122: I'm here to be influenced.

Saturday, 7:30 AM.

The winter mist in Jiangcheng was damp and heavy.

Inhaling it into the lungs felt like swallowing a mouthful of half-melted ice shards, leaving a dull ache even in the joints.

In front of the Yiyuan Building,

twenty-five students in red and white school uniforms stood in two rows, each one shivering from the cold.

This was the so-called "Elite Force."

Aside from the Eight Heavyweights of the Student Union,

the rest were the designated "faces" selected from each class.

For instance, Liu Hui from grade 11, class 3,

was currently pinching the hem of her clothes nervously, muttering under her breath.

It was unclear whether she was memorizing English vocabulary or her reception speech.

Lin Que stood at the end of the line, hands tucked into his sleeves.

Compared to the stiff backs of those around him, his posture was relaxed.

His gaze drifted over the heads of the crowd, staring boredly at the bare tree branches.

"Stand up straight! Look sharp in a moment!"

Fei Yuncheng, the Dean of Students, was dressed in a sharp black suit, his hair combed to a greasy shine.

Holding a walkie-talkie, his eyes swept over the group of students like a torch.

"The people coming today are provincial leaders and expert professors from Jinling Academy of Arts! You represent the face of Jiangcheng No. 1 High School!"

Fei Yuncheng's booming voice echoed across the empty plaza.

"Especially the students responsible for guiding, have you memorized the route?"

"Where the restrooms are, where the lounge is—you must know it all by heart!"

"Don't let a leader ask for the restroom and have you point them toward the boiler room!"

A ripple of suppressed laughter broke out in the line, only to be glared back into silence by Fei Yuncheng's stern gaze.

Lin Que yawned, his mind drifting to last night's WeChat chat logs.

[Fugitive Beethoven]: [Frustrated.jpg] Help! Why is this car ride so long? I feel like my butt is getting flattened!

[Fugitive Beethoven]: And the atmosphere in the car is so weird. That Minister Zheng keeps talking about 'macro-regulation of arts education.' It’s giving me a headache.

I tried to pretend I was reading, but I grabbed the wrong book. I took a copy of 'Advanced Piano Fingering' that my dad compiled himself. I've flipped through this book a thousand times!

[Mu Xia]: Just bear with it, for the sake of Jiangcheng's barbecue.

[Fugitive Beethoven]: [Crying] The main thing is I have to keep up appearances! My dad told me to mind my image—no playing with my phone, no slouching.

I am now just a smiling machine with no emotions. [Rabbit smashing a piano.jpg]

Lin Que couldn't help himself.

A faint chuckle escaped his nose, his white breath dispersing before his eyes.

It seemed that the internationally renowned genius piano girl had suffered quite a bit on this journey.

"Lin Que! What are you laughing at?"

Fei Yuncheng's radar accurately caught Lin Que's micro-expression, and he frowned.

"Be serious! Look at you, your tie is crooked!"

Lin Que reached out to straighten his tie and replied lazily,

"Director Fei, I'm doing this to showcase the sunny and confident spirit of our school's students."

Fei Yuncheng was momentarily choked up. Just as he was about to lose his temper,

a series of hurried footsteps came from not far away.

Principal Jiang Changfeng walked over quickly.

Principal Jiang Changfeng was clearly dressed up today, wearing a dark red tie and his school badge pinned to his chest.

He wore a standardized smile that had been practiced a thousand times,

one that was both warm and possessed the stability of a school principal.

"That's enough, Director Fei. Stop scolding them. It wasn't easy for the kids to get up this early."

Principal Jiang Changfeng waved his hand, signaling Fei Yuncheng to calm down.

Then he looked at the group of students, his tone softening slightly.

"I have some news for everyone. The provincial inspection team and the experts from Jinling Academy of Arts arrived at the city's reception hotel late last night."

A murmur went through the line.

"So fast?"

"They arrived last night?"

Liu Hui let out a small exclamation.

Principal Jiang Changfeng nodded, his expression somewhat solemn.

"This shows that the province attaches great importance to this exchange meeting."

"Therefore, the opening ceremony originally scheduled for nine o'clock might be moved forward."

"Everyone needs to be on high alert."

"Especially Ye Xi."

Principal Jiang Changfeng specifically emphasized this name, his eyes shining with light.

"She is a specially invited guest for this exchange meeting and a peer of yours."

"When receiving her, pay attention to your conduct. Be warm, but do not lose the poise of our school."

"Yes!"

The students answered in unison, their voices loud and clear.

