Chapter 39: Igniting the Entire Arena

“Do you feel you can’t go on living so meekly? Then let’s resist together!”
“Don’t cry—your tears will freeze.”
“We’re here, eating fried noodles with snow, so our loved ones back home won’t have to. We’re here in air-raid shelters so our families won’t need to hide. Your dreams—we’ll protect them!”
“I’ll keep all these hardships outside our homeland, I swear it!”
“I just want to know, in your time, can you eat your fill and stay warm? Can you live your days in peace, walk with your head held high, and not be mocked as the ‘Sick Man of East Asia’? Will our great dream come true? If, in the future, there are so many educated loved ones, surely our country will develop even faster!”
...
These lines, each a classic, accompanied by stirring and poignant scenes from history, and underscored by the impassioned performance of “Born Stubborn” by Zhang Liang and his two friends, transformed the auditorium into a battlefield surging with uncooled blood and galloping steeds.

Midway through the song, the screen behind them showed the moment when the nation finally succeeded in testing the mushroom bomb—a teary rabbit holding a portrait said, “Did you know, from today onward, China’s history will be rewritten!”
This moment coincided with Liu Zhongjie, eyes shut, crying out, “I am no longer the humiliated figure I once was; my steadfast heart and steps can never be stopped!”
The all-encompassing audiovisual spectacle bombarded everyone’s emotions, igniting every hidden spark in the hearts of teachers and students alike. The atmosphere was ablaze, tears shimmering in many eyes.

Even Yan Liwen, the military singer, was moved to the verge of tears by what he saw.
Before coming, he never imagined he would be so deeply touched by these students tonight.

The song was beautifully written, the accompanying animation even more moving. Despite the flaws in the trio’s singing, their youthful ardor washed away every imperfection, stirring the audience and moving them with their sincerity and courage.

On stage, Zhang Liang and his friends poured their souls into the lyrics:
“Rising from adversity, we walk the humble path
Passion awakened, remembering our forebears’ sacrifice
Don’t be indifferent; shoulder to shoulder, we march on
No need for silence—sing out, let our spines be strong!...”

As they sang, the projected scenes from “That Year, That Rabbit, Those Things” remained deeply touching, wrenching tears from many.
“When, my friend, do you think we’ll have such advanced equipment?”
“I don’t know. I only know that starting today, our efforts will bring us closer, sooner than if we wait until tomorrow.”
“Then let’s start today! One day, I’ll sit in the command seat of our own aircraft carrier.”
“When you are well-fed and warm, and raise the red flag high—if you see it flying tall, that means I’ve kept my promise. The rest is up to you. Farewell—see you in times of peace and prosperity!”

Many teachers in the audience were moved to tears by the words “see you in times of peace and prosperity.”
Zhou Gang wiped his nose, filled with pride and emotion.
Feeling the surging energy in the auditorium behind him, he knew he had made the right bet.

Those who once doubted Zhou Gang and Meng Xiaoyun’s decision to schedule Huang Guolun’s act so prominently no longer worried.
Their hearts brimmed with admiration for Huang Guolun, the teacher who usually seemed to just muddle through but turned out to be so talented—what a delightful surprise!

Some teachers suspected this impassioned, patriotic song might not have been written by Huang Guolun himself—perhaps Meng Xiaoyun helped, or he obtained it elsewhere to shine at the celebration.
But most had no interest in doubting anything—they were lost in a tide of pride and emotion, just like the students.

At that moment, Meng Xiaoyun was especially moved. Seeing Huang Guolun, her long-time colleague, finally rising to prominence filled her with joy. Tears glistened in her eyes, sparkling with happiness and relief.

Even those students who previously mocked the Liu-Guan-Zhang rap trio as mere clowns were more moved than anyone, their eyes brimming with tears, barely restraining themselves from cheering them on.

As the song entered its latter half, the most electrifying rap segment was about to begin.
Zhang Liang, who had been holding back after six donkey-meat sandwiches, strode to center stage, ready to unsheath his sword.
Huang Guolun clenched his fists, worried Zhang Liang might stumble over the rapid-fire rap.

