The laughter was filled with wonder, recognition, and a sense of relief!
"Damn! Social anxiety? So spot-on!"
"Awesome! That phrase is amazing! How come I never thought of that!"
"Hahaha, isn't this just talking about me?"
"Genius! This summary is brilliant!"
The laughter gradually died down, but many people's faces still showed confusion: he stood on stage speaking confidently and calmly, compared to them who were nervous and sweating in the audience — how could that look like "social anxiety"?
Ethan seemed to see through everyone's thoughts. He gently placed his hands on the podium, leaned forward slightly, and his gaze grew deep: "You might find it strange, but I call myself 'socially anxious,' but standing here, I don't show any symptoms of so-called social anxiety..."
He paused, his voice low and carrying a power that pierced the heart: "That's because I know that at this moment, I can't escape."
"Since I can't escape, I have to face it head-on and overcome it! I believe that everyone here will encounter moments in life that they are unwilling to face, yet have no choice but to. Academic challenges, interpersonal difficulties, and uncertainty about the future... When you choose to escape, it only snowballs the problem and eventually leads to worse outcomes."
He looked around the room, each word striking a chord in the young heart: "Rather than letting things get worse while running away, it's better to muster the courage to face it from the very beginning! Because the worst outcome is never worse than the consequences of running away! Allowing ourselves to have thoughts of escape at certain moments is our temporary right as humans; but ultimately accepting reality and summoning the courage to face it is an unshirkable life duty."
The field fell completely silent, as if even the wind had vanished.
Ethan's voice sounded even clearer and stronger in the silence: "After all, our brief lives will eventually come to an end."
His tone carried a philosopher's clarity and a faint melancholy: "If that's the case, why not be a little bolder? To love someone bravely, even if it means being hurt; to persistently pursue a dream, even if the road ahead is rough; go climb a peak with all your might and enjoy the thrill of conquest! Don't wait until time passes and youth fades, only to suddenly look back and find your life filled with regrets!"
His gaze seemed to pierce through time and space, and finally, he slowly and deliberately concluded each word: "Because running from a battle never solves it; in the end, it only breaks you."
"Let me say one last thing: 'Avoiding the fight won't solve it; it will only solve you.'"
As soon as he finished speaking.
Dead silence.
An absolute, suffocating silence enveloped the entire field.
Tens of thousands of students seemed to have been hit to pause.
No one spoke, no one applauded, not even a single move.
Everyone was immersed in a profound spiritual shock.
Ethan's words were like a key, forcefully opening the sealed memory boxes deep in everyone's hearts:
Some people recalled the figure they brushed past in the hallway during middle school, the word "I like you" they never got to say.
Some recalled a crucial match opportunity they once gave up due to cowardice.
Some recalled the guilt of choosing to hide their true thoughts when facing their parents' expectations.
...
Yes, life really is short.
They had only just set out, and the Book of Life was already filled with countless regrets left behind by fear and avoidance.
If things continue like this, looking back decades from now, what a shocking barren scene will be on those pages?
At that moment.
"Smack! Smack! Smack!"
In the VIP section, Dean Wilson suddenly stood up, his expression excited, eyes burning with intensity, and he gave it his all — clapping with all his might, one after another!
This isolated applause thundered like a thunderclap in the dead silence!
The next moment!
Wow——!!!
Like a long-accumulated flood breaking through a dam, thunderous applause instantly swept across the entire field!
The applause surged like a tide, rising wave after wave, mixed with excitement, recognition, relief, and a kind of ignited passion!
This applause was the most direct and enthusiastic response to Ethan's words!
Dean Wilson clapped vigorously, looking at the figure on stage who remained calm amid the applause, feeling a flood of emotions.
Just minutes ago, he was still regretting letting Ethan go on stage without a script, but now, all he felt was relief and shock!
This kid, in the most relaxed manner, spoke the most powerful reasoning!
That line, "Gather your courage to face it, no matter how bad it is, it won't be worse than the result of running away!" It was truly a wake-up call!
Especially the last sentence.
And the last line — "Avoiding doesn't solve the fight, it only solves you!"
Dean Wilson could not judge whether it could become a lasting maxim.
But he was certain that for the young souls in the audience at this moment, these words would resound like a great bell, echoing to their souls for a long time!
It is simple, direct, and brutal, yet filled with an unparalleled sense of power.
Enough to pierce through any cowardly disguise!
Below the stage, Nora's gaze closely followed Ethan under the spotlight.
Every word he just gave about "escape" and "courage" felt like a heavy hammer hitting her heart.
She stared blankly at that tall figure, her thoughts swirling. Her past timidity, struggles, and confusion about the future seemed to be reinterpreted by those words.
She clenched the hem of her clothes tightly, her fingertips turning slightly white.
Meanwhile, in the camp of Dorm 208, Kevin felt as if struck by lightning, his whole body in a state of ecstasy following a sudden enlightenment.
He kept repeating mysteriously, "Ethan's absolutely right! Damn it, what wouldn't he be afraid of? Loving someone is the same — you have to express it boldly!"
Suddenly, as if driven by an invisible force, he spun around abruptly and looked at Chloe behind him, saying affectionately, "Chloe, I like you!"
"???"
Chloe was immersed in her admiration for Ethan, left completely bewildered by this sudden "heartfelt confession."
She looked around, and after confirming that Kevin was calling her, her beautiful brows immediately furrowed into a twisted brow, and she bluntly said, "Kevin! Are you crazy?"
Kevin seemed not to hear this comment; instead, he looked as if he had a complete enlightenment and continued to deliver his brilliant logic: "No! I'm not sick! I just saw my own heart clearly! Chloe, as long as you're with me, I guarantee you'll see Ethan every day!"
He felt he had found the perfect "bait."
"Screw you! Crazy!" Chloe was completely speechless, rolling her eyes dramatically, turning her head away from him, as if even one more glance would contaminate her eyes.
There are 130 advance chapters ahead in my Patreon. If you are interested can check it out.
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