Chapter 46: Thunderous Applause

As more students filtered back into the classroom, Zhao Shuncheng took his leave. After all, as the headmaster, he had countless administrative duties to attend to and couldn’t linger in Class Three of the first-year students. Besides, the preparatory bell for the first lesson had already rung; if he remained any longer, it would disrupt the students’ classes.

Before departing, he didn’t forget to cast a greeting glance toward Lin Siyu.

Like Li Sicheng, Lin Siyu kept her identity concealed at Nanshan High School. Apart from her close friend Tan Xiaoxiao and Zhao Shuncheng himself, no one else knew about her connection to Lin Muxue. The other teachers and students only believed Lin Siyu came from a well-off family, unaware that she was the younger sister of the school’s board chair.

Lin Siyu snorted softly and turned her face away, offering Zhao Shuncheng no courtesy whatsoever.

Her reaction caught Zhao Shuncheng completely off guard, leaving him astonished and inwardly muttering, “Strange, I don’t recall doing anything wrong. What on earth is this young lady upset about?”

Perplexed but unable to ask directly, he could only leave with a heart full of unease and bewilderment.

Once Zhao Shuncheng had gone, the other school leaders departed as well. Yet their expressions were markedly displeased. They had hoped to bask in reflected glory, only to be disappointed when Li Sicheng refused any publicity. With regret and annoyance, they silently labeled Li Sicheng as “unruly and disobedient.”

But Li Sicheng cared not a whit for what these administrators thought.

Go ahead, do as you please—this is how I’ve chosen to act. If you’re unhappy or dissatisfied, what can you do? Bite me if you dare!

When the school leaders had all left, Gao Zixi sidled up to Li Sicheng and asked quietly, “Tell me, what’s your relationship with Headmaster Zhao?”

“No relationship at all,” Li Sicheng replied, spreading his hands in confusion. “Why ask?”

Gao Zixi clearly didn’t believe him. “No relationship? Then why did he listen to you and refrain from publicizing your heroic act? That’s not his usual style!”

One must admit, a woman’s intuition is often remarkably keen—especially when that woman is the class advisor.

Li Sicheng, of course, wouldn’t reveal the real reason. He smiled and said, “Maybe Headmaster Zhao had a sudden change of heart and realized this wasn’t a matter suitable for grand publicity.”

Though Gao Zixi scoffed at his explanation, she didn’t press further.

Changing the subject, she said, “Honestly, I agree that this shouldn’t be publicized. On one hand, it would hurt the girl who tried to take her own life. On the other, it might make you arrogant and complacent. You must have learned the story of ‘Wang Zhongyong’ back in middle school, right?”

Li Sicheng laughed. “Ms. Gao, I agree with the first half of what you said. Publicity would indeed hurt Liu Wei, perhaps even multiple times over. But as for arrogance and complacency… to be honest, this event isn’t nearly enough to make me feel proud.”

His words, though delivered in a calm tone, carried an unmistakable air of bravado.

Gao Zixi was surprised. “You saved a life—how is that not something to be proud of? Then tell me, what have you done before that made you feel proud?”

Li Sicheng tilted his head, thought seriously for a moment, then replied, “I once saved a country.”

He hadn’t finished his sentence before Gao Zixi burst out laughing. “Enough, enough. You’re really stretching the truth now! Saved a country? Who do you think you are, Superman or Iron Man? Why not claim you helped the world recover from the financial crisis?”

To her surprise, Li Sicheng didn’t feel awkward at having his exaggeration exposed. Instead, he played along, “Actually, during the financial crisis of 2008, I did contribute quite a bit…”

“You’re getting more and more outrageous! In 2008, how old were you—nine or ten? And you helped with the financial crisis?” Clearly, Gao Zixi didn’t believe a word and treated it all as a joke.

Zeng Yi, standing nearby, nodded in agreement. “Yeah, yeah. This time, Sicheng, your boasting is way over the top.”

“Is it boasting?” Li Sicheng smiled but offered no further explanation.

Some things cannot be explained in just a few words.

Seeing Li Sicheng fall silent, Gao Zixi assumed he was embarrassed and hurried to change the subject. “No matter what, your heroic act deserves praise. I’m proud of you!”

Li Sicheng played along, replying, “It’s all thanks to your guidance, Ms. Gao.”

Gao Zixi quickly waved her hand and smiled wryly. “Don’t flatter me. You’ve been in my class less than a day; I haven’t even had time to guide you. Honestly, I’m quite curious who your previous teacher was. To produce a student like you, they must have been excellent!”

“Indeed, my teacher is the best in the world,” Li Sicheng said, his expression suddenly grave.

At that moment, the bell rang for the start of class.

The geography teacher entered, carrying a globe.

Seeing this, Gao Zixi quickly said, “Ah, Mr. Sun, you’re here? I’ll get out of your way so you can start your lesson.”

Once she’d left, the class monitor, Tan Xiaoxiao, called out, “Stand up, salute!”

After the customary classroom ritual, Mr. Sun didn’t begin teaching right away. Instead, he turned his gaze to Li Sicheng, who sat in the last row.

“Before we start class today, I must thank a student. Thank you for stepping forward in a crisis and saving a classmate. This spirit of courage deserves to be learned by us all.”

Suddenly, Mr. Sun stepped to the side of the lectern and bowed deeply.

“Li Sicheng, thank you!”

The unexpected gesture stunned everyone in Class Three. They’d seen students salute teachers before, but never a teacher bow to a student. Today, their eyes were truly opened!

The classroom fell instantly silent, not a sound to be heard.

Minutes later, applause broke the stillness.

At first, only one person clapped. Then a second, a third, until the entire class joined in.

The applause thundered, shaking the room, almost raising it off its foundations!

As they clapped, everyone looked at Li Sicheng.

Their applause was for him—for the hero among them.

“Siyu, you’re applauding too?” Tan Xiaoxiao looked at her friend in shock. She genuinely hadn’t expected Lin Siyu to join in.

What’s going on? Weren’t you disgusted by Li Sicheng?

“Um… well…” Lin Siyu seemed caught off guard and flustered. But she recovered quickly, and in just a second or two, offered an explanation: “Everyone’s applauding. If we don’t join in, it’ll look odd. Xiaoxiao, don’t just stand there—clap along!”

“Is that really the reason?” Tan Xiaoxiao’s eyes were full of doubt.

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