In practice, Zhang Liang’s success rate with this verse was just over sixty percent; even if he kept up with the rhythm, his flow wasn’t always smooth. Any slip might break the momentum and ruin the effect.

“We must pull through!”
Huang Guolun cheered him on from the wings.

The big guy raised the microphone, and, at a speed even he could barely comprehend, unleashed the night’s most explosive rap—
“After years of tempering, I bid farewell to yesterday
Breaking the chains, gathering the flames
Muscles and steel, shattering records...

Diligence and kindness are my code of life
In the frozen wilds, I’ve honed my skills
Turning the impossible into possible
Opening the world’s doors, as long as everyone
Bears their mission, shoulders their responsibility!...”

Even with his sharp hearing, Huang Guolun found Zhang Liang’s rap almost indecipherable—one could only catch the first and last words of each line.
The judges and students were all left in a bewildered fog.

Still, despite the muddled delivery, Zhang Liang’s presence was formidable.
No matter how well or poorly he rapped, he maintained the swagger of a top-tier rapper—he could lose anything, but never his pride!

This machine-gun burst of rap, though chaotic, had a stunning effect—like a Gatling gun spewing blue fire across a smoke-filled battlefield, it pushed the atmosphere to its fever pitch.

Everyone’s heart was set ablaze—by the song, the animation, and that unforgettable, bone-deep history.

In the end, the whole student body joined Zhang Liang and his friends, singing “Born Stubborn” in a chorus meant to echo through the night, to let the souls above hear and see these glorious times.

“…There’s a power no one can resist!
It never admits defeat—born stubborn!
There’s an ideal that lights the confusion!
In that place inscribed with honor!...”

As the song drew to its close, the big screen displayed the final closing words—
“To this day, the rabbits have turned their homeland into one of the strongest halls on Blue Star, traversing blood and smoke, blossoming into splendor. They’ve fallen into the mire, yet soared to the clouds.”
“Every rabbit has a dream of a great nation.”
“The apple tree our forebears planted…”
“It’s up to us to continue guarding it.”
“Let’s work together to build our homeland.”
“Are you ready?”

The music ended.
The last frame on the screen froze on the proudest vow from “That Rabbit”—
“In this life, I regret nothing in joining China; in the next, I’ll be born here again!”

Boom!
Thunderous applause erupted!
Everyone in the auditorium—teachers, students, and leaders—rose to their feet, saluting the performance and the glorious, unyielding years it honored.

Eyes glistened everywhere.
Some girls even cried off their secretly applied makeup.
No one had expected to see such a stirring performance at the school celebration, let alone from Zhang Liang, the big, goofy guy from the basketball team!

On the leader’s platform, the principal clapped and exclaimed “Excellent!” three times.
The city officials nearby all wore smiles of praise.
Zhou Gang was overjoyed—whatever else happened, tonight’s celebration had already been a resounding success.

On stage, the three boys were drenched in sweat, exhilarated.
Bathed in the tearful admiration and applause of the audience, they felt this was the brightest moment of their lives.
To be watched and celebrated by thousands—what a beautiful, dreamlike scene, a memory seared deep into their hearts.

Zhang Liang wished he could linger in this dream for just a few seconds longer, grinning foolishly, unwilling to leave the stage.

Liu Zhongjie and Guan Qiangguo sidled up on either side, each pressing down on one of Zhang Liang’s shoulders, forcing him to bow to the audience before dragging the big guy off stage, amid the warm smiles of the whole school.

“Mr. Huang, we got the tickets to Tang Jing’s concert, right? You’d better not go back on your word!”
Bursting with pride, Zhang Liang asked Huang Guolun for the promised tickets as soon as they got backstage.

Huang Guolun laughed, “Are you always this unreliable?”
Zhang Liang was puzzled, “What do you mean?”
“Why do you keep making people promise not to break their word? Only those who feel guilty go on about it.”
Zhang Liang was left speechless.

