New Century Anime Warrior

However, Si Hua then thought that although this timeline was only in 2005, the internet ecosystem was roughly similar to that of his previous life around 2012.

If I remember correctly, the cousin incident in my previous life was such a sensational topic, but a single Weibo post only got around 200,000 reposts, yet it still attracted official intervention and mainstream media attention... This current data doesn't seem to be wrong either.

The announcement period for the original audiovisual competition hosted by Universal and Nanlin was chosen to be in November, which not only avoided holidays but was also considered a quiet season for public opinion in previous years.

Getting to the second spot on the trending topics list isn't difficult at all.

Especially given the lack of major political or entertainment events recently, Si Hua has certainly made a name for himself.

Even the neighborhood committee aunties have heard about my animation project... No, even without this wave of public opinion, the neighborhood committee aunties would most likely still know that I'm "not doing my proper job".

My mother, Tang Huijuan, not only shared news or comments about "Voices of a Distant Star" in her WeChat Moments, her girlfriends' group, and her square dance group in various ways, but also set the theme song "Throuh the Years and Far Away" as the background music for the tobacco and liquor store, playing it on repeat every day.

It has temporarily replaced business songs like "Good Luck," and is estimated to last until the Lunar New Year with "Wishing You Prosperity."

Although Mr. Si still kept a stern face at home, telling himself to focus on his studies, Ms. Tang revealed that her father had been attending more social events recently and came home every night reeking of alcohol.

He was humming the off-key theme song from "Voices of a Distant Star" while listening to it, and it was clear that he still couldn't resist the urge to show off his son to his colleagues and investors.

As Pixel Hound's lengthy post continued to gain traction, more and more influential figures and netizens joined the research, turning it into a grand celebration.

Then some skeptics deleted their posts and pretended to be dead, some skeptics kept their promises and freeloaded (?), and some stubbornly refused to admit their mistakes and relentlessly attacked them.

But overall, the volume of voices has already decreased significantly.

The online uproar had clearly subsided, and Si Hua himself thought the public opinion storm was about to end. He should focus on preparing for his academic studies, quietly wait for the award, and then try to get a special admission to a university...

Si Hua realized that he seemed to have mistakenly entered the Heavenly Palace.

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November is more than halfway over, and the public opinion field, which should have been gradually calming down, suddenly exploded again because the China Youth Daily published a front-page commentary entitled "Youth Should Have the Courage to 'Hand-Draw the Universe'".

"A 17-year-old's hands drew stars and the sea."

"When the pressure of exams makes many children lose the ability to look up at the stars, Si Hua, on the corner of his desk, rebuilt the worldview of a new generation of students with his hand-drawn illustrations—this is the most precious fruit of quality education."

The article first affirms the achievements and impact of Guangnan Province's original audiovisual competition, then criticizes utilitarian education and advocates for quality education, and finally calls on society to have more trust and less suspicion.

Then CCTV News's Weibo account also reposted the article.

This is truly alarming; it's practically an official, implicit statement that there was no "fraudulent" behavior.

It was utterly devastating.

Just as the principal was conveying to Si Hua that the leaders of the Education Department were preparing to visit the No. 1 Middle School of the city and to discuss whether to hold a symposium.

Pan Lei came looking for her.

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"The situation has changed somewhat."

Pan Lei looked at the familiar reception room of the No. 1 Middle School, and the people were still the same, but she felt a sense of loss and change.

Unexpectedly, in just a few months, this ordinary-looking young man has accomplished something extraordinary.

Not only did Huaqing Daily publish a crucial commentary, but CCTV News's Weibo account also reposted it.

Although a Weibo account is far less valuable than a formal news broadcast, it is still considered an official endorsement.

I heard that when Chairman Lin mentions this kid now, his face isn't as ashen anymore, but he still doesn't really want to hear any news about him.

However, the retired Chairman Lin and his wife, who were Lin Lin's grandparents, were very curious about Si Hua and suggested more than once that their granddaughter bring him home for a casual meal.

