Chapter 192
Chapter 192: Sticking to one’s own way of doing things
The beautiful woman reporter looked at Tang Zheng, sizing him up with her eyes. It was unexpected that this teenage was actually a super being who scored 740 points. It was really unbelievable.
And seeing him with a pretty girl hand in hand, increased her interest. Her mind fantasized countless hot topics that could trigger the public opinion’s hotspot.
She excitedly handed over the microphone, and interviewed, “Congratulations, you two. What are you feeling right now? Do you care to comment?”
“Don’t feel anything, nothing much to say?” Tang Zheng lightly said. He frowned and looked at the camera and asked, “Can you turn off the camera?”
Uh?
The people stared at him. How can not want to speak? Shouldn’t you be excited right now? Say something grateful, like thanking your parents and thank you for your kind words.
Seeing this, the principal smiled kindly and comforted him, “You may not be used to facing the camera for the first time. Don’t be nervous. Take a deep breath and relax slowly, just like usual. Ok?”
Liu Qingmei held Tang Zheng back, she urged in a low voice, “This is a good opportunity to promote yourself, don’t waste it.”
Tang Zheng didn’t like fame. He wanted to keep a low profile, so he rudely said, “I don’t know what you want us to do?”
The City Bureau of Education chief stepped forward with a big stomach and his eyes fell on Tang Zheng, he said loudly, “Tang Zheng, you have achieved such good results. So the City Bureau of Education and the Municipal TV Station are preparing to launch a joint program to promote you in all aspects. In addition to the regular interview dialogue, we will also document your daily life and learn more about you. This will build a name for you and Chang Heng.”
Chang Heng City had not once become the top scorer in the province college entrance exam. This time was without a doubt was the best opportunity, to promote oneself greatly. This naturally could not be missed.
Therefore, the staff of the Education Bureau would be recognized and be valued by their superiors. In particular, the direct of the education bureau, can add a lot of color to his career.
Otherwise, he would not have run so fast and also brought a TV crew to accompany him.
Tang Zheng ignored their plans, he didn’t hesitate to say, “Sorry, I refuse to accept all of this.”
The chief looked at Tang Zheng, he was at loss, he asked, “Why refuse? This is a great opportunity to become famous.”
“I don’t want to be famous.” Tang Zheng said straightforwardly.
“This is something that many people dream of. You have such an opportunity, don’t it let be in vain, I heard your family condition isn’t good, so such propaganda is favorable for you later in life.” The chief urged anxiously. If Tang Zheng didn’t coordinate, this excellent propaganda opportunity would be wasted.
Tang Zheng remained unmoved, “I don’t need this opportunity. If the is nothing else, I’ll leave first. I’ll come back after a few days to receive my application.”
The chief was pissed. He finally showed impatient on his face and asked coldly, “What is this attitude? We are doing this for your own good but you don’t cooperate. Don’t think being the top scorer is something to be proud of.”
“When have I become proud? I just don’t want my life to be disturbed.” Tang Zheng did not budge.
Seeing the tension rise up, the principal quickly advised, “Tang Zheng, the chief is doing all this for you. You can’t let his good intentions go wasted.”
“This is my own business, and I don’t really need other to worry, I especially do not like others to dictate, instead of waiting for me to decide.” Tang Zheng did not put the chief’s anger in his heart.
The chief stared at him, and said, “If you do this, the consequences will be serious.”
Tang Zheng jokingly laughed and smiled, “If there are any serious consequences. Let me hear it, let me see what you’ll do.”
“You…” The chief was speechless. He did not expect Tang Zheng to dare contradict him.
The principal thought of how did it come to this. It would have been a good thing to accept it. He quickly suggested, “Since Tang Zheng don’t like interviews, then Fang Shishi. Since you were the second best, we will interview you instead.”
As soon as the chief thought about it, he felt it was feasible. Besides, Fang Shishi was a beautiful woman. Which made it more topical and attractive.
Unexpectedly, Fang Shishi looked at Tang Zheng and then without hesitation shook her head and refused, “I don’t want to be interviewed, nor do I like standing in front of the camera.”
The reaction of the two was exactly the same, which made the rest, stared at them. They couldn’t believe it.
Strange things happened every year, especially this year.
Previously, if anyone was the top scorer, it would be all round of public opinion bombardment. But this time the top scorer and the second place want to keep a low profile.
Did the sun rose up from the west?
Liu Qingmei was also surprised as she watched the both of them. She didn’t understand their thoughts at all. She was preparing to persuade them, but she held it back.
She knew that Tang Zheng was a very independent person. If he made up his mind, it would be difficult to change.
The chief had lost face. The two students dared to confront him in front of so many people. He looked at the principal, and yelled, “Is this how you teach your students. They have no respect.”
