So She Was a Hopeless Romantic

"Yeah, why didn't he bring a script for his speech?"

Yu Xian wasn't the only one who noticed. Down below, grade director Cao Jingjun and homeroom teacher Yin Yanqiu had spotted the problem too.

"Oh no!"

Yin Yanqiu immediately said, "Chen Zhu is usually such a quiet boy. He even stammers when answering questions in class. Having to speak in front of so many people today must have made him so nervous that he forgot his script."

"What?"

Cao Jingjun grew worried too. "What should we do? Several school administrators are sitting right up front. Should we take his script over to him?"

"But I don't know where he put it either."

Yin Yanqiu couldn't help rubbing her forehead.

Chen Zhu hadn't forgotten his script. He simply hadn't written one. Was this a joke? He needed to prepare a script just to give a talk to high school students?

Once onstage, Chen Zhu gave a brief introduction, then habitually tapped the microphone, producing a piercing buzz.

Next, he brought the microphone closer, calmly adjusted it to the most suitable height, and surveyed the field with composure before speaking in a clear, ringing voice:

"Distinguished leaders, guests, comrades... ahem... fellow students, good afternoon!"

At that point, Chen Zhu unconsciously paused.

Strange.

Why wasn't anyone applauding?

Then he caught himself. This was only a high school, after all. He couldn't be too demanding.

Until...

Chen Zhu suddenly noticed Principal He Yong leading the applause. From the way he lifted his backside off his seat, he had apparently even intended to stand up to clap.

Only then did Chen Zhu continue, satisfied:

"It's a great honor to stand here today and share my experience of studying Chinese with you. Personally, I don't think Chinese is difficult. The key is to master the following points."

"First, identify the priorities and build up your foundational knowledge..."

"Second, tackle the difficulties and strengthen communication with your subject teacher..."

"Third, address your blind spots and develop the habit of reading and writing more..."

"Fourth, solidify your foundations and believe firmly in your ability to succeed in the exam..."

Without a script in his hands, Chen Zhu spoke with easy confidence, his words flowing almost without a single pause.

Below the stage.

Grade director Cao Jingjun glanced at the dumbfounded Yin Yanqiu and asked uncertainly, "Is this the quiet student you said stammers whenever he answers questions in class?"

"I..."

Yin Yanqiu had no idea how to answer.

Cao Jingjun could only stand up and bend forward to ask Principal He Yong in the front row, "Sir, is this running a little too long? Should I go over and stop him?"

"No need."

He Yong waved a hand with a smile, then turned to Yin Yanqiu. "This student of ours has the bearing of a born leader. From the moment he tapped the microphone, I felt like I was listening to an Education Bureau official deliver instructions."

Normally so stern that she was nicknamed "Abbess Extermination," Yin Yanqiu could only manage an expression caught between laughter and tears.

Just then, Principal He Yong suddenly remembered something. He turned and asked, "Chen Zhu wasn't originally on our list for Appointment with Prestigious Universities, was he?"

True to his position as grade director, Cao Jingjun clearly remembered everything that concerned his superior and promptly replied:

"No, his previous grades weren't good enough. Our school's five students are Sun Xueyong and Cheng Mengyi from Class Ten, and Deng Qian, Kang Liangsong, and Song Shiwei from Class Eleven."

Appointment with Prestigious Universities was an event jointly organized by universities in Eastern Guangdong and provincial model high schools, inviting outstanding high school students to tour a university campus for half a day before the Gaokao.

First, it fulfilled the task set out in the Provincial Education Department's "Notice on Conducting Joint University-High School Research Activities."

Second, universities also hoped to use this opportunity to showcase their facilities and educational resources, keeping as many of these excellent prospective students within the province as possible.

A high school like Zhixin was naturally paired with SYSU. However, since the event covered the entire province, attendance had to be limited, leaving Zhixin with only five places.

Sun Xueyong, Cheng Mengyi, Deng Qian, Kang Liangsong, and Song Shiwei were all exceptional students whose usual grades qualified them for SYSU, while also giving them the option of attending other universities.

Principal He Yong considered it for a moment, then slapped his thigh. "Let Chen Zhu go too. I think some professors at the Marxism School would like him."

The Marxism School was the SYSU School of Marxism, one of the country's foremost schools for theoretical research.

"Well..."

Cao Jingjun froze for a moment. "We've already submitted our list."

"So what if we've submitted it? It's only one extra person. Is SYSU going to turn us away at the gate?"

He Yong felt that Cao was dependable in his work, but rather rigid and inflexible.

