Chapter 83

In the classroom of Grade 2, Class 1, the air seemed to be suddenly muted, and the parents and children who had been making a commotion were all frozen in place!

Shocked!

Shocked!

Still shocked!

The homeroom teacher, Zhao Mei, opened her mouth wide, "This article..."

"The 'Ode to the Poplar Tree'! What a wonderful 'Ode to the Poplar Tree'!" The director of the Education Bureau, Liu, exclaimed, breaking the silence. He was slightly excited, and it was clear that he wasn't just a pure administrative leader; he was likely a former teacher or scholar. "The language is simple, even plain, with no obscure words or complex rhetoric. It doesn't look like a prose piece at all, but it fits the theme perfectly. The ordinary poplar tree and the simple northern farmers—though it seems to be about a plant, a very unremarkable tree, it actually expresses the greatness of the masses and the power of the people!"

Another person from the Education Bureau was equally amazed, "This... This is a model essay! In today's mainstream Chinese textbooks, whether for primary, middle, or high school, there are no such well-structured educational articles! How could a child write this? An eight-year-old child?"

Principal Li immediately asked, "Who wrote this?"

The Chinese teacher, dazed, replied, "It... It's written by our class's Rao Chenchen!"

Principal Li almost fainted, "I'm asking who the real author of this article is!"

Who were they kidding? Even someone with low intelligence could tell that such a seemingly simple yet deeply layered article couldn't have been written by an eight-year-old child. Even if they were all lifelong educators, even if they were eighty years old, they couldn't write such a masterpiece. They didn't have the literary foundation! They were almost certain that the person who could write such a prose piece as 'Ode to the Poplar Tree' was no ordinary person!

A famous writer?

A scholar?

Or a professor?

They all started to speculate!

The Chinese teacher smiled bitterly, "Principal Li, I... I don't know either." He immediately looked at Rao Chenchen, "Chenchen, who wrote this article for you?"

Chenchen, without a hint of shame, said, "I wrote it."

Zhao Mei hurriedly said, "The leaders and principal are here, Chenchen, tell the truth. Who prepared the article for you? It's okay, the teachers won't criticize you." Of course, they wouldn't criticize Chenchen. The topic for today's Chinese open class was to have parents and children collaborate on writing an article. Like the environmental essay by Tongtong, the vocabulary and deeper meaning clearly weren't Tongtong's work; it was definitely prepared by her father. Many other children in other classes also had their parents write for them. Parents didn't want their children to lose face in public, so the teachers understood.

Chenchen calmly said, "I wrote it." She wasn't lying. She added, looking at Zhang Ye beside her, "My uncle read it out for me."

Your uncle?

He's the original author?

In an instant, everyone's attention focused on Zhang Ye!

Because Zhang Ye was too young, everyone looked at him with suspicion. Who is this guy? Don't recognize him? Never seen him before? Could someone his age write such an article? No way. Principal Li and Director Liu were skeptical.

Principal Li asked, "Who are you?"

Zhang Ye said, "I'm Chenchen's uncle."

"May I ask... What's your name?" Principal Li asked, half-believing, half-doubting.

Before Zhang Ye could answer, Rao Chenchen quickly said in a low, hoarse voice, "My uncle's name is Zhang Ye, with the character for 'fire' and 'China' in his name."

"Zhang Ye?" The Chinese teacher was stunned!

Principal Li was also taken aback, "You're that Zhang Ye? The one who wrote 'Tune: Prelude to Water Melody'? The original author of 'Little Bunny, Be Good,' which won first place in the essay contest?"

Zhang Ye smiled, "Yes, it's me." Heh, didn't expect to be so famous in the education system.

However, only a few people knew him. Most of the parents still didn't recognize him. It was only from the stunned expressions of Principal Li and the Chinese teacher that they inferred and felt that this Zhang Ye must be very impressive!

Director Liu laughed, "So it's Teacher Zhang Ye, no wonder, no wonder you could write such an article as 'Ode to the Poplar Tree'!"

If it were anyone else, could a young man in his early twenties write 'Ode to the Poplar Tree' on the spot? They definitely wouldn't believe it. It was impossible. But the author was Zhang Ye, the famous Zhang Ye. His other works aside, the once-famous 'Seagull' on the internet was also written by Zhang Ye. Both articles were about objects, one about an animal and one about a plant, one a prose poem and one a prose piece. The similarities were obvious: both used objects to convey deeper meanings. 'Seagull' expressed a spirit of resistance and fearlessness, while 'Ode to the Poplar Tree' showcased the greatness and simplicity of the people, their integrity, and their omnipresent strength!

