For Tang Changxue, there weren't too many regrets.

If Jiang Chuo were still here, this governorship wouldn't have much to do with him, and he might still be marking time.

Now Jiang Chuo had been forced out.

Anyway, he had become the third in command, which was better than nothing.

Logically speaking, after Tang Changxue took over as the Party School Principal, he should have cancelled the selection of "Best Student," since this so-called best student award was a scheme devised by Jiang Chuo to eliminate his enemies.

After much deliberation, Tang Changxue decided to carry out Jiang Chuo's policy.

After all, Jiang Chuo's defeat and escape from Huarong Path were not unrelated to Tang Changxue.

To overturn Jiang Chuo's policies as soon as he took office would easily attract criticism from public opinion.

By doing this, he also wanted to make it clear that his departure had nothing to do with Jiang Chuo.

Why not take advantage of it to gain a good reputation?

Just a few days after Tang Changxue took up his new post.

The leadership of the Provincial Party School held a meeting and decided, based on the comprehensive scores, to award the title of "Best Student" to Chen Fang.

After receiving this news.

The other students weren't too surprised.

After all, everyone now believed that the big backer behind Chen Fang was none other than Tang Changxue.

Otherwise, why would Tang Changxue stick up for him?

According to what Jiang Chuo had said.

The person who obtained the title of Best Student could be promoted half a rank on the spot, and could choose any suitable position within the grade level; if Chen Fang so desired, he could become the County Party Secretary at the age of 28.

In doing so, he would also make history.

Becoming the youngest department-level leader in the entire Yong'an Province.

For a time.

Chen Fang's dormitory was bustling with visitors.

Both acquaintances and strangers of Chen Fang visited to offer their congratulations.

It wasn't so much because Chen Fang was at the height of his popularity, but because everyone wanted to use Chen Fang to build a connection with Tang Changxue.

At the end of October.

The six-month training class for department-level cadres finally reached its grand conclusion.

At four in the evening.

Inside the auditorium, all one hundred students were present.

Amongst the thunderous applause.

The new Principal, Tang Changxue, ascended the stage flanked by the school's leaders.

Li Li, as the Executive Vice Principal, first delivered the graduation speech, followed by Tang Changxue's address; the atmosphere on-site was incredibly lively.

Next.

The award presentation segment began.

The much-anticipated moment had finally arrived.

Li Li spoke with passionate fervor, "First, let us have Principal Tang announce the Best Student."

Applause erupted throughout the hall…

All eyes turned, intentionally or otherwise, toward Chen Fang.

After all, it had already become common knowledge before the graduation ceremony that Chen Fang had been determined to be the Best Student.

Tang Changxue took the microphone, cleared his throat, and said, "I announce this year's Best Student award recipient—Comrade Yang Xi."

The moment the name was read out.

The hall fell silent for a few seconds before erupting into an uproar.

Everyone's gazes began to search through the crowd for Yang Xi.

"Wasn't Chen Fang supposed to be the Best Student? How did it change to someone else?"

"What happened? How did it turn out to be Yang Xi?"

"..."

Everyone began whispering among themselves.

Even Yang Xi herself was stunned on the spot.

She looked at Chen Fang sitting beside her.

Chen Fang smiled faintly and said, "They're calling you, go up and get your award."

"How could this be..."

Yang Xi was completely astonished for a moment.

Chen Fang patted her on the shoulder and said, "You heard right, it's you. Hurry up, don't keep the leaders waiting."

At this moment.

Yang Xi stood up bewildered.

Under the scrutiny of all present, she ascended the podium to receive her award.

In front of all the students, Tang Changxue handed over the Best Student trophy and certificate to her, shaking hands and saying, "Congratulations, Comrade Yang Xi."

Yang Xi at that moment was still in a daze.

Looking down at Chen Fang from the stage, he was the first to stand up and start applauding.

At that moment, she suddenly understood something.

After the unveiling of the mystery of the best student,

the ten outstanding students were also announced.

