Chapter 32: The Final Word

June 1st, Children's Day.

Mr. Ba Jin’s daughter, Li Xiaolin, brought Fang Xinghe’s work to the hospital ward, reading it word by word to her seriously ill father, and finally received high praise dictated with difficulty by Mr. Ba Jin.

That day, *Xinmin Evening News* published the old gentleman’s glowing words.

"I am currently fighting against illness, and I also get encouragement from various works. Today, I heard Xiaolin read Fang Xinghe’s work, and I am very happy, as if I have found a treasure."

What kind of high praise does a middle school student’s essay deserve?

This must be told from the spirit it conveys.

Mediocre people "obey heaven and know fate," while our Chinese children have always pursued "defying heaven and changing fate." This understanding is very good, and it is even better that little Fang Xinghe can have such an understanding.

Teenagers must have a spirit of resistance. I live very painfully and often propose euthanasia, but I also often summon the courage to say to Xiaolin and the others: I am now living for you."

I am still resisting, resisting not so resolutely, nor so bravely.

You are not yet at my level, so you must learn to resist even more, don't be scared, don't stop moving forward.

Fang Xinghe’s thoughts and writing resonate with me across the long river of time, and I believe they can also resonate with you. I suggest everyone go and take a look."

In the future, I will also often listen to Xiaolin read his new articles to me, one article published, one article listened to."

At my current stage, nothing can make me feel more gratified than the appearance of an excellent new talent in the literary world. Today, my mood is agitated, and the pain seems to have lessened a little. Thank you all, and thank you, Fang Xinghe."

It was very short and not gorgeous, but this is Ba Jin, the Ba Jin who has been hospitalized since he became seriously ill.

There are only a few masters in the history of modern Chinese literature—Lu, Guo, Mao, Ba, Lao, Cao. Mr. Ba Jin is the only one still alive, and his weight can be imagined.

Moreover, setting aside political and literary status, the old gentleman’s own character and virtue are also deeply respected. One sentence is worth ten thousand sentences from others.

So when *Xinmin* published Mr. Ba Jin’s remarks, public opinion was in an "uproar."

The specific reason for the uproar was: most people didn't understand why Fang Xinghe deserved it.

If you don't understand, then look again.

When the thoughts of authority conflict with one’s own thoughts, people of this era are more accustomed to looking for reasons within themselves.

Thus, many media people and readers who originally hadn't read "Knowing Without Following," or hadn't read it carefully, and were just following the trend to discuss the phenomenon, began to re-examine this article.

Paying attention and not paying attention will definitely lead to diametrically opposite conclusions.

Soon, some people took the lead in "reflecting," and some stood up to "seek justice" for Fang Xinghe.

Yan Lieshan published a new article in *Southern Metropolis Daily* the next day, kneeling down so fast.

He wrote: "I have always emphasized that Fang Xinghe is not wrong; the system is wrong."

"I have never said that Fang Xinghe’s article is not worth mentioning."

"On the contrary, looking at the article itself, Fang Xinghe’s level is at the forefront of the era and already possesses a bit of the atmosphere of a master."

"I didn't expand on the literary aspect in the previous report, which led to many misunderstandings. Now I want to state clearly—"

"Without considering the personal character formed by environmental influence, Fang Xinghe is the top-tier literary genius we can dig out from among students."

"This point is beyond doubt."

"Any voice that doesn't discuss his influence but instead questions his talent is a frivolous, high-and-mighty, and disrespectful delusion that ignores basic facts. I regard it as the noise of this era."

Song Zude, Liu Xinda, and others, who were classified as "noise," immediately shrank back and withered.

But the reporters didn't let them go, instead rushing over for a second interview, and the questions were very embarrassing.

Liu Xinda was cowardly and replied vaguely: "I'm afraid there is some misunderstanding here. The article that a friend showed me was actually not Fang Xinghe’s original text. I was also deceived by others..."

The reporter pursued: "So, do you admit that Fang Xinghe’s level is very high?"

"Uh... this... this... I haven't seen the real article yet..."

"I have it here. Do you need to see it now?"

"Ah? Ah... I still have things to do, sorry, please let me pass..."

Liu Xinda stammered and fled in a panic.

And Song Zude was very tough. He bit the bullet and replied: "When I look at an article, I never care about the quality of the writing; I only care about its social impact! I have my own literary appreciation ability and appreciation standards. This is me, a literary critic who always dares to tell the truth!"

The reporter naturally didn't let him go and continued to ask: "So, do you still insist that this is a piece of middle school essay that is complete nonsense?"

Sweat also broke out on Song Zude’s forehead.

If he insists, singing against a master, he will definitely be torn apart by those people in the literary world; if he doesn't insist, does he have to apologize to a little brat?

After thinking and thinking, in the end, he chose an extremely tactful way to admit defeat.

"Whether it makes sense depends on which angle you judge it from. Based on morality, literature, or the positive or negative impact, the conclusions are definitely different. I think Mr. Ba Jin’s commentary makes sense, but I also have my own angle. In short, Zude is a poet responsible to society. By the way, do you want to hear my poem?"

Reporter: ???

Are you sick?

Of course not, this guy is just exceptionally shameless.

Unfortunately, being shameless can't hide him either. Although the reporter didn't interview anything useful, it didn't prevent them from becoming clowns in the eyes of the public.

Once the new report was published, these guys were scolded miserably, and even the previous publishing newspapers were scolded. Many readers called to criticize them for being irresponsible, sensationalist, and low-level, making the whole office look disgraced.

