Chapter 098: For Whom the Battle Is Fought

Autumn was deepening, and the temperature in Bincheng had dropped noticeably. Many girls on campus had already pulled on tights and wrapped scarves around their necks; some who were especially sensitive to the cold had even donned lightweight down jackets. These myriad colors added a distinctive charm to the scenery of the First High School.

But when the morning self-study ended and the routine Monday flag-raising ceremony commenced, all students, whether male or female, freshmen or seniors, shed their extra layers and stood clad only in the thin blue autumn uniforms. They lined up according to their class positions on the usual exercise grounds, participating in the solemn ritual. Even the teachers wore formal deep-blue suits, their eyes fixed on the flagpole.

At seven thirty, Yang Ying, the school's broadcast host standing beneath the national flag, declared the ceremony officially begun. Accompanied by a familiar entry march, many realized simultaneously that today’s flag bearer was Hu Bin, the top student in the senior science class on the midterm exam.

Several class monitors, standing at the forefront of their classes, could clearly see the melancholy on Hu Bin’s face, devoid of any pride at being the flag bearer. Among them, Yang Zhiling, the monitor of Class Seven in Grade Three, observed this with particular clarity. She understood that Hu Bin’s gloom stemmed from the moment she left his birthday party hand in hand with Lin Yu.

Understanding everything yet never one to speak her mind, Yang Zhiling could only sigh silently in her heart: "I'm sorry, Hu Bin. Though you are outstanding, this excellence does not belong to me."

Because of his somber demeanor during the flag-raising, Hu Bin earned the nickname "Prince of Melancholy," much like Italy's Baggio. He also won the hearts of many girls, though none of them were the ones he truly desired.

As the ceremony began, with the stirring national anthem resounding and the five-star red flag rising steadily, everyone present seemed transported back to an era of passionate excitement. Unconsciously, they began to hum along with the March of the Volunteers. The voices grew from faint to strong, swelling until the atmosphere was charged with emotion.

Even Lin Yu, about to deliver a speech, felt a surge of excitement. Yet, as the moment approached and he still hadn’t decided on his speech, a strange nervousness gripped him.

He silently thought, "Five minutes left! Lin Yu, you must pull yourself together!"

"Lin Yu, are you all right?" Standing beside him, Ms. He Jing, his homeroom teacher, noticed his unease and asked him after the anthem finished, her tone tinged with concern.

Truthfully, she wasn’t confident about Lin Yu speaking. But the school insisted, claiming Lin Yu would inspire many, in a way reminiscent of the American Dream. She had no way to refuse and could only acquiesce.

Lin Yu could see that, despite her outward encouragement, his teacher was actually quite worried. He smiled and reassured her, "It’s fine, teacher! It’s my first time—of course I’ll be nervous!"

"Now, let’s welcome Lin Yu from Class Seven, Grade Three, to deliver the flag-raising speech on behalf of the senior year," the host Yang Ying announced just as the teachers had exchanged a few words.

Because the midterm exam had just concluded, the seniors were the focus of today’s ceremony, with both the flag bearer and speaker chosen from among them. The freshmen and sophomores had no objections to this arrangement.

Yet when Lin Yu’s name was called, laughter erupted from all sides—freshmen, sophomores, and even seniors. The scene became chaotic. The host Yang Ying repeatedly stressed the importance of discipline, but her words had little effect.

Lin Yu was famous for all the wrong reasons: fighting, smoking, drinking, dating—every forbidden act in the school, he had done them all.

"Hand me the microphone," Lin Yu said with a smile as he walked up to Yang Ying by the flagpole.

Yang Ying, well aware of his notorious reputation, handed over the microphone without hesitation and looked up at the blue sky, determined not to get involved with this infamous troublemaker reputed to resort to violence at the slightest provocation.

In her heart, she thought defiantly, "Here you go! Let’s see if you can quiet everyone down!"

Lin Yu, seeing through the thoughts of this second-year girl, simply smiled as he took the microphone and looked out over the field.

He’d risen early that day, and couldn’t help but yawn. This only fueled the laughter on the grounds, with many whispering among themselves.

Even the school leaders and several homeroom teachers seated on the podium shook their heads, privately lamenting that choosing this youngster was surely a mistake.

At that moment, Lin Yu smiled and spoke into the microphone: "I’m sleepy because I studied until three twenty in the morning yesterday. If you find that laughable, keep laughing. You don’t have to respect me."

After his words, many who heard them fell silent. As students of First High, they respected those who worked hard.

Seeing his words had some effect, Lin Yu continued: "I was chosen to speak because I raised my score from 307 in the last exam to 569 in this one. If you find that laughable, keep laughing. You don’t have to respect me."

After two such remarks, the laughter faded, replaced by quiet murmurs.

A few aged school leaders, witnessing this, allowed themselves the faintest trace of a smile.

Lin Yu spoke again: "I was chosen to speak because I received a perfect score on my essay in the midterm exam. If you find that laughable, keep whispering. You don’t have to respect me."

Now, the entire field fell utterly silent. No one dared laugh or whisper, lest they be singled out as odd.

Satisfied with the students’ response, Lin Yu bowed and said, "Since you respect me, I shall begin my speech."

"But my speech today can hardly be called a speech, because it’s very short. Yet it must be considered a speech, for it is very long."

He paused, then continued: "You may think it’s a mistake to call it both short and long, but those who think this way are simple-minded. Their thinking is one-sided."

"The Chinese women’s volleyball team of the older generation won world championships many times. Their motto was: Inspire a generation! They fought for the people of the nation. My speech is simple: I only wish to ask you all—who do you fight for? Why do you fight?"