Chapter 637 The Future Is Not a Dream

What Cheng Xuyuan said were basically common words of encouragement.

However, when these words came out of Cheng Xuyuan’s mouth, they were very convincing.

Because his own experience is there, it is easy for people to believe it.

Like most of the students present, he was from the village.

When I was young, I helped with housework.

And if Cheng Xuyuan didn’t get into university, in the eyes of many people, his future would be the same as that of everyone present.

But now, he was admitted to university.

He also became a well-known writer and screenwriter by publishing his works.

So, when he said these words, many people had a feeling that if I work hard, maybe I can change my destiny.

Cheng Xuyuan’s speech lasted only about twenty minutes.

He knew very well that neither students nor teachers would listen to his long speeches. His role was to let those present see a living example.

This example is convincing.

Standing among the teachers, Principal Wang’s heart was filled with emotion.

Although this time, Cheng Xuyuan’s speech did not contain any high-profile words, and the content of his speech was also extremely simple.

But he had a feeling that what Cheng Xuyuan said was extremely convincing.

As expected of a great writer, this speech, which sounds ordinary, resonates with people.

A resonance of spirit and emotion.

“This is what I want to share with you. This is my opinion. If there is anything wrong, please criticize and correct me.”

This is Cheng Xuyuan’s closing remarks.

Following these closing remarks, the applause from all around became even louder.

There were even many students looking at Cheng Xuyuan with admiration.

Principal Wang knew that this move of his was the right one.

At the very least, it can arouse the enthusiasm for learning among a large number of students.

He immediately walked quickly to the podium, after all, he still had to appear for the next question-and-answer session.

After the students’ applause died down, he said solemnly: “Thank you very much Xuyuan for sharing your experience with us.”

“To be honest, I was deeply moved after hearing this.”

“Three or four years ago, Xuyuan was working hard to change his life just like us.”

“And now, his life has changed because of his own efforts.”

“I hope that in the future, we can also follow Cheng Xuyuan’s example and change our own destiny through our own efforts.”

At this point, he continued, “The following is the communication session. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.”

The students, who had already been aroused by Cheng Xuyuan’s speech, raised their hands one after another.

Someone even said loudly: “I have questions, let me ask them.”

Listening to the messy noise, Principal Wang was a little unhappy.

After all, this made his students seem a little messy, but he finally suppressed his anger and directly pointed to a girl standing in the front row.

The girl’s clothes were a bit rustic. Although the clothes were washed clean, the patch on her coat was still very conspicuous.

“Cheng Xuyuan, I want to ask, if I work hard, can I really get into college?”

This question made Principal Wang frown.

But he couldn’t say that the student’s question was wrong.

After all, getting into college is the focus of all students.

Cheng Xuyuan was not panicked. He smiled and said, “This classmate asked a very good question. I think this is what most students are thinking.”

“If I study hard, will I be able to get into college?”

After asking this question himself, Cheng Xuyuan said solemnly: “For this question, I can only say one thing, I can’t answer it either.”

“After all, I can’t predict the future.”

“But what I want to say is that if we don’t study hard, we will definitely not be able to get into university and it will be difficult to change our destiny.”

You may not get what you want if you work hard, but you will definitely not get what you want if you don’t work hard.

Principal Wang pondered the meaning of Cheng Xuyuan’s words, and felt even more deeply touched.

He felt that what Cheng Xuyuan said was very good.

It is basically impossible to get something for nothing, especially when it comes to studying.

“Thank you, Mr. Cheng, for your answer.” The girl was not disappointed with the answer. After thanking Cheng Xuyuan, she didn’t know what to think.

Principal Wang saw this and said, “If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.”

As Principal Wang spoke, more and more people raised their hands.

Soon, Principal Wang chose another boy.

The boy coughed and then said loudly: “Cheng Xuyuan, I feel that with my current grades, I won’t be able to get into university even if I work hard.”

“Instead of wasting time at school, I might as well help my family with some chores and earn some money.”

“What do you think?”

Principal Wang was a little speechless at this time. He did not expect that the questions asked by the two students he selected were so sharp.