Different paths, same destination!

So, knowing that this person was Zhang Ye, they had no doubts. Among literary workers of his age, only Zhang Ye in the country could write such an article! Of course, there were other young people who wrote well, some around Zhang Ye's age, but they were just good, none of them reached Zhang Ye's level! The quality of their works was far inferior.

The Chinese teacher exclaimed, "You're really Zhang Ye?"

Zhang Ye blinked, "Yes, what's the matter?"

"Nothing, nothing, I... I'll talk about it after class," the Chinese teacher said, as if he had something on his mind.

Director Liu then said, "Right, the class is still going on. Let's all go to the back and continue listening. We don't want to disturb the children."

The people from the Education Bureau and the teachers all sat in the back again. After 'Ode to the Poplar Tree' was read, they had no plans to inspect other classes.

Principal Li, after sitting down, said, "Teacher, please continue. Don't mind us."

"Okay," the Chinese teacher calmed down and said to the class, "Classmates, we just heard 'Ode to the Poplar Tree.' I see some of you don't understand why this article is so good. It's not your fault; this prose piece might be too complex for your age to fully understand. Its essence and excellence lie not on the surface but within. I sincerely hope that each of you can be like the poplar tree, as Uncle Zhang Ye said... it is a tree that strives upward, with a straight trunk and straight branches, strong and unyielding, standing firm against the wind."

The children all looked at Chenchen.

"Actually, I also need to criticize myself," the Chinese teacher said sincerely. "When I first read the first sentence of 'Ode to the Poplar Tree,' I had some contempt, just like you. I thought the poplar tree was too ordinary and unremarkable. How could it be praised? But after reading it, I realized I was wrong. Roses are beautiful but wither easily; orchids are beautiful but break easily. The poplar tree may not be striking, but I think it is more beautiful. It is a beauty of striving, a beauty of resilience, a beauty that is everywhere and easily seen!"

The Chinese teacher's evaluation was quite insightful.

Hearing this, everyone clapped!

Director Liu and Principal Li also nodded and clapped!

"I hesitated, wavered, and didn't read 'Ode to the Poplar Tree' well just now. I don't have the ability to read it well. I would like to invite Teacher Zhang Ye to read it again. I wonder if Teacher Zhang can do it?" the Chinese teacher suddenly said. "You might not know, but Teacher Zhang Ye is the most professional in this field. His profession is a broadcasting host, and he is also the original author. His recitation will definitely be a hundred times better than mine. Classmates, let's give a warm welcome to Teacher Zhang Ye to recite."

The applause sounded again.

Director Liu was also eager to hear how Zhang Ye would recite it. Principal Li might not have heard Zhang Ye's live performance, but Director Liu had heard the audio version of 'Dead Water' that Zhang Ye recited at the Silver Microphone Award ceremony a few days ago. The ridicule, the satire, the anger, and the unbridled cursing were vividly expressed. Director Liu had even stood up and clapped, it was so satisfying!

Zhang Ye didn't want to embarrass himself.

But Chenchen kept nudging him with her little arm, "Zhang Ye! Zhang Ye!"

Zhang Ye had no choice but to stand up, "Alright, since the teacher said so, I'll embarrass myself today. If I don't do well, please bear with me." He didn't take Chenchen's homework book; he didn't need it. He walked to the podium, closed his eyes, and steadied his breath. This was his habit, a technique taught in the broadcasting department of his university, as recitation is not a simple task; it requires emotion. Amateurs might think it's easy, just reading an article, but only professionals know the nuances. Zhang Ye, being a professional, wouldn't be careless.

He calmly said, "Ode to the Poplar Tree."

Following that, Zhang Ye let out a light, confident laugh, a laugh that was indifferent to anyone's gaze, "The poplar tree is not an ordinary tree. I praise the poplar tree!"

He laughed.

He frowned.

He was indifferent.

He varied his tone.

Zhang Ye performed exceptionally well in this piece!

The children were completely captivated, not just them, but even the parents and the Chinese teacher showed respect and amazement!

Professionals are professionals!

It was indeed different from the teacher's casual reading of the text!

Especially when Zhang Ye read the last sentence with a slightly arrogant smile, everyone was thoroughly satisfied, "Let those who look down on the masses, those stubborn and regressive people, praise the noble camphor tree and despise the common and easily grown poplar. I will loudly praise the poplar tree!"

Clap, clap, clap!

This time, the applause echoed throughout the hallway!