NABC Chapter 68 - 68 - 067: The So-Called Man
Chapter 68 - 68 - 067: The So-Called Man
Chapter 68 – 067: The So-Called Man
Chen Zihan was stunned, Li Dapang was also stunned, and Yang Xiaoyan widened her eyes, looking at Xiao Han with an incredulous expression.
They had perhaps never imagined that Xiao Han could utter such bold and forceful words.
Behind those bold and forceful words, perhaps, was a heart full of ambition. Xiao Han had grown up in poverty, with only his mother to support the entire family and raise him. Now, Xiao Han had finally grown up and matured.
“Xiao Han, I’m sorry!” Chen Zihan bit her red lips and said, “I just...”
“No need to apologize,” Xiao Han said with a smile. “These are merely words from my heart.”
“I always thought a real man had to be masculine,” Yang Xiaoyan said with a smile from the side.
“Masculinity can be feigned. However,” Xiao Han smiled and added, “a real man is someone who has a sense of responsibility, justice, and commitment. A man who is considered masculine may not necessarily be dignified, but a real man never bows or kneels, embodying a ironclad character; a man considered masculine may not necessarily be spirited, and without spirit, one is simply not a real man.
Spirit embodies courage, decisiveness, integrity, and justice.
It’s also a male’s inherent wildness and fighting spirit, and an undying, unyielding attitude; a man considered masculine may not necessarily be wise or thoughtful—the breadth of experience, meticulous thinking, a generous heart, having his own views on life, understanding of society, being unbiased, complaint-free, and never negative, always striving for progress—that is a real man; a man considered masculine may not necessarily be responsible.
Social duties, family obligations, brotherhood among friends, courage to face one’s own mistakes without looking for excuses for failures, not justifying wrongs. Not needing everyone’s understanding, but living without regrets, offering no explanations. His word is his bond, he leads by integrity.”
“Xiao Han, you spoke really well!” Yang Xiaoyan’s eyes lit up.
“Xiao Han, why do I feel like you are talking about me?” Li Dapang chuckled.
“Get lost!” Yang Xiaoyan glanced at Li Dapang and said, “I find Xiao Han is increasingly manly.”
Yet, Chen Zihan looked at Xiao Han with a complex expression.
Since who knows when, Xiao Han had changed, changed to the point she no longer recognized him. The first time she met Xiao Han was at the awards ceremony of a mathematical Olympiad, an occasion that left a profound impression on her about him. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be so many complicated stories now.
Later, after Xiao Han’s father passed away, the impact on Xiao Han was huge, causing him to always be somber as if he had become someone else, someone isolated and withdrawn from the world.
Chen Zihan thought that Xiao Han might never return, but unexpectedly, two years later, Xiao Han returned miraculously. Conversely to his past, he had turned into a mature, steady, and rather mysterious man. This was simply astonishing. Chen Zihan felt an incredible amazement and strangeness.
On the way back, Chen Zihan hung her head low.
“Zi Han, don’t you find this Xiao Han very strange?” Yang Xiaoyan curiously asked.
“What aspect do you find strange?” Chen Zihan curiously inquired.
“The Xiao Han from before was not like this at all,” Yang Xiaoyan became increasingly puzzled and curiously said, “I used to dislike Xiao Han the most, but now, I find Xiao Han increasingly strange. I don’t dislike him at all now; instead, I think he’s an extremely charismatic man, even more so than some men who have been working for ten years. Don’t you think so?”@@@@
“Hmm,” Chen Zihan nodded and said, “I also find it strange. Why did Xiao Han change so much?”
“How would I know!” Yang Xiaoyan shook her head, then said, “I’m also baffled. This Xiao Han is becoming more and more enigmatic.”
“Yes, I can’t figure him out either,” Chen Zihan nodded and then said with a bitter smile, “I always thought that I understood Xiao Han the best. But now, I realize that I am also the person who understands him the least. Isn’t that contradictory?”
There was also a glittering golden plaque at the door.
Xiao Han knocked on the door.
“Come in,” Li Hengzhong’s voice was full of vigor.
Xiao Han pushed the door and entered.
The office was large, the decor not luxurious but definitely not simple. There was a stately desk, behind which was a row of bookshelves filled with various books, ranging from the Spring and Autumn Period, through “Jian’s Spring and Autumn,” to modern history. There were even family letters from Zeng Guofan.
This showed that Li Hengzhong had a broad range of knowledge in books. Absolutely not simple.
“Principal Li, you wanted to see me?” Xiao Han looked at Li Hengzhong.
From the moment Xiao Han entered, Li Hengzhong had been staring at him, his eyes revealing a smile that was not quite a smile. He smiled slightly and said, “You’ve come?”
“I...” Xiao Han was somewhat intimidated. Seeing Li Hengzhong’s gaze, Xiao Han appeared somewhat guilty. So, after entering the office, his pace even slowed, and he looked a bit timid and pale.
Seeing this, Li Hengzhong immediately laughed: “Teacher Xiao, I’ve never seen you so timid in front of the classroom before.”
“Principal, please don’t tease me,” Xiao Han said awkwardly, looking at Li Hengzhong.
“I really didn’t realize our school had such a talent,” Li Hengzhong chuckled, then said, “Indeed, talents emerge one after another. You actually managed to deceive me.”
“I...I didn’t mean to,” Xiao Han said with an embarrassed face.
“It’s nothing, I find it very interesting,” Li Hengzhong stood up from his chair and said, “The Hanmen Training Class you’re running is doing well, several leaders from the education bureau think highly of it. They specifically tallied it up, and over eighty percent of the students from Hanmen have improved their grades.
We have several students from Linjiang No.1 Middle School there, so, I should feel proud of you.”
“This...” Xiao Han didn’t know how to respond.
“Of course, you have to trust me,” Li Hengzhong said cheerfully: “I will definitely keep your secret, and I won’t let this matter get out.”
“Thank you, Principal!” Xiao Han quickly nodded.
“However, I have some good news for you,” Li Hengzhong smiled knowingly.
“What good news?” Xiao Han asked eagerly.
“The list for Tsinghua University’s recommended students has come out,” Li Hengzhong smiled. “I plan to recommend you.”
“What?” Xiao Han was utterly stunned, saying, “Principal, I...I didn’t hear you wrong, did I?”
“No,” Li Hengzhong shook his head, saying, “Your excellence is obvious to all. I’ve checked your records, you were the top scholar of Wangjiang District during the middle school exams. It was only after your father passed away that you struggled. Now, you have finally stepped out of the shadows, and I am very gratified.”
“Principal, I...” Xiao Han said awkwardly, “Actually, you don’t need to take such care of me. I’m just an ordinary student, I know many people are competing for this slot, you could give it to them. I don’t need it!”
“No!” Li Hengzhong shook his head, said, “Since it’s a recommendation, I need to stake my reputation on it. I don’t want to send someone who isn’t worth it. If it’s a recommendation, then it must be for the best and the brightest.”