This time, can Cheng Xuyuan respond?

Cheng Xuyuan did not think this question was too difficult to answer. After all, even the most tricky questions in later generations had been answered in the books he had read.

“My classmate, how old are you?”

The student didn’t expect that before he could answer Cheng Xuyuan’s question, Cheng Xuyuan actually asked him first.

Fortunately, this wasn’t a very difficult question. He said in a deep voice, “I’m already fourteen years old.”

At a time when the average person starts school relatively late, it is not uncommon for people to enter junior high school at the age of fourteen.

Cheng Xuyuan glanced at the young man, and then said solemnly: “My classmate, the first thing I want to say here is that nothing is absolute.”

“You haven’t put in the effort yet, so how do you know it’s hard for you to get into college? You haven’t tried yet, so how do you know you can’t do it?”

“Some things, I tried hard but failed, this is no regrets.”

“For some things, we feel that we are not capable of them from the beginning, and we don’t even try. It’s all regretful when we are old.”

“I even wondered, why didn’t I try it back then?”

“Maybe if I work hard, I can pass the exam.”

Whether it was the student who asked the question or the students standing around, they all stared at Cheng Xuyuan with wide eyes.

They felt in their hearts that what Cheng Xuyuan said made a lot of sense.

But for a moment, they were full of hesitation, because it was too difficult to get into college. They really doubted whether they could do it.

Cheng Xuyuan continued: “Even if we can’t get into college, even if we can’t, we will still have to repeat the lives of our parents in the future.”

“But isn’t it better to learn more knowledge than to learn nothing?”

“Learning more knowledge can increase our horizons, help us understand the outside world better, and help us make more plans for our future development.”

“You are still young, and it is a good idea to help with housework and earn more money.”

“But compared to that little bit of money, being able to learn more at our most suitable age for learning is better than anything else.”

Compared with the applause just now, most people were now in deep thought. It was obvious that they were wondering whether what Cheng Xuyuan said was right or not.

Principal Wang and others looked at Cheng Xuyuan with admiration. What was originally a difficult question became more thought-provoking after he said that.

It can even be said that Principal Wang’s purpose of inviting Cheng Xuyuan has been achieved.

He deliberately did not speak immediately, allowing everyone to ask other questions, but waited quietly. When everyone woke up from their current contemplation, he coughed and said, “Students, if anyone has any questions, please ask quickly.”

Even with Principal Wang’s reminder, some people who had prepared questions fell into silence.

However, at this time, someone quickly raised his hand and said, “Principal, I have another question.”

“Cheng Xuyuan, I want to ask, that…”

As the students regained their energy and fighting spirit, Principal Wang called on two students to ask questions again, and these students also asked questions about learning.

After Cheng Xuyuan answered seven or eight questions, someone finally asked, “Cheng Xuyuan, I heard that you are about to graduate. After you graduate, will you be able to stay in Yanjing?”

Principal Wang didn’t expect that his student would ask Cheng Xuyuan a personal question. He couldn’t help but remind him, “Chen Xiaolei, didn’t I tell you before you asked the question? You can only ask Xuyuan about academic matters.”

“It’s a personal matter, why are you asking so many questions?”

Cheng Xuyuan waved his hand towards Principal Wang and said, “Principal Wang, this student asked me a personal question because he is a little curious about me.”

“It’s okay, I can answer this question.”

“I will graduate from college next semester. After graduation, I plan to stay in school to continue my graduate studies and serve as a counselor in our college.”

“If anyone of you goes to Yanjing in the future, you can come to the school to find me.”

“Of course, what I hope more is that everyone can go to school to report to me after studying on their own.”

Cheng Xuyuan’s words immediately aroused a round of applause.

During this meeting, although Cheng Xuyuan only spoke for more than 20 minutes, it took him more than an hour to answer questions.

When the students reluctantly left school, it was already twelve o’clock.

Faced with Cheng Xuyuan’s request to go home, Principal Wang refused to agree no matter what.

