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墨書 Inktalez
"Director, why?"
"Why so many questions? Are you the director or am I? Zhang Qiu, there's only one month left. Can you calm down for a bit and stop trying to push your luck?"
Seeing Director Zhao's unusually tough attitude, Zhang Qiu temporarily pulled Jiang Xue and Song Weidong out of the Director's Office. Standing outside the door, Song Weidong said worriedly, "I really don't know what's going on. Director Zhao is in such a bad mood today."
Zhang Qiu also noticed Director Zhao's abnormal behavior and smiled helplessly, "It's just too hot. Anyway, even if he doesn't approve our leave, we have to find a way to leave."
"What way?"
"Just walk out. I know the security guard; he won't stop us."
Jiang Xue grabbed Zhang Qiu's arm, "No way. I'm sure that as soon as we try to leave, Director Zhao will cause trouble for us."
Song Weidong said, "She has a point."
"So what should we do?"
"I have an idea. Let's find a place where there are no people." Song Weidong pulled Zhang Qiu along, and Zhang Qiu and Jiang Xue quickly followed him to a corner of the stairs, which was a blind spot for the cameras. Since it was self-study time, no one was passing by. Song Weidong took out his phone and made a call. From his brief words, Zhang Qiu could tell he was talking to his father. Once he finished the call, Zhang Qiu asked, "Was that your dad?"
"Yeah, since the director won't give us leave, let's have our parents come pick us up. The director can't just refuse to let us go."
"That's a good idea, but it might trouble your uncle."
"What's the big deal? It was my father's idea to invite you to dinner anyway. You saved his son; he should come pick you up without any issue, haha."
Fifteen minutes later, a man in a suit hurried upstairs with a briefcase under his arm and holding a red banner with yellow lettering and trim. When Song Weidong saw him, he rushed forward and called out, "Dad."
Zhang Qiu smiled; it turned out that when facing each other, Song Weidong also called his father "Dad." When Song Weidong and his father arrived, Zhang Qiu greeted him with, "Uncle."
"Ah, you must be Zhang Qiu?" Song Weidong's father stepped forward and warmly grasped Zhang Qiu's hand, shaking it repeatedly. "Thank you, thank you so much. My son Dong is safe and sound, all thanks to you."
Zhang Qiu was not accustomed to such physical contact and withdrew his hand, saying, "Uncle, you don't need to be so polite. I am good friends with Wei Dong. Besides, if it were any stranger in this situation, I would have acted the same way."
"Good, good! Young and promising," Song's Father said as he took the banner from Song Weidong and handed it to Zhang Qiu. He said earnestly, "This banner is for you. I originally planned to give it to you during dinner tonight, but since I heard from Dong that your supervisor wouldn't grant leave, I brought this banner to help you request a day off."
Zhang Qiu looked at the four large characters on the banner that read "Bravery in Action" and accepted it with pleasure. "Alright, I will accept this banner."
Song Weidong walked over and urged, "Dad, let's hurry and find the supervisor."
"Okay, okay! Where is the supervisor?"
Song Weidong pointed to the door behind his father. "In that room right behind you."
Song's Father knocked on the door, and Director Zhao called out to enter. Song's Father pushed the door open, followed closely by Song Weidong. Zhang Qiu glanced at Jiang Xue and called her to join them inside. Director Zhao looked at Zhang Qiu and Song Weidong returning with an additional well-dressed adult and couldn't help but scrutinize him. Judging by his attire, he didn't seem like an ordinary person; however, he appeared anxious as he was dressed too warmly for the weather, beads of sweat already forming on his forehead. Director Zhao pointed to the sofa and said, "Please have a seat."
"No need for formality; you are Director Zhao, right? I am Song Weidong's father, Song Shiyin."
"Hello. May I ask why you are here?"
"Oh, it's like this." Song Shiyin unfolded the banner in front of Director Zhao. "I came to deliver this banner; your school has raised a good student."
Director Zhao looked at the four characters on the banner that read "Bravery in Action" and was momentarily puzzled. Glancing sideways, he noticed that the name written on it was Zhang Qiu's, which only added to his confusion. He asked, "Mr. Song, what is going on?"
"Director Zhao, your student Zhang Qiu did a good deed; he acted bravely and saved my son. I came specifically to thank the school and him."
Director Zhao understood but still couldn't believe it fully; he asked again for confirmation: "So you're saying that Zhang Qiu saved your son Song Weidong?"
"Yes, it's Zhang Qiu, who saved my son. A good person, a truly great person. The school must reward him; I can cover the expenses," Song Shiyin said, puffing out his chest in assurance, his face flushed both from excitement and the heat.
Director Zhao looked at Song Shiyin, who was sweating profusely, and pulled a tissue from the box on the table. Song Shiyin took it gratefully. Director Zhao asked, "It's so hot, why did Mr. Song come in a suit?"
