looked at Su Qingyan.

"I contacted three companies, and their quotes varied greatly."

"The cheapest one is 220,000, but the construction period is 25 days."

"The most expensive one cost 380,000 yuan and took 12 days to complete."

"The middle one costs 280,000 yuan and takes 18 days to complete."

"Choose the most expensive one."

Su Qingyan opened her mouth, "Lin Yucai, can't you have any sense of cost?"

"The twelve-day construction period was just enough to fit within two weeks."

"The deadline is a tight one, and we cannot compromise on it."

Su Qingyan took a deep breath and slammed the price list on the table.

"Okay, I'll go sign the contract this afternoon."

After the meeting, Lin Yucai returned to his office and did a final accounting on a piece of paper.

The total cost, including air conditioning installation, electrical circuit modification, waterproofing renovation, labor and overtime pay, is close to 100 million yuan.

Shower room expansion: 38; miscellaneous items and emergency reserve fund: 10.

Total: 145.

The funds he has...

The 150 million yuan newly allocated by the system has been almost entirely paid off.

After deducting the construction cost of 145 million, there is still about 110 million left.

This 110 million yuan is needed to maintain the canteen's operation, cover daily expenses, and various unforeseen expenditures.

It's tight, but it's enough.

This is assuming no unforeseen circumstances.

Lin Yucai rubbed his temples and stuffed the calculation paper into the drawer.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances?

In this run-down place called No. 13 Middle School?

He always felt that trouble wouldn't let him off so easily.

……

At 3 p.m., the advance team of the construction crew arrived.

Two trucks loaded with materials were parked in front of the teaching building, and workers in orange overalls filed in carrying cable reels and toolboxes.

"We really are going to install air conditioning!"

"Holy crap, the principal kept his word!"

Is there any hope for this school?

The students peered out the windows, watching the excitement with great enthusiasm.

Zhang Yang sat in the last row of the classroom by the window, his feet propped up on the desk, glancing sideways at the busy construction team outside.

"Yang-ge, do you think our classrooms will look just like those at No. 1 Middle School once the air conditioning is installed?"

The skinny monkey came closer, rubbing his hands excitedly.

"What's so great about No. 1 High School?"

Zhang Yang scoffed.

"The classrooms at No. 1 Middle School used old-fashioned window air conditioners from ten years ago, while we installed the latest central air conditioning system."

He paused, then put his feet off the table.

"Go write a suggestion."

"Huh? What should I write?"

"I suggest replacing that broken basketball hoop on the playground as well."

"The rims are all rusted. Last time I dunked, the whole frame almost fell down on me."

"Okay!"

The skinny monkey ran away in a flash.

Zhang Yang watched his retreating figure, a slight smile playing on his lips.

He quickly withdrew his expression and resumed his usual sour face.

……

Construction is progressing more smoothly than expected.

On the first day, the workers who were modifying the electrical circuits completed the wiring on the first floor of the teaching building.

Xu Jianfeng personally oversaw the process, even confirming the model number of the distribution box three times.

The next day, construction began simultaneously on the second and third floors.

The sounds of electric drills and hammers echoed in the teaching building as students were temporarily moved to the playground for classes.

The May sun was so intense it made your scalp tingle.

But strangely, not many people complained.

Because they know that once the air conditioner is installed, they won't have to endure the heat anymore.

A subtle sense of anticipation permeated the entire Thirteenth Middle School.

The cafeteria continues to provide five-star standard meals.

Zhou Dahai had adapted to the "communal dining model" in just a few days and even started to enjoy it.

In his words,

"Serving those rich people, they'd cook a table of dishes, eat a couple of bites, and then put down their chopsticks."

"When I cook for these students, they lick every plate clean."

"I've never experienced this sense of accomplishment in all my 30 years as a radish toaster."

On the fourth day of construction, an accident occurred.

An unexpected guest arrived at the school.

Two o'clock in the afternoon.

A silver-gray Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan slowly pulled up in front of the No. 13 Middle School.

The car door opened, and a middle-aged man in a dark blue suit stepped out.

His hair was slicked back and shiny, and a Patek Philippe watch on his wrist gleamed in the sunlight.

Qian Wenhua, principal of the No. 1 Middle School of the city.

Following behind him was Chen Zhigang, the academic affairs director of the school, with a stern face and a brown leather folder tucked under his arm.

"Who should I look for?"

The old gatekeeper, Mr. Zhang, poked his head out of the security room.

"I'm looking for your Principal Lin, an old friend, to catch up."

Qian Wenhua took off his sunglasses, revealing a round face and a pair of shrewd little eyes.

Grandpa Zhang pressed the internal phone button.

Five minutes later, Lin Yucai appeared at the school gate.

"Principal Lin, I've heard so much about you!"

Qian Wenhua extended his hand proactively, smiling warmly.

"I've wanted to visit for a long time, but I just haven't been able to find the time."

"I just happened to be passing by today, so I came up for a seat."

Lin Yucai squeezed for a moment and then let go.

He hasn't forgotten the gloating look on the face of the school principal when the Education Bureau read out the merger notice on the playground last time.

"Principal Qian, you're too kind. Please come in."

Lin Yucai led the two to the principal's office.

Su Qingyan had already brewed the tea and was waiting.

After Qian Wenhua sat down, his gaze swept around the office...

Peeling paint on tables and chairs, cracked corners in the walls, and a buzzing ceiling fan.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and sighed.

"Principal Lin, the conditions at No. 13 Middle School are indeed a bit tough."

"But I heard you've done something big recently?"

"Did they hire a five-star chef for the cafeteria?"

"They're going to install air conditioning for the whole school?"