Chapter 38: The Great Outburst

Six o’clock in the evening.

The grand fiftieth anniversary gala of Experimental High School had officially begun!

After the principal delivered his congratulatory speech for the school’s anniversary, the most illustrious celebrity present that day—the renowned military singer Yan Liwen, leading the school choir—performed the school anthem.

All 1,400 teachers and students, united by the familiar melody, sang out in full voice:

“Let us sing with abandon, for youth sets sail here.
Let us sow hope, for youth shines bright here.
Let our youth soar, let our dreams take flight.
Together we grow with Experimental High,
Let our youth soar, let our dreams take flight.
Together we rise, we soar with Experimental High!”

Their resounding voices filled the auditorium.

In this moment so steeped in ceremony, everyone at Experimental High felt a deep, genuine pride welling up from within.

Even Zhang Liang, waiting backstage—a student usually so dismissive of the school anthem—couldn’t help but hum along under his breath.

Moved by the chorus, Yan Liwen went on, with the accompaniment of the school choir, to perform two more beloved patriotic classics.

Unlike some of the other celebrities, who opted for lip-syncing to achieve the best live effect, Yan Liwen performed live and unfiltered, his superb vocal technique letting the audience witness the true prowess of this military singer who graced the national stage every Spring Festival Gala.

Securing a star of Yan Liwen’s caliber for the school’s anniversary was thanks in large part to Li Shaodong.

Many students at Experimental High came from distinguished backgrounds.

Li Shaodong, one of the school’s most influential figures, hailed from an artistic family.

Yan Liwen was Li Shaodong’s maternal uncle, and at the request of Li’s parents, he had come to the school to perform in honor of this key municipal high school.

The teachers, led by Meng Xiaoyun, made sure to arrange for Li Shaodong to accompany Yan Liwen on the piano. During the opening performances, Li Shaodong played piano for Yan Liwen throughout, cutting a striking figure on stage.

The girls enamored of Li Shaodong were utterly smitten with this tall, slender senior, whose soulful gaze and artistic aura made him the very image of a young virtuoso.

After Yan Liwen’s grand overture to the evening’s festivities, other renowned performers—Hui Jiaqi, Ma Shuo, Tang Jing, and more—took the stage one after another.

Tang Jing, though not a current pop sensation and having faded from the limelight in recent years, had enjoyed a resurgence after last year’s “I Am a Singer.” At twenty-nine, she was now among the most popular stars present with the student body.

Even though her performance was lip-synced, she still received enthusiastic applause from students and teachers alike.

Backstage, Zhang Liang felt as if ants were crawling through his heart; he was itching with anticipation.

He kept pestering Huang Guolun: “Mr. Huang, you have to keep your word! If we do well, you’ll take us to see Tang Jing’s concert, right?”

“I always keep my promises. Stop worrying about that. Your turn is coming up soon for the student showcase. Pull yourselves together, and don’t lose your nerve.”

Zhang Liang laughed, “There’s no way I’ll lose my nerve! I can’t wait to get on stage! That donkey meat sandwich at lunch really hit the spot! I feel unstoppable now! ... Hey, is Tang Jing coming backstage after her performance? Mr. Huang, could you get us a few autographs?”

Huang Guolun gave him a look of utter exasperation. “Could you be any more embarrassing?”

Liu Zhongjie tried to dampen Zhang Liang’s enthusiasm. “Don’t get any funny ideas. Chen, our homeroom teacher, made it clear at the class meeting: for this anniversary, no chasing celebrities. Any student who steps out of line will get a severe demerit.”

Zhang Liang grinned, “I’m not going to chase her—you can! I doubt the school’s itching to give Mr. Huang a demerit.”

Guan Qiangguo, ever the voice of reason, chimed in, “Don’t cause trouble for Mr. Huang. Last time, when you got caught with that racy book, you dragged him down with you. Now you want him to chase celebrities for you? Will you be satisfied only when you’ve cost him his job?”

Huang Guolun, touched, patted Guan Qiangguo’s sturdy shoulder, his expression saying it all: Long live understanding!

At the mention of losing his job, Zhang Liang quickly changed his tune. “I wouldn’t dare! I’m still counting on Mr. Huang to take us to Tang Jing’s concert.”

Huang Guolun, still at ease, said, “Stop letting your imagination run wild. Collect yourselves—there are barely ten minutes before you go on. Put on your headphones and don’t let the music outside distract you. Listen to ‘Born Defiant’ a few more times and get in the right mood.”

