What Are You Worth

Su Li stood on the stage facing off against Zhang Zhuzi and his wife. The crowd below was still in an uproar. Many parents who had traveled far with hope to send their children to school were unhappy, gathering below to demand an explanation from Su Li, the academy director.

"Director Su, you spoke so well, so why is the academy suddenly not opening? Our whole family is counting on the kids to study and succeed!"

"Director Su, we came all the way from out of town. It’s quite a hassle both ways. You can't just say the academy won’t open like this, you can’t fool us!"

The parents panicked for a moment, but as common folk, they all deeply believed in not fighting officials. Since Zhang Zhuzi was the village mayor, no one dared to confront him directly. Helpless, they all turned to Su Li, the academy director, to demand answers.

Su Li turned around and said to everyone, "Don’t worry, the academy will definitely open today!"

Behind her, Qin Sanniang sneered smugly, "Our Mayor Zhang has spoken: your academy won’t open. If he says no, then it won’t open!"

Zhang Zhuzi said proudly, "Su Li, your academy is in Haizi Village. When the building was constructed, it was on Haizi Village land. As the village mayor, I have authority over all public land here. If you want to open an academy, fine—but you better move your building somewhere outside my jurisdiction."

Qin Sanniang added, "Yes, Su Li, if you have the guts, move all the academy buildings. Otherwise, I’m requisitioning this building for the mayor’s office. No academy opening!"

Su Li took a deep breath, then sneered coldly at Qin Sanniang and Zhang Zhuzi, "So today you just have to rely on being a tiny village official to challenge me, making things difficult for me, huh?"

Zhang Zhuzi laughed proudly and openly admitted, "That’s right! I’m here to challenge you and make things hard for you! Who told you your family is rich? I just don’t like you, so I’m going to mess with you! Now that I’m an official, if you dare mess with me, I’ll report you to the government and punish you as a commoner!"

Su Li clicked her tongue and said, "Being an official is such a big deal, huh..."

Zhang Zhuzi was extremely proud, arrogantly shouting almost to the sky, "Being an official is a big deal! I can do whatever I want to you. You, a commoner, what can you possibly do to me?"

Su Li shook her head and snapped her fingers. Instantly, from the crowd, Lingdang understood and pushed a man wearing a long robe and a hooded cloak onto the stage beside her.

The man stepped onto the stage, his face hidden under the hood, but his aura clearly showed he was here to pick a fight.

Zhang Zhuzi saw the man’s fierce momentum and felt a bit uneasy. He swallowed hard, took two steps back, and said, "Who are you troublemakers? Stay away! I’m the village mayor. If you lay a hand on me, I’ll have the authorities arrest you!"

The man rolled up his sleeves and said, "Village mayor? What kind of thing are you?"

Then suddenly, he threw a punch straight into Zhang Zhuzi’s eye socket.

Zhang Zhuzi was caught off guard, let out a yelp, and fell hard onto the ground, clutching his eye and shouting loudly, "You troublemaker, are you rebelling? How dare you hit the village mayor!"

"What kind of village mayor is that, acting all high and mighty around me? I’ve been looking down on you from the crowd all along!" The man threw back his hood, revealing a handsome face with a hint of roguish charm. He grabbed Zhang Zhuzi’s collar and started beating him mercilessly on the ground.

Qin Sanniang stood dumbfounded nearby, shouting hoarsely, "Help! Someone save me! This troublemaker is beating an official!"

Su Li stepped forward and slapped Qin Sanniang hard across the face, scolding, "Who’s the troublemaker? Open your dog eyes wide and see who this master is!"