1. My First Dance.

In ancient times, when a teenage girl is fourteen, her father will hold a ceremony to signify her coming of age; in the West, at a girl's wedding, her father will hold his daughter's hand and walk down the last journey of her girlhood with her. A father is the first important male in a girl's life.

My dad's department organized dance tutorials for the middle aged workers to prepare a dance group to compete with another department before New Year's. In the daytime, dad practiced in his department, in the evening, he pulled mom along to the park to dance.

In the summer holidays, my little sister and I didn't have much on so sometimes, we would also go to the park to watch everyone's outdoor dancing.

Once, dad thought mom was stupid, after teaching her many times, she still didn't get it. Mom got angry and refused to dance. The people dancing around them all started laughing. Dad laughed dryly then found little sister, "My wife refuses to learn so I can only teach my daughter to dance."

Little sister happily learned dancing from dad. Dad grasped her hands and they danced to the music while laughing. The knotted bow on little sister's waist also fluttered beautifully along.

The old people around them kept praising my little sister for dancing so well. Mom who was standing on the side also started smiling and dad was even more satisfied.

After finishing a song, they came back to rest. Seeing me watch them the whole time, dad laughed and asked, "Qi Qi, do you also want dad to teach you dancing next?"

I restrained my inner excitement and tried hard to nod calmly.

Not a while after, the music started again. Just as I was getting nervous, dad hurriedly put down his cup, grabbed little sister who was beside him and rushed out to dance.

I was like a stretched rubber band, originally nervously preparing to be flicked with full energy but I was not flicked, only slowly, slowly, loosening my energy,

I watched for a while smiling then said to mom, "I'm going to find friends to play with" then left the park alone.

Some people say that a daughter is her father's lover from his past life but if he has two daughters then does that mean one of them aren't? A person has two hands but only one heart.

I wandered around on the streets for a while as I thought about who to find to play with. Xiao Fei's mom didn't let Xiao Fei outside, I had already gone to find Xiao Fei today so if I go find her again, it clearly wasn't suitable. I remembered that after the holidays, I hadn't seen Xiao Bo thus I went off to find him.

The karaoke bar was loud and noisy yet the door to Xiao Bo's room was firmly shut as he worked hard under the lamp light.

Only then did I remember, he was already in his final year of high school, the last stop of the carp jumping over the Dragon's Gate.

I asked how his exams went, Xiao Bo smiled and said he was in the top hundred of his year then confidently told me his grades will continue improving, that his goal was to be in the top fifty.

According to No.1's past gaokao results, if Xiao Bo really achieves this goal then he had a good chance of getting into a famous university.

He suddenly asked, "Next term you guys will be divided into different classes again, how did you do in your exams?"

"Guess."

He laughed, "It should be pretty good, you'll definitely be able to get into the fast class, what do you want as a congratulatory gift?"

I said disdainfully, "So what if I get into fast class? I'm the top in the class."

Xiao Bo stared at me in disbelief. Suddenly, he jumped up from his chair, grabbed me and held me up in the air, laughing as he swung me around.

In that moment, my unhappiness dispersed and I also started laughing.

He finally put me down and asked in amaze, "How did you do it?"

My head was still dizzy so I loudly said, "This wasn't a meat pie fallen from the sky, I used lots of effort! I memorised my textbooks until midnight everyday and I did all of the exercise questions twice."

Xiao Bo laughed, "You worked so hard, what would you like as a gift?"

I thought about it but the image of my dad dancing with little sister earlier floated into my mind.

"I want to learn dancing."

Xiao Bo immediately agreed, "Okay, I'll teach you."

He looked up and down at me, "Let's go buy you a dress."

I immediately shook me head, "I can't, when my mom sees it she'll definitely ask me where it came from. I won't be able to explain." I regretted it straight after the words came out of my mouth, why should I care what my parents thought? I've decided to indulge myself once thus I changed my words, "Sure, I just won't take it home."

Xiao Bo looked at his watch then smiled, "There's still time if we go to the shops now."

I made a face at him then ran to the phone and gave Brother Li a call. Brother Li was very surprised, "Qi Qi, what happened?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to tell you that I got first for my end of year exam."

Brother Li was very happy and laughed, "It looks like we won't just have Xiao Bo as a university student. In the future if anyone dares to say I don't have culture, I'll let them come and see my little brother and sisters' degrees. What award do you want?"

