Chapter 69: The Award Ceremony (Fifth Update)

At this moment, in the principal’s office, a middle-aged man was speaking with the principal. He was a teacher from the city’s sports school, visiting various schools to select talented students with athletic potential.

“Principal, I believe these five students are well-suited to attend our sports school for high school,” he said.

The five names listed were: Yu Hang, Lin Wei, Lin Shan, Ning Qiang, and Ming Han.

The principal didn’t immediately agree. Instead, he handed the list to the head teacher of the ninth grade.

The ninth-grade head, who also taught language arts to Class Thirteen, was a bespectacled, slightly plump uncle. He glanced at the list and said, “I have no objection to the others. As long as they agree, you can admit them directly without the high school entrance exam. But as for Ming Han, I can’t let him go.”

Generally, those whose academic performance was not particularly outstanding had an advantage in entering the sports school, as they could gain admission to universities of a similar level with lower academic scores.

Seeing the head teacher’s reluctance, the principal became curious about Ming Han. “Mr. Yan, is there something special about Ming Han?”

The head teacher adjusted his glasses and replied, “Principal, here are the results from the recent midterm exams. Take a look.”

The principal reviewed them carefully. Ming Han ranked ninth in the entire grade and third in Class Thirteen.

“Ninth-grade math has become much more difficult, and many students’ grades have suffered. But Ming Han has a natural gift for mathematics and science, almost perfect scores in math and physics. He’ll be one of our main contenders in the upcoming city math and physics competitions. Principal, how can we not let a student like him take the high school entrance exam?” The head teacher was clearly familiar with Ming Han, having taught him personally.

The principal pondered for a moment. “Ming Han was also the star player in this year’s ninth-grade basketball tournament, wasn’t he? There aren’t many students these days who develop so well in every aspect.”

…

The next day, after the first two morning classes, the school gathered everyone together.

This was a tradition at Jinhua Middle School: every Monday, the students assembled for the flag-raising ceremony and to listen to the principal’s address.

Today, the school would also be awarding the championship trophy for this year’s ninth-grade basketball tournament.

Ming Han walked down with Da Xu, and many people greeted them, including quite a few girls.

Da Xu was thrilled. “Ming Han, am I becoming famous? Do you think I’ll get a bunch of love letters when I go back to the classroom?”

Ming Han shot him a scornful look, thinking, “With that imagination, you should be writing novels!”

Jinhua Middle School had over five thousand students. Each class lined up in a designated order.

After the solemn flag-raising and national anthem, the principal began his speech.

“Next, we will hold the award ceremony for the ninth-grade basketball champions. First, let’s invite the five representatives from Class Thirteen to come up and receive the trophy.”

The five starting players from Class Thirteen stepped up, all in their school uniforms, looking spirited and proud.

The principal awarded them each a certificate of honor and offered words of encouragement to each one.

The spectacle was reminiscent of the Olympics.

Then, Mr. Heiren came up to announce the MVP of the basketball tournament. “Ming Han!”

Thunderous applause erupted below, showering this soon-to-be graduate with sincere congratulations.

Yu Hang watched as Ming Han received a white crystal glass trophy from Mr. Heiren, more excited than anyone else. Yu Hang could be considered Ming Han’s mentor. At first, everyone thought Ming Han should play center because of his height, but Yu Hang noticed Ming Han’s talent for passing and gradually taught him his own basketball skills. Even now, Yu Hang made Ming Han practice dribbling every day.

The students of Class Thirteen showed their support, all shouting Ming Han’s name in unison.

Ming Han smiled wryly—he was now truly famous.

After the award ceremony, the principal took the microphone again. “In addition, we will now recognize the top ten students in the ninth-grade midterm exams with certificates of honor.”

At this point, no one knew their results yet, so the top students were all quite anxious. Ranking in the top ten meant standing at the summit of academic achievement. For them, getting into the city’s top high school wasn’t enough—they aimed to enter its very best class.

The principal read out the names one by one. When he paused at the ninth name, he announced, “Ming Han!”

“Wow!” The exclamation echoed across the school.

MVP and top scholar.

Ming Han felt a bit embarrassed. He had just stepped down from the podium and now had to go back up again.

Class Thirteen was immensely proud—having such a star in their class was a huge honor.

Their homeroom teacher was also delighted. He patted Ming Han on the shoulder. “Ming Han, you’re outstanding! I’m proud of you.”

“Will the ten students please come to the stage to receive their awards.”

The top scholar of Class Thirteen was named Wang Haizhou. He was on good terms with Ming Han and pulled him up to the stage together.

Another top student, proud and aloof, ascended the stage alone.

The principal always treated the top students kindly, especially Ming Han. “Society needs more well-rounded students like you.”

Ming Han smiled awkwardly. “It’s mainly thanks to the school’s excellent teaching methods and the strong academic atmosphere.”

The principal laughed heartily, growing even fonder of this student.

After the assembly, Ming Han and Yu Hang headed to the cafeteria for some noodles, drawing plenty of attention as they went.

Ming Han felt a bit overwhelmed by all the halos that seemed to have suddenly appeared over his head.

They hurried to eat their noodles while the crowd around them buzzed with conversation.

“The two prettiest girls in ninth grade!”

“They’re both gorgeous!”

“Don’t tempt me. I already have someone in my heart.”

It was Deng Qingqing and Lin Jingjing.

When Deng Qingqing spotted Ming Han, she hurried over to greet him.

“Amazing, Ming Han—famous overnight!”

Ming Han could only offer a wry smile in response.

Lin Jingjing was genuinely happy for him. “Ming Han, with your talents, you’ll definitely go to the city’s top high school, right?”

Ming Han nodded. “That’s my goal.”

Lin Jingjing bit her lip and murmured softly, “But… I won’t be able to get in.”

Jinhua Middle School was a private institution, and though its junior high was good, wealthy families could still buy their way into its high school. But at the city’s top high school, you needed the grades—there was no other way.

Each year, only seventy or eighty students from the whole county got into the city’s best high school. Lin Jingjing’s grades were nowhere near enough.

Ming Han didn’t hear Lin Jingjing’s words, but Deng Qingqing caught them clearly.

She tried to comfort Lin Jingjing. “I’ll keep an eye on him for you at the city high school. If he dares pay attention to any other girl, I won’t let him off.”

“You can get into the city’s top high school?” Yu Hang asked.

Lin Jingjing replied, “Qingqing is in the top twenty of our grade. As long as she performs normally, getting in won’t be a problem.”

Deng Qingqing was displeased by Yu Hang’s lack of faith. “So only your precious Ming Han is allowed to be good-looking and smart?”

Ming Han raised his hand. “Could you not drag me into this, please? I know nothing about any of it!”

Yu Hang looked at Deng Qingqing’s pouting lips and teased, “Deng Qingqing, what if you fall for Ming Han when you get to the city high school?”

“Yu Hang, you’re asking for trouble!”

Ming Han slumped onto the table, looking as though he wanted to disappear from the world.