Chapter Sixty-Six: When the Youth Are Strong, the Nation Is Strong—Is It Wrong to Take Things Seriously?

Hardly anyone had ever seen Bai Ling in such a state.

The last time a similar situation had occurred was probably when the president of Xinghui Entertainment had tried to coerce her, and Bai Ling had interacted with netizens online, publicly denouncing him. Even then, though she had appeared pitiful and vulnerable, she had never truly lost her temper. After all, at that time, Bai Ling was certain in her heart that she was destined to win that confrontation. Though angry, she was never irrational.

But now, her reaction was far more instinctive, born out of urgency.

Wen Yan, the so-called chosen heroine, was momentarily stunned after being scolded by Bai Ling. After a long pause, she finally spoke. “Why take this so seriously? I didn’t do it on purpose!”

At this moment, she no longer wanted to act out the part of close sisters with Bai Ling. She had already sensed it: not only did Bai Ling dislike her, she even went out of her way to avoid her. Besides, wasn’t her current embarrassment all because Bai Ling had taken so many opportunities for exposure, leaving her with only this one? How could it possibly be Wen Yan’s fault? Wasn’t it all Bai Ling’s doing, along with the unfair production team? Why should she be the one to bear all the blame?

Bai Ling had wanted to calm herself, to remind herself not to be so irritable. Yet upon hearing Wen Yan’s words, her anger surged once more. These so-called chosen heroines were always like this, always believing they were blameless, always thinking others were too harsh on them, always lenient with themselves and strict with others. Always… The list was endless. There were so many things about this type of person that Bai Ling wanted to criticize.

Some people, at least, knew they were in the wrong and didn’t bother denying it; they were simply bad to the core, and it was enough to despise them. Yet there was another, more common type: people who made mistakes but stubbornly refused to admit it, making others' blood boil.

Since Bai Ling had already taken a stand, she might as well unleash her full firepower. She’d already lost her temper back when her recording studio time was stolen; now was as good a moment as any to vent her frustrations.

Immediately, Bai Ling faced Wen Yan directly, her gaze blazing. Even this simple act of meeting her eyes made the difference in their auras abundantly clear.

“When the youth are wise, the nation is wise. When the youth are wealthy, the nation is wealthy. When the youth are strong, the nation is strong. When the youth are free, the nation is free. Have you ever heard these words?”

“Teacher Zhang Ruchun has devoted herself to this elementary school for twenty years. Isn’t it all for the sake of letting every child grow up healthy and strong? These children are the future blossoms of our country, the seeds of hope.”

“And now, you’ve tainted the nourishment meant for them with errors—how can those who plant these seeds not feel outraged?”

“Petty? Is this what you call being petty?”

“Teacher Zhang has already been exceedingly polite to you—what more do you want?”

“Should she have joked and laughed with you, brushed things off, and let everyone sit down together as if nothing happened?”

“Shouldn’t you feel ashamed for the mistake you made?”

“If every teacher treated their students as carelessly as you, what would become of these children when they grow up?”

“Are we to let them all become hopeless illiterates?”

Each word, each sentence, fell with the force of a hammer.

Bai Ling’s words rang with a deafening clarity for everyone present. Especially those lines—when the youth are strong, the nation is strong—which struck directly to the heart.

Who didn’t hope for the children of the nation to receive the best education, to have the best chance at growth? The progress of humanity lies in inheritance! That’s why Teacher Zhang’s character was so precious.

Those who warm themselves for others must not be left to freeze in the wind and snow. Anyone who thought this matter unimportant, anyone who believed Wen Yan was being treated too harshly, would become the cruelest wind and snow, destroying the integrity of dedicated educators like Teacher Zhang!

“I was wrong. I shouldn’t have defended Wen Yan.”

“Even if Wen Yan didn’t physically push the teachers, her stubbornness is inexcusable.”

“That’s right. The education of these children is of utmost importance. Compared to that, Wen Yan’s personal feelings are nothing.”

“Where are those who were defending her just now?”

“Hey, don’t say we were defending her. We were just blind, that’s all.”

“I always felt there was something off about those defenders earlier, but I couldn’t put it into words. Now that Bai Ling has spoken, it’s like a veil has been lifted!”

“Bai Ling’s words are spot-on, insightful, piercing, and effective… I can’t keep up—everyone, just share your thoughts.”

“Bai Ling is absolutely right. Education is a major issue affecting people’s lives. Why not take it seriously? Not only should we take it seriously, we should be even more rigorous—draw the strictest lines, never let it be ignored.”

“Hearing Bai Ling’s words just now, I was immediately reminded of the feeling I had as a teenager reading those very lines—the rush of passion, the thrill!”

“I want to go back to my youth and study hard for the rise of our nation!”

“These children already live in hardship. It’s hard to imagine how they could ever turn their lives around if even their education isn’t guaranteed.”

“Whether from an emotional or objective standpoint, I unconditionally support Bai Ling.”

“It’s hard for anyone not to agree with what Bai Ling just said.”

“Today, I feel like I’ve met another side of Bai Ling. I always thought she was lazy and careless.”

“So you all thought Bai Ling was lazy too? I thought I was the only one!”

“Haha, aren’t we getting off topic?”

“Seems like it!”

“Whatever the case, I support Bai Ling. Wen Yan, hurry up and apologize.”

“Yes, Wen Yan, apologize!”

“There’s no way out of this without an apology!”

Under the cleansing wash of Bai Ling’s words, full of positive energy, the viewers in the livestream began to form a unanimous tide. As always—Bai Ling’s values and words were very hard not to support. Not just the audience—even the atmosphere on-site began to shift subtly.

Wen Yan was shaken by Bai Ling’s words. Even though, deep down, she still didn’t agree. She still believed she wasn’t wrong, that she was right, that everyone was targeting her and shutting her out. But things had come to this point—could she really persist in her stubborn denial?

With all eyes on her, Wen Yan could only swallow her tears, apologize, and leave.

Only after she left did everyone breathe a sigh of relief.

As for what came after—how, upon leaving, Wen Yan “accidentally on purpose” tripped and thus had to “regretfully” withdraw from the show’s recording—well, that was another story.