Principal Damon Deng’s mood shifted in a flash—one moment stern, the next all warm smiles and friendliness.
Wendy Wen heard the commotion, grabbed the camcorder, and swung it straight at Evan Lin and Chief Chen up front.
Chief Gary Chen stepped out from behind the long table, waved to the side, and a waiting officer hustled over with a bright red banner, handing it to him.
On the banner, four big gold characters blazed: ‘Teen Hero’.
With everyone watching, Chief Gary Chen held the banner with both hands, flashed Evan Lin a broad grin, and announced, “Evan Lin, on behalf of the Seacrest Province Public Security Department—and the nation—I want to thank you!”
“You didn’t just help us crack a major case—you also saved Whitewood County from a massive financial loss. The county’s top officials even called me personally to thank you.”
Evan Lin caught the faintest glint in Chief Chen’s eyes. Then Chief Chen handed him the banner, smiling from ear to ear.
Principal Damon Deng stood off to the side, beaming, with not a trace left of the anger he’d shown just moments before.
Director Ben Lu and the other staff stood stiffly, forcing out awkward smiles. Wendy Wen kept filming, and everything was broadcast live to the whole school.
This was the kind of honor countless people dreamed of but could never attain.
Yet when everyone looked at Evan Lin’s face, there was no trace of joy—just a perfectly calm expression.
With the banner in hand, Evan Lin walked out of the multimedia room in front of everyone. Lynn Chen came to her senses and hurried after him.
The crowd was left behind, each with a complicated expression.
Principal Damon Deng looked a bit embarrassed and said to Chief Chen, “Chief Chen, this student has a rather unusual personality. Please don’t take offense.”
“Not at all. Young people like him are the true pillars of our nation. Usually, the more talented a student is, the more unique their personality. That’s perfectly understandable.”
Chief Chen didn’t mind at all and laughed. With just a simple comment, he raised Evan Lin’s image even higher in everyone’s eyes.
Director Ben Lu looked dejected, and Wang Xiu, who had hoped to claim credit and get a bonus, looked gloomy.
He could have recruited Evan Lin for his class, but after seeing Evan’s poor grades, he gave up and chose Lynn Chen instead. Now, it was clear Evan was truly extraordinary.
“Congratulations, Mr. Yang, on getting such an outstanding student. Truly something to celebrate.” Wang Xiu gave Byron Yang a forced smile. Byron managed a weak smile, his heart racing with excitement, regret, and guilt.
He remembered how much he used to dislike Evan Lin, and now, thinking it over, he realized how narrow-minded he’d been.
“Mr. Yang, you should really treasure a student like this in Senior Year Class 32. If you don’t want him, just let me know.” Principal Damon Deng nodded.
Then Principal Damon Deng turned to Wendy Wen, who was still stunned, and said, “Wendy, make sure to write up Evan Lin’s story for this issue of the school journal.”
“Also, there may be TV reporters coming soon. If Evan Lin doesn’t want to appear on camera, you’ll need to meet with them on his behalf.”
Principal Deng’s words shocked Wendy Wen again, making her realize just how important Chief Chen’s case was.
“Yes! I’ll make sure to do that!”
…
After leaving the multimedia room, Evan Lin walked a few steps with the banner in his right hand, then stuffed it into a trash can.
“Hey, you’re just going to throw it away?”
Lynn Chen, who had been quietly following Evan Lin, was displeased when she saw this. She quickly stepped forward and retrieved the banner from the trash can.
“Why keep it? It’s meaningless.”
Evan Lin spoke coolly without turning his head.
“Meaningless? Evan! I don’t know what you did to earn this banner, but it’s your honor. Even if you don’t respect your own achievements, you should at least respect the people who gave it to you!”
Lynn Chen gripped the banner, frowning, her eyes fixed on Evan Lin’s back as he walked ahead.
After she finished speaking, Evan’s steps paused for a moment. Lynn Chen thought he might be moved, but he only turned his face slightly.
She saw Evan’s profile, his figure taller than ever after summer break. The sunset outside the corridor cast an orange halo around him, making him look as if he was glowing with a faint fire.
“Childish.”
Evan’s cold voice struck Lynn Chen, making her shudder.
“Lynn Chen, the honor and respect you talk about mean nothing to me. The world I see is nothing like yours.”
“You’re just a flower grown in a greenhouse. Since you grew up sheltered, bloom there in your own way. As for other things, it’s best to say and ask less. I don’t need you telling me what to do.”
With that, Evan Lin left. Lynn Chen stood there, gripping the banner tightly, biting her lip until Evan’s figure disappeared down the corridor. Only then did she walk away toward Class 2, looking lost.
Evan Lin walked alone down the corridor. Wherever he passed, students from nearby classrooms peeked out to watch.
They saw the transfer student from Senior Year Class 32 who had dared to challenge the principal, been honored as “Teen Hero” by Chief Chen Guang of Capitalview City’s Public Security Bureau, and won the math Olympiad championship. Countless eyes and emotions followed him—some curious, some shocked, some faintly scornful.
“No matter how strong he is, he’s still just some rural kid from Whitewood County—not even from the city!”
Some students thought this.
When Evan Lin walked back into Senior Year Class 32, he swept the room with a cold gaze—no one dared meet his eyes.