the two-faced Adopted Girl Who Melted CEO's Ice-Cold Heart-Chapter 1002: You Look Better in a School Uniform Than She Does in a Gown
The school opening ceremony is on Wednesday. The night before, Hawk Howard called her to remind her to go to bed early; it was then that Crystal Landon realized that the next day was the opening ceremony, but her speech was still unwritten, damn it.
Crystal quickly searched online for speech drafts, then despairingly closed the page.
Early the next morning, Nova Howard came to pick up Crystal for school. Seeing her in her school uniform, Nova’s eyes widened with surprise.
"Crystal, I think Sophia will cry again today. You look better in your uniform than she does in a dress," Nova said with a grin. "You know, she went to the principal and offered to donate half a year’s cafeteria budget in exchange for a piano solo at the ceremony."
Crystal was speechless. St. Yale High School’s cafeteria budget for half a year — how much money is that, and how many houses could that buy? What a wasteful woman.
"How do you know so much?" Crystal asked while memorizing English vocabulary.
"The Winton sisters are practically shouting it to the world. I don’t even have to inquire; you’re the one with your nose in the books all day, missing out on everything."
Crystal nodded in agreement. Indeed, showcasing family wealth and boosting family prestige while getting a piano solo to perform in front of the entire student body—spending some money on publicity was worthwhile, especially since the ceremony would feature many influential parents.
"Is anyone from your family coming?" Crystal asked casually.
"My parents don’t have time to come. Besides, when we travel, it’s either too ostentatious and invites gossip, or being discreet isn’t very safe," Nova said with a worried look.
That’s true, which is why she hadn’t told Grandma Xie. Crystal nodded, continued memorizing English vocabulary, and racked her brain for her speech draft.
Since the ceremony lasts half a day with no classes in the morning, the students are quite happy. When Crystal arrived in class, the teacher immediately called her away for a rehearsal.
The rehearsal room was chaotic, with teachers urgently running through the procedures one by one. Upon entering, Crystal noticed Sophia Winton was there too, blushing and following behind Hawk Howard, surrounded by many girls.
Crystal raised an eyebrow. Wow, quite the charm.
Sophia immediately spotted Crystal and turned red with anger. She had sponsored half a year’s cafeteria budget just for today’s piano solo. She even wore a fairy-like long dress made of that luxurious, shimmering silk. Yet, all the male students were flocking to see Crystal in her uniform, how infuriating.
Hawk noticed Crystal as well, but he was too occupied to talk to her.
Once the opening ceremony began, the new students’ formation finished, and Hawk, the school’s representative, went on stage to speak.
Meanwhile, the principal, who was supposed to be giving a speech, led the school’s director and other staff in nervously and excitedly welcoming a distinguished elderly lady at the school’s back entrance.
The story goes that police cars lead the way whenever she travels. The principal was so excited upon hearing the news that he barely slept that night. Early in the morning, he eagerly awaited her arrival, and finally, there she was—three discreet military vehicles quietly parked at the back of the school.
A handsome, cold-seeming man wearing military boots alighted first, opened the car door, and said softly, "Grandmother, we’ve arrived. Take your time."
The principal rushed forward in excitement, nearly saluting, and said with a smile, "Hello, Mrs. Xie, hello, Major General."
The elderly lady elegantly stepped out of the car wearing a demure embroidered silk cheongsam, her face kind and hair immaculately styled. Despite her age, she radiated grace, stood straight, with traces of youthful beauty still visible.
