Friday dawned bright and clear.
Colorful flags fluttered over the sports field, and an enormous banner hung directly above the main stage:
[Ten years to hone a blade, a hundred days to forge glory]
The students stood in neat rows by class in the middle of the field, while parents sat on chairs along either side. The place was packed.
Dressed in her school uniform, Pu Yu stood in the waiting area beside the stage, clutching her speech. Her palms were slightly damp with sweat.
At nine sharp, the pledge rally officially began.
The principal spoke, then a teacher representative, then a student representative...
Each part of the program proceeded in order.
The spring breeze still held a chill, but the sunlight was lovely, shining on everyone's faces.
When Pu Yu's turn came, she took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage.
The sunlight was a little dazzling. She narrowed her eyes at the sea of people below. For one fleeting moment, she almost wanted to turn and run.
But just then, she spotted Yuan Su.
Yuan Su had been busy with factory matters these past few days and had originally said he wouldn't attend.
But when he heard that Pu Yu would be speaking, he had rushed over anyway.
He stood at the very back of the rows. Tall as he was, he stood out among the students in their uniforms.
The boy had both hands in his pockets and his head tilted slightly upward. His gaze passed through the crowd and landed unerringly on the girl beside the stage.
Their eyes met across the field.
Pu Yu's heart suddenly settled.
"Next, please welcome Pu Yu, the student representative from Class Two of the senior year, to give her speech!"
Amid enthusiastic applause, Pu Yu took a deep