Glass City

"I need your permission first. Your speech might be recorded on video and then circulated among some middle schools and universities..." Anna tilted her head. "You know, we are always role models and goals. People are watching us."

The annual orientation parties of Saint and Harmony Society Alliance Colleges are always watched by many people. If there are any special people among the new students, even the Television Station will broadcast the entire orientation party.

Many people regard the orientation events of the alliance universities as a barometer of education for a certain period of time. At the same time, they can also provide some directional help to high school students who are facing life choices, as well as to the whole society, and promote a positive ideology.

This kind of thing is done almost every year. Actually, Lin Qi had seen it before. They were organized to watch the welcome parties of the two Southern Alliance Colleges in the school's screening room.

They were all very excited at that time, and the students' words were very inspiring, as if as long as they worked hard, they would definitely be able to overcome all difficulties, as if as long as they worked hard, they would definitely be able to achieve something.

Until he and Catherine came to terms with reality.

Now, his words have become a kind of weather vane, which feels quite magical, and of course, he has no reason to refuse.

Just as Anna was about to say something, the principal walked over.

Even with everyone present, Anna remained tactful and didn't act too forcefully, or perhaps excessively. She subtly reminded Lin Qi before going off to attend to other matters.

"Shall we chat?" The principal's attitude was so amiable that he couldn't help but be amiable. The congressman had just given Lin Qi a business card, so even if he didn't want to be amiable, he had to be.

Lin Qi nodded slightly, and the two walked to the side. "Your speech was excellent; it was the most powerful speech I've ever heard..."

Lin Qi took out a pack of cigarettes, gave one to the principal, and the two of them stood in the corner smoking. No one else dared to ask or interfere.

"We all know that stained glass is beautiful, but glass is glass, and it can never become a gemstone," Lin Qi replied meaningfully, slowly exhaling a puff of smoke and flicking off the ash.

The principal understood, and he laughed heartily, "No matter how good a gem is, it's just a small piece, but glass can fill the entire Federal!"

In fact, they were all talking about education issues. Apart from resonating with some students, Lin Qi's speech was not "rebellious" at all; on the contrary, it was very much in line with the mainstream ideology.

The spirit of freedom, and the youth's yearning for freedom, have always been the correct coordinates in the spirit and thought of the Federal people.

Moreover, today's welcome party will definitely be publicized. Originally, the principal thought that if Lin Qi didn't speak well, he would have someone cut some parts out—cut off the unwanted frames on the film with scissors and then re-record it.

After all, a young person, especially one who has climbed up from the bottom of society, might want to stand out from the crowd at some point, which is actually quite normal.

But I never expected that what he said would be so mainstream and in line with the needs of society.

The Federal education system is interesting; in some ways, it truly achieves "uniformity from top to bottom."

From Elementary School onwards, teachers have primarily focused on cultivating students' interests rather than their academic performance.

Even many well-known educators will stand up and tell the general public that interest is the best teacher for learning.

From that day on, the vast majority of children were very happy. The first half of their Elementary School mainly consisted of playing with toys and drawing, as well as a small number of main subjects.

Even if students don't do well on tests, teachers will encourage them not to be discouraged. They can also give examples to show them that successful people are not necessarily top talents in their professional fields. This is an era full of miracles, and as long as you have ideals, you have the possibility of success.

When we get to the upper elementary school, things get a little more intense, but only a little. However, there are now some special classes, such as doing housework or doing some handicrafts.

Then these students, with their near-disadvantageous report cards and a hobby they excelled at, received offers of admission to secondary schools.

At this point, they will discover that interest really plays a big role, because schools often tell these children that they were admitted not because of their worthless grades, but because they have a healthy and lively personality, are full of motivation for life, and have a good hobby.

Listen to this: academic performance doesn't determine whether you can go to school, but a hobby can.

This is why many students become even more obsessed with their hobbies in the last year or two of high school, unable to extricate themselves. It is at this point that they suddenly realize that, compared to the almost impossible task of regaining their academic performance, their interests seem to be the only ticket to university.

