Chen Yang knew Professor Yan's temper inside and out. His demands for classroom discipline were outrageously high. In his past life, Chen Yang was carefree and irreverent, but he still wouldn't dare to easily offend Professor Yan. He had only teased Su He out of boredom earlier, and now Chen Yang felt a little embarrassed.
"Teacher! I was daydreaming in class just now, it was my fault!" Chen Yang said, bowing slightly to Professor Yan.
Seeing Chen Yang's sincere attitude, Professor Yan's expression softened slightly. He nodded slightly and said:
"Student, as long as your case analysis satisfies me, I can let this matter go! Considering the complexity of this case, I'll give you three minutes to think about it."
"Thank you, teacher!" Chen Yang said politely, then focused his attention on the projection screen on the podium.
On Professor Yan's PowerPoint presentation was a case study with only one simple sentence: Please provide a brief analysis of the Dushima (Japanese name: Zhushima) dispute.
Upon seeing this title, Chen Yang immediately felt relieved. Of course, this wasn't because the case was simple; on the contrary, it was incredibly complex.
Although it consisted of only a single sentence, it contained a wealth of information, including relevant provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, considerations of the post-World War II international situation, and existing customary practices. Therefore, it was a very complex proposition.
However, Chen Yang was confident. The reason was simple: before his rebirth, Professor Yan had analyzed this case with him during a lecture, and the two had even engaged in a heated debate on certain points.
Of course, several years had passed, and some of Chen Yang's memories had become hazy, but Professor Yan had given him three minutes to think, which he could make good use of.
While frowning in thought, Chen Yang rapidly jotted down his key points on a draft paper.
"Look at him, pretending to know everything! Does he think he's some kind of international law expert?"
"Yeah, yeah! Even the teacher said Liu Xinyao's answer wasn't comprehensive enough. Does Chen Yang think he's better than Liu Xinyao? If so, why didn't we notice before?"
The surrounding students began to whisper, the vast majority of them skeptical. His roommates, Han Song and Su He, looked at Chen Yang with worry.
Chen Yang ignored the surrounding skepticism, focusing intently on preparing his speech. He didn't see a pretty girl in the middle of the third row glancing at him indifferently. This girl was Liu Xinyao, the one the students were talking about.
Liu Xinyao was the goddess in the hearts of all the male students in the law school, and one of the undisputed campus beauties of Rongcheng University. Standing at 1.75 meters tall, she possessed an enviable 36E bust that would make countless girls feel ashamed and envious. Coupled with her slender waist and strong, shapely legs, many men who saw her for the first time couldn't help but fantasize about the erotic sensation of those beautiful legs tightly wrapped around their waist.
With a figure and appearance that were both top-notch, Liu Xinyao's academic performance was also among the best in the entire law school. One associate professor once commented on her: "Liu Xinyao was born to study law."
If one had to find a flaw in her, it would be that she was too cold. She always had a distant, unapproachable demeanor, rarely smiled, and never responded to those who tried to strike up a conversation. She primarily interacted with a few girls in her dormitory.
In fact, Professor Yan had already had this case analyzed while Chen Yang and Su He were whispering, and the person who analyzed the case was none other than Professor Yan's prized student—Liu Xinyao. However, according to Professor Yan's comments, Liu Xinyao's analysis, while partially correct, was not comprehensive enough.
This left the usually proud and arrogant Liu Xinyao feeling quite frustrated.
When Professor Yan asked Chen Yang to analyze the case, Liu Xinyao knew it was just a show of force; she guessed Professor Yan didn't expect Chen Yang's answer to be particularly complete or accurate. But seeing Chen Yang's serious demeanor as he prepared to speak, Liu Xinyao couldn't help but feel a little curious. Could he really answer it? She hadn't noticed anything extraordinary about this ordinary boy before.
Like Professor Yan, Liu Xinyao couldn't even remember Chen Yang's name.
Some classmates whispered amongst themselves, some looked on with schadenfreude, waiting to see Chen Yang make a fool of himself, while others remained aloof, engrossed in their novels on their phones. At this moment, Chen Yang put down his pen, stood up, and said to Professor Yan:
"Professor, I'm ready."
Professor Yan glanced at the time; only about two minutes had passed, and he couldn't help but feel a little annoyed. As a teacher, he naturally understood the complexity of this case, and he also believed that Chen Yang would most likely be unable to answer anything. However, he had given him three minutes to prepare; at least he could use it to put on a show!
At this point, Professor Yan's impression of Chen Yang had reached its lowest point. He decided to write down the student's name and student ID, and make sure he had to retake the exam for this course, to teach him a lesson. So he simply stared at Chen Yang with a stern face, offering no comment.
Chen Yang, unfazed, simply smiled, cleared his throat, and began:
"Teacher, students. As law students, you are all surely familiar with the historical background of the Dodo dispute between Korea and Japan, so I won't elaborate here. I will analyze this case from three aspects: first, from the perspective of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which side's claims are more in accordance with the law; second, analyzing the ambiguous attitude of the United States on the Dodo issue after World War II; and third, discussing some lessons that the Dodo dispute offers for my country in safeguarding its national sovereignty and maritime rights."
Chen Yang's opening was remarkably clear and insightful.
Even Professor Yan, with his stern face, couldn't help but brighten up. Chen Yang's approach coincided with his own. While Liu Xinyao's analysis had primarily focused on a simple legal analysis based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Professor Yan believed the true source of the Dodo dispute lay with the United States, and therefore he wasn't entirely satisfied with Liu Xinyao's answer.
