On the stage, the grade director began his impassioned speech, his voice rising and falling, full of emotion.
The students in the audience below also respectfully listened for three minutes, showing their deference to the grade director.
Backstage in the auditorium, Gu Xiao leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
She felt a bit bored, but she thought it wouldn't be good to play with her smart bracelet in front of so many teachers.
On the other side, the teachers were discussing the grade director on the podium.
"How many times has it been now?"
"This must be the fifth time, and it's the same old routine."
"Not a single word changed?"
"Not a single word changed."
"You remember it so clearly."
"Old Chang has recited the same script five times, plus all the times he recited it during rehearsals, I've practically memorized it."
"Impressive, impressive. As expected of a political science teacher, your memory is strong."
At ceremonies like this, if you actually listen to what the teachers are saying, time seems to pass very slowly.
But if your mind wanders, you'll find that the ceremony progresses very quickly.
Just as Gu Xiao focused all her attention on Jing Yuan, Lu Li suddenly gently nudged her arm.
"Xiao Xiao, it's almost our turn. Don't forget your speech."
"Don't worry, it's right here."
Gu Xiao shook the speech in her right hand; this was the script the school had given them.
As for why the graduation ceremony speeches had to use scripts provided by the school instead of letting students write their own, it was mainly due to concerns that students might get too carried away.
Such incidents had happened before, with students cursing the heavens and earth, ranting about the school's teachers and classmates. Since then, the school no longer allowed students to write their own speeches.
But even so, it still couldn't stop some students from improvising on the spot.
They were all top students in the school; impromptu writing a short essay was simple for them.
So, in addition to not allowing students to prepare their own scripts, before each graduation ceremony, the school would repeatedly warn students not to do anything out of line.
The speaker on the podium had, at some point, changed from the grade director to the principal, and the speech was nearing its end.
"Next, please welcome our outstanding graduate representatives to the stage to speak."
As the host teacher's voice faded, Gu Xiao was the first to stand up and walk to the podium.
It wasn't Gu Xiao's first time speaking as an outstanding student representative, so she wasn't particularly nervous.
Placing the school-prepared script on the table, Gu Xiao began to speak slowly.
"Respected leaders, dear teachers, and fellow students, good morning everyone. I am Gu Xiao from Class 4, Grade 3. It is an honor to speak here as an outstanding student..."
Gu Xiao had already read this speech once before. It could be said that, apart from her name and class, the content of the speech had very little to do with her, Gu Xiao.
Her, Gu Xiao's, excellent grades were due to having two brains, dual-core driven. How could an ordinary person compare?
Reciting the script given by the school, Gu Xiao suddenly remembered a song from her previous life, which, with a slight modification, perfectly captured her feelings at that moment.
I get goosebumps saying these insincere words.
"The end of Grade 3 marks the conclusion of one stage in our lives, but it is also a new beginning. My speech is concluded, thank you everyone."
After a final bow to the audience, Gu Xiao turned and walked off the podium.
As she descended, Lu Li was just coming up onto the stage.
The two met eyes, Gu Xiao winked at Lu Li, and Lu Li smiled and nodded.
"Respected leaders, dear teachers, and fellow students, hello everyone. I am Lu Li from Class 4, Grade 3..."
As Gu Xiao walked off the podium, Lu Li's gentle voice came from behind her.
After all the outstanding student representatives had spoken, the graduation ceremony continued for nearly another hour before finally coming to an end.
During the grade director's final speech, farewell music began to play in the auditorium.
Most of the students were moved by the grade director's words, which had been repeated countless times, and gradually, intermittent sobs began to echo through the auditorium.
Gu Xiao turned around, and Lu Li's eyes were also red, tears trickling down her cheeks, like small white flowers swaying in the wind and rain.
"My little sister crying like this is truly heartbreaking,"
Gu Xiao approached Lu Li, took out a pack of tissues, and pulled one out to wipe the tears from Lu Li's face.
"Go on."
Lu Li chided softly, but didn't resist, letting Gu Xiao wipe her face.
Amidst the farewell music, the graduation ceremony officially concluded.
"The graduation ceremony concludes here. Graduates, please exit first. All leaders and teachers, please stand and see the graduates off."
After a burst of noise, the students rose from their seats and left the auditorium in an orderly line.
"What's going on here?"
Outside, Hou Yong saw the students emerging with red eyes, and asked with a smile.
"Brother Hou."
Some students hadn't adjusted their emotions yet, their voices tinged with a sob.
"It's just that you've graduated, I haven't died. Whenever you miss me, just come and see me, isn't that right?"
"Don't go and make a name for yourselves someday, and when someone asks if your high school teacher was named Hou Yong, you both wave your hands wildly, saying 'Who's Hou Yong? Don't know him, don't know him.'"
With a single remark, Hou Yong completely wiped away the sentimental sadness that had arisen in the students' hearts.
He even deliberately extended both hands and waved them wildly in the air, which was very amusing.
"Brother Hou, you're really ruining the atmosphere. The sentimental mood we finally managed to build up is all gone."
Feng Kai leaned forward, speaking with a cheeky grin. From his slightly reddened eyes, it was clear that he had also cried earlier.
"Pfft, what's there to be sentimental about? So dramatic."
Hou Yong glanced at Feng Kai, teasing him, which drew a wave of laughter.
"But don't worry, Brother Hou, when I become a King-level professional, I'll find you immediately and make you my driver. You'll get to drive the latest model hovercar on the entire Blue Star."
"Well, in that case, I guess I'll never get to touch the latest model hovercar on the entire Blue Star in this lifetime."
"Hahahahaha..."
"Let's go, aren't we having a graduation party at school? Let's go buy everything first."
Hou Yong had already arrived outside the auditorium and waved to the students.
"GO! GO! GO!"
Feng Kai and a few others waved and followed. Their previous sadness had long been thrown to the wind; now they only looked forward to the evening party.
Not everyone needed to go shopping, so Gu Xiao and the others turned back to the classroom.
However, no one noticed that in an unobserved moment, Hou Yong secretly sniffed.