madnovel Chapter 68 So be it
Chapter 68 So be it
Chapter 68 So be it
Wang Xiaolan and her family were also well-off; they were both from Beijing.
Originally, it was thought that Wang Xiaolan had a good voice, so they would send her some local specialties from time to time, and that's how the solo performance at the party was decided.
Wang Xiaolan also told her parents that she would be singing at the school's graduation party.
The matter was a sure thing, but it was snatched away by a woman from another place, which is why he harbored resentment.
They naturally looked down on this penniless, powerless, and unruly country bumpkin.
Art should not be tainted by them; they are the ones who truly play with art.
They happened to run into each other on the road, and a few friends decided to help Wang Xiaolan get revenge.
That's why the scene just now happened.
"Senior brother."
With Zu Hai behind him, it was as if he had found a pillar of support. His tears of grievance flowed even more fiercely, but he was afraid of causing trouble for him, so he tugged at his sleeve and whispered.
"Let's go, ignore them, they're just being unreasonable."
"Making a fuss over nothing?"
Lin Hanjiang patted the back of her hand, signaling her not to be afraid.
But his eyes remained fixed on Lili in the red dress and Wang Xiaolan hiding behind her.
"So many people, blocking a girl's path, mocking her, forcing her to give up her performance opportunity—is that just being unreasonable? That's school bullying!"
The word "bullying" was not commonly used on school campuses in the early 1990s, but its meaning was sharp enough.
The tall boy blushed and retorted, "Who bullied her? We're just being reasonable! Zu Hai used connections to steal Xiao Lan's spot at the graduation party, and we're not even allowed to say anything?"
"Rob?"
Lin Hanjiang was so angry that he laughed instead.
"The selection of programs for the graduation party is a joint decision made by teachers and leaders, and naturally they have their considerations and standards. You think you can just snatch things like that? Where's the evidence? Are you just going to make wild guesses based on your opinions?"
"Does this even need evidence?"
Lili's voice became shrill, like a firecracker that had been lit, as she pointed at Zu Hai.
"Who doesn't know she goes to Professor Jin's house every day? Who doesn't know she's close to you, her gold medal-winning senior? Is Wang Xiaolan less capable than her? Didn't she train harder? Why did she get to go in the end? What else could it be but connections?"
Wang Xiaolan, who had been silent all along, finally raised her head and looked at Lin Hanjiang. Her eyes were complicated, showing grievance, resentment, and a hint of helplessness at being supported by her companion.
Her voice was soft, yet carried a stubbornness: "Senior Lin, I didn't ask them to do this, but I really prepared for my solo performance at the graduation party for a long time. My friends and I really found it hard to accept that Zu Hai was suddenly chosen. If it were truly based on merit, I have nothing to say. But now—"
She didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear: she doubted the fairness of the selection process.
Lin Hanjiang looked at the girl in the white dress, who seemed quiet but had a stubborn look in her eyes, and then at Zu Hai, who was sobbing behind him. He made a decision.
Arguing won't solve the problem; this knot in the heart regarding fairness must be broken in the most direct way.
Lin Hanjiang calmed down considerably, but he couldn't just hit someone directly.
If I were strong enough, I would have pulled out my belt and whipped these bastards all over.
He's so young and already learning bad habits.
Moreover, if they did this and it were publicized at school...
Given Zu Hai's personality, she'll probably be ostracized, and might even become depressed, making it difficult for her to sing properly.
It's up to him, as the senior student, to handle this.
"Alright, since you question the fairness of the selection process and my junior sister's abilities, then we will resolve this in the fairest way possible."
He looked intently at Wang Xiaolan: "Wang Xiaolan, right? This is my junior sister, Zu Hai. Her business is my business. You think she got in through connections, but I think she got in through her own abilities. There's no point in arguing. Let's be straightforward and do what we musicians should believe in: let's see who's the best on stage."
The students were all taken aback.
Wang Xiaolan looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"Didn't you prepare 'Beautiful Taihu Lake'? Zu Hai also has a piece she has prepared."
Lin Hanjiang said, enunciating each word clearly.
"We won't go to the teachers or leaders, so as to avoid accusations of favoritism. We'll rely on the ears of the students to judge."
"What do you mean?" the tall boy asked.
Lin Hanjiang raised his voice to make sure everyone could hear him clearly.
"My idea is for me to ask the student council to help post a notice on the school bulletin board explaining the situation. We'll set up a small venue and invite interested students from across the school to volunteer as audience members and judges. You two, Wang Xiaolan and Zu Hai, will compete on stage, each singing a prepared song. After you're done, the students in attendance will vote anonymously. Whoever you think sang better will get their vote. The one with the most votes will represent the high school at the graduation gala as a soloist. The loser must accept the result honestly and cannot have any complaints or underhanded tactics. How does that sound?"
This proposal was groundbreaking and completely exceeded the expectations of the provocative students.
They only wanted to put pressure on Zu Hai to back down, but they didn't expect Lin Hanjiang to propose such a public and hardcore solution.
Wang Xiaolan's eyes lit up for a moment, then she hesitated.
In a public competition, facing the judgment of unfamiliar classmates, the pressure is undoubtedly enormous.
But this is indeed the fairest way to truly prove oneself.
"You—you're serious?" Wang Xiaolan stammered.
She didn't expect Lin Hanjiang to do this.
Zu Hai also stopped sobbing, thinking that doing this would clear him of suspicion of being a crony.
Lin Hanjiang said decisively, "Of course it's true."
Looking at the young people around him, he continued, "I can take responsibility for contacting the student union to coordinate the venue and announcements, ensuring the process is open and transparent. But the premise is that you must accept the consequences of your bets. After the competition, regardless of the outcome, this kind of blocking and insulting behavior must never happen again. If you lose, apologize. If I find out again that anyone has bullied Zu Hai..."
He coldly swept his gaze over the three boys. "I don't care who you are, I will get to the bottom of this and I mean it."
The middle school students were intimidated by his gaze and dared not utter a sound for a moment.
Wang Xiaolan bit her lip, looked at Lin Hanjiang, and then at Zu Hai.
Finally, the pride and unwillingness that belonged to the young singers prevailed.
She straightened her back and said clearly, "Okay, I agree. It'll be an open competition, with classmates voting. If we lose, I, Wang Xiaolan, will have no objections and will apologize to Zu Hai. If we win, I also hope that certain people will apologize."
She was saying this to Zu Hai.
Lin Hanjiang looked at Zu Hai.
Zu Hai wiped away his tears and took a step forward.
Look directly at Wang Xiaolan.
"Can."
Lin Hanjiang nodded.
"Then it's settled. The competition is the day after tomorrow, and I will inform the student council to issue a notice. Now, please leave and stop harassing my junior sister."
The middle school students looked at each other, then turned and left.
Before leaving, Lili turned back and glared at him, but ultimately didn't dare say anything more.
The crowd dispersed, and the street returned to quiet.
Zu Hai finally relaxed; the grievances she had just suffered were still quite a blow to her.
Even though she hadn't done anything wrong, the feeling of being wronged was truly painful.
"Okay, it's alright now."
Lin Hanjiang patted her little head.
"Remember, if you encounter something like this again, don't be afraid, and don't suffer in silence. You still have us."
Zu Hai then smiled.
"Thank you, senior."
If Lin Hanjiang hadn't helped her, she really wouldn't know how to face this group of people.
It may be impossible to shake off the label of being a "connected person".