Otaku Translation: Literary Genius: This Kid Was Born Smart C45

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Chapter 45: Newspaper Praise

The title of "Outstanding Class" was an honor bestowed monthly at No. 37 Middle School, awarded to one exemplary class among the thirty-three classes spanning the three grades of junior high. It was presented during the flag-raising ceremony—a recognition that held no material benefit but carried immense prestige for both teachers and students alike.

It was akin to a traveling trophy: symbolic yet deeply coveted.

Gu Lu's name had made it into the Young Pioneer Newspaper, which had just been published. This news, along with another announcement, briefly diverted the attention of the entire class.

But this wouldn’t do! Gu Lu immediately spoke up in a loud voice, “Today is Mr. Li’s birthday! He’s the star of the day, not me. Don’t look at me. Zhao Juan! Let’s move on to the next part.”

That’s right. Stirred back to her senses by Gu Lu’s reminder, Zhao Juan retrieved a rectangular gift box from a paper bag.

“Mr. Li,” she began, explaining their thought process behind the choice, “we noticed you like to grow flowers in your office, but you don’t have a good vase. So we picked out this one for you. We hope you like it!”

Thoughtful indeed. Gu Lu nodded inwardly, wondering whether Chen Na or Zhao Juan had chosen the gift.

“I love it,” Mr. Li said, his voice thick with emotion as he took several deep breaths to steady himself. “Thank you all so much.”

This marked Mr. Li’s eighth year as a teacher and his sixth as a homeroom teacher. Though he’d surely continue leading classes in the future, the graduating Class 5 of 2012 would undoubtedly hold a special place in his memory.

Chen Na had decided against buying a cake, considering the practical limitations—there was neither space nor time in the classroom, especially since evening study sessions were meant for academics.

And so, after singing the birthday song and presenting the gift, the celebration drew to a close. The struggling students slowly shuffled toward the back door, preparing to leave…

Speaking of which, there was something worth mentioning about that back door—it was notorious among students as the “Gate of Doom.” Mr. Li often lurked there, catching unsuspecting students who dared slack off during class.

“Gu Lu, Zhang Yudong, Wang Hongming, Bai Xiaohua, Fan Xiaotian, Wang Wenjun,” Mr. Li suddenly called out. “Since you’re already here, why don’t you stay for the evening study session? It’d be such a waste otherwise.”

A waste? Is this how you repay our kindness? Gu Lu thought, glaring at Mr. Li through wide eyes.

“I didn’t tell my parents I’d be staying late,” Zhang Yudong tried to protest, but Mr. Li cut him off.

“No worries—I’ll inform them myself,” Mr. Li replied coolly.

True to his word, Mr. Li proceeded to call each student’s parents right then and there. His message was simple: Your child has voluntarily stayed for an extra evening study session today; no need to worry.

How cruel—to trap them like this! Not only were they forced to stay, but now their parents would know too!

There was one small detail worth noting: Of the six students, five calls went through—but Gu Lu’s father remained unreachable. Mr. Li didn’t bother trying again; he was used to it. After all, every time he attempted to contact Gu Lu’s family for parent meetings, the line never connected. Instead, he sent a quick text message summarizing the situation.

“This is gratitude turned sour!” muttered Wang Hongming under his breath.

“Yes, yes, revenge upon us,” Bai Xiaohua chimed in.

With nothing left to do, Gu Lu reluctantly attended what would become his first-ever evening study session post-transmigration. And thus, unprepared, it began.

Evening study typically involved going over practice exams—but Gu Lu wasn’t like other students. While top performers diligently worked on their test papers, Gu Lu didn’t bother. While others feared being caught reading extracurricular books in class, Gu Lu read openly.

Why? Because Mr. Li gave him special permission. That’s just how things worked for Gu Lu.

“For the first time, I’m sitting next to someone during evening study. Feels weird,” Zhou Lin remarked casually.

“No need to get used to it. This is probably a one-time thing anyway,” Gu Lu shot back.