The three obediently donned their headphones and listened to the now-familiar ‘Born Defiant’ to get their spirits up.

On stage, once the celebrity performances concluded, the student showcase officially began!

The panel of four judges—Yan Liwen, Hui Jiaqi, Ma Shuo, and Chen Kenan—took their seats facing the stage.

The other celebrities couldn’t very well leave immediately; it was customary to watch a few acts before making their exit.

To make a deep impression on the district leaders, school officials, and public figures present, Zhou Gang and Meng Xiaoyun had scheduled the most talented student performers for the opening acts.

First up was Zhang Jing from Class 1, Grade 11, a guzheng prodigy.

Dressed in traditional attire, she looked every inch the classical beauty stepped straight from the pages of history, delivering a flawless rendition of “High Mountains and Flowing Water” that earned her rapturous applause.

All four judges were full of praise for Zhang Jing’s performance.

It was clear she was a leading contender for a top-three spot.

Next, Li Xichen, a liberal arts student from Class 8, Grade 12, showcased his tenor talents with a stirring patriotic song, “The Eastern Sun,” in honor of the fiftieth anniversary. His performance won the approval of teachers and officials alike.

However, the student body was divided on Li Xichen’s mature, teacher-pleasing style—some admired it, others were less impressed.

The applause and cheers were noticeably more subdued than after Zhang Jing’s set.

Then it was time for the Liu-Guan-Zhang rap group to take the stage!

Wei Huan, the student council’s performing arts officer, took the mic: “Next, please enjoy a performance by Zhang Liang, Liu Zhongjie, and Guan Qiangguo of Class 5, Grade 11: ‘Born Defiant.’ Their instructor—Mr. Huang Guolun.”

At this announcement, a buzz of low murmurs swept the hall:

“Mr. Huang Guolun? The one caught with the explicit book?”

“It’s always been Ms. Meng coaching student performances—how’s the guy with the racy book getting involved now?”

“Don’t tell me this Zhang Liang is that big, goofy guy from the basketball team. He’s in the gala? We’re doomed! Our school is going to be a laughingstock!”

“Wasn’t that guy tone-deaf?”

“There’s got to be some favoritism! Our class’s quintet got cut, and they let that basketball jock on stage to embarrass us? Who made this decision?”

“Ugh, better cover your ears. I can already sense the awkwardness coming.”

...

Among the teachers, hearts clenched in worry, fearing these three might disgrace the school.

Zhou Gang heard the auditorium buzzing like a hive of bees and felt his scalp tingle.

He suddenly wondered if his choice had been too risky.

But there was no turning back now; the show had to go on.

Leaning toward the principal, Zhou Gang whispered, “Mr. Huang Guolun wrote this song himself. He’s been deeply committed and put in a lot of effort for this anniversary showcase.”

The principal, aware of Huang Guolun’s background, nodded approvingly and whispered to the education bureau officials beside him, letting those around know that the song was written by Huang Han’s son, who also coached the students. The officials, upon hearing this, became keenly interested in the upcoming song.

On the front row, Yan Liwen and the other three judges sensed the unusual atmosphere and grew curious about the next act.

They were eager to see what kind of song could provoke such a stir among the students.

Tang Jing glanced at her watch; the time was about right. She exchanged a look with her agent, signaling that they would leave after this performance.

Her agent understood and began making arrangements for their exit.

On stage.

Led by Zhang Liang, the trio took their places at center stage, properly composed.

Facing a sea of a thousand pairs of eyes, their hearts pounded; Liu Zhongjie’s hands were trembling.

Zhang Liang glanced left and right, trying to spot where Fang Yun was sitting, but gave up after failing to locate her.

He took a deep breath to steady himself, then flashed his trademark goofy grin and introduced the act: “Leaders, teachers, fellow students! We are Class 5, Grade 11—” and with Liu Zhongjie and Guan Qiangguo joining in, they called out their names: “Liu! Guan! Zhang! Rap group!”

A wave of laughter rippled through the hall.

The flashy introductions and spinning leaps had been set aside, but the trio’s self-introduction still drew a roar of laughter from the crowd.

Many students were heckling: “A rap group? More like the comedy act!”

Backstage near the curtain, Huang Guolun watched the three perform.

He could hear the tremor in their voices—they were clearly nervous.

But this was only natural; anyone would be anxious the first time performing before such a crowd. The question was, could they hold it together?

Huang Guolun, striving to maintain his own composure, silently cheered them on: “Come on!”