The principal looked embarrassed and hesitantly said, “These youngsters were wrong. Please calm down chief.”
Tang Zheng coldly looked at the chief and said, “The college entrance exam was my own affair. No matter how many marks I have scored, it has nothing to do with you. You just want to use my achievements for your own benefits, right? Sorry, but I am not obligated.”
Tang Zheng saw through his intentions and revealed it, embarrassing the chief.
“In the past years, the top students in the exam were pulled in to this kind of program, for you. After many years, how could people still remember them? The most important thing for the students is to study, not to do propaganda. This is the matter of putting the cart before the horse. Since you did not understand the truth. I do not need to talk to you. Let’s go.”
Tang Zheng drew Fang Shishi around and left. He simply ignored the dumbfounded people in the room.
“Halt! If you dare to go out the door, then don’t bother going to college. Don’t think that being the top scorer is something great.” The chief flew into rage as he threatened him.
Tang Zheng and Fang Shishi stopped and turned around.
The chief’s face revealed a smug look and said, “Do you know what my influence can do? Your applications and subsequent files are subject to the Education Bureau. Without our consent, you won’t be able to enter college.”
Tang Zheng shrugged his shoulders and said fearlessly, “Then by all means. Let me see all the tricks you can play.”
Hiss!
Everyone sucked a cold breath, never have they expected him to be uncompromising till the last moment.
“Do not treat me like any other students that you’ve seen. Otherwise, you will regret it in the future.” Tang Zheng coldly said.
“You dare to threaten me!”
“If you understand it as a threat, then let it be a threat.” Tang Zheng said indifferently.
Was this the words a high school student can say? Of course not, Tang Zheng was considered not an ordinary high school student. So few people simply were unable to adapt to his attitude.
The whole body of the chief trembled and even the principal looked bitter. He said, “Tang Zheng, you said a little too much. Chief, please calm yourself. This is child is not sensible, do not lower yourself to his level.”
The chief stared at Tang Zheng and asked arrogantly, “I will give you a last chance. Will you accept it or not?”
“Nope.” Tang Zheng turned around and walked out of the office with Fang Shishi with his chest held high.
“How dare he act like this? How can there be such a student? We must give them a hard lesson.” The chief yelled.
Lie Qingmei frowned and glanced at him. She then quickly chased after them.
“Tang Zheng, wait!” At the stairway, Liu Qingmei stopped the two people. “What happened to you? Why aren’t you willing to accept the interview?”
Tang Zheng shook his head, “I just don’t like it. I don’t think I need to be on TV. I don’t like to live a life under the spotlight.
“You are really different from other people. Everyone else wants to be famous, but you seem too afraid of being famous.” Liu Qingmei shook her head as she couldn’t understand him.
Tang Zheng nodded and admitted, “I truly don’t like to become famous. Isn’t there a saying that A man dreads fame as a pig dreads being fat? I still want to live longer.”
Translators note: Fame signifies trouble for men just as fattening does for pigs. One fears to stir trouble after being famous just as a pig fear to be slaughtered after being fat.
Liu Qingmei looked at him thoughtfully and said, “Well, keeping this modest attitude will help you on the way to the future. You should go back first, after two days, the school will fill your application. Right, what university do you want to apply for?”
“Yanjing University.”
“Fang Shishi, you?”
Fang Shishi said without hesitation, “Me too.”
Tang Zheng glanced at her and sighed. Just as he expected. She certainly thought of going abroad.
“The two of you can still be together. Congratulations.”
“Thank you, teacher.” Fang Shishi was particularly happy and she left the campus holding Tang Zheng’s hand. But when they arrived at the residential area, they found many reporters with camera at the gate.
He instantly thought that they were coming for him, so he pulled Fang Shishi and ran away.
“Why are these reporters so annoying that they come to my door?” Tang Zheng frowned.
Fang Shishi didn’t find it strange, “This is always a custom, the addresses of the examinees are recorded. People are bound to know.”
“We can’t live up to their wishes. Let’s go to Shengshi Bar.”
“Bar?” Fang Shishi’s eyes lit up. “I’ve never been to a bar. My parents don’t let me go. It’s too messy.”
Tang Zheng laughed, “They are right. If a pretty girl like you enters a bar. You would become a magnet. It can definitely attract countless people to chat up.”
Fang Shishi playfully smiled, “I’m not as charming as you said.”
“Nope, let’s check it out tonight.”
When the two came to the bar’s entrance, it was already dark. There were already some scattered guests.
Tang Zheng was already a familiar face at the Shengshi bar. As soon as he got to the door, his younger brother recognized him. he quickly, respectfully saluted, “Young Master Tang!”
Tang Zheng nodded and whispered. “Don’t attract attention.”
The younger brother understood, “I wish Young Master Tang to have fun.”
As soon as they sat down, a man came up to them while carrying a liquor.