"What?"
"You want us to donate to Tang San?"
"We don't have to do that, do we?"
"Can't the famous 'Grandmaster' raise three hundred gold coins for his own disciple's surgery?"
The students' expressions showed they were very unwilling. Dai Mubai, especially, was practically sneering.
He spoke very loudly, as if he wanted to make sure Yu Xiaogang heard him.
"By the way, what's the deal with this 'Grandmaster'?" he mocked. "He doesn't even have three hundred gold coins? Or has the standard for being a 'Grandmaster' gotten that low?"
Dai Mubai didn't care at all if Tang San lived or died. If he were in Tang San's position, not even a complete man, he would have just smashed his head against a wall and ended it. Living like that was pointless.
Hearing Dai Mubai's undisguised words, Yu Xiaogang's face turned an ugly shade. He was furious, but he had to endure it if he wanted to collect the donations.
"Dean, what if we don't want to donate?"
Just then, Ning Rongrong's clear voice rang out from the group.
Ninety percent of the people there were happy to hear her say it.
But to Yu Xiaogang, the words were extremely jarring.
Don't want to donate?
How could students at Shrek Academy even think that? Their comrade, their family, their friend Tang San was in critical condition. Only three hundred gold coins were needed to save his life.
And his classmates didn't want to donate?
If you don't donate, where will I get the money?
This was simply outrageous.
Yu Xiaogang leaned forward, ready to step up and say a few words.
However, in the next second, Flender's elbow perfectly blocked his path.
The Grandmaster was full of reluctance, but he saw Flender opening his mouth to speak.
"Everyone, please calm down."
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang felt much better. It seemed he had misunderstood Flender. Flender was obviously preparing to rally the teachers and students, to make them lower their guard and willingly hand over their money.
However, Flender's very next sentence left Yu Xiaogang completely dumbfounded.
Flender looked at the teachers and students with a slight smile and said slowly, "Today's donation drive is just an appeal from me. It's not mandatory. Whether you donate, or how much you donate... the choice is entirely in your hands. Me, Vice-Dean Zhao Wuji, and even the Grandmaster will not force you."
As soon as these words were spoken, the students immediately relaxed.
After all, it was their money. How they spent it was their own business. If they wanted to give money to a beggar, that was their choice. But they weren't going to let Yu Xiaogang and Tang San guilt-trip them and snatch their money by calling it a "donation."
But Yu Xiaogang was completely distraught.
Flender's words felt like a death sentence.
What do you mean, 'even the Grandmaster won't force you'? I wanted to speak, but you stopped me!
Yu Xiaogang's face was gloomy, a sick, ashen color.
"I think what the Dean said is very reasonable," Zhao Wuji suddenly chimed in. "Don't you agree, Grandmaster?"
He threw the problem right back to Yu Xiaogang.
The Grandmaster was completely dumbfounded. With an ashen face, he could only lower his head and nod. It was too late for him to deny it.
Although he really wanted to explode, he didn't have the courage. He was afraid that if he argued, even the few people who might have donated would give nothing. It was better to have a good attitude now, to trick a little money out of them if possible.
If it really didn't work, Yu Xiaogang thought, he might have to sell his own belongings.
"Grandmaster, this is a small token of goodwill from me, Vice-Dean Zhao Wuji, and the other three teachers," Flender said, handing Yu Xiaogang a money bag with both hands. "You must accept it. Please don't decline!"
A glint flashed in Yu Xiaogang's eyes. Why was Flender being so sensible today?
But the next second, he realized something was wrong.
Flender, Zhao Wuji, and the three other teachers... their total donation was just this one small bag? Even if it was full of gold coins, how much could it hold?
"Hehe," Yu Xiaogang forced a laugh. "Then I will thank you all on behalf of Tang San."
While his heart was in turmoil, he pretended to be grateful and accepted the bag.
The moment Flender turned his back, Yu Xiaogang quickly opened the bag and counted the money with lightning speed.
Damn it!
Five people only donated fifty gold coins? That was ten each!
Was this a joke? The dignified Dean and Vice-Dean of Shrek Academy could only spare ten gold coins each?
Yu Xiaogang couldn't accept it.
Tang San's surgery required three hundred gold coins. He was originally hoping he could even keep some for himself. Who would have thought that after the main donations, he was still so far short?
Adjusting his emotions, Yu Xiaogang looked at the Shrek Academy students with anticipation.
"Everyone," he said, forcing a stiff and ugly smile. "You all usually have such a good relationship with Tang San. You surely wouldn't want to see him lying in a hospital bed forever, right?"
His smile made the students feel sick.
We don't want to donate. Do you have to be so disgusting?
Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing couldn't stand it anymore. They turned their heads away, and all three of them hid behind Huo Feng.
This resulted in Huo Feng, who originally wanted to act invisible, being pushed to the front.
He couldn't help but feel speechless. Were these girls really using him as a shield? That was a bit unfair. If they couldn't stand Yu Xiaogang's disgusting smile, he couldn't stand it either!
But since he was already at the front, Huo Feng sighed. He quickly pulled a money bag from his belt.
"Grandmaster, I'm a bit short on money recently. I really can't spare much."
He tossed the bag to Yu Xiaogang.
"Here are ten gold coins. You must personally give them to Tang San for me!"
The corner of Yu Xiaogang's mouth twitched, his face dark.
Ten gold coins? Short on money?
He would believe that from anyone but Huo Feng. This guy hadn't lost a single match in the Soto Fighting Arena, whether it was one-on-one, two-on-two, or in team battles.
And he only gave ten gold coins?
Seeing Huo Feng make a move, Ma Hongjun and Oscar also sighed and each donated ten gold coins.
But even with that, it was still two hundred and twenty gold coins short of the three hundred Yu Xiaogang needed.
Just then, Dai Mubai, who had been silent, spoke up.
"Grandmaster, I see you're quite free normally."
"How about this: in your free time, you clean the academy's restrooms. If you do that, I'll make up the rest of the donation!"
"What do you think?"
------------------------
For Advance chapters visit : patreon.com/Mythic_Muse