Chapter 88

Chapter 82: Such an Era

Wen Liang only found Xu Yao's attitude a bit strange and didn't think much of it. He asked, "You're looking for someone who sings well. What for?"

Xu Yao said in distress, "Didn't you hear when you came to find me during the break? We're going to battle that group of music-ignorant girls. This Saturday, we're going to a karaoke to compete. If they lose, they have to shout 'I love Jacky Cheung' in front of the entire school during the flag-raising ceremony on Monday. Hehe." At the end, the little girl couldn't help but laugh, her beautiful eyes narrowing into crescent moons, her delicate face like a soft cloud tinged with color, looking incredibly cute.

There was no need to ask what would happen if Xu Yao lost; she would have to shout 'I love Aaron Kwok.'

Wen Liang smiled bitterly, not knowing what to say.

After decades of suppression, self-denial and doubt became the hallmark of the era, pushing society to the brink of collapse. It was precisely this denial and doubt that led to the initial surge of ideas during the reform and opening-up, with various ideologies beginning to surge and consciousness gradually awakening. After the ups and downs of the 1980s, the mid-1990s finally reached its peak. Young people eagerly absorbed all kinds of foreign influences, regardless of whether they were good or bad, accepting everything without discrimination.

Old ideas were shattered, new values had yet to be established, there was no faith, no direction, and no meaning or reason for life. People like Wen Liang and Xu Yao grew up in the praise of Lei Feng and Lai Ning, remembering the noble dream of serving the people and striving to be new people with four virtues. They entered their teenage years inspired by Zhang Haidi and the five consecutive championships of the Chinese women's volleyball team, understanding that self-redemption and never giving up were the spiritual wealth of our nation. Yet, they became bewildered in the obscure poetry of "Vulgarity is the passport of the vulgar, nobility is the epitaph of the noble" and "The night gave me black eyes, but I use them to seek light." Poets like Bei Dao, Shu Ting, Gu Cheng, Yang Lian, and Jiang He swept through the youth with profound reflection and heart-wrenching cries, making "literary youth" the most dazzling term of the era.

Bewilderment led to rebellion, and rebellion gave birth to new faiths. Lo Ta-yu and Cui Jian entered the public eye at this time, with "Love Song 1990" and "The Story of Time" becoming widely sung. "Nothing to My Name," with its metaphor of the young spirit being plundered, became an indelible symbol in the memories of a generation, filled with longing and bewilderment. At the same time, new idols from Hong Kong and Taiwan invaded the mainland, with the Four Heavenly Kings, Chao Chao, and the Little Tigers sweeping the country with their fresh, handsome, and sunny images, unmatched in their popularity.

This was the best of times, and the worst of times!

Wen Liang, having lived two lives, understood the star-chasing fervor of Xu Yao's generation but was also shocked by such a bold and reckless bet. Every Monday's flag-raising ceremony required the participation of all school leaders, administrative staff, and students from all three grades. The occasion was solemn, and the atmosphere was serious. If you really shouted out there, the only possible consequence would be expulsion!

"Do you really have to go this far?"

Xu Yao said angrily, "I didn't want to at first. Isn't it childish to quarrel with those silly girls? But I can't stand them fawning over Aaron Kwok's pictures every day. Their dorms, textbooks, desks, even their mirrors are plastered with his pictures. All show and no substance. Does he even have a good song? They not only swoon over him but also criticize Jacky Cheung for not being handsome enough. It drives me crazy!"

At that time, celebrity stickers were popular. Wen Liang had recently seen his notebook full of Wong Mei Ling and Zhao Ya Zhi. He barely managed to keep from laughing. He always thought Xu Yao was mature, but he didn't expect her to have such a childish side.

She suddenly frowned, a bit dejected, "But they found a very annoying guy from Class 2. He has a great voice. Even children's songs sound good when he sings them. I... I don't have much of a chance..."

"Very annoying? Who is it, and he's such a good singer?"

"Yeah, you know him. It's Bai Huan, the one who hangs out with Mu Shanshan. I hear he teaches songs in class every Friday, and I can hear the girls from Class 2 screaming even from Class 1."

Liu Zhihe said Bai Huan was busy with something at No. 19 High School. How could he have the time to mess around with these girls? Wen Liang pondered for a moment and said, "Alright, for the sake of Miss Xu's reputation, I'll recommend someone to you. I guarantee you'll win easily."

Xu Yao rolled her eyes and said, "Alright, Mr. Wen, I know you're a rooster that crows at dawn, but don't recommend yourself. If you want to play these childish games, come on over."

Ning Xiaoning teased, "You know it's a childish game, right?"