The winners did not come as a surprise. It was Chen Fang's missing out on even an outstanding student award that truly seemed incredible.

Once the graduation ceremony concluded,

Chen Fang disappeared within the auditorium.

By the time Yang Xi went looking for him, he was nowhere to be found.

Eight o'clock in the evening.

It was time for the traditional graduation ball.

All the students dressed up for the occasion.

Yang Xi, now in an evening gown, searched the hall without finding Chen Fang.

She happened to see Yu Sheng drinking in a corner, pulled him aside, and asked, "Yu Sheng, where's Chen Fang?"

Yu Sheng uttered an "oh."

He said, "Chen Fang didn't want to attend the ball; he's staying in the dorm."

Hearing this,

Yang Xi rushed out of the auditorium doors.

When she appeared panting at the entrance to Chen Fang's dorm room, he was leaning against the headboard reading a book.

His bags were packed as if ready to leave at any moment.

"Do you really plan on leaving without saying goodbye?"

Yang Xi suddenly spoke up, startling Chen Fang.

Putting down his book and scratching his head, he said awkwardly, "The bed in this dorm is too uncomfortable, so I thought about leaving early. Besides, I have to leave sooner or later, and the car from the county to pick me up will be here in a little over an hour."

"Are you in such a hurry to leave because you're afraid I'll thank you?"

Yang Xi stepped into the dorm room and confronted Chen Fang.

Embarrassed, Chen Fang laughed and said, "Why would you thank me?"

"Isn't this best student award something you gave up for me?"

Yang Xi asked.

Chen Fang feigned surprise, "Not at all. The best student is determined by the school's party committee. Do you think I, a mere student, have the power to give it to you? Besides, if I had been awarded best student, I would be a division-level official. Why would I give it up to you? Who doesn't want a promotion?"

"You know about my situation?"

Yang Xi inquired.

Taken aback, Chen Fang was about to deflect.

Yang Xi spoke earnestly, "Tell me the truth, don't lie to me."

Chen Fang paused, then finally nodded and sighed deeply, "I know, and I'm very sorry. I can't do anything about it elsewhere, so… so I could only…"

Yang Xi's situation had occurred a few days prior.

Photos suggesting an intimate relationship between Chen Fang and Yang Xi had spread wildly online overnight.

Unsurprisingly, it must have been someone's deliberate upload.

There was no need to speculate; it was undoubtedly Chu Jindai.

Despite the mosaic blurring the photos, the incident had made big waves, and it was impossible to hide.

For Chen Fang, the impact was minimal.

But for a woman like Yang Xi, it was entirely different.

First, her husband initiated the divorce. Yang Xi, rather decisively, took a trip back to Licheng City over a weekend and swiftly got divorced.

Following that, Licheng City's municipal government relieved Yang Xi of her position as the deputy director of the Cultural and Tourism Bureau.

The reason was simple.

As a city's calling card, the Cultural and Tourism Bureau's deputy director plastered in scandalous photos had undoubtedly damaged its image, so her dismissal was an expected outcome.

It was precisely because of so many things happening to Yang Xi at once

that Chen Fang decided to give the best student award to her.

"But this opportunity is also very important for you. At 28, if you could become a division-level official, your prospects would be boundless. Isn't it a pity to waste such a good opportunity?"

Yang Xi asked.

Chen Fang smiled, nodded, and replied, "It is a bit of a waste, but compared to me, you need it more, don't you?"

With that,

Yang Xi's eyes moistened.

Suddenly, Chen Fang opened his arms.

He said, "We'll be parting ways soon, and who knows if we will ever meet again. Let's hug."

Yang Xi hesitated for a moment,

then opened her arms and embraced Chen Fang.

Suddenly, Yang Xi wiped away a tear.

She asked, "How much longer until you leave?"

Chen Fang glanced at his watch and replied, "About an hour, I guess."

Yang Xi let go of Chen Fang and said, "Then we have enough time."

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