358: Chapter 358 Someone Wants to See You

Lin Que placed the microphone back on the stand and turned to walk off the stage.

The spotlight lingered on him for two seconds before finally fading out.

Just as he stepped into the corridor outside the lounge, which was covered in gray carpet, two figures hurried up to meet him.

"Good! Good! Very good!"

Principal Jiang Changfeng said the word "good" three times in a row.

He strode up to Lin Que and placed both hands solemnly on his shoulders.

This old principal, who usually maintained a stern expression in front of all the teachers and students, had a voice that was trembling at this moment, and his hands, patting Lin Que's shoulders, couldn't stop shaking.

"Principal Jiang, take it easy."

Lin Que reached out to steady Principal Jiang Changfeng's arm.

Fei Yuncheng stood to the side with his hands behind his back, but he couldn't hide the smile tugging at his lips.

He cleared his throat, and when he spoke, his voice was involuntarily a pitch higher.

"Lin Que, your lecture today has really brought great honor to our Jiangcheng No. 1 High School!"

"I've attended so many municipal teaching seminars, and I've never seen one that could stun the veteran teachers in the audience like that. They were practically itching to copy down all your blackboard notes to use as lesson plans!"

Fei Yuncheng pointed toward the venue, his voice loud enough to echo through the corridor.

"Our Jiangcheng No. 1 High School has truly made a name for itself this time!"

"Do you know that just now, while we were off-stage, the head of the teaching and research group from No. 13 High School chased me across three corridors just to ask which supplementary materials you usually use."

"I told him our school doesn't rely on supplementary materials; we rely on people."

"Guess what his expression was?"

Listening to the incoherent praise from the two school leaders, Lin Que smiled gently.

His shoulders relaxed slightly, and the overwhelming presence he had exuded on stage, as if he were above the tens of thousands in the audience, dissipated completely.

"Director Fei, Principal Jiang, it's really not as mystical as you two make it sound."

Lin Que's tone was calm, carrying the humility befitting a high school student.

"It was mainly because that exam question from five years ago was truly tricky, which got the students excited once they heard it."

"Half the credit for today's success should go to that student who stood up to ask the question."

Upon hearing this, Principal Jiang Changfeng's smile grew even wider, and he nodded repeatedly.

Shen Qingqiu was standing a few steps away.

She held a bottle of mineral water with the cap already twisted off, watching the student before her who, at some point, had learned to navigate crowds of adults with ease.

She walked forward and handed him the water.

"Have a drink."

"You've been standing on stage for so long; your throat must be exhausted."

"Thank you, Teacher Shen." Lin Que took the bottle and tilted his head back to take a large gulp.

His movements while drinking were natural, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.

Without the enhancement of the spotlight, he looked just like an ordinary high school student who had just finished evening self-study, carrying a hint of fatigue.

Just then, the door at the end of the lounge corridor was pushed open.

Director Huo Yan walked in front, with Director Hu Wenbin half a step behind her, followed by several leaders from the Municipal Bureau.

The group walked over quickly, and the atmosphere in the corridor changed instantly.

Principal Jiang Changfeng and Fei Yuncheng hurriedly went to meet them.

Director Huo Yan waved her hand to signal that the school staff didn't need to be overly formal, and walked straight up to Lin Que.

She looked Lin Que up and down, her gaze filled with equal parts curiosity and admiration.

"Lin Que." Director Huo Yan spoke, her voice crisp and decisive.

"Your lecture today was ten times more brilliant than I had imagined."

"You haven't just taught the students a lesson; you've also sounded a wake-up call for our entire education sector."

"Director Huo Yan, you flatter me; these are just some of my own small insights."

Lin Que nodded slightly.

Director Huo Yan looked at him and directly offered the highest official commitment:

"You can rest assured and prepare for your trip to the capital."

"The Municipal Bureau has already held a meeting, and we will mobilize every resource available to escort and support you as you head to the capital to participate in the 'Qinglan Project'."

She paused and turned to look at Director Hu Wenbin.

Director Hu Wenbin immediately understood and stepped forward to continue:

"Student Lin, just now Director Huo Yan has already communicated with the Provincial Department's Publicity and Education Division."

"The recording of your lecture today will be sent to the Provincial Department in its original version, without a single cut."

"The Provincial Department just sent a reply letter saying they have made the decision; next week, this video will be listed as a demonstration lesson for all high school seniors in the province, and all key high schools will be required to organize their teaching and research groups to study it specifically!"

The weight of these words was immense.

Having all high school senior teachers in the province study the lecture recording of a seventeen-year-old student was an unprecedented exception in the history of education in Su Province.

Principal Jiang Changfeng and Fei Yuncheng exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with unconcealable shock.

Lin Que did not show any flustered surprise at being favored, nor did he display any smug arrogance.

He looked at Director Huo Yan and Director Hu Wenbin, his tone sincere and not sycophantic:

"Thank you, Director Huo Yan. Thank you, Director Hu Wenbin."

"I will keep this cultivation from the Provincial Department and the Municipal Bureau in my heart."

"When I get to the capital, I won't lose face for Jiangcheng."

"Good, that sentence from you is enough."

Director Huo Yan nodded.

She checked her watch, then looked at the teachers and students of Jiangcheng No. 1 High School standing to the side, and said very tactfully:

"Alright, we won't take up any more of your time."

"Lin Que will be leaving school to head north soon, and he must have his own arrangements."

"We will head out now."

Fei Yuncheng looked at Principal Jiang Changfeng, who nodded with a smile.

The two gave Lin Que a few words of advice about taking care of his health, then left after Director Huo Yan's group.

The lounge quieted down, leaving only Lin Que and Shen Qingqiu.

Lin Que walked to a lounge chair nearby, picked up his backpack, and zipped it up.

He slung the bag over one shoulder and turned to look at Shen Qingqiu.

Watching Lin Que's back as he packed his bag, a faint shade of red welled up in Shen Qingqiu's originally cold eyes.

She put away her phone and suppressed that feeling of impending separation.

"Lin Que." Shen Qingqiu spoke, her voice very soft.

"Teacher Shen, is there anything else?" Lin Que turned back.

A gentle curve lifted the corners of Shen Qingqiu's mouth, and she deliberately teased:

"If you're all packed, go take a look at the South Square outside the venue."

Lin Que paused in his movements.

He looked over with some confusion:

"South Square? Are there any arrangements for supplementary interviews?"

Shen Qingqiu shook her head, the redness in her eyes becoming more apparent.

She urged with a smile:

"No interviews. Someone wants to see you. Go on; they are already waiting."

Lin Que looked at Shen Qingqiu's expression, his mind racing.

He didn't ask any further questions and nodded at Shen Qingqiu:

"Then I'll be going. Teacher Shen, you should also go back and rest early."

Shen Qingqiu waved her hand.

"Go."