Xia Yingluo was no longer looking at the script in front of her.
Her beautiful eyes turned to Ye Chen, blazing with passion.
"He gave me courage, he let me feel the joy of youth, and he let me stand confidently on this stage and speak to everyone."
"Now, my classmates all like me."
"Now, I feel the light, I feel love."
"I know that every change in me today is because of one person—a silent guardian, a hidden treasure of a boy. Because of him, I'm no longer timid or afraid; I can face everything bravely."
"Today, standing here, I want to tell him loudly: I like him."
The scene was dead silent; everyone was stunned by the beautiful girl before them.
To confess directly on such an occasion—how awesome is that?
"I don't like him because he bought me Jianbing, nor because he spent lots of money on me. I like him because he is that boy—the one who gave me light and warmth."
Ye Chen looked at Xia Yingluo on the stage; at this moment she was so beautiful it left him breathless, so beautiful he would never forget it.
"Today, standing here, I'm going to do something crazy—because I'm going to confess to a boy, to tell him: I like you, Ye Chen!"
"I like your handsomeness, your sunshine, everything about you—I just like you."
At this moment, facing nearly a thousand students of the Whole School, Xia Yingluo finally threw caution to the wind and confessed to Ye Chen.
The Playground was silent at first, then erupted into thunderous applause.
For years of flag-raising speeches, no principal or student had ever received such applause—yet Xia Yingluo did it.
Xia Yingluo's speech shocked everyone, especially the students of Class 5, Grade 12.
Xu Liang gripped Ye Chen's arm and shook it hard.
"Ye Chen, I thought you were the most awesome in our class—turns out your wife is even more awesome!"
Li Sitong stared blankly at Xia Yingluo on the stage; she hadn't expected this girl to confess.
Yu Weiwei said worriedly, "Si Tong, I told you to confess—now someone else beat you to it."
Li Sitong suddenly smiled. "Our Ye Chen is so outstanding; it's normal for someone to confess. And I will also…"
"You'll also what?" Realizing something, Yu Weiwei covered her mouth in shock.
Too crazy!
Xia Yingluo's confession had already set the school ablaze; if Li Sitong confessed too, she couldn't imagine what would happen.
Old Wang's mind went blank.
"Wang Chao, is this the most well-behaved student in your class you told me about?"
Principal Wu's face was livid, his eyes wishing he could cut Wang Chao to pieces.
"Lao Wang, you're a veteran teacher of decades—how could you make such a mistake? I let a student from your class speak to honor your class, and you pull this stunt—what am I supposed to say?"
After the scolding, Wang Chao wiped his cold sweat. "Principal Wu, don't worry, I'll definitely give her a stern talking-to when we get back."
"Look at the terrible influence this has caused—the students' minds are completely unsettled. Get her down now, let the second speaker go up and steady the situation."
"Ah!!"
Wang Chao looked toward Ye Chen and Li Sitong.
Ruling out Ye Chen, he said to Li Sitong, "Si Tong, you go up and speak—keep it positive."
Li Sitong stood and bowed slightly to Wang Chao. "Teacher, I'm sorry."
With that, she walked straight toward the stage.
Wang Chao was a bit dumbfounded.
"Teacher, I'm sorry"—what does that even mean?
Suddenly his head buzzed—no way!
Wang Chao wanted to stand and stop Li Sitong, but Principal Wu held him back.
"Lao Wang, stay calm—at times like this, as teachers we can't lose composure."
Wang Chao: "Principal Wu, something bad might happen."
"It's already happened. Whatever it is, we'll deal with it back at the office. Right now the entire school is watching Class Five—you must stay steady."
Wang Chao's face turned pale.
Stay steady? How am I supposed to stay steady?
Two of the most obedient students… Wang Chao didn't dare think further.
By now Li Sitong had reached the podium.
She and Xia Yingluo exchanged a glance.
"Yingluo, you were amazing."
Xia Yingluo smiled. "Si Tong, go for it."
With that, Xia Yingluo ran off the stage, slipping to the back of the formation as if afraid of Wang Chao.
Li Sitong stood at the podium.
Wang Chao's heart was already in his throat.
Li Sitong began: "Dear schoolmates, I'm Li Sitong from Class 5, Grade 12, and my speech is titled 'Live Up to Our Youth.'"
Hearing the title, Wang Chao's suspended heart finally settled.
The topic was great—very positive.
He gave Principal Wu a grateful look.
As expected of school leadership—thankfully he hadn't stopped Si Tong just now; he'd been overthinking.
Principal Wu nodded with satisfaction.
"Good choice—'Live Up to Our Youth,' very uplifting. We Grade-12 students should carry this mission of living up to our youth."
Li Sitong looked out at the Playground, her gaze finally landing on Ye Chen.
She bit her lip, set down her script, and continued.
"I often wonder: what is youth? Is it endless problem sets, never-ending exams, or burning the midnight oil striving for the dream of Huaqing University?"
Wang Chao nodded approvingly. "Good, with Si Tong anchoring us, this is finally stable."
"No, that's not our youth. My youth used to be gray—in my eyes, exercises, exams, and my Huaqing dream were everything—until a boy appeared."
The scene exploded again.
Such a familiar flavor—such a familiar recipe!
The smile on Wang Chao's face gradually vanished, turning stiff.
He sneaked a glance at the Vice Principal beside him and met Principal Wu's death-ray stare.
Wang Chao didn't know what to say and lowered his head.
Ye Chen gave a wry smile. "These two silly girls!"
The Whole School students were in an uproar once more.
Holy crap—what is today, school-wide confession day?
Ignoring the commotion, Li Sitong continued.
"I'm so grateful that a boy brought color to my High School life. Before, he had terrible grades—silly, goofy—but he always made me happy."
"Until one day I discovered he was actually a hidden treasure—so outstanding. He tutored me, helped heal the rift between my father and me; every time I needed him most, he appeared beside me."
"He's not just my classmate, my deskmate—he's my youth."
"Each of us has only one youth; I don't want to waste mine, so I'm standing here, in front of everyone, to tell him loudly—"
"I like you, Ye Chen!"