Lecture Notes on Linghu Zhong and Mi Xiaolong

Introduction

• Focus on two characters: Linghu Zhong and Mi Xiaolong.
• Linghu Zhong was born when Beijing won the Olympic bid 18 years ago.
• Mi Xiaolong is the son of a CEO and a fan of Li Xiaolong; his name means "little dragon".

Key Characters and Relationships

• Linghu Zhong: New student, often compared to Linghu Chong.
• Mi Xiaolong: Known for his smooth talking, often finds himself in trouble for being late.
• Relationships: Mi Xiaolong's father is a CEO; Linghu Zhong is from Guangdong.

First Day of School

• Linghu arrives late; excuses involve helping a granny cross the road.
• Mi Xiaolong gets involved in the story, trying to cover for Linghu.
• The teacher, Mr. Zhao, is skeptical of their excuses and warns them against being late again.

Martin Luther King's Speech

• Mention of Martin Luther King's speech, "I Have a Dream"; highlights the importance of passion and intent behind words.

Class Dynamics

• Linghu and Mi Xiaolong are put in a "special class" with students focused on sports and arts.
• Deskmate relationships: Linghu feels lonely due to a previous deskmate leaving.
• Teasing among classmates; highlights camaraderie.

Incident with the Granny

• Granny helps cross the road incident escalates when her family claims she was knocked down.
• Tension builds as the family demands compensation; police involvement occurs.
• Linghu and Mi Xiaolong maintain their innocence; their good deed turns sour.

Resolution

• Parents intervene, and the issue is resolved without legal action; highlights adult intervention.
• A financial gesture is made not as an admission of guilt, but as a kindness due to the granny's unfortunate situation.
• Linghu reflects on his father's perspective; importance of helping others.

Themes

• Friendship and support among classmates.
• Consequences of actions and the complexities of moral decisions.
• Importance of communication and understanding in resolving conflicts.

Conclusion

• Linghu and Mi Xiaolong learn important lessons about integrity, compassion, and the impact of their actions.
• The narrative illustrates the challenges faced by students in balancing school life with personal responsibilities.