Chapter 79: The Scholar's Reflection

When achievements are made, leaders want to give praise, and there’s a standard set of words to say in such situations. But if trouble arises and the police come around investigating backgrounds, that’s a whole different story. For now, of course, only the pleasant things are to be mentioned. Looking back, though, Wen Xiaocheng hadn’t really done anything particularly worth boasting about in the past. Teacher Dong’s eyes darted as she spoke:

“This child Xiaocheng, he’s sharp! I noticed long ago that he wasn’t destined for mediocrity! Just last week, in my class, he was sleeping on his desk. I thought I’d give him a little lesson, so I called him up to solve a very difficult problem. I figured he’d be too drowsy to manage it, but to my surprise, he yawned, took a couple of steps, and solved it right away! That’s when I thought he might do well in the math competition, but I never imagined he’d get a perfect score!”

Director Chen nodded, “Gifted indeed!” Then he turned his attention to Kong Qingguo. “Mr. Kong, you’re Xiaocheng’s homeroom teacher. Are you familiar with his family situation?”

Mr. Kong, upright and forthright by nature, frowned as he mentioned Xiaocheng’s family. “This child has had a tough life. His father’s in prison, and his mother disappeared somewhere. It’s just his grandmother, over sixty, raising him. I was worried he might become withdrawn. Honestly, I never expected he’d achieve so much in math. They say children from poor families mature early—maybe he’s been holding something in, waiting for a chance to prove himself. Clearly, he’s done it! We teachers are truly gratified.”

In fact, Kong Qingguo wanted to mention Xiaocheng’s recent leave for the Starry Sky training, but since the math teacher Dong hadn’t brought it up, he decided not to either.

Hearing all this, Director Chen saw yet another side to Wen Xiaocheng. From Teacher Dong’s introduction, he seemed a prodigy; but according to his homeroom teacher, he was a hardworking, quietly determined child.

“Principal Niu, with such a genius at your school, I’m sure you’ve taken special note of him. What’s your view?”

Old Niu laughed heartily. “Director Chen, the other two teachers were too polite to say it, but this kid—he really is smart, but he’s also a real troublemaker! Just the day before yesterday at noon, he actually challenged someone to a fight over the school’s PA system, then fought a dozen ninth-graders by himself—and beat them all! Luckily, nothing serious happened. As it happens, you’re just in time today—during the break, he’s supposed to give a public self-criticism. My suggestion is: achievements are achievements, mistakes are mistakes. Let him make his apology as scheduled. Once he’s done, then announce the results of the math competition and give him the recognition he deserves. Merits and faults shouldn’t be offset against each other. And you’ll get a chance to see this unusual champion yourself. What do you think?”

A math champion who gets into fights? And single-handedly takes on ten? This child is both scholarly and martial! Director Chen was instantly intrigued. A student who excels in both character and academics is a model to be emulated; but for a child so unorthodox, so obviously flawed, to achieve such astonishing results—that’s what makes a legend! In US presidential elections, campaign strategists never try to present their candidates as perfect. On the contrary, they’ll deliberately let slip a few harmless quirks or weaknesses—being henpecked, having OCD, and so on. That way, the public sees the president as a real, flesh-and-blood human, not a god; it makes him more relatable, and, of course, much more likely to pique the public’s curiosity—attention leads to affection.

“Then let’s see the math champion’s self-criticism!” Chen Yongxu decided at once.

A bell rang, and the students playing on the field quickly ran to their places. From the broadcasting room above, it looked as if a scattered game board had suddenly set itself in order, the pieces arranging themselves into neat lines. The identical, drab school uniforms would have pleased any perfectionist; those who forgot to wear them would have points deducted from their class by the student monitors on duty.

The best viewing spot had naturally been reserved for Director Chen, with Director Kang and Principal Niu on either side. The leader watched the scene below with great interest. He turned to Old Niu. “Which one is Wen Xiaocheng?”

“He’s the one standing beside the flag platform!”

Chen looked down at Wen Xiaocheng. From this distance, he couldn’t make out his features clearly, but it was obvious he was a handsome young man. In his mind, he pictured him: a single-parent child, father in prison, likely lacking discipline, no wonder he was wild; yet with such intelligence, such extraordinary talent—this was an untamable genius!

On the flag platform below, as usual, it was Director Bai Xuesong addressing the students. The whole school had already heard that today’s break had been suspended for Wen Xiaocheng’s public self-criticism, so everyone was rather “enthusiastic.” After all, it’s always entertaining to watch someone else get in trouble. Xiaocheng’s feat of taking on ten at the back hill had become the talk of the school; several times afterward, he’d even gone to the third-year classrooms to pick on the seniors. Things that the so-called kingpins of the first year had never dared to do, this second-year student had accomplished.

Normally, with the director up front, students wouldn’t dare talk, but today whispers couldn’t be suppressed. In the ranks, Chen Guo from third year was boasting to others, “I wrote Brother Cheng’s self-criticism!”

Beside the flag platform, Wen Xiaocheng felt all out of sorts. His homeroom teacher Kong Qingguo kept giving him approving looks, and even his math teacher, Dong Yanju, was gazing at him with such expectation she almost winked at him. Was this how you looked at a kid who’d gotten into trouble? It felt more like he was about to receive an award. Even Director Bai, who was sternly denouncing his “crimes,” gave him a smile as he stepped down, and even patted his shoulder when handing over the microphone!

Was this encouragement for beating up Qiu Hui? Or had they decided he had a bright future as the school’s new enforcer and wanted to cultivate him?

Holding the microphone in his hand, he climbed onto the flag platform step by step. As he stood there, someone in the crowd below, braver than the rest, started clapping. That’s always the risk—once someone takes the lead, the atmosphere comes alive, just like a variety show needs a couple of plants to get the audience laughing. With the first clap, the playground erupted in thunderous applause! Some even let out a few shrill whistles.

I’m here to make a public apology, aren’t I?

Holding the microphone, he wasn’t in a hurry to speak. He swept his gaze over the students standing on the field, like a general reviewing his troops. He closed his eyes, savoring the feeling of being the center of attention. Once, he’d been invisible in this school, but today, finally, everyone knew Wen Xiaocheng!

Wen Xiaodao popped up beside Xiaocheng at the most inopportune moment. “Aren’t you going to enjoy this self-criticism?”

“I am!”

———

Enjoy the self-criticism! Just waiting for your applause.