Chapter 57 A Warm Conversation, A Mysterious Whisper

[Administrative Building, Fifth Floor.]

[The corridor was covered with a thick red carpet, making footsteps almost silent, so quiet it was unsettling.]

[The lingering glow of the setting sun streamed through the window at the end of the corridor, stretching your shadow long.]

[You walked towards the Principal's office.]

[Images from the last simulation involuntarily flashed in your mind.]

[Late at night in Changlin Park, Principal Liao Xianyu and Wu Changhe guarded Liu Xiyue from left and right.]

[And on that desperate stormy day, Principal Liao Xianyu never appeared.]

[As if tacitly allowing everything to happen.]

["This Principal definitely has a problem."]

["But is he the mastermind, or an accomplice?"]

["Did he willingly fall, or was he forced to compromise?"]

[You took a deep breath, adjusting your facial muscles.]

[You checked your state again; your breathing was steady.]

["Knock, knock, knock."]

[You knocked firmly on the heavy, solid mahogany door.]

["Come in."]

[A strong, yet slightly aged voice came from within.]

[You pushed the door open, then gently closed it behind you, shutting out the outside world.]

[The office was spacious and bright, with a huge floor-to-ceiling window facing the setting sun,]

[dyeing the entire room in a warm, blood-red hue.]

[A faint scent of sandalwood permeated the air, relaxing one's mind upon smelling it.]

[Principal Liao Xianyu was sitting behind a large mahogany desk.]

[He held a thick red book in his hand, seemingly engrossed in reading.]

[Seeing you enter, he slowly put down the book and took off his reading glasses.]

[He revealed a kind and amiable smile, like a grandpa next door.]

["Oh, Li Ang, you're here."]

[He stood up and walked around the desk, not putting on airs as Principal.]

[Instead, he warmly gestured to the leather sofa nearby, treating you like a Junior from his own family.]

["Come, sit first, don't be shy."]

[He even personally walked to the water dispenser, poured you a cup of warm water, and handed it to you.]

["Thank you, Principal." You took the cup with both hands, appearing somewhat flustered.]

["It's nothing. I called you here today not for official business, just for a casual chat."]

[Principal Liao Xianyu sat back in the chair opposite you, hands clasped on his knees, his gaze gently scrutinizing you.]

["Are you used to living in the Teachers Apartment recently? It's an old building."]

["Although it's quiet, the facilities might be a bit old."]

["Is the heating warm enough? Does the water heater work well?"]

["If you need anything, just tell the Logistics Department, or tell me directly."]

["You are our school's prized possession; you shouldn't suffer any grievances in life."]

[Faced with this sudden outpouring of concern, you were surprised, but your face showed a touched expression.]

["Thank you for your concern, Principal, everything is very satisfactory."]

["The Teachers Apartment environment is excellent, very suitable for Cultivating, much better than the place I rented before."]

["Mm, that's good."]

[Principal Liao Xianyu nodded, then changed the subject, talking about your 'work'.]

["I heard your assistant teaching is flourishing?"]

["Even Group Leader Wu, that stubborn old man, praises you endlessly, saying your lectures are more thorough than his."]

["Those students with poor foundations have made great progress recently."]

["I've seen the reports; their average scores are almost catching up to the key classes."]

["This is all your achievement."]

["You flatter me, Principal." You scratched your head a little awkwardly.]

["Actually, it's also because the students themselves are willing to work hard, plus Teacher Wu's Potions are indeed effective."]

["I merely play a guiding role."]

["Ah, excessive modesty is pride."]

[Principal Liao Xianyu waved his hand with a smile.]

["You have ability, responsibility, and what's even rarer is a heart willing to help your classmates."]

["This is excellent; this is the benchmark for our Longnan No. 1 High School!"]

["I've seen your file; you come from a poor background, orphaned, yet you've reached this point through sheer tenacity."]

["Li Ang, you are likely the most outstanding and inspiring student since our school was founded."]

[For the next ten minutes, the office was filled with a harmonious atmosphere of 'benevolent teacher and filial student'.]

[Principal Liao Xianyu was like a chatty elder, talking about everything from your diet and daily life to your future university plans.]

[He even asked with concern if you had enough money and if the school should approve a special living allowance.]

[That kind of meticulous care, if it were an ordinary student,]

[they would probably be moved to tears and pour their heart out to him.]

[But at this moment, a layer of cold sweat seeped from your back.]

["This old fox... is using words to guide my emotions, to make me lower my guard."]

[You were secretly alarmed, not daring to relax even for a moment.]

[Just as you were still muttering inwardly,]

["What exactly does Principal Liao Xianyu want? He didn't come to chat with me earlier or later."]

["He only came to find me after the dream's hint happened last night. What are his intentions?"]

[Principal Liao Xianyu's tone suddenly changed without warning.]

["Li Ang."]

[He leaned forward slightly, his gaze deepening, "What do you think of Classmate Liu Xiyue?"]

[Here it comes!]

[Your heart pounded fiercely; you knew the main event had begun.]

[You adjusted your posture and replied gently, as always,]

["Classmate Xiyue is a Genius from Sea City, intelligent and graceful, a very good classmate."]

["Although we had some... minor friction, I learned a lot from her; she is very strong."]

["Indeed."]

[Principal Liao Xianyu's eyes narrowed slightly, his fingers gently tapping on the armrest of the sofa.]

["Liu Xiyue is indeed a good student. High talent, good family background, never lacking in wealth or resources."]

["She's like a princess born with a Silver Spoon, getting whatever she wants."]

[At this point, he suddenly paused, lowering his voice a few octaves, with an inducing magnetism:]

["However, even such a Genius was easily defeated by you."]

["Li Ang, have you ever thought..."]

["If you had the same family background, the same resources, the same starting point as her... how far could you go now?"]

[This sentence, like a poisoned thorn, accurately pierced the soft spot of that fake persona from the 'dream's hint'.]

[This was an extremely clever psychological offensive.]

[He was trying to awaken the seed planted in your subconscious last night.]

[Your pupils suddenly constricted, and a flicker of unnaturalness and stiffness appropriately crossed your face.]

[But you quickly masked it, forcing out a smile.]

["Principal, you're joking."]

["I merely relied on my higher Realm and fortunately won a match against Classmate Xiyue."]

["A temporary victory or defeat means nothing; the road ahead is still long, I just need to do my best."]

["Is that so? The road ahead..."]

[Principal Liao Xianyu did not respond to your words. The smile on his face gradually receded, becoming expressionless.]

[He picked up the thick red book from the desk again and opened its pages.]

[From it, he pulled out a slightly old, yellow-edged slip of paper.]

[Then, looking at the paper, he began to recite a string of inexplicable words in a flat, mechanical tone.]

[The sound was no longer the amiable one from before, but rather carried a chilling coldness.]

["That sound was no longer the amiable one from before, but rather carried a chilling coldness."]

["Peeling paint..."]

["Chipped iron bowl..."]

["..."]