Rebirth Must Be Happy

"This is a good thing, why refuse it?"

Zhuang Cheng'an was completely baffled, unable to understand why he was reacting this way. "That's 'Yi Lin'! You haven't read it? You haven't heard of it?"

“I’ve seen it, and I’ve heard it, which is why I wanted to refuse.”

Xu Jinhuan sighed, "Maybe we should wait a little longer. Perhaps other media outlets will be interviewing us later?"

"..."

Zhuang Cheng'an was rendered speechless by him. He reorganized his thoughts before saying, "The school leaders take this matter very seriously. After all, it's not just domestic media; foreign media have also reported on it... I've taken a look, and it's quite positive..."

That's what you call "frontal"?
Xu Jinhuan didn't even want to complain anymore, and said, "Teacher Zhuang, how about this, you make a request to them, saying that I only have one request: they must show me their report before publishing it, and it can only be published after I agree to it. Also, there can be no double-edged swords; the content of the article shown to me and the one published must be the same."

Zhuang Cheng'an didn't understand what "yin-yang manuscript" meant at first, but he understood after hearing the last two sentences. He felt that this kid was more mature than himself, so he didn't refuse immediately and said, "Then I'll relay it to you."

"Okay, thank you, Teacher Zhuang."

Xu Jinhuan hung up the phone, and Chen Xingzhu asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

Xu Jinhuan said somewhat dejectedly, "A reporter saw the overseas reports and wants to interview me."

"what?"

Seeing his reaction, Chen Xingzhu initially thought something bad had happened, but upon hearing this, she was also stunned, "This..."

She blinked, looking a little uncertain. "Isn't it a good thing?"

Xu Jinhuan said, "It's a good thing to have an interview, but the magazine that wants to interview me is Yilin."

"..."

Chen Xingzhu is still quite confused. Today, magazines like "Yilin" and "Reader" are still bestsellers among student group leaders. Even after more than ten years of reputation collapse, they still have decent sales and have not stopped publishing.

"I don't like this magazine."

There's no point in hiding anything from this girl, Xu Jinhuan muttered as they walked, "There are so many outrageous claims out there, I'll take you to verify them sometime..."

Seeing that he hadn't had plastic surgery, Chen Xingzhu glared at him but didn't refuse, since it didn't sound like a hooligan act.
-
"Nonsense!"

In the administration building, Liao Jingsong, the director of the administrative office, heard Zhuang Chengan's relayed words on the phone and immediately became furious. "He's just a student, why is he making such a fuss? It's an honor for such a big magazine to be willing to interview him!"
"Besides, is this just his problem? It also concerns the school's image..."

Zhuang Cheng'an remained silent, waiting for him to vent his anger on the phone before saying, "Director Liao, this Xu Jinhuan has always been very opinionated; otherwise, he wouldn't have taught himself programming and created such a game..."

Liao Jingsong asked, "Could we contact his parents?"

“I know his parents, and he’s like this at home too.”

Fearing that Liao Jingsong would escalate the conflict, Zhuang Cheng'an quickly pointed out the key point: "The main problem is that this matter is difficult to handle. If we push him too far and he actually gives an interview, he might say something inappropriate... that would be even more troublesome."

Director Liao fell silent immediately.

That's the truth. It's better if Xu Jinhuan doesn't give interviews. If he suddenly drops a bombshell about the school during an interview, then it's better if he doesn't give the interview at all.

"How about this, let's try communicating first?"

Zhuang Chengan offered his suggestion tactfully, "We should at least have a chat first and see what their attitude is."

"what?"

In Changchun, inside the Publishing Building, reporter Chai Qingqing, who had called Suicheng No. 1 Middle School to arrange an interview, almost doubted her ears when she heard the conditions Xu Jinhuan had given her, relayed by the school.

We're Yilin magazine, you know. It's already a blessing that we're interviewing a high school student from a small, run-down city like yours. Instead of being grateful, you dare to make demands of us?
Liao Jingsong had tried his best to express himself tactfully, but it still made her very unhappy.

"This is impossible!"

Chai Qingqing refused without hesitation, saying, "If that's the case, then there's no need for the interview."

"Reporter Chai, let's talk this out..."

Liao Jingsong quickly tried to dissuade her, explaining that Chai Qingqing hadn't volunteered to interview Xu Jinhuan; she had a mission and wouldn't dare to shirk her responsibilities.

If the interview really doesn't happen, Xu Jinhuan will be left out in the cold, but his American daddy will be slapped in the face!

They've been reporting on it for days, but there's been absolutely no reaction from us in mainland China. Is that reasonable?

"What?"

