When the host on stage called Zhou Na's name...
Zhou Na didn't have time to think about these random things. She quickly straightened her clothes, adjusted her expression, and began to go on stage.
In the last second before she stepped out of the backstage area, she couldn't help but turn her head and glance at Zhou Chen. Zhou Chen remained motionless, as if he were in deep meditation, seemingly unaware that she had gone on stage.
Is this a sign of disrespect towards her?
Zhou Na bit her lip, feeling somewhat humiliated. Zhou Chen didn't take her seriously at all.
Zhou Na clenched her fist slightly under her sleeve, cheering herself on. She was determined to give a good speech and perform well, and not lose to Zhou Chen.
She wanted to prove with her abilities that Zhou Na was no less capable in this area.
Zhou Chen imagined crushing her like in the mock exam, but that was impossible. She had stayed up half the night preparing for her speech at the rally and would prove herself with her abilities.
Amidst sparse applause,
Zhou Na walked onto the stage.
At this moment,
Zhou Chen slightly adjusted his leaning posture, keeping his eyes closed, making it impossible to tell whether he was thinking, sleeping, or resting.
Zhou Na spoke for about five minutes, ending with a final thank you to everyone.
The applause was much louder than before.
Because Zhou Na's speech was indeed very good. Although many students had opinions about Zhou Ling because of some things she had done, Zhou Na's speaking ability was undeniably excellent.
Seeing her homeroom teacher applauding enthusiastically and the TV reporter nodding in approval, Zhou Na felt a weight lifted from her heart. She hadn't expected to perform so well. Throughout the entire speech, she didn't utter a single wrong word, spoke fluently and naturally without notes, and was full of emotion. It was arguably her best performance ever.
Even though she didn't know what Zhou Chen would say next, she regained her confidence and was no longer anxious, believing that she had a chance to beat Zhou Chen.
Zhou Na didn't go backstage; instead, she went straight back to her classroom, sat down in her seat, and waited for the people behind her to come up and speak.
After a brief transition by the host, the second outstanding student took the stage.
It wasn't Zhou Chen, but a girl whose grades were second only to Zhou Na.
After the girl finished speaking, another boy came up on stage, but it wasn't Zhou Chen either.
Li Kaile, sitting below, was getting impatient. "Why isn't Brother Chen starting yet? I just want to hear Brother Chen go on stage and speak."
This remark was met with agreement from the surrounding students. "The previous speakers were good, but they were all rather boring and similar. We hope Zhou Chen can give us a different kind of speech."
"Zhou Chen will definitely be the last one. Let's wait and see. I think he might surprise us."
The students were buzzing with excitement, all eagerly awaiting Zhou Chen's appearance on stage.
And this expectation was finally realized when another female student finished speaking.
"Next, let's welcome Zhou Chen, an outstanding student representative, to give a speech at the rally."
After the host finished speaking,
The crowd sitting below the stage erupted in applause instantly.
Is it my turn?
Zhou Chen finally opened his eyes, slowly got up, and walked to the front of the stage.
As Zhou Chen stood on the stage, surrounded by applause, Zhou Na's lips twitched slightly. Compared to Zhou Chen, her own performance was much less enthusiastic. Zhou Chen's popularity was evident in the applause from almost the entire audience, with even the teachers' hands busy.
Such treatment was not available to her, nor to any of the other students who spoke on stage.
Jealous?
To be honest, Zhou Na was indeed jealous, but beyond that, she was more interested in seeing how Zhou Chen would perform next, and whether she would do better than Zhou Chen.
If not, she felt Zhou Chen didn't deserve so much applause.
Zhou Chen stood on the stage, not speaking immediately, waiting for the applause to stop and until there was complete silence.
He first turned around and bowed to the principal and leaders behind him.
Then, he turned around, picked up the microphone, and said to the entire senior class, "Hello, everyone, I am Zhou Chen from Class 1 of Senior 3."
After a slight pause, Zhou Chen continued:
"It is an honor to speak on behalf of everyone. Actually, I don't think I am qualified to represent everyone, because every student in the audience is excellent. Some people may think that I am hypocritical and flattering others, but I want to say that I am really not."
"Academic performance cannot determine a student's future; it is not the only standard. In fact, each of us is the best. I hope everyone will not deny themselves, because we have come into this world by outrunning all our brothers and sisters. From a medical point of view, everyone here is a champion."
After Zhou Chen finished speaking, many students didn't even realize what he meant.
But soon, someone understood, and immediately widened their eyes, exclaiming "Awesome!" and saying these things in front of the entire school.
"Ha ha……"
Someone laughed, and then one after another, a large number of students laughed.
really,
Zhou Chen's speech was unlike that of his previous classmates, who were all very proper and conventional. When he opened his mouth, it was almost earth-shattering.
Although it sounds strange, it is an undeniable fact that cannot be refuted.
Who can say otherwise? If it weren't, it wouldn't have been possible for it to be born.
"As the ancients said, everyone has their own unique talents and abilities. Everyone has their own value. Some people may not be good at studying, but they may have talent in sports, painting, music, and so on..."
These words caused many students with poor academic performance to clap and applaud wildly, shouting that they were right and that Zhou Chen had spoken to their hearts. They had heard too much negativity, and Zhou Chen was one of the few people who recognized them.
Zhou Chen did not define good students and bad students, but instead explained that everyone has the potential to succeed. Secondly, one must have dreams, understand oneself, and make the most of one's strengths.
Not long after,
As his speech drew to a close, his voice suddenly became impassioned:
"Mr. Liang wrote in 'A Discourse on Young China': 'When the youth are strong, the nation is strong; when the youth are wise, the nation is wise; when the youth are wealthy, the nation is wealthy.' The future of our motherland needs us to build it and contribute to its development. I hope that everyone here will contribute your share to the prosperity and strength of our country. Today you are proud of No. 1 High School, and in the future, No. 1 High School will be proud of you."
"Finally, I wish every student here a bright future, to live up to their youth, and to have a promising future filled with flowers."
After giving his final blessings,
Zhou Chen bowed, and the audience was initially silent, but then thunderous applause erupted. Some students even stood up to applaud.
"Zhou Chen!"
"Zhou Chen!"
Someone, I don't know who, took the lead in shouting Zhou Chen's name, and the others followed suit.
The entire campus was filled with one name.
He is Zhou Chen.
Zhou Chen affirmed the students who were struggling academically, giving them encouragement and confidence, while also urging the high-achieving students to study harder and strive for excellence.
His speech won the approval of all the students.
...
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