...
As July drew to a close, the prolonged rainfall ceased, giving way to brilliant sunshine that illuminated a crystal-clear world.
The summer vacation left the school campus deserted, with cicadas hidden in the camphor trees chirping tirelessly.
In the office, the air conditioner hummed as it blew cool air, while the sounds of cicadas and adult conversations mingled, drifting into Sheng Xia's ears.
"Sheng Xia's Chinese grades are quite impressive. An essay like this could easily make it onto our affiliated school's model essay wall!"
The grade-level director examined Sheng Xia's previous semester report card and final exam papers before offering this assessment. He then handed the essay to a balding man nearby. "Teacher Wang, take a look too."
Teacher Wang accepted it, his eyes scanning up and down before emitting a deep, resonant voice from his abdomen: "Hmm, the handwriting is truly excellent."
Sheng Xia sat quietly on the black leather sofa, clutching her canvas schoolbag, her eyes slightly raised as she discreetly observed her new homeroom teacher: Wang Wei.
His gaunt frame supported an oversized head, topped with a few strands of comb-over hair and a gleaming scalp. He had thick eyebrows, narrow eyes, and cheeks that puffed out as if stuffed with cotton.
His demeanor bore no resemblance whatsoever to the pastoral poet Wang Wei from the Tang Dynasty.
He had introduced himself as a chemistry teacher.
Asking a chemistry teacher to evaluate an essay and receiving a quick, off-topic compliment about "good handwriting" might not speak to his literary discernment, but it certainly didn't reflect poorly on his emotional intelligence.
The grade-level director remarked, "You can tell she's had formal training since childhood."
Wang Lianhua was visibly pleased and chimed in with a smile, "You have a keen eye, Director. Sheng Xia started practicing calligraphy at age four—both brush and pen styles."
"These days, it's rare to find children who can focus long enough to practice handwriting."
Wang Wei promptly added, "Indeed. If she puts in the effort to catch up in other subjects, I'm sure she'll do well. Sheng Xia seems like promising material—it'd be a waste to leave her at No. 2 High School."
Wang Lianhua said, "Sheng Xia is just a bit weak in chemistry and physics fundamentals. We'll be counting on Teacher Wang's guidance from now on."
"Of course, of course. Once she's in my class, I can't promise she'll definitely—"
Wang Wei's enthusiastic speech was abruptly cut off by a melodious yet jarring ringtone.
The opening notes of "Moonlight Over the Lotus Pond" filled the office—Wang Wei's phone was ringing.
He leaned to one side, stretched out a leg, fished the phone from his pocket, glanced at it, and immediately hung up before continuing: "Once she's in my class, I can't promise she'll definitely get into a top-tier university, but significant improvement is guaranteed. Sheng Xia's foundation isn't bad at all. In our class—"
"Moonlight Over the Lotus Pond" rang out again, the caller apparently persistent.
Wang Wei's eyebrows knitted into an inverted "八" shape as he shot the director and Wang Lianhua an apologetic glance. Without stepping away, he answered with, "I'm busy! Call me this afternoon!"
Then, without waiting for a response, he hung up again.
"One of my students," Wang Wei explained.
The grade-level director changed the subject: "There's careful consideration behind placing Sheng Xia in Teacher Wang's class. The accelerated class would be too much pressure. Class Six is just right—while not an accelerated class, it's among the top parallel classes. The grade's top scorer is in their class too—that student ranked first in last semester's citywide unified exams."
Sheng Xia had heard about this citywide top scorer.
Last semester, the affiliated school had unprecedentedly participated in the citywide exams, sweeping all top ten spots. The first-place student's results were particularly stellar—perfect scores in math and English, with only three points deducted in science subjects.
At No. 2 High School, Sheng Xia ranked within the top ten, but citywide, she placed around two thousandth.On the day the results were announced, the class group chat was filled with lamentations. The top students from No. 2 High School looked as wilted as eggplants beaten by frost.
If the participation of Affiliated High School in the joint exam was a dimensional strike against ordinary schools, then this academic god’s results were rubbing the self-esteem of the top students from No. 1 and No. 2 High Schools into the exam papers.
If they knew this person was actually from a parallel class at Affiliated High School, who knew how they’d feel.
And now, was she going to be in the same class as someone like this?
Wang Lianhua, however, was quite pleased with this information. Her eyebrows lifted slightly, her eyes brightened, and she nodded gently with parted lips, her expression one of admiration.
