Chapter 83

After much preparation, the school anniversary finally began on November 1, 2003. Why was this date chosen? Because the school was founded on November 1st, over twenty years ago.

Of course, the school usually starts in early March. On March 1st, Yangzhi Middle School was officially established, and that was also the day they began accepting student applications. It wouldn't make sense to officially open the school on March 1st and only then start the various recruitment and preparatory work, right?

After lunch, the afternoon classes were already adjusted. It was a beautiful day, with clear skies and a crisp autumn breeze, making it the last good day for outdoor activities. After all, the weather would soon turn cold. Due to Korea's latitude, winter would arrive earlier and last longer here than in other places.

The tables and chairs were set up early, with the front rows reserved for the principal and teachers. In previous years, the teachers and the cultural club's core members would organize the school anniversary activities. However, this year, with the arrival of Wen Zhengyu, the students saw his all-around abilities and good looks, while the teachers saw his academic achievements and the principal's favor towards him. They were all happy to let Wen Zhengyu take charge.

The students chattered and took their seats, perhaps because the event was held outdoors. The teachers didn't scold them for being noisy. They looked at the well-decorated stage, pointing and discussing with great interest. Banners, ribbons, and balloons—these three essentials for such events, when arranged by Wen Zhengyu, felt different. It had the vibe of a music chart show on TV.

While most students were focused on the stage, a few teachers occasionally glanced at the principal's seat. Next to him, a man in his fifties, dressed in a suit, was chatting and laughing with the principal. He didn't seem like an ordinary person, probably a relative of the principal?

"I didn't expect Zhengyu to have a talent for planning. Did he set all this up?" Lee Soo-young smiled and asked the principal, Choi.

Principal Choi shook his head and glanced at him. "Are you boasting? Your company's trainee, whether good or bad, will work for you in the future, right?"

Lee Soo-young chuckled, clearly thinking the same. Principal Choi pondered for a moment and sighed softly. "It's just a pity that with such good grades, he wants to become an idol. What's the point of a career that relies on looks?"

Lee Soo-young nodded calmly. "Yes, a career that relies on looks indeed has no future."

Principal Choi glared at him. "I'm talking about you."

Lee Soo-young feigned confusion. "My career doesn't rely on looks; it relies on music."

Seeing Principal Choi's frustrated expression, Lee Soo-young continued, "Can't an artist who dedicates themselves to music also have a good face... Oh, he's here."

As Wen Zhengyu walked to the stage with a microphone, Lee Soo-young clapped along with the students and teachers. As expected, Wen Zhengyu was in charge of the school anniversary and also served as the MC, alongside Song Hye-in.

"Dear principal, teachers, and students. On this beautiful autumn day, Yangzhi Middle School celebrates its 23rd birthday. Are you all excited?" Wen Zhengyu read from his speech, smiling warmly.

Song Hye-in smiled and continued, "Indeed. To celebrate this anniversary, we have organized a special event with many exciting programs. Are you all looking forward to it?"

The students in the audience didn't seem very enthusiastic, shouting and booing. Some even gave the thumbs-down, clearly dissatisfied with the performance.

Wen Zhengyu looked puzzled. "Senior, why is everyone's mood so low? You've participated in and organized school anniversaries before. Based on your experience, what's the situation now?"

Song Hye-in also looked puzzled. "I'm not sure. The process has always been the same, and even the speech hasn't changed."

Wen Zhengyu suddenly clapped his hands and waved the speech. "I get it. The problem is here. They want innovation, spontaneity, and passion."

He then asked the audience, "Is that right?"

The students shouted in unison, "Yes!"

Wen Zhengyu nodded and casually threw away the speech. "Is this better?!"

All the students cheered and screamed, and the teachers clapped and laughed.

Wen Zhengyu looked at the flustered Song Hye-in and frowned. "Senior, you need to follow my lead. To make the students happy, we need to change."

Song Hye-in nodded hesitantly and suddenly threw away her speech. "Is this right?"

Wen Zhengyu smiled and nodded. "Senior, you've improved. That's exactly it."

At this point, Wen Zhengyu, dressed in the standard school uniform, suddenly unbuttoned his jacket, revealing a stylish performance outfit underneath.

But that wasn't the main point. After taking off his school uniform, Wen Zhengyu stood silently on one side. The students took a while to react, then suddenly stood up and screamed at Song Hye-in.

