“You cut it out. Don’t go acting dumb and making a speech on the platform, or you’ll get singled out as an example.” Victor Smith tugged hard, actually a bit worried that his roommate Brother Chad might really rush up to the stage. In the past, whether it was the school organizing welcome events for new students or farewells for graduates, or even when students got into fights or caused trouble, Chad Bennett was always there to join the commotion. In fact, Chad Bennett did have the urge, but it was clear the moment had passed. The principal’s Audi had just pulled up, and a whole crowd of party secretaries and department heads had arrived. Obviously, the excitement wouldn’t last much longer. He muttered, a bit disappointed, “Forget it, let’s not get involved. I’m hungry.”

“Let’s eat outside,” said Victor Smith.

“Wait a sec…” Chad Bennett stopped, scratched his head, and asked tentatively, “No one’s eating at the big kitchen today, right? Why don’t we go?”

“Aren’t you just looking for trouble?” Victor Smith glanced at the restaurant entrance, which was packed. If they went in now, they’d be traitors in front of everyone and would definitely draw everyone’s ire. Clearly, it wouldn’t work. But Chad Bennett just grinned and whispered, “Not necessarily. The boss said, if others can’t think of it but we can pull it off, that’s real skill… I’m telling you, today’s a great chance for a free meal…”

He leaned in and whispered a few words. Victor Smith looked at Chad Bennett in surprise. As the saying goes, smart people often do dumb things, but sometimes a fool can pull off something clever. Chad Bennett could be a bit slow, but he wasn’t hopelessly stupid. This plan actually seemed pretty likely to work.

While Victor Smith was still doubtful, Chad Bennett was already dragging him toward the back door of the cafeteria. At the entrance, he had Victor Smith wait while he went in with his meal tray, lifting the curtain. He came face to face with a group of chefs in white coats and hats. The big kitchen was full of mostly male chefs, all with the same bitter expression.

The one who looked like the manager was discussing countermeasures. As soon as Chad Bennett walked in, the manager asked, confused, “What are you doing?”

“I’m hungry, here for food. Too many people at the front, couldn’t get in.” Chad Bennett answered honestly, his expression both sincere and a bit dim-witted. The chefs’ eyes flickered, but one person couldn’t change the situation, especially someone who seemed a bit off. No one paid him any mind. The manager was probably more worried about how to explain things to the school and the students.

Sometimes, the most shocking thing is just telling the truth. Chad Bennett added earnestly, “Don’t be like this. Sure, your food isn’t great, but there’s no need to be so heartbroken, right? Anyway, all this food is going to be thrown out today. Why not let me eat it instead?”

The good thing about fools is that normal people won’t argue with them. The manager saw what kind of person he was dealing with and waved his hand, “Help yourself.” He didn’t bother with this silly guy anymore.

Chad Bennett happily shouted “Alright!” and headed straight for the big stainless steel pot, scooping from the bottom and filling two trays. The chefs were too busy worrying to pay him any attention. Grinning from ear to ear, he didn’t mention swiping his meal card or paying, just carried the trays and dashed out of the cafeteria. Outside, he handed one tray to Junior Smith with a smirk: “Look, all meat dishes, free! They were so worried, they didn’t even ask me for money… Heh heh… Come on, let’s eat in the dorm. Tonight the boss is taking us fishing for turtles. I’m about to suffocate from being stuck at school…”

Chad Bennett was grinning from ear to ear. Victor Smith smiled, shook his head, and carrying his tray, couldn’t help but find the whole thing hilarious.

They ate as they walked. Not far away, the strike at the kitchen was still going on. After a few steps, Chad Bennett kept stuffing food in his mouth, and when he got excited, he’d even raise his fist and join in the fun, shouting, “Unite together… support the strike…”

After a few shouts, his loud, rough voice was like a horse neighing or a mule braying—so out of place it drew attention from the student affairs office. Victor Smith saw someone looking their way and quickly dragged the still-shouting Chad Bennett off. The two of them, trays in hand, dashed straight back to the dorm…

Chapter 03: All Three Have a Record

A “serious incident” of a student kitchen strike had occurred at Lùzhōu College.

The crowd of students watching at the cafeteria hadn’t dispersed, and this unofficial “serious” news had already hit the internet that morning. Especially those photos of the flamboyant protest posters, which were being widely shared on the campus network and the Lùzhōu forum. Rumor had it that reporters from the city TV station and newspaper had even come to interview people. The commotion was no small matter. The school authorities urgently organized the school office, student affairs, security, and all the department offices—from the party secretaries to the class advisors, plus the logistics department. Some were assigned to block the reporters, while the rest were all called to the main cafeteria for an on-site meeting.

As for the content, it wasn’t very clear. The meeting lasted over an hour. A few people from the Chinese department had just left the cafeteria when the department head, Henry Walker, assigned several key students from each class to follow the school leaders’ instructions: go to the dorms and find out what was going on. He had barely finished when someone called out to him from behind. Turning around, he saw it was the head of student affairs, Director Harris, waving at him, followed by the class advisor for the senior class two, Teacher Reed, and the class’s Youth League secretary, Emily Walker.