Some People Were Destined to Shine

Watching Lin Ran stand before the podium with confidence and composure, speaking eloquently without pause, Feng Qi seemed to see a rising star.

He could also understand why the Tiger Soul Research Institute had admitted Lin Ran early.

Looking across the history of human development, Lin Ran's talent ranked among the very best.

He had blazed his own trail, creating the Seal Incantation Stream, one of the foremost schools of Art Method Studies, with a profound influence on later generations.

Unfortunately, he had taken the wrong path and ultimately died despondent, burdened by guilt.

If Feng Qi had not seen Lin Ran's future and had merely attended this class, he too would have believed that Lin Ran's future achievements were boundless and that he would become an outstanding figure remembered by history.

Just as Feng Qi was reflecting on this, the classroom door opened and Bai Fusheng appeared.

He wore a stern expression as he looked at Lin Ran, unable to hide the shock in his eyes.

He had read several of Lin Ran's research papers on art methods. While he had been surprised that someone so young possessed such a solid foundation in art method knowledge, he had not been shocked to this extent.

But what Lin Ran had just explained had completely won him over, compelling him to push open the door and enter.

Seeing Bai Fusheng come in, Lin Ran immediately stopped speaking. Then he looked at Bai Fusheng respectfully and said:

"Old Bai."

"Continue. I came in to listen to the class." Bai Fusheng nodded, then walked toward where the students were seated, intending to find a seat.

As his gaze swept across the room, Bai Fusheng suddenly spotted Feng Qi sitting in the corner.

Though surprised, he decisively headed toward Feng Qi and sat down beside him.

Lin Ran then resumed his lecture.

Looking at Bai Fusheng seated beside him, Feng Qi felt puzzled.

Judging from his appearance alone, this old man was clearly not a student. He was most likely a teacher at the academy.

So once Bai Fusheng sat down, he immediately said:

"Hello, teacher."

"You're not a student from Combat Class One, are you?" Bai Fusheng asked Feng Qi with a smile.

"No!"

"Then which class are you from? What's your name? How come I've never seen you before?"

"My name is Feng Qi. I'm a student from Star City No. 1 Middle School here to observe and study. I'm not a student of Star City Academy," Feng Qi introduced himself modestly.

Hearing this, Bai Fusheng was visibly taken aback.

Now he understood why he had never heard of such an outstanding student before.

Such a fine prospect must not slip away.

Realizing Feng Qi had yet to graduate, Bai Fusheng grew eager and began considering recruiting him to Star City Academy.

At that thought, a kindly smile appeared on Bai Fusheng's face.

"Have you considered applying to Star City Academy after graduation?"

Feng Qi felt awkward in the face of the question.

His dream was Galaxy Academy. He truly had never considered applying to Star City Academy, but he felt embarrassed to say so outright, considering the other man was a teacher there.

Seeing the change in Feng Qi's expression, Bai Fusheng already understood what he meant and could not help asking:

"During your visit, have you found any shortcomings at Star City Academy?"

"No, everything is great. Especially the food in the cafeteria—it's excellent."

"Only the food is good?" Bai Fusheng practically blew his beard out as he glared.

"Everything is good," Feng Qi said, somewhat awkwardly.

Faced with Feng Qi's perfunctory answer, Bai Fusheng formed an idea.

From Feng Qi's behavior, it was clear he had no intention of attending Star City Academy. But since Bai Fusheng had discovered this unpolished gem, it had to be fate. There was no way he would let him slip through his fingers.

Thus, Bai Fusheng's expression turned gentle again as he casually said:

"You're from Star City No. 1 Middle School. One of my students is there too, though he's a teacher. His name is Wang Jinsheng. Do you know him?"

"Old Wang is your student?" Feng Qi was startled by those words.

"Old Wang? Oh, Wang Jinsheng, right? Yes. You know him?"

"He's my homeroom teacher and history teacher."

Bai Fusheng was stunned as well.

"So you're Jinsheng's student. No wonder you have such unique insights into Cultivation Method Studies at such a young age. In that case, I'm your grandteacher."

Realizing Feng Qi was Wang Jinsheng's student, Bai Fusheng beamed, feeling that this matter was practically settled.

But thinking of Wang Jinsheng brought many memories to mind, and he could not help sighing.

"Back then, I had high hopes for Jinsheng. I witnessed his growth firsthand. Before he graduated, I recommended him to the Tiger Soul Research Institute, and he did not disappoint me. He was ultimately admitted early by the Tiger Soul Research Institute. I thought he would soar to great heights, but... sigh, what a pity."

"Grandteacher, could you tell me about Teacher Wang's past?"

Because Wang Jinsheng's information in the Future Database was classified, Feng Qi could only see a brief introduction and not the details. He was therefore extremely curious about Wang Jinsheng's experiences growing up.

Bai Fusheng nodded upon hearing this. After pondering for a moment, he said:

"When Jinsheng first entered Star City Academy, he was unremarkable. He was even mocked by his classmates for a whole year."

"Why did they mock Old Wang?" Feng Qi hurriedly asked.

"Because during the entrance ceremony, he started crying as he watched the national flag rise. That was when he first left an impression on me. It's hard to describe the expression on Jinsheng's face at the time. His eyes held determination as he looked at the national flag, and then tears began to fall. Many students from his year noticed his unusual behavior and pointed at him. Some even laughed behind his back, saying he looked like an idiot."

"For the following year, whenever his classmates discussed the matter, they spoke mockingly. They said he was a freak unlike anyone else, that they had never seen someone so emotional."

Hearing this, Feng Qi felt terrible. Bai Fusheng continued:

"Jinsheng was a very special student. His sense of justice was almost excessive. Once, the class voted on a financial aid grant, and a very pretty girl received the spot. But everyone knew her family was not poor, yet they tacitly chose not to expose it. Jinsheng was different. He stood up and loudly told the committee supervising the vote, 'This isn't fair! Her family lives in the center of Star City. This money could clearly go to someone who needs it more!'"

"After that incident, Jinsheng was badly beaten by the girl's friends. Yet he still did not change. He never bowed his head and never compromised. As long as he believed something was right, he would persist to the end."

"That's the Old Wang I know." A smile appeared on Feng Qi's face.

Wang Jinsheng could be considered Feng Qi's life mentor. During his six years of middle school, Wang Jinsheng's teachings had shaped Feng Qi's values.

So Feng Qi knew very well what kind of man Old Wang was. He had simply never expected Old Wang to be so uncompromising even when he was young.

"Sometimes, I couldn't understand it either. Since when had integrity become something people could ridicule? It was only many years later that I learned Jinsheng's father had once been a soldier in the Military Battle Group. When Jinsheng was seven, his father died during an operation to disperse a Domain Field. His only remaining memories of his father were tied to military uniforms and caps. That was when I suddenly understood how he must have felt while looking at the national flag."

"Jinsheng also made me understand that one person's efforts can influence those around him."

"From mockery to respect, and finally to admiration, Jinsheng worked steadily, step by step, until he became the brightest rising star of his year. He was even admitted early by the Tiger Soul Research Institute... Sigh, it's a pity his talent was buried like this."

As he finished, Bai Fusheng could not help sighing again.

"He merely continued striving in a different way."

Looking at Bai Fusheng's dejected expression, Feng Qi silently added in his heart:

You won't have to wait long. He'll come back and shine again.