With the teachers in each class keeping order, the noisy, chaotic atmosphere soon quieted down.

The trio took their places, ready to sing.

The teacher in charge of sound cued up the backing track.

On the big screen behind the stage, animation and subtitles appeared from “The Year, the Bunny, and Those Things”:

[The new Classic of Mountains and Seas says: There is a beast, its fur white as snow, ears long, fond of eating eagle sauce; when it meets the gray bear, it turns into a handout-seeker, muttering ‘money, territory, girls,’ and its motto is: ‘No matter how skilled you are, beware of the cleaver.’]

Seeing such playful subtitles and the cartoon rabbit, the audience erupted in another wave of excited chatter.

Many students recognized the animation instantly—it was “The Year, the Bunny, and Those Things!”

They were all thinking: Don’t ruin a classic!

With the stirring music rising, Zhang Liang’s thunderous voice burst forth: “There is a strength that none can withstand; never defeated, born defiant!”

All the doubt and mockery in the hall vanished in an instant.

Though Zhang Liang’s voice was rough and hoarse, it was charged with masculine vigor—unrefined, yet forceful and deeply stirring.

And with the six donkey meat sandwiches fueling him, Zhang Liang was in peak form!

His volume and projection had improved dramatically since rehearsal.

Like an autumn gale sweeping away leaves, his impassioned, sky-splitting opening shout stunned everyone in the auditorium.

Huang Guolun, blessed with extraordinary hearing, was moved by Zhang Liang’s shout—brimming with nerves, excitement, and an unstoppable momentum.

Even in his most optimistic hopes, he hadn’t dared imagine Zhang Liang would open with a line so powerful it hit the heart like a fist.

It was clear how much effort this big guy had put in for tonight’s performance—sweat and determination in equal measure.

Now their efforts were paying off. At least, the opening had seized everyone’s attention. Huang Guolun was truly proud of them.

In the audience, Fang Yun, Ma Xiaorong, Luo Feifei, and the other students from Class 6, Grade 11, sat together.

When the Liu-Guan-Zhang trio took the stage, Ma Xiaorong had been snickering, waiting to see Zhang Liang embarrass himself.

Yet that passionate shout—so full of youthful fire—was like a pillar of stone rising on a boundless plain. It left Ma Xiaorong dumbstruck.

She murmured in shock, “That big goof can actually sing? I thought he was tone-deaf!”

Beside her, Fang Yun watched as Zhang Liang held the stage, shouting with such spirit before the entire school, and felt her impression of him change completely.

It was just like seeing him dominate on the basketball court.

Though he was often outmatched and dunked on because of his slow wit, today he’d delivered a spectacular, earth-shaking slam dunk.

How magnificent!

Inspired by Zhang Liang, Liu Zhongjie quickly overcame his nerves.

With a much higher, more soaring voice, he continued the anthem: “There is an ideal that lights the darkness, in the place where I feel most proud!”

Then Guan Qiangguo delivered a dazzling, ultra-deep bass rap:

“When that familiar melody rings out,
Chin held high, I gaze at the flag flying bright,
When disaster strikes, we stand together,
Helping and caring, we never stand by,
Facing truth head-on, confronting history, meeting the future with courage,
Praying for our heroes to return safe and sound.
Never compromise—a great nation’s dignity can never be violated!
Never yield—every inch of land must not be seized!”

Hearing Guan Qiangguo’s rap—good enough for “China’s Hip-Hop” stage—many students were thrilled.

Then Liu Zhongjie followed up with a fiery rap of his own:

“I am no longer that abused figure of the past,
My determined heart and steps unstoppable,
I don’t care if others mock me,
Once, I too was so small,
But now I ride the waves like those who marched the Long March,
Vowing to defend this land, my gaze like a sword.
I am proud of my homeland!
Let the five-starred red flag fly free!”

...

At this, many aspiring youths in the audience found themselves moved to tears.

They were stirred not only because the trio’s “Born Defiant” ignited their pride as Chinese, but also because of the images and classic lines from “The Year, the Bunny, and Those Things” flashing across the giant screen:

[So-called peace is because others are bearing the burden!]
[Behind us stands the motherland—there is no retreat!]
[The green hills hold loyal bones, the fallen return wrapped in their banners. Sixty years have passed—tonight, come home!]
[Let my blood nourish this land, so rivers and mountains remain as before!]
[You gave me noon, I repay you with undying heroism!]
[In those chaotic years, may you have a glorious life in the next!]