Principal Jiang Changfeng nodded in satisfaction and began to inspect the line with his hands behind his back, like a commander reviewing troops.

He reached the end of the line, his gaze passing over each student standing tall, finally stopping on Lin Que.

His footsteps paused.

A flash of surprise crossed his eyes,

followed immediately by that surprise turning into a meaningful smile.

"Lin Que?"

Principal Jiang Changfeng looked this school-renowned 'troublemaker' and 'prodigy' up and down, his tone carrying a hint of teasing.

"Student Lin is here to be a volunteer today too?"

Lin Que smiled.

"Principal, I just wanted to come and be cultured by the arts."

"Cultured?"

Principal Jiang Changfeng laughed, clearly not believing the boy's nonsense.

"Very well, then I'll be looking forward to your performance!"

The Student Union cadres nearby were all somewhat surprised.

Usually, the principal maintained a majestic air toward students.

Why was he speaking so casually to Lin Que? Even... a bit warmly?

Principal Jiang Changfeng ignored the surprised looks around him.

Instead, he inconspicuously moved half a step closer to Lin Que, the sense of distance instantly shifting from 'teacher-student' to 'peers'.

He reached out to help Lin Que straighten his collar, his voice dropped very low.

"I heard that a few days ago in Jinling, Old Gu and Old Liang... invited you for tea?"

He specifically emphasized the words "tea," his eyes revealing a profound meaning.

"What did the two Chairmen... talk to you about?"

Lin Que raised an eyebrow.

As expected, Shen Qingqiu had still leaked this matter to the principal.

After all, being an honorary member of the Provincial Writers Association

was a massive honor for a high school, something that could be written into the school's history.

Although Shen Qingqiu had promised to help him keep it a secret, she certainly had to report it to the principal.

"We didn't talk about much."

Lin Que said nonchalantly.

"We just had a few cups of tea and listened to the two elders tell stories of the past."

"Tea?"

The corner of Principal Jiang Changfeng's mouth twitched.

Those were Gu Changfeng and Liang Wenyou! The two great mountains of the Su Province literary world!

Countless people wanted to serve tea and water to these two but couldn't even find the door.

This kid was something else, making it sound like he was drinking tea at a roadside stall.

"You..."

Principal Jiang Changfeng pointed at Lin Que, both annoyed and amused.

"Teacher Shen told me you have talent, but your nature is too wild."

"I was originally thinking about whether I could have you give a speech as a student representative at this exchange meeting to show your face."

Lin Que laughed inwardly, but his face remained impassive.

A speech? In an occasion where one recites empty parallel sentences, how could that be as interesting as hiding in the audience and watching the show?

"Principal, such a highlight moment should be left for those students in the Student Union who want early admission."

Lin Que smiled lazily, his tone carrying a bit of insight.

"I'm just here to make up the numbers and see what a so-called 'genius' actually looks like."

"Besides, if you really let me up there,"

"what if I say the wrong thing and scare the leaders?"

Principal Jiang Changfeng gave him a deep look,

recalling Lin Que's grand feat during the Jinling trip that Shen Qingqiu had reported.

"Fine then."

Principal Jiang Changfeng sighed, appearing somewhat regretful.

"But since you're here, take a good look."

"That Ye Xi... she's not simple."

"Although you are in different fields, you are both creators. Perhaps you'll have some common ground."

Lin Que chuckled to himself.

Common ground?

The two of them had even reached a consensus on which duck blood vermicelli soup shops were inauthentic.

Just then, Li Ze, the Student Union Chairman standing at the front, suddenly let out a low cry.

"They're here!"

This voice was like a stone thrown into a lake, instantly breaking the peace of the plaza.

Principal Jiang Changfeng immediately withdrew the smile on his face,

straightened his collar, and quickly turned back to the very front of the line.

Fei Yuncheng picked up his walkie-talkie, his voice urgent.

"Everyone in position! Keep smiling! Show me your spirit!"

Lin Que looked up, peering through the thin morning mist.

At the end of the school's main road, several bright headlights pierced through the gray air.

A black Audi led the way,

followed by two Coaster minibuses, slowly approaching.

The wheels rolled over the damp asphalt, making a rustling sound.

In the line, Liu Hui was so nervous she held her breath, her hands tightly clutching the hem of her clothes.

Even Principal Jiang Changfeng, who was just chatting and laughing with Lin Que, now slightly straightened his back,

his face wearing that standard, impeccable professional smile.

The convoy stopped steadily at the steps in front of the Yiyuan Building.

The sound of air pressure as the car doors opened rang out.

"Pshhh—"

...