Rebirth 04: Starting from Taking an Unconventional Approach

Chapter 176 Variables

Chen Zhengyuan sat in the fifth row, fiddling with the hem of his suit jacket on his lap. Zhang Huaili was speaking on stage, his voice flowing from the speakers. He should have been sitting in the second row, but the front row offered a very limited view, making it difficult for him to observe the situation. For example, it made it difficult for him to observe Han Fei and Wen Shuyan sitting directly in front of him.

It was Han Fei again, that detestable pretty boy. He loathed Han Fei for ruining his plans, loathed Han Fei sitting with Wen Shuyan, whispering to each other every now and then. But what he loathed most was Wen Shuyan's attitude after seeing Han Fei—a complete 180-degree turn from when they were on the terrace. She was radiant, rushed to the school gate to greet him, and after hearing Han Fei's brief, cryptic, and utterly uninteresting reply, she laughed heartily, as if Han Fei's words were incredibly witty and humorous. Moreover, the way Wen Shuyan looked at Han Fei revealed genuine admiration and care.

The only thing that brought Chen Zhengyuan some comfort was that Han Fei hadn't made any advances towards Wen Shuyan, not even the most natural physical contact. This meant that Han Fei at least had some self-awareness, knowing that a woman like Wen Shuyan wasn't someone he could just touch casually. It also meant that he and Wen Shuyan weren't in a romantic relationship.

However, the damage Han Fei had done to Chen Zhengyuan's carefully cultivated atmosphere and meticulously planned scheme was irreparable. A commotion arose in the rows in front of him as a dozen or so guests arrived, but after a few whispers, they sat down again. Those dozen or so were led to seats in the first two rows, seats that had remained empty for the half hour he had been waiting. Chen Zhengyuan stared ahead, and the rule suddenly flashed through his mind: the most important of the four reasons a man is determined to win a woman's heart is that she loves another man.

With Han Fei present, and someone Wen Shuyan truly likes here, if he continues to pester and fawn over her, it's tantamount to humiliating himself, displaying his failure right under Han Fei's nose, and likely provoking even stronger resistance from Wen Shuyan, perhaps even a public rejection or loss of composure. He'd lose all face in front of all the teachers, students, and education officials. Damn it, that's infuriating.

But this is his home turf.

Zhang Huaili loudly announced the official start of the launching ceremony and invited Wen Shuyan, a representative of young teachers, to speak on stage.

Applause erupted from the audience. Chen Zhengyuan saw Wen Shuyan stand up, walk to the central aisle, and calmly head towards the podium.

He had to win back, and he would win back. He wanted to embarrass Han Fei in front of Wen Shuyan, to show her that Han Fei, whom she trusted, was close to, and loved, was nothing more than that in front of him, Chen Zhengyuan.

"In my heart, music has never been a lofty art," Wen Shuyan said in a clear and calm voice, "nor is it a string of cold notes or a melody merely for performance. Music is an outlet for emotions, another way of telling stories. It can speak for words that cannot be spoken, and can gently yet deeply convey those emotions hidden in the heart. I understand that there are many young people around us who love music and yearn to create. What they lack may never be talent, but rather an opportunity to be seen and heard. A platform that allows their original works to go from the practice room, the dormitory, or a small recording software to a wider world..."

"9

Han Fei sat listening to Wen Shuyan speak, thinking that she was usually quiet and reserved, but he hadn't expected her to be so composed on stage. Although it wasn't a passionate speech, every word seemed to flow from her heart, clean and sincere. What surprised Han Fei even more was that Wen Shuyan's philosophy on music coincided perfectly with Qingniao's attitude towards content.

Han Fei looked around. The auditorium was simply furnished. There were no decorations on the stage, nor was there a long table in front of it. Between the audience and the stage, there was only an ordinary desk covered with a tablecloth and holding a microphone and bottled water. The first two rows of the audience were for leaders and guests, where several middle-aged men in formal attire sat with upright postures.

Wen Shuyan looked down at everyone and continued, "As a young teacher, I hope that what I can do is not just teach students to read music, harmonize, and analyze musical forms, but to accompany them in finding their own musical language. And this is the most precious support that this project can provide. It may not provide answers, but it certainly provides opportunities to try, the courage to make mistakes, and the soil for dreams to take root."

