This Director Xu's eyes are like a measuring tape!
Of course, this tape is only effective when assessing the size of a red envelope.
As the director of academic affairs, Xu Decai has received countless red envelopes. Just a glance, and he can roughly estimate how much money is inside.
Judging by the thickness of the red envelope placed on the Hua Zi, it should be a round number.
That's ten thousand yuan!
Two packs of Hua Zi can't sway Director Xu's integrity.
But this ten thousand yuan red envelope is another matter!
Shen Yixiao is still a kid!
We can't ruin his future just because of early romance, right?
Xu Decai calmly stuffed the Hua Zi and the red envelope into the drawer underneath his desk, and this action already made his attitude clear.
"Xiaoxiao's father, regarding the matter of student puppy love, the school strictly forbids it, not to mention it's the critical stage of cramming for the college entrance exam..."
"Director Xu, I'm Shen Qiushan. You can call me Xiaoshen or Qiushan."
"Xiaoxiao is definitely at fault here. I understand whatever measures the school takes, but you must give him a chance to participate in the college entrance exam. Otherwise, years of study will be wasted, don't you think?"
Shen Qiushan seized the conversation, making his stance clear.
His words implied that he was fine with anything from recording a demerit to public criticism, as long as expulsion was not on the table.
"Let's do it this way, a major demerit and public criticism at the flag-raising ceremony next Monday."
"But rest assured, Xiaoshen, it won't go on the record!"
Xu Decai was essentially taking money to resolve issues. The moment he accepted the red envelope, he had already decided on the outcome.
Record a major demerit, public criticism throughout the school!
It seems harsh enough to serve as a warning example.
But it won't go on the record, meaning it won't have any real impact on Shen Yixiao.
"I'll follow Director Xu's arrangements."
Shen Qiushan was very satisfied with this resolution and immediately nodded with a smile.
"Okay, then I'll inform Luo Yao's parents as well."
"The handling of the two kids should be impartial!"
Xu Decai waved lightly, implying Shen Qiushan could leave, as he needed to have a word with Luo Yao's mother.
However, Shen Qiushan remained seated on the sofa.
"Xiaoshen, do you have any objections to the resolution?"
Xu Decai looked at Shen Qiushan and asked.
"Director Xu, I am very satisfied with this resolution, no objections at all."
"However, I have another matter I'd like to ask Director Xu to help with."
While speaking, Shen Qiushan instinctively rubbed his hands together, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Another matter?"
Xu Decai frowned, thinking that indeed ten thousand yuan doesn't come so easily.
"Let's hear it."
Since he accepted the red envelope, Xu Decai had no choice but to hear Shen Qiushan's request. If it's a small matter like transferring classes, he could easily handle it.
"I want to inquire about attending our school as a guest student..." Shen Qiushan began, struggling to speak.
"Guest student?"
"For the third year?"
Upon hearing that it was just about being a guest student, Xu Decai's tense nerves relaxed. This was a trivial matter for him—just pay the fee and follow the proper procedures.
A relaxed Xu Decai picked up a Yuxi cigarette from the desk, lit one for himself, and handed one to Shen Qiushan: "Do you want one?"
"Thank you, Director Xu."
Shen Qiushan was not shy, accepting the cigarette and taking out a lighter from his pocket to light it.
In the next thirty seconds, neither spoke and focused on indulging in their smoking habit.
"Is it a relatives' kid who wants to attend as a guest student?"
As the smoke rose, Xu Decai asked.
"No."
"It's myself!"
While smoking, Shen Qiushan had been pondering how to bring it up. Ultimately, he realized there was no way around it and went straight to the point.
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Upon hearing Shen Qiushan's answer, Xu Decai, who had just inhaled a puff into his lungs, suddenly started coughing violently.
After a while, he tossed the half-smoked cigarette into the ashtray and, in disbelief, asked, "Are you saying you want to attend our school as a guest student?"
"Yes!"
Shen Qiushan nodded, speaking earnestly, "Director Xu, you are already familiar with Xiaoxiao's situation. This brat is about to take the college entrance exam and still doesn't know how to put in effort, so I want to supervise him myself!"
"You mean, the reason you want to attend as a guest student is to keep an eye on Shen Yixiao, right?"
"Yes, yes!"
Shen Qiushan nodded again, "Xiaoxiao's grandpa has high hopes for him, and he's the only male heir of the Shen Family's third generation. If he can't get into college, I'm afraid Xiaoxiao's grandpa won't be able to handle the blow!"
"After much thought, I figured I'd come to school and personally supervise his studies!"
This was the only seemingly plausible reason Shen Qiushan could think of because if he told Xu Decai that he actually wanted to take the college entrance exam himself, the latter would surely think he was crazy.
"Xiaoshen, I can understand how you feel!"
"But the school has no such precedent. Also, in my opinion, study isn't something that improves just by watching over. Some kids just aren't meant for studying, and watching them won't help..."
"Of course, I'm not saying Shen Yixiao isn't good at studying. This kid just likes to play, but he's actually quite smart."
Xu Decai's brows were furrowed like a pretzel. He had seen many parents who were concerned about their children's studies, but never to this extent.
This was truly a case of "the kindly instincts of all parents in the world"!
"Director Xu, I know this makes it difficult for you."
"But you've seen Shen Yixiao's situation. While others are diligently preparing for the college entrance exam, he's spending all his energy on dating. Without someone to watch him, I'm really afraid I'll become a grandfather next year!"
"Director Xu, it's the compassion of parents in the world!"
Shen Qiushan spoke sincerely, but that wasn't the main point. The main point was that as he spoke, he produced another red envelope and placed it in front of Xu Decai.
This red envelope was as thick as the previous one.
Evidently, this was yet another challenge to Director Xu's integrity.
Xu Decai looked at the red envelope in front of him, then at the earnest-faced Shen Qiushan, hesitating, "Xiaoshen, I completely understand how you feel."
"But this matter is indeed difficult, and even if I agree, Principal Wang may not, as this is unheard of..."
Shen Qiushan then placed another red envelope next to the previous one: "Director Xu, I'm not familiar with Principal Wang. I'm counting on you to help me. I'll pay the regular tuition for being a guest student."
"Just consider the school has accepted a guest student, except this student's a bit older!"
"This..."
Xu Decai looked at the two red envelopes and thought about the one in the drawer. In total, it's thirty thousand yuan—ten thousand for Principal Wang, leaving him with twenty thousand.
Though living a modestly comfortable life as the director of academics, getting twenty thousand just by talking was very tempting for him!
"Ah, the kindly instincts of all parents in the world!"
Xu Decai sighed, then waved his hand decisively, shoving the two red envelopes into the drawer, "Xiaoshen, I can't guarantee this, as there's no precedent. If it's not feasible, I'll return what I shouldn't have taken."