Chapter 160: The Bonus

"In that case, I will upload this piece of calligraphy. Do you think this is acceptable?"

"Go ahead."

Deng Hui took out his phone, opened the forum, and uploaded the photo on the spot.

Soon, the process was complete, and the system automatically generated a queue number for him. He was number 1354, meaning that 1353 people had already uploaded their works before him.

"Teacher, buying votes with red envelopes has become a widespread trend in the school now. If this continues, won't this calligraphy contest simply be a playground for the wealthy? Where is the fairness in that?" Deng Hui was probing for information.

If the school truly turned a blind eye, he would have no choice but to start maneuvering behind the scenes and buy votes as well.

He might not be able to secure the top three spots, but he had to protect his position in the top ten. Otherwise, where would he, the dignified president of the Calligraphy Society, put his face?

"There is no need to buy votes. The school will certainly not sit idly by and let such a foul wind blow unchecked," Liu Yixi replied.

"That's good, that's good. But speaking of which, despite this severe corruption, Teacher, your calligraphy is still ranked first. This just proves that true gold fears no fire. Looking at your masterclass, Teacher, your student feels utterly inadequate. The path of learning is long and arduous!" Deng Hui flattered him profusely.

Liu Yixi narrowed his eyes, basking in the praise bestowed by his student.

"With your diligence and eagerness to learn, you will surely reach your teacher's level a few decades from now. As for inscribing the library's plaque, the principal and the school board have already discussed it with me. Your teacher uploading his handwriting is merely a formality to support the school's event!"

Deng Hui hurriedly offered his congratulations, "Congratulations, Teacher! Soon, another famous building in our Qingming Academy will bear your brushwork. I hear the reward for first place is quite substantial. When you receive it, Teacher, you must treat your student to a cup of tea..."

For first place, the cash prize alone was 100,000, along with various precious treasures of the study like fine ink, paper, inkstones, and writing brushes.

Leaving aside these material rewards, the prestige and honor alone would add another stellar credential to his resume.

"You little rascal, your teacher hasn't even claimed the prize yet, and you're already eyeing it. They say the reward includes many treasures of the study; you can come and pick one out yourself."

"Thank you, Teacher!" Deng Hui withdrew his crutch and started to bow, but being careless, he slipped and landed flat on his bottom.

Crash. He had fractured another bone.

***

Shi Qingqing had never been to Qingyuan.

To ordinary students, Qingyuan was a forbidden zone.

School security guards patrolled the area specifically, and with checkpoint after checkpoint, the management was exceptionally strict.

She could only wander around the perimeter of Qingyuan. The landscaping here was lovely and the environment elegant. Hiding in the bushes, she looked like a dormant grasshopper.

She had been lying low for several minutes with simply no opportunity to get close.

She couldn't even get past the first checkpoint of Qingyuan, and there was no sign of anyone coming out from within.

It was said that Qingyuan had everything—dining halls, lounges, athletic fields, teaching buildings, experimental laboratories, libraries, swimming pools, and more—all completely equipped.

Yet it served only a few dozen students.

Shi Qingqing felt that even if she squatted here for the entire day, it would be impossible to intercept Zhan Su.

She stood up, feeling disappointed and ready to leave, when suddenly, an orange-red convertible sports car drove down the tree-lined avenue.

The sports car was breathtakingly flashy. The young man driving it wore his Qingming Academy uniform loosely, with all the buttons unfastened, exposing a large expanse of his chest. His flamboyant, flowing golden hair was lifted by the wind, making him look exceptionally sexy and cool. Wearing large dark sunglasses and white-rimmed earphones, with fair skin, he hummed a tune as he sped along, entirely doing as he pleased, arrogant and dazzling.