"Minister Zhong, what’s going on?" Stephen Song paused for a moment, then quickly walked over to Norman Zhong’s side and asked in a low voice.
"Deputy Director Song, please take a seat below. I’m about to announce the Organization Department’s new appointment!" Norman Zhong glanced at him indifferently, a hint of mockery in his eyes.
Hearing how Norman Zhong addressed him and told him to sit below, then seeing the middle-aged man occupying his seat, Stephen Song instantly understood—his promotion had run into trouble, someone had snatched it away.
At that moment, a boundless rage surged in his chest—he almost fainted from anger.
Stephen Song, looking utterly devastated, walked over and sat down below the podium. But in his mind, he kept wondering—what on earth had happened?
Why had they suddenly changed the person up there? And he hadn’t gotten a single hint beforehand—wasn’t this just meant to embarrass him?
Seeing this scene, the Education Bureau staff all exchanged glances. Why was Director Song sitting below, and who was that middle-aged man occupying his seat on the podium?
For a moment, everyone was filled with confusion and doubt.
Only Deputy Director Victor Xing’s lips curled into a gloating smile. In fact, he’d gotten the news that morning—Stephen Song’s promotion had run into trouble, and the new director wasn’t Stephen, but someone else.
He’d been competing with Stephen Song for ages. In the end, Stephen won, and he hated him for it. There was no way he’d ever side with Stephen. That visit to Stephen’s office to ‘show loyalty’ was just to disgust him. Seeing Stephen looking so devastated now, he felt a surge of satisfaction, almost wanting to laugh out loud: Stephen Song, Stephen Song—who would’ve thought you’d end up like this!
Norman Zhong’s powerful, commanding voice rang out: "Gentlemen, on behalf of the Municipal Organization Department, I hereby appoint Mr. Henry Qin as Director of the Riverstone City Education Bureau!"
Although everyone had already guessed that Stephen Song’s promotion had run into trouble, hearing that the new director wasn’t Stephen but some Henry Qin who’d appeared out of nowhere still left them utterly stunned.
As for Stephen Song, when he heard Norman Zhong’s announcement, he was completely crushed. Months of effort—all for nothing!
As for what Norman Zhong and Henry Qin said next, he didn’t hear a word of it.
After the appointment was announced, Norman Zhong left the Education Bureau, escorted by Henry Qin and the others.
"Deputy Director Song, hello. I’d heard of your reputation even before I arrived at the bureau. I hope you’ll give me your full support in the work ahead!" Henry Qin said with a fake smile, shaking Stephen Song’s hand, though his eyes showed clear disdain.
"Of course, of course!" Stephen Song replied awkwardly, giving Henry Qin a long, deep look—the man who’d stolen his director’s seat.
Next, Henry Qin convened a bureau directors’ meeting as the new director.
The Riverstone City Education Bureau has a total of five directors: one chief and four deputies.
Stephen Song had climbed to his current position step by step, earning considerable respect within the bureau. Another deputy, Victor Xing, had his own backing in the city and had gathered a faction of supporters, barely able to compete with Stephen.
As for the other two deputy directors, they’d only recently joined the bureau and had always kept a very low profile.
Henry Qin smiled and said, "Now, I’m going to adjust everyone’s responsibilities. First, Deputy Director Song, from now on you’ll be in charge of Nanshan District, Taiyang District, and Longshan District."
"Director Qin, isn’t this adjustment a bit much? You’ve just arrived and don’t know anything about us, yet you’re already changing everyone’s assignments!" Stephen Song said, suppressing his anger. These three districts were the poorest in the city, and their education quality was at rock bottom.
He used to oversee the schools in the city center. With this adjustment, he was being completely sidelined. It was obvious—Henry Qin was targeting him on purpose: first taking his director’s seat, now marginalizing him. No matter how broad-minded he was, he couldn’t help but feel a deep hatred for Henry Qin.
Henry Qin kept smiling: "Deputy Director Song, before coming to the bureau, I did a thorough study of its situation. I know you’re the most capable among the four deputies. The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility. I’m assigning these three districts to you in hopes that, under your leadership, their education standards will rise."
What a high-sounding excuse! Stephen Song’s anger boiled over.
"What’s wrong? Does Deputy Director Song lack confidence, or are all the things I heard just rumors?" Henry Qin continued, his words cutting even deeper.
Stephen Song wanted to object again, but he knew that if he did, Henry Qin would seize on it and use it to discredit all his past achievements.
"I agree to Director Qin’s adjustment."
It seemed to take all his strength to say those words. As soon as he finished, Stephen Song felt utterly drained.
"Alright then, since Deputy Director Song is confident, we’ll leave it at that!"
…………
Riverstone First Hospital, high-grade private room.
"How is it going?" Justin Nangong asked, looking at the young man in front of him.
"Young Master, according to your instructions, we’ve already arranged for someone to take Stephen Song’s position." The young man replied respectfully.
"This is only the beginning!" Justin Nangong’s eyes gleamed coldly. "Send word to Henry Qin—suppress Stephen Song at all costs. And contact the Anti-Corruption Office to investigate Stephen Song. I don’t just want to block his career—I want him stripped of office and thrown in jail!"
"Yes, Young Master, I’ll relay your message to Henry Qin." The young man hesitated for a moment, then added, "But Stephen Song seems very clean—it might be hard to dig up anything on him!"
Justin Nangong’s expression turned cold. His eyes fixed on the young man like a venomous snake. "Idiot! Do I have to teach you how to do your job? Can’t you just manufacture something if you can’t find it?"
The young man’s eyes lit up as he caught Justin Nangong’s meaning, and quickly offered a flattering remark.
Justin Nangong waved the young man away, his mind flashing back to the scene outside Saint Night High School. He gritted his teeth: "Song Yan, Song Yan—you dared slap me, so I’ll make sure your family is ruined, never to rise again!"
Today was the final day of the PK Round. After it ended, the next stage would begin. Anyone else would be nervous, but Song Yan was fully confident—he went to school as usual.
Thanks to TV coverage and online buzz, his Fame Points had surged by hundreds of thousands, reaching over 750,000.
If nothing unexpected happened, by the end of today his Fame Points would hit a million.
He’d asked Meowu—the next lottery only needed 660,000 Fame Points. With 750,000, he could already draw, but he chose not to. He planned to push his Fame Points to a million and raise his strength to the Innate Realm.
Yesterday, he’d gotten a call from Frank Zhao, who had already coordinated with the Riverstone City branch of the National Martial League. In three days, he’d take Song Yan to the branch for the assessment.
Once he passed the assessment, he’d become a member of the National Martial League.
The Nangong Family, the Darkworld Syndicate, and the Mystic Maiden Sect where Fiona Xiang belonged—all posed threats to him. He had to get stronger as quickly as possible.
Otherwise, if anything happened, he’d have a hard time fighting back.
At noon, he received a text message.
The number was unfamiliar. The sender wanted to meet in the grove by the school athletic field.
"So it’s you. What do you want?" When Song Yan entered the grove, he found Blood Rose leaning against a tree, absorbed in a book. Today she wasn’t dressed in her usual leather outfit, but wore a dark blue tracksuit.
Blood Rose looked up and said evenly, "Justin Nangong has woken up and started his revenge. He’s targeting your uncle—he sabotaged your uncle’s promotion!"
"What?" Song Yan’s face changed dramatically. He cried out in shock.