Chapter 066: A Truly Meaningful Competition

In Binhai, people often say in private that the First High is for studying, the Second High is for romance, and the Third High is for fighting. That’s why First High produces bookworms, Second High breeds little Casanovas, and Third High churns out small-time troublemakers.

But this time, something surprising happened. The singing competition at First High was so spectacular that it seemed to bring forth dragons among men, even attracting the attention of city committee leaders.

Since it was a school singing competition, there were no preliminary or semifinal rounds—just one decisive performance. However, the school leaders found it vexing that so many students signed up this year; the event was expected to last three days. In previous years, the later rounds were always dull, but this year, the excitement only increased as the competition progressed.

On the first day, Sun Haibo from Senior Class Three performed “Great China” and scored an impressive ninety-eight, propelling the entire competition to a fever pitch.

On the second day, Liu Lu from Junior Class Seven sang Teresa Teng’s “Fragrance of the Night,” scoring even higher. Most notably, Liu Lu had outstanding stage presence and striking looks, causing the campus to erupt. Boys scrambled to confess their admiration, while girls were filled with envy and jealousy.

The campus radio announced that on the third and final day, the director of the Municipal Bureau of Culture would attend. This news sent everyone’s enthusiasm soaring.

Yet one thing remained unchanged: the outstanding contestants were still mostly juniors and seniors. Freshmen could only cheer them on; the only freshman to score highly was Huang Juan from Class Eight, who sang “Mother’s Kiss.” As for Chen Ming and his group, despite their passion, they failed to place.

“Xiao Tian, why didn’t you join the competition?” During the afternoon break, Huang Juan turned to Yang Tian, who was engrossed in his book. At that moment, the class buzzed about the singing contest, but he alone was contentedly reading.

“Oh, the internet cafe was too busy this morning, so I didn’t make it!” Yang Tian replied casually. According to the school’s schedule, he was supposed to perform that morning, but he didn’t show up, effectively forfeiting.

It was only a singing contest, after all. He had encouraged Huang Juan to participate so she could relax from her studies and gain more experience, hoping it would make her bolder, more confident, and mature. As for himself, he might join the fun when free, but otherwise preferred to focus on other things.

“Hmph, you’re just afraid! Freshmen rarely win prizes; you’re scared you’d lose and be laughed at!” Zhao Shilei leaned over, grinning mischievously.

“Don’t be ridiculous! Xiao Tian isn’t like that—he sings beautifully! If he performed Andy Lau’s ‘Destined Love in the Next Life,’ he’d surely get a perfect score!” Huang Juan retorted, unwilling to back down.

“That’s right! Yang Tian isn’t what you say at all. You’re judging him with a petty mind. Chen Ming, what’s that saying again?” An Qi chimed in loudly, forgetting the proverb and turning to Chen Ming for help.

“It’s ‘the petty judge the noble by their own standards,’” Chen Ming replied with a smile.

“Yes, that’s it!” An Qi laughed, casting a glance at Zhao Shilei.

“See? You’re under fire again! I’ll tell you, this is like dropping a bomb in a toilet—stirring up public waste! But seriously, Yang Tian, it’s a shame you didn’t go up there and put those juniors and seniors in their place—they’re too arrogant!” Zhang Yunxiang scoffed at Zhao Shilei, then frowned as he spoke to Yang Tian.

“Yeah, look at that Sun Haibo from Senior Year—after scoring high yesterday and gaining the school’s cheers, he spent all morning showing off in our freshman area, flirting with every girl he saw. It’s disgusting!” Zhao Shilei added.

“And Liu Lu too—she really thinks she’s a pop star, strutting around in that gaudy dress with half her chest exposed, acting as if she’s so beautiful! But tell me, do you boys actually like girls dressing that way?” An Qi was furious as she mentioned Liu Lu.

“No way! Girls like that are so tacky. When they grow up, they’ll never be anything good!” Chen Ming declared indignantly, noticing An Qi’s gaze and eager to clarify, “I prefer simple, down-to-earth girls!”

“Then why do so many boys rush to talk to her and ask for her autograph? I just don’t get it—her singing isn’t even that good! I think Huang Juan sings better!” An Qi threw her arm around Huang Juan’s shoulder, laughing encouragement.

“It’s not that. She’s just better looking than me. The judges said so: in terms of costume and stage appeal, she’s excellent, and I can’t compete with that,” Huang Juan said, her voice gloomy as she turned away.

Zhao Shilei and the others kept making noise, but Yang Tian alone noticed Huang Juan’s mood. She was a country girl, while Liu Lu grew up in the city. Perhaps for the first time, she saw the “gap” and felt a bit lost. Yang Tian smiled and shook his head at the thought.

That evening, when they returned to their lodgings, Yang Tian washed up while observing Huang Juan, who sat reading and seemed absent-minded, still troubled by the day’s events.

“Juan, are we going home this weekend?” Yang Tian asked with a smile, toothbrush in hand, hoping to lift her spirits.

“Xiao Tian, do I really look so rustic?” Huang Juan replied, not answering his question, her brow furrowed.

“Where did you get that idea? Tell me, what do you mean by rustic?” Yang Tian wiped his mouth and sat across from her.

“It’s about dressing poorly. Look at Liu Lu—her dress is so lovely! Her earrings and necklace are beautiful too... But it’s not just that. I overheard some people say girls from the countryside look rustic by nature—it’s inborn!” Huang Juan sighed.

“So what?” Yang Tian smiled.

“If you look rustic, nobody likes you. Look at Liu Lu—so popular! I bet all the boys like her,” Huang Juan murmured.

“Is that so? I don’t like her!” Yang Tian grinned broadly. He understood Huang Juan’s thoughts; she wasn’t one to compare herself to others, and having grown up with her, he knew her well. At this stage, girls crave recognition and encouragement.

“Really?” Huang Juan smiled, her spirits lifting.

“Of course. For high school students, the most beautiful trait is academic achievement. Besides that, it’s genuine character and cheerful personality—not mature outfits and heavy makeup! Even as adults, a woman’s beauty isn’t in a slim figure or sexy clothes, but in kindness and honesty. Let me tell you, in that regard, city girls can never match country girls. That simplicity is innate and can’t be learned!” Yang Tian said sincerely. Suddenly, he felt the singing competition had become meaningful—it would be a major step in Huang Juan’s growth, and he resolved to put in a little effort for her sake.

“Really? As long as you don’t like her, that’s all that matters!” Huang Juan replied with a sentence that surprised Yang Tian, then happily returned to her book.