Genius Playground

Especially in the face of such an unreasonable demand.

”Wang Hao’s had too much to drink.”

Jiang Ran grabbed Wang Hao’s arm and pulled him back.

”Everyone, don’t mind him. He’s really drunk, he’s not himself.”

”Then resurrect Xiaoxue!”

Wang Hao struggled frantically, pointing at Zhou Xiong and roaring:

”Aren’t you omnipotent?! Can’t you grant any wish?! Then do it!”

He seemed to be unleashing all the emotions he had suppressed the entire evening onto Zhou Xiong.

”If you can’t do it, then don’t go around calling yourself omnipotent!”

”Alright, alright.” ”Take a breather!” ”Wang Hao, get back here.” ”Come on, drink some water.”

The other guys knew what to do and came over to pull Wang Hao away.

There was no need for a perfectly good class reunion to end in such an ugly, irreconcilable mess.

But of course...

Zhou Xiong was just the kind of person who couldn’t stand to lose face.

”Who said I can’t do it?”

He stood on his chair, looking down on Wang Hao with a cold gaze.

”Who said I can’t do it?”

The guys around him hurried to talk Zhou Xiong down.

But he just put his phone to his ear.

”Lilith.”

His voice was like iron.

”Resurrect Cheng Mengxue right now, and have her come to the class reunion immediately!”

Several of the girls couldn’t help but take a step back, clutching their arms, which were covered in goosebumps.

”He’s crazy, he’s lost his mind...”

”What is this nonsense! Stop wasting my time!”

This time, completely unlike his usual self, Zhou Xiong became flustered and exasperated, shouting into the phone:

”Now! Immediately! Get Cheng Mengxue here! To the class reunion!!”

The private room instantly erupted into chaos.

It was obvious that both Wang Hao and Zhou Xiong were drunk. The guys quickly helped Zhou Xiong down from the chair, while Jiang Ran held onto Wang Hao and pulled him away.

”AHEM!”

Suddenly, two loud coughs, carrying the same authority they had for three years, silenced the entire room.

Everyone turned their heads.

They saw their homeroom teacher, who had been silent for a long time, slowly rising from his seat.

His expression was grave as he scanned the room, his gaze finally sweeping over Wang Hao and Zhou Xiong.

”Classmates.”

He said earnestly:

”Everyone, please sit down and listen to me for a moment.”

...

Once Teacher Gao spoke, everyone fell silent and returned to their seats.

Even the arrogant and domineering Zhou Xiong gave up. His lips pursed as he hung up the phone and sat down.

Such was the authority of their homeroom teacher, Teacher Gao.

It wasn’t because they were afraid of him; it was because he was a genuinely good teacher who cared for and looked after his students. From the bottom of their hearts, they truly respected him.

After everyone had settled down and Jiang Ran had dragged Wang Hao back to his chair, Teacher Gao let out a long sigh and began to speak slowly.

”I know none of you liked class, and you don’t like listening to lectures, but today, I feel it’s necessary to teach you all one more lesson.”

He walked to the window, stood up straight, and faced everyone.

”That you’ve been able to achieve such impressive accomplishments, extraordinary wealth, and high status... I am happy for all of you.”

”I’ve been watching you all quietly for a while now. To be honest, it makes my heart ache a little. In my eyes, you were always carefree kids. But from what I’ve heard tonight, I can tell that you all have your own troubles, things that make you sad and give you headaches.”

”But that’s what society is like. Even if you haven’t truly entered the workforce yet, as you get older, many worries are bound to follow. These setbacks, these hardships... they are a part of growing up.”

He paused, then looked at Zhou Xiong.

”Zhou Xiong is an outstanding young man. He’s willing to use his resources to help everyone. It’s a wonderful thing for classmates to help one another.”

”But everyone needs to think about this: can Zhou Xiong help you for the rest of your lives? Once you leave this room, once this reunion is over, you will ultimately have to face the future on your own.”

”So... instead of looking for shortcuts or running from your problems, your teacher hopes you’ll always have the courage to face them, the resolve to solve them, and the wisdom to think them through.”

Then, his gaze shifted to another table, landing on Wang Hao.

”Cheng Mengxue’s tragic passing pains me just as much as it pains you. Perhaps even more.”

”During your three years of high school, I was very fond of that child. Her every expression was full of sunshine and vitality. She was always so positive and optimistic, like a little sun for our class.”

”I know everyone misses her dearly. It’s not just Wang Hao. I believe that every single one of the 41 classmates here today is saddened by Cheng Mengxue’s passing.”

”But, children... you mustn’t entertain unrealistic fantasies. There are many things in this world that cannot be changed. Just as the dead cannot be brought back to life, you must learn to accept this. Accept the parting, accept the reality.”

”I hope that the chaos and conflict of tonight will end here. Let us congratulate Zhou Xiong on his achievements, and let us also thank our class president, Wang Hao, for organizing this and giving us the chance to gather together tonight. Come! Let’s all raise our glasses together!”

Led by Teacher Gao, everyone raised their glasses in a toast of congratulations and thanks.

It was a toast to bury the hatchet, so to speak.

After Teacher Gao’s speech and guidance, everyone finally calmed down completely.

Reflecting on the farcical madness from just moments before... it truly made everyone feel a little ashamed.

Wang Hao and Zhou Xiong also lowered their heads in silence. It seemed they had both realized their loss of composure and were feeling a bit guilty and embarrassed.

”Heheheh...”

Teacher Gao wiped the corner of his mouth and said with a smile:

”Every one of you, in my eyes, is a good kid. I must be honest with you all: I’ve taught many classes, but your class... you are truly the one that has left the deepest impression on me!”