Chapter 43 High School Graduation Ceremony and University Enrollment
On February 12, 2001, at 9:00 am sharp, Zhang Chengyuan arrived on time at the auditorium of Jiulao High School to attend the graduation ceremony for this year's graduates. Although he was extremely busy after the college entrance examination and only thought about working and making money, with almost no rest time, he didn't want to participate in this meaningless graduation ceremony for him. However, two days ago, the Dean of Studies personally talked to him, asking him to attend the graduation ceremony, so he had to agree. Because over the past two years, the Dean of Studies took great care of him, making him very grateful and unable to refuse.
The Dean of Studies, Zhang Chengyuan, was summoned for a talk, which was ordered by the school authorities. From the school's point of view, it was not easy to produce a student who scored the highest marks in the country and was admitted to the top university in the country, so how could they not want to make a big fuss about it? And this graduation ceremony was the best opportunity for publicity, so they naturally had to make a big show of it, even inviting several reporters from newspapers and magazines to do special reports.
At this time, the large auditorium was already filled with students. The third-year students who were about to graduate sat in the front, while the first- and second-year students sat behind them. The school teachers sat on the stage, and Zhang Chengyuan's position was arranged at the center of the first row, surrounded by several professional photographers taking pictures.
After a while, the school leaders began their passionate speeches, and the students in the audience were almost falling asleep. However, Zhang Chengyuan's performance skills had obviously improved a lot by then, although he hadn't listened to a single word, his face still maintained a passionate smile.
It wasn't until the principal called out his name that Zhang Chengyuan came back to his senses, realizing it was his turn to give a speech. He quickly got up and walked onto the stage, facing the principal and teachers on the rostrum, first bowing at a 45-degree angle, then turning around to bow to all the students, immediately triggering thunderous applause from the audience. Afterwards, Zhang Chengyuan once again showcased his impressive skills in reading from a script, bringing the speech he had been given by the Dean of Studies two days prior to life with passion and emotion, moving the audience to tears as if every word was truly coming from his heart.
After Zhang Chengyuan finished speaking, the graduation ceremony began. As the most outstanding student of the year, he was the first to receive his diploma. He had just stepped down from the stage and then walked back up again. With another impeccable bow, he respectfully received the diploma and a special award certificate from the principal. Next, according to the request of the teacher who was hosting the ceremony, Zhang Chengyuan cooperated fully by holding up the two certificates on either side of his chest, flashing a captivating smile, allowing the school's staff to take plenty of photos of him.
It's worth mentioning that one of the photos he took this time later became a promotional poster for Jiu Lao High School, and as his fame grew, it greatly increased the school's reputation.
After receiving his diploma, Zhang Chengyuan walked down from the stage and sat in his own seat, silent and expressionless, pretending to be a well-behaved student with a warm smile still on his face. If it were in the past, he would definitely have had a cold and frosty demeanor, but after being in the entertainment industry for so long, he had also developed the professional habit of playing the gentleman in public.
The entire graduation ceremony lasted for nearly three hours, and after it ended, the graduates had free time. Some took photos with each other to commemorate the occasion, while others spent quality time with their families or strolled around in twos and threes, reminiscing about stories that had taken place on this campus... Zhang Chengyuan chatted with a few familiar teachers before quietly leaving the school. As he walked out of the campus, he suddenly felt a little reluctant to leave and turned back for a glance, pausing for a few seconds before resolutely walking away, thinking to himself: "Who knows when I'll come here again? Will it be in ten years' time? And what kind of person will I be when I appear here again?"
On March 5th, around 8:30 in the morning, at the Commerce Building of the College of Business Administration on the Gwanak Campus of Seoul National University, Jang Sung-yoon stood side by side with his father Jang Dong-ho and agent Park Byung-ryul, all wearing bright smiles. However, each of them had different reasons for smiling: Jang Dong-ho was feeling relieved and satisfied seeing his son grow up; Park Byung-ryul was thrilled at the prospect of making a lot of money in the future; while Jang Sung-yoon was forcing himself to smile so as not to spoil the atmosphere. Surrounding them were hundreds of excited freshmen from the same department, along with their parents and friends.
Here is the translation:
As for why Zhang Chengyuan can't feel the kind of crazy happiness that other students have, there may be several reasons: Firstly, he has no interest in studying at all, and only enrolled in Hanyang University to satisfy his father's wishes and to use the reputation of a prestigious university to help him make it in the entertainment industry. Secondly, he has no expectations for university life, whether it's parties, social events or club activities, he has no interest in any of them, he likes quietness, and when he rests, he will never go to crowded places, let alone bars, clubs, or internet cafes that young people like to go to. Thirdly, he has too many secrets, an artist's life is already full of secrets that can't be exposed, and he is also a practitioner of Taoist meditation, in the bustling university campus where it's hard to keep secrets, Zhang Chengyuan must feel very uncomfortable living there.
At nine o'clock, in a large lecture hall of the Business Academy, the meeting between the leaders, professors and lecturers of the Department of Management and the new students officially began. The classroom was filled with students and parents, Zhang Chengyuan sat in a corner at the back row, wearing glasses and silently watching the teachers on stage, hoping that no one would notice him. However, some students around him seemed to think he was too different, occasionally turning their heads or glancing over to size him up.
This meeting first introduced the new students to the duties and work scope of each teacher, then announced the order and discipline that students in this school should follow, as well as issues related to academic assessment that students are most concerned about. The speech was concise and straightforward, with no unnecessary words or clichés. After finishing what needed to be said, the meeting was immediately adjourned, lasting only about an hour, fully demonstrating the efficiency and openness of the country's highest institution of learning.
Zhang Chengyuan originally thought that this meeting would be very long and boring, and he even wanted to sneak a nap, but unexpectedly, from start to finish, he listened attentively without missing a single sentence. It can be said that this was the most efficient school meeting he had encountered in years, and he immediately developed a good impression of the department's leaders and teachers, thinking that only such an efficient administrative style would not affect his future studies and work.
After the meeting, Zhang Chengyuan went out to find Zhang Donghu and Park Byung-ryul who were strolling around the campus, appreciating the scenery. He then returned with them to explain his artist identity to the professors and applied that as long as he could complete the assignments they arranged, he could not attend school classes at any time. At this time, although Zhang Chengyuan had some small reputation, the professors who were busy teaching and studying didn't know who he was. If it weren't for Zhang Donghu, Park Byung-ryul, and various documents to prove it, Zhang Chengyuan would have been scolded.
Even if he proved his identity as an artist, the professors didn't mince their words. In their opinion, not studying hard but instead messing around in the chaotic entertainment circle was simply being unprofessional and disgracing the students of Han City University.
However, a few professors eventually respected Zhang Chengyuan's wishes and approved his request after failing to persuade him. They only required him to take the final exam and promised to explain his situation to the relevant departments such as the teaching office when necessary to help him with leave or suspension procedures.