Xu Yao put her hands on her hips and giggled, "Alright, alright, I know you've been laughing at me for days. Now that I have backup, you two can gang up on me."

Uncle Wen was ignored by the two girls and had to wave his hand to assert his presence, "Hey, I'm serious. I'll find someone who sings really well, especially Jacky Cheung's songs. He can almost pass for the real thing."

Xu Yao and Ning Xiaoning stared at him, trying to determine if he was serious or joking. Wen Liang felt humiliated by their gaze and said angrily, "Do you think I'm unreliable and only speak nonsense?"

"Looking like a fool, but your self-criticism is quite profound. Young man, do your best. Class 3's future depends on you." Xu Yao patted Wen Liang's shoulder, praising him in a rough voice.

"I second that!" Ning Xiaoning's cold jokes were always lethal.

Do you think this is a Qingzhou Municipal Committee meeting?

Wen Liang was almost played to death by these two girls today, too exhausted to argue and resignedly said, "Just say it, do you want him or not?"

"Of course I want him. Otherwise, why would I bother talking to you so much? Who is it?"

"Tan Yu, remember? The little boy who was with Tan Xue when she came to deliver money..."

Xu Yao suddenly realized, "Oh, him. I remember, Tan Xue's brother. He's at No. 1 High School too? Why have you never mentioned him?"

"Men's business, don't ask. How about this, I'll introduce him to you after school. You girls can evaluate him. If you think he's good, he can represent you."

Wen Liang felt Tan Yu would be interested in this, after all, being the star among a group of girls was a cool thing in 1995.

Xu Yao had heard Tan Yu speak and found his voice a bit shrill, not deep enough, and was about to refuse. But then she had a thought and immediately cheered up, "Alright, it's him!"

The three of them wasted a lot of time, and once the choice was made, Wen Liang smiled, "Well, if you have as thick a skin as me, we can keep talking. Otherwise..."

Before he finished, the bell for the ten-minute break before class rang. Xu Yao screamed and ran off with Ning Xiaoning, leaving behind Wen Liang's laughter.

After the first class, Ji Su suddenly walked over, sat in the empty seat in the front row, and turned to look at Wen Liang. Seeing his puzzled gaze, she smiled, her cheeks dimpling, and placed her notebook on the desk, saying frankly, "Wen Liang, as the study committee member, I have the responsibility to prevent students with poor grades from dragging the class down. Teacher Si also told me to help you catch up, so starting today, you need to spend two hours after school studying."

Thinking about what happened last night, Wen Liang smiled, "Thanks, Ji Su, but I'm really busy these days..." This was true, not an excuse.

Ji Su's eyes twinkled, and she said with a smile, "Alright, I'll tell Teacher Si and have her talk to your mom..."

Wen Liang's head ached. Giving her leverage was a sure way to get himself in trouble! But if he agreed, Ji Su might get caught in rumors. She didn't mind, but he couldn't be selfish. Seeing Ren Yi pretending to meditate but with his ears perked up, he quickly thought of a compromise, "If we end up last in the grade, it's definitely Ren Yi's fault. How about you help us both?"

Ren Yi was delighted, ignoring the insult, and looked at Wen Liang with deep affection, his voice trembling with excitement, "Wen... Wen, you really care about your brother..."

Wen Liang felt a chill and kicked him under the table. "Keep it together, you'll scare her away with that pig-like look."

Ji Su was taken aback but quickly agreed, "Alright! But two people might not be enough. How about this, Meng Ke's grades are also good. I'll ask her to help you too."

Wen Liang inwardly praised her. This girl had become much quicker in dealing with him. If he pulled in one, she would pull in another. Now with four people studying together, the gossip would be minimized.

Ji Su brought Meng Ke over, who sighed, "Alright, since we're best friends, we'll jump into the fire together! But, what's in it for us?"

Ren Yi eagerly patted his chest, "No problem, from now on, we'll provide your breakfast, soy milk, and fried dough sticks from Qinghe!"

Wen Liang couldn't help but roll his eyes, smiling bitterly, "Brother, you need to negotiate slowly. You've already given away your bottom line. We'll be at a huge disadvantage."

Ji Su was taken aback, her eyes flickering over Wen Liang's face, as if remembering something. A gentle smile appeared on her face. Meng Ke laughed, clapping her hands, "Great idea! Now it's my Ji Su bringing you breakfast. This is karma, karma, hehe."

Fate is a circle, you at the start, me at the end.

Thoughts are a circle, I at the start, you at the end.

Meeting at the start, loving to the end, is the destined fate of all those meant to love.