Chapter 35: Regrouping and Rising Again

Huang Guolun’s eyelids drooped for a moment before he looked up, his voice deep as he addressed Zhou Gang, “Principal Zhou, I hope you can give them another chance to sing. Just because they didn’t do well in the first round doesn’t mean they’ll fail the second.”

Zhou Gang could tell that Huang Guolun was speaking with emotion. It was understandable—after all, Huang had poured his heart into the school anniversary event, only to have these disappointing students throw cold water on his efforts. Watching all his hard work about to go to waste, how could he possibly be in a good mood?

If it had been any other teacher speaking to Zhou Gang like this, he would have made them pay for it. But Huang Guolun’s position was somewhat special. Zhou couldn’t easily refuse him this favor. On the other hand, simply giving in would make Zhou lose face, especially with so many teachers watching.

Stroking his chin in thought, Zhou Gang asked, “I have no problem letting them sing again, but what if they mess up the second time? Are we going to have a third round after that?”

“No more,” Huang Guolun replied resolutely. “Just this once. If they don’t perform well this time, we’ll pull the act—no performance for them tomorrow.”

“Fine!” Zhou Gang slapped the table, then told Zhang Liang and his friends, “Since Mr. Huang has pleaded on your behalf, I’ll give you one more chance. But if your singing is no better than before, don’t blame me for giving you a failing grade! I absolutely won’t give you an extra point just to pass you by—otherwise I’d be doing you a disservice!”

Meng Xiaoyun quickly suggested letting the next group perform first, so Zhang Liang and the others could step down and prepare. After such a blow, they couldn’t possibly adjust their state right away—it was better for them to go last.

Huang Guolun thanked Meng Xiaoyun and Zhou Gang for the three students, his face stern as he led the trio of burly boys backstage. He paid no more attention to the other performances. Though he was one of the judges, his opinion wouldn’t affect today’s outcome—the real decisions were in the hands of Zhou Gang and Meng Xiaoyun.

After the commotion, Huang Guolun only wanted to help Zhang Liang and his friends get their act together. He absolutely couldn’t let them embarrass themselves again.

He found an empty room backstage and called the three boys in. Closing the door behind them, he asked in a tone of reproach, “What’s going on with you guys? Can’t you show a little backbone? Stand up for yourselves!”

Liu Zhongjie was the first to apologize. “Sorry, Mr. Huang, our performance was terrible just now. Thank you for getting us another chance.”

“You weren’t the main problem—it was Zhang Liang,” Huang Guolun said, pointing out Zhang Liang’s mistake. “Why did you freeze up right at the start of the main verse? You’re usually great in practice. How did you regress so badly today?”

Zhang Liang looked as miserable as a man chewing bitter herbs, as if he couldn’t put his troubles into words.

“Is something wrong with you? You look completely out of it. Can you pull yourself together? You saw for yourself—Principal Zhou has no faith in us. It wasn’t easy for me to get you this second chance. Don’t waste it!”

Guan Qiangguo tried to rally their spirits. “Mr. Huang, you’re the best! We’ll make you proud! … Liang, if you’re a real man, stop thinking about that girl Fang Yun! She’s already with someone else! If you keep wallowing in self-pity, you’re only hurting yourself, your brothers, and you’ll drag Mr. Huang down with you!”

“What’s going on?” Huang Guolun was a bit confused.

“Mr. Huang, it’s—ah!” Liu Zhongjie, embarrassed, gave Zhang Liang a nudge. “You’d better explain it yourself.”

Zhang Liang wore a face as long as a bitter melon. After a long silence, he finally confessed with deep sorrow, “Mr. Huang, I’m—heartbroken!”

Guan Qiangguo scoffed, “That’s not heartbreak! You were just crushing on Fang Yun, and now Ma Chao is dating her. You’re just torturing yourself with unrequited love!”

Huang Guolun began to understand. He asked Zhang Liang, “So the girl you like was pursued by someone else?”

“Yeah,” Zhang Liang answered, gritting his teeth with a look of utter anguish.

“All right, I get it. I’ll talk to your homeroom teacher, Ms. Chen, and ask her to counsel you.”

“No, please—don’t!” Zhang Liang almost panicked. “Please, Mr. Huang, don’t joke like that. I’m already miserable enough. Don’t make it worse.”

“Am I the one making things worse, or is it you? You’re supposed to be singing ‘Born Defiant,’ such an uplifting song, and you let heartbreak cloud your mind. Is my song not inspiring enough, or are you deliberately tarnishing my work?”

Zhang Liang bowed his head apologetically. “No, Mr. Huang, I’d never do that. I just can’t get it off my chest. It hurts.”