"I'm going shopping with Xiao Bo."

Brother Li happily said, "I'll pay for you. Don't you dare try to help your Brother Li save money. Don't learn from Xiao Bo, he's good in all aspects except he's too stubborn."

I grinned, "I only choose good quality things not expensive things."

Brother Li quickly said, "Yes, yes, yes!"

Having achieved my aim, I happily put down the phone. However, Xiao Bo wasn't too happy. Although he didn't show it and still smiled but we've know each other for nearly five years now. We didn't need to look at each other's expressions to know the other person's mood.

I stood beside his bicycle and said in a quiet voice, "After you graduate from university, you have to buy me a present with your first salary. I'm letting Brother Li give me a present but it's not just a gift, I don't want to seem too upright and make Brother Li think that we're trying hard to draw a line with him."

Xiao Bo was already on the bicycle and was just waiting for me to get on. When he heard my words, he was dazed for a while then quickly jumped off the bicycle. He turned and went inside to get the key and helmets for the motorbike.

He helped me put on the helmet and after he got on the bike, he struck a very cool pose and laughed, "Get on."

I immediately sat on the motorbike but worriedly said, "This is my first time riding a motorbike, you have to drive slower ah, don't make me fall."

He used his elbow to whack me, telling me to stop blabbering then started the motorbike and rode off onto the roads.

At that time, there were quite a lot of young people who rode motorbikes in our city. They wore leather jackets, leather pants and leather shoes. Sometimes, it was quite stunning seeing them speed along in groups on their motorbikes.

Xiao Bo's motorbike was imported from Japan. Brother Li spent quite a bit of effort to get it here. In our entire city, there weren't a few so when it was rode on the streets, it stood out. However, Xiao Bo didn't use it many times, rather, it was Wu Zei who borrowed it to bet money with people twice and after being talked to by Xiao Bo, he never played with it again.

It was my first time sitting on a motorbike. I held the two sides of my seat tightly, I was dying of nervousness, fearing that I would fall off.

I never thought that Xiao Bo drove the motorbike like a bicycle, he didn't pick up speed for a long time. I asked puzzled, "Do you know how to drive?"

Xiao Bo's voice carried over from inside the helmet, "It's my first time carrying someone. I suddenly remembered that there's nothing for the person sitting at the back to hold onto so they must hug the waist of the person in front."

I laughed, no wonder the people on television always hugged the person in front tightly, I thought it was to show that they were sweethearts but it turns out this is how you sit on a motorbike. Thus, I hugged his waist and the speed immediately increased.

With the increasing speed, I finally understood why guys liked motorbikes. It wasn't only to look cool but there really is a feeling of flying in the wind.

The speed was too fast, I hugged Xiao Bo's waist tightly and closed my eyes, feeling the wind strike at my skin.

I think that by nature, both Xiao Bo and I have a like of adventure and the desire for freedom. When we got on the bike, I kept reminding him not to drive too fast, he also seemed to decide to be careful but when we experienced this kind of flying feeling, we abandoned all rationality, only wanting to go with our instincts to experience the relaxation brought from the stimulation.

He sped past cars one by one, most of the drivers only shouted or honked at him but when he sped past another motorbike, the driver started chasing Xiao Bo.

Xiao Bo loudly called my name, "Qi Qi......"

The speed was too fast and the wind too big, I couldn't hear he was saying at all and was only able to hear the fuzzy sound of my name. However, I already understood his meaning.

I looked over at the motorbike that was driving alongside us. The driver was wearing a black leather jacket and the girl sitting behind him had long curly hair that even her helmet couldn't suppress. It danced in the wind and along with her small red dress, she looked beautiful.

I didn't want to leave this unrestrained beauty. I hugged Xiao Bo tighter and he understood my meaning, that I had already accepted this challenge. He started driving quickly and concentrated on competing with the opponent.

Xiao Bo's motorbike was better than the opponent's but the opponent's skills were better. Xiao Bo's repressed spirit was forced out and gradually, there was a feeling that he was playing with his life. However, his techniques weren't very good and under speed, the bike started drifting a little. If there was a slight accident, we would definitely have a fatal crash yet I didn't have any feeling of fear.

