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The case of Chen Hu has been solved, and Zhang Qiu's training at the police station has come to an end. At noon, Zhang Qiu personally took Jiang Xue to White Day Fire. It had been a while since they had done this, and walking hand in hand with her partner under the bright sunlight felt wonderful.
As soon as they entered White Day Fire, Jiang Xue suddenly exclaimed and handed a book to Zhang Qiu, springing forward like a coiled spring. Zhang Qiu smiled as he watched Jiang Xue embrace Lan Ningshan and remarked, "Captain Wang is quite efficient; I finished with him yesterday, and here you are today."
"Hmph, Zhang Qiu, were you doing this on purpose? If it weren't for Captain Wang protecting Sister Xue, I wouldn't have come at all."
"Sister Lan, what's going on?" Jiang Xue asked as she looked up at Lan Ningshan, who was warmly embracing her.
Lan Ningshan gestured towards Zhang Qiu and said with a smile, "Your boyfriend is worried about your safety and deliberately called me to protect you."
Jiang Xue felt a warmth in her heart and replied, "You need to take care of yourself too."
"Don't worry. By the way, Sister Lan, could you change your clothes?"
"Why?" Lan Ningshan looked herself over in her police uniform. Although she hadn't washed it this week, it wasn't dirty enough to warrant a change.
Zhang Qiu explained, "In a place like this, wearing a police uniform might scare off the customers."
"Why would law-abiding people be afraid of the police? Anyone who is scared must have something to hide," Lan Ningshan retorted. However, she still followed Zhang Qiu's suggestion and changed clothes. Fortunately, White Day Fire had recently customized a large batch of costumes for role-playing events. The fabric was very comfortable, and Lan Ningshan chose a professional suit that gave her a different vibe when she put it on.
Zhang Qiu and Jiang Xue went to school together, and Lan Ningshan accompanied them. Since role-playing costumes were different from what they usually wore, when Zhao Guohong came to inspect the classroom and saw a strangely dressed woman appear suddenly at the back of the class, he was momentarily taken aback. He looked up at the sign above the classroom; indeed, it was Class 38 of the senior year.
Zhao Guohong walked into the classroom without looking at anyone and headed straight for Lan Ningshan. From the moment the homeroom teacher entered the room, Zhang Qiu had noticed her approach Lan Ningshan. He couldn't help but glance at Jiang Xue, who was also staring at him.
Before Zhao Guohong could speak, Lan Ningshan stood up first and smiled at Zhao Guohong. "Teacher, could you step outside with me for a moment?"
Zhao Guohong was taken aback; "Step outside with me" was his phrase—how did she beat him to it?
In the hallway, Zhao Guohong asked, "Which parent are you looking for?"
Lan Ningshan smiled lightly and, after showing her identification, said, "During this period before the college entrance examination, I may need to stay in the classroom every day. I hope the teacher can cooperate."
"Comrade Police, is it really necessary for you to stay here? You know that the college entrance exam is approaching, and having an unfamiliar person around will distract the students." Zhao Guohong appeared quite troubled.
"Teacher, if it weren't important, I wouldn't be here every day. Let's understand each other; as for the students' review, I will do my best not to disturb them."
Zhao Guohong asked, "Is it because of Zhang Qiu?"
"Yes! Zhang Qiu just helped the police crack a major case, and we are worried that someone might pose a threat to him. So, please cooperate."
"Alright." Zhao Guohong smiled wryly, feeling helpless. What could she do? Could she refuse? Would refusing even help? The presence of a police officer in the classroom clearly indicated it was about Zhang Qiu. After teaching the senior class for so many years, she had never encountered such a student. Was he bad? Not really; but if he were good, he would still cause trouble from time to time. Dealing with such a student truly gave Zhao Guohong a headache.
"Comrade Police, you can stay in the classroom, but," Zhao Guohong paused, "could you button one more button on your shirt?"
"Huh?" Lan Ningshan was taken aback and looked down to see her prominent chest seemingly about to burst free from its constraints. She shyly smiled and buttoned up.
Lan Ningshan's identity as a police officer was soon revealed in the senior class Eighteen Classes. Gao Zhi, Zhao Pingchuan, and Wang Zhengxiang all recognized her, so her identity couldn't be hidden. The news of a beautiful police officer joining senior class spread throughout the entire grade. Various rumors circulated: some said Zhang Qiu assisted the police and they sent someone to protect him; others claimed Zhang Qiu killed someone during an operation and the police were monitoring him... The excitement rivaled that of the recent Ancient City Battle.
Zhao Guohong sat in her office grading assignments, looking at the mistakes made by her students on various problems. She felt like shouting in frustration. Some questions had been explained multiple times, yet they still got them wrong!
"Teacher Zhao, I heard there's a police officer in your class?"
A history teacher entered with a stack of test papers, eager to confirm the rumors with Zhao Guohong before even setting down the papers.
Zhao Guohong paused her writing and looked up at the teacher sitting directly across from her. "How did you find out?"
"It’s true then!" The teacher's face lit up with excitement. "Did one of your students really kill someone?"
"Who killed someone?"
