America: From a Fallen Child Star to the Head of the University of the West

Chapter 103 A Show for Everyone

The discussion was drawing to a close. Professor Anderson began to summarize, offering some standard thanks for everyone's participation.

Matthew and Liam both breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if they had run a long marathon. Although they were exhausted, it seemed that they had made it through.

"Mom and Dad, I did it!" Matthew couldn't help but say in Cantonese.

Liam looked at him, completely bewildered, but he noticed the relief on Matthew's face; after all, it was coming to an end.

However, just as the professor was about to adjourn the meeting, the side door was gently pushed open.

A figure walked in. He was wearing a simple dark jacket and jeans; he wasn't wearing a tie, but he didn't look sloppy. He quietly walked to the back of the auditorium and stood against the wall.

At first, only a few students nearby noticed and turned their heads in confusion. Then, low gasps and whispers spread like ripples.

"That is—"

"Sean Penn?"

"It really is him!"

"Isn't he out of town?"

On stage, Liam, who was tidying up his notes, glanced up and his eyes swept over the back row. He froze instantly. He nudged Matthew's arm. "Matthew, look! Who's here!"

Matthew looked in the direction he was pointing and was also stunned.

Professor Anderson noticed the unusual activity, glanced back, and a surprised smile appeared on his face. He picked up the microphone: "It seems we have a surprise guest tonight."

All eyes turned to the figure standing against the wall.

Sean Penn smiled at everyone and then strode towards the podium. His pace was unhurried, and he nodded to the students who looked at him along the way.

The spotlight seemed to follow him naturally.

He walked onto the stage, shook hands firmly with Matthew and Liam, who were still somewhat dazed, patted them on the shoulder, and whispered quickly, "Well done, I heard you."

Then, he took the microphone from the professor and turned to the audience.

"Sorry I'm late," his voice came through the speakers, clear and steady as ever, with a strange power to soothe the restless. "The Silicon Valley meeting ended later than expected, and there was a bit of traffic. But I told the driver to get back no matter what, even if he could only make it to the end. Because I know that important conversations are taking place here."

He looked down at the audience, his gaze sweeping over the young faces and those who opposed him.

Judging from their positive impressions, Matthew and Liam did a pretty good job.

Of course, it's also possible that he was born with a succubus constitution.

"I listened outside the door for a while. I heard some sharp questions and the answers from two of my team's young men." He smiled at Matthew and Liam, who both looked a little embarrassed, but their backs were noticeably straighter.

“The first thing I want to say is,” Sean continued, his tone becoming more serious, “that I’m proud of them. Matthew, Liam, and all of our team members working hard across the country. Politics shouldn’t be a high-and-mighty performance; it should be a down-to-earth, patient, and hard-working endeavor. Tonight, they stand here, facing all the questions, doing their best to explain our thinking, which in itself takes courage. They represent a different way of thinking about politics: not empty talk, but serious listening and thinking.”

Applause erupted from the audience, this time more enthusiastic and sincere than ever before.

Matthew and Liam's eyes felt slightly hot.

"Secondly," Sean turned to the audience, "I want to thank everyone here, whether you agree, question, or disagree. Some of the questions you raised were very insightful, and some directly pointed out the weaknesses in our plan. This is exactly what we need. Good policies cannot be developed behind closed doors. Only through such direct, and sometimes even uncomfortable, exchanges can ideas be honed and plans improved. Please continue to question and pursue our questions."

He paused for a moment, his gaze becoming deep.

"I know there's been a lot of news today. About lawsuits, about attacks, about all sorts of noise. What I want to say is very simple: that noise won't stop me, or my team, from the work we're doing. We will continue to visit the community, continue to refine our policies, and continue to participate in discussions like tonight."

Ultimately, what defines us is not what our opponents say, but what we do and whether we persist in speaking out for those voices that are often ignored!

His words, though lacking any impassioned shouts, calmed the somewhat agitated hall that had been filled with heated debate all night.

"Finally, I would like to thank Professor Anderson again, the student council, Matthew and Liam, and every student present." Sean bowed slightly.

"The discussion is over, but the thinking and practice will continue. If you have any further thoughts, suggestions, or even criticisms, please feel free to let us know through any of our team's channels. Good night."

Then, the applause gradually subsided, and the crowd moved on once more.

