Slapped Face

"Today, I must apologize and announce something to all of you. The performance for the school celebration has been cancelled, and the school will provide appropriate compensation to soothe everyone's emotions." Director Zheng of the Political and Educational Department confidently proclaimed these words, each syllable precise and accompanied by an assured gaze.

The school performance for the anniversary celebration has been cancelled!

In an instant, every student who had rushed over upon receiving the notification stood there, stunned, their faces mirroring one another.

"This... "

"The whole performance is cancelled?"

"What's going on?" Zhang Dongyan, the student council president, suddenly found himself at a loss for words. His hands didn't know where to rest, and his usual air of confidence was replaced by bewilderment. He anxiously asked, "Director Zheng, I'd like to know why the school has issued such an order."

"I'm sorry. I understand that this news comes as a sudden shock to all of you, but it was a decision made by the school leadership after an emergency meeting, and it has been finalized," Director Zheng, the head of the Student Affairs Office, responded to the student's inquiries. Faced with a multitude of questions, he tried his best to reassure them with kind words.

After all, the students present here today were not the usual examples of disciplinary cases brought to the Student Affairs Office. Those gathered here were the cream of the crop and potential seeds the school held dear.

Not to mention the ability of these two students, even he himself couldn't fully process it yet...

Director Zheng glanced at Miaoyi and Qiuying, who stood calmly beside him. He couldn't help but feel baffled, unable to connect these two young girls with the labels of "Canxing Nova award winner" and "next-gen producer and singer."

Was this the kind of accolades a high school student could achieve? Clearly, it wasn't.

However dramatic as it may sound, it was indeed the reality. When Tang Miaoyi approached the school administration today and revealed her identity as a producer, expressing her intention to organize a birthday celebration for the school, the entire school administration was taken aback.

Likewise, no leader held any objections to Miaoyi's proposal to host an electronic music festival within the school. Without even a second thought, the school immediately decided to temporarily cancel all student performance slots after discussing with officials from East Records, Light Cloud Music, and Damai, among other organizations.

After all, no organization can say no to money.

"So, is the school cancelling the anniversary celebration?" Zhang Dongyan, after receiving a definite answer, still couldn't believe it. He continued to inquire, "This is too sudden. We just finished the final selection. Why didn't the school provide any prior notice?"

"Well... Zhang Dongyan, you raised a good question. The school has no intention of cancelling the anniversary celebration. The celebration will proceed as planned. However, the school now has a new arrangement in terms of performers." Director Zheng spoke and then glanced toward Miaoyi and Qiuying, observing the conversation silently. "During the event, these two students from Class 3 of the senior year will be responsible for the entire performance. The school will also provide them with a gift afterwards."

"This... " Zhang Dongyan, upon receiving the answer, fell into another state of bewilderment. "They will be in charge?"

"Why?" Zhao Bin, standing nearby, also looked at Miaoyi and interjected, "What makes them qualified?"

Zhao Bin couldn't understand what was happening. Zhang Dongyan had clearly allocated the slot to him, and these two girls had been directly announced as not selected. How could it be that now the school was cancelling the performance entirely and handing it over to these two?

Wasn't the school afraid of inciting public outrage by doing this? Among the students gathered here, there were performers from various grades and classes, far more than just the three classes from this morning.

"Is it you?" Zhao Bin stared intently at Miaoyi, her calm demeanour unsettling him. "It must be you who's behind all this."

Suddenly, he remembered his conversation with Miaoyi earlier in the morning. She had seemed so unbothered by his 'accomplishments' and had even shown him up with a contract that had a 15,790,000 Yuan penalty fee.

The words were audacious and arrogant. Even after the conversation, Zhao Bin still didn't believe in the validity of her words, as they seemed like empty bravado. But now, considering the current situation... perhaps it was their doing.

However, Zhao Bin couldn't bring himself to believe that these two seemingly insignificant girls could influence such a significant decision by the school. How could they have such power?

In the past, only alumni, who had graduated years ago and wanted to repay their alma mater, could earn the school's respect and influence its decisions.

Could these two young girls have already achieved that level of accomplishment?

A crazy idea suddenly formed in Zhao Bin's mind.

"No, this is impossible." But upon closer reflection, Zhao Bin started doubting his own disbelief. After all, he had always been proud of his status as an internet celebrity on his short video platform. Surely, no one his age could surpass his talent.

"So, this is how things stand. The school will compensate all of you, so there's no need to worry," Director Zheng announced the school's decision and reiterated the compensation issue. "There might also be bonus points for exams..."

"No, I don't accept this. There must be some hidden agenda behind all this!" Zhao Bin refused to accept the outcome, feeling a burning sensation on his face. "We worked so hard for the selection, and now it's all for nothing? They're simply mocking us, and I won't agree to it."

Determined not to let it go, Zhao Bin realized that this school anniversary had other uses for him. He had already announced on his account that he would live-stream the entire celebration for his fans, and he would perform his signature skills on stage.

If he succeeded, gaining more followers would be as easy as eating and drinking. The income he would earn then would undoubtedly surpass his current situation.

With these final words, Zhao Bin pushed through the crowd and left in anger.

Though the other students didn't say much, their eyes toward Qiuying and Miaoyi carried a similar emotion.

When all the students left the Student Affairs Office, Miaoyi and Qiuying also left half an hour later.

- - - - - - - - - -

It was already the end of the school day, and since it was a Friday, most schools finished early. It was only 4:30 PM, and they had just finished their last class. The sun was gradually setting, casting a hazy glow.

However, just as Miaoyi and Qiuying were packing their things and walking out of the teaching building, the girl from the neighbouring class, Miss Nuo Yun, appeared again.

"Yiyi!"

"What's the matter?" Miaoyi looked up and greeted her with a nod. Then, with a hint of curiosity, she asked, "You seem a bit anxious. Is something wrong?"

"Indeed, I'm quite worried. Did you offend Zhao Bin from Class 7?" Nuo Yun heaved a sigh of relief and asked once her breath steadied.

"Zhao Bin?" Miaoyi was puzzled, recalling the 'Confident Brother' from earlier. "I didn't offend him at all. On the contrary, he's been trying to provoke me."

"...," Nuo Yun was momentarily speechless, her expression quite dramatic. "You guys... well, forget it. When you get home, check the school's online forum. This guy has been posting negative things about you, and the situation is getting out of control..."