Chapter 111: Never Give Up

On this land of Shenzhou, tolerance, humility, and even twisted interpretations of “repaying hatred with virtue” have long been revered as virtues.

In contrast, “revenge for even the smallest slight” is branded as a “moral flaw,” despised by all.

The principle of “leaving a line of retreat” in dealings is widely applied in nearly all situations, especially formal ones under public scrutiny.

So when Li Ye, on the podium, said to Director Yao, “We meet again,” Director Yao was utterly unprepared.

He firmly believed his refusal of Li Ye was correct, and that Li Ye’s grandfather was a man of status—Li Ye should have understood the unwritten rules of social decorum.

But Li Ye went ahead and caused trouble anyway.

Originally, Li Ye had used connections to enter County No. 1 High School, but Director Yao had interfered and expelled him.

If you didn’t want me in, why didn’t you say so earlier? Isn’t this humiliating?

Even so, it couldn’t be said Director Yao was wrong.

But on the day Li Ye came to retrieve his bicycle, in front of hundreds of people, Director Yao had declared with certainty that Li Ye was a “rotten apple” and a “tumor.”

That was a bit too much, wasn’t it? If the child had been emotionally fragile, he might have burst into tears right there.

Director Yao didn’t know what to do now.

Li Ye said “long time no see”—should he reply, “I never want to see you again in my life; meeting you brings nothing but trouble”?

The principal was watching right behind him—even with his back turned, Director Yao could feel the principal’s icy gaze.

Qingshui County was small; Li Ye’s line, “Yesterday you ignored me, today you can’t afford me,” had already spread among several schools.

If the leaders present learned of Director Yao Renhua’s “exploits,” how could he bear the shame of this moment?

But as Director Yao was pondering how to make amends, Li Ye had already released his hand and walked past.

【Thank goodness, this fool didn’t blurt out anything inappropriate.】

After sitting back down, Director Yao still felt relieved.

But then he sensed something was off.

He cautiously glanced around and realized over half the audience was staring at him with cold, assessing eyes.

Sweat dripped down Director Yao’s face; only now did he finally understand Li Ye’s “malicious intent.”

Just now, when Li Ye shook his hand, he held it far too long—unlike with anyone else.

Though he hadn’t directly spoken of their past grievances, it was enough.

After today, countless people would dig into his story with Li Ye, turning it into a gossip legend.

Director Yao Renhua didn’t know how long he’d have to explain himself before his life returned to normal.

He didn’t know how long it would take to make people understand that back then, he had truly been strict, impartial, and fair in rejecting today’s provincial top scorer.

He had indirectly turned away a host of national key candidates—and it wasn’t his fault.

But how often can things truly be divided into right and wrong?

People don’t care about your reasons; they only care about the outcome. Isn’t that common enough?

Over the years, Yao Renhua had clung to his position as Director of Student Affairs and hoarded his seat on the college entrance exam grading committee.

In his domineering way, he had blocked countless opportunities and earned the hatred of many.

In 1980s report meetings, there was a fixed format: naturally, school leaders spoke first.

These speeches had become formulaic, boring enough to make many doze off; only the obedient students stayed alert, displaying good spirit.

Li Ye didn’t doze off, because beside him sat a q-version young reporter who caught his eye.

To be honest, girls in 1982 had an average beauty level far below their counterparts in later eras.

Poor nutrition, exhaustion, lack of skincare products, and outdated fashion meant fewer girls could be called “beautiful”—less than half the proportion of later times.

Li Ye’s eight-member group was an extraordinary combination.

Hu Man scored 8.5, Jiang Xiaoyan 8, and even Han Xia scored 7.5—these were already among the prettiest girls in County No. 2 High School.

This gives a clear picture of girls’ physical standards in this era.

Oh, Wen Leyu was a rare gem, far beyond ordinary girls.

And Yue Mengmeng beside Li Ye—if placed in the future—would be a little girl capable of melting the hearts of countless lads.

Especially since this little girl also passed him notes.

Li Ye took the note with surprise; it read: “How many people misunderstood you to make you say ‘ignored yesterday, unattainable today’?”

Li Ye turned to look closely at Yue Mengmeng and saw a sparkling glint of gossip in her eyes.

Li Ye borrowed a pen from Hu Man and wrote on the paper: “This topic can’t be published; at best, it satisfies curiosity—why dig deeper?”

Yue Mengmeng took back the note, paused in shock, then suddenly beamed with excitement.

“Topics never published are the best ones. I’ve read your ‘Infiltration’—isn’t your style exactly ‘the once insignificant now commands respect’?”

【Damn, that’s not my style—that’s the standard narrative technique!】

Li Ye quickly wrote another line and slipped the note back.

“Stop passing notes—it’ll be misunderstood.”

“Misunderstood?”

Yue Mengmeng’s eyes darted again.

She glanced around and saw Hu Man, Han Xia, and Jiang Xiaoyan all watching her with sharp suspicion.

Yue Mengmeng smiled, like a hunter who’d caught the fox’s tail.

“You’ve got a girlfriend, right? Good students aren’t allowed to date—you must give me an exclusive interview.”

Li Ye sighed, crumpled the note into a ball, and returned the pen to Hu Man.

The eight-member group would gather in Beijing; when Hu Man and the others whispered with Wen Leyu, misunderstandings might arise.