The two motorbikes, one in front and one at the back, chased each other for a while. Suddenly, sirens could be heard from afar and the person in front slowed down. Xiao Bo also slowed down and after passing by a garage, the other person drove in and stopped the bike. Xiao Bo also stopped inside, it seemed like they wanted to get to know each other and make friends.

The two of them took off their helmets and looked at each other. After being in a daze for a while, they both started laughing.

Zhang Jun laughed, "Xiao Bo's motorbike is really good."

Xiao Bo laughed, "It's better to have good skills than a good bike."

Zhang Jun's girlfriend's face was pale white but her mood was very excited, "Too stimulating!" She stretched out her hand to Xiao Bo and elatedly gave a self introduction, "I'm Zhang Jun's babe. Last time when I saw you playing billiards, I felt that you were like a gentle scholar, I never thought that you would be so relentless on the bike."

Xiao Bo laughed and shook her hand then modestly replied, "I'm not as good as Zhang Jun on the bike."

Zhang Jun's girlfriend gave me a look then asked Xiao Bo, "What's the name of Xiao Bo's babe?"

She seemed to be very curious as to what Xiao Bo's girlfriend looked like. I really didn't want to take off my helmet but I didn't want them to think I was unusual so I could only take off my helmet and nod, faking a smile. The girl didn't cover up her disappointment at all. She probably didn't think that it was actually an average girl wearing glasses with her hair in brushed up in a ponytail.

Xiao Bo smiled, "She's called Luo Qi Qi. She's not my girlfriend, she's a friend."

The girl's expression seemed to be saying, thank god it's not! She enthusiastically suggested, "There are lots of pretty girls in our department, I'll recommend one to Xiao Bo brother, you'll definitely be satisfied. What kind of girl does Xiao Bo brother like?"

Xiao Bo was dazed, he probably never expected Zhang Jun's new girlfriend to be so different to his old one. Zhang Jun put his arm around her waist and pulled her into his arms. He flicked at her nose teasingly, "Don't mind other people, there are lots of beautiful girls if Xiao Bo brother wants them."

I closed my eyes to sleep thinking, call me after you've finished your chat.

Xiao Bo said, "We still have some things to do, let's chat another day."

I happily opened my eyes immediately, it's still Xiao Bo who knows my mind.

He helped me put on the helmet and carefully adjusted the straps then asked me quietly, "Are you tired?"

I shook my head. Only after he helped me with my helmet did he put on his own.

After the motorbike started driving, I looked at the rear view mirror. I could still see that pretty red dress, the girl had her hands wrapped around his arms and her body tightly against his.

I leaned my head lightly against Xiao Bo's back. Xiao Bo wanted to speed up but I pulled at his shirt and he slowed down again. I was scared that when that kind of flying in the wind bewitches my senses again, I might really let go.

There was half an hour until the mall closed. Xiao Bo was worried we wouldn't have enough time but I decided very quickly. I picked a red dress with white polka dots and a big bow at the waist. I didn't think over my decision but inside, I think I understand why I chose it. There are some things that don't require Dr Sigmund Frend's psychoanalysis to understand. Red, because of Zhang Jun's girlfriend; the bow, because of little sister.

I did a twirl in front of Xiao Bo and the dress opened like a flower blooming.

"Is it okay?"

Xiao Bo nodded and exclaimed, "Qi Qi has really grown up."

I refuted, "I never thought I was small before."

He looked at my feet and said, "We should get you a pair of shoes too."

I was very excited, "I want high heels."

He laughed, "You've never worn high heels before right? Can you walk in them? If you fall, I'm not going to be responsible."

I glared at him, he laughed and ignored me.

I chose a white pair of high heeled sandals and put them on clumsily. In the moment that I stood up, I suddenly felt like I was a woman.

I don't know if every girl's transformation to a woman starts from a pair of high heels because after we wear them, we no longer walk in large strides or climb trees. We must walk slowly like a woman, and without knowing, we become feminine and delicate.

The next day, I asked for leave from mom and dad. I told them that it was a classmate's birthday celebration that night and I wanted to play later. Mom and dad immediately agreed. I was top in the class for my exams so in my parents' minds, a top in the class student definitely wouldn't do anything bad.

Dad even specially said, "There's time for playing and there's time for studying. In the summer holidays, you can play freely; after school starts again, you have to work hard for the entrance exams."

