[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-gen-z-artist":3,"chapter-gen-z-artist-gen-z-artist-chapter-44":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Gen Z Artist",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2217833,3967,"Chapter 44: The Fatal Blow They Thought It Was","gen-z-artist-chapter-44",44,"\u003Cp>At the Beijing People’s Art Theatre, when Feng Yuanzheng walked into the room with the People’s Daily, Song Dandan immediately slapped her thigh and laughed: \"Isn't Cao Cao here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Yuanzheng looked up, confused: \"Ah? What’s wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chatting about that student of yours,\" Pu Cunxi prompted with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Bing followed up: \"He’s so hot right now! I read what he wrote, hey, it’s really exciting!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Yuanzheng’s face wrinkled with laughter, his whole face smooth and shiny. He waved his hand and was humble: \"Small tricks, all small tricks for now, not worth mentioning!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look at him, so smug!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Dandan teased, and everyone burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't be fake. Our colleagues in the creative studio are all praising him. Say, why is it that the things this child writes are so exciting?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The thinking and perspective are too unique, truly one of a kind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly, that fate interview, how dramatic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, yes, put it all together and it could be a good play!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s mainly that spirit. Without Han Han’s posture of despising everything, it would just be an ordinary, unhappy adolescence. With that hard bone, it has impact.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You two sentences hit home for me, really, that’s exactly how it is!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Say, Little Feng, why don't you suggest to your apprentice to try writing it? If he can really write it well, we’ll stage it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Yuanzheng laughed and waved his hand: \"Forget it, forget it. I’m just a remedial teacher; what does it mean to tell someone else what to write?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boo! That’s fake!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Right, not sincere, very pretentious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so everyone laughed together again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, the People’s Art Theatre has never lacked good writers and playwrights, but the new generation has basically broken off, and there has never been any young person under 30 who could stir up such a big trend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chatting about it now was both a fresh thing and hid a worry about the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The times have changed, the new generation is wild, can we still stage good plays that the people love to see?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The speaker was unintentional, but the listener couldn't help but think: a fate theme from a youth perspective based on the background of the great layoffs is indeed a good story core. I wonder if Little Han has the ability to write it, and if he’s willing to write it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After letting his mind wander for a while, Feng Yuanzheng laughed at himself, feeling that it was too early to think about this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Han was far from the age to play the lead role.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the small courtyard at home, the new generation was entertaining an uninvited little old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get some hot water; I brought tea leaves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current principal of Experimental High School lay down on Han Han’s favorite—that old-fashioned rocking chair—and started looking around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The courtyard is kept quite clean. How many square meters?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Han was stunned: \"Never measured it, maybe two hundred?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"More than that.\" The little old man shook his head and said out of the blue: \"Later, let them report it according to the highest standard. You think about where to move first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Han reacted quickly: \"Is it really going to be demolished?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"September. By then you’ll be living on campus, so it won't affect you much. If you need to sign a contract or something, call them to my office to get it done.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Han’s mood was a bit complicated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Han grew up here and said goodbye to his beloved mother here. Now, things were different, and it looked like the place would be too...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How many things does a person have to lose in their life to reach the end?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He let his emotions soak in, indulged for a few seconds, tasted it carefully, until he was completely calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The new article had an emotional core again, and individual sentences were already beginning to appear in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He replied nonchalantly: \"I don't want to live on campus. Are there any better houses near the school?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old principal wasn't surprised and gave the answer casually: \"There is a row of farm courtyards behind the school sports field. The living conditions are average, but it’s very similar to your place. If you want to live there, I’ll help you contact them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then I’ll trouble you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What trouble am I?\" The old principal laughed, \"I’ll give Liu Dashan a hint, and he’ll go and get things done in a hurry. When you move in in September, the house will be all tidied up for you. Believe it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good heavens, another old fox, and you guys are talking to me openly now, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You really don't care that I’m only 14...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Han didn't want to think too much and just gave up: \"Then I don't care, I’m only responsible for paying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You haven't officially enrolled yet, so President Han is the boss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old principal understood, pointed at him, and scolded with a smile: \"You, you’re a natural official material! You really don't want to sprint for Qingbei?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hehe!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Han didn't take the bait and asked slowly: \"Where did you hear that I don't want to go to Qingbei?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do I need to hear it from anyone? Can’t I tell just by looking?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old principal looked like he had a pair of fiery eyes, but finally sighed: \"You get up early every day to practice martial arts and recite tongue twisters, and your room is full of cabinets of director and acting books. Is being a star really that good?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s not a matter of good or bad; that’s a matter of how long I can live!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s your family’s ancestral secret recipe. The sauce, the soup, the ingredients, all have to be handled by yourself to be at ease.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What exactly is your business? If there’s nothing, drink tea.