Chapter 43

On February 12, 2001, at exactly nine in the morning, Zhang Chengyuan arrived at the grand auditorium of Jiu Lao High School on time to attend the graduation ceremony for this year's graduates. Although he had been extremely busy after the college entrance exam, focusing solely on working and earning money, to the point that he hardly had any time to rest, he had no intention of attending this graduation ceremony, which he found meaningless. However, two days ago, the academic affairs director personally talked to him, insisting that he must attend the ceremony, which left him with no choice but to agree. Over the past two years, the academic affairs director had taken great care of him, making him feel very grateful and unable to refuse.

The academic affairs director's conversation with Zhang Chengyuan was at the behest of the school administration. From the school's perspective, it was a rare opportunity to have a student who scored the highest in the nation and was admitted to the top university, and they certainly wanted to publicize this achievement. The graduation ceremony was the perfect opportunity for such publicity, so they made a great effort, even inviting several newspaper reporters to cover the event.

At this moment, the large auditorium was already filled with students. The graduating seniors were seated in the front, while the freshmen and sophomores were seated behind them. The teachers were seated on the stage, and Zhang Chengyuan's seat was arranged in the center of the first row, surrounded by several professional photographers taking pictures.

After a while, the school leaders began their enthusiastic speeches, which made the students in the audience almost fall asleep. However, Zhang Chengyuan's acting skills were clearly much more refined. Although he didn't hear a single word, he maintained a warm smile throughout.

After an unknown amount of time, when he heard the principal call his name, Zhang Chengyuan came to his senses, realizing it was his turn to speak. He quickly walked to the stage, faced the principal and the teachers on the stage, and bowed at a 45-degree angle. Then he turned to bow to all the students, immediately receiving a warm round of applause. After that, Zhang Chengyuan once again demonstrated his excellent ability to deliver lines, passionately and emotionally reciting the speech that the academic affairs director had given him two days ago, as if the words were truly heartfelt.

After Zhang Chengyuan finished his speech, the graduation certificates were awarded. As the top student of the year, Zhang Chengyuan was the first to receive his graduation certificate. So, he had just stepped down from the stage and immediately went back up. He performed another impeccable bow, respectfully receiving the graduation certificate and a special merit award from the principal. Following the instructions of the teacher serving as the emcee, Zhang Chengyuan cooperatively held the two certificates in front of his chest, flashing a charming smile, allowing the school staff to take as many photos as they wanted.

Notably, one of the photos taken that day later became the promotional poster for Jiu Lao High School, significantly enhancing the school's reputation as his fame grew.

After receiving his graduation certificate, Zhang Chengyuan walked down from the stage and sat in his seat, silent and composed, maintaining a warm smile. In the past, he would have been cold and aloof, but after spending time in the entertainment industry, he had developed the habit of playing the gentleman in public.

The entire graduation ceremony lasted nearly three hours. After it ended, the graduates were given free time to take photos, spend time with their families, or walk around in small groups, reminiscing about the stories that had taken place on campus. Zhang Chengyuan, after exchanging pleasantries with a few familiar teachers, quietly left the school. As he walked out of the campus, he suddenly felt a bit reluctant and looked back, pausing for a few seconds before decisively leaving, thinking to himself, "I wonder if the next time I come here will be ten years from now? And what kind of person will I be when I return?"

On the morning of March 5th, around 8:30, at the playground in front of the Business Administration building of the Gwanak main campus of Seoul National University, Zhang Chengyuan stood side by side with his father, Zhang Donghu, and his agent, Park Byung-ryeol, all wearing joyful and excited smiles. However, the reasons for their smiles were different: Zhang Donghu was pleased and satisfied to see his son succeed; Park Byung-ryeol was thrilled at the prospect of future earnings; and Zhang Chengyuan was putting on a forced smile to avoid spoiling the atmosphere. Around them, hundreds of excited new students and their parents and friends gathered.

To understand why Zhang Chengyuan did not feel the same wild joy as the other students, there were a few reasons: First, he had no interest in studying, and his admission to Seoul National University was to fulfill his father's wish and to leverage the prestigious university's reputation to help him in the entertainment industry. Second, he had no interest in university life, whether it was parties, social gatherings, or club activities; he preferred a quiet life and would never go to crowded places, especially bars, nightclubs, or internet cafes, which were popular among young people. Third, he had too many secrets; the life of an entertainer was already full of hidden secrets, and as a practitioner of Daoist cultivation, he would feel very uncomfortable in a bustling university environment where it was difficult to keep secrets.

At 9:00, in a large classroom of the Business Administration building, the meeting between the department leaders, professors, lecturers, and new students officially began. The classroom was filled with students and parents, and Zhang Chengyuan sat in a corner at the back, wearing glasses and silently watching the teachers on the stage, hoping no one would pay attention to him. However, some of the students around him seemed to find him very different and occasionally turned their heads or faces to look at him.

The meeting first introduced the roles and responsibilities of the faculty and staff, then announced the rules and discipline that students should follow and the academic assessment issues that students were most concerned about. The speech was concise and to the point, with no unnecessary words or formalities. After finishing the necessary announcements, the meeting was immediately adjourned, lasting only about an hour, demonstrating the efficiency and openness of the nation's top university.

Zhang Chengyuan originally thought that such a meeting would be long and boring, and even considered sneaking a nap, but he ended up listening to every word from start to finish. This was the most efficient school meeting he had encountered in recent years, and he immediately developed a good impression of the department's leaders and teachers, thinking that such efficient administrative practices would not interfere with his future studies and work.

After the meeting, Zhang Chengyuan went out to find Zhang Donghu and Park Byung-ryeol, who were leisurely strolling and enjoying the scenery on campus. He then returned with them to explain his status as an entertainer to the professors and request that he be allowed to skip classes as long as he completed the assigned homework. At this point, although Zhang Chengyuan had gained some fame, the professors, who were busy with teaching and research, had no idea who he was. If it weren't for the proof provided by Zhang Donghu, Park Byung-ryeol, and various documents, Zhang Chengyuan would have likely been scolded.

Even after confirming his status as an entertainer, the professors did not show him any favor. In their view, not focusing on studies and instead getting involved in the chaotic entertainment industry was a waste of time and a disgrace to the students of Seoul National University.

However, after failing to persuade him, the professors ultimately respected Zhang Chengyuan's wishes and approved his request, only requiring him to take the final exams and promising to help him with leave or even a leave of absence when needed.