Huang Guolun patted his shoulder, smiling, “If I say I’ll do something, I will. Now pray Tang Jing holds a concert in the capital soon—if she doesn’t for two or three years, there’s nothing I can do. But tonight’s dinner, I’ll definitely treat you to something big to reward your effort!”

“Long live Mr. Huang!”
The three boys cheered, playing around with Huang Guolun.

The Tang Jing they were talking about had already quietly left the school.
Sitting in her van, her mind was still echoing with the surprise and emotion brought by “Born Stubborn.” She said to her manager, “True talent really does hide among the people. This song is incredible—was it written by a teacher at Experimental High?”

The manager replied, “I think so, by a teacher named Huang Guolun.”
Tang Jing asked curiously, “Huang Guolun? Not the same as Mr. Huang Guolun who wrote ‘I’m Willing’ and ‘Flavor’?”
“No, just the same name.”
“Seems everyone named Huang Guolun is talented,” she joked, then instructed, “Check into it—if this song isn’t published yet, have the company buy it up quickly.”

“You want to sing it?” The manager was surprised.
Tang Jing lit a cigarette and laughed, “Me? I couldn’t. But the company has a new rap group—this song would be perfect for their next competition. Make some calls, see if we can get it fast. If we don’t, some other company will snap it up soon.”

“OK, I’ll talk to the company as soon as we get back.”
“Huang Guolun.” Gazing at the night outside the window, Tang Jing softly repeated the name, as if to carve it into her memory.

Meanwhile, the school’s anniversary performance continued in the auditorium.
After Liu-Guan-Zhang’s explosive act, the following student performances were outstanding, but none could reignite the same level of fervor.

Even Li Shaodong, who closed the show with a dazzling piano piece, couldn’t stir the crowd as Liu-Guan-Zhang had, driving them to tears and passion.

When the top three student performances were finally announced, Yan Liwen gave a grand finale, perfectly capping the school’s fiftieth anniversary.

Although Liu-Guan-Zhang had set the hall ablaze, their act lacked the pure artistry to impress the four professional judges. Ultimately, they won third place, with Zhang Jing taking second and Li Shaodong first.

Zhang Jing and Li Shaodong thus earned the right to represent Experimental High at the city’s Jin Fan Music Competition.

But in the eyes of the students, teachers, and many leaders, Liu-Guan-Zhang and their mentor Huang Guolun were the true uncrowned kings!

After the celebration, overjoyed, Huang Guolun took Liu-Guan-Zhang for a hot pot feast at a renowned restaurant near the school.

Bai Yao went home early to help Grandma Zhou take care of Huang Tao.

That night, Liu-Guan-Zhang’s performance left a deep impression on Bai Yao.
If even these “hopeless cases” could be sculpted into stars by Huang Guolun in such a short time, Bai Yao felt even more confident about her own recording!

She believed that, under Huang Guolun’s guidance, and with a bit more effort, she would soon deliver a recording to satisfy everyone.

With Bai Yao helping at home, Huang Guolun was much more relaxed. He enjoyed more than an hour of hot pot with the three boys, relishing the rare joy of bonding with his students.

Being around these high schoolers, Huang Guolun felt years younger.

Midway through the meal, after a few beers, Zhang Liang became tipsy and repeatedly told Huang Guolun the sad story of his unrequited love for Fang Yun, hoping the teacher would write him a song to express his feelings.

“Please, just write me a song that pours out all my deep feelings. Honestly, I’m not starting a relationship early! I just want to sing it to Fang Yun, that’s all.”

Huang Guolun was getting exasperated. He knew that if he didn’t deal with this, Zhang Liang would pester him every day.

An idea struck him. Huang Guolun glanced at the next table.

There sat several more students from Experimental High—a group of senior girls, giggling at the drunken Zhang Liang’s story.
One girl, who had just performed a guitar solo at the celebration, still carried her guitar.

Huang Guolun eyed her guitar, thinking… Why not just sing a song now and get Zhang Liang off his back?