Ten minutes later.
Shen Qiushan returned as instructed, holding a black plastic bag.
From the shape presented on the outside, it was clear that there were two packs of cigarettes inside.
While waiting for Shen Qiushan, Chen Xiangyu had already realized that he must have gone to buy cigarettes and liquor for Director Xu.
When your own child is facing expulsion, sending a little gift to smooth things over is quite a normal move.
The two of them tacitly did not mention the gift-giving, and they walked into the office building together.
"Xiangyu, how does our school charge for temporary students?"
As they walked upstairs, Shen Qiushan suddenly asked.
"Temporary students, I think it's twelve thousand a year, but it also depends on the child's grades. If the grades are particularly good, the price can be negotiated. If transferral of student status is possible, it might even be free."
"Why, do you have a relative's child coming to study here temporarily?"
Shen Qiushan didn't answer directly but continued to ask, "Is there an age limit?"
"There doesn't seem to be any age limit."
"There's that one student in Class One who's been repeating for three years; he's already 21 this year."
"Is your relative older than him?"
Chen Xiangyu asked curiously.
In her view, 21 was basically the limit, as she'd never encountered anyone older in her teaching career.
"Uh, it's like this..."
Shen Qiushan thought for a moment and said, "Is it okay if he's 21 years and 204 months old?"
"I said 21 years is not a problem."
"Wait...what???"
As they were climbing the stairs, Chen Xiangyu missed a step, and if it weren't for Shen Qiushan's quick reflexes in holding her waist, she might have fallen.
Held in Shen Qiushan's arms, Chen Xiangyu felt a bit flustered. She looked around nervously, relieved that it was class time and no one was in the hallways.
mua~
Taking the opportunity, Chen Xiangyu gave a peck on Shen Qiushan's cheek, then freed herself from his arms. Once she stood firm, she said, "Qiushan, stop joking around."
"Who exactly is wanting to study temporarily at our school?"
"I..."
Shen Qiushan pointed to his own nose.
Chen Xiangyu thought that Shen Qiushan's "I" was bound to be followed by a word.
Like "my nephew," "my niece," or "my friend's child."
But after waiting for a long time, there was no reaction.
It was just a plain "I"!
This left Chen Xiangyu completely unsettled, her slender eyes widening: "You?"
"Yes, it's me!"
Shen Qiushan nodded seriously.
"You want to study temporarily??"
Chen Xiangyu instinctively raised her voice, her small mouth slightly open, too shocked to close for a while.
"Yes, I want to study temporarily!"
Shen Qiushan nodded again.
"Qiushan, this isn't the time for jokes. Director Xu is about to expel Xiaoxiao!"
Chen Xiangyu simply didn't believe what Shen Qiushan said, giving her old baby a sideways glance, thinking he was talking nonsense.
Who ever heard of someone 38 years old coming back to retake the senior year of high school!
It's simply unheard of!
Seeing his old lover react this way, Shen Qiushan didn't continue the topic, as the immediate issue was dealing with his son's early romance.
They reached the third floor where the academic office was located.
Just as Shen Qiushan got upstairs, he saw his son standing in the hallway as a punishment.
The kid inherited the family's tall genes; he's not even eighteen yet, and he's already 182 cm tall.
About two meters away from him stood a petite girl. Although she wasn't very tall, her figure was well-proportioned, and from the side profile, she probably looked quite pretty.
No need to ask, this must be the "daughter-in-law" he's meeting for the first time.
"Dad..."
Shen Yixiao, who was standing as punishment, noticed his dad. He had been watching the basketball game on the field with great interest, but now he lowered his head and called out weakly.
Shen Qiushan didn't say a word and gave the brat a kick in the butt!
It's senior year!
Not focusing on studies!
Dating!!
He deserved the kick!!
Shen Yixiao didn't have the nerve to argue, grimacing as he said, "Dad, Director Xu is going to expel me. Can you talk to him?"
"With your attitude towards your studies, expulsion isn't undeserved at all!"
Shen Qiushan scolded, then stopped bothering with his brat, heading directly to the office of the Director of Academics and knocked gently on the door.
"Come in."
A steady middle-aged man's voice came from within the office.
Shen Qiushan opened the door, having already switched to a smiling face: "Director Xu, I'm Shen Yixiao's dad."
"Hmm, take a seat."
Xu Decai casually gestured to the visitor's sofa.
There wasn't just him in the office; there were also two women in their forties. One of them, Shen Qiushan recognized, was his daughter Shen Yanran's teacher, Zhang Xia.
Just now, Chen Xiangyu had mentioned that his son's girlfriend was in Class Two of the senior year and that it might even have been his daughter Shen Yanran who introduced them.
So, it was no surprise to Shen Qiushan that Zhang Xia was also present here.
As for the other woman, who seemed to be in her early forties, she was dressed quite fashionably; she was clearly the "mother-in-law" he had never met before.
"Mr. Shen, how do you educate your child!"
"Our Yaoyao is such a good kid, and your son has led her astray!"
Shen Qiushan's butt hadn't even touched the sofa yet, and the fashionable "mother-in-law" was already launching an attack. It was clear she wanted to put all the blame on the boy's side to protect herself.
"Yaoyao's Mother, don't get agitated."
"Let's discuss the matter calmly."
Shen Qiushan sat down and said unhurriedly, "We've all been young once. During adolescence, it's inevitable to have some confused feelings. It's human nature..."
"What human nature! You say it so lightly. Your family has a son, but aren't you the ones getting the better deal!"
The fashionable woman directly interrupted Shen Qiushan, then turned to Director Xu and said, "Director Xu, look, he doesn't even show a bit of remorse. No wonder he could raise such a child!"
"The college entrance exam is soon, and when the child is in early romance, he actually says it's human nature..."
Xu Decai waved his hand, "Luo Yao's Mother, everyone's here now."
"Let me have a private talk with Shen Yixiao's father."
It was evident that Xu Decai had already talked to Luo Yao's Mother earlier.
Now, having a private talk with Shen Qiushan was likely to discuss the expulsion issue.
"Alright, go ahead and talk!"
Luo Yao's Mother readily stood up, cast a glance at Shen Qiushan, and angrily left the office.
The two class teachers, Zhang Xia and Chen Xiangyu, also followed her out.
As a result, only Shen Qiushan and Xu Decai were left in the office.
"Shen Yixiao's father, having you here today shows how serious this incident is. You know there's only three months left until the college entrance exam. It's the critical time for students to push hard!"
"However, at this juncture, Shen Yixiao is blatantly dating, and this not only disrupts the school discipline but also severely undermines the atmosphere of college entrance exam preparations, with far-reaching negative impacts!"
"If every student were like Shen Yixiao, our school's college entrance rate would be at the bottom of the city!"
"Given the egregious nature and terrible impact of this incident, our school..."
Xu Decai was speaking passionately when he saw Shen Qiushan take out a black plastic bag from his coat, then silently placed two packs of Huazi on Xu Decai's desk after taking them from the bag.
Seeing this, Xu Decai frowned, keeping a stern face and said, "Shen Yixiao's father, take back the cigarettes!"
"I am discussing a very serious matter with you now..."
As the Director of Academics, Xu Decai had integrity. He solemnly waved his hand, about to discuss expelling Shen Yixiao when he saw this ordinary-dressed parent take out a red envelope from his coat pocket and place it on top of the cigarettes, smiling as he said, "Director Xu, I understand the impact of this matter is not good, but Xiaoxiao is still just a child. Do you think we could give him another chance?"