The next day, I arrived at the auditorium.
A few people were standing at the entrance, all from the School Administration, including the Principal, the Director of Instruction, the Vice Principal, and Cheng Xin.
When they saw me, they all wore expressions of gritted teeth.
The Principal looked at me with a forced smile and said, "Jiang Ming, welcome to the graduation ceremony."
I looked at the Principal, smiled, and replied, "Principal, long time no see."
The Vice Principal of Instruction glared at me and coldly said, "You dare to show up?"
I met his gaze and replied, "Vice Principal, what kind of talk is that? The graduation ceremony is the most important day for us students. As an outstanding graduate, of course I had to come."
The Vice Principal of Instruction scoffed at Jiang Ming and said, "Just know that."
I responded, "Of course I know."
The Vice Principal of Instruction looked at me and said, "Since you're here, just go inside."
I turned to the Principal and said, "Principal, don't be in such a hurry."
The Principal looked at me and asked, "What else do you want?"
I replied, "Didn't I say? As an outstanding graduate, I must represent my fellow graduates in a speech."
The Principal's expression changed as he stared at me and said, "You can forget about it!"
I shot back, "Then let's see about that."
The Principal glared at me with icy eyes.
I held his gaze without backing down.
After a moment, the Principal said, "Let's go."
With that, he turned and walked into the auditorium.
The Vice Principal, the Director of Instruction, and Cheng Xin followed him inside.
I watched their backs and let out a cold laugh.
I walked into the auditorium and found a seat to sit down.
The graduation ceremony began.
First up was a speech from the School Administration.
After the Vice Principal finished speaking, he stepped down from the stage. Next, the Principal took the stage. He spoke some formalities and then said, "Next, let's welcome the Board Representative to give us a speech." Applause erupted from the audience. The lights came on. The Principal looked at the audience and said, "Let's welcome Chairman Jiang." After he finished speaking, he turned and left the stage. The applause grew louder once again.
I looked at the person on the podium, a smile forming at the corners of my mouth. After the Principal stepped down and saw me at the podium, his eyes widened in surprise as he said, "Jiang Ming, what are you doing?" I replied, "My dad asked me to speak on his behalf." The Principal looked at Jiang Ming and said, "You're talking nonsense!" I responded, "If you don't believe me, ask him."
The Principal turned to Chairman Jiang in the audience and asked, "Chairman Jiang, is this true?" Chairman Jiang looked at the Principal and replied, "It is true." The Principal stared at Chairman Jiang and said, "This..." Chairman Jiang looked back at him and asked, "Is there a problem?" The Principal replied, "No, no." Chairman Jiang then said to him, "Since there’s no problem, let’s get started." The Principal nodded and said, "Alright."
Chairman Jiang looked at me and said, "Good luck." I smiled back at him and replied, "Thanks." Chairman Jiang stepped down from the stage. I looked out at the crowd and said, "Hello everyone, I am Jiang Ming."
The applause echoed from the audience.
Once the applause subsided, I continued, "Today, I stand here to speak to all of you."
The audience was very quiet, no one spoke.
I went on, "What I want to say today can be summed up in just one sentence."
After I finished speaking, I paused for a moment.
The audience remained silent, no one said a word.
I continued, "I want to tell everyone not to trust anyone."
As soon as I finished, there was an uproar in the room.
The Vice Principal looked at me and said, "Jiang Ming, what nonsense are you talking?"
I looked at the Vice Principal and replied, "Am I wrong?"
"Do you even know who you are talking to?"
I looked at the Vice Principal and said, "I know I'm talking to you hypocritical members of the School Administration."
The Vice Principal glared at me and said, "You have some nerve!"
I looked back at the Vice Principal and replied, "I have nerve? You can do whatever you want, yet you're afraid of what I say?"
The Vice Principal turned to Jiang Ming and warned, "Try saying that again."
I looked at the Vice Principal and said, "So what if I do?"
After a moment, the Vice Principal said, "Just wait."
With that, he turned and walked away.
I glanced at the Principal and others, smiled, and said to the Principal, "Principal, I have something in my hand that you might find very interesting."
"What is it?"
"You'll find out when you hear it."
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