He was in college, but his songs were at the Grammys.

"I've looked into this child's situation." Dean Li stood up, his face gentle. "He's a newcomer signed by Brilliant Galaxy, a project personally overseen by Song He. He just topped the newcomer charts, and his song 'Big City, Small Love' is still going strong online. He also wrote 'Listen to the Sea' to help Lin Wei get an album, and finally, he personally took down Qiu Xuan and Lin Peikun."

He finished speaking in one breath, then looked at Huang Xing with a smile: "Truly, heroes emerge from among the young."

Huang Xing pursed his lips, trying to maintain a humble expression.

He had to control the urge of his lips to curl into a wild smile.

Zhang Wei listened from the side, his heart skipping a beat.

He knew Chen Ming was formidable, but hearing such a summary, almost like a "battle report," from the dean was still a completely different experience.

My classmate is truly a man of great talent, who doesn't speak up until he does!

Then, Dean Li spoke again, his tone slower and more serious than before:

"The school hopes that Chen Ming can apply through our school's channels."

Huang Xing's fingers twitched slightly.

Zhang Wei was also stunned.

Go through the school's channels?

Brilliant Galaxy is one of the four major entertainment companies. Given the level of importance Chen Ming currently enjoys, the company will definitely do its best to secure a nomination for "China's Top Singers," which is practically a matter of a single word.

In contrast, the school's quota requires internal selection and a school-wide vote, which is a longer process with more variables.

Chen Ming could have chosen the simpler, more direct path.

Going through the school's registration process is really unnecessary.

Dean Li seemed to sense their confusion and smiled.

That smile carried a certain wisdom unique to veteran educators.

"Are you wondering why Chen Ming chose this school's spot, which isn't more prestigious than the recommendation from Brilliant Galaxy, and the process is more complicated?"

Huang Xing remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.

Dean Li sighed softly and sat back down in his chair.

"Because the school needs him."

The meeting room was silent for a few seconds.

"Think about it," Dean Li said softly. "What level of program is 'China's Top Singers'? It airs on CCTV-1 during prime time, is endorsed by the National Centre for the Performing Arts, and is watched by audiences across the country. The recommending organization for each contestant will be displayed on the screen."

He paused for a moment.

"Chen Ming, recommended by Jianghai International Art Academy".

He read the sentence aloud, very slowly, as if savoring each word on the tip of his tongue.

Then he smiled.

The expectation in that smile was impossible to hide:

"What is this? It's a living admissions brochure."

Zhang Wei's heart skipped a beat.

A living admissions brochure.

He suddenly understood.

This year's college admissions season, while students and parents across the country were hesitating over which art schools to apply to, they turned on the TV and went online to see that young man shining brightly on the national stage.

At the bottom of the screen, it is clearly written:

[Recommended Candidate by Jianghai International Art Academy]

That works better than any recruitment brochure.

Dean Li continued, "The recommendation from Brilliant Galaxy is a company recommendation; the school's recommendation is a school recommendation. For the company, this is promoting a new talent; for the school, this is—"

He pursed his lips and paused slightly, as if searching for the most suitable word.

"pride."

He then turned to Huang Xing, his gaze serious:

"I know that it's easier for Chen Ming to go through the company's channels. I also know that with this kid's current momentum, even if he doesn't go through the school's quota, he will still bring honor to the school in the future. But if he is willing to go through the school's channels to participate in this program, then the school owes him a favor."

Huang Xing suddenly seemed a bit dazed.

He has taught for more than a decade, mentored countless students, and seen all sorts of arguments that "schools need students to bring honor," but most of the time it is the school that stands on moral high ground and demands things of the students.

But there aren't many people like Dean Li who openly say that "the school owes him a debt of gratitude."

Dean Li, oblivious to Huang Xing's change in mood, continued speaking:

"So the school's point is that the children shouldn't be allowed to do this for nothing."

He opened the folder beside him, pulled out a page, and pushed it in front of Huang Xing.

"This is a resolution that was just passed by the school council; it's still fresh, the official seal isn't even dry yet."

Huang Xing looked down.

Zhang Wei couldn't help but peek out too.

Several lines of text were neatly written on the paper:

[Decision Regarding Granting a Special Award to Chen Ming, a Student from the Composition Department, Class of 2022]

Because of Chen Ming's outstanding performance and the many times he has brought honor to the school during his time there, all of his tuition fees will be fully waived for the period of his studies from the 2022-2026 academic year.

At the same time, a one-time scholarship of RMB 100,000 will be awarded to outstanding students.

This decision takes effect from the date of its publication and does not conflict with other scholarships.

......

Huang Xing stared at the paper in silence for a long while.

One hundred thousand yuan might not be much to Chen Ming right now.

The prize money for the top newcomer on the "Big City, Small Love" list is more than this amount.

But this gesture alone is enough to show how much the school values ​​it.

The file did not state that Chen Ming had to participate in the program to receive the scholarship; rather, it stated that the scholarship was awarded directly based on Chen Ming's outstanding performance.

Whether or not Chen Ming participates is his own business.

If Chen Ming does not want to participate.

The school continued to issue the bonus.

"Dean," Huang Xing spoke, his voice lower than usual, "What's wrong with you...?"

Dean Li waved his hand, interrupting him:

"I know Chen Ming can earn back 100,000 yuan in just half a month," he smiled. "But this is the most tangible thing we can offer."

His tone softened:

"It's not about making him grateful, but about letting him know that the school doesn't just want him to bring glory, the school is also willing to make sacrifices for him."

"This child has a long road ahead of him. Perhaps one day he will stand on a bigger stage and win a more prestigious award. At that time, he may have long forgotten that Jiang Yi gave him 100,000 yuan and waived his tuition for four years."

Dean Li's gaze fell on the window.

"But the school will always remember that he was very important to the school and brought a different kind of glory to the school."

The meeting room remained quiet for a long time.

Huang Xing carefully folded the paper and put it in his pocket.

"I will pass on the message to Chen Ming," he said, his voice steady, but Zhang Wei could detect a hint of seriousness in his voice.

Dean Li nodded, stood up, and left the spot.

......

Huang Xing and Zhang Wei found Chen Ming.

This explains the relationship between them.

It wasn't a difficult task for Chen Ming.

It was just participating in a small school competition.

Besides, 100,000 yuan is enough to buy him a chance to perform and sing now.

In just one day, each class finalized its list of participants and submitted it to the school.

After a quick review, the school posted the list directly on the school bulletin board and the campus communication platform.

For a moment, many students stood in front of the bulletin board, looking at the list and discussing it.

"Holy crap! Fu Yun from Class 1, 2022 of the Vocal Music Department, I remember he's also signed with a company! He must be really good!"

"People from the performing arts department are participating? Can they even sing properly before signing up?"

"And there's Xia Die, a senior in the vocal music department. I remember her company has already started preparing her debut song!"

"They're all formidable characters!"

"Stop looking at these, guys, look at that name on the far right! Pressure!!!"

In an instant, everyone looked in the direction the man had indicated.

It was clearly written there—

Chen Ming (Class 3, Composition Department, 2022)