Chapter 352

Chen Daoyuan looked utterly innocent.

This couldn’t be his fault. Usually, he cussed out unruly students far more severely.

His words to Alarieka had actually been quite mild and reasonable—especially considering her excellent grades.

If any troublemaking student dared say they didn’t want to attend class, he’d have cursed them to high heaven.

He’d even curse their parents if they showed up.

His words weren’t that harsh, so why was Alarieka crying?

Chen Daoyuan glanced left and right before handing her a tissue from his desk.

He whispered, “I wasn’t being unreasonable, why the tears?”

Alarieka took the tissue, pressing it against her nearly tearless eyes.

With a trembling voice, she said, “It’s not your fault… My grandmother is sick.”

“My family only has me and my grandmother. I’m the only one who can care for her now.”

“I simply don’t have time to attend school classes.”

“I came to the capital because only a doctor here can treat my grandmother’s illness.”

“I withdrew from my previous school just to transfer here.”

“I truly can’t manage attending classes…”

After hearing this, Chen Daoyuan and the teachers all showed sympathy.

Outstanding students facing family hardships always received extra attention and compassion.

Recalling his earlier words, Chen Daoyuan now wished he could slap himself.

Alarieka’s pitiful sobs left him speechless.

After a long pause, he patted her shoulder.

“So that’s what happened. Your reason for skipping classes is understandable.”

“But you can’t miss school indefinitely, can you?”

“What if you fall behind and your grades drop?”

“Right?”

Alarieka remained silent.

Alarieka cried even louder.

Principal Chen: ..

Principal Chen forced himself to say, “How about this? Attend classes during the day, skip evening self-study. You can manage your own time—visit the hospital to care for your grandmother.”

Alarieka cried even louder still.

“It won’t work, Principal. Grandma needs me constantly now. I must stay by her side day and night. I’ve been with her these past days.”

Alarieka roughly wiped her eyes with a tissue, then lifted her tear-swollen, pitiful gaze to Principal Chen.

Those eyes made his heart twist, leaving him unsure how to look at her.

“Principal, I’ve already reviewed everything multiple times. My grades are stable. What I need now is focused practice—drills to solidify my knowledge.”

“Here’s an idea,” Alarieka’s voice choked up, “Let me skip classes this first month. I’ll take the mock exams with everyone. If I don’t rank first, I’ll return to class. Deal?”

Principal Chen: ..

He wanted to refuse, to call this utterly unorthodox. But those red-rimmed eyes stole his words.

Alarieka stared at him pleadingly, like a helpless, homeless little animal.

Besides, she had valid reasons for absence and stellar academic standing.

Finding grounds to refuse felt impossible.

Moments later, Chen Daoyuan forced himself to suggest, “How about… attending classes every other day?”

Alarieka sniffled, tears welling up again.

Chen Daoyuan tried again, “…Or every two days?”

Alarieka shed more tears.

He continued, “… Three days? Four? Five?”

Alarieka covered her eyes with her palms, sobbing louder.

Chen Daoyuan shot a pleading look at the spectating teachers. They studied their noses, the ceiling, the doorway, the windows—anything but him.

His expression shifted through a kaleidoscope of emotions, utterly vivid.

After a long pause, he sighed. “Fine. Have it your way. But if you don’t rank first in the next mock exam, you return to class immediately.”

He warned, “And no more crying to sway me. I won’t bend the rules again.”

Alarieka’s tears vanished as she beamed, nodding emphatically. “Deal.”

She left the enrollment paperwork to the school staff, happily wiping nonexistent tears as she skipped out the gate.

Chapter 353