Yao Tang looked Principal Kong in the eye and straight-up asked, “Would you like some?”
The teachers once again stared at the principal in unison, expecting him to see through the students’ trap and say no.
And once again, they were disappointed.
“Sure, I’ll try some. I’m really starving from all that hike.”
Principal Kong looked like he was just another tourist out for a picnic, and not the head of an institution.
The teachers could only watch him in utter bewilderment.
Even his secretary was at a loss for words.
As the principal, shouldn’t he be setting an example for his colleagues and students?
If it were only the rascals from Class 20 enjoying themselves here, perhaps they would have been able to control the situation when the other students arrived later.
But if everybody found the principal himself joining in with the barbecue… The students would almost certainly protest and pandemonium would ensue.
How were they supposed to handle that?
A teacher rushed forward and grabbed Principal Kongby the arm. “Sir, didn’t we bring some dry rations with us?” he asked pointedly. “Why don’t we eat them? You might get indigestion if you eat so much meat all of a sudden.”
Principal Kong scowled and pulled his arm away.
Lin Xin chose that moment to hold up a skewer and ask, “So you won’t be eating, then? What a pity, it’s really good!”
As if on cue, a mild breeze blew past them and carried the aroma of roast meat over to the antsy adults.
The teachers couldn’t help but take a good, long sniff, which was promptly followed by the growling sound of their stomachs.
They all flushed in embarrassment.
A few moments later, the students of Class 20 were gathered in a circle, sitting side by side with Principal Kongand the teachers as they enjoyed the skewers.
They ate with gusto, as the food was indeed very good and appetizing.
Some of the more righteous teachers told themselves that they would only eat a piece or two, then wait for the other students to arrive. Unfortunately, once they had taken a bite, they couldn’t seem to stop.
They had never tasted a more tasty barbecue, and at such a scenic location, too.
The meat was cooked just right. It was very tender and juicy, and the seasoning complimented it very well.
Soon enough, Principal Kong and the teachers lost track of time.
When the first group of students arrived, they were greeted by the sight of their respectable teachers gorging themselves on meat with the troublemakers from Class 20.
What surprised them the most was the fact that their dignified principal was among them as well, his lips glistening with oil and fat.
And then they caught a whiff of the meat that was still being grilled, and the newcomers felt a wave of dismay wash over them.
As if that wasn’t enough, a gust of wind flew past the area, making them shiver.
And the cherry on top—their stomachs began to growl.
Only then did the teachers take notice of the group standing just a few feet away, staring at them in misery.
A teacher hurriedly stuffed the remainder of his meat into his mouth and shot to his feet. “Ah, you’re here, dear students? Good job, you’ve all worked hard. Hahaha,” he laughed awkwardly.
But the students barely heard what he said. Their attention was focused solely on the irresistible smell of grilled meat.
They were torn between their pride and their hunger.
Noticing their expressions, another teacher said, “Do you want to join us?”
A pregnant silence fell in the air. The students were obviously taken aback.
Half an hour later, a line had formed around the peak as the students waited for their meat skewers to finish grilling.
The smell carried over to the trail, and those who came last berated themselves for not arriving at the top any sooner. There might not be any meat left for them!
Their grumbling was interrupted when another tremor shook the ground.
Yao Tang’s brows furrowed.
This time, even Lu MingandLin Xinfelt it.
They recalled Yao Tang’s question earlier and turned to look at her.
But she looked rather preoccupied, as though she was calculating something. All of a sudden, her expression changed. “We should get down the mountain right now!” she told Principal Kong.
The man was so surprised that he froze on the spot.
Before Yao Tangcould speak again, another tremor rocked the ground, this time greater than the last. It was almost as if the mountain was trying to shake the people off its surface.
Everyone burst into action.
“What’s going on?”
“No way! Was that an earthquake just now?”
“Oh, no! What should we do?”
Everyone was spiraling into a panic. Even Principal Konglost his senses for a moment and sent a prayer to the heavens.
But he was clear about what he had to do. They would just have to tackle the situation step by step. First, he needed to maintain order and keep the students from stampeding down the slopes.