Song Shiyin smiled and replied, "Dressing like this looks more formal. I was at the hotel where the air conditioning is sufficient. However, since you wouldn't let my son go out, I had to come personally. By the way, I'm hosting a dinner tonight to thank Zhang Qiu. Director Zhao, you should come too; the car is waiting outside."
Only then did Director Zhao truly understand; he realized that Song Shiyin was there to pick up a student. Since the banner had already been sent over and the conversation had reached this point, it would be unreasonable not to grant leave. Director Zhao was just curious about how everything seemed to involve Zhang Qiu. He handed Zhang Qiu and Song Weidong their leave slips and reminded them, "You three, go early and come back early. Don't drink alcohol."
Zhang Qiu and Song Weidong readily agreed; whether they would actually heed the advice was another matter. Song Shiyin invited again, "Come on, Director Zhao, join us."
"Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Song, but I have matters at school that I cannot leave as the grade director. The school will definitely commend Zhang Qiu."
"Thank you so much, Director Zhao." Song Shiyin then magically produced a cigarette and handed it to Director Zhao, saying with a smile, "This is for you to keep."
Director Zhao immediately took the cigarette and refused, stating seriously, "Mr. Song, what are you doing? The school has regulations against accepting gifts. Even teachers don't accept gifts on Teacher's Day; how can I break the rules as a director? Please take it back."
"This isn't considered a gift; it's just a cigarette, not worth much—it's merely an expression of gratitude. After all, our school has nurtured such an outstanding talent as Zhang Qiu. If I can't attend the dinner, at least this small token should be accepted."
"No, no, I can't accept this."
In their back-and-forth at the door of the Director's Office, ultimately, Director Zhao was forced to keep the cigarette while Song Shiyin walked away with a beaming smile. Zhang Qiu returned to the classroom briefly to hand the banner to Wang Zhengxiang, saying with a grin, "Classmate, please keep this safe."
Without explaining further, Qiu Wan turned and left. Wang Zhengxiang, surprised, opened the banner while other students looked over curiously. Seeing the bold characters for "Bravery," he was puzzled. Only Zhao Pingchuan, who also glanced over, understood what it meant and smiled slightly before continuing with his work.
Outside the school gate was a black A Black Mercedes Sedan, where a driver was already opening the door to greet them, saying, "Mr. Song."
Song Shiyin nodded and sat in the front passenger seat. In the back seat were Zhang Qiu, Jiang Xue, and Song Weidong, who felt no crowding at all. The car was cool inside as the driver skillfully started it up. After about ten minutes, they arrived at the parking lot of the Beilan Grand Hotel. The driver parked under guidance and got out to open the door for Song Shiyin, who tidied his hair in front of the glass before stepping out.
Song Shiyin pointed at Beilan Grand Hotel and smiled, "Tonight we will eat here; Beilan Grand Hotel is the best in our county."
Zhang Qiu looked up at the luxurious hotel building. The last time he stood here, he felt out of place. Coming back again, he no longer felt the novelty of the first visit. Zhang Qiu did not care much about where to eat; as a seasoned foodie, he firmly believed that good taste was the most important thing.
Song Shiyin walked ahead, expecting to see a hint of surprise in Zhang Qiu's eyes, but he did not notice any. Walking behind, Zhang Qiu pulled Song Weidong aside and whispered, "Where's your wife? Why didn't you bring her? It's just my wife and me; it's so lonely."
Song Weidong quickly put his hand to his mouth and shushed him, "Don't mention that. My father doesn't know I have a girlfriend. He's fine with everything except for allowing me to date early." He sighed again, "I really envy you; you two are living together."
Zhang Qiu chuckled and took Jiang Xue's hand as they walked down the red carpet. A bowl of dog food unexpectedly hit Song Weidong, while the revolving glass door shimmered with orange-red light under the sunset.
In the lobby, waitresses in qipaos moved gracefully, carrying trays filled with exquisitely presented dishes. Jiang Xue's eyes lit up as she whispered, "They are so beautiful."
"They're just decorated flowers; they can't compare to your beauty."
Jiang Xue shot Zhang Qiu a glance but appreciated his compliment. What woman doesn't like her man praising her?
A gentle and charming server led Song Shiyin toward the elevator while Zhang Qiu surveyed the lobby. Besides the staff, there were mainly two types of people: businessmen in suits and civil servants in black trousers and white shirts. Some looked like older officials, their belts cinched tightly around their protruding bellies. Zhang Qiu chuckled, thinking how people jokingly referred to Beilan Grand Hotel as an office building.
The elevator stopped at "a higher level," which actually meant the eighteenth floor. However, people in China are overly sensitive about the number eighteen, often associating it with Eighteen Layers of Hell. Many places simply refer to the eighteenth floor as seventeen plus one or nineteen minus one. But Beilan Grand Hotel was different from other places; those who came here were dignitaries and wealthy individuals. Thus, the owner cleverly renamed it "a higher level." As a result, the eighteenth floor not only avoided negative connotations but also became a sought-after floor for many officials and businessmen.
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