Chen Zhu still had no idea he had been added to the event's list. After speaking confidently for over twenty minutes, he had fully settled into this environment.

He had a distinct feeling of It's back. It's all back.

Now he could not only speak with ease, but also take in everyone's reactions.

His homeroom teacher, Yin Yanqiu, was watching the stage while discussing something with several school administrators. It seemed to concern him.

His classmates were all astonished. A few had even huddled together like miniature versions of old ladies gossiping at the village entrance.

Huang Bohan seemed numb to it all by now. Chen Zhu had changed more and more lately. Even if he brought out a baby now and said he'd secretly had a child, Bohan felt he could accept it.

Only Song Shiwei seemed largely unmoved, even with Mou Jiawen gesturing animatedly beside her as she described something.

She continued gazing calmly at the platform, her exquisite face as still as a tranquil lake. Her skin was fair as jade, giving off a faint, cool glow like porcelain, with an aloof elegance far removed from the world's bustle.

She seemed oblivious to Chen Zhu's speech, as though he were invisible.

Except when Chen Zhu misused an adjective or two.

Only then did Song Shiwei's long eyelashes tremble ever so slightly.

Yu Xian from the neighboring class was much bolder. She and her friend kept their eyes fixed on Chen Zhu.

Her long hair, streaked with red, was soft and lustrous, falling loosely over her shoulders. Her delicate, oval face was luminous as jade, her cheeks faintly flushed, perhaps from spending too long in the sun.

The best description would probably have been "rosy cheeks like peach blossoms."

Whenever their eyes briefly met, Yu Xian would first glare at Chen Zhu, then tilt up her pointed chin as if challenging him.

"Hold on."

Beside her, Wu Yu finally couldn't take it anymore. "Have you two already fast-forwarded to flirting?"

"Who's flirting with him?"

Yu Xian shot back, "I just think he's overturned my whole impression of good students. I always thought boys with grades like his would be awkward speakers. I never expected him to be so good at talking."

"So you're saying you don't feel anything for him?"

Wu Yu asked with a giggle.

"Absolutely nothing!"

Yu Xian tilted her head. "I think Chen Zhu talks too much."

Wu Yu stuck out her tongue. "He's in the top ten of our grade and could get into Tsinghua and Peking Universities, and you're still finding fault? Your standards are seriously high."

"That's my business!"

Yu Xian declared proudly, the corners of her mouth curving upward.

Gradually, Chen Zhu began bringing his speech to a close.

The reason was simple: he had noticed some people mouthing the syllables "sha bi."

Hmm... unless I was mistaken, they were calling me a dumbass.

Students didn't care how well you spoke. If you fucking ate into their bathroom break or nap time, you were a dumbass.

"...Finally, with fewer than three months remaining..."

Chen Zhu formally concluded, "I hope you will remember: midstream, urge your sails onward in the race; strike your oars and bravely break the waves. Never forget: a hundred-mile journey is only half done at ninety; the young fox nearly crosses, only to wet its tail. Keep firmly in mind: wintersweet blooms in the bitterest cold; as stars turn and seasons change, make your dreams come true... That concludes my speech. Thank you, everyone."

Scattered applause broke out below the stage, with Principal He Yong clapping the loudest of all.

Grade director Cao Jingjun took the stage and announced the official end of the pledge rally and First Mock Exam review assembly. Each class left in an orderly fashion to return to its classroom.

At that point, Yu Xian planned to sneak out of school.

"Are you going to work at the convenience store again?"

Wu Yu asked from behind her.

"Yeah."

Yu Xian turned around, her figure slender in the setting sun. "I haven't saved enough for my university tuition yet."

Wu Yu sighed and said with concern, "Once you're at university, you have to take some time to relax."

"No way! Once I'm at university, I'll be able to teach little kids how to draw."

Yu Xian giggled. "What if my future boyfriend wants to buy a car or a house? I'll give him all the money I've saved. Whoever dates me will be super happy."

"You little Sichuan-Chongqing girl! Then why is being your best friend so miserable?"

Pretending to be angry, Wu Yu tickled Yu Xian until she laughed and begged for mercy. Only then did Wu Yu link arms with her. "Come on. I'd only be sleeping at school anyway. I might as well go keep you company."

"Heehee~"

Hearing that her best friend was willing to accompany her, Yu Xian immediately brightened. "Dinner's on me tonight."

"It's not instant noodles again, is it?"

Wu Yu's face fell as she pleaded miserably, "Please, can we have bread instead? I've eaten so many instant noodles I'm ready to throw up."

(Another chapter around eight tonight.)

(End of chapter)