"First, let's analyze it from the perspective of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Let's look at the legal basis for the territorial claims made by Korea and Japan over the past few decades..." Chen Yang gradually got into the swing of things and began to speak eloquently.
As Chen Yang's analysis deepened, Professor Yan's expression became increasingly excited.
Seeing Professor Yan's expression, Chen Yang couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. This was clearly Professor Yan's own viewpoint from his previous life; Chen Yang had simply organized and summarized it and expressed it in his own words.
Liu Xinyao, sitting in the front row, was finally moved. A hint of surprise appeared on her usually icy face as she turned to look at Chen Yang, who was speaking with great interest.
In fact, many of Chen Yang's views were consistent with Liu Xinyao's, but Chen Yang's analysis was clearly more comprehensive. He provided detailed explanations of many legal issues that Liu Xinyao hadn't considered. Especially when Chen Yang began analyzing the dishonorable role the United States played in this dispute, Liu Xinyao suddenly realized why Professor Yan had said her answer was incomplete.
To put it bluntly, Chen Yang possessed a greater strategic vision than Liu Xinyao, seeing through the complex surface of the dispute to its essential nature. Looking at the eloquent Chen Yang, a strange light flashed in Liu Xinyao's eyes; for the first time, her pride gave way to a feeling of inferiority.
Chen Yang spoke with great enthusiasm, inadvertently elaborating on some of the points he had argued with Professor Yan years ago. Professor Yan raised an eyebrow, appearing thoughtful, and did not engage in a heated debate with him as he had in his previous life.
This is the difference in mindset. Back then, Professor Yan had a very high opinion of the genius Chen Yang, and when they discussed issues, Professor Yan stood on an equal footing. But today, in the classroom, Chen Yang is just an ordinary university student. As a professor, Professor Yan naturally wouldn't react harshly on the spot. Moreover, universities encourage free expression and open discussion. Therefore, Professor Yan began to reflect on the highlights of Chen Yang's speech.
"These are my thoughts on the Du Island dispute. That concludes my presentation!" After speaking until his throat was dry, Chen Yang finally finished explaining his views and ended his speech.
After Chen Yang closed his mouth, there was a deathly silence in the lecture hall. Those who were discussing, reading novels, or chatting stopped, staring at Chen Yang with incredulous eyes. Everyone was somewhat of a professional, and naturally understood the quality of Chen Yang's speech. They hadn't expected this usually quiet and ordinary boy to have such a thorough understanding of the issue; it was a complete defeat for Liu Xinyao.
This result left everyone completely astonished. "Clap! Clap! Clap!"
Professor Yan was the first to applaud Chen Yang's brilliant performance, followed by everyone spontaneously clapping, thunderous applause filling the lecture hall. Amidst the applause, Liu Xinyao bit her lower lip, her beautiful eyes shining, her expression complex; Han Song clapped vigorously, his palms turning red but he felt nothing. Su He looked at Chen Yang with eyes full of admiration, her beautiful eyes sparkling.
Faced with everyone's enthusiasm, Chen Yang, who had already sat down, had no choice but to stand up again and bow to everyone.
"Regarding the Dushima dispute, this gentleman..." Professor Yan said with slight excitement, "By the way, what's your name, student?"
Chen Yang quickly stood up and respectfully replied,
"Professor, my name is Chen Yang!"
Professor Yan smiled and nodded, gesturing for Chen Yang to sit down, then continued,
"Chen Yang's analysis was very thorough and insightful. Through his presentation, I feel that Chen Yang has conducted in-depth research on the Dushima issue, and can be said to have his own unique insights! Although some of his arguments seem somewhat flawed, we can discuss that later! I hope all students will learn from Chen Yang; we legal professionals should have this kind of spirit of inquiry!"
Professor Yan always held students who loved learning in high regard. At this moment, he didn't mention Chen Yang's earlier inattentiveness, praised him a few times, and continued lecturing.
Meanwhile, Liu Xinyao, overwhelmed with mixed feelings, had lost interest in the lecture, frequently glancing back at Chen Yang, her beautiful eyes revealing a complex expression.
get out of class ended quickly. Everyone filed out with their books. Han Song, while packing up his textbooks, excitedly said to Chen Yang:
"Third brother, I really didn't expect that! You're usually so unassuming, but you really shone at this crucial moment!"
Su He nodded repeatedly, clearly very impressed with Chen Yang's performance in class.
Han Song continued:
"Third brother, before you answered, Professor Yan had already asked Liu Xinyao to analyze this case, and the professor wasn't very satisfied with her answer. So when Professor Yan called on you to analyze it, I was really worried for you! I didn't expect your answer to be so perfect; even Professor Yan, who doesn't easily praise people, was full of praise for you!"
Han Song was beaming, as if he, not Chen Yang, had been the one who had stolen the show in class. That's just how he was—sincere, generous, and open-minded. He felt honored that his roommate had made a name for himself.
Liu Xinyao? Chen Yang, engrossed in preparing his speech in class, hadn't quite caught the whispers of his classmates. When Han Song mentioned his name, Chen Yang paused, turning to look at the row in front of him. There, he saw Liu Xinyao, holding her neatly packed textbooks, also looking at him with curiosity. Their eyes met, and Liu Xinyao quickly turned away, reverting to her icy demeanor.
"I didn't expect this little girl from the Liu family to be studying at Rong University," Chen Yang mused, gazing thoughtfully at Liu Xinyao's graceful figure. In his previous life, Chen Yang and Liu Xinyao had met briefly for some reason, and he had been quite impressed by her cold and aloof beauty.