Chapter 953
IF148
What happened to her family? Is it serious?
It should be raised specifically during a speech under the national flag, in front of the entire school's teachers and students.
Li Zhuangsheng's heart softened, and he opened his mouth, wanting to ask his deskmate directly. But when he noticed Lin Yuehua's momentary dazed look, the words stuck in his throat, and he couldn't say them.
He and Lin Yuehua weren't close, and he couldn't solve any real-world problems. He was just an ordinary high school student.
But this must be a serious matter. Li Zhuangsheng secretly examined it carefully again.
He used to sit two rows behind Lin Yuehua, occasionally glancing at her back when he was lost in thought. Although she was plain-looking, she always stood ramrod straight, exuding an elegant and haughty air. Li Zhuangsheng had also tried to imitate her straight posture in his childish way, but he always unconsciously reverted to his slouching posture.
But now, Lin Yuehua's back finally bent, like a bamboo stalk bent under the weight. Although she still had that poker face, her eyes held a bewildered look of helplessness.
Li Zhuangsheng's heart skipped a beat. This shouldn't be the case. She is Lin Yuehua; she should be proud and aloof, looking down on everyone else.
But what can I do? It seems like I can't do anything, and he knows nothing either.
During the long break, as a rapid march played over the classroom loudspeaker, everyone quickly got up and left the classroom. As Li Zhuangsheng reached the classroom door, he couldn't help but glance back. Lin Yuehua was still sitting in the classroom, her eyes lowered, seemingly lost in thought.
Almost everyone had left the classroom. Li Zhuangsheng stood in the corridor, craning his neck to look into the classroom. Lin Yuehua seemed to hesitate for a long time before finally making up her mind. She slowly stood up and only moved into the line when the class was about to set off.
Monday's flag-raising ceremony was no different from usual. High school students are a group with extremely strong self-awareness; the playground was quiet when the national anthem was played, and almost no one sang along, just like most people just went through the motions during exercises. It was as if performing "seriously" in front of others was a shameful thing, even though no one cared.
As always, Li Zhuangsheng stood quietly at attention before the national flag, his mind wandering. According to Xingpeng's tradition, after the flag-raising ceremony, school leaders and student representatives would typically give speeches under the flag.
Li Zhuangsheng had never listened attentively before, only thinking that these useless words could be reduced so that the "standing punishment" could end sooner and he could have time to go to the convenience store when he got back.
But this time was different. He was nervous and curious, eagerly anticipating the answer he wanted to know.
"Next, please welcome student Hu Mengdie to give a speech under the national flag."
As the host announced a familiar name, Li Zhuangsheng paused for a moment, and then a familiar figure gracefully appeared on the stage.
She stood gracefully in front of the microphone, the sunlight bathing her, making her seem to sparkle. Although Li Zhuangsheng disliked Hu Mengdie's teasing, he still tilted his head back, momentarily lost in thought because of her.
"Dear teachers and classmates, good morning! My speech today is titled 'Using Warm Light to Illuminate the Path Forward.'" Hu Mengdie smiled slightly, her words as refined and polished as jade. "The morning sun shines on the campus, and the five-star red flag rises slowly. At this moment, we stand here, bathed in the gentle autumn breeze, enjoying the beauty of the campus and the care of our families. But beside us, there is a classmate who is bearing all the storms of life alone, silently gritting her teeth and moving forward. She is our kind, hardworking, and strong classmate—Lin Yuehua."
Hu Mengdie spoke firmly and clearly, causing Li Zhuangsheng to pause slightly. He then subconsciously leaned to the side, looking at Lin Yuehua in the queue. However, he suddenly noticed that it wasn't just him; almost everyone around him had turned their gaze to Lin Yuehua because of Hu Mengdie's words.
He subconsciously lowered his head, but then noticed Lin Yuehua's slowly curling hand.
"Many people may know that Lin Yuehua has always been a role model of excellent character and academic performance in our eyes... Lin Yuehua lost the protection of her parents at a young age, without their company and love, without a safe haven to rely on. Throughout her long journey of growing up, she only had her elderly grandmother... Her only grandmother was seriously ill and bedridden. From then on, no one sheltered her from the wind and rain, no one left a light on for her late at night, no one warmed a bowl of hot food for her..."
On the platform, Hu Mengdie spoke with increasing emotion and eloquence, recounting Lin Yuehua's plight. She appeared more and more captivating, like a solitary white flower, seemingly filled with compassion for Lin Yuehua's fate; her voice even carried a hint of sobs.
The gazes fixed on Lin Yuehua grew increasingly intense. Lin Yuehua kept her head bowed, her hands clenched tightly, her face burning. She instinctively tried to straighten her bent back, but felt too tired to do so.
She felt agonizing, with scorching rays coming from all directions. She stared at the lawn, as if she could melt into it.
On the platform, Hu Mengdie's voice grew increasingly sincere and earnest. After what seemed like an eternity, she bowed deeply, her voice filled with a poignant tenderness: "Classmates, we are all classmates on this same campus, a family that warms each other's hearts. When one is in trouble, all lend a hand. Please extend your helping hand, offer your love, and let our small acts of kindness converge into a great current of warmth to help Lin Yuehua overcome this difficult time and help her grandmother recover from her illness as soon as possible! I beg you all!"
Finally, enthusiastic applause rang out from the audience. Everyone could hear the concern for Lin Yuehua in Hu Mengdie's voice, and people secretly sighed at Hu Mengdie's kindness in caring so much for a classmate they didn't know well.
Li Zhuangsheng lowered his head, raised his hand, and subconsciously clapped silently along with the others, but quickly lowered it again. He thought of Lin Yuehua's hesitation before coming to the playground, and couldn't tell whether he felt sympathy or heartache.
The other person, usually so arrogant, must be extremely embarrassed right now. Who wants to expose their wounds to others? Who wants to look so pathetic in public?
She shouldn't have participated in the flag-raising ceremony. How much better it would have been if she had been sitting in the classroom... at least she wouldn't have to face these stares right now.
So her parents are gone. So that's how much she suffered. Li Zhuangsheng thought to himself.
He couldn't help but steal a glance at Lin Yuehua, but he couldn't see anything except her head bowed low, staring at her toes.
When had she ever lowered her head in such shame before? Heaven is truly unfair; the happier a person is, the less they lack, while the stronger a person is, the more pain they suffer. (End of Chapter)