Yan Jiantao nodded lightly to President Wu and the Dean politely as they freed up a seat for him. He sat down preparing to listen to Zhang Ye’s lecture. Actually, he was not curious, but merely came to pick on him.
No matter what everyone’s purpose of being here was for, this lecture was still highly anticipated!
The teachers were concerned, the students were concerned, the reporters were concerned, the education world was concerned, and even society was concerned!
Peking University’s staff members had set up the video cameras, a total of three to face the stage. They did not allow the reporters to do filming, but Peking University would need to do so to keep a record. This was a public lecture after all.
……
10 A.M.
The auditorium doors closed. No one was allowed in anymore.
The 1200 seats had been filled up completely and it was still not enough. About a dozen Peking University students, who barely arrived in time, had no seats. So they could only stand along the aisle as they did not want to leave. No one wanted to leave, even if they had to stand. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on to the stage.
It was time.
A female staff member tested the microphone and then announced, “Please welcome Teacher Zhang Ye.”
The reporters did not react. The professors and teachers of Peking University also did not stir much. Instead, the Peking University students were the ones who cheered and applauded loudly. They were very passionate!
Zhang Ye came out.
The female staff member handed the microphone over to him and went off stage.
He walked towards the podium and placed the microphone into the microphone holder. Then he observed the packed audience and smiled a little. He did not suffer from stage fright and spoke with composure, “Sorry for the delay. Because of a tiny situation, today’s lesson has been changed into a public lecture. As the first time speaking as a lecturer on stage, I am actually feeling very nervous.”
The students went, “Hahaha!”
Zhang Ye said in confusion, “But this is not the joke?”
The students went again, “HAHAHAHA!” They laughed even louder this time.
Zhang Ye was speechless. He was truly very speechless. “Alright then, you guys really have a low laughing point.”
This was a habitual reaction. Many in the audience had watched “Zhang Ye’s Talk Show” before and were accustomed to funny thoughts whenever they saw Zhang Ye speaking.
A proper class had become a Talk Show. Zhang Ye hurriedly withheld himself. Today, he was not standing there as a host, but as a lecturer. “I previously told my students that my classes aren’t too particular. Anyone can ask me questions or talk about their own opinions and theories. The more debate there is, the better. Of course, that is limited to my students. As for others, regardless of reason, please do not interrupt my class. Thank you for your cooperation. These are the ground rules I am setting for my lecture.” These words were clearly meant for the reporters.
“Then….” Zhang Ye looked over to the dozen odd Peking University students, who were still standing, “Can our reporter comrades over there please let our students have their seats?”
The reporters were stunned.
“Ah?”
“Give up our seats?”
Holy sh*t! He’s chasing us off immediately after getting on stage!
Zhang Ye said in a matter-of-fact manner, “There are not enough seats, but we can’t possibly ask our students, who are here to listen to the lecture, to remain standing, right? This is a school, so we have to put the students at the forefront. Thank you.” You could offend anyone, but a reporter. These words were very popular within the entertainment industry, but Zhang Ye did not possess any such concept. He was now a teacher and the students were an utmost priority.
Chang Kaige nodded slightly. The other Peking University professors thought the same.
But some of the reporters did not move. They felt that Zhang Ye was being too hard on them.
An old reporter looked over to the students at the side and stood up saying, “Child, come and seat here.”
“Teacher Zhang is correct, come on.” A female reporter also stood up and gave her seat to the students.
More than ten Peking University students felt warmth rush up into their hearts. After exchanging some pleasantries, they also sat down, while more than ten reporters stood by the aisles.
Zhang Ye nodded and said, “Thanks. May I get the staff to move a few chairs for the reporters? Hur Hur. It’s best if everyone has a seat.” After saying this, he noticed the atmosphere a little tense, hence Zhang Ye chuckled and said, “Actually, I was hinting that someone should bring me a chair. Alright, treat it as if I didn’t say anything. I guess that wouldn’t be allowed either.”
“Hur Hur Hur Hur…” Everyone laughed.