Chapter 76 – Project Presentation Day

The morning sun spilled softly across the school courtyard, but the tension among the seniors was undeniable. The Project Presentation Day was a highly anticipated event—part rehearsal for public speaking, part friendly competition to test creativity. For the twelfth graders, it also felt like a final chance to prove themselves before the looming college entrance exams.

Keqing stood near the library entrance, holding a stack of notes."Are you ready for this?" Yahan asked, adjusting her ponytail. She was dressed in a crisp white shirt, looking both confident and slightly restless.

Keqing smiled nervously. "Ready as I'll ever be. You?"

"I guess. Our project is all about creative economy and digital media. Chen Yuke insisted on making it half a marketing pitch and half a stand-up comedy act," Yahan rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smirk. "And you? Working with Gu Yuyan and Bai Andiu? Sounds like a storm waiting to happen."

Before Keqing could answer, a calm voice came from behind them."Not really a storm," Gu Yuyan said, his eyes flicking briefly to Keqing before landing on Yahan. "But yes, we've had… some debates."

Bai Andiu joined them, holding a tablet. "Debates that ended in me being outnumbered two to one," he said with mock resignation.

"And don't forget me," Tianxiue added with a grin, walking over with a thick file. "I'm the one who had to mediate all those debates."

The school had divided students into teams, each combining students from the natural and social science classes. The goal was simple: present a 10-minute project on a topic that connects to real-world issues.

Yuyan's group—Yuyan, Keqing, Bai Andiu, and Tianxiue—chose "Urban Spaces for the Future Generation," combining architectural ideas with social perspectives.

Yahan's group—Yahan, Yuke, and Zichen—chose "The Rise of Creative Economy and Digital Media," inspired by Yuke's passion for content creation.

In Yuyan's Group

"Why not choose something safer, like 'Green Architecture Trends'?" Bai Andiu had argued the day before.

"Because it's boring," Yuyan replied evenly, sketching a rough design of a rooftop community garden. "We need something that stands out."

Keqing had quietly sided with Yuyan. "His idea has a personal touch. It's not just about buildings, it's about creating spaces where people feel at home. It's… different."

Tianxiue had sighed. "Fine, but I'll handle all the English writing. Keqing, you can help with phrasing. And Andiu, no more complaining."

In Yahan's Group

Yuke had insisted on blending economics with media."Think about it—how influencers, content creators, and creative startups are reshaping the economy. It's not just theory, it's real life."

Yahan had initially wanted to do something related to architecture, but as she listened to Yuke, she realized how naturally she could handle data charts and analyze trends."Okay, but let me do the financial breakdown part. I like the numbers," she said, surprising even herself.

Zichen, as always, smiled and offered to create background music for their presentation video. "You know, something modern but warm," he said.

By 9 a.m., the auditorium was buzzing. Teachers, some parents, and dozens of students filled the seats. The first few groups went smoothly—some were impressive, others less so.

When Yuyan's group was called, Keqing felt her palms sweat. Yuyan walked to the front with quiet confidence, holding nothing but a sketchbook. Bai Andiu handled the slides, while Tianxiue stood ready to translate certain parts into English.

"Good morning, everyone. Our topic is—" Bai Andiu began, but the projector flickered and went black."Seriously?" Tianxiue muttered, checking the cables.

The supervising teacher frowned. "You have two minutes to fix this or proceed without it."

Yuyan didn't hesitate. He stepped forward, took a piece of chalk, and began drawing on the blackboard—clean, confident lines forming the outline of a community hub, green rooftops, and open courtyards.

"Urban spaces aren't just about buildings," Yuyan said calmly, his voice carrying through the room. "They are about people—how we feel, how we connect. Our design isn't just structural, it's emotional."

Keqing, watching from the side, felt her chest tighten with pride.

Tianxiue picked up seamlessly. "And in English," she said, smiling, "this means creating spaces that foster a sense of belonging. Keqing, would you like to read the final paragraph?"

Keqing nodded, her voice steady despite her racing heart.

"A city isn't defined by its skyline, but by the warmth of its streets. We hope to build spaces that remind people of home—even when they are far from it."

The room fell silent for a moment before erupting into applause.

Later, it was Yahan's turn. She walked to the front, looking both poised and sharp.

"Our topic is the rise of creative economy," Yahan began. "From digital media to online entrepreneurship, creativity is shaping new markets. And we believe this is where the future of youth lies."

Yuke, with his trademark humor, took over for the next part, showing a short video he had edited overnight. Zichen played soft background music he composed.

But it was Yahan's final analysis—complete with clear charts and a confident voice—that truly impressed the judges."This isn't just about trends," she concluded. "It's about understanding value. Whether through media or finance, it's about connecting ideas to real impact."

When they finished, Yahan returned to her seat, heart pounding but exhilarated.

By the afternoon, the judges announced that Yuyan's group ranked first, with Yahan's group in second place. Both teams received praise for creativity and clarity.

Keqing found herself standing next to Yuyan afterward."You were amazing up there," she said softly.

He glanced at her with a small smile. "You too. That last paragraph you read—it felt like you wrote it straight from the heart."

Meanwhile, Yahan arrived home to find her parents waiting at the dining table."How was your project?" her mother asked, curious.

"We got second place," Yahan said with a small smile. "But that's not what I want to talk about."

Her father raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Taking a deep breath, Yahan said, "I know you've always wanted me to study architecture. But today, I realized something—I'm not passionate about it. I'm good with numbers, strategies, planning… I want to study Economics, not architecture."

Her father frowned slightly. "Economics? That's… unexpected."

"It's not just a random decision," Yahan said, her voice firm. "I felt alive today when I presented about creative economy. It makes sense to me. And I want to pursue something that fits who I am."

Her mother glanced at her father. "Maybe we should listen to her," she said softly.

After a long silence, her father sighed. "If you're certain, then prove it. Show us you're serious about this path."

"I will," Yahan said, her eyes shining with determination.

That night, Keqing wrote in her diary:

"Today felt like a turning point for all of us. Yuyan is no longer hiding from his dream, and Yahan is brave enough to choose hers. I wonder… what will my dream look like when I'm ready to face it?"