Evening study consisted of two periods, with a ten-minute break in between. During this intermission, Mr. Li stepped out of the classroom—but not before leaving the newspaper on the podium.

In an instant, Cheng Hong darted toward the front, moving faster than anyone else. Gu Lu had intended to take a glance himself, but alas, the opportunity slipped away.

“Let me read it aloud—I have a strong voice!” Ren Jie snatched the paper from his classmates’ hands.

“What nonsense! My voice is loud too!” protested Wang Jianhua, though his earlier enthusiastic reading had left his throat hoarse. Reluctantly, he conceded—for now.

Ren Jie unfolded the newspaper and found the article about Gu Lu under the “Outstanding Student Achievements” section. “Listen up, everyone—it’s about an outstanding student.”

“According to reports from No. 37 Middle School, in the recently concluded preliminary round of the 10th Ye Shengtao Cup National Middle School New Writing Competition, Gu Lu, a student from Grade 5, Class 2012, won first prize in the Sichuan-Chongqing region with his work The Resounding Shadow. Moreover, he achieved a record-breaking score of 97 points, setting a new benchmark for the competition.”

Her voice carried effortlessly, echoing down the hallway.

The entire class gasped in awe. They knew Gu Lu had won first prize—but breaking a historical record? That was news to everyone.

Gu Lu, ever the miracle-maker, continued to amaze his peers. Being featured in the Young Pioneer Newspaper elevated him to legendary status. To most of the class, this accomplishment overshadowed even scoring first place in the grade-wide rankings.

After all, top scorers came and went with each monthly, mid-term, and final exam—but earning recognition from the Young Pioneer Newspaper? Such an honor hadn’t happened once in three years across the entire school!

“‘I believe that every day we fail to dance is a betrayal of life,’” Ren Jie continued, stumbling slightly over the words but pressing on. “Gu Lu loves reading extensively—from Miscellaneous Essays from Qie Jie Pavilion to Reflections, from Gibran’s Poems to Holmes Detective Stories. His broad exposure to both Chinese and foreign literature may explain why he can write speeches that leave audiences in awe.” She paused dramatically. “I’m making this quote my QQ signature, Gu Lu. You truly speak in pearls of wisdom. To not dance is to betray life.”

“Ahem…” Gu Lu interrupted quickly. “Actually, that’s not mine—it’s from Nietzsche’s Thus Spoke Zarathustra.”

“What kind of book is that? Never heard of it. Figures it’d come from you,” Ren Jie teased.

In 2012, the internet was still nascent, and quotes from famous figures hadn’t yet flooded social media. Even elementary school kids could recite lines like “To be born human, I apologize,” but such phrases still felt fresh and novel.

“How is this possible?! We secretly read novels together, then moved on to Story Digest. How do you find time to read anything else?” Fan Xiaotian exclaimed, baffled.

“It’s because he’s Gu Lu,” Zhang Yudong stated matter-of-factly—a comment that earned him eye rolls.

“Handicapped yet determined…” Wang Wenjun muttered sarcastically, thinking of how Gu Lu managed to excel despite barely having enough to eat.

Truthfully, Wang Wenjun had misused the idiom. But why wasn’t Bai Xiaohua chiming in with his usual “Yeah, yeah”? Glancing over, Gu Lu realized—oh, he’d fallen asleep.

Ah, youth. Sleeping anywhere, anytime, impervious to noise.

The newspaper also praised Mr. Li, highlighting his tailored teaching methods, including lending books to Gu Lu.

“Writing the future with talent, lighting up youth with courage—may Gu Lu achieve great success in the finals of the Ye Shengtao Cup,” Ren Jie finished reading, then burst into laughter. “Look, there’s even a photo of Gu Lu! Haha, doesn’t he look awkward?”

“A photo? Let me see!”

“No, let me!”

“Move aside, I’m tall—I’ll see it!”

…

Shouldn’t they let the subject of the photo take a look first? Gu Lu surveyed the tightly packed crowd, three layers deep, and gave up any hope of squeezing in.

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