Push Me Away When I Come, Don't Hold Me Back When I Leave - Chapter 48

Chapter 48: Better to Run Than Curse the Road

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The elderly principal nodded, showing appropriate restraint and flexibility, clearly very satisfied with Xia Ruoming.

However, Liu Changtian was obviously very dissatisfied, even grinding his teeth in anger.

“Haha, student Ruoming is still so modest despite her rising success. Now that you’re the top student in the school, have you thought about what you want to do after getting into your dream university?” the principal continued asking Xia Ruoming, “You can say anything, speak freely.”

Xia Ruoming smiled slightly and pointed her finger at the banner hanging at the back of the classroom.

It had words about thanking Jiang Huaiyun for representing Tianxia Group’s 15 million yuan donation to the school, with a poster beside it introducing Jiang Huaiyun’s path to success and his Tianxia Group.

While everyone thought Xia Ruoming’s goal was to become as excellent as Jiang Huaiyun and give back to the school in the future, they heard the principal chuckle.

“I see, Tianxia Group. You want to control your own world. It seems you want to go into business too.”

The old principal’s intuition had always been sharp, he directly sensed that Xia Ruoming was interested in Tianxia Group rather than Jiang Huaiyun.

“Principal truly has keen insight, seeing right through this student’s thoughts.” Xia Ruoming also took the opportunity to flatter him.

“Alright, alright, such words mean little to someone like me who already has one foot in the grave, save them for the young people.” Although he said this, the principal still appeared quite pleased.

“Other students are all taking good rest and gathering with friends, but you’re taking an unconventional path. Although early exposure to society will benefit your life greatly, have you considered how difficult it will be to enter high society without university connections or your own social circle?”

“Better to run than curse the road,” Xia Ruoming brushed aside the hair at her temples and said a pretentious English phrase, thoughtfully translating it into an elegant Chinese version, drawing cheers from many girls.

“Good, very good indeed.” The principal was clearly very satisfied, nodding continuously, “Stay determined in poverty, don’t abandon lofty aspirations. Dripping water can form a lake, persistence can pierce stone.”

Xia Ruoming hadn’t expected that she would later be featured on the school’s wall of honor as an outstanding student, and this quote would become her noted motto.

Just as the principal was about to have Xia Ruoming pass the microphone to the next student speaker, she unexpectedly brought it back to her lips.

“Also, I didn’t experience any colorful romance during my three years of high school, so I want to take my beloved girl to the city I want to go to, and have a romance worthy of our youth.”

Xia Ruoming’s gaze didn’t focus on anyone, but her eyes were full of tenderness.

Though it should have been met with laughter, no one jeered. They all knew what had happened to Xia Ruoming during these three years.

A failed romance, a past wanting to be buried.

At these words, the class monitor sitting in an inconspicuous spot hadn’t been daydreaming, yet still blushed. Recently, she had secretly asked Xia Ruoming why she always studied with her when there were better students, and Xia Ruoming had just smiled and said she wanted to take her to Zhejiang University together.

The young teacher Xiao Qinghan, sitting in the faculty section, unconsciously covered her slightly warm face. During weekend shopping, Xia Ruoming had told her that Tomato Novel Network would belong to Qinghan Culture, and Qinghan Culture’s headquarters would be established in Hangzhou, which meant…

Luo Qingxuan smiled at the corners of her mouth, even if Xia Ruoming didn’t take her along, she would follow anyway.

The girls each had their own thoughts, only Xu Fengwu’s expression slightly froze.

Romance was actually a forbidden topic in any school, and Chengdu was no exception.

Liu Changtian immediately stood up, slapping the table.

“Xia Ruoming! You should know that in our school, early romance has been repeatedly emphasized as strictly forbidden. Even talking about post-exam romance isn’t something that should be discussed at school!”

This time many leaders nodded in agreement, after all, to compete with the neighboring key school, romance was a topic that should never be brought up.

“I see you’ve gotten completely out of hand! Next time, should I, the grade director, step down and let you take over?” Liu Changtian laughed in extreme anger, glaring at Xia Ruoming on stage.

“Sure, Director Liu, would you prefer to step down voluntarily, or should I force you out? When do I start, and what’s the salary?” In Xia Ruoming’s heart, this old fool never did anything useful, and he was largely responsible for Xiao Qinghan later being crushed by pressure. It was long past time for him to step aside, and this was a perfect opportunity to confront him.

“You…” Liu Changtian was so angry his blood rushed up, almost unable to catch his breath.

“Alright, alright, Old Liu, I said speak freely, why are you arguing with a child?” The silver-haired principal looked at Xia Ruoming with some satisfaction. These student assemblies had always been lifeless, and Xia Ruoming seemed to bring some freshness to this unchanging environment. Usually modest and polite, yet fearless when it really mattered, he even wondered if this child was really a high school student.

Unexpectedly, when the principal said this, the previously dumbfounded students started to make a commotion.

“Chen Shuang, can I take you to the aquarium after the college entrance exam!”

“Get lost, I already have someone I like.”

“Zhang Yajie, I’ve liked you for a long time!”

“Oh my, what are you doing…”

The noisy voices rose and fell.

“Alright, alright, whatever you want to say, tell it to the person in your heart after the college entrance exam, just don’t let a moment’s impulse affect your future path.” As soon as the old principal spoke, the surroundings immediately quieted down.

“Then let me ask you, student Ruoming, does the student you like now like you back?”

“I don’t know.” Xia Ruoming shrugged, her expression somewhat frank, “But I think she probably does like me.”

Laughter erupted from the students below again.

“Oh? You’re quite confident.” The principal said cheerfully, as if chatting with a friend rather than a leader talking with a student.

“Ah… Principal, although you have keen insight, you still don’t quite understand young people.” Xia Ruoming spread her hands, making an innocent expression, then pointed at the seats clustered with female students and called out: “Is there anyone here who doesn’t like me?”

“No—” came a uniform response, with Luo Qingxuan shouting the loudest.

“Principal, you see, how could anyone not like me?” She lightly brushed aside her bangs, saying something that sounded a bit narcissistic.