Chapter 51: The Debate of the Century, Broadcast Nationwide!
The onslaught of public opinion was far more intense than anyone had anticipated.
Leading the charge were more than a dozen top-tier universities, with Yanjing University at the forefront—names that alone embodied an unquestionable authority. When this authority united to form an inescapable net cast over the rising star of Longhai University, the strangling force it unleashed was devastating.
“Internet celebrity university,” “academic bubble,” “misleading the youth”...
Each carefully crafted label was relentlessly amplified through major official media outlets, educational forums, and veteran experts’ voices.
At the eye of the storm, Longhai University’s official backend was flooded with data like an uncontrollable torrent.
Within mere hours, refund requests soared past five figures.
The admissions hotline operators had long since lost their voices, worn hoarse not by hopeful inquiries but by anxious, angry, and skeptical interrogations.
“Does the government really recognize your university’s degrees?”
“If we study at your university, will we be discriminated against in civil service exams or graduate school admissions?”
“Is Principal He gambling with our children’s future to fulfill his own dreams?”
Each question was like a dagger, piercing precisely the most vulnerable lifeline of Longhai University—trust.
Yet within He Yu’s office, facing this potentially fatal crisis, there was only profound silence.
He did not glance at the overwhelming negative news, nor did he pay heed to the frantic public relations reports handed to him.
He simply stood quietly, his gaze piercing through the massive floor-to-ceiling window, fixed on the still-vibrant construction site of the "Valley of Hope."
He knew that in this war waged by absolute authority, any conventional explanation or rebuttal was like an ant trying to stop a chariot.
Before the entrenched walls of preconceived notions, facts and logic were feeble and powerless.
You cannot wake someone pretending to sleep, nor can you persuade a group of “judges” who have already set their stance and hold the power of discourse.
Unless...
You drag them into the spotlight, onto a stage where no one can feign ignorance.
A thorough, unavoidable, face-to-face confrontation.
At eight that evening, He Yu went live.
Without any prior notice or promotion.
Yet the name “He Yu” itself was a magnet for attention. Within minutes, tens of millions flooded into the livestream, driven by curiosity, concern, or schadenfreude, eager to see how this young university president thrust into the eye of the storm would respond.
On camera, He Yu showed no sign of embarrassment.
He wore a simple white shirt; behind him, the office bookshelf stood as the backdrop. Under the lights, his expression was unprecedentedly solemn—a heavy, oppressive aura belonging to a man of decision.
“Dear students, dear parents,”
He began, his voice clear and steady, reaching every ear through the microphone. Calm, powerful, utterly composed.
“I have seen the recent controversies surrounding Longhai University’s educational model.”
“I have also heard the concerns raised by the Director of Admissions at Yanjing University.”
He neither denied nor avoided them; instead, he boldly placed the sharpest conflicts on the table.
“These questions are indeed the ones everyone cares most about, and they are the very issues every parent and candidate must clarify before making a choice.”
“This matter is very important.”
He repeated the phrase, emphasizing it with weight.
“So important that it should not remain confined to the internet, degenerating into a meaningless exchange of attacks and mudslinging.”
“It deserves the most open, serious, and thorough discussion.”
In the livestream chat, the barrage of comments slowed; everyone held their breath, sensing something earth-shattering was about to unfold.
He Yu paused.
Raising his eyes, his gaze seemed to pierce through the cold lens, sharp as a sword, looking straight into every viewer’s soul—and at all his unseen opponents.
It was the look of a challenger.
“Therefore, I, He Yu, founder of Longhai University, hereby—”
His voice was low but each word carried immense weight, resolute and unyielding.
“Formally issue a nationwide live debate invitation to the Director of Admissions of Yanjing University who raised these doubts, and to the team of educational experts backing them!”
“A formal invitation!”
Those four words exploded like thunder!
After a brief silence, the entire livestream erupted!
“The debate topic is—”
He Yu’s voice surged, infused with undeniable authority.
“‘The Future of Education: Tradition or Revolution?!’”
The moment he spoke, the chat flooded with a white torrent, overwhelming the screen!
“Holy shit?! Did I hear that right? The president is publicly challenging a professor from Yanjing University?”
“Crazy! This is insane! It’s a straight-up offline showdown!”
“This is the real deal! I’m fired up! Way better than arguing online a thousand times!”
“A direct challenge to the entire traditional education establishment! My god, the guts!”
This move completely surpassed everyone’s expectations.
It instantly elevated the incident from a mere online controversy to a nationwide social issue about the future direction of education.
This was no longer a private feud between Longhai and Yanjing Universities—it was a public clash of two educational philosophies!
Sensing the immense social value and viewership potential behind this “debate of the century,” the national television network acted swiftly.
Within half an hour, the official account of the national broadcaster issued a statement, announcing it would provide the highest-grade live broadcast venue—the nation’s premier studio hall—for this debate that concerned China’s educational future!
The entire internet erupted in excitement!
At the same time, a cold mechanical voice sounded punctually in He Yu’s mind.
[Beep! Detected host initiating a direct challenge to traditional educational authority. This action will have a profound impact on society’s future, triggering an epic-level mission: [Clash of Ideals]!]
[Mission objective: Secure over 80% online audience approval during the nationwide live debate with an irrefutable stance, achieving decisive success and firmly establishing Longhai University’s educational philosophy!]
[Mission reward: 50,000 credibility points!]