Old Master Zhou was not a celebrity.
Yang Ruoqian had selected him for that exact reason. The man had no fan base, no online account, no traffic value, and no habit of turning sentences into slogans. He wore plain clothes, spoke slowly, and looked like someone who could defeat enthusiasm through pacing alone.
This made the nine-minute answer feel like betrayal.
"What did he explain?" Yang Ruoqian asked.
Director Chen checked the note. "A student asked why the second hall could not reopen immediately. Old Master Zhou explained old wiring, projector heat, ventilation, seat spacing, and why a hall can look fine but still need inspection."
"That is safety."
"Yes."
"Why did it take nine minutes?"
"He is thorough."
Yang Ruoqian disliked thoroughness. Carelessness at least made people nervous. Thoroughness made them trust the wrong project for the right reasons.