Han Fei thought that Chen Zhengyuan should have been sitting in the first two rows, but for some reason he was sitting in the fifth row, which should have been the teachers' representative area.

"Finally, on behalf of the young teachers and students of the School of Arts, I would like to thank the school and NetEase Group for their emphasis on and investment in original music. I also look forward to hearing more melodies from this school in the near future, resonating in the hearts of more people. Thank you all."

After Wen Shuyan finished her speech, enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience. Han Fei watched Wen Shuyan walk off the stage and clapped along with everyone else, but then he heard Chen Zhengyuan's rough, hoarse voice coming from behind him: "President Han, you've taken time out of your busy schedule to support our Wangyi. Thank you so much."

Han Fei smiled slightly, without turning around, feeling Chen Zhengyuan's warm and moist breath on his neck.

"Mr. Chen, you're too kind. Professor Wen's speech was excellent; I came here specifically to learn from him."

The applause stopped, and silence descended. In that brief moment, Han Fei heard heavy, piercing breathing behind him.

Zhang Huaili, vice president of Shanghai Normal University, reached up and touched his forehead, then slid his hand up over his head, his sweaty hand staining the thick tuft of hair around his forehead. He looked at the crowd below the stage. Soft harp music was playing from the speakers.

A typical school-enterprise cooperation launch event has 50 to 60 attendees, but this time, with leaders from the Municipal Education Commission and numerous media outlets present, coupled with the fact that it involved a large company like NetEase, the small auditorium, which can accommodate over 100 people, was packed. If we include the staff, volunteers, and company personnel waiting outside, the launch event had over 180 attendees in total.

However, there have been far too many similar events in recent years. When these events first appeared, everyone was full of enthusiasm and highly engaged. The problem is that the process for these events is always the same: school-enterprise cooperation, launch meeting, speeches from leaders, etc.

Speeches and group photos—the entire process seemed copied from a textbook, and after a while, it became nauseating. But a process is a process; its purpose isn't innovation, but avoiding mistakes. Avoiding mistakes is his responsibility in this position.

The tired, pale faces before him were filled with a mixture of emotions. The education commission officials appeared reserved and aloof, as if they were there to fulfill some unavoidable obligation. His colleagues from his school, though sitting upright, wore expressions more solemn than if they were attending their own funeral. The people from NetEase, on the other hand, seemed quite pleased. They were all dressed in suits and ties, smiling, but their eyes darted around, as if assessing how much brand premium this occasion would bring them.

Zhang Huaili opened the folder on the table, his gaze sweeping over a piece of paper inside. He saw that the next step was for a company representative to speak on stage. He suddenly recalled Wen Shuyan's speech earlier; her voice was clear and pleasant, without the stiffness of someone reading from a script. Zhang Huaili had to admit that Wen Shuyan was indeed a promising talent—professionally sound and with an outstanding appearance. Most importantly, she possessed something rare among most young people in this era: composure.

Zhang Huaili attributed this to her family background. A father who ran a tea export business, a family that could afford to send both children to Shanghai to buy property—such an upbringing wouldn't raise children who were driven by short-sighted ambition. Wen Shuyan didn't need to rely on currying favor with the powerful to change her fate, which is why she could speak so frankly on stage.

Clean and tidy, without pandering, flattery, or even deliberate attempts to please.

Zhang Huaili couldn't help but feel ashamed. It wasn't because Wen Shuyan spoke poorly; on the contrary, it was because she spoke so well. So well that he almost forgot that the reason he had pushed her onto this stage wasn't because she was the most suitable candidate. Chen Zhengyuan had specifically requested her.

There was no other way. He was forced into this situation. He couldn't abandon his work just to save Wen Shuyan. He had people closer to him in his life, and he had to support them.

He closed his eyes, trying to banish these thoughts from his mind.

Politics is the art of compromise, and so is education. All Chen Zhengyuan wanted was an opportunity for contact, a launch meeting—what could possibly happen in a public setting, under the watchful eyes of everyone? Once today was over, his mission would be complete. Whether Wen Shuyan would continue to be harassed was her own business.

