Study System: I'm a 38-Year-Old Student-Chapter 102 - 87: Welcome to the Showdown

We appreciate the supervision and support from all sectors of society on the education work in Sanjiang City. We welcome you to report any issues through the Sanjiang City Education Network to maintain a fair and orderly educational ecosystem together.

Sanjiang City Education Bureau.

This announcement did not contain what most netizens wanted to see.

As expected, it drew all sorts of sarcastic remarks.

"So, Xiaoshen is not the problem, we netizens are, right?"

"No wonder the Shen Family father and son are so arrogant, they have connections!"

"Even the Education Bureau is speaking for Xiaoshen, I seriously suspect the director is his dad!"

"Actually, we should give the Sanjiang City Education Bureau some credit. They reacted quickly, insisting that Xiaoshen cannot suffer any grievance!"

"I just Googled it, Shen Qiushan isn’t even the mayor of Sanjiang City, how is he covering the sky with one hand!"

"I might get flamed, but I have to speak justly, Shen Qiushan didn’t do anything wrong. He just said he wanted to take the Sanjiang University exam and got cyberbullied! You can’t deprive him of the right to attend college just because he’s older."

The Education Bureau’s announcement did not calm the public opinion; instead, the failure to address Shen Qiushan sparked a new wave of heated discussions.

A news commentator named "Yang Xijin" with a million followers posted a video on his Kuaishou account, fiercely criticizing Shen Qiushan, Sanjiang High School, and the Sanjiang City Education Bureau.

"We have an old saying that you should do things appropriate for your age. At 38, a middle-aged person should be building their career and contributing to the national economy. If everyone ran back to high school like Shen Qiushan, wouldn’t our country’s economy collapse?"

"In my opinion, Shen Qiushan is unreliable. With two kids in high school, instead of working to provide for the family, he runs off to study too. Where’s the responsibility? Where’s the commitment?"

"Sanjiang High School is also unreliable. Even if there’s no explicit rule limiting the age of transfer students, accepting a 38-year-old middle-aged man is absurd!"

"If you’re a senior student at Sanjiang High School and suddenly a classmate the age of your parents appears, how would you feel? Would this weirdo distract you and affect your learning progress?"

"Then there’s the Sanjiang City Education Bureau. I read the announcement. It’s a classic case of inaction. Is the so-called investigation merely reviewing the relevant regulations? Are they blind to the torrent of online opinions and public sentiment?"

"They also talk about educational diversity and inclusiveness. I say it’s nonsense! It’s a waste of already limited educational resources when many kids can’t even attend high school!"

"Why does a 38-year-old man take up a slot? As for that supposed 494 points on the mock exam, I say there’s serious embellishment. Everyone knows that Old Yang is a graduate of Capital University. Even if you made me take a senior high school mock exam now, I might not score 494!"

"Since Shen Qiushan can score 494, I have an immature thought. If possible, let’s take a few identical test papers and have Shen Qiushan compete with me. If he scores more than Old Yang, I’ll admit it and shut up, and I’ll quit my internet career!"

Yang Xijin, a web celebrity with millions of followers, was discussing the hottest topic at the moment. The video quickly went viral and earned widespread approvals from netizens.

However, shortly after Yang Xijin’s video was posted, Sanjiang High School’s Kuaishou account also updated. Lin Xiamo, as the school’s spokesperson, detailed the entire incident, starting from Shen Qiushan’s admission up to why Shen Qiushan "had a clash" with Wang Zhixin at the school gate this morning.

After narrating the complete incident, Lin Xiamo solemnly announced: "From today onward, Sanjiang High School will irregularly update Shen Qiushan’s academic progress on our Kuaishou account."

"Due to some netizens questioning the authenticity of Shen Qiushan’s scores, our school will set up a separate exam room for him in the next mock exam and conduct a live broadcast, inviting the vast netizens to oversee."

"Additionally, we sincerely invite Mr. Yang Xijin and Mr. Wang Zhixin to join Shen Qiushan in taking the exam if they have time during the next mock exam."