It's already late. The top students are going back to their books, while the underachievers are going back to playing games.

But many students also rushed to the podium, wanting to talk to Sean up close or take photos with him. Matthew and Liam were pushed to the side, but both of them had a flushed face that was a mixture of fatigue and excitement.

While dealing with the enthusiastic young people, Sean was also distracted by his unexpected return trip.

He had originally planned to drive directly from Silicon Valley back to the Pasadena headquarters. But while listening to Kelly's live audio broadcast of the latter half of the discussion in the car, especially hearing how Matthew and Liam handled those sharp attacks, a thought suddenly popped into his head.

This is an opportunity. Not just to support Matthew and Liam—though that's important too.

What he cared about more was a carefully crafted "political moment":

The weary candidates, rushing from their journeys, didn't hesitate to detour through their busy schedules just to catch the tail end of the discussion, all to listen to the voices of young people. This gesture conveys a stronger message of valuing dialogue and being approachable than any eloquent speech.

Especially today, when news of the lawsuit filed by Krane is bound to be everywhere, a calm and focused appearance, dedicated to substantive discussion, is itself the most powerful response.

Maybe tomorrow Rachel can get her former comrades to write a report called "Why Sean Penn Isn't Panicking!"

In short, what he needs to show the public is not a candidate embroiled in lawsuits and struggling to defend himself, but a composed and capable actor.

Of course, he did want to give Matthew and Liam some support!

After all, the performance of these two young men tonight exceeded his expectations. In fact, the numbers above their heads had noticeably increased when he went on stage, a testament to the exhilaration of recognition and trust.

After dealing with a wave of group photos, Sean finally had a chance to turn to Matthew and Liam.

The two immediately surrounded them.

"Mr. Pan, how could you—" Matthew was still somewhat incredulous.

“Kelly called me. I’ve actually been thinking about this myself this month—” Sean explained, gesturing for them to move to a less crowded side stage. “He heard the first part and said you handled it well, but the atmosphere was a bit tense. I thought about it, and since I had just finished talking things in Silicon Valley, I changed my route and came here.”

He looked at the two of them and said, "You answered the last few questions very well and didn't fall into the trap of arguing over details. That was the right strategy."

Liam, however, was still a little shaken: "I broke out in a cold sweat. Those guys, their questions were so tricky."

"There will only be more scenes like this in the future!" Sean patted him on the shoulder, "but you've already passed the first hurdle."

Remember how you felt tonight: nervousness is normal, and sincerity is your best weapon.

Of course, we shouldn't emulate his sincerity.

Just then, a man and a woman squeezed through; they were Jason and Sasha.

"Mr. Pan," Jason said, handing over a book. He still had that lazy tone, but his eyes were much more serious than before. "Could you sign this? My sister—well, she used to be a fan of yours."

Sean smiled, took the pen Sasha handed him, and smoothly signed his name on the blank space on the back cover of Jason's book.

"Before? Which movie of mine made your sister fall in love with me? To be honest, I don't think I've ever made any good movies, just a bunch of shoddy productions."

Jason scratched his head: "Some people just like mass-produced products—stable and predictable. But to be honest, my sister isn't that interested in you anymore. As for me, I think you're—quite unique."

Sean handed the book back to him: "Thanks for your interest. Don't forget to vote for me then. You and I, we will change everything!"

"We'll see," Jason said casually, tucking the book under his arm. "Oh, by the way, my dad interviewed you before. He said you were pretty difficult back then."

Sean tried hard to recall. The original owner had been interviewed too many times, mostly by entertainment reporters, and the specific faces were already blurry. After comparing Jason's face, he really didn't have any impression of him.

"Really? Which newspaper? I don't really remember."

Jason smiled without saying anything, only saying, "It's not some big newspaper."

Then he changed the subject, "Will you go back to making movies in the future? After all, politics is more like a soap opera than Hollywood."

Sean laughed, and said meaningfully, "Isn't that what I'm doing right now? It's just that the script right now—"

"We'll have to write it ourselves."

"That's true." Jason seemed impressed, though not quite convinced, and appeared satisfied with the answer. He glanced at Sean again, then pulled LS along.

Sha's arm said, "Let's go, I have an early class tomorrow."

Sasha also said "thank you" to Sean, and then Jason pulled her into the departing crowd.