Chapter Eighty-two Such an Era

  Wen Cai just felt that Xu Yao's attitude was a bit strange. Without thinking about it too much, he asked: "You're looking for people who sing well, what do you want to do?"

  Xu Yao said anxiously, "Didn't you hear me during the last class break? We're going to have a sing-off with those music-ignorant girls this Saturday at a karaoke place. If they lose, they'll have to shout 'I love Zhang Xueyou' in front of the whole school at Monday's flag-raising ceremony, haha." By the end of her sentence, the little girl couldn't help but laugh, her beautiful eyes narrowing into crescent shapes, and her delicate face flushing with color, looking extremely cute.

  In another sentence, if Xu Yao loses, she will definitely shout "I love Aaron Kwok".

  Warmly smiled wryly, don't know what to say is good.

  After decades of repression, people's denial and suspicion of themselves became the label of the times, and social forms almost collapsed. It was this denial and suspicion that created the ideological explosion at the beginning of reform and opening up, various thought trends began to surge, and all kinds of consciousness gradually awakened, after repeated washing and baptism in the 1980s, finally reached its peak in the mid-1990s. Young people frantically absorbed all sorts of imported goods, whether they were essence or dregs, without exception.

  The old concept was broken, and the new value has not been established. Without faith, lost direction, can't find the meaning of life and the reason for survival. Like Wen Tianxiang Yu's generation, they grew up in the songs of Lai Ning and Lei Feng, remembering the lofty dream of serving the people and striving to be a new person with four virtues; Under the inspiration of Zhang Haidi and China Women's Volleyball Team's five consecutive championships, they stepped into adolescence, understanding self-redemption and never giving up, which is the spiritual wealth of our nation. However, in the obscure poetry of "Baseness is the pass of the base, nobleness is the epitaph of the noble", "The dark night gave me black eyes, but I use them to find light", they became confused. Bei Dao, Shu Ting, Gu Cheng, Yang Lian, Jiang He, with profound reflection and heart-wrenching cries, swept through young people, "Literary Youth" became a term of the times, and it was the most dazzling one.

  Perplexity gave rise to rebellion, and rebellion gave birth to new beliefs. Luo Dayou and Cui Jian entered the public eye at this time. "Love Song 1990" and "The Story of Time" began to be widely sung. "Nothing to My Name" became a symbol that would never fade in the memories of a generation, full of longing and perplexity, as a metaphor for the spiritual plundering of young people. At the same time, the new idols from Hong Kong and Taiwan followed closely behind, with the Four Heavenly Kings, Little Whirlwind, and Little Tiger Team sweeping the mainland with their fresh, handsome, and sunny images, unmatched in popularity at the time.

  It was the best of times, it was the worst of times!

  Wen Jian's two generations of people, understanding Xu Yao and others' star-chasing frenzy at this age, were also intimidated by such a bold and reckless gamble. Every Monday's flag-raising ceremony, all school leaders, administrative staff, and students from three levels must participate, the atmosphere is solemn and dignified. If you really shout out loud in this place, there can only be one consequence - expulsion!

  "Must you go to such extremes?"

  Xu Yao said angrily: "Originally I didn't want to, fighting with that group of silly girls is too childish? But I really can't stand them being infatuated with Guo Fu Cheng's picture every day, in the dormitory, on books and desks, even on small mirrors, they are all pasted, flashy but not practical, does he have a good song? Being infatuated is one thing, but they keep criticizing Zhang Xue You for not being handsome enough, it's infuriating!"

  At that time, the popular star stickers were all over the place. Wen Cang had just seen a notebook belonging to Ren Yi, which was filled with Wong Mei Ling and Chiu Ya Chi's photos. Wen Cang managed to hold back his laughter, thinking that Xu Yao was still quite mature, but didn't expect her to have such a childish side.

  She suddenly frowned, looking a bit downhearted: "But those people found someone from Class 2 who's really annoying, with a great voice. He can even sing children's songs well... I... I don't stand a chance..."

  "Really dislike? Who is it, singing so loudly?"

  "Hmm, you also know him, the one who hangs out with Mu Shan and others. I heard that every Friday's music class is taught by him in our class, and I can even hear the screams of the girls from Class 2 when I'm in Class 1."

  Liu Zhihe isn't saying that Bai Huan has been busy with the 19th Middle School's affairs recently, how can he still have the mood to fool around with these girls? Wen Chen hesitated for a moment and said: "Let's do this. For the sake of our Xiaojie Xu's reputation, I'll recommend someone to you, guaranteed that you'll win easily."

  Xu Yaobai gave him a glance and said, "Alright, Mr. Wen, since you're so confident that one rooster's crowing can make the whole world white, then don't be so presumptuous. If you want to come play these childish games, then come on."

  Ning Xiaoyin joked: "You also know this is a children's game, right?"

  Xu Yao chuckled and said, "Alright alright, I know you've been laughing at me for several days now. Now that you have backup, the two of you can gang up on me."

  Uncle Wen was ignored by the two women, so he waved his hand to indicate his presence: "Hey, I'm telling you, I can find someone who sings really well, especially Jacky Cheung's songs, almost as if it were the real thing."

