225 Congratulations (1/2)
It was afternoon in a cramped room.
”If he wants to be first, then let him be.” As Gavin spoke, the expressions of the others changed dramatically. The other student council members were stunned. They whispered to each other, expressions powerless and displeased.
”I understand that you don’t want an Easterner to become so successful in the Royal Academy of Music—this is Anglo’s glory, after all,” Gavin stated. ”But if people want to win, shouldn’t they do it fair and just? We’re all musicians and not some lowly thieves. If you can’t even think about winning fairly, then how are you qualified for searching for the Originator and the ultimate truth?”
Someone hesitated and said quietly, ”Actually, if we unite all the schools…”
”Must I remind everyone of something?” Gavin interrupted expressionlessly. ”The world is large and there are many types of people. All types have been investigated by early saints. I won’t say much about this, but you must understand that no matter how many types of people there are, Ye Qingxuan is definitely the most difficult to manage. The more pressure you give him, the stronger he’ll bounce back, and the more terrifying he’ll be. I’m sure you’ve all experienced this personally, yes?”
Gavin’s words caused everyone to sink into silence and let out wry chuckles involuntarily. Indeed, had they not experienced enough? Not only had that Easterner been forced out due to the pressure in recent months, he had even risen higher and higher. He was definitely not the kind who tolerated injustice well. Whenever he felt that he was being insulted, he would slap them right back. It was fast, harsh, and painful. Now…they were powerless against him.
Cullen shook his head and sighed. ”So should we just sit here and ignore it?”
”Why not?” Gavin asked in reply. ”If we follow the rules of the game, isn’t it logical that he’s first place?”
”But…”
”There are no buts. He deserves this, doesn’t he? What right do we have to deny this result?” Gavin shook his head slightly. His expression grew serious and he gazed at the others. Raising his voice, he said, ”I will officially graduate and leave after one more month. The student council will be handed over to Cullen. We’ve all seen his working ability and contributions to the school, so there aren’t any objections, correct?”
Gavin’s words stunned everyone. Cullen could not process them. After one minute, he pointed at himself in shock. ”Me?”
They did not expect that Gavin had chosen his right-hand man Cullen. He had become used to being the right-hand man and had never thought that he could one day become the president.
”I…can’t?” Cullen was a bit hesitant.
”Wasn’t I far worse than you now when I first entered the position?” Gavin chuckled and patted Cullen’s shoulder. ”Everyone here are the elites of the academy and the core of the student council. Nothing will go wrong with all these people. Don’t worry. I’m going to report to the Royal Musician Division tonight, so let’s part now.”
He rose, put on his jacket and hat, and nodded toward everyone in the room. ”I hope that everyone will be as united as when I was here and continue to maintain this excellent order. Do not let dust gather on our glory.”
”Do not let dust gather on our glory!” The youths rose and chanted the motto of their school, seeing Gavin off respectfully. Gavin smiled and turned to leave, walking into the afternoon sun outside the door. He faded into the distance.
-
As the afternoon sun descended gradually, dusk’s glow illuminated the world. The school day had finally ended as well. After the series of weird events and psychological attacks that caught them by surprise, the hellish trials that tested everyone’s willpower and hearts finally ended.
It was such great news. Everyone thought of the beauty of a peaceful life, and content smiles filled their faces; they were practically celebrating. If this was in the East, the students would definitely use firecrackers to send the bad luck away.
In the auditorium, everyone sat gravely in their seats, waiting for the arrival of the last moment, but there was a light and cheery atmosphere between them all. The authority figure at the podium was saying things that sounded impressive but were actually useless bullsh*t. Behind the podium, Ye Qingxuan was nervously tidying himself up. He had put on formalwear just for the occasion.
Charles yanked and the collar tightened. Ye Qingxuan abruptly felt like he was putting on a noose. ”Senior, be gentle! You want to strangle me?”
”Be more serious. You have to go up for the award later.” Charles dumped a thick wad of hair wax onto Ye Qingxuan’s head, slicking his hair up. His bare forehead glistened. Seeing the youth’s discomfort, Charles said seriously, ”Later, the principal will award you personally. Yezi, don’t be nervous.”
”Why do you want to make me look so weird?!” Ye Qingxuan sighed. ”And anyway, it’s just the principal. It’s not like I’ve never seen him before.”
Charles raised an eyebrow. ”My friend, you pretending to be cool reminds me of my younger self.”
”Ha, you’ve taught me well.”
”The feeling is mutual.”
The two snarky friends started praising each other, not caring that the people around them had quietly moved away and pretended not to know them.
”Senior, did you notice that no one wants to deal with us anymore?”
”Really?” Charles glanced around and chuckled. ”They’re probably jealous of our beauty.”
Ye Qingxuan’s lip curled; he did not want to deal with Charles anymore either.
Just as they were talking, cheers traveled from the stage. The students backstage waved hurriedly, reminding him that he was supposed to go on soon. Onstage, the principal could wait no longer.
”Where’s our first place? Where’s Concertmaster Ye?” He whistled happily and continued on, making things worse. ”It was really unexpected for an international student from the East to win first place at the school day trials of Anglo’s Royal Academy of Music. All of you must work harder not to be passed by too much!”
The audience was deathly silent; clearly, it was a blow to their dignity. The coaches behind the principal did not have pretty expressions either, but they could not do anything—this was reality.
Ye Qingxuan just felt his scalp go numb. He had not even accepted the award yet, but already felt the strong resentment.
”Come, youth. Come to my side.” The principal made a show of dragging Ye Qingxuan over. He took a once-over of the youth as if studying some rare treasure. After a long while, he suddenly sighed in regret. ”I can’t believe you wore a Western suit. What a pity. Your hairstyle is horrible too. Your hairstylist must be lucky that he isn’t killed yet.”
Ye Qingxuan shook his head and sighed again. Embarrassed, he glared at Charles, who was hiding behind the curtains.
Maxwell patted the youth’s shoulders and lamented, ”To be honest, I was anticipating your Eastern clothing—the wide robe and big sleeves, the aura of a junzi, the intoxicating exoticness! An Eastern silkworm caretaker gave me a black lan robe. Would you like to try it?”
Here, he fluttered his lashes and gazed at Ye Qingxuan expectantly, wishing the youth would nod right away.
”Uh…” Ye Qingxuan did not know what to say. ”It’s okay. I came to Anglo when I was young and probably won’t look like it even if I put it on.”