Chapter 38: I'm Not in This Episode
Pu Tong never expected that even his mediocre essay-writing skills would be considered outstanding in this world.
All he had really done was elevate the theme a little at the end of the essay—a very common writing technique in his previous life.
High EQ: Elevating the central theme.
Low EQ: Blowing smoke and making grand statements.
Teacher Lin Lan's award-winning performance had been a traditional Chinese dance, and she was also the only Eastern dancer among the World's Top Ten Dance Masters.
What did that represent?
It represented promoting traditional culture.
So, in his essay, Pu Tong simply wrote about an artist's historical responsibility to inherit and carry forward traditional culture. He talked about how cultural confidence is deeply rooted in traditional heritage and briefly expanded on the importance of preserving and promoting outstanding traditional culture.
Besides perseverance and unwavering dedication, he added another reason for Lin Lan's success:
She carried the mission of promoting traditional culture.
To put it bluntly, he had forcefully inserted a sense of patriotism and cultural responsibility into the essay.
He honestly didn't think it was anything special.
Back in his previous world, essays like this were everywhere in middle and high school.
Could it be...
Could it be that this world didn't even have this concept?
At that moment, Pu Tong finally understood why he had always found it difficult to emotionally connect with this world's history.
Traditional culture is the accumulation of history, while history itself is the source and foundation of traditional culture.
If even the idea of "promoting traditional culture" didn't exist, then history here was destined to become nothing more than hollow facts and dates.
Perhaps many people had similar thoughts, but no one had ever clearly articulated them.
That was why his essay had such an eye-opening effect.
"Student Pu Tong revealed an artist's responsibility and mission—a perspective that none of us had considered."
"So our entire Chinese Language Department unanimously agreed..."
"...that this essay deserved a perfect score."
Lu Yuan looked at his prized student with obvious satisfaction. The more he looked at him, the more pleasing the boy seemed.
"Let me see your essay!"
Yu Wanwan's curiosity was practically overflowing. She looked ready to snatch the answer sheet regardless of the teacher's presence.
"Fine, fine..."
Pu Tong handed it over without much hesitation.
As long as it didn't spread outside, it didn't matter if his friends read it.
Friends.
Yes, they were friends now.
Lu Yuan still wanted to praise him a little more, but the bell rang at the perfect moment, forcing him to stop.
"Go over your exam carefully after class. That's all for today."
The moment the Chinese teacher left, the entire class surrounded Pu Tong.
"Let us read your essay!"
"It's really nothing special..."
Pu Tong tried to decline.
Honestly, reading it wouldn't help anyone.
They couldn't imitate it anyway.
Those ideas were products of another world's cultural development. People here simply hadn't been exposed to that way of thinking.
"Come on, let us see!"
Several classmates reached for his answer sheet.
"No!"
Yu Wanwan immediately threw herself across the desk, covering the answer sheet completely.
"None of you are allowed to read it!"
The other students hesitated.
None of them dared oppose Yu Wanwan.
Although everyone had grown used to studying alongside celebrities, celebrities were still celebrities.
Deep down, they still couldn't treat them exactly like ordinary classmates.
Especially someone like Yu Wanwan.
"I have to be the first one to read it!"
Yu Wanwan bared her teeth triumphantly.
But that wasn't what she was really thinking.
This guy hates trouble more than anything...
I have to block all these annoying people for him.
With everyone else gone, Yu Wanwan carefully read the entire essay.
The more she read, the more serious her expression became.
"It truly deserves first place."
Her long eyelashes couldn't hide the light shining in her eyes.
She had genuinely learned something from it.
As a celebrity with tremendous influence...
Shouldn't she also shoulder the responsibility of promoting traditional culture?
For the first time, she felt she hadn't been a very responsible celebrity.
Seeing her increasingly solemn expression, Pu Tong realized the seriousness of the situation.
"How should I put it..."
"I'm not very good with words..."
"It's just... very shocking."
"I think I understand."
Pu Tong paused before saying,
"A room that has been dark for a thousand years needs only a single lamp to become bright."
Yu Wanwan nodded.
It was an apt metaphor.
Perhaps a little exaggerated...
But this world truly had never developed this concept before.