"Apart from these two, we also welcome other journalist friends and self-media bloggers to sign up, but seats are limited, and we can only reserve spots for the first twenty applicants."

"Finally, we thank all netizens for their attention and supervision of Sanjiang High School. We will continue to forge ahead with our teaching philosophy: ’Humanistic education, diverse talent cultivation, respect for individuality, and personalized teaching!’"

Right now, Sanjiang High School is at the center of the storm, so this video naturally garnered extensive attention.

Interestingly, in other comment sections, both Shen Qiushan and Sanjiang High School were subjected to various curses and sneers.

But in this video’s comment section, the tone was completely different.

"Principal Lin is so reasonable!"

"Principal Lin is right!"

"With a principal like this, how bad can Sanjiang High School be!"

"I’m 35 this year, with a million annual salary, a house, and a car. Can I join your school as a part-time student?"

"Step aside, million-a-year brother. I own five houses in Hu City, have my own company, and earn about ten million annually. Principal Lin, are you satisfied?"

"The conversation derailed! @Yang Xijin Old Yang, here’s your chance! They’re calling you to come and compete with Shen Qiushan!"

"Setting up separate exam rooms and live-broadcasting the mock exam, this proposal is excellent. Anyone forming a group to sign up?"

"Principal Lin is not only reasonable but also sharp and strong. This move is really forceful, almost catching up to me!"

With Sanjiang High School speaking up, the incident reached its peak in popularity, quickly ascending both Kuaishou and Weibo’s trending lists.

The benefit of being in school is that no matter how big the online waves get, it doesn’t feel as noticeable.

Shen Qiushan continued studying at his own pace, and halfway through the fourth period, Xu Decai found him and called him to his office.

"Xiaoshen, you’re aware of the school’s decision, right?"

After sitting down, Xu Decai warmly handed Shen Qiushan a cigarette.

"Yes, I’m aware."

"Vice Principal Lin already told me."

Lin Xiamo already spoke with Shen Qiushan, and he had no objections to his aunt’s decision.

It not only showcased their abilities but also slapped the faces of Wang Zhixin and Yang Xijin, achieving two goals at once!

"The school’s honor depends on you, it’s quite a burden!"

Xu Decai said, taking out three large red envelopes from his drawer and handing them to Shen Qiushan: "Take this home and buy some supplements. Learning is exhausting!"

"Uh..."

"Director Xu, what’s this for?"

"Once money is given out, it’s unreasonable to take it back!"

Shen Qiushan quickly waved his hand.

"No way!"

"You must take this money!"

Xu Decai’s face was solemn, and his attitude was firm. Returning the money was a unanimous decision by him and Wang Guangqing.

They hadn’t anticipated the situation escalating like this. Now that both the Education Bureau and the school’s announcements had been made, Shen Qiushan’s status as a transfer student was legal and compliant without any violations. The money had to be returned no matter what.

"Xiaoshen, I didn’t want to accept this money either, but some parents, if you don’t take it, they won’t feel at ease. I was just helping to keep it safe..."

Xu Decai began to justify himself.

"Director Xu, you truly have a good heart!"

"If school leaders nationwide were like Director Xu, there’s no worry that education wouldn’t thrive!"

Shen Qiushan exaggeratedly cooperated with Xu Decai, then reluctantly took the money back.

He could probably guess Xu Decai’s thoughts. The matter had blown up too much, and this 30,000 yuan had become a hot potato. Returning it was the safest option.

After stashing away the money, Shen Qiushan left Xu Decai’s office. Since it was nearly lunchtime, he didn’t go back to class but headed straight to Lin Xiamo’s office.

At that moment, his glamorous and aloof aunt was lazily leaning back in a black leather office chair, her white chiffon blouse highlighting a stunning curve of her sizeable chest!

Shen Qiushan glanced unintentionally, then took another look...

Seemingly aware of Shen Qiushan’s gaze, Lin Xiamo quickly sat up straight, reining in those impressive curves a bit.