Xu Chuli felt for the first time that this world was a little too noisy.
“The stage frame we built for the last celebration banquet is still at the Parking Lot. We need to repair it again.”
“Performers, please stand together and take a photo. Yes, thank you for your cooperation.”
“Do individual interviews next, then come record a short video.”
“Does anyone know how to make a congratulatory video? No special effects needed, just basic editing will do.”
Principal Lü had dragged the entire Crisis Response Team over, making them do all kinds of preparations for the event.
Xingran didn’t understand what was going on, but every member of the team was enthusiastic. On one hand, it was rare to have nothing to do for so long; on the other hand, it was quite interesting.
After they sat down, a few members started discussing among themselves.
“What event does the school have in a couple of days to make such a grand fuss?”
“Winter break is almost over; could it be the opening ceremony?”
“Impossible. We’ve attended so many opening ceremonies over these five years. Usually, some leader gives a long speech, but this time it’s completely different, and the timing doesn’t match.”
Zhong Ming stepped forward to analyze calmly: “What’s stranger is they just pulled me to film an interview and asked for my opinion of Shen Ning as a teammate.”
Once he said that, others chimed in.
“Did they ask you too? Me as well.”
“So they’re all asking about Shen Ning? I thought they picked people at random.”
“When I answered, the cameraman even reminded me to focus on her strengths.”
“The cameraman didn’t remind me because I was already saying good things. Hey, you don’t think I said anything bad, do you?”
“No, no. I just mentioned that Shen Ning has a few nicknames at school… it was an objective evaluation.”
Just then, Xu Chuyao sighed and walked by, catching everyone’s attention.
“Leader! The leader is here!”
“Group Leader Xu, did they pull you in for the interview video too?”
“Commander, the school is preparing something big. Can you give us a little hint?”
Looking at her lively team members, Chuyao opened her mouth listlessly.
“I don’t know. You’ll find out in a couple of days.”
Why was Chuyao hiding the truth about the Ranking Conference?
Because just a few days ago, she had posted her certificate for reaching the Post-Second Rank in the group chat, basking in everyone’s admiring gazes. Now Shen Ning had suddenly jumped to Third Rank — what was Chuyao supposed to do?
Sigh, the numbers were inflating.
But more importantly, even if you were Third Rank, your power obviously got stronger, so why did your aura get better, too?
These past few days, Xu Chuyao often hung around Shen Ning and took every chance to tease her.
“Haha, small fry, why did you get up so late?”
“I’ll go to bed earlier next time.”
“Haha, small fry, your taste in clothes is terrible.”
“I’ll ask someone to teach me next time.”
“Haha, small fry, why are you still reading that kind of book?”
“I’ve learned it; I won’t read it anymore.”
“What? Want to kiss me? Small fry~ Beg me, small fry~”
“I’m begging you!”
She really was begging — her attitude, to put it mildly, was borderline shameless.
Xu Chuyao glanced at her System. After all the effort over the past few days, her balance was still zero!
“Don’t want to talk, a little tired. Going back to rest.”
The team members exchanged glances and could only wave goodbye.
“Take care, Commander.”
“Group Leader Xu, take care of yourself!”
Chuyao was unhappy, but Shen Ning on the other side was living quite comfortably these days.
The System issued a random daily task to give a kiss, so the girl sincerely begged for one.
She got kissed and was very happy.
Besides that, people at school often asked her to help with preparations.
Chuyao had told her about the Ranking Conference, so she knew what was coming. On the surface, it looked grand and like many people were involved, but in reality, everyone else was just filler. It was basically a one-person event for her.
Because of that, the school assigned her some very interesting tasks.
“Shen Ning, is there any event or scene that left a deep impression on you? Could you describe it or film it again?” the school’s cameraman asked. “Something that could represent your current feelings.”
Shen Ning tilted her head.
“Can I use a video that’s already online?”
“Mm, there’s one online… cough, of course you can!”
They then casually rehearsed a bit and briefly went over the next steps.
After this whole process, Shen Ning couldn’t help but feel a bit excited about the upcoming Ranking Conference.
The day arrived quickly.
After winter break, gathering the teachers and students again wasn’t easy. But this time was different. Early in the morning, cars big and small began arriving at the school gates, with all kinds of celebrities and social elites entering one after another.
Mayor He led the way, bringing several business tycoons from Center City and well-known film stars.
Seeing this spectacle, students who were initially uninterested couldn’t sit still, coming out of their dorms to ask around what was happening.
