Chapter Twenty-Three: No One to Lift Me to the Azure Clouds (Part II)

Wang Lixin’s expression was ghastly: "What nonsense is this kid spouting!"

Lin Cheng continued:

"This experience taught me that academic progress is not a linear growth, but a breakthrough of nodes! The moment of breakthrough may not come from the long, tedious practice of quantitative change leading to qualitative change, but from the strange and curious inspirations in everyday life."

"I once told a senior girl in my grade about my study method. She replied thoughtfully, 'That feels a bit like a crooked path. Playing cards is limited to fifty-four, but once you get into deep-level problems, you hit obstacles; it’s like trying to calculate at what point the digits of Pi will loop.'"

"I asked her, 'What method do you use?'"

"Her grades were head and shoulders above the rest of the grade, and I assumed her method must be unique!"

"Yet she said, 'I have no method, no strategy, and no technique.'"

"I thought to myself, she must be unwilling to pass on her secret martial arts manual to me!"

"But she said with great earnestness, 'I really have no method or technique. I just listen carefully in class, do my homework when I get home, and read more books when I have time. That’s all.'"

"I didn't get the answer I wanted, yet I felt that what she said might be true."

"If everyone used my method, some might understand that in card games, if you keep track of the 7s and 10s, you won't get a sequence. Your card-playing skills might improve, but your grades would stay the same."

A roar of laughter erupted from the audience; Lin Cheng’s speech had deeply captivated them.

"I once thought the senior was bluffing me, but when I truly started to improve rapidly, I suddenly understood: I hadn't actually gained anything from card games; I had simply experienced an epiphany!"

"I attained a spark of inspiration that belonged only to me—though I must say, the process of epiphany is not easy."

"I finally realized she wasn't lying: she truly had no technique. Those who reach the pinnacle don't need epiphanies from the start; she had internalized the rules in her heart since she was young."

"It is an ineffable, innate ability."

"It’s like the highest realm of martial arts mentioned in *The Smiling, Proud Wanderer*: 'Having no moves is superior to having moves.'"

"It’s similar to the result I mentioned at the beginning: 'An ounce of heredity is worth a ton of education.'"

"She only needs to study to get good grades; even if the teacher doesn't explain things in detail, she can use this ability to compensate."

"This must be wisdom!"

"I want to say: the methods of some successful people are not replicable; there is no learnability to their methods."

"The moment of breakthrough does not lie in your long, past practice, but in the strange and curious inspirations of life. I hope everyone can find the key to unlock their own hearts!"

In the audience, Grade Director Fan Yingnan glanced at the stunned Wang Lixin and asked with uncertainty, "Is this the 'scatterbrain' you were talking about?"

"I..." Wang Lixin didn't even know how to respond.

Fan Yingnan stood up, leaned over slightly, and asked the principal, Huang Yi, in the front row, "Sir, this is taking too long. Should I go over and stop him?"

"No need." Huang Yi smiled and waved his hand. He turned to Wang Lixin and said, "This student has the bearing of a great leader. From the moment he tapped the microphone, I felt as if I were listening to instructions being relayed by a leader from the Education Bureau."

The usually stern "Guardian Wang" could only squeeze out a wry, helpless expression.

Just then, Principal Huang Yi suddenly remembered something. He turned and asked, "We’ve finalized Su Xiang for the exchange program with the American school. What about the other candidates?"

As a capable Grade Director, Fan Yingnan immediately replied, "There’s also Chen Zishi, Zhou Luoyao, and Deng Qian. But it also depends on their family circumstances and their own wishes. After all, it’s three months abroad, which might delay the college entrance exam. Students who are already guaranteed admission might be more willing to go."

The international exchange Principal Huang Yi mentioned was a three-month exchange program between Wuzhou High School and the United States. Su Xiang was confirmed as one of the students representing Wuzhou High School to visit Phillips Exeter Academy; it would be an invaluable experience!

Principal Huang Yi pondered for a moment and said, "Let’s include Lin Cheng as a candidate. After all, we need someone who can represent us well, though we must consider his family situation and academic standing."

"This..." Fan Yingnan paused. "We’ve already sent the list."

"So what? It’s just one more person."

...

Lin Cheng was still unaware that he had been added to the list for the overseas exchange. He had fully entered his flow state, speaking eloquently for over twenty minutes!

He had a certain "Attention, please! I'm back!" aura about him.

Not only could he control his speech with ease, but he could also take in the reactions of everyone present.

Grade Director Fan Yingnan was whispering to Wang Lixin while glancing at the stage, consulting with other school leaders as if it concerned him.

His classmates were all surprised. Zhao Guangtao was huddled with a few guys, whispering like a group of old women gossiping at a village entrance.

He Yueyue seemed to have gone numb; Lin Cheng’s changes were becoming more and more profound...

However, Zhou Luoyao, Zhou Ye, and Zheng Nange didn't seem to have much of a reaction; it felt as if Lin Cheng could announce he had a child somewhere, and they wouldn't even be surprised.

Su Xiang stared calmly at the podium, her beautiful face like a still lake, her porcelain-like skin glowing with a soft light. She possessed a sense of detachment and elegance that seemed far removed from the mundane world... as if Lin Cheng were a transparent being.

Zhuang Sijing’s cheeks were slightly flushed, perhaps from being in the sun for too long.

There was also a girl who could be described as having "peach-blossom cheeks." Her long eyelashes fluttered imperceptibly. For a brief moment, when their eyes met, she first glared at Lin Cheng, then turned her head away.

"Hey! Yu Yan, what are you two doing? Didn't you say you'd never pay attention to him again?" the girl next to her asked upon seeing this.

"Who said I’d pay attention to him!" Yu Yan said nonchalantly. "I just think he’s completely overturned my impression of him. How is he so good at talking now?"

"So, no feelings then?" the girl asked with a mischievous grin.

Yu Yan: "None!"

Lin Cheng’s speech was already entering its final stage.

The reason was simple: he noticed some people were already getting impatient.

*Hmm...* It felt like someone was still cursing him.

*That’s enough, you idiot. You’re making me miss my chance to use the restroom.*

"...Finally, I recall a poem that I would like to share with you all."

Lin Cheng formally concluded:

"With no one to support my lofty ambitions,
I tread through the snow to the mountain’s peak;
Should fate deny me such fortune,
Alone, I can still ascend the Kunlun;
Hardship cannot quell the soaring spirit,
Even eating bitter herbs can taste of sweet.
A youth should harbor a hero's heart;
And ride a swift steed across the open plains!"

"...My speech is over. Thank you, everyone."

A roar of applause erupted from the audience, especially from the seniors.

Grade Director Fan Yingnan took the stage to announce the end of the flag-raising ceremony, and each class returned to their classrooms in an orderly fashion.

The girl who had been bickering with Yu Yan laughed, "He’s in the top ten of the grade! He can get into Qinghua or Peking University. If you miss this chance, you’ll never have another."

"I already missed it!" Yu Yan said, the corners of her mouth curling into a proud smile.

As they neared liberation, the long-dormant feelings of these young boys and girls began to thaw...