Chapter 678 An Invitation from the Education Bureau

Wu Zhizheng, standing to one side, was completely stunned.

He never imagined that the boy he'd dismissed as a poor kid from the mountains would actually be so familiar with the director of the Education Bureau.

Recalling his earlier attitude, a sense of unease washed over him.

Chen Xuezhi hadn't heard the earlier conversation between Zhao Yuan and Wu Zhizheng. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he asked, "So you and Xiaowu know each other?"

"We don't. This is the first time we've met," Zhao Yuan said, shaking his head.

Chen Xuezhi was surprised. "Then why are you having a meal together?"

Zhao Yuan explained, "My sister, Zhao Ling, is transferring to Qi Middle School. I invited her teachers out for a meal today to get to know them in advance. I also wanted to ask them to help test her to see which subjects she's weak in, so I can help her catch up."

There was no reason to lie about such things, so Zhao Yuan simply told the truth.

"Oh, so that's how it is." Chen Xuezhi said with a smile of realization. "Qi Middle School has an excellent quality of education. With your sister there, she's sure to get into a good university in the future."

"Thank you for the kind words," Zhao Yuan said. He then asked, "Are you here to eat as well, Director Chen?"

Chen Xuezhi chuckled. "What kind of question is that? Why else would one come to Lakefront House but to eat? I'm on vacation today and brought my family for a meal, but I forgot to make a reservation, so we have no choice but to wait in line."

Zhao Yuan extended an invitation, "If you don't mind, Director Chen, why don't you join us?"

Hearing this, Wu Zhizheng couldn't help but sneer inwardly. 'You think you can get Director Chen to join just by asking? What a joke! He's here with his whole family. If he actually agrees, I'll twist my own head off and let you use it as a chamber pot!'

Just as he was thinking that, he heard Chen Xuezhi say with a delighted expression, "Would that be alright? We wouldn't be intruding, would we?"

"Not at all, not at all!" Xu Yang and the other teachers hurriedly waved their hands in denial.

"In that case, I'd be delighted to accept," Chen Xuezhi replied. He then turned to go get his wife and daughter. Meanwhile, Zhao Yuan called a waiter over and asked them to add three chairs to the table.

Wu Zhizheng, still standing on the side, had an incredibly awkward and ugly expression on his face.

He never, ever imagined that Chen Xuezhi would actually accept Zhao Yuan's invitation.

Amidst his shock, he couldn't help but wonder, 'What is this kid's background? Why is Director Chen so warm toward him, even willing to have his family join the meal?'

At the same time, he was secretly relieved he hadn't said his thoughts out loud, or he'd have been forced to eat his words. Not that it mattered—his face had already been slapped several times today…

Soon, Chen Xuezhi returned with his family. After a brief round of introductions, the group took their seats.

Wu Zhizheng was in an awkward position, because he realized there was no seat for him.

Chen Xuezhi turned to glance at him and asked, "Hm? Xiaowu, why aren't you taking a seat?"

Wu Zhizheng complained internally, 'How am I supposed to sit? I don't even have a chair!' Outwardly, however, he put on a forced smile and was about to call a waiter to bring another chair.

Just then, Zhao Yuan spoke up. "Assistant Wu has other business and has to leave; he won't be eating with us. Say, Assistant Wu, why are you still here? Don't tell me you saw Director Chen arrive and decided to stay and kiss up to him?"

The smile on Wu Zhizheng's face instantly froze.

If the curses in his heart could actually kill someone, Zhao Yuan would have died countless times over by now.

Zhao Yuan's words had completely cut off any chance of him staying.

He was furious but dared not show it. Swallowing his anger, he forced a smile and said, "Haha, Zhao Yuan, you love to joke. Am I really that kind of person? Director Chen, I do have some other matters to attend to, so I won't be joining you. Enjoy your meal. I'll take my leave now."

With that, he turned and slinked away in disgrace. He now bore a grudge against Zhao Yuan and decided that as soon as he got back, he would have someone investigate the boy's background and find out what his story was.

Ever since becoming an assistant to the principal, he had never been so humiliated, never lost so much face—and in front of his superior and his subordinates, no less!

'A true gentleman always gets his revenge! Zhao Yuan, you just wait!' Wu Zhizheng swore to himself.

Little did he know, Zhao Yuan hadn't given him a second thought.

A Cultivator in the Qi Listening Realm, afraid of retaliation from an ordinary person? What a joke!

If Wu Zhizheng had the sense to back down, all would be well. But if he actually dared to retaliate, he would be the only one to suffer for it.

Chen Xuezhi glanced at Wu Zhizheng's departing figure, then turned to Zhao Yuan. "Is there some conflict between you two?"

Zhao Yuan replied, "I wouldn't call it a conflict. I just find his behavior contemptible."

"What did he do?" Chen Xuezhi asked, his curiosity piqued.

Zhao Yuan recounted what had just happened without exaggeration or omission.

By the time he finished, Chen Xuezhi's face had turned grim.

'Thank goodness it was Zhao Yuan today,' he thought. 'Anyone else would have given up their table under Wu Zhizheng's 'coercion.' If word of this got out, I would inevitably be accused of abusing my authority to bully people.'

"This Wu Zhizheng is completely out of line!" Chen Xuezhi said indignantly.

He mentally resolved to call the principal of Qi Middle School as soon as he got home and suggest he reconsider Wu Zhizheng's appointment.

While they waited for the food to arrive, Chen Xuezhi turned to Zhao Yuan to discuss a serious matter. "Zhao Yuan, once the new school year starts, do you think you could spare some time to give a speech to the students at the city's middle schools?"

"A speech from me? Why?" Zhao Yuan asked, taken aback.

Chen Xuezhi smiled and said, "Your performance in the China-Japan medical competition before the New Year, where you single-handedly defeated several renowned masters of Japanese Traditional Chinese Medicine, made news all across the country. Countless young people now look up to you as a role model. That's why we'd like to invite you to speak at the city's middle schools, to ignite the students' passion for learning and their sense of patriotism."

Hearing Chen Xuezhi's words, the teachers had a sudden realization. "No wonder Zhao Yuan looked so familiar!" one exclaimed. "He's that rising star in the world of Traditional Chinese Medicine who defeated the Japanese masters! The news was covering that story extensively before the New Year."

Zhao Ling couldn't help but puff out her chest, her face beaming with pride.

Xu Yang said excitedly, "Zhao Yuan, you should accept Director Chen's offer! Your story and your achievements make you the perfect role model for middle school students!"

Zhao Yuan considered the offer. 'There's no real downside to this for me,' he thought. 'And it might just bring in a huge wave of Wish Power from their admiration, which would help increase my strength.' With that in mind, he agreed.

As for the specific schedule, that could be discussed with the Education Bureau staff after the new school year began.