Don’t think smart girls aren’t jealous—they can be far more cunning and devastating when jealous.

If the girl is both smart and beautiful...

【I must control myself, I must control myself—absolutely no evidence left behind.】

“Now, our provincial top scorer and outstanding student representative, Li Ye, will share his study experience. Welcome.”

Finally, it was Li Ye’s turn to take center stage.

But Chang, the principal seated on the podium’s side, felt a jolt inside, his eyelid twitching.

Li Ye hadn’t brought his speech script.

That script had been revised repeatedly by Principal Chang and several teachers before being given to Li Ye.

Just before going on stage, Principal Chang had warned Li Ye to “be serious”—but now, something felt wrong.

Li Ye took the microphone and gave a brief self-introduction: “Hello everyone, I’m Li Ye, an ordinary native of Qingshui County, as ordinary as you all.”

“You might wonder how I scored first in the county. I’ll tell you—I don’t have three heads or six arms, no X-ray vision or super hearing. All I have is a good memory.”

“Hahaha~”

The students on the playground burst into laughter; many on the podium also smiled tightly.

Principal Chang’s face darkened; he muttered under his breath: “Get to the point, get to the point.”

Li Ye’s expression shifted; he became serious: “Today, the school asked me to share study experience. After thinking, I realized there’s only one point worth mentioning: never give up.”

“The ‘never give up’ I mean isn’t just for students—it’s for teachers too.”

“Many students, after a few days of effort, feel their grades haven’t improved, so they quit.

But I don’t think that’s a failure—you can still do many meaningful things, take up many jobs, and still contribute to national development.”

“In every profession, excellence emerges. A child unwilling to study isn’t necessarily useless to the nation.”

Several people on the podium were already restless; some leaders showed visible displeasure.

This is a study experience report—how can you say not studying is acceptable?

Are you a villain sent by some organization?

Yes, excellence emerges in every profession—but this is a school! Why not go to your grandfather’s workplace and give them a talk on labor experience?

“What I most want to say today is teachers’ refusal to give up on students.”

Li Ye paused, then spoke to the silent playground: “I was once a bad student.

I was good at fighting, didn’t like studying, and had average grades—but my teachers never gave up on me.”

“.”

The children on the playground were stunned; but Principal Chang, who had lifted his buttocks, sat back down.

【Hmm, this is starting to make sense—if you praise the teachers, I’ll let you off today. Otherwise...】

“I remember when I was transferred to the remedial class at County No. 2 High School, many didn’t understand—they thought my grades didn’t meet the standard for the remedial class.

But my teachers didn’t think so; they firmly believed I had great potential.”

Teacher Luo, who had brought the remedial class to listen, froze.

【You got into my remedial class because your grandfather got the school some subsidized grain—why are you slapping credit on my face? Go ahead, stick on more.】

Li Ye went full throttle: “Sometimes I was mischievous, and I’ve seen teachers’ faces twisted in frustration—but in the end, they patiently taught me knowledge and principles.”

Below, He Weiguo and several other students looked ready to cry.

【How can you lie like this? Your grandfather’s a bureau chief—teachers never slapped you, right? Are we not even human?】

Director Yao Renhua of County No. 1 High School glared at Principal Chang, who was grinning beside him.

【You old bastard, when students from the two schools clashed, you swung your stick to favor one side—where was your patience? Where were your principles? How dare you smile?】

Li Ye took a breath, dropped his half-joking tone, and said seriously: “I truly believe a teacher who never gives up on a student contributes far more to society than a student who never gives up on studying.”

"But in the eyes of the world, people may only remember students like me who shine in public, while forgetting the teachers who toil in silence."

Li Ye, accustomed to certain post-era attitudes, spoke these words sincerely.

Because most teachers of this era genuinely wished for their students to succeed.

Though teachers of this time might strike or scold their students harshly, their faith in the four characters “teaching and nurturing” was worthy of Li Ye’s admiration.

For a child who had dropped out, some teachers would walk dozens of li to visit the student’s home, plead with the family, and even open their wallets generously.

For a student who had caused trouble, Principal Chang had once gone to apologize and beg forgiveness on his behalf.

As for staying late after hours to grade papers—such minor things were never even mentioned as hard work or grievance.

Thus, many teachers of this era may have had flaws in their educational standards and methods, yet in certain ways, they were noble.

Li Ye also hoped these teachers would, for the sake of future students, show more patience, hold on longer, and continue passing down the precious tradition of “never giving up.”

"I believe a teacher who never gives up on a student is great."

"A withered, yellowing sapling that regains vigor and grows into a useful tree owes its revival not only to its own effort,"

"but also to the careful watering, care, and cultivation of one or even countless teachers."

"Clap, clap, clap, clap~"

Principal Chang led the applause, stealing the spotlight from many, but he didn’t care at all.

He had originally prepared many flashy moves to face off against the old rivals from County No. 2 High, seeking to erase years of humiliation.

But now, none were needed—Li Ye’s words alone were enough.

【Did you see? Did you see? This is the student you gave up—finally, I saw his true worth! Ha ha ha ha!】

【Ah, ah, ah, don’t get carried away. Today Li Ye behaved far too much like a teacher, not a student. I must remind him later to mind his place.】

(End of Chapter)