This time, if they don't give a few internal punishments, I'm afraid they won't be able to explain it.

What is called "stealing a chicken only to lose the rice"?

It is very vivid at this moment.

And the "Pro-Fang faction" was suddenly elated, gathering their victory to pursue the exhausted enemy, conducting a comprehensive liquidation of the "Anti-Fang faction."

Today, we must beat them back one by one!

Not to prove how great I am, but to tell others that what I lost must be taken back!

Summary: Another carnival for media people.

Ah, no, it’s not just the media carnival; the No. 3 Middle School in reality is becoming more and more restless.

As long as Fang Xinghe dares to walk out of the classroom, he will be surrounded immediately;

Not going out is useless either; the tiny desk is filled to the brim by beautiful girls every day.

Mostly snacks, followed by love letters.

Snacks must be high-end goods of this era; things like figs, fruit leather, and popping candy shouldn't even come near.

Love letters are all on fragrant paper, and basically attached with photos.

The little eagles are startled every day—

Holy crap, isn't this the senior sister from Class 2 of the third year?

Holy crap, isn't this the prettiest one from the experimental class?

Holy crap, this babe is hot, really big!

Holy crap, the old woman in the second year next door is also joining in the fun? Dreaming, huh!

It is no exaggeration to say that Handsome Fang has almost swept up all the beautiful girls from the first year of junior high to the third year of high school in the county. He wasn't even this crazy when he ascended the throne with his looks before.

It can be seen to what extent his halo has become dazzling after receiving Mr. Ba Jin’s high praise.

Going to the bathroom, all the teachers he meets are pleasant.

The head teacher of Class 6, third year, nicknamed "Black-Faced God," squeezed out a smile when he saw him: "Little Fang, here to pee in person?"

Fang Xinghe: "..."

Just finished the break exercise, the head teacher of Class 1, third year, "Tyrant Ruler," dragged him away: "Last time you rushed into our class to fight, I couldn't bear to slap you. The favor you owe me should be repaid, right? Let's go, you come to teach our class’s Chinese lesson this period!"

Fang Xinghe’s head was buzzing.

Finally, he had to release the trump card to escape.

"You better think it over. If I crook my finger, the girls in your class won't study anymore, they'll just stick to my butt every day waiting to get a token..."

These words were too crude, too outrageous.

Tyrant Ruler was so angry his beard was blowing and his eyes were staring, but in the end, he was cowardly.

"Get out, get out, get out! You little bastard, if you dare to appear at our class door again, I'll break your legs!"

After Fang Xinghe went back, he studied as usual, but he could control himself, but he couldn't control Old Fang.

The teachers of No. 3 Middle School were annoyed, voted collectively, and elected the most show-off, most shameless, most pretentious, and annoying person recently—Old Fang was elected with full votes.

Once he had no class, this guy would wander around the school, never holding a lesson plan in his hand, but holding the *Family, Spring, Autumn* trilogy, chatting with everyone he met, unable to be avoided.

"Old Wang, I recently read Mr. Ba Jin’s *Family* and had some new feelings. Come, let’s chat!"

The music and art teachers were okay, they couldn't be that sour, but the Chinese teachers and head teachers were unlucky; once caught by him, it was no good.

And what is even more magical?

Principal Liu Dashan was annoyed by the teachers’ complaints, feeling that the impact was really bad, so he came forward to talk to people.

Fang Xinghe was full of question marks—no, you don't talk to Old Fang, why are you calling me over?

He came to the principal’s office in a daze, Comrade Dashan was waiting at the door, smiling.

"Sit, Little Fang, please sit!"

You tone it down, don't be so fawning, I’m only 14!

No.

Fang Xinghe sat the whole time, Dashan circled around him again and again.

The chat content was even more ridiculous. Dashan started from his love for literature, recited a modern poem he wrote in the middle to ask Fang Xinghe for his opinion, and finally solemnly requested: When your new book is on the market, be sure to send me a copy.

Fang Xinghe was eager to escape and agreed readily.

"Okay, I'll send you 10 copies then, all signed."

Brother Dashan was overjoyed; it could be seen that there was at least 80% sincerity.

This is 1999...

Generation Z was very emotional. He still didn't understand the things that had happened recently, but it didn't affect his enjoyment at all.

The stability and happiness of living in this era, living among a group of real people, cannot be expressed in words.

And those troubles and disturbances, aren't they powerful evidence that he has influenced the world in return?

Thinking of this, he was full of joy.

However, he didn't immerse himself in this false glory. Others scolding or praising, sour or cowardly, couldn't affect the rock-solid willpower of the reborn boy.

Fang Xinghe sank back into the sea of problems, ignoring everything, just wanting to quietly take the high school entrance exam.

Unfortunately, the fan total and star value that were soaring like they had been injected with chicken blood, as well as a huge surprise, still shocked him out.

[Star Panel]

[Fan Count: 2.75 million]

[Star Value: 62.5 million]

[Star Brilliance Value: 3]

From the 1st to the 8th, in just one week, not only was the total number of fans approaching 3 million, but the star value spent had hit a new high.

But that’s not the point; the point is... Star Brilliance Value!

Unexpected surprises always come so suddenly.

Little Fang’s mouth was about to smile crookedly; the first thing he did every day when he woke up was to open the panel to look at the numbers.

Endure? Couldn't endure it at all.

Add points, add points!

The last wave of improvement before the high school entrance exam is today!

Thank you all for your support, two chapters of 6000 words presented.

Also, it is not recommended to hoard books, ===== CHAPTER 33 =====