Wang Wei’s face was also brimming with pride. His tone, though seemingly complaining, carried a familiar indulgence: "This top scorer had average entrance exam results and remained unremarkable even after the arts and sciences division, so they were placed in our class. But ever since joining us, they’ve consistently ranked first in the grade. Though they’re also quite unruly, always pushing boundaries because of their grades."
The grade director added, "Luckily, they’re in Teacher Wang’s class—they’ve become much more disciplined."
Wang Lianhua understood the implication perfectly and praised, "So, Teacher Wang is quite skilled in both teaching and management."
Wang Wei replied modestly, "Not at all. I just genuinely hope for the students to do well—academically and personally—so as not to betray the trust of the school and parents."
"After this visit, I’m even more reassured," Wang Lianhua said, her smile unwavering, her voice gentle, clearly very satisfied with today’s meeting.
The three adults pored over the transcript, pointing and discussing. Sheng Xia, who hadn’t slept well the night before, began to doze off. The voices around her gradually faded, replaced by the chirping of cicadas, from which she even caught a faint melody.
It wasn’t until Wang Lianhua stood up first, offering repeated thanks, that Sheng Xia also rose, pressing her lips together in what resembled a faint smile.
"Then we’ll trouble the teachers with Sheng Xia."
"No trouble at all. Please send my regards to Secretary Sheng."
"He had an important meeting come up last minute, or he would’ve come along."
After leaving the office, Wang Lianhua declined the grade director’s offer to escort them, saying they wanted to tour the campus. The mother and daughter descended the stairs to the first floor.
The teaching building was completely empty.
Wang Lianhua pointed at the sign for Class 6, Grade 3, and whispered to Sheng Xia, "See how different Affiliated High School is? Even the classrooms are special."
Sheng Xia nodded slightly, surveying the place where she would spend the next year studying.
This classroom was unlike any she had been in before.
The hallway was unusually wide—enough for playing badminton. The classroom had three doors, and the side walls were only as high as the desks, topped with floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Even the doors were made of glass, making the entire space bright and transparent, with everything visible at a glance.
The blackboard was divided into three sections: a smart whiteboard in the center, flanked by two movable blackboards.
The desks were arranged oddly as well—three sets of paired seats, plus a row of single desks against the wall, without partners.
The unfamiliar and peculiar environment made Sheng Xia furrow her brows slightly.
Affiliated High School of Nanli University was the best high school in Nanli City and one of the top in the province, with over 90% of its students surpassing the first-tier university cutoff. Stepping into Nanli Affiliated High was like having one foot already in a prestigious university.
Sheng Xia had underperformed in the high school entrance exam and ended up at No. 2 High School. Over two years, her grades had gradually climbed to the top, but at No. 2 High, even the top ten in the grade barely scraped past the first-tier cutoff.When word got out that she was transferring schools, the teachers at No. 2 High School tried their best to persuade her to stay, saying it was better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix. They promised Sheng Xia the utmost attention and the best education to ensure she could steadily get into a top-tier 211 university.
The moment Sheng Mingfeng heard the phrase "head of a chicken," his temper flared. Originally, he had only considered transferring schools because he couldn’t stand Wang Lianhua’s constant remarks about "being irresponsible to Sheng Xia" and "not planning for the child’s future." Now, he was even more determined to make the transfer happen.
During the high school entrance exams, Sheng Xia’s grades had been too low to even scrape into No. 1 High School, let alone the prestigious Affiliated High School. But now that her grades had improved significantly, earning her a decent ranking in the city-wide joint exams, she finally had a shot at Affiliated High School. Wang Lianhua wanted Sheng Xia to push herself further—after all, no matter how hard she struggled at No. 2 High School, she’d only go so far.
As for the teacher’s warning that "with Sheng Xia’s personality, she might not handle the pressure at Affiliated High School," Wang Lianhua had already tuned it out.
Sheng Xia had to be better than her. That was her obsession.
The prelude to Moonlight Over the Lotus Pond rang out again, drifting faintly from the second floor.
That ringtone was really loud.
But even louder than Wang Wei’s phone volume was Wang Wei’s voice.
“Hello?”
“No, no, no! How many times do I have to say it? Who asks for leave right at the start of the semester? Are you sick or crippled or something?”
“You want to report the school for extra classes? You’ve got some nerve!”
“Do you even realize you’re about to be a senior? You think maintaining your grades is a walk in the park? Everyone else is buckling down, you think the kids at No. 1 High School are idiots?”
“Get back here now!”
“You hear me? Hello? Zhang Shu!”
“Brat!”
…
Wang Wei’s booming voice echoed through the empty school building.
Only after mother and daughter had left the building did Wang Lianhua voice her concerns. “Your homeroom teacher has such a temper—is that really okay? What kind of person did your dad find? I don’t even know if he’s actually serious about this.”