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Han smiled with a sense of distance and made a cup of tea with hot water, but he took out a bottle of AD calcium milk for himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don't know why, but the AD calcium milk of this era tasted better than the later generations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the old principal saw his attitude, he had to shake his head and smile bitterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After drinking two sips of tea to soothe his mood, the little old man poked him with a knife out of the blue: \"How does it feel to be scolded?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn't pay much attention.\" Han Han’s spirit lifted, his eyes bright, \"Why, is the scolding very fierce?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little old man was stunned: \"Wait, what kind of reaction is this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Happy!\" Han Han’s face was full of \"it’s only natural,\" \"Can’t you tell?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little old man held his breath for a long while, examined Han Han carefully, and finally let out a sigh: \"Genius... so this is what a real genius is like...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Han had question marks all over his forehead. No, what are you imagining there?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stop guessing blindly; real geniuses aren't like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you afraid that my psychology has a problem, so you came to see me specifically?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahem, that’s part of the reason...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little old man might have felt he lost face, so his expression suddenly became serious: \"Actually, I’m more afraid that you won't understand the things inside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What things?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For example, why did the education topic get so big? Why is such a small matter arguing so fiercely?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little old man was acting mysterious, looking like he really wanted to arouse Han Han’s curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How simple.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Han laughed dumbly and casually dismantled the core logic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The impact of the Asian financial crisis has continued from last year to this year. In order to alleviate employment pressure, achieve educational equity, and improve the quality of the whole nation, universities have started to expand enrollment crazily.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the old man’s eyes get wider and wider, the bad seed deliberately slowed down his speech, squeezing it out half a sentence at a time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then the question comes: if you do this, what do the beneficiaries of the previous elite education think?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A massive number of college students will quickly dilute the gold content of all academic qualifications and, in a few years, will impact their jobs and social value with vitality and low wages.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So can they not be anxious?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even successful people who aren't afraid of the impact feel sour inside—I worked so hard and spent so much effort to get into school, and you can just get in whenever you want now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can't scold anyone specific, but I can scold the bullshit policy, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So many people don't really believe that studying is useless, but the expansion has damaged their interests, so they are fanning the flames while knowing the truth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Others are using the trend to output their quality education ideas.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The ones inciting are bad, the ones following are stupid, half and half.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you don't believe me, just wait and see. After four years of large-scale graduation, they will still make trouble!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You, you, you, you, you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old principal held onto the rocking chair armrest tightly. His hand wasn't shaking anymore, but his lips kept shaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who told you?! Has anyone talked to you?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it worth it?\" Han Han revealed a trace of appropriate surprise, \"Does such a simple thing need someone to teach it? Isn't it something you can guess just by looking at the news?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This dog thing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little old man was stimulated until his face was gray, slumped into the rocking chair, and his heart wasn't beating well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The principal felt aggrieved!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He came with good intentions to warn the little brat and show off a bit to establish an \"old ginger\" image, but as a result, he was backhanded and slapped by the dog brat!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Are all geniuses this outrageous?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look at you, thinking too much again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Real geniuses aren't like this, it’s just that President Han used to do this for a living. Analyzing the reasons behind the trend of public opinion is professional quality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little old man seemed unwilling to give up and probed again: \"Do you also understand the situation on Han Han’s side?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm-hmm, even simpler.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Han nodded as a matter of course, not leaving any gap for the old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Want to show off in front of me, did you pay?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many people in the past and present can't figure it out: Han Han’s \"Peeping at People in a Cup\" is indeed awesome, but it’s just a mere grade retention. Why did it trigger such a large-scale social discussion?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The truth is very simple—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The \"good big brother\" just happened to be there and became an explosion point, used by all kinds of demons and monsters to make a fuss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The root cause remains the economic downturn compounded by the expansion of university enrollment, plus the public’s extreme sensitivity toward education. So, when the bad actors incited them, a massive wave of noise was stirred up immediately, as if the entire society were agitated on Han Han’s behalf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Society is indeed restless, but not for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The protagonist of the era is always the people. The person who accidentally stands at the highest point and is watched by everyone is usually just a symbolic symbol. Han Han is like this, Ma Yun is like this, and Han Han will be no exception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The difference is that after standing at the highest point and looking at the vastness, whoever can still be calm and clear-headed, and truly see the inevitability of history and all living beings, and the contingency of the era on individuals, is qualified to leave the stage with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything is done, waving sleeves and leaving, is the greatest romance and the highest degree of detachment of Chinese-style heroes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Han can't do it for the time being. His temperament can only support the first half—clarifying the heart and correcting the intention, and then fully exerting initiative, taking anger to do some happy things, rather than consuming all happiness and moving toward anger in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at this time, Han Han hasn't seen who is good and who is bad, and hasn't touched the edge of awakening at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even next year, when \"Triple Gate\" comes out and sells hundreds of thousands of copies, he will still be that puppet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the biggest difference between the two, not in writing, but in the core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Han’s eyes were distant, and he said lightly: \"Han Han’s father and agent borrowed the east wind to wade through muddy water, trying to promote hype and help Han Han become famous. It was quite timely, but in the final analysis, it is still the power of the era, just happening to be there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old principal became more and more frightened as he listened, and also more and more angry: \"You know everything in your heart, yet you still wade into the muddy water? You don't lack this bit of heat to sell books!