CHAPTER 74: CHAPTER 73: THE BEGINNING OF SCHOOL

Zhao Meimei was not interested in handing out the study manuals at each desk. She tossed a small pile of them at the first table and instructed, "Pass it back!"

The student at the first table obediently kept one for themselves and tossed the rest towards the table behind them.

From an early age, Zhao Meimei exhibited the style of a kid who naturally led a group of little friends, slowly showcasing it in such tiny details.

The teacher returned shortly after, stood at the podium, holding chalk, and started writing names on the blackboard.

As she followed the movements of the pen tip, Zhao Meimei murmured silently: Wu Fan.

On the first day of school, there wasn’t much to do. Teacher Wu took attendance, getting a general recognition of the students in the class, briefly discussed junior high behavioral norms and classroom requirements, and then instructed everyone to conduct a thorough cleaning.

While Teacher Wu was speaking at the podium, Zhao Meimei was habitually engaging in small antics below. She hadn’t finished discussing a game strategy with Skinny from before, and now it wasn’t convenient to talk in front of the teacher. So, she casually tore out a page from her new workbook, wrote a sentence, and pushed it to Skinny. Skinny read it and responded with a sentence, and the two passed notes back and forth, enjoying the game enthusiastically.

As Zhao Meimei was lying on the desk, vigorously describing the game scene, a large hand suddenly descended from above.

Feeling puzzled, Zhao Meimei looked up and met Teacher Wu’s sharp gaze through the glass frames.

Zhao Meimei’s heart sank slightly, inwardly exclaiming ’Oh no’. She instinctively wanted to retract the note, but before she could move, Teacher Wu had already pulled out the crammed page and was scrutinizing it.

Zhao Meimei consciously stood up from her chair, drooping her head, preparing to receive a stern criticism, and obediently admit her mistake.

Teacher Wu stared at Zhao Meimei: "Zhao Meimei, this game strategy you’ve written is quite good, at least there are no typos. But you used the punctuation wrong; see here, is it correct to use a colon?"

Zhao Meimei raised her head in surprise, meeting Teacher Wu’s gaze.

Teacher Wu handed the note back to her: "While the teacher is speaking at the podium, you’re holding a small conference below, quite bold. Well, since I haven’t selected class officers yet, your punishment is to serve as temporary class leader to redeem yourself."

Zhao Meimei’s narrow eyes widened into circles, her dark pupils dilated, her mouth slightly open, struggling to digest the news.

Suddenly, Teacher Wu reached out and patted her shoulder: "Do a good job. Aim to continue serving as class leader when we re-elect after the mid-term exams. I have high hopes for you, don’t disappoint me."

An extremely bright light instantly exploded in Zhao Meimei’s eyes, her heart pounded wildly, her face flushed with excitement.

Teacher Wu withdrew his hand: "Sit down, lead everyone well in the cleaning later. If anyone doesn’t listen to you, report their names to me."

Zhao Meimei floated back into her chair, blinked twice, ceased any small antics or whispering, instead straightened her back and silently began daydreaming.

From first grade in primary school till now, Zhao Meimei had never served as a class officer because she was too mischievous, always causing trouble. Teachers didn’t trust her enough to entrust her with class matters.

The position of class officer is seen by students as a symbol of authority, representing the teacher’s trust and peers’ admiration. Not only can you manage other students in the class, but the teacher also regards you higher, being closer to you than other students.

This unexpected huge pie falling from the sky stunned Zhao Meimei, dizzy and disoriented.

Until Teacher Wu finished his final summary and instructed: "Class leader, take the students to clean up. Those who pass your inspection can go home early."

Hearing the words ’class leader’ from Teacher Wu felt heavenly to Zhao Meimei; this title with infinite glory sounded absolutely wonderful.

Zhao Meimei sprang up from her seat, almost smacking her chest in assurance: "Teacher, don’t worry. I’ll definitely ensure they do a good job with the cleaning."

Teacher Wu slightly raised his mouth, his trusting gaze falling on Zhao Meimei’s face, and walked away assuredly.

After Teacher Wu’s gaze swept past Zhao Meimei, she felt electrified, immediately pumped and invigorated.

Usually, Zhao Meimei wandered the class comfortably, unafraid of people, familiar with her original classmates, getting along quite well.

Zhao Meimei confidently stepped onto the podium, introduced herself: "I’m Zhao Meimei, henceforth your class leader. Besides my original classmates, many of you might not know me, but that’s okay. We’ll gradually get familiar with each other."

Zhao Meimei’s inherent leadership style and the conduct she accumulated from a young age, allowed her to orderly assign all the cleaning tasks. The boys handled physical labor, and the girls swept the floor and wiped the windows, arranging everything impeccably.

Mostly, half-grown children lack a firm anchor, generally swaying with the wind. Seeing Zhao Meimei elected as class leader, her effective manner impressed them, making them willing to obey.

While assigning tasks, no one protested; everyone diligently completed their respective tasks.

After inspecting the cleanliness, Zhao Meimei allowed everyone to leave and took on the responsibility of locking the door herself.

Xu Xu carried his backpack, staying alongside her.

Zhao Meimei casually threw her backpack to Xu Xu: "I’ll go deliver the keys to the teacher."

Xu Xu stood at the classroom door, gazing at Zhao Meimei’s light back as she ran away, staring blankly for a long time.

That evening, Zhao Meimei went home and scheduled a call to Brother Yangyang.

The phone was answered almost immediately.

A deep, pleasant voice came through the receiver: "Hello."

Holding the receiver, Zhao Meimei grinned widely, emitting a giggle: "Hehehe..."

Shi Yang chuckled: "What are you giggling about? What good news did you encounter? Didn’t you start school today?"

Zhao Meimei excitedly reported, "Guess who our class teacher is?"

Shi Yang: "Who?"

Zhao Meimei expressed admiration: "Wu Fan, Teacher Wu."

Shi Yang sounded fairly calm: "Really?"

Zhao Meimei couldn’t restrain her urge to boast, elaborating on how she got recognized by the teacher today, elected as class leader, and then led all her classmates in cleaning, earning everyone’s fondness - meticulously narrating everything from start to finish.

Shi Yang listened with amusement: "Feeling proud, aren’t you?"

Zhao Meimei clutched the receiver, grinning ear to ear, almost wagging an imaginary tail.

Zhao Meimei: "Proud, indeed, especially proud. Bro, I promised the teacher that I’d make it into the top five in the midterm exams; I won’t let you down."

Shi Yang laughed: "Alright, I’ll be waiting for you to make me proud."

They chatted for a while longer before hanging up. Shi Yang pondered for a moment, then dialed a series of numbers on his phone, waited for the other end to pick up, and said: "Hello, Teacher Wu? It’s Shi Yang. A few days ago, I sent some local specialties from the provincial capital to your office address; please remember to collect them."