Universe Infinite Canteen

"Actually, we originally had enough new students," Cao Youyi said. "My brother started on this matter two months ago and recruited a total of six students, four of whom came from average family backgrounds and the school paid for their qualification tests.

"At that time, their parents had all agreed to send their children to Hou De for their studies. However, last night I had Uncle Song inquire, and two families said they had already sent their children to Bo Wen next door.

"There are also two students, one the second son of a textile factory owner nearby and the other the daughter of the deputy head of the civil affairs department, both went to Heroic Concealment. This morning, Director Jia even came to apologize. I sent an urgent telegram to my brother, but it seems he must not have received it."

"So now the school only has three new students?"

"That's right, including the girl you brought back... exactly three."

"What happens if we don't meet the minimum new student recruitment standards?"

The two were discussing this year's recruitment when a guest arrived.

The visitor was a young man with a baby face, wearing a suit and thick-rimmed round glasses, looking refined and cultured.

"New student?" Ma Lu raised an eyebrow.

"A dog for the Hero Group," Cao Youyi replied indifferently.

The young man's face turned somewhat awkward. "Ah, Youyi, after all, we were classmates once. Can't you speak a little nicer..."

"Call me Teacher Cao."

"Alright, Teacher Cao, we both graduated from Hou De, you should believe that I, like you, am also loyal to Hou De."

"Then why are you still working for Hero?"

"Ah, I'm not working for Hero, but for the Education Bureau, and these two aren't the same thing," the young man adjusted his glasses.

"I am a director at the Ping City Education Bureau, here to assess the new school year's enrollment at various schools. It's my official duty."

"Director, that's quite impressive."

"Ah, how is this happening again, from the moment I entered, you've been nothing but sarcastic, I'm just explaining why I am here, Youyi."

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"Call me Teacher Cao," Cao Youyi retorted sternly, "The Education Bureau, Hero Group, in my view, there is no difference, they are all the same kind.

"The situation at Hou De is something you should be well aware of, Director Feng. This year my brother recruited enough new students, but later, those students' parents were bribed by people from Hero.

"And they purposely waited until just before the Education Bureau's inspection to suddenly say they couldn't come, leaving us no time to recruit enough students.

"By coming to perform your duties at this time, you're just helping Hero, Director Feng. If you really are loyal to Hou De, you'd think about how you could help the school during this inspection."

Feng Ziwen sighed, "I'm just a director, I have superiors like the director and deputy director, and..."

He lowered his voice, "I heard that someone important from the Ministry of Education is involved, demanding that this inspection be strict and impartial.

"If this were in the past, there might have been some room for maneuver, but this time... no one dares accept bribes, there's not even a chance for corruption.

"If you ask me, you might as well just sell the school as Hero says. You and Brother Cao have persevered long enough, and you've fulfilled your promise to the old principal. Now with Brother Cao gone, how can you, a woman, keep going?"

Cao Youyi didn't answer him, just stared deeply at Feng Ziwen, "Director Feng, you are very well informed; my brother just passed away a few hours ago, and you already know."

Realizing his slip, Feng Ziwen outright changed his tune, "Yes, I was sent here as an intermediary to persuade you to sell the school. Ah, but what I said before was also my heartfelt truth.

"Your enrollment this year is doomed to fail anyway, and you can't maintain the school accreditation. Without a principal, you'd be better off selling the school to Hero. At least the teachers and students will have some resolution.

"Considering the history of Hou De, the price they offered is already quite high."

Feng Ziwen said all this in one breath, feeling a bit thirsty, but no one had offered him water since he came in. Glancing around, his gaze finally landed on Ma Lu.

"A new face. What are you here for? Ah, never mind, go get me something to drink. Do you have coffee? If not, tea will do."

"I am the new principal of Hou De, Ma Lu," Ma Lu extended his hand. "Director Feng, a pleasure to meet you."

"New... what?"

Feng Ziwen doubted his own ears.

"Principal." Ma Lu repeated.

"You?" Feng Ziwen asked, glancing at Ma Lu but looking at Cao Youyi.

The latter nodded slightly, "Mr. Ma is an education expert specially hired from Xindu to serve as the new principal of Hou De."

"New principal? What a joke. Brother Cao just died in the catastrophe belt, where did you find some education expert? Youyi, don't be fooled by this kid!"

"Principal Ma... he hasn't deceived anyone." Qiutong had been eavesdropping on the side and couldn't help but jump out.

"Principal Ma was indeed also in the catastrophe belt; I can testify that it was then that Principal Cao entrusted me and Hou De to Principal Ma."

"People in the catastrophe belt?" Feng Ziwen widened his eyes, asking Ma Lu, "Which school are you from?"

"That's none of your business."

Ma Lu was still pondering how to fabricate his backstory, but Cao Youyi had already spoken up first.

"You're desperately seeking a solution," Feng Ziwen shook his head repeatedly, "Just pushing someone forward as principal won't work, the school still won't meet the minimum recruitment requirement."

"When is the deadline for the inspection?" Ma Lu asked.

"Tomorrow, before dawn," Feng Ziwen replied. "I can help stall until noon, but if the list of new students isn't submitted by then, the Ministry of Education will revoke your school's accreditation."

"That's enough," Ma Lu said.

"Enough what?" Feng Ziwen thought this man must be insane, "Don't think about just grabbing some ordinary people to make up the numbers. The Education Bureau will verify the qualifications of the new students. Falsifying information is worse than having the school shut down, it could land you in prison."

"Besides, at this time, the testing stations are also closed. They won't open until ten tomorrow morning. Even if you take people there at ten, they won't be able to do the tests because others are already in line."

In Feng Ziwen's view, Hou De was dead in the water, unless they did like Hero and stole students from other schools. But Hou De wasn't like Hero, and it was already at the bottom of the Ministry of Education's college rankings.

It had no appeal to students, and Hou De also had no money to bribe parents, so it was a dead end.

But Ma Lu was confident, "I will gather enough people by tomorrow noon."

At this point, there was nothing more Feng Ziwen could say, only licking his somewhat cracked lips, he said, "Then, good luck to you all."