“Liang, let me tell you—” Liu Zhongjie said, addressing Zhang Liang, “When you hit a rough patch like this, you should turn your grief into strength. Work even harder!”

Zhang Liang, ever the joker, replied, “So what you’re saying is… I should go to the bathroom, face the wall, and—express my feelings there?”

The others were so disgusted they almost gagged.

Guan Qiangguo snapped, “Stop messing around! You’ve disgusted us enough already. Don’t make it worse—I beg you!”

Huang Guolun, worried Zhang Liang might try something even stranger, quickly changed the subject. “If you want the girl you like to notice you, show all your manly qualities. Don’t keep feeling sorry for yourself, or dwelling on those ridiculous bathroom jokes!”

Guan Qiangguo joined in, “Exactly! If we make a splash at the anniversary performance, Fang Yun will definitely look at you differently! Sure, she’s got a boyfriend now, but you can show her what you’re made of! If we blow everyone away with our singing, you’ll have a chance to change her impression of you!”

“You’re the weirdo,” Zhang Liang retorted, rolling his eyes at Guan Qiangguo. But their words stirred something in him. He realized now was not the time to let his long-held feelings wither away.

He should take the initiative!

Win Fang Yun’s heart through his actions!

And even if he couldn’t win her back, he’d let her know that there was a steadfast man waiting for her, hoping she’d change her mind.

Seeing Zhang Liang’s eyes regain their spark and fighting spirit, Huang Guolun asked, “So you’ve come around?”

“I have! I’ll use music to win Fang Yun’s respect! Mr. Huang, can I ask you for one more favor?”

“What is it?”

“You’re such a gifted songwriter—could you write a song for me to give to Fang Yun? I want her to know how much she’s meant to me all these years!”

“Are you here to mess with me?” Huang Guolun demanded sternly. “What does the thirteenth rule of our school say?”

“I guess… No romantic relationships, right?” Zhang Liang, for once, got it right.

“Since you know, do you really think I’ll help you with this?”

“I’m not asking you to help me date her, Mr. Huang. In fact, I hate that Fang Yun is in a relationship! If you could break them up for me, I’d thank you, but I know you won’t do that. So all I ask is that you write a song for me, so I can express my feelings. I just want Fang Yun to know there’s someone who’s always silently watched over her—even if she’s with someone else now, I’ll always care for her!”

“I’ll give you five words…” Huang Guolun declared emphatically, “Stop talking nonsense!”

Liu Zhongjie counted on his fingers, “Stop, talking, non, sense, now… Mr. Huang, that’s seven words.”

Guan Qiangguo joked, “Looks like Mr. Huang’s math is as good as yours, Zhang Liang—learned from the gym teacher.”

“Can you two stop stirring things up?” Zhang Liang protested. “Mr. Huang, I’m begging you. I’m not trying to date her now—I’ve given up on that! I just want Fang Yun to know what I feel. I’ll keep it buried inside until college, then pursue her openly! I swear, I won’t date in high school.”

Liu Zhongjie grinned mischievously, “And if she chases after you, you still won’t date?”

Zhang Liang hesitated, “Uh…”

Guan Qiangguo scoffed, “As if Fang Yun would chase after a guy who asks if she peed on her hand.”

Liu Zhongjie burst out laughing.

“Stop messing around, you two!” Zhang Liang scolded, then turned back to Huang Guolun. “Mr. Huang, I really mean it. Can’t you understand how I feel? If I don’t let these feelings out through music, my high school days will be ruined! Please, just this once—think of it as saving a lost soul!”

Seeing Zhang Liang so pitiful, Huang Guolun’s heart softened a bit. After all, he’d once been their age, and could understand the confusion and longing of adolescent feelings. If helping Zhang Liang express his bottled-up devotion to Fang Yun could give the boy a more open-hearted high school experience, maybe it was worth it.

But he couldn’t agree too easily.

He thought for a moment, then set his terms. “First, get your emotions in check and adjust your attitude. Give me your very best performance of ‘Born Defiant.’ Then we’ll talk about the rest.”

Zhang Liang perked up, sensing hope. “So you’ll do it?”

“Sing well today first! If you don’t, I promise the rest of your music classes this semester will be a living hell.”

Zhang Liang knew that meant there was hope. At last, a smile of genuine relief lit his face. He gathered his spirits and rallied his friends, “Thank you, Mr. Huang! We won’t let you down! Old Guan, Big Liu, what are you standing around for? Start practicing! Today, we’re going to slap Director Zhou in the face! He called us a ragtag bunch—I could let that go, but he insulted Mr. Huang’s song! That I can’t stand! We’re going to win back Mr. Huang’s honor! Pump yourselves up! We’ll give Director Zhou a dazzling, world-shaking, 24K gold-plated Five-Fingered Mountain!”