Chapter 77: Speaking for Oneself

Fortunately, Li Hao was quite adept at hosting. Seeing that the director hadn't intervened, he immediately adapted to the situation and said, "Thank you, Zhang Chu, for your reminder. From the students' performances here today, we can see that being a top scorer isn't easy. Blindly studying is no match for clever effort; all eleven top scorers on stage are truly multi-talented. For example, Zhang Chu writes beautiful calligraphy and has already published his first novel. Zhou Biyao not only excels academically but is also an accomplished athlete, a national-level swimmer. Ma Bowen is a fantasy novel enthusiast, Wang Mengru has studied piano since childhood, Yang Shiyu loves literary works, and Zhao Tianshu is a charming karaoke star..."

He praised every single top scorer without exception, treating everyone equally.

This was the mark of a first-rate host: before going on stage, he had memorized every contestant’s profile and strengths, so now he could speak confidently and fluently.

The audience had never seen top scorers like these before. What does it mean to have excellent grades but still know how to enjoy life? It was quite disheartening for some!

"That may sound blunt, but it's actually quite reasonable."

"My neighbor's child plays all day, yet still gets great grades. Some people are just born to study."

"That's not a very nice way to put it—sounds a bit arrogant."

"They're just joking. Who doesn't study hard?"

"Sigh, my child studies and tutors every day but still has poor grades. I thought bringing him here to learn from their experience would help, but..."

"Mom, did you hear that? It's not my grades that are bad; it's the genes you gave me!"

While the parents fretted, the younger audience members applauded enthusiastically. These words were far more pleasant and interesting than the usual clichés.

On stage, Zhang Chu was delighted. He was just like the other ten, so how could anyone tell them apart?

I am myself, a unique spark among the fireworks!

This kind of distinction was exactly what Zhang Chu needed to boost his reputation. He immediately gained more than four hundred reputation points; most of the audience remembered his name, while the others faded from memory.

...

"Today's first challenger is Zhang Chu. Please take your place!"

Li Hao felt exhausted. He had a premonition that Zhang Chu would do something even more outrageous next, and would definitely not quietly complete the recording.

The stage lights were dazzling. Accompanied by music, Zhang Chu slowly walked from his seat to the center circle on stage.

"Hello, Zhang Chu. Our Zhang Chu is truly a literary talent. His full-score essay for the college entrance exam, 'The Death of Red Hare,' was sensational. His work 'Detective Sherlock' won first place in the Holmes contest and has already been published. His latest novel, 'Psychological Crime,' is serialized online and has gained countless fans. Zhang Chu, please introduce yourself."

After finishing his hosting lines, Li Hao prayed silently that nothing strange would happen.

But the more you hope something doesn’t happen, the more likely it is to occur. That’s just how fate works.

"I have two versions of my self-introduction: a top scorer version and an underachiever version. Which would you like to hear?" Zhang Chu was not nervous at all. Instead, he calmly tossed the question to the audience, almost as though he were the host himself.

The others could only envy him—they could never be so composed!

The audience eagerly played along, making a clamor.

"I want to hear the top scorer version!"

"Underachiever, underachiever! Support for the underachiever!"

"Can we hear both?"

"Both! Both!"

The female host, Xiao Tao, was feeling worn out. She had hosted 'Ultimate Challenge' for so long and never encountered such a lively guest—he seemed to think he was the host.

Even so, she spoke up: "Self-introduction comes in versions? Why not share both, and let the audience judge which is better?"

Zhang Chu glanced at the camera, found a handsome angle, and began his eloquent recitation.

"You only see my ranking, but not my hard work.
You have your ideas, I have my methods.
You deny my progress, I determine my path.
You mock me for falling behind you, but I pity your complacency!
You may belittle my dreams, but I will show you whose success this is.
The college entrance exam is a journey destined for solitude, filled with failures and loneliness.
But so what? Even if I am weary and my heart aches, I will score beautifully!
I am Zhang Chu, and I speak for myself!"

What should have been a self-introduction became an impassioned speech.

The atmosphere swept up the audience; one after another, they stood. Zhang Chu's words rang like a bell, striking their hearts!

Thunderous applause erupted. No one organized it; the audience spontaneously stood and cheered. Even the other ten top scorers on stage, who had fought their way here, were equally moved.

His words voiced their own feelings. The college entrance exam truly is a single-plank bridge; even these academic stars would never wish to repeat their senior year.

"Well said! So well said!"

Li Hao now saw Zhang Chu in a new light. This top scorer was no lightweight.

He had expected Zhang Chu to stir up trouble, but instead, he delivered a phrase destined to become viral online.

...

The director was utterly amazed. The show had only just begun and was already so exciting. Who knows what will happen next? Perhaps they really might break the ratings record!

As the applause faded, the female host Xiao Tao regained control. "Zhang Chu's self-introduction was truly brilliant. Does everyone want to hear his other version?"

No one underestimated Zhang Chu anymore—he was clearly talented.

The audience responded in unison: "Yes!"

Yet, to everyone's surprise, Zhang Chu replied with pride, "Wish all you want. I'm a top scorer—how could I have an underachiever's introduction!"

Oh, this guy!

The whole audience was thoroughly entertained; his expression was reminiscent of Song Xiaobao—he couldn't have been more like him!

What should have been a tense, serious quiz show was instead filled with applause and laughter.

People outside the studio, unaware of the context, might have thought they were recording a comedy show!

"No, no, we must hear the underachiever version!"

"I want to represent underachievers and mock you. Surely a top scorer can’t be unable to write one?"

"Give us one!"

"Zhang Chu, give us one!"

Though he was a little annoyed, he still had to keep smiling. Li Hao felt the audience was unusually lively today, nothing like usual. After glancing at the director’s signals, he quickly changed the subject: "After Zhang Chu's novel self-introduction, let’s move on to today’s main event—the Top Scorer Challenge begins!"

************

The author really shouldn’t explode with so many chapters during the free period, but boredom gets the better of me.

However many tickets you have today, that’s how many chapters I’ll release!

For every thousand recommendations, I’ll add another chapter—there’s no upper limit!

Dear friends, check your ticket stash and see if you have any left!