Sheng Xia understood that “has a temper” was Wang Lianhua’s polite way of putting it. Wang Wei’s demeanor and manner of speaking probably didn’t align with Wang Lianhua’s idealized image of a top high school teacher.
This was more like her mother.
Just moments ago, she’d been surprised at how easily her mother seemed satisfied. But of course, those approving glances and complimentary remarks had just been part of Wang Lianhua’s social etiquette.
Still.
What if the person on the other end had an even worse temper?
That guy named Zhang… Shu, was it?
Daring to talk back to the homeroom teacher.
Even threatening to report the school—how fierce.
Sheng Xia stayed silent, keeping her thoughts to herself.
…
Since Sheng Xia’s home was only two kilometers from Affiliated High School, Wang Lianhua decided against having her board at school. Sheng Mingfeng bought her an electric scooter and had the driver teach her how to ride it.
There wasn’t much to teach, really—just twist the throttle and go. After a couple of steady laps around the neighborhood, Sheng Xia felt confident enough to try riding to school.
She’d been too hasty. The open road was nothing like the enclosed streets of the neighborhood. Cars whizzed past, their roaring engines making her feel like she might get sucked under. Her back was slick with sweat from tension.
After nearly failing to brake in time at an intersection, Sheng Xia decided to avoid the main road and cut through the residential area behind Affiliated High School instead.
As she turned into the neighborhood, still shaken and not fully focused, she spotted two mountain bikes coming down the gentle slope ahead. The riders were crouched low, and to her, they looked like eagles swooping boldly toward her.Sheng Xia was completely stunned. Before her brain could react, her body had already acted on instinct to avoid danger—she leaped off the electric scooter in a flash, and in her panic, she twisted the throttle hard as she jumped.
The brand-new scooter suddenly accelerated with a "whoosh," speeding off before crashing violently into the curb and toppling over with a loud bang.
Two boys—one chubby, one skinny—on bicycles that had screeched to a halt:
The security guard poking his head out from the guard booth at the commotion:
Sheng Xia, standing unharmed in the middle of the road:
For a moment, the scene was dead silent, save for the ceaseless chirping of cicadas in the camphor trees lining the street.
Zhi—zhi zhi—
The chubby boy snapped out of it first, turning to the skinny one. "Seriously, why did she just jump off like that? This has nothing to do with us, right…"
It really didn’t. They were still a good ten meters away.
The skinny boy sneered. "If she tries to pin this on us, it’d be the most outrageous scam ever."
The detached tone and unmistakable disdain sent an inexplicable chill down Sheng Xia’s spine as she stood there, frozen like a statue.
"What’s going on here?!" The security guard rushed out of the booth, his voice sharp until he reached Sheng Xia and saw how pale her face was. He softened his tone. "Are you okay?"
"Y-yeah, I’m fine."
Her voice trembled despite her words.
The guard then turned to the two boys still a distance away and shouted, "What happened?"
The chubby one quickly shook his head. "We don’t know either…"
They’d just been biking along at a leisurely pace inside the neighborhood—how were they supposed to expect this "helpless" girl to come flying out of nowhere?
The guard hurried over to pick up the scooter, inspecting it before twisting the throttle. "Still sturdy, just a few scratches. Should be fine to ride. If nothing’s wrong, you should get going. Don’t block the entrance—cars will be coming soon."
Sheng Xia’s body was still stiff, but she managed to shuffle over to the scooter. Softly, she thanked the guard, then steadied the handlebars and pulled out her phone to make a call.
There was no way she was getting back on that thing.
"Brother Li, I was in an accident…"
"An accident?" The chubby boy shrugged. What kind of accident was this? He couldn’t help but smirk at the girl on the roadside, who looked both flustered and oddly serious.
"Quit staring. Let’s go." The skinny boy’s tone was impatient as he pushed off, the derailleur of his mountain bike clicking like a gun being cocked.
The bicycles whizzed past Sheng Xia, the breeze carrying the chubby boy’s words to her ears.
"Ah Shu, you think she jumped off ‘cause she saw you and got nervous?"
Sheng Xia, still mired in self-doubt and a hint of indignation: …?
Ah… Shu?
That name sounded familiar. Instinctively, she turned her head.
Tall camphor trees were everywhere in Nanli, the entire city nestled under a canopy of green. Sunlight filtered through in fragmented patches, softening the harsh summer glare.
The bicycles wove through the dappled light, the boys’ carefree laughter fading into the distance as their lean figures disappeared around the corner.
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