The stage of the grand theater was spacious and brightly lit, with the audience seats completely filled.
The host stood on stage, introducing with great emotion: "This year is 2006, marking the centennial anniversary of Provincial No.1 High School! A century of history, a century of changes. Next, students from Class 17, Grade 8 will present a large-scale theatrical performance titled 'Changes'!"
The stage lights gradually dimmed as Jiang Yubai made his entrance with composure.
The high-definition camera lens focused on Jiang Yubai, displaying on screen just how exceptional his appearance was. The audience indeed grew quiet, and the spotlight fell upon Jiang Yubai's head.
Facing the audience, Jiang Yubai appeared completely natural.
Inspired by Jiang Yubai, Duan Qiyan immediately got into character. He played both a new teacher in modern schools and a stubborn old scholar. Holding a ruler in his hand—the embodiment of his authority—he lifted his head slightly, looking down on Lin Zhixia with innate arrogance and conceit.
Lin Zhixia stood at the school gate, carrying a bamboo basket. She pleaded tirelessly, fighting for her own opportunity. She wanted to receive a modern education, to step through the school gate with dignity, just like men.
Raising her voice in anger and helplessness, even with tears welling in her eyes, her expression remained proud and composed. She pulled a stack of rice paper from her basket—essays she had written herself.
Jiang Yubai refused to read her work, while Duan Qiyan sneered mockingly beside him. Lin Zhixia flung her arm, scattering the papers across the floor, and declared loudly: "One day, women will also be allowed in schools! Women will also become officials and serve in government!"
The theater was equipped with Floor Microphones and Boom Microphones, providing excellent sound amplification. Lin Zhixia's cry reached the audience's ears, and a group of students in the front rows couldn't help but start applauding.
Lin Zhixia's performance was incredibly vivid. She was the central figure in the 1906 scene of "Changes."
By 2006, the entire stage became Jiang Yubai's domain. The audience's gaze closely followed him as he explored the historical rises and falls of a century ago.
He played the role of a middle school student with natural ease. Engaging in heated debates with a group of classmates, they collectively realized—the significance of education lies in providing more opportunities, exploring broader horizons, and creating a more equal world.
During the curtain call, all actors stood in a row and recited in unison the school motto: "Broad learning with careful thought, self-cultivation with bright virtue." Principal Shen, seated in the audience, was the first to stand and applaud them, instantly bringing the theater atmosphere to its peak.
Teacher Zhang, the homeroom teacher of Class 17, Grade 8, stood in the theater aisle, gazing at his students with immense pride. His colleagues politely praised him, saying his students were creative and insightful.
Normally, Teacher Zhang would humbly respond with "not at all." But today, he smiled radiantly: "Our Class 17 students have agile minds and strong practical abilities. They wrote this script themselves—I hardly guided them at all."
After speaking, Teacher Zhang straightened up, basking in his colleagues' envious looks.
Teacher Wang, homeroom teacher of Class 18, sat upright in his seat, not even casting a sidelong glance toward Teacher Zhang.
However, Teacher Zhang knew that Teacher Wang had specifically coached Class 18 students to perform "Green Grasshopper" for the school anniversary."The Green Grasshopper" is a text from the seventh-grade Chinese textbook. The author of this text is the French entomologist Fabre. Teacher Wang wanted to use "The Green Grasshopper" to convey a spirit of "caring for animals and nature." His intention was, of course, very good and excellent.
However, when this play was staged, it seemed inappropriate.
The actors from Class 18 put on green grasshopper headpieces and repeatedly hopped sideways under the bright stage lights, imitating a group of lively and adorable grasshoppers. The audience burst into laughter, and no one paid attention to what lines the grasshoppers delivered—in a way, Class 18's performance was also very successful. Their expertise in comedy was quite high.
After Class 18 took their bows, the actors exited the stage one after another. They removed their green grasshopper headpieces and happened to run into Class 17's theater group backstage.
Class 17's group was gathered together like a small team, with Lin Zhixia standing at the center, saying excitedly, "I'm so happy! Did you hear how loud the audience's applause was? They all really agreed with our perspective—even Principal Shen loved our performance!"
Jin Baihui suddenly interjected, "Principal Shen is Shen Fuxuan's mom. Shen Fuxuan is from your Class 17."
Shen Fuxuan was singled out by Jin Baihui. He frowned and said, "The principal is my mom. What, does that bother you? Can't my mom applaud for our Class 17?"
Jin Baihui raised a hand to hold her green grasshopper headpiece. Many of her classmates from Class 18 stood behind her as she confronted Class 17 head-on: "I didn't mean anything else. I just wanted to say that you didn't perform that well."
"That's hilarious," Duan Qiyan pushed Shen Fuxuan aside and stepped forward to argue with Jin Baihui. "If our Class 17 didn't perform well, how great was your Class 18's 'Green Grasshopper' anyway?"
After Duan Qiyan spoke, several classmates from Class 17 let out snickers.
