"Director Ding, we had an agreement, remember? I gave my word to my nephew, and now you're saying no? Where does that leave me?"
The man called Director Ding was about fifty, with a hairline that had receded almost to his crown. He sported a prominent belly, giving him a slick, prosperous appearance.
"Little Tao, you know who I, Ding Baohua, am. When have I ever gone back on my word? But you also need to understand my difficulties. There are only a few transfer slots each semester, and they've all been taken by those big shots this time. There's nothing I can do."
Ding Baohua picked up his teacup, blew gently on it, and then took a big gulp.
Despite Ding Baohua's claims of difficulty, Tao Mingpei was cursing him vehemently in his mind.
This shameless Ding Baohua had taken fifty thousand yuan from him earlier, assuring him that his nephew's transfer was a hundred percent guaranteed.
Then, just two days ago, he suddenly announced that there was a problem and his nephew couldn't come to City First High School.
How could Tao Mingpei not be anxious?
Tao Mingpei had intended to confront Ding Baohua immediately, but Ding Baohua had claimed to be busy, deliberately delaying him for two days.
Now, Tao Mingpei could no longer afford to care if Ding Baohua was displeased; he had come directly to his office.
Damn it all, he was so eager when he took the money, but now that the matter wasn't settled, he wasn't even mentioning returning the money.
That was fifty thousand yuan! Ding Baohua was truly greedy. Did he think he could just keep the money like this?
"Director Ding, since there's a problem with the transfer, then what about the money from before..."
"Little Tao, there's an Outstanding Grade Leader award at the end of the year. I think you have a good chance this year."
Just as Tao Mingpei was steeling himself to get to the point and demand his fifty thousand yuan back, Ding Baohua's nonchalant remark stopped him.
"Director Ding, I will definitely work harder. Don't worry, if I win this award, I will repay you handsomely."
Although Tao Mingpei had his reservations, he had learned his lesson this time.
His words subtly implied to Ding Baohua that everything would be considered after the award was decided, and he wouldn't be offering any favors in advance this time.
"Mm, work hard. I have another call to make, you can go back now."
Hearing Tao Mingpei's words, Ding Baohua nodded with a fake smile.
Ding Baohua's previous comment was precisely to prevent Tao Mingpei from demanding the money upfront. Although he hadn't accomplished the task, the fifty thousand yuan was already in his pocket, and there was no way he was returning it.
As for the Outstanding Grade Leader award at the end of the year, he would choose whoever offered him more. As for Little Tao, he could go find a cool place to stay.
Tao Mingpei grunted in agreement, turned, and opened the door to leave.
Unexpectedly, someone was just about to knock on the door.
"Teacher Tao, hello."
Upon seeing Tao Mingpei, the person at the door greeted him.
"Mm."
Tao Mingpei was in a bad mood. He gave a perfunctory "Mm" and walked past the person, leaving first.
Someone else had arrived. Ding Baohua looked up at the door.
The moment he saw who was standing at the door, his face immediately fell.
"Director Ding."
Standing outside the door were Wang Xuerui and the Du siblings.
Wang Xuerui led Du Fei and his sister into Ding Baohua's office.
"What is it, Teacher Wang? Is there something you need?"
With outsiders present, Ding Baohua didn't slouch in his chair as he had been. He straightened up slightly, sitting more properly.
Wang Xuerui pointed to Du Yunyun and said, "Director Ding, this child is the transfer student that Principal Hu mentioned earlier. We're here to process her academic records."
"Principal Hu mentioned her?"
Upon hearing Principal Hu's name, a flicker of anger flashed in Ding Baohua's eyes.
Though it was fleeting, Du Fei, standing before him with sharp eyes, noticed it.
Seeing the anger in Ding Baohua's eyes, Du Fei suddenly had a bad premonition.
"Teacher Wang, transferring to our City First High School involves strict procedures. You can't just expect me to process the paperwork with a mere mention of Principal Hu. Wouldn't that be making a mistake on my part?"
Indeed, Ding Baohua's next words confirmed Du Fei's premonition.
"Director Ding, this child's grades are excellent and she fully meets the transfer requirements. Besides, Principal Hu already agreed. How could it be a mistake?"
Wang Xuerui, sensing Ding Baohua's unwillingness to cooperate, became anxious.
Such a promising student, if she couldn't transfer to City First High School, it would be a tremendous loss.
Ding Baohua ignored his words and tilted his head towards Wang Xuerui. "Teacher Wang, what do you mean? Are you trying to pressure me with Vice Principal Hu? I, Ding Baohua, will not process this paperwork today. If you have the guts, tell Vice Principal Hu to come find me himself!"
Actually, the reason Ding Baohua's eyes had flickered with anger was that the transfer slot he had promised to Tao Mingpei had been taken by Vice Principal Hu.
The slot was already in his grasp, but at the school meeting a few days ago, Vice Principal Hu had suddenly mentioned an exceptionally gifted child who wanted to transfer to City First High School.
Although Vice Principal Hu was getting old and retiring at the end of the year, the principal of City First High School respected him greatly and immediately approved the request.
This completely disrupted Ding Baohua's plans.
However, he couldn't openly object in front of everyone at the school meeting. Even if he didn't show respect to the retiring Vice Principal Hu, he dared not disrespect the principal, otherwise, his position as Director of Academic Affairs at the end of the year might be uncertain.
It was also bad timing for Wang Xuerui. Ding Baohua had just managed to fend off Tao Mingpei, who was demanding his money back in his office. As soon as Tao Mingpei left, Wang Xuerui walked in, practically walking into a loaded gun.
"Director Ding, even if Principal Hu hadn't made any arrangements, what does it matter? I've looked at this child's grades. She's always been first in county schools. This kind of outstanding student is exactly what our City First High School needs!"
As an educator, Wang Xuerui's entire focus was on nurturing talented students.
If it were someone else, facing the Director of Academic Affairs, and having said all that, and considering Du Yunyun was no relation to him, he would have turned and left. But Wang Xuerui was eager for talent and refused to leave.
"Wang Xuerui! Are you still trying to tell me how to do my job?"
"If this child's grades are truly outstanding, then why did she withdraw from school without reason?"
"What's the hidden story behind it? Do you know? Perhaps her grades are all fabricated? In short, I will not process this paperwork today!"
"Get out! I still have work to do!"
Ding Baohua knew Wang Xuerui's personality. The man could be stubborn at times, so he didn't intend to argue further.
With that, Ding Baohua waved them away.