He grabbed Cheng Xuyuan’s hand and said, “Xuyuan, you have helped our school a lot this time. Although we don’t have much money, we still have to pay for a meal.”

“Otherwise, how will everyone look at us?”

“Let’s go to the Red Star Hotel in front.”

As he spoke, he took Cheng Xuyuan’s hand and walked out, and the other teachers in the school also surrounded Cheng Xuyuan and walked out.

Faced with this situation, Cheng Xuyuan knew that he had to eat this meal.

So he didn’t continue to refuse and walked to the Red Star Hotel.

As the only restaurant in the commune, not many people eat here.

For most of the people who come to the commune to attend the market, they basically don’t eat.

Even if people did eat, they would go to the small stalls at the market. Mutton soup at 20 cents and spicy hot soup at 5 cents a bowl were the choices of the public.

As for restaurants, many people think they are too expensive.

“Xuyuan, take a look at what you want to eat?” The Red Star Hotel did not have a menu, only a small blackboard with what was available.

Because Principal Wang is also a celebrity, and the person in charge of the hotel has children studying in the countryside, they are all very enthusiastic.

Cheng Xuyuan glanced at the blackboard and said with a smile: “Then give me some fried eggplant. I’ve been craving for this lately.”

Oil residue is not expensive, and eggplant is even cheaper in summer.

So Cheng Xuyuan ordered this dish naturally because he didn’t want the school to spend more money.

Seeing Cheng Xuyuan ordering dishes in this way, Principal Wang had a higher opinion of this young man.

It can be said that his invitation this time was sincere.

If he let Cheng Xuyuan just eat something so simple, he would feel a little guilty.

So after Cheng Xuyuan ordered the dishes, he did not continue to be humble, but said to the restaurant manager who came over: “Old Ma, I know you have stewed pork elbows here, please serve us one.”

“Also, a freshly cooked roast chicken.”

“Then prepare two cold dishes and a soup.”

When eating at this time, you can basically eat as much as you can, and waste is almost impossible.

Roast chicken and stewed pork elbow are considered the must-have dishes by many people. These two dishes alone will cost five dollars.

Five dollars is the living expenses for a family for several days.

Cheng Xuyuan was about to decline when Principal Wang said solemnly, “Xuyuan, a lot of your words this time touched our hearts.”

“Although we don’t have much money, we must have a good meal.”

Cheng Xuyuan said helplessly: “Principal Wang, then I will listen to you.”

Although Cheng Xuyuan had a lot of money, he couldn’t say anything at this time. After all, that would make it embarrassing to host a guest.

Thanks to the warm hospitality of Principal Wang and others, the meal was a great success for both the host and the guests.

After staying at home for a week and finishing his work, Cheng Xuyuan boarded the train back to Yanjing.

This time when he came back, Cheng Xuyuan planned to find a time to discuss the wedding.

After all, he and Fang Yuqing are now husband and wife.

They are a certified married couple.

It was a hot summer day. As soon as Cheng Xuyuan got off the train, he saw Fang Yuqing standing under the scorching sun.

Fang Yuqing drove here, put her luggage in the trunk, and then sat in the cool air-conditioned car. Cheng Xuyuan held Fang Yuqing’s hand and said, “Air conditioning is still more comfortable.”

“I’ll think of a way to get two air conditioners in our bedroom, so that we won’t have to suffer so much in the summer.”

Fang Yuqing did not object to Cheng Xuyuan’s idea of ​​installing an air conditioner. She kissed Cheng Xuyuan gently and said, “Okay, let’s go first. There are a lot of people watching here.”

Cheng Xuyuan looked around and finally loosened his arms.

The car started slowly, and Cheng Xuyuan casually talked about his experiences in Hong Kong.

Just as the car stopped at an intersection and waited for pedestrians to cross the road, Cheng Xuyuan saw Shen Yumo and Li Yufei holding Xiao An An and walking past the car.

Seeing this situation, Cheng Xuyuan’s face turned a little dark.

He knew that Shen Yumo was in Yanjing, but he didn’t expect that they would meet in this situation.

(End of this chapter)