Song Hye-in, looking flustered, held the microphone and stepped back, covering herself. "What? Wen Zhengyu, what do you mean?"

Wen Zhengyu looked at her and shrugged, smiling. He then held the microphone and addressed the audience. "You want change, but please understand that Senior is a girl. Just watch me. Is that okay?"

This time, no one agreed, shouting, "No!"

Lee Soo-young, watching from the audience, frowned slightly and turned to Principal Choi. "Did you know about this? Isn't it a bit much?"

Principal Choi looked puzzled. "What? You mean taking off the clothes?"

He pointed to the excited students standing up. "Look, there are not only boys but also girls who are very enthusiastic."

Lee Soo-young laughed. "So, you knew about and agreed to this lowbrow way of livening up the atmosphere?"

Principal Choi nodded. "Yes, but I didn't agree at first. It's a school, and it's the anniversary. Using such a vulgar method seemed inappropriate. But now I understand. The girl on stage won't really do anything. It's just a way to spark the atmosphere. Both boys and girls are excited, and it has nothing to do with taking off clothes."

Lee Soo-young laughed. "You old stick-in-the-mud, I don't understand how Zhengyu convinced you."

Principal Choi paused, then watched as Song Hye-in, unable to resist the urging and cheering of the audience, finally took off her dress. However, unlike Wen Zhengyu, she was wearing a neat school uniform underneath.

This unexpected turn greatly disappointed the students who had been eagerly anticipating. Principal Choi chuckled. "This kid told me that a school that can't even take a joke can't educate students. It would only produce rigid, unimaginative students. Perhaps it can't even produce students who only know how to study. They're all a bunch of inflexible, unadaptable... hehe."

Before Principal Choi could finish, the stage changed again. After Song Hye-in took off her dress and revealed her school uniform, Wen Zhengyu's smile turned into a frown as he glared at the students. "Look at you all! What kind of manners do you have? So many teachers are here, and the respected principal is here. On this joyous day, you're shouting for Senior and me to take off our clothes! Are you still students? Are you the future pillars of the Republic of Korea? I'm ashamed of you! I really am..."

All the students booed, making rude gestures. Most were boys, but the teachers, who had been frowning earlier, were now laughing.

Song Hye-in, wearing her school uniform, stepped forward and tried to calm Wen Zhengyu. "Are you improvising? You're scolding the students without a script?"

She then smiled at the audience. "Now, I announce that the school anniversary performance has officially begun. Please welcome our..."

Song Hye-in suddenly couldn't continue, instinctively looking for the speech, only to realize it was gone. The students laughed and cheered again, and the teachers shook their heads, watching the stage.

Song Hye-in looked nervous. "What should I do? What's the next performance?"

Wen Zhengyu smiled and turned to the audience. "We don't need to announce it. Everyone knows the performers, so let's just have them come up in any order."

To the surprise of the teachers and students, the performers didn't come from backstage but directly from the audience, standing up and walking to the stage.

This made the students even more excited, as if they were performing themselves. It was casual and intimate.

Principal Choi chuckled and turned to Lee Soo-young. "This is all this kid's idea. What do you think? It's quite interesting, right?"

Lee Soo-young smiled contentedly but then pouted. "He's my student, do you need to praise him?"

Principal Choi laughed, not saying anything.

Lee Soo-young turned his attention back to the stage and casually asked, "By the way, what song is he going to perform? I've been busy lately and haven't heard him mention it."

Principal Choi laughed. "How would I know? I don't understand the songs and dances of today's kids."

Lee Soo-young laughed. "Even when you were a kid, you probably didn't understand. Ask your students; they might know."

Principal Choi glared at him. "Ask them yourself. Why do you have to ask me... Hey, what song is Wen Zhengyu singing?"

Principal Choi really turned to ask, but when the student mentioned the song, he nodded indifferently and turned to say something to Lee Soo-young. However, he found that Lee Soo-young had already stood up, watching Wen Zhengyu on stage, his face pale and uncertain.

(Thank you to everyone who voted and supported me. I really appreciate it. Please also support the story by adding it to your favorites, so Han Cuo can feel your constant care and support. I know I'm not writing alone but being pushed to the forefront by everyone, creating a world we all love. I won't let you down and will work even harder to repay your support. zzang. O(∩_∩)O)

{Piaotian Literature}