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The real reason, Han Han couldn't say, but he could talk about loyalty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The future movie star was full of determination: \"Han Han is my beloved friend and brother; how can I bear to let the 'good big brother' bear such great pressure alone?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So you just fire cannons randomly?! Now you’re as black as charcoal!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Between reputation and loyalty...\" Dog Han raised his eyebrows, a kind of banter born spontaneously, \"Of course, me being happy is the most important.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Can't chat anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Really, don't want to chat for another word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little old man felt that chatting about business with Han Han would sooner or later be pissed to death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside and out, there wasn't a single truth!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But from another angle, such a Han Han made people feel relieved enough that they didn't have to worry about him falling down in his young and weak years because of a mere ripple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forget it, too lazy to persuade you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little old man with a complicated mood stood up angrily and walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before leaving, he threw down the last sentence: \"Actually, I was not very worried about Liu Dashan originally. His foundation is too shallow, and it’s easy to make an article out of you. Now it seems I was worrying for nothing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since you recognize him, make achievements quickly. Whether he can sit in the position of Experimental principal doesn't depend on me, it depends on how big your influence is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after the old man left, Liu Dashan called, his voice a little nervous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Han Han, does Principal Zhang have any instructions?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Han replied casually: \"Told you to help me get a courtyard behind the school stadium; the rest are just idle talk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay, leave it to me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Dashan was extremely straightforward, without any nonsense: \"Aside from making the room look bright, do you have any requirements for furniture?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Han looked around the hall, just looking, but didn't want to take any piece away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After looking for a while, he said softly: \"Just a place to stay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s fine, I guarantee it will be finished before school starts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll give you the money later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sigh, what’s the fuss? Use school funds, why use your own money? Don't mention public funds either. Isn't a school employee like me here to serve students like you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look, how good the attitude is, how flexible the body is?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Han didn't understand politics, but he understood human nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Dashan’s principal position was looming; wasn't the shortcoming the lack of power to convince the public?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buddy has it, and it’s enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't expect Liu Dashan to help him with any big things; as long as he did the logistics well, reduced trouble, and brought the little eagle cubs at home, that was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one serving the president is the chief of staff; how can the one serving me not be worth a principal?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just wait, once my book comes out, there will be a time for you to be awesome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hanging up the phone, Han Han started extracting information from the newspaper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, after the three pieces in the Beijing Youth Daily were published, those stinky flies finally saw the shit, and they were immediately stimulated, immediately launching a crazy counterattack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The criticism was overwhelming, every day, from the first day until now, not the most radical, only more fierce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black tide was surging, the waves were towering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two core main writers of the Southern faction, Big Bear and Red Center, published articles one after another, playing a good cooperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big Bear’s direction was mainly to question Han Han’s \"qualification to speak.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m not stopping people from talking; I hope that anyone can use their brains before opening their mouths to determine if they have the qualifications, the ability, the true independent personality, and the progressive thinking to speak on such an unrelated and overly major issue.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Red Center’s main theme was to beautify media people and build a unified front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We media people who have been active on the front line of public opinion for many years and stick to the position of justice have been verified by the vast number of readers and have gained the trust of the high-knowledge group. We have experienced wind, snow, and frost, so we have the credibility to criticize wrong policies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is both our responsibility as media people and a right we have been widely permitted.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If one day we are wantonly scolded for correct criticism and lose the freedom to criticize, then our people will gradually fall into despair in the collapse of democracy...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lethality wasn't enough, but the incitement was extremely strong, directly nailing Han Han to the opposite side of freedom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, in the \"Southern Weekend\" published every Thursday, Yan Lieshan wrote for the third time, finally no longer polite, and officially opened fire, spraying Han Han until he was battered and exhausted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the fatal blow they thought it was. ===== CHAPTER 45 =====\u003C\u002Fp>",3018,"2026-06-17T13:04:52.661Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","a1709619641019844f366234cbfece1611f2a4247414f93c2ef6ac4fb7871c49","gen-z-artist-chapter-45","gen-z-artist-chapter-43",150,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fgen-z-artist-cover.jpg"]