  Xu Yao and Ning Xiao Ning stared at his face, as if judging whether he was serious or joking. Wen Cheng was humiliated by such a gaze, and angrily said: "Am I not reliable in your eyes? Is it that except for nonsense, I've never told the truth?"

  "Looking silly, didn't expect self-criticism to be so profound. Good kid, do well, the future of the third class is in your hands." Xǔ Yáo patted Wēn Chén's shoulder, offering rough but sincere praise.

  "I second the motion!" Ning Xiaocong's cold smile was always deadly.

  Do you think this is a meeting of the Qingzhou Standing Committee?

  Wen Cheng was almost exhausted by these two girls today, and didn't even have the energy to retort. He resignedly said: "Just say it directly, do you want to or not?"

  "Of course I want to, otherwise you think I'm in the mood to waste so much time chatting with you. Speak up. Who is it?"

  "Tan Yu, do you still remember? That time when Tan Xue came to deliver money, the little boy sitting next to her..."

  Xu Ya suddenly realized and said: "Ah, I remember now, Tan Xue's brother, right? He's also in No. 1 Middle School? Why have you never mentioned him before?"

  "It's a man-to-man thing, don't ask about it. Alright, this afternoon after school I'll introduce him to you, and you girls can check him out, if he's okay with you, then let him be the representative."

  Wen He thought that kind of thing would be something that guy Tang Youyou would be interested in participating in, after all being able to show off in front of a group of girls was really cool, even back in their high school days in '95.

  Xu Yao had heard Tan Yu speak and felt that his voice was a bit sharp, not thick enough. She originally wanted to reject him, but after a moment's thought, she suddenly became happy and said: "Good, it's him!"

  The three of them wasted a lot of time here, and the selection was finally settled. Wen Ze smiled and said, "Well, if you guys have skin as thick as mine, we can continue talking. Otherwise..."

  Before the words were finished, the bell rang loudly for ten minutes before class. Xǔ Yāo let out a sharp cry and grabbed Níng Xiǎo Níng's hand, turning around to run away, with Wēn Jìng's loud laughter echoing from behind.

  After class, Ji Su suddenly walked over and sat down in the empty seat in the front row, turning around to look at Wen Qian. Seeing his puzzled gaze, Ji Su smiled slightly, with two small dimples appearing on her cheeks. She put the notebook in her hand on the table and said loudly: "Wen Qian classmate, as a study committee member, I have the responsibility not to let students with poor grades drag down the whole class. Teacher Si also told me to help you make up for it, so from today on, you need to take out two hours of extracurricular time to study."

  Thinking of what happened last night, Wen Xiang smiled and said: "Thank you, Ji Xue, but I've been really busy these past two days..." This was the truth, not an excuse.

  Ji Su's eyes sparkled as she said with a hint of a smile: "Alright, I'll go tell Teacher Si to have a heart-to-heart talk with your mom..."

  Wen Jian's head suddenly became big, giving people a handle, it's really a way to seek death! But if she agreed, she would inevitably let Ji Su be surrounded by rumors and gossip. Although she didn't care, Wen Jian couldn't ignore it selfishly. She glanced at Ren Yi, who was staring straight ahead with his eyes closed, but his ears were perked up, eavesdropping. Suddenly, she thought of a compromise: "If we end up being the worst in the whole grade this time, it must be because of Ren Yi's dragging us down. How about you help us review together?"

  Ren Yi was overjoyed, and couldn't care less about being ridiculed. His deep, sentimental eyes stared at Wen Qing, his voice trembling with excitement: "Wen... Brother Wen, you still remember me..."

  He was furious in his heart and kicked him under the table. MB remained calm, with your pig-like appearance, aren't you afraid of scaring people away?

  Ji Su was taken aback for a moment, then readily said: "Okay! But with just two people, I'm afraid we won't have enough time. How about this, Meng Ke's grades are also very good, let her come and help you guys with your studies too."

  Warm and subtle praise, this little girl has been dealing with herself for a long time, and her reaction is much faster than before. I pulled the first one and you dared to pull the second one, now four people make up lessons. Can't that group of women find fault with men?

  Ji Su pulled Meng Ke over, and Meng Ke sighed, saying: "Alright, who made me your sworn brother? If there's a pit of fire, let's jump together! But what benefits do we get for helping with the tutoring?"

  Ren Yi patted his chest hastily: "No problem, from now on, your breakfast will be taken care of by us - Qinghe's soy milk and fried dough sticks!"

  Wen Cheng couldn't help but roll his eyes and sighed, "Brother, when negotiating terms, we should take it slow. If we reveal our trump card all at once, won't we be the ones to suffer a great loss?"

  Ji Su was taken aback for a moment, her eyes fluttering across Wen Cang's face as if recalling something, and a gentle smile floated onto her face. Meng Cuo burst out laughing and clapped his hands, saying: "Not bad, this idea is great! First it was my family's Ji Su bringing you breakfast, now the tables have turned, what goes around comes around, haha!"

  Fate comes and goes, fate is a circle, you are at the starting point, I am at the end.

  Thoughts come and go, thoughts are a circle, I am at the starting point, you are at the end.

  Meet at the starting point, love until the end point, it's the destined fate for all those who are meant to love.