Some universities will even offer two admission invitations to promising high school athletes with athletic talent—one to the athlete himself and the other to his girlfriend, if the athlete is indeed exceptionally outstanding.

The same applies to university; the learning atmosphere is relaxed, and what you learn doesn't depend on what the school teaches, but rather on what the students themselves enjoy...

Does that mean learning becomes unimportant?

Some people say yes, but many people know in their hearts that it's not like that, they just can't help it.

Instead of buying expensive materials and books for children, or hiring hourly tutors who are just as expensive as lawyers, it seems cheaper to let children have a hobby.

Moreover, the Upper Class of society seem to be fueling this trend, emphasizing the importance of the process over the outcome.

These people will never see the true sight here, or can't imagine what the children here have gone through to get here.

Like Anna, or other students here, from the moment they begin their education under the Federal system, even before starting elementary Elementary School, they begin receiving a different kind of education—an elite education.

Their families would hire various tutors with many titles to teach them both general academic subjects and their hobbies, ensuring they received a dual education.

They could even sense the ridicule, mockery, and disdain these private tutors held for the public education system.

But they themselves won't speak up, the students won't speak up, and those who know the truth won't speak up. In essence, this is a terrible educational monopoly.

But these things can't be publicized, otherwise it would cause a huge uproar, so those who know the truth are trying their best to maintain the facade.

A lucky few, idols, the Federal Dream, are silently numbing the entire Federal society. Many people know some of the situation, but are already powerless to do anything about it.

This is why candidates who talk about Education Reform and Medical Reform during elections receive a positive response from the public.

Of course, Medical Reform here is a different matter, and it manifests differently from the education problem, but the essence is the same.

Lin Qi didn't expose anything. Everything remained as beautiful as ever.

Stained glass may be cheap, but for most people, that's enough! After the welcome party, Lin Qi didn't leave immediately; he wanted to stay for a day before he could leave.

The student housing in Saint Secheka is basically no worse than the Middle Class neighborhoods in Bu Peien, and the school does not force students to live on campus.

Yes, each detached two-story house can accommodate six people. All six live on the second floor, each with an area of 25 square meters, a large independent glass window that opens to the outside, four bathrooms upstairs and downstairs, a kitchen and a study room, and a yard of more than 20 square meters covered with grass in front of the house.

This place is so luxurious that it doesn't look like a student dormitory at all, but that's exactly what it is. The environment here is better than that of 80% of families in the Federal. However, 90% of the students living in such an environment are actually very dissatisfied with it.

The seemingly comfortable environment is actually quite shabby.

This world is so interesting! "This is where you'll live when you're at school..." Standing next to a detached house near the exit, Anna, who was leading Lin Qi, showed him the dormitory he might live in in the future.

"There are only three students living in this house right now, and you are the fourth. I think they are ready to say hello to you," Anna said, leading Lin Qi into the room.

As soon as he entered, he saw two young girls who greeted Lin Qi warmly. Lin Qi was a little surprised, but he also felt that this was actually quite normal.

When everyone has their own private room, it doesn't matter so much whether the person living opposite you is a boy or a girl. Plus, they can choose their own roommates, so there's nothing special about it.

The girl with some freckles on her face was a bit more lively. She was not short, had long blonde hair, and a pair of expressive eyes. She actually fit the Federal's definition of "youth".

I don't know when it started, but blonde girls with freckles have become increasingly popular.

The other one was a short-haired brown girl with glasses. She was a bit quiet, but her looks and figure were above average.

Lin Qi looked around curiously. "You said there were already three people living here, but..."

However, there are only two people here now, and they are both girls. The other person may also be a girl. If they don't introduce each other, there is a possibility of misunderstanding if something unexpected happens.

You should know that these days, Feminism Movement are constantly saying that women should enjoy the same rights as men, including the right to be naked in private.

What if you end up with a roommate like this...

However, it was clear that Lin Qi was overthinking things. Anna walked up to him, smiling, and extended her hand. "Let's get acquainted, Anna, your roommate..."