Chapter 36: More Than Just Good

As the clock neared half past five, the final group scheduled for the rehearsal took the stage. This was a quintet of popular songs, performed by five first-year boys who sang with earnest effort. Yet, their act was too bland and ordinary, lacking any spark, and was mercilessly cut by Zhou Gang.

This marked the twelfth act to be eliminated that day.

The other twenty performances, which embodied the youthful energy and artistic refinement of Experimental High, were successfully selected for the official show tomorrow.

Now, only the Liu-Guan-Zhang Rap Trio remained for a second attempt.

It was getting late.

Many students, their hearts full either with satisfaction or disappointment, had already left the auditorium and the school, not lingering after their rehearsals. Only a dozen or so students who would help tidy up the venue stayed behind, eager to witness the spectacle.

They wanted to see, once more, the infamous off-beat rap that had long since vanished from the “martial world.”

The Liu-Guan-Zhang Rap Trio's previous rehearsal had been a chaotic mess, so hilariously disorganized that the others could barely wait to see Director Zhou lose his temper with these three troublemakers again.

After an afternoon of reviewing programs, Zhou Gang had found little to surprise him, only a growing frustration. Perhaps it was a habit among deans to nitpick, making themselves angry in the process.

At least, that was Zhou Gang’s way.

Most teachers had already left the venue, too. They didn't expect the Liu-Guan-Zhang group’s encore to yield any breakthroughs—surely they’d just get another scolding from Zhou Gang. Scenes like these had become so common that few cared to watch.

Meng Xiaoyun, however, still held hope for these three students mentored by Huang Guolun. She had seen them rehearse in the music room and had listened to the song “Born Stubborn,” written by Huang himself.

That song had made her view Huang Guolun in a new light.

Previously, Meng Xiaoyun had considered Huang unremarkable in talent—if not for his strong family background, he would never have qualified to teach music at Experimental High. Yet, after hearing “Born Stubborn,” she realized that Mr. Huang possessed genuine insight into the world of pop music.

He was not without merit after all. If he developed his skills, his family’s influence might just allow him to make a name for himself in the pop music scene.

If that day ever came, perhaps Meng Xiaoyun could bask in Huang’s glow, expanding her own musical career into broader fields.

Talented people always seek out those even more gifted, hoping to better themselves through collaboration.

After discovering Huang’s strengths, Meng began to look forward to seeing him shine in his own domain.

Tomorrow, many figures from the arts would attend the school’s anniversary celebration. When they heard “Born Stubborn,” they would surely be impressed.

Perhaps this performance would be a turning point in Huang Guolun’s musical journey.

Meng Xiaoyun hoped dearly for his further success.

But all of this hinged on whether Huang’s three protégés could pass today’s review.

As long as their singing was decent, Meng would certainly give them the green light.

It all depended on Zhou Gang’s decision.

By now, Zhou Gang was growing impatient. He called for his assistant: “Is there anyone left? Where are Huang’s three students? Hurry and fetch them! Let’s get this second rehearsal over with!”

The assistant hurried backstage to find Huang Guolun and the trio.

During the past hour’s practice, Zhang Liang, Guan Qiangguo, and Liu Zhongjie, having faced their shame and been guided patiently by Huang’s keen ear, reached their peak state! No longer timid or distracted, their spirits brimmed with stubborn pride.

With heads held high, the three strode onto the stage once more.

Meng Xiaoyun noticed the unmistakable transformation in their demeanor—their eyes shone with resolve, their presence uplifted.

She silently praised Huang: he really had skill—within so short a time, he had brought out the best in his students.

She felt sure that this time, the three would deliver an impressive rehearsal.

Yet what happened next nearly made Meng’s jaw drop—

These students seemed born to be comic.

Just like before, they took the stage, made what they believed was a cool spinning leap, then, imitating a boy band’s introduction, announced in unison: “Hello, everyone! We are Class Two-Five’s Liu-Guan-Zhang Rap Group!”

Zhou Gang nearly slammed the table in exasperation. He scolded, “You three have nothing better to do? Didn’t you already introduce yourselves? Afraid I’ll forget you’re from Class Two-Five?”

Zhou Gang’s words carried real weight—no troublemaker in Experimental High wanted to be remembered by him.

Zhang Liang wilted instantly, grinning sheepishly and looking lost.

“Ahem.” Huang Guolun coughed from the side of the stage, his deep voice reminding them, “Stop with the showy tricks—just sing properly!”

Huang’s voice reassured his students, making them feel his steadfast support nearby.

After bowing to the teachers, the three prepared to perform with renewed confidence.

Zhang Liang, pushing thoughts of Fang Yun aside, focused all his energy on “Born Stubborn,” a song that filled him with genuine pride.

As the rousing prelude played, Zhang felt himself ignite, as if he were the transforming rabbit blazing on the screen behind him.

This time, their entrance was flawless—

“There is a force no one can withstand—it never admits defeat, born stubborn!”

Zhang Liang’s hoarse but powerful cry electrified the room, a world apart from their earlier attempt.

Inspired by Zhang, Liu Zhongjie followed with an equally stirring line: “There is a dream that lights the path through confusion, to where glory is written!”

After these two lines, the impatience faded from Zhou Gang’s face, and he found himself thinking, quoting Jay Chou, “Hey, not bad.”

