Stella Huang was surprisingly invested in Evan Lin being chosen as the student representative, chattering on and getting more and more excited as she spoke.
Then Stella went on to explain all the things Evan should pay attention to when giving his speech on stage. Seeing how into it she was, Evan decided to listen for a bit, but most of what she said just went in one ear and out the other—he didn’t take it seriously at all.
The next morning, Evan headed to school.
At 6:30 a.m., right in front of Capitalview First High, Wendy Wen spotted Evan arriving and hurried over, handing him a set of clothes.
“Good thing you came early. Today’s the senior-year mobilization rally, so you have to wear your school uniform. Since you transferred in as a senior and never got one, I borrowed this from a senior in the last class. Try it on first.”
Without giving him a chance to refuse, Wendy shoved the clothes into Evan’s arms and asked, “How’s your speech coming along?”
“Didn’t write one.”
Evan shook his head.
“You didn’t write one!”
Wendy’s eyes went wide at Evan’s answer. She ground her teeth, then decisively pulled out the speech draft she’d prepared yesterday and shoved it at him: “If you didn’t write one, just read this when you get up there!”
“You better not mess this up!”
Today, Wendy wasn’t wearing her school uniform—since she was the host, she’d specially put on a cute little dress with black leggings and white canvas shoes. The look gave her a kind of artsy, sophisticated vibe that really caught people’s eyes.
After saying that, she didn’t give Evan a chance to refuse and headed back to school first to make her final preparations.
Capitalview First High’s uniform was a light white shirt paired with pale blue trousers and a black vest. Unlike the baggy, old-fashioned tracksuits most schools used, this uniform had a clear British vibe to it.
Yawning, Evan walked into school with the clothes in hand. Pretty much every student he saw was already fully dressed up. Honestly, even on Monday flag-raising ceremonies, people didn’t take the uniform this seriously.
Evan hadn’t planned on changing at all, but when he got to the door of Class 12, homeroom teacher Byron Yang came over and, in a tone that was almost pleading, sincerely asked him to put on the uniform. So, Evan finally agreed.
The student-teacher mobilization rally was scheduled for after the second period break.
At the front gate, Principal Damon Deng of Capitalview First High waited quietly. It wasn’t long before the Capitalview City Education Bureau and the Capitalview City TV Station crew showed up.
Watching the long line of cars pull up, Principal Deng looked especially excited.
The reason Capitalview First High could call itself the city’s number one school—and get top education funding every year—was all down to their senior-year college admission rate.
Unlike Capitalview Second High and Third High, which set their college admission standards at the regular undergraduate line, Capitalview First High always held itself to the first-tier university standard. Every year, Principal Deng felt enormous pressure.
And today, this mobilization rally wasn’t just about cheering on the seniors—it was also a chance to show off First High’s teaching achievements to the Education Bureau and the whole city.
“Old Deng, it’s college entrance season again. This year, it looks like Capitalview First High’s produced quite a few outstanding students—not bad! You’re doing a great job as principal!”
As soon as the cars stopped, Director Victor Zhao from the Education Bureau was the first to step out. Dressed in a suit and all smiles, he walked over and shook Principal Deng’s hand warmly.
Stella Huang, who was on assignment, quickly snapped a photo of the scene for later publicity.
Principal Deng replied sincerely, “Director Zhao, you’re too kind. We couldn’t have achieved these results without your strong support and the Education Bureau’s backing.”
Director Zhao looked pleased. “I heard that President Quentin Yu’s son transferred into your school, right?”
“Just yesterday, President Yu called me and said his son was at home working on the student representative speech. He’s taking this rally really seriously.”
“And I also know that kid’s a movie star, right? That’s great—well-rounded development! Not only is he doing well academically, but his overall qualities are top-notch!”
Director Zhao spoke forcefully, his voice ringing out.
“President Yu’s kid is pretty good—I’ve heard his homeroom teacher say so too.” Principal Deng hesitated, looking a bit uncertain. “But... Director, he’s not actually the student representative…”
“There’s another student this year whose grades and school performance are even more outstanding. He even got an amazing ranking in the Hundred-School Joint Exam and was accepted by Hua—”
Principal Deng tried to say more.
But Director Zhao waved him off, his face turning a little dark. He glanced toward Stella Huang, and the deputy director instantly caught on—he stepped in front of Stella’s camera, signaling her to pause filming.
“Principal Deng, I know you care about talent, but the student representative picked by First High gets a huge advantage for their future. It’s a special honor.”
“Honestly, I shouldn’t say this, but in my opinion, Eric Yu’s grades have improved quickly, he’s a movie star—great for publicity—and President Yu has a lot of faith in him. Plus, last night he stayed up until one in the morning working on his speech!”
“Most importantly, he’s a Capitalview native. That other student you mentioned might have good grades, but is he from Capitalview?”
Director Zhao looked at Principal Deng.
Principal Deng shook his head. “He’s not from Capitalview, but…”
“There’s no ‘but,’ Principal Deng. I think Eric Yu absolutely deserves to be the student representative! I want to see him get up on that stage at the rally!”
“No matter how good the student you picked is, can his influence really compare to Eric Yu’s?”
You know Eric Yu’s a movie star—a real celebrity! Surely you understand the power of star appeal, right?”
After Director Zhao finished, the deputy director stepped forward and said, “Principal Deng, think it over. Time’s tight, so you’d better go talk to the host yourself—just in case there’s any trouble later.”
“Our Bureau will give extra publicity to First High’s rally, so let’s all work together, okay?”
“And since the TV crew’s here, you’re not going to embarrass Director Zhao, are you?”