Of course, the meal never materialized, partly because Lin Lin became too shy in front of her family and absolutely refused to go.

On the other hand, Chairman Lin has been making his move, saying that the young man must be very busy lately, even alarming the Huaqing Daily, and that he must have a lot to deal with... Moreover, he is in his final year of high school, so he still needs to review and pay more attention to his academic subjects.

These reasons made Old Lin roll his eyes. How could he not know his son's cunning?

While Pan Lei was thinking about the gossip surrounding the Lin family, she kept talking: "There's some news from Nanlin Media that hasn't been confirmed yet."

Si Hua was a little puzzled. Why would Pan Lei make a special trip to the No. 1 Middle School for an unconfirmed message?

Seemingly sensing Si Hua's thoughts, Pan Lei didn't keep him in suspense but directly revealed the details.

"A special interview team from a central media outlet might come to Guangnan to interview you."

hiss.

Si Hua was truly taken aback.

State media? Interview? Me?

How can He De He can.

I felt like my ancestors were blessed when I appeared in the Huaqing Daily.

If they are still allowed to give an exclusive interview to state media, then it's probably not just a matter of smoke; it's more like they're about to burst into flames.

"Do you know which media outlet it is?" There are many state-run media outlets; the Huaqing Daily mentioned earlier is also a state-run media outlet.

"I don't know yet." Pan Lei shook her head, "but it's possible it's still Huaqing Daily, since it's geared towards young people."

"Oh, but since it's not confirmed, why did you make the trip, Aunt Lei?"

"It's different. Even without explicit information, it's still important information in itself. This means that your current level of public attention has reached the point where mainstream media are paying attention to you. I think I should give you a serious reminder."

Upon hearing this, Si Hua understood that Pan Lei meant that even if the central media didn't come, important local media outlets would still come for exclusive interviews.

"If it really is a state media outlet that wants to interview you, the interview notice will definitely be conveyed through the education system, and A-Yin should notify you in advance."

"Huh? Why?"

"The director of the Zhongnan City Education Bureau is surnamed Qiu, don't you think?"

"Oh..." No wonder Qiu Yin was practically a king who could do whatever he wanted in the multimedia classroom of the No. 1 Middle School.

Fearing that Si Hua might not have fully understood, Pan Lei continued, "Because you are a student, an interview with a student by a state media outlet is most likely a propaganda project for high-ranking officials, recommended by either the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League or the Ministry of Education."

"Such a high level?" This was truly a blind spot for Si Hua.

"What do you think?" Pan Lei rolled her eyes slightly. This child was sometimes so shrewd that she didn't seem like a middle school student, but other times she was inexplicably clear-headed and foolish.

"If it's the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League, they'll notify the Guangnan Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League first, and then contact the Provincial Department of Education; if it's the Ministry of Education, they'll directly notify the Provincial Department of Education... In short, in the end, it's the education system that comes to the school to find you."

"I've learned something new." Si Hua reacted quickly. "So you came here today specifically to prepare me for a formal interview?"

"Pretty much, but of course there's one more thing." Pan Lei was always satisfied with Si Hua's reaction.

"What's up?"

"Chen Yan from Global Education asked me to ask you if you'd like to study at CalArts?"

"Huh? What's this?"

"..." Pan Lei was speechless. So you know absolutely nothing about art schools?

"The California Institute of the Arts in the United States was donated by the founder of Disney and is considered a Disney alumni. For example, many directors and professionals from Pixar and DreamWorks are graduates of this school."

"Wow, is that cool?"

Si Hua said she learned something new.

"Universal believes you have exceptional talent in audiovisual and animation, and going to CalArts will allow you to further develop your abilities."

"Going abroad... What about a domestic school? Like a school specializing in international communication?"

"The National Communication University of China? That's not a bad option... Have you heard of the 'Qian Zhongshu Model'?"

Another unfamiliar term. Si Hua thoughtfully served a cup of tea.

Please have some tea, sir. I'm all ears.