Principal Lü wasn’t in a hurry. He first invited these outside celebrities onto the stage to perform an opening song and dance.
“Wow, the Principal really pulled it off this time, bringing all the biggest stars in our city.”
“To be fair, they can be found if you look. Which star wouldn’t want to save face for the school? It’s just that moral education class says no to fan culture.”
“Then how come they showed up today?”
“Shows that today’s event must be a really big deal.”
How big? Big enough to have our beautiful female commander, Shi Lei?
The Crisis Response Team members were asked to wear proper clothes and stay backstage in the green room from the start, though they still didn’t know why. Sitting idle, they found themselves commenting on the stage performances.
“Hear that? The background music sounds a little different from the usual.”
“Recording equipment varies. That’s normal.”
“It’s already pretty good to sing like that early in the morning. Look at how sleepy the singer looked just stepping on stage.”
“Feels not as good as Commander Xu. Speaking of which, where is the Commander?”
“Don’t know. He was with us before, but it seems someone took him aside to the male dressing room.”
Xu Chuyao hadn’t gone far, staying in the next small room.
In front of her stood a man claiming to be a director, apparently a friend of one of the school leaders, arranging the upcoming segments for her.
“When the video carefully selected by Shen Ning plays with the music, you’ll slowly walk up, give a hug, or do whatever you want. Don’t be too shy; after all, this will be broadcast on TV… Listen, if possible, try to look happy during the moment.”
Xu Chuyao sighed, her face clearly saying “happy.”
“Happy, of course happy,” she said, “I’m just a little nervous right now.”
Chuyao didn’t know what video Shen Ning had chosen, but judging by the director’s expression, it looked like he was quite envious, like a meddling auntie.
“I understand. It’s a bit early for students on vacation, but if you want a drink to keep you alert, it’s best to drink Baikou — they’re a TV station sponsor.”
At the school gate, guests arrived at different times. Performers came early, and those who came with Mayor He dared not be late. Only one small car arrived slowly near the school gate near the end of the stage program.
“Sorry, the permit paperwork took some time,” a foreign blond man in his thirties got out of the car and handed the invitation to the greeter at the school gate. “The Rockmorgan Family extends sincere congratulations to their partners.”
The greeter glanced at the invitation and quickly opened the gate: “Professor Svina, please come in.”
Backstage, after the director finished giving instructions, Xu Chuyao finally reunited with the Crisis Response Team members.
Besides them, two teachers also arrived on site, but the atmosphere between the two adults was a bit awkward.
“Yu Jing, it’s rare to have a holiday. Have you really never thought about going out for a walk together?”
“Mr. Cheng, I told you, I never want to think about relationships in this lifetime.”
“Why not? It’s been so long; people should pursue their happiness… I bought you a gift. Check it out after work today, okay?”
Xu Chuyao rolled her eyes and looked at the several fifth-year team members on her side, her glance saying, “Your teacher?”
“Mr. Cheng, it’s Cheng Chen,” Shi Lei whispered. “Usually a very serious person.”
“Love is like that,” Yu Yuwei also whispered. “It changes a person.”
Xu Chuyao thought of Shen Ning and sighed silently.
Love or not, at least you’ve got to have some villain points.
At this moment, the last song on stage ended, and the visiting stars returned to their seats. Principal Lü finally took the microphone and stepped forward.
“Teachers, students, honored guests, good morning.”
After a round of polite small talk, he caught his breath and revealed the true purpose of the event:
“In the past semesters, our school and this city have experienced much together — pain and passion alike — all belonging to everyone’s growth. Today, our school specially holds a Ranking Ceremony to let everyone examine the fruits of their growth. Now, please welcome eight students: Li XX, Wang XX, Chen XX… and others.”
When the words “Ranking Ceremony” came out, countless students in the audience went blank, and most teachers were puzzled as well.
With such a big fuss, was it really just for this? Everyone knew that after last semester’s curriculum reform, the school would focus more on power improvement, but this was going too far.
Only a handful of teachers knew what was really going on. They had participated in the Parking Lot Incident a few days ago, from the initial investigation to the final meeting, listening to the story told by that well-endowed Third Year female student.
Because the events of that day were overwhelming, they hadn’t realized the severity at the time. Only after the meeting did they reflect carefully and re-examine the ages of the Third Year students, realizing things were bigger than expected.
So now, hearing doubts from their own students, these teachers chose to scold them back:
“Quiet! Watch and listen carefully. You are about to witness a historic moment.”