NOVPUB"What did you say?" When Zhu Keren heard that Chen Nan wanted to take a long leave, she couldn’t help but frown, at one point believing she was hallucinating.
"This is simply outrageous!"
"How long have you been back for tutoring?"
"At most, half a month."
"And within this half a month, you have already taken leave twice."
"I won’t say much about the previous leaves, but how could you think of taking leave until July 5th?"
"Are you planning to study at home and then take the college entrance exam directly?"
Since other teachers were also in the office, Chen Nan didn’t dare to be too presumptuous, showing great humility and politeness, "That’s exactly what I mean!"
"You are simply being unreasonable." Zhu Keren’s face turned cold, this was the first time she had lost her temper in front of Chen Nan, trembling with anger, "Chen Nan, we are now in the final sprint phase of the college entrance examination."
"Every minute and every second is precious; we should make rational use of this last period to deliver a satisfactory answer in our lives, so as not to leave any regrets."
"Instead of being like you, becoming arrogant after a good score in mock exams, even choosing to study alone at home."
Zhu Keren rarely got angry, but today she really was.
She didn’t know if it was because of Chen Nan’s capriciousness, or the fact that she might not see him at school any longer.
In any case, her mood was very bad.
Chen Nan sighed helplessly and said, "Teacher Zhu, I appreciate your kindness, but... I really find it hard to adapt to the current way of life."
"Instead of enduring the torment at school, I’d rather go home and study in the way I prefer."
"Maybe the results will be better this way."
This decision was made by Chen Nan after careful consideration. Having been accustomed to life in the mountains, returning to campus had always felt quite awkward for him.
He thought he could adapt to this lifestyle.
As it turned out, he couldn’t.
A flash of helplessness passed through Zhu Keren’s eyes.
She knew that although Chen Nan was young, he was very meticulous and cautious in his actions.
If he had made such a decision, then trying to persuade him to change his mind was clearly impractical.
"This matter is beyond my authority; you’ll need to speak with Director Liu." Zhu Keren was only the class teacher for Class One of Grade Three, and while she had the authority to grant day-long leaves, she had no power to approve the lengthy leave Chen Nan was requesting, which stretched until July 5th.
Chen Nan said, "Okay then, I’ll go to Director Liu."
With that, he paused, expressing gratitude, "Thank you, Teacher Zhu, for the help and encouragement you’ve given me during this time." Saying this, he gave a bow.
Though Zhu Keren was his pet, in public she was his class teacher.
Indeed, Zhu Keren had been of great help to him.
She deserved his respect.
"You go find Director Liu!" Zhu Keren sighed inwardly, her heart filled with reluctance because she had grown used to seeing this fellow every day.
Even if he did nothing, just seeing him seated in the classroom felt reassuring.
------
After leaving the teachers’ office, Chen Nan arrived at the guidance office.
Grade Director Liu Zhigao’s office was located there. He was over fifty, wearing black-framed glasses, and was currently enjoying his tea brewed with goji berries while reading the newspaper.
The spacious office housed only him; he seemed very relaxed and comfortable.
"Director Liu, hello, I am Chen Nan from Class One of Grade Three." Chen Nan introduced himself courteously, "I came to you today to ask for leave."
Liu Zhigao looked up at him, his face showing no particular emotion, "The school has regulations. Before the college entrance exam, no student is allowed to take leave, to ensure the graduation rate."
```
As he said this, he paused for a moment, his eyes cold and indifferent, "Unless you’ve got cancer and need to go to the hospital for treatment, then roll back and study hard."
As soon as these words were spoken.
Chen Nan’s face changed instantly, and a strong rage rose in his heart, his eyes sharp as knives, "Can’t you fucking speak properly? If you can’t speak, then shut your mouth, no one thinks you’re mute!"
"Ungrateful fool, do you really think I was being polite to you because I’m afraid of you?"
Liu Zhigao obviously didn’t expect Chen Nan to yell at him like this, after all, he was the grade director!
Even so.
Looking at the boy’s piercing eyes, Liu Zhigao felt a chill run down his spine, his scalp tingling with unease.
Despite this, Liu Zhigao slammed the table and stood up, angrily saying, "You’ve got some nerve, kid, to dare insult me like that."
"You want a long leave, right? I’ll grant it to you."
"I’ll expel you today, give you a lifetime’s leave!"
Chen Nan had no doubt that Liu Zhigao had the power to expel him, yet he was fearless. Moreover, his face showed a hint of a cold smile, "If you can expel me, I’ll take your surname!"
Liu Zhigao’s face darkened, "Then let’s wait and see!"
"Then let’s wait and see!" Chen Nan said with a look of disdain, then walked out with long strides.
Liu Zhigao’s voice suddenly rang out, "Stop!"
Chen Nan turned his head, "Director Liu, do you have any orders?"
Liu Zhigao took a deep breath, struggling to suppress the rage within him, "Chen Nan, right? If you kneel in front of me today and kowtow three times, I’ll forgive your disrespect."
"Otherwise, I’ll have to expel you, you disrespectful brat, no matter what."
"Just a reminder, though."
"Once you’re expelled now, you won’t be able to take the college entrance exam this session."
"Disrespectful?" Chen Nan’s face showed a hint of a cold smile, "I showed you respect when I came in, but you responded with nothing but foul language."
"Since you’re not setting an example, I see no need to be polite to you."
"You want to expel me?"
"I’ll be waiting!" he said, and decisively walked out, feeling very irritated.
Had he known Liu Zhigao would be so troublesome.
He wouldn’t have come here but gone straight to Li Zhenqiang.
Li Zhenqiang is the vice-principal of Jizhou First Middle School.
Such matters are nothing for him to handle.
It’s just that he didn’t want to see that guy.
After all, he wasn’t a good person either.
And now, he had no choice but to see him.
------
"This Chen Nan guy is too much, if I don’t expel him, I, Liu Zhigao, swear I’m not a man!"
Having been a teacher for decades, Liu Zhigao had never been humiliated by a student to his face, especially since becoming the grade director, his authority was unchallenged.
But today, he was cursed at to his face by a student, an outright slap to his dignity.
With that thought, he exhaled a cloud of foul air, then picked up the phone in front of him intending to contact the academic affairs office to report Chen Nan and get him expelled.
But just at that moment, the landline phone in front of him rang, displaying Li Zhenqiang’s office number.
Without a second thought, Liu Zhigao quickly answered the phone, respectfully saying, "Principal Li, please instruct."
Li Zhenqiang’s indifferent voice came through the phone, "Director Liu, didn’t you know that Chen Nan is my junior?"
```