The idea was simply too advanced for this world.
People here also respected traditional culture greatly.
They just lacked a clear understanding of why it mattered.
No one had ever summarized it into a coherent viewpoint.
That was why this essay had such an overwhelming impact.
"Um... may I read your essay?"
At some point, Lin Yuxi had turned around.
There was even a hint of pleading in her eyes.
"This is really important to me."
This girl...
She was usually calm, elegant, and mature.
So she could have such a childish side too?
Yu Wanwan looked at Pu Tong, silently asking for permission.
If it had been her own possession, she wouldn't have hesitated.
But she would never make decisions about someone else's belongings without asking.
She had to consider his feelings too.
Pu Tong hesitated for a long moment.
Seeing Lin Yuxi's humble expression, he finally nodded.
"I hope you'll gain something from it."
He wanted to keep a low profile.
Helping a friend when he could wasn't incompatible with that.
Lin Yuxi accepted the answer sheet as though it were a priceless treasure.
The essay was only a little over eight hundred words.
Yet her expression gradually changed—
From confusion...
To understanding...
To deep contemplation...
Until, at the very end, she looked at Pu Tong with complicated emotions.
"I'm not as good as you."
She sighed before smiling more naturally.
"More people should read this."
"I'd rather not."
Pu Tong almost broke into a cold sweat.
Absolutely not.
The fewer people who knew, the better.
Only Heaven knew.
He knew.
Yu Wanwan knew.
Lin Yuxi knew.
"Whatcha eating? Share some with me!"
Yi Zhi Xuenai leaned over to peek at the answer sheet in Lin Yuxi's hands.
Seriously?
Even you want to read it, little Japanese girl?
"Too long. Not reading."
Yi Zhi Xuenai immediately lost interest.
There were way too many words.
Wasn't reading that exhausting?
"You really get it."
Pu Tong couldn't help praising her.
If everyone embraced laziness just a little more...
The world would surely become a better place.
When life gets difficult... just sleep.
In the end, the number of readers of the essay was successfully kept below three—
Not counting the teachers who graded it.
Pu Tong carefully put the answer sheet away.
He decided to take it home and hide it safely.
Otherwise, who knew what other troublesome incidents it might cause?
For the first few days of the week, every class was devoted to reviewing the exams.
For students who had already mastered everything, the pace was painfully slow.
Teachers naturally taught according to the needs of the majority.
There was nothing they could do about that.
Self-study was an essential skill for top students.
Since Pu Tong had already fully understood every question on the exam, he began trying to study ahead on his own.
However, it was his first time progressing beyond the teacher's schedule.
Without knowing the proper methods, his self-study efficiency wasn't particularly high.
"It looks like I need to develop my own study system."
He decided to ask the genuinely top-ranking students in class for advice when he had the chance.
After all...
He wasn't really a true genius.
He was only a fake top student who happened to perform well at this stage.
A week passed in the blink of an eye.
While Pu Tong buried himself in self-study...
The third episode of When You Are Young also aired.
Recently, he hadn't been paying much attention to the show.
He hadn't even watched the preview.
After all...
He didn't have a single scene in this episode.
No need to worry.
Director Xu Lei's promise—
"From now on, not a single frame of you will appear."
—was simply the sweetest thing he'd ever heard.
He really understands me... I'm almost moved to tears.
"Son, wanna watch?"
Ni Hui arrived right on schedule.
It seemed his mother had become one of the show's most loyal viewers.
"I'm not in this episode."
"It doesn't matter whether I watch it or not."
Pu Tong yawned.
Previously, he'd watched only to confirm whether he appeared on screen and avoid unnecessary trouble.
Now that he had absolutely zero screen time, there was no point.
"No you? What happened?"
"Wouldn't it be weird if I were in it? I'm not even a celebrity."
"True enough."
Ni Hui grinned mischievously.
"Doesn't matter. Watch it anyway."
"You can watch your future wife."
Pu Tong rolled his eyes.
"Future wife," my foot.
Despite his reluctance, he was ultimately persuaded by his mother and turned on the program.
When You Are Young — Episode 3: The Exam Arc
Officially began.
(End of Chapter)
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