The morning sun filtered through the glass windows of the hotel, throwing golden streaks across the white duvets. MideFlex stretched lazily, blinking at the ceiling. For a moment, he forgot he was hundreds of kilometers away from home until the excitement of the day hit him.
The Welcome Night Dinner had been fantastic. He'd had so much fun that he even forgot to bid his schoolmates good night.
Day 2 of the Global Youth Connect Festival came too fast.
By 9 AM, buses arrived to transport the students to the expansive conference center.
The entrance alone screamed elite — long red carpets, welcome banners with logos of global partners, and cameras flashing everywhere. Students from Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, and even the UK had flown in. Everyone wore their school tags like medals.
Inside, the energy was electric.
"Good morning," MideFlex said as he saw his cousin Peace walk by.
"Oh." Peace replied coldly.
"What's wrong?" he asked, worried by her expression.
"Were you given rum yesterday? Or vodka? I think so… why were you dancing with Nyambura yesterday?" Peace's face was tight with disgust.
"Take it easy, girl. It was just a dance," MideFlex replied.
"Just a—? You know what? Have a blessed day. I thought you were on Lolade."
She unwrapped a lollipop and walked off.
As the day went on, his mood slowly brightened
Their first stop was the Innovation Expo. Long rows of booths displayed science projects, apps, sustainable inventions, and AI-powered prototypes. Gift helped AraBaddie showcase her mom's biodegradable food packaging design — and soon they drew a crowd. Judges nodded, took notes. A journalist even asked for a quick interview.
Next was the Global Student Challenge — a quiz battle on international affairs, STEM, pop culture, and leadership. Tension filled the room like fog. Students whispered, scribbled answers, and erupted in joy with every correct buzz.
Khadijat represented AllStars Foundation College — and made it to the top five.
The hall roared🔥.
After lunch, students split into workshops:
Tech for Impact, Creative Writing as Influence, Scholarship Pathways to Study Abroad.
Lolade sat in a session led by a former Harvard scholar, while Peace joined Media & Influence surprisingly focused and engaged.
Thereafter ,the lights dimmed.
Screams erupted.
A surprise Afrobeat star stepped on stage — not just to perform but to tell his story and inspire. After his short concert, the students scrambled for selfies and autographs.
By 3 PM, when the sun was high and tired, a rumor spread:
A big man was coming.
And then — he came.
Adeoluwa Michael Ogunbiyi, fondly called Mi-Ko in China, walked in with calm wealth radiating off him. His skin glowed not from skincare, but from a life well-lived.
Once a struggling student from Osun State, Adeoluwa earned a scholarship to study in China. He adapted, became fluent in Mandarin, launched two tech startups, and expanded into AI-powered agriculture. His Chinese friends nicknamed him Mi-Ko, and it stuck.
Now married to a Nigerian-Chinese medical doctor with one child, he returned home not just as a success story but as proof of what exposure can build.
Teachers whispered. Students gasped.
Then the entrance lights dimmed — then brightened.
He entered.
Tall, clean-cut, glowing like success itself.
His outfit: a Changshan-inspired navy silk tunic with gold dragon embroidery, tailored in the style of a Nigerian senator wear. On the collar — a yin-yang beside a tiny green-white-green flag. A small red Beijing-style fan peeked from his pocket.
Phones shot up.
"That's Mi-Ko!"
This festival had discovered him eight years ago — a skinny, brilliant boy with big dreams. He went to Tsinghua University. And now he was back.
He raised a hand.
"Nǐmen hǎo, wǒ de dìdì hé mèimei!"
The hall fell silent.
He smiled.
"It means 'Hello, my little brothers and sisters!'"
Laughter swept the room.
He switched between Mandarin, Yoruba, and English effortlessly.
"I stood where you are years ago… uncertain, hungry, but hopeful. This festival didn't just give me a scholarship, it gave me a map out of confusion."
The hall leaned forward.
"Exposure will embarrass your laziness."
A collective gasp.
Teachers clapped.
Even Khadijat raised a brow.
He told stories of China — the discipline, the reading culture, the pressure to stay ahead.
Then he said a line in Mandarin:
"Wǒ bù huì jiù zhèyàng gěi mìngyùn dàodào de."
"I will not let destiny defeat me just like that."
Silence swallowed the room.
Gift whispered to AraBaddie:
"I want to learn Mandarin just like French."
AraBaddie fanned herself.
"Very peak."
MideFlex stared into space, bothered by Peace's earlier reaction.
BigDave nudged him.
"You okay?"
"I don't even know," MideFlex muttered
Mi-Ko clapped at the front.
"Who wants to learn quick Mandarin?!"
Hands shot up like fireworks.
He picked five: Peace, Nyambura, Lolade, one boy from Ogun, one from Ghana.
He smiled at Peace.
"Wǒ hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ."
(I'm happy to meet you.)
Her reply made the hall laugh.
Nyambura went next.
Then Lolade.
He told her softly:
"Believe in yourself. Your confidence will take you far."
Peace watched, jealous.
Nyambura smirked.
Drama sparkled between them.
He asked out of curiosity "what are your dreams?"
Peace stepped forward "My dream is to be a top media personality in Africa, with influence across continents!"
Nyambura stepped forward immediately after "My dream is to become Kenya's most impactful female entrepreneur."
Lolade collected the mic after "My dream… is to help people. I don't know the shape yet, but I want my life to change other lives."
The hall froze — touched.
Mi-Ko nodded.
"Never underestimate dreams like that."
Meanwhile they got down from the stage to their respective seats
Nyambura held Lolade's hand to stop her "Your friend is a great dancer."
Lolade replied instantly "He is actually my best friend."
"And still… I danced with him." Nyambura smiled
Lolade gasped.
Mi-Ko took center stage again as they departed to their seats.
"In China, I learned that the best businesses solve problems people ignore."
He listed examples — traffic, power, food spoilage, learning difficulties.
Then he dropped the bomb:
"I will be choosing TEN students today to join my virtual mentorship program. Free. International exposure. You will work with my team across Nigeria and China."
The hall exploded.
People screamed.
Phones dropped.
A girl fainted dramatically.
Only ten out of millions.
The festival was only getting hotter🔥.