34. Qin Yong’s Three Moves

The crucial question is: where did the departing students go? Among those who left, some had completed their courses, while others actively withdrew. Did they stop learning altogether? Impossible. If they’re not studying at Blue Sky, where did they continue their lessons? With Tian Yu as a private tutor? Even counting the students at Yudong, Tian Yu’s time and energy are limited; there’s no way one person could handle so many students.

Qin Yong made a bold speculation: perhaps Tian Yu had a channel behind him that could absorb these student resources.

“Knock knock—”

Qin Yong put down the documents and looked toward the door. “Come in.”

Director Dong entered, locked the door behind him, and strode to the desk, handing over a file. “Principal Qin, here are the records of all follow-up calls to parents of students who withdrew from the Meizhuang district.”

“I compiled them myself. There’s basically nothing unusual.”

Qin Yong hadn’t expected much; after all, if parents had withdrawn their children, what more could be learned? He glanced through the file and set it aside. “Thank you for your hard work, Director Dong.”

Director Dong’s expression was heavy. “Won’t this alert them?”

Qin Yong couldn’t help but laugh. At this point, who doesn’t understand what’s going on? “Has Teacher Tian shown any unusual behavior lately?”

Director Dong thought for a moment. “No, nothing out of the ordinary.”

“So what’s our next step?” he asked.

Qin Yong tapped the desk for a while. “You don’t need to worry about this anymore. For now, just keep a close eye on Tian Yu and all part-time teachers’ student lists, especially those whose courses are about to finish. Use the grading exams as an opportunity to stay in touch with parents, promote our summer course discounts, and the on-site registration event with cash prizes.”

“I estimate Tian Yu will resign within three months. This time, we can’t let him take any more students with him.”

Director Dong nodded. “And his participation in the elite teacher assessment?”

Qin Yong replied, “Assess him as usual. All three other campuses will be watching this assessment closely.”

Director Dong said, “But with his current scores, he’s already secured a spot.”

Qin Yong smiled. “Director Dong, do you not trust our young teachers?”

Director Dong saw the smile and dropped the subject. “Understood.”

Qin Yong added, “By the way, I’ve already reserved the assessment venue. It will be on the second floor of the Yudong Huayang Theatre. Announce it at tomorrow’s meeting; have Liu Peiyu prepare a promotional piece. All staff should share it on their social media, and make sure every parent receives it directly. For this assessment, we’ll invite all available parents and students to attend.”

Director Dong asked, “You’ve made up your mind?”

Qin Yong replied, “The senior principal has agreed. After the summer grading exams, we’ll hold three special teacher-student concerts there, inviting people from all walks of life. Kids who wish to participate won’t need to pay extra; their course hours will be deducted as usual. We’ll provide rehearsal space and free guidance within the campus.”

Director Dong thought to himself that this was a brilliant move. The campus always enters a slump in course consumption after the summer grading exams. This event not only targets that vacuum but also serves as a major promotion for autumn enrollment in September. Thinking further about the public teacher skill assessment, Director Dong’s admiration grew.

First, it serves as a necessary part of the evaluation.

Second, it allows interested students and parents to experience the faculty’s presence firsthand from the audience.

Third, it silently lays the groundwork for the upcoming teacher-student concerts.

“Brilliant, absolutely brilliant.” Director Dong sincerely praised, “Principal Qin, this time…”

Qin Yong waved his hand and smiled wryly. “Director Dong, do you know how much this event will cost?”

Director Dong fell silent, but his admiration didn’t wane.

Qin Yong continued, “Alright, don’t worry about the expenses. You’ll chair tomorrow’s meeting. Don’t reveal anything about the concerts yet. Anything else?”

Director Dong, preoccupied with thoughts of the concerts, nearly forgot he had another question. “Principal Qin, have you decided on the academic coordinator for the west office? It’s been over a week. If you don’t have time, I can have someone take over.”

Had Director Dong not mentioned it, Qin Yong would have forgotten. “I’ve found someone. They’ll report in by the end of next week. Give HR a heads-up.”

“Alright, Principal, I’ll leave you to your work. Call me anytime if you need anything.”

Director Dong left, and Qin Yong sat alone for a while.

He then picked up the phone and dialed a number.

A moment passed.

“Help me check how many music training institutions have opened near Meizhuang since last year. Find out their scale and legal representatives, and send me the details by email.”

“Thanks.”

He hung up and dialed another number.

Soon, the call connected.

“Hey, bro!”

Hearing the voice, Qin Yong’s mouth curled into a smile. “Is Sanya fun?”

“It’s great! I don’t even want to come back,” came the sigh from the other end.

“Don’t want to help me out?” Qin Yong walked to the window. “Have you booked your flight?”

“Yes, Friday afternoon. My mom’s picking me up.”

“Alright, then I won’t interfere. Rest on Saturday, report on Sunday?”

“No, I’ll go in on Saturday! Just one request—don’t make me share an office with a bunch of old people!”

Qin Yong thought of the group in the west office and laughed. “Don’t worry, you’ll share an office with one of your senior classmates.”

Curious, the caller asked, “Who? Someone from my department?”

Qin Yong replied, “Not a cellist. He’s two years ahead of you, probably someone you don’t know.”

Skeptical, the caller said, “There’s no one within three years that I don’t know. Tell me his name!”

Qin Yong kept it a surprise, gave a few instructions, and hung up.

Before he’d returned to Rongcheng, his aunt had always urged him to find something for Wang Panpan to do, saying it would be good for her development.

After much searching, she ended up coming to him.

Qin Yong felt that the young people in the west office were all pretty good. Placing his cousin there would be a good opportunity for her to grow, and having her under his own supervision put his mind at ease.

Moreover, with her joining, he finally had a chance to get closer to these young colleagues.

...

Monday’s morning meeting wasn’t any less lively for Qin Yong’s absence.

When Director Dong announced the teacher public skill assessment would be held at the Huayang Theatre in ten days, the reception delighted him.

Both those participating and those not, everyone chattered away.

Not every teacher had performed on such a stage.

In the classroom, everyone is a teacher, but on stage, who can truly fulfill the role of performer?

The other matter was the progress of the lesson evaluation scores.

As things stood, Lin Pengfei led with a score of 18.2.

Next was Chen Xuan with 17.8.

Third was Zhang Youwei with 17.5.

When Director Dong announced the results, Li An encouragingly patted Chen Xuan’s shoulder. This public announcement was, in effect, a declaration that these three had already lost in this round.

Because only they had completed scores from all five evaluators.

Ranked eighth, Ni Hongjie, still missing one assessment score, already had 14.7.

“Meeting adjourned.”

——

After the meeting, Li An returned to his classroom to practice piano. He had barely sat down before the sound of a flute came from the next room.

Yesterday, he’d noticed Chen Xuan had begun practicing flute after class as well.

“Good.”

Having someone practicing next door always brought a sense of comfort.

For a moment, Li An felt as if he was back in the university music building.

Just a wall apart.

He practiced piano here; on the other side, his girlfriend played the violin.

They had agreed never to disturb each other while practicing.