His gaze involuntarily drifted towards Wen Shuyan. Chen Zhengyuan had actually gone to the fifth row, right behind Wen Shuyan. This madman, idiot, unbearably troublesome, arrogant and stubborn bastard.

Who's that young man next to Wen Shuyan? They seem quite close. What a nice young man. Oh. He finally understands why Wen Shuyan brought a friend to the launch event. How clever. Hopefully, that young man will bring Wen Shuyan good luck. Sigh. Poor girl.

The music stopped, and the intermission ended.

Zhang Huaili cleared his throat: "Thank you, Professor Wen, for your insightful remarks. Professor Wen's words were very sincere, expressing the sentiments of many young teachers and the original intention behind this original music support program. Music should not be shelved, and creation should not be a solitary journey. This is also the reason why we joined hands with NetEase Group to jointly build this platform."

A round of applause followed.

"We have a distinguished guest here today," Zhang Huaili said, the words immediately tinged with irony, "that is Mr. Chen Zhengyuan, Vice President of the Shanghai branch of NetEase Group, representing our partner company. Let's give Mr. Chen Zhengyuan a warm round of applause as he comes to the stage to deliver his speech!"

Applause erupted again.

Zhang Huaili closed the folder and placed it on the table, as if it contained a stack of interesting new data rather than just a piece of paper. He hoped that calling Chen Zhengyuan by his name would downplay the word "outstanding" he had just mentioned, and nodded to Chen Zhengyuan, who was sitting in the audience.

Chen Zhengyuan, arms crossed and leaning back in his chair, seized the moment when everyone turned to look at him, and with a swift and decisive movement, stood up and strode onto the stage. A faint smile played on his lips, as if he were prepared to receive the admiring glances of the audience after his speech. He turned slightly, facing the stage with composure, looking directly at the crowd, as if to emphasize that he hadn't brought a prepared speech. Zhang Huaili suddenly felt that Chen Zhengyuan had perfectly embodied the word "outstanding" he had used when introducing him earlier.

"Thank you, Principal Zhang, for the introduction," Chen Zhengyuan said. "I also thank the leaders of the Municipal Education Commission for their trust in Wangyi. I'm not a music major, so I feel a little uneasy standing here today talking about the original music support program. But I believe in one thing."

Chen Zhengyuan paused for a moment, and Zhang Huaili saw that this unexpected opening had worked; Chen Zhengyuan had attracted everyone's attention, at least as before. However, Zhang Huaili knew that most of the people present were thoroughly tired of these kinds of events, their tolerance for nonsense was at an all-time low, and they were too lazy to hide it. Chen Zhengyuan was too confident in himself, and he wasn't familiar with most of the people; they wouldn't allow him to test their patience.

"Any creative work, whether it's writing a song or telling a story, is essentially the same thing: expressing what's been bottled up inside in a way that others can understand. I was deeply moved by what Teacher Wen just said. She said music is an outlet for emotions, another way of telling a story." I think that's a particularly good statement. Why? Because it speaks to the true nature of creation—it's not about pleasing anyone, not about making money, but simply because keeping those words inside is unbearable.

He paused.

"When it comes to cultural creation, it reminds me of a very interesting phenomenon in the cultural circle recently."

He paused again, this time for a longer time, as if waiting for a reply, a faint smile still on his face. The pause continued. Too long, Zhang Huaili thought; those people at the Education Commission don't like dramatic effects.

"What is this phenomenon?" Chen Zhengyuan tapped the podium with his index finger. "It all started with a young publisher. This young publisher, with a publishing house on the verge of bankruptcy, told stories to millions of readers through text messages."

The protagonists in those stories aren't heroes or great figures; they're village widows, construction workers, ordinary people struggling to breathe under the weight of life. Their voices, previously unheard, are now being spoken out for them. I think this is also a kind of "emotional outlet."

He stepped back from the podium.

"You may not have noticed yet, but it's quite a coincidence. The young publisher I'm talking about happens to be sitting in the audience today. He is Han Fei, the president of Qingniao Publishing House."