A cluster of lights illuminated the audience seating area, casting its glow onto the girl in the corner.
A thin silhouette emerged under the light, though her eyes were partially obscured behind the reflection of her glasses, making them difficult to discern.
"I’ve long heard of Shen You’an’s reputation. Losing her parents at a young age, yet still staying true to herself and excelling in academics—she is truly a model for students from humble beginnings."
Below the stage, Lan Man furrowed her brows slightly.
She raised her head to look at Helian Yu on stage. Her words sounded like admiration at first glance, yet Lanya High School was different from regular schools. Here, the students were either rich or noble, and Shen You’an was the sole exception.
Helian Yu made sure to emphasize Shen You’an’s orphaned background and described her as a "model for students from humble beginnings."
How would these privileged sons and daughters feel, being overshadowed by someone of such low standing?
It was not only a blatant humiliation, but also stirred resentment towards Shen You’an.
Compared to her, Shen You’an’s identity was worlds apart—so why would Mrs. Liu go to such lengths?
Sure enough, once Helian Yu spoke, whispers started among the students in the audience.
Helian Yu continued, "Shen, you must know that in this world, there are many remote places where resources are scarce and education is terribly underdeveloped. Children there might not even have the chance to touch a textbook. Compared to them, Shen, you are far more fortunate."
Gao Yuyue clenched her fists tightly. This Mrs. Liu had gone too far.
What had An’an done to deserve such public humiliation?
A few students picked up on the undertones, but most felt Helian Yu’s words were perfectly reasonable. After all, they were born into wealth and privilege, long accustomed to the convenience their status afforded them.
But Shen You’an was different. As an orphan from humble beginnings, simply being able to attend the same school as these elite sons and daughters was already akin to winning the lottery.
Shen You’an’s expression remained calm, showing no trace of humiliation or anger. She quietly awaited Helian Yu’s next words.
"So, Shen," Helian Yu said, "as a model for students from humble beginnings, those children in the countryside need someone like you as their example. I would like to invite you to join my educational support project and continue to bring hope and light to other students who come from humble backgrounds like yourself. Shen, would you accept?"
What? Mrs. Liu personally invited Shen You’an to join her project?
What kind of absurd luck had Shen You’an stumbled upon?
Lan Man, however, sensed the sinister intention behind Mrs. Liu’s words.
She was relentlessly highlighting Shen You’an’s humble origin, tagging her with labels, and continuously reminding everyone present that, even though Shen You’an shared the classroom as their peer, her status and class were worlds apart from theirs.
Neither the teachers nor students seemed to find anything problematic in this. After all, Mrs. Liu had first praised Shen and then graciously extended an invitation—a gesture no one in their right mind would refuse.
To these privileged individuals, it simply appeared that Shen You’an had received a stroke of luck. And if she dared to refuse, it would be seen as ungrateful.
If Shen You’an were a girl with a strong sense of self-respect, how could she hold her head high among her peers in the future? This humiliation would haunt her with self-doubt for the rest of her life, crushing any prospects of greatness.
Mrs. Liu’s maneuver was a direct attempt at psychological destruction.
What grudge did she possibly harbor against Shen You’an to do this?
A crystal-clear voice rang out through the microphone, echoing throughout the venue: "Madam, you keep mentioning ’humble origins,’ but is it that you look down on those from humble origins?"
The entire hall fell silent.
Everyone stared at Shen You’an in disbelief. Was she mad, daring to confront Mrs. Liu?
Helian Yu hadn’t expected such a direct question. Her smile remained intact, though she sighed softly: "It seems my words have been misunderstood by Shen...." ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel[f]ire.net
"Humble origins or noble households, what of them? Ming Taizu came from poverty, yet founded the Great Ming Dynasty with unparalleled accomplishments and a legacy that has been celebrated for centuries. Meanwhile, the wealthy and powerful Sang family turned traitor and became a disgrace to the nation. So, you see, it is not class that defines us, but what’s in our hearts."
For a reason she couldn’t quite name, Shen You’an suddenly felt her heart pounding rapidly. She placed a hand over her chest, puzzled for a brief moment.
Quickly brushing aside the unease, Shen You’an fixed her gaze on Helian Yu, who stood atop the podium: "Madam, you hail from a privileged background, no doubt accustomed to viewing those from humble beginnings with a sense of superiority. Allow me to tell you something."
Shen You’an curved her lips into a faint smile. Under the stunned and horrified gazes of everyone present, her voice rang out loud and firm: "To give a man a fish is inferior to teaching him how to fish. Rather than bringing these children to bustling cities for a fleeting experience before sending them back to the countryside, this is not charity—it is cruelty. True charity lies in building schools, allocating educational resources, and instilling in them the proper values. One day, they will step out from the confines of fate and witness an entirely new world."