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

"It's just a minor skirmish."

Lin Yu-tsai leaned back in his chair, looking quite relaxed.

"You're too modest." Qian Wenhua gave a thumbs up. "The whole education circle in Tomato City is talking about this."

"I saw photos of your cafeteria in the teachers' group at No. 1 Middle School. To be honest, I'm craving it."

He put down his teacup, leaned forward slightly, and his tone shifted from pleasantries to seriousness.

"However, Principal Lin, I'm not here just to catch up with old friends."

"I have an idea that I'd like to discuss with you."

"you say."

Qian Wenhua glanced at Chen Zhigang beside him.

Chen Zhigang understood, opened the folder, and pulled out a beautifully bound document.

"The merger plan between No. 13 Middle School and No. 1 Middle School".

Lin Yucai glanced down at the cover but didn't open it.

"Didn't Director Liu say the deadline is the end of August?"

"It's only mid-May, isn't it a bit too early for Principal Qian to come?"

Qian Wenhua smiled.

"Principal Lin, I meant well."

"Look... how much will it cost to renovate the cafeteria, install air conditioning, and expand the shower rooms?"

"A few million, I guess?"

He shrugged, looking regretful.

"But what good will spending this money do?"

"The fundamental problems of No. 13 Middle School are student quality and college entrance examination pass rate."

"Even if you build the school buildings like a palace, if the undergraduate enrollment rate doesn't improve, the Education Bureau will still have to be merged by the end of August."

"In the end, all your investments will be wasted."

His tone was sincere, and his expression was genuine.

If someone who doesn't know the inside story heard this, they would probably think that the principal of No. 1 Middle School was really thinking about No. 13 Middle School.

Qian Wenhua and Liu Jianguo are in the same boat.

Qian Wenhua was even more envious of the forty acres of land belonging to No. 13 Middle School than Liu Jianguo was.

The merger of No. 13 Middle School brings numerous benefits to No. 1 Middle School...

Not only did they get a piece of prime land for free, they also earned tuition fees from hundreds of students.

Moreover, with the poor students from No. 13 Middle School as a comparison, the prestige of No. 1 Middle School will only increase.

Although the college admission rate will drop slightly, it will all be worth it.

The so-called "thinking about the students" is just a nice-sounding excuse.

"So, my suggestion is..." Qian Wenhua tapped the document cover twice, "while the deadline hasn't arrived yet, let's start the merger process ahead of schedule."

"Let's part amicably. I guarantee that the students from No. 13 Middle School will be properly taken care of after they come here."

"You can also leave gracefully, so you won't be forced to merge by the Education Bureau and lose face."

The office was quiet for a moment.

Su Qingyan stood to the side, her lips pressed into a thin line.

Lin Yucai stared at the merger plan on the table and slowly reached out his hand.

A hint of smugness flashed in Qian Wenhua's eyes.

Then, Lin Yucai pushed the document back.

"Principal Qian, thank you for your kindness."

He raised his head, his gaze calm.

"However, No. 13 Middle School will not be merged."

Qian Wenhua's smile froze for a moment.

"Principal Lin, please reconsider..."

"No need to think about it anymore." Lin Yucai stood up and placed his hands on the table.

"You're right, the fundamental problem of No. 13 Middle School is its student body and college entrance rate."

"The cafeteria and air conditioning can't solve these problems."

"But have you ever thought about this question?"

"What's the problem?"

Why are the students at No. 13 Middle School unwilling to study?

Qian Wenhua was stunned for a moment.

"Because they feel abandoned."

Lin Yucai's voice was not loud, but every word was clear.

"The school doesn't care about them, the teachers don't care about them, and the education bureau doesn't care about them."

"In everyone's eyes, they were just a bunch of hopeless students who couldn't be helped."

But they are not.

"They just haven't been given a decent environment to make them believe they deserve to be taken seriously."

He looked into Qian Wenhua's eyes.

"The cafeteria, air conditioning, shower rooms... these are not a waste of money."

"This is to tell these 500 children that someone cares about them."

"Change will happen when they start to believe it."

Qian Wenhua's expression was somewhat complicated. He opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to refute, but didn't know where to begin.

He had spent most of his life in the education system and had seen too many people spout empty words.

But there was no acting in Lin Yucai's tone; it was one of certainty.

Finally, Qian Wenhua stood up, took back the merger plan, and straightened his suit.

"Principal Lin, your idea is excellent."

"But ideals are one thing, and reality is another."

He turned and walked towards the door.

"I'll be waiting for your good news at the end of August."

Chen Zhigang followed behind, glancing back at Lin Yucai before leaving, his eyes holding a subtle...

Disdain? Sympathy? It's hard to say.

"Were you serious about what you just said?"

Su Qingyan walked to Lin Yucai's side.

"I've never been this serious before."

Su Qingyan stared at him for several seconds, then lowered her head and smiled softly.

"Alright, then I, the vice principal, will take the gamble with you."

"Want a high five?" Lin Yucai extended his hand.

"Isn't that childish?" Su Qingyan rolled her eyes at him.

But she still raised her hand and patted him on the shoulder.

Snapped!

The sound of palms colliding rang out in the quiet office.

Outside the window, the sound of the construction team's electric drills started up again.

The sounds of students laughing and joking as they passed by echoed in the hallway.

No. 13 Middle School is still that same run-down school.

But some things have already started to change.

Lin Yucai stood by the window, watching the workers moving air conditioner outdoor units on the playground.

The system panel flickered quietly in the corner of the field of vision.

[Task Progress: Air Conditioner Installation...18%, Shower Room Expansion...5%]

[Remaining time: 10 days, 3 hours, and 22 minutes]

Ten days.

enough.

He clenched his fist.

"Qian Wenhua, you wait."

"By the end of August, I not only have to save No. 13 Middle School."

"I'll show you just how far these students you consider useless can go."