During the first break, Xu Jinhuan was called out of the classroom by Zhuang Cheng'an again. Upon hearing Zhuang Cheng'an's explanation of the decision reached through discussions between the two sides, she immediately became displeased. "What do you mean if I don't agree, you won't interview me directly?"

"Their stance is very firm,"

Zhuang Chengan explained, "Director Liao's suggestion to them was that if you really don't want to be interviewed, you can interview the school and your classmates, and that will also be published in the report."

He was also in a dilemma and felt confused. He felt like a rat in a bellows, being bullied from both sides. Not to mention the school and the reporters, he, as a homeroom teacher, really didn't have much confidence. But why did he still feel like he couldn't afford to offend his students?

Isn't this forced reporting?

Xu Jinhuan really wanted to curse the other person's ancestors for eighteen generations, "Can I ask the school not to allow this to be reported?" "..."

Zhuang Cheng'an looked at him without saying anything, as if to say: What do you think?
"alright."

Xu Jinhuan sighed, and just when Zhuang Chengan thought he was going to accept it, he heard him say, "This matter has nothing to do with me. I can't stop the school from doing whatever it wants, but I reserve the right to distance myself from this report."

"you……"

This time, Zhuang Cheng'an was a little angry. "Why are you so resistant?"

"Because I know what kind of nonsense I'm going to write."

Xu Jinhuan sighed, "Teacher Zhuang, it's not that I'm ungrateful, nor that I don't want to cooperate. The key is that I don't want to ruin my bright future because of this piece of shit..."

I want to expand my business and make money to buy a villa with a swimming pool. Getting involved with "Yilin" is just asking netizens to dig up my past mistakes later.

But anyway, the Chronicle's content is like that; as long as it's not the person who gave the report, there's still some leeway, even if it's just self-deception. Anyway, the lights are off.

Zhuang Chengan asked, "So you're determined not to give an interview?"

Xu Jinhuan nodded seriously: "Yes."

"Alright, then you can go back now."

Zhuang Cheng'an was probably angry, so he didn't let Xu Jinhuan help him call someone. He followed Xu Jinhuan back to the classroom and then said to the students in the class, "Chen Xingzhu, come here for a moment."

All eyes in the classroom turned to Chen Xingzhu. Even students who were focused on their work were startled and looked over.

Chen Xingzhu looked a little bewildered. She got up and walked out, passing by Xu Jinhuan on the stage, and cast a questioning look at him.

Xu Jinhuan returned a smile.

"what's the situation?"

"Has your relationship been exposed?"

"No way?"

"With their popularity, they're almost as popular as Dong Jie and Pan Yueming at our school. It would be strange if Teacher Zhuang didn't know about them, right?"

"I mean, even if Teacher Zhuang knew, he would probably pretend not to know, right?"

"That makes sense..."

……

The classmates were buzzing with discussion. As soon as Xu Jinhuan returned to her seat, Zhou Wei and the others couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"

"You didn't betray Xingzhu, did you?"

"Shouldn't you be interrogated along with them?"

Xu Jinhuan didn't answer, but sat down in his seat and sighed, "You'll find out soon enough."

Although he wasn't planning to give an interview, he still had to put on a show. Saying it himself was much more classy than having a young girl say it for him.
-
"That's right, Yilin magazine wanted to interview Xu Jinhuan, but he refused, so the school decided to find a few of his classmates who are close to him to be interviewed,"

Zhuang Cheng'an ignored Chen Xingzhu's slightly flushed cheeks and briefly explained what had happened. "I reckon you know more about Xu Jinhuan's game business. How about you and a few classmates from Class 11 do the interview together?"

"..."

Chen Xingzhu was taken aback, not expecting that the interview would fall on her shoulders.

"You don't want to be interviewed either?"

Seeing that she didn't answer, Zhuang Cheng'an said somewhat helplessly, "I'm not asking you to lie, nor am I asking you to say bad things about him. You can just praise him..."

Chen Xingzhu pursed her lips and said, "Teacher Zhuang, I need to ask Xu Jinhuan's opinion first. I can only accept the interview if he agrees."

"..."

Zhuang Cheng'an was silenced again, feeling as if he were in a science fiction novel.

No, it's only been a few years, are all pretty girls these days so understanding?

When I was in school, all those pretty girls were as proud as peacocks...

Let alone back then, even now that I'm married, my wife isn't as obedient as Chen Xingzhu!

The homeroom teacher was completely exasperated and didn't bother to say anything more. He waved his hand and said, "Okay, then ask him later. Don't rush, the reporter won't be here for another two days."

"Okay, thank you, Teacher Zhuang."

Chen Xingzhu politely agreed and then returned to the classroom. (End of Chapter)