Chapter 757 - 755: Emergency Meeting
When Shen Yan arrived, the place was already packed, and at this moment, Principal Situ Feng was pacing back and forth anxiously, like a cat on hot bricks.
After she casually found a place to sit, the meeting began immediately.
Situ Feng walked up to the podium, took a deep breath, and said, "Good morning, colleagues. The reason for this urgent gathering is that we have a very important matter at hand. This competition is no trivial affair, with most of the city’s leaders attending in person. It concerns South Sea City’s high school students’ respect for the nation. We may lose, but we can’t lose casually; if we lose, let it be with a bang."
Suddenly, Principal Situ Feng’s tone shifted, and he continued, "Now, our teacher Li Yong is sick and hospitalized and can’t host the opening of the competition. I hope my colleagues can recommend someone for this important role."
As soon as the principal finished speaking, the teachers and school leaders present began to discuss among themselves.
A few minutes later, Situ Feng spoke again, "Have you all come to a conclusion from the discussion? Time is tight. Once we have a candidate, they need to memorize some lines. It’s not much, but they can’t get so nervous that they forget once on stage. Please, express your opinions."
"I think Shen Yan is good. Her Mandarin is standard, she’s beautiful, and she has a presence that can command attention," said Peng Jiaojiao, the senior English teacher, who had a bit of a jealous streak. Despite her praise for Shen Yan earlier, she was actually setting her up.
You see, Shen Yan rarely communicates with others. Asking her to host the event is like pulling teeth, as even speaking now could make her too nervous to utter a word.
"Yes, I also think sending a beauty up there is better than us rough old men. Those leaders like to see beautiful women on stage after all."
Some male teachers on the side chimed in.
"Stop it, no fooling around. This is no joke, and such a matter requires the person to agree. If they’re unwilling, they don’t have to go."
Situ Feng put an end to the commotion, and Shen Yan let out a deep breath. If they really made her go, her little heart would practically leap out.
"Does anyone else have any suggestions? Please stand up and speak," Situ Feng continued to ask.
At this moment, the room fell silent. No one wanted to take on the responsibility, and picturing themselves potentially embarrassing in front of so many students and city leaders was terrifying.
"Is there really no one? At this critical moment, must I do it myself?"
Situ Feng was somewhat disappointed. It wasn’t that he wasn’t willing to go up; he still had to take care of the important leaders below and manage various large and small tasks.
The meeting room remained silent. Situ Feng gritted his teeth and said straightforwardly, "Alright, I’ll do it."
"Principal, let... let me give it a try."
Suddenly, a somewhat trembling voice came through. Situ Feng was taken aback and looked up to see that it was indeed Shen Yan, the one someone had recommended earlier.
However, based on Shen Yan’s profile, she was very shy and rarely communicated with other colleagues, a bit timid.
Thus, Principal Situ Feng was very moved. Where were all those who usually boasted, those silver-tongued people, where had they gone? They could flatter well, but not one dared to speak up now. Instead, this silent person stood out—truly seeing people in times of crisis.
"Shen Yan, are you sure?" Situ Feng confirmed once again.
"Yes, I am sure."
Shen Yan mustered her courage. This time, she decided to conquer herself and overcome her fears. If not for this, she and Chen Tianlong wouldn’t be in such a situation.
What’s wrong with teacher-student relationships? If the two sincerely love each other, they can be together after Chen Tianlong graduates.
So, Shen Yan decided to overcome herself and not be bound by these things anymore.
"Alright, Shen Yan will be our opening host. Everyone, what do you think?" As Situ Feng spoke, he was very firm—even if someone opposed now, it would be useless.
"Sure, sounds good."
Some teachers responded perfunctorily.
"Alright, let’s adjourn. Everything else proceeds according to the plan. Everyone to their positions—the competition entrance ceremony is about to start in ten minutes. Everyone, to your posts."
Situ Feng brought the intercom to his mouth: "All local leaders, listen to my command, the entrance ceremony starts officially in ten minutes."
Two minutes later, the big conference room was almost empty, leaving only two people: Situ Feng and Shen Yan.
"Thank you for stepping up at this critical moment. You’re a good teacher, an excellent teacher."
Situ Feng shook Shen Yan’s hand quickly and then let go because he still had things to do.
He took out a speech manuscript from his pants pocket and handed it to Shen Yan, "Shen, here are a few lines. See if you can memorize them in a few minutes; otherwise, you can improvise. I’m going to the arena now; you should come over soon. Once the entrance is complete, we will start, but before that, you need to visit the backstage dressing room in the arena."
Shen Yan nodded repeatedly. This memorizing task was no pressure for her.
She was born with an extraordinary memory, so she graduated at nineteen, having read fewer years than most. She even won the first place in the Capital City’s memory competition early on.
After Principal Situ Feng left, Shen Yan began to open the manuscript and memorized it in less than three minutes. Now what she was worried about was getting nervous rather than forgetting. Once she remembered something, she wouldn’t usually forget it under any circumstances. Her only fear was being too shy and speaking incoherently when the time came.
While Shen Yan was adjusting her breathing, a person suddenly appeared at the door, a person she couldn’t be more familiar with—Wu Mengting, the true girlfriend of Chen Tianlong.
"Teacher, the principal asked me to come over to find you and let you quickly go to the dressing room. There’s not much time left," Wu Mengting said breathlessly.
"Oh, I understand. I’ll head over now."
Looking at Wu Mengting, Shen Yan felt a bit apprehensive. This girl was younger than her, extremely beautiful, and exuded a classical beauty.
Shen Yan thought, Chen Tianlong really had an eye for choosing a girlfriend—an absolute school beauty, a popular girl under the protection of a young lady, who happened to be the acknowledged first school beauty. Even her best friend ranked among the top ten most beautiful.
Thinking of this, Shen Yan could only shake her head. Although she used to be in the top three school beauties, that was in the past. Being two years older than them is not a wide gap, but it’s still a significant hurdle. If she were two years younger, she wouldn’t feel a strong sense of crisis, but now she truly feels that Chen Tianlong will choose Wu Mengting, not her.