"It's all over the place. A student from your class killed someone, and the police came to the school to monitor. It's that student mentioned by the principal in the broadcast, the one who assisted the police in solving the case. What was their name again?"
"Zhang Qiu."
"Yes, that's right, Zhang Qiu, a student from your class. Teacher Zhao, don't you know this yet?"
"I know my class best. The idea that a murder took place is absurd; my student would never commit murder."
Seeing that Zhao Guohong's expression was displeased, the teacher across from him swallowed back a lot of words he wanted to say.
Zhao Guohong continued, "Teacher Hao, don't listen to rumors. The reason the police came to the classroom is to protect the student who assisted them in solving the case. This time, the police have cracked a major case, and the criminals are serious threats. It's not like what you think—that my student committed murder."
"I understand now, Teacher Zhao. I'll explain this clearly to the students in the next class—no, right now! I need to go clarify things so they stop spreading nonsense." The atmosphere became quite awkward, and Teacher Hao quickly found an excuse to leave.
Zhang Qiu had also heard people mention related rumors, but he didn't care. When one becomes famous, there are always controversies. He had enough on his plate and no time to deal with that; it was better to focus on reviewing while he had the chance.
Gao Zhi angrily suggested going to each class to clarify things. Zhang Qiu stopped Gao Zhi and smiled, "Let's make a bet; within a week, no one will be talking about this anymore."
As expected, things developed just as Zhang Qiu predicted. A week later, there was a tense atmosphere on campus. The trees along the walkway were adorned with red ribbons, covered in black brush strokes filled with good wishes for the college entrance examination. Conversations on the street revolved around nothing but the upcoming exams. In these final moments, whether actively or passively, college entrance exams became everyone's main theme.
When it was announced that classes were dismissed, Zhang Qiu's heart soared high above. After three years of hard work and sleepless nights, this was what it was all for. Freedom was just ahead; his inhumane life was finally coming to an end. He thought about his promise with his friends—to visit the ancient city where they had spent three years together during their last holiday before the exams.
At this moment, every student's heart was restless; three years had left them with too many stories. No matter how well-behaved a student was, they still hadn't experienced their own youthful innocence. The homeroom teacher stood at the podium watching his students whom he had taught for a year; for the first time ever, he spoke so gently. Even when students interrupted him, Zhao Guohong smiled and ignored it.
Zhao Guohong smiled but choked up several times while speaking. Finally, tears could no longer be held back and streamed down his face. The class monitor, Zhao Jibei, stood up first and bowed deeply to the teacher while loudly proclaiming, "Teacher, you've worked hard!"
The sound of chairs moving echoed throughout the classroom as all the students stood up. Even Lan Ningshan, sitting at the back of the class, was swept up by the enthusiasm of her classmates and bowed to the teacher, shouting, "Thank you for your hard work, Teacher!" Zhang Qiu heard several classes in the hallway joining in. The heartfelt responses resonated throughout the Senior Year building.
Zhao Guohong walked from behind the podium to the side, bowed to the students, and with tears in his eyes smiled as he said, "Previously, I always stopped you from singing in Language Class because I worried that your minds would wander and it would affect your grades. But now it's different. For our last class, I've invited your Chinese teacher to join us. Shall we sing one more song together?"
"Yes!"
The classroom erupted in unison, applause thundered as Chinese teacher Xu Qing Chu entered amidst the enthusiastic cheers. The atmosphere reached a new peak. Xu Qing Chu was also moved by the students' passion and stepped to the center of the podium to give a speech.
"Students, today is your last class at Beiluan No. 1 High School. First of all, I want to thank you. I haven't been with this class for long, but I've developed deep feelings for you all. Thank you to every student who has studied earnestly in my Language Class; you have proven your abilities through your efforts. In the future, especially when you reach university, self-study will determine your growth throughout life. In you, I see the hope for our country's future."
As Xu Qing Chu finished speaking, applause surged again and again. Xu Qing Chu extended a hand toward Zhao Guohong, and the two teachers linked arms high above their heads. Xu Qing Chu shouted, "Students, let us conclude this final lesson with a song 'My Future Is Not a Dream.' You are forever the pride of your teachers!"
"Do you bow your head like me under the sun..." Zhao Jibei began passionately; just singing that one line brought tears to his eyes. If only it could always be like this, but that was impossible. Only at this moment could the homeroom teacher set aside her burdens and stand together with them, allowing these young people to reveal their true selves.
Zhang Qiu quietly moved beside Jiang Xue during the song, their hands tightly clasped under the desk. Zhang Qiu leaned close to Jiang Xue's ear and softly sang, "I like you; those captivating eyes and even more charming laughter..."
Jiang Xue knew this was Zhang Qiu's favorite song. Back in Sophomore year when she first visited Zhang Qiu's home, Zhang Qiu had played that black guitar and sung this very song for her. Time passed so quickly; from their initial meeting to graduating from high school seemed like just a fleeting moment.
As the song concluded, warm applause filled the entire classroom; many students were in tears. Zhao Guohong and Xu Qing Chu at the front of the podium turned away to secretly wipe their eyes. Zhang Qiu helped Jiang Xue dry her tears as they embraced tightly. The countdown on the blackboard showed only one bold red character left: one!
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