"This is the original manuscript of the student representative speech left behind by Lucy Bai, a former student representative. I had to beg the principal for a long time to borrow it, and it's not a copy—it's the actual handwritten draft."
Byron Yang looked a little excited as he talked about it.
"Who is Lucy Bai?"
Evan Lin glanced a few times at the manuscript in his hand. Every line seemed to pulse with power—just reading it, even without hearing it delivered as a speech, could easily stir up anyone’s emotions.
Some lines were even bold enough to say, "The whole world is full of dog‑butchers; I want to be the butcher of the dog‑butchers."
And the sharp, elegant quality that occasionally showed through those delicate characters genuinely surprised Evan.
"She was a student in Experimental Class 1 two years before you, ranked first in the entire province on the college entrance exam. From Grade 7 all the way to the end of senior year, she was always number one—a complete legend, really."
Byron Yang sighed, unable to help himself as he thought of that girl. "If you’d transferred here back in Grade 10, maybe you’d have had a chance to meet her."
"Honestly, sometimes I think you’re a lot like her."
Byron hesitated for a moment, but finally couldn’t hold it in and said it out loud.
"A lot like her?"
Evan was a bit surprised that Byron would give him such high praise.
"Yeah. Just like you, she always seemed a little out of place."
Byron nodded, "And back then, she even turned down a guaranteed spot at Beijing University, insisting on getting into Harbor Island University on her own merit."
Byron sounded a little regretful as he said this.
"This manuscript is one of the few things she left behind. The principal has kept it carefully all these years, and if it weren’t for you, he’d never have let it out for reference."
"Right now, you’re the only one with this kind of privilege. And tomorrow, there’s a surprise waiting for you."
Byron smiled. "Just get ready. Tomorrow at the Teacher–Student Motivation Assembly, the TV station will be here for a live broadcast—yes, live. If your speech is good, you won’t just be known at Capitalview First High; you could become famous across all of Capitalview City! In ancient times, that’d be ‘fame across the world!’"
"Do your best! Go for it!"
Byron patted Evan on the shoulder and slipped away before Evan could even refuse.
The Teacher–Student Motivation Assembly has always been the big event at Capitalview First High, and every year even the mayor and people from the education bureau come to watch. Byron Yang wants Evan Lin on stage—he’s hoping to bask in Evan’s glory a little.
If his student makes it big, Byron gets more face—and it gives him more confidence to fight for an Experimental Class next year.
Evan took the manuscript and headed back to the classroom.
The results for the Hundred-School Joint Exam were already out, but hadn’t been announced yet.
Most of the students in the classroom just glanced at Evan and didn’t dare say a word.
"Lucy Bai."
After reading the whole manuscript, Evan put it away. He was genuinely curious about Lucy Bai.
If what Byron said was true, Lucy Bai was a total legend. But Evan had spent a whole semester here and never heard anyone mention her name.
Still, Evan only thought about it for a moment before dropping it. After all, he hadn’t been at school much last semester and barely talked to anyone, so it wasn’t surprising he hadn’t heard any rumors.
To outsiders, Lucy Bai’s manuscript was a stirring, passionate speech. But in Evan’s eyes, it actually had the mindset of a cultivator seeking the Dao.
Soon, the bell rang for class—first period was Chinese.
The Chinese teacher, who usually ignored Evan, actually gave him a rare friendly look this time.
For once, Evan hadn’t handed in a blank Chinese paper on the Hundred-School Joint Exam. Even though Chinese was a bit subjective and hard for him to control, at least he didn’t embarrass the teacher this time.
Morning classes ended, and as soon as the dismissal bell rang, Evan walked out of the classroom and saw Wendy Wen hurrying over from a distance.
"Here, take these. If you can’t write a speech, just read this instead."
Wendy handed him two sheets filled front and back with neat, elegant handwriting.
As president of the literature club and director of the school radio, Wendy was no slouch when it came to writing scripts.
The whole draft was written in Evan’s tone—custom-made just for him.
"It took me two whole periods to finish this draft, so don’t go up there and pull the same stunt as last time—saying stuff like ‘As for study methods, sorry, I don’t really have any good tips or tricks,’ or ‘I’m just naturally smart, quick-thinking, and learn anything I see. It’s a talent, thanks everyone.’ If you do that again, the principal will probably die of rage."
Wendy looked at Evan. She’d gotten the news early since the school radio was working with Capitalview TV this time, and as host of the assembly, what she dreaded most was Evan’s usual laid-back attitude.
If Evan really messed up, Capitalview First High would become a laughingstock.
"Thanks for caring, but I don't need it."
Evan just glanced at Wendy Wen's draft, handed it right back, then stuck his hands in his pockets and walked out.
"You!"
Wendy hadn’t expected Evan to refuse so bluntly. She was so angry she ground her teeth and stomped her foot. "Kindness wasted on a mule!"
Just outside the school gate, Evan’s eyes landed on a plain Volkswagen—not a luxury car by any means. But the person standing in front of it strode right up as soon as Evan came out.
The newcomer was none other than Walter Wu from the Wu family.
"Excuse me, do you have a moment? The old master would like to invite you to our home for a talk."
Walter looked at Evan, his eyes especially complicated.
Not long ago, he’d thought Evan was nothing but a coward hiding behind Selina Shi, relying on her unexplainable goodwill to throw his weight around and offend the Guan family.
But last time, Walter Wu saw Evan crush Tyson Tu with ease—a display of overwhelming power that was truly stunning.
After that, Walter did some digging into the previous Jinnan Military District tournament. When he learned Evan had personally defeated Grant Yuan, both he and the entire Wu family were left dumbfounded for quite a while.
Old Master Wu said nothing for a long time, lost in thought.