Wang Yue did not preach empty platitudes.
Instead, he offered practical advice. After finishing, Wang Yue smiled and said, "Alright, my speech is concluded. You may applaud now."
A flurry of applause erupted.
The students' response was enthusiastic.
Wang Yue's confidence deeply inspired them.
Many wondered if they could become like him.
As Wang Yue descended the stage, he felt countless fervent gazes upon him.
He mused that this was the irresistible charm.
The Hundred-Day Oath-Taking Ceremony continued with students being invited on stage to loudly declare which university they aimed to attend.
The stirring music ignited the students' passion, their shouts rising in waves.
"I want to get into Nanjing University!"
"I want to get into Peking University!"
"I want to get into the University of Radio and Television!"
...
After the ceremony, many felt a renewed passion for learning.
In the final hundred days, with diligent study and relentless practice, miracles were indeed possible.
"Read a book a hundred times, and its meaning will become clear."
Days turned into weeks, and the college entrance examination drew ever closer. Wang Yue's milk tea shop and Wang Hu's internet cafe were both booming.
His savings grew daily, and he absorbed more knowledge.
Wang Yue had even mastered the curriculum for university.
With only sixty days left until the college entrance examination, Zuo Yue summoned Wang Yue to his office.
"Wang Yue, your grades have been improving rapidly. If you maintain this pace, you might even contend for the top spot this year."
Zuo Yue said with a smile.
In the recently concluded first diagnostic exam, Wang Yue once again achieved an impressive score of 685.
This was five points higher than the previous final exam.
Such a result was formidable; if he secured the top rank, any university in the country would be open to him.
"I will work hard, Teacher Zuo."
Wang Yue replied with a smile.
"I've called you here today not just to encourage you, but also because I want you to write a piece of calligraphy for the classroom, to be hung above the blackboard. Would that be alright?"
Zuo Yue inquired.
"Of course."
Wang Yue said with a smile.
In his previous life, this task had fallen to Yang Dong. However, with Wang Yue, a champion of calligraphy competitions, present, the honor naturally fell to him.
"Excellent. I have the paper, brush, and inkstone ready for you."
Zuo Yue said, pulling out an uncut sheet of Xuan paper from his office.
"Teacher Zuo, you've prepared everything thoroughly."
Wang Yue smiled.
"What should I write?"
Wang Yue asked again.
"Born in hardship, dies in comfort."
Zuo Yue replied.
Wang Yue nodded, then picked up the brush and began to write.
He recalled that in his previous life, there had been debates about whether the textbook's wording was "天将降大任于是人也" or "斯人也".
Wang Yue paid it no mind and wrote according to the textbook.
In less than ten minutes, Wang Yue finished.
His exquisite calligraphy earned effusive praise from the teachers in the office.
"This handwriting is remarkable, even better than some established calligraphers."
"This is undoubtedly the best calligraphy I have ever seen. Even I must yield to its brilliance!"
"Haha, Teacher Liu, if you yield now, it might be for a lifetime."
"Indeed, it's undeniably impressive."
Zuo Yue's eyes crinkled with joy at the praise.
After all, it was his student being complimented.
The feeling was one of shared pride.
After finishing, Zuo Yue asked Wang Yue to wait a moment, as they would go to the classroom together to hang the calligraphy.
After about fifteen minutes, the ink had dried sufficiently. Wang Yue and Zuo Yue headed towards the classroom.
Upon reaching the classroom,
A chorus of "Wow" erupted when they saw the calligraphy Wang Yue was holding.
Even Yang Dong was impressed.
Since the last calligraphy competition, he had known the gap between himself and Wang Yue. Seeing this piece now, he was even more in awe; it would likely take him decades to achieve such skill.
Soon, Zhang Xiang and Zhang Tao eagerly volunteered to help hang the calligraphy.
These two were always active members of the class.
Once the calligraphy was hung above the blackboard, everyone felt a surge of inspiration.
Looking at the characters, they were filled with boundless strength, and the feeling of "born in hardship, dies in comfort" immediately resonated.
Many took out their phones and took pictures, intending to share them on their social media.
In subsequent classes, every teacher who entered would notice the calligraphy above the blackboard and offer their praise.
Wang Yue had clearly become a favored student among the teachers.
After all, who wouldn't appreciate a high-achieving student?
Even Wei Qinghua, who had previously looked down on Wang Yue, was now cordial and pleasant.
The day's classes quickly passed, and evening self-study began.
Everyone in the classroom was diligently studying when, suddenly, a disheveled figure burst into the room, startling everyone.
Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Wang Yucheng.
Wang Yucheng stammered, "Everyone, quickly go help Gu Ge! He's gotten into a fight with someone in the restroom!"
Despite his words, no one moved.
Gu Zhi had always had poor relations with others in the class, and now that he was reportedly fighting in the restroom, most people adopted a schadenfreude attitude.
Wang Yue, however, showed some interest.
"What's going on?"
Wang Yue asked.
Wang Yucheng, as if grasping a lifeline, quickly explained, "Gu Ge and I were secretly hiding in the restroom to smoke when we had a small conflict, and then a fight broke out. I panicked and ran out."
"Let's go take a look."
Wang Yue said.
The moment Wang Yue stood up, his roommates immediately followed suit.
"Let's go!"
"Let's see which class has the nerve to bully our classmates."
"Watch me take him down!"
Wang Yue glared at them. "All of you, be quiet! Are you gangsters? Remember, we are not going there to fight, but to reason."
Everyone nodded, and led by Wang Yucheng, they proceeded to the restroom where Gu Zhi was fighting.
The restroom was on the first floor. As they descended in a large group,
Before they even entered the restroom, various screams could be heard from within.
"Ouch, damn it!"
"Bloody hell, this guy's crazy, let's run!"
"I surrender, my new clothes!"
Before everyone could comprehend the situation,
Three or four individuals rushed out of the restroom, reeking horribly.
They were covered in some yellowish-white substance, and some even had it in their hair.
"Ugh!"
The smell alone caused several people to gag.
Then, a figure charged out of the restroom, wielding a mop soiled with excrement.
He swung it vigorously, shouting, "Come on! I'll beat you to death!"
Upon closer inspection,
This person was Gu Zhi.
He too was covered in a multitude of yellowish-white matter, even on his face.
Yet, at that moment, he resembled a god of war.
After this incident, his name would echo throughout the entire school.
Class 1 of Senior Year, the Restroom God of War—Gu Zhi!