It was more than not bad!

From then on, the trio unleashed everything they had—like a satellite launching in the school auditorium!

With unstoppable youthful energy, they delivered the most exhilarating performance of the day’s rehearsal.

Their rap skills still needed polish—there were missed beats and occasional slips—but this version of “Born Stubborn” was brimming with power!

Even the most critical teachers could find no fault.

As the song drew to an end, the projection screen displayed a classic line from “Those Years, That Rabbit, Those Things.” Paired with the trio’s proud, glorious anthem, the words brought tears to many students’ eyes.

In that moment, they truly felt proud to be Chinese!

Even Zhou Gang, usually exasperated by troublemakers like Zhang Liang, was moved to the verge of tears.

Perhaps it was because so much rap he’d heard before was crude and unbearable—he never imagined that this “vulgar” genre could produce such positive, heartfelt energy.

At last, he understood why Huang Guolun had encouraged his students to try rap.

Though Zhou Gang disliked troublemakers, he couldn’t help but admit—tears welling up—that this performance outshone all the others.

Some art students had delivered technically superb instrumental pieces, but for sheer impact and passion, Zhang Liang’s rap trio was unmatched—describing it as a “pleasant surprise” would be an understatement.

Zhou Gang glanced at Huang Guolun, his heart full of admiration: “Hidden depths! Well done, kid!”

As for the students who had expected a joke, after witnessing Zhang Liang’s spectacular transformation, they were left speechless and utterly amazed.

Who could have guessed that the previously disastrous song could become so stirring?

The teacher rumored to read nothing but “little yellow books” had written a song bursting with trendiness and positive energy—leaving everyone in awe.

Even the chubby girl who’d bet on Huang’s failure now marveled, thinking, “This isn’t just stealing a chicken—he’s turning the whole house upside down!”

As the inspiring oath appeared on the big screen, the audience broke into thunderous applause for Zhang and his friends.

The teachers, surprised and delighted, nodded their approval and joined in the applause.

Meng Xiaoyun made no effort to hide her affection for the performance, clapping enthusiastically.

She knew that, given their still-amateurish singing, the trio wouldn’t win over tomorrow’s panel of professional judges.

But seeing students perform with such passion and infectious energy truly moved her—this was the essence of music!

“Director Zhou, so—do we pass?” Zhang Liang, fired up by their performance, couldn’t help but boldly ask Zhou Gang the question.

Zhou, exasperated, replied, “Don’t get cocky! This was just a rehearsal—tomorrow is the real test! If you want to celebrate, wait until after tomorrow!”

Hearing this, Zhang leapt with joy, turning to hug Guan Qiangguo and Liu Zhongjie.

Their hard work had paid off!

They hadn’t let Mr. Huang down!

They’d passed the review!

“Mr. Huang, you’re the best!” Zhang shouted into the microphone, his voice ringing with heartfelt gratitude.

Everyone in the auditorium turned to look at Huang Guolun, who, a bit embarrassed, wiped the sweat from his brow.

He wanted to tell his students, “Don’t get ahead of yourselves—tomorrow is the real highlight of your high school years! Will you bring down the house, or lose face in front of everyone? It all depends on your performance tomorrow!”

…

A few words out of character, if I may.

I often see comments in the review section saying that, as a teacher, Huang Guolun shouldn’t act this way or that.

Let me share a personal story—all true, and if it sounds familiar, you must be my classmate.

Around the year 2000, I attended a key high school in the capital. There was a young female teacher in our school, considered by all to be the most beautiful teacher on campus. She was the homeroom teacher of the class next door and taught our class as well. She was extremely strict with students, often reducing them to tears; privately, we called her the “Beautiful Snake,” and no one dared provoke her.

But after we got to know her, we realized she wasn’t as severe as she seemed.

A few of us boys boarded at school. Every afternoon after class, we’d go back to the dorm to play cards. One time, this teacher caught us, but instead of reprimanding us, after some coaxing she actually joined our card game.

From then on, she often came to our dorm to play cards.

That’s not the point, though.

The point is—we gambled!

Just small bets, fifty cents or a yuan for a meal.

This teacher gambled with us!

When she won, she’d insist we pay her. When she lost, she'd often playfully refuse to pay and act coy in front of us—actually acting coy!

You can imagine how conflicted and happy we felt.

Her family background was similar to Huang Guolun’s—her father was an official in the Education Bureau, and later she joined the Education Committee herself.

…

Let me tell you about a class clown of ours, whose antics put Zhang Liang to shame.

He transferred into our class during the science-arts stream split—a true underdog, odd-looking, short, with a modest family background. But because he was bold, he managed to date the prettiest girl in our grade for over a year before they broke up.

One day during class, he suddenly stood up and shouted, “F— my life, I just got dumped!”

Then, with a bang, he punched and shattered the window beside him!

We were all shocked.

What happened next was even more unexpected—

Seeing his hand bleeding from the glass, he cried out, “Oh crap, help me—I’m afraid of blood!”

And then he really fainted…

…

My point is, there are no impossible people or impossible things in this world—just things and people we couldn’t have imagined.

Real life is often more bizarre and exciting than fiction.

If you have weird classmates or teachers, feel free to share your stories in the reviews—let’s all broaden our horizons.

And finally, rolling on the floor here—please vote for us!