Duan Qiyan and Jin Baihui had a long-standing grudge. Today was the school's centennial celebration, a joyous occasion, and Jin Baihui had brought her classmates to pick a fight—how could Duan Qiyan hold back? He directly taunted, "As for your class's script, I could write over a hundred like it with my eyes closed. What are you so proud of, Jin Baihui?"
Duan Qiyan's few simple words deeply widened the rift between the two classes.
The backstage of the theater was crowded and noisy. Stage crew were still moving around nearby. Lin Zhixia scanned the surroundings and tried to smooth things over: "Jin Baihui, although your class's script was relatively simple, the main idea was very positive and uplifting, showcasing the youthful energy of middle school students. The audience below the stage laughed happily..."
Pausing for a moment, Lin Zhixia added, "I actually thought you wouldn't participate in the school celebration performance."
"I heard you were performing, so I came," Jin Baihui said, carrying her grasshopper headpiece as she brushed past Lin Zhixia.
Lin Zhixia turned her head and watched Jin Baihui's retreating figure from afar.Although Jin Baihui had joined the performance team of Class 18, she still seemed unable to integrate into the group. Her classmates in Class 18 rarely spoke to her, and she always worked silently by herself. She found her backpack, organized her materials, and pulled out a copy of "English Vocabulary Pocket Guide." Placing the backpack on her lap, she sat on a plain wooden bench backstage. Under a dim beam of light, her lips moved soundlessly as she practiced English words.
Jin Baihui's perseverance deeply impressed Lin Zhixia.
Lin Zhixia stood frozen in place, and Jiang Yubai followed her gaze to see the diligent and hardworking Jin Baihui. The lively excitement of the centennial school celebration had nothing to do with her. Jin Baihui was completely immersed in her own solitary and obscure world.
" Diligence is the path to the mountain of knowledge, and hardship is the boat to the endless sea of learning," Jiang Yubai remarked.
"Are you like that at home too?" Lin Zhixia asked curiously, looking at him. "My brother works very hard at home. But he also loves playing games and really enjoys basketball. He probably wouldn't memorize vocabulary backstage in a theater."
Jiang Yubai described, "At home..."
"Mm-hmm!" Lin Zhixia nodded repeatedly. She listened to him with great seriousness.
Lin Zhixia and Jiang Yubai stood in a dimly lit corner. Jiang Yubai's expression and movements were entirely hidden in the shadows. Lin Zhixia heard him chuckle softly. Before she could catch the smile on his face, a faint sense of regret rose in her heart. He continued, "At home, I often have extra tutoring sessions."
Lin Zhixia clasped her hands together. "I admire you, and I admire Jin Baihui too."
But Jiang Yubai said, "You don't need to admire ordinary people like us."
As soon as these words left his mouth, Jiang Yubai felt a flicker of surprise. He had actually been able to calmly admit to Lin Zhixia that he was an ordinary person. Two years ago, when he had just turned nine, he dreamed of defeating Lin Zhixia and making her aware of all his strengths.
Now, at only eleven years old, his perspective had already changed.
Lin Zhixia told him, "I admire all classmates who work hard toward their goals. Essentially, we are all the same."
She extended a hand to Jiang Yubai. Almost as if bewitched, Jiang Yubai reached out as well, and Lin Zhixia immediately high-fived him. She was overjoyed, as if she had just drunk a bottle of strawberry yogurt.
To Lin Zhixia, the meaning of "Jiang Yubai" even surpassed that of strawberries.
By the end of September, the provincial No. 1 High School's centennial celebration had concluded successfully. The organizing committees from each grade collectively reviewed the celebration performances and selected the first, second, and third prize-winning classes for the junior high division.
Class 17 of Grade 8's performance, "Transformation," won first prize. The principal even praised the fighting spirit and message conveyed by "Transformation" in a broadcast announcement. During that period, the students of Class 17 walked through the campus with an air of pride.
The honorary red banner for "First Prize in the Centennial School Celebration Tribute" was hung at the front of Class 17's classroom. When Teacher Zhang came to teach math class, he couldn't stop smiling. Admiring the red banner, he suddenly said, "Let me treat everyone to a meal."Teacher Zhang leaned sideways against the lectern and said loudly, "I didn't put much thought into your program rehearsal this time. Originally, I didn't expect our class to win any awards, but you all performed so well. Through this activity, I've come to realize that our students aren't just bookworms. You love learning, have a sense of collective honor, and class cohesion. You are the best group of students I've ever taught."
Teacher Zhang's words touched some students in the class.
Jiang Yubai closed the book in his hands and turned his gaze toward the homeroom teacher. At this moment, his deskmate Lin Zhixia had gone to the high school division for training, leaving the seat beside him empty.
Initially, whenever Lin Zhixia was away, Jiang Yubai would indeed feel a sense of loss. But he quickly adjusted his mindset. Because he knew she would definitely return. He awaited her return with anticipation, making her appearance a delightful surprise.
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