Chapter 33: Rewards

The next morning.

Su Ming, dressed in his sportswear, stepped out from his home and jogged toward Teacher Tang Yan's place.

Originally, Su Yuan had planned to drive him there personally, but Su Ming had refused. He needed to review for the city exam now, which left him with very limited time to exercise, so this distance was a good way to make up for some physical activity.

A little over an hour later.

Panting, Su Ming arrived at Tang Yan's home, where Mink and the others had already gathered.

"Su Ming, you're here."

Mink greeted Su Ming enthusiastically.

Leaning against the wall, Chen Tong hummed and said,

"Dragging your feet, come earlier next time; we're about to start."

"Sure!"

Su Ming replied with a smile.

Ever since they were beaten up together and fought side by side, the trio had naturally become much closer.

At that moment, Teacher Tang Yan, holding a stack of teaching materials, walked out of the bedroom and glanced at everyone present, saying,

"Everyone is here; we will officially start the sprint review today. But before we begin, I have some news to share with you."

"Teacher, please tell us!"

Mink and the others looked at Tang Yan with curiosity.

"According to some insider information I've received, this year's city exam might be more difficult than in previous years. So, prepare yourselves mentally, and you will need to double your efforts!"

Tang Yan told Su Ming and the others with a very serious expression.

"Ah, why?"

"Yeah! Teacher, why will it be harder than in previous years?"

...

Mink and the others' hearts sank, filled with incomprehension as they asked.

"I'm not sure myself, as it's only a rumor after all."

"How much more difficult will it be?"

"How could I possibly know? But most of you are aiming for the High-level College, so as long as you score well on the basics, there shouldn't be a big problem. So, everyone perk up and work hard for the sake of your future lives!"

Tang Yan encouraged all the students!

"Okay."

Mink and the others quickly adjusted their mindset; they had no way out now.

Knock knock~~

Suddenly, a jarring knocking sound echoed.

Tang Yan looked towards the door, puzzled and wondering who it could be since everyone had already arrived. Could it be a new student?

He said to Zhao Ran,

"Zhao Ran, go open the door!"

"Okay."

Zhao Ran got up, walked to the door, and opened it. Upon seeing the knocker, her face also showed an incredibly surprised look.

At that moment, Principal Luo Ken entered with a beaming smile.

"The principal?"

Tang Yan was also bewildered; why had Principal Luo Ken suddenly come to his house?

Luo Ken didn't acknowledge Tang Yan but instead looked around the living room. When he saw Su Ming, Mink, and Chen Tong, he promptly said with a broad smile,

"Everyone is here!"

Su Ming whispered to Mink,

"Mink, why has the shameless principal come here?"

Mink, upon hearing how Su Ming described the principal, replied with a very expressive face,

"I don't know either."

"If you're going to talk, say more!"

Chen Tong's face revealed a mocking smile, looking as if he relished the chaos.

"Principal, don't just stand at the door; come in and have a seat!"

Tang Yan hurried forward to greet him.

"No need."

Principal Luo Ken replied with a perfunctory comment and then stepped out of the room with a smile plastered on his face.

He then enthusiastically invited seven reporters carrying cameras to come inside.

Su Ming and the others were quite puzzled to see so many reporters.

At this moment, Principal Luo Ken pointed at Su Ming and the three of them and introduced.

"These three students are the brave ones praised by Captain Han Le. During the Chilami invasion incident, they behaved very heroically, not only piloting the training craft to evacuate and escort their classmates but also, when danger struck, they fearlessly picked up weapons to fight shoulder to shoulder with them!"

The reporters' eyes lit up one by one and they crowded around to interview Su Ming and his companions.

"Could you tell us about your heroic deeds, student?"

...

Su Ming's mouth twitched slightly as he subconsciously stepped back a bit.

Mink, facing the microphone, was also a bit nervous as he replied.

"Actually, we didn't think too much at the time, just got caught up in the moment and..."

Before Mink could finish, Principal Luo Ken leaned in with a cheery smile and said,

"What they mean to say is that the situation didn't allow for much thought; they remembered my teachings and heroically charged forth, fighting against those evil creatures!"

"It seems that their success today is really thanks to the great education you provided, Principal!"

The reporter said, giving him due respect.

"It's nothing, really. I pour my heart and soul into educating every student, so I am doubly pleased that they performed so well. That's why I have prepared honor certificates and a cash prize especially for them!"

As he spoke, Luo Ken took out three certificates and three thick envelopes written with 'Prize Money' and eagerly stuffed them into the hands of Su Ming and his two companions.

They were somewhat surprised.

At this moment, a photographer with a monkey-like face, clad in khaki, smirking sickeningly, held up a camera and said,

"Principal Luo Ken, let me take a photo of you all together!"

"Good, you three line up!"

Principal Luo Ken, with a beaming smile, urged Su Ming and his companions to get ready.

Su Ming and his companions, not wanting to refuse in front of so many reporters, lined up with Mink on the left, Su Ming in the center, and Chen Tong on the right.

Principal Luo Ken stood directly in front of the three, blocking Su Ming's view.

"Perfect, smile everyone!"

The photographer shouted with a smile.

Principal Luo Ken's smile was dazzling, and one might not know better and think he was the one being honored.

Click!

"Okay, Principal, take a look!"

The photographer handed over the camera for Luo Ken to take a peek.

Luo Ken looked carefully, and saw that he was captured quite prominently, standing tall. Behind him, Su Ming was completely blocked, with only half his forehead and hair showing; the rest was invisible.

"Xiao Gao, good shot!"

Principal Luo Ken praised with satisfaction.

"Thank you for the compliment, Principal."

Xiao Gao replied happily.

"Principal, may we interview them about the specifics of the battle? It would help us write the article."

At this time, a female reporter politely inquired.

"No need for that trouble. Let me tell you, I was there too. You come with me first. It's too cramped here to give details, let's go outside."

Principal Luo Ken warmly led the reporters away, completely disregarding Su Ming and his companions. After all, the photo had been taken; they were no longer needed. The rest would be handled by himself to avoid them saying something inappropriate out of ignorance.

"Hmph, truly hypocritical."

Chen Tong sneered disdainfully after Luo Ken left.

"This is just a show!"

Mink also looked displeased.

"It doesn't matter, at least they gave us certificates and a cash prize, which looks pretty thick; let's count it!"

Su Ming opened the prize envelope and pulled out a stack of Federation currency.

When he saw what he pulled out, his smile froze on his face—all were ten-dollar bills, meaning the entire stack was just a thousand Federation dollars.