Chapter 8: The Show Aired
“Is there a possibility—just a possibility, purely my guess—that you’re actually a genius?”
In the office, Teacher Lu looked at Pu Tong with a teasing expression.
“Impossible. Absolutely impossible.”
There was no way he could admit it. The phrase “A teacher” he used earlier was a classic-level literary line. Even though it was just a few words, for a normal high school student to say it sounded far too unreasonable.
Blind copying would only hurt you!
Pu Tong finally understood why those “text transplant” protagonists in web novels always came with a system—because random copying simply didn’t work.
Unfortunately, he was in exactly that situation now.
“Alright, say it again. I’ll write it down. I don’t care how you came up with it…”
“Huh?”
“What else?” Teacher Lu looked at him seriously.
“What, you think I’m going to suddenly recognize your talent, take you as my closed-door disciple, and guide you into the literary world? Or recommend you to the National Academy of Literature because of a few sentences?”
“Do you think a few lines will put you on a path to fame and fortune?”
“Don’t be silly, kid. This isn’t a novel.”
Pu Tong finally understood.
In real life, if you say something impressive, what happens?
Nothing much. At most, someone writes it down and uses it as a social media signature.
Reality isn’t like novels where a single sentence shocks everyone, brings enlightenment, and makes people cry tears of realization.
“You didn’t really think I dragged you here just because I was amazed by your words, did you?”
“So you are…” Pu Tong asked.
“I originally planned to criticize both of you properly,” Teacher Lu said calmly, making Pu Tong feel uneasy. “But what you said about teachers made me realize something.”
“A teacher is a guide, not an enemy. That girl has countless eyes watching her. If I expose this matter, she might face a lot of unnecessary criticism.”
“Of course, I could also ignore it. I’m just a teacher—my job is to teach and discipline students. Whether she gets criticized online or not has nothing to do with me, right?”
Pu Tong didn’t answer.
He didn’t know how to respond.
Yes—if something like that really happened, whose fault would it be?
A high school student copying homework isn’t a serious crime. A teacher criticizing students is also not wrong.
So whose fault is it?
Maybe it’s the internet that idolizes celebrities and demands perfection from them?
No one knows.
“But you were right,” Teacher Lu continued.
“A teacher is one who transmits knowledge, teaches, and resolves doubts. Rather than staying indifferent, I would prefer my students—even if only temporarily—to have a better outcome.”
“Thank you, teacher.”
Pu Tong bowed sincerely.
What moved the teacher wasn’t literary brilliance—it was the idea of thinking for students.
Perhaps the meaning of classics is not fame or recognition, but helping those who hear them gain something in life.
“Go back. Both of you copy it 50 times each,” Teacher Lu sighed. “Tell that girl—if she chose to become a public figure, she should think carefully about every step.”
Pu Tong nodded and left.
Teacher Lu glanced at the paper, then at the copied sentence, with a strange expression.
How did this kid even come up with that?
Pu Tong closed the office door and saw Yu Wanwan standing in the hallway.
Class had ended. She had clearly followed him out of concern.
“What are you doing? Counting steps?”
“Huh? Is everything okay?” Yu Wanwan was startled. Seeing him come out safely, she finally relaxed.
“If I didn’t come out sideways, I guess I’m fine.”
“Mm…” She hesitated. “Um…”
“Say it quickly. Sounds like a confession.”
“Get lost!” she glared. “Thank you.”
“It’s nothing. I caused the trouble anyway. Ending it myself is fine.”
The two walked side by side and ran into Old Yang carrying a camera.
“What a coincidence!” Old Yang scratched his head awkwardly.
“Coincidence?” Pu Tong had a bad feeling. “You weren’t filming us the whole time, were you?”
“Of course not. Just coincidence.”
Something’s wrong. This cameraman is definitely off today.
“Will your show release a preview?”
“Yes, actually it’s coming out tonight!”
That night, Pu Tong watched the preview of “When You Are Young.”
It began with introductions and performances of the seven celebrity students, ending with a shot of an empty classroom bathed in sunset light.
No sign of him at all.
“Guess I was overthinking it.”
He stopped worrying.
Three days passed.
Old Yang still occasionally filmed them, but nothing major happened.
Finally, Saturday arrived.
The show was about to air.
“Finally starting…” Pu Tong muttered, preparing to study a bit more.
At that moment, his mother walked in.
“Son, want to watch that school show together?”
“I don’t have any scenes anyway. Why watch it?”
“Oh, just for fun.”
They opened the computer and played the first episode of “When You Are Young.”
(End of Chapter)
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