Under Xiao Bo's orders, I went to 'Across The Water' to look for him.

After I got to the dance hall, I discovered that business was bad. I felt puzzled for a moment then immediately understood. As parents and teachers often came to the dance hall, I was afraid of bumping into familiar people and definitely wouldn't agree to learn dancing in the big hall. Perhaps I would randomly choose a secluded corner. I never expected Brother Li put in so much effort and actually closed the business for the night.

After I saw Xiao Bo specially changed in a black suit, I realized that it wasn't just Brother Li who was putting in effort. I suddenly became nervous. Xiao Bo laughed, "Your clothes and shoes are in Brother Li's office. I'll wait for you outside."

Brother Li also laughed, "Qi Qi's growing up."

Although Wu Zei controlled his stinky mouth, he continuously winked at me and laughed.

I became embarrassed by their laughter and yelled, "If you guys keep laughing, I'm not going to dance anymore."

I walked into his office pouting, the dress and shoes were on the sofa. I changed into the dress and put on the shoes then stood in front of the mirror looking at myself. I remembered the beautiful girl next to Zhang Jun and sighed dejectedly, after all, a monkey wearing robes can't change into a prince.

Suddenly I heard someone knock at the door.

"Who is it?"

"The boss told to me come and help you with your hair."

I opened the door, the woman standing by the door carried a big plastic box.

I let her in, she asked me, "What kind of hairstyle would you like?"

"I don't know, any."

She carefully looked at me then smiled and let me sit then started to brush my hair. After being fiddled with for half an hour, just as I was losing my patience, she smiled, "It's done, have a look. If you're not satisfied, I'll change it."

I walked in front of the mirror and put my glasses on. The girl in the mirror had black hair arranged into a bun, a smooth forehead and a long neck. In my black hair was a fake white mogolia flower that matched with the shoes Xiao Bo chose for me.

The woman stood behind me smiling then softly said, "I have some fake pearl jewelry hair, if you don't mind, you'll look prettier with them on."

I was already conquered by her skilled hands and happily said, "I don't mind."

She took out a pair of dangling pearl earrings and helped me put them on. After carefully looking at me, she took them off again, "You look so clean, so clean that any other decorations are unnecessary, this is fine."

I didn't understand what her clean meant and said, "Then I won't wear them."

She started packing up her things, "Originally I thought I would have to help you put on makeup so I brought a bunch of things but now I discovered it's all unnecessary."

I said, "Thank you."

She laughed, "No need to thank me, thank yourself. Being young is so good, your eyes are sparkling, your skin is smooth and supple, a flower is enough. You don't need anything else."

I walked out, she chased behind me and asked, "Are you very nearsighted?"

"Three hundred degrees."

"Can you see clearly without your glasses?"

"Mhm, I can walk fine but there will be some problems with recognizing people."

She took off my glasses, "Then that's enough."

The lights in the dance hall were originally dim and without glasses, the world in front of me became hazy, everything seemed to be behind a fog. I suddenly felt very nervous, a person's instinctual fear towards the unknown.

I took tiny steps forward in my high heels and seemed to see a person's silhouette but I couldn't distinguish who it was. Suddenly, a person stood in front of me but they didn't speak.

I was completely uneasy and started regretting letting that sister take away my glasses when I heard Brother Li's laughter, "Heavens! Did I see the wrong person? Is this Qi Qi?"

Only then did I confirm the person in front of my was Xiao Bo. I immediately hurried forward and stretched my hand out to him. He grasped me hand and I was at ease again. No matter how dim the world was, as long as he was by my side, he would look clearly for me.

I was embarrassed, "The sister who helped me with my hair took my glasses. I can't see too clearly."

"That's fine, I'll be with you."

He took me towards the dance floor. I was so nervous my hands were full of sweat. He said, "We'll start with the easiest, the slow four."

"Is it hard? You know my small brain is very stupid."

"As long as you can walk, you can dance."

The music started, it was a jazz number. He held my waist and lightly guided my steps.

Although the steps were different, it was definitely a game of repeatedly stepping forwards and backwards. I laughed, "It doesn't seem hard!"

Xiao Bo also laughed, "I said earlier, it's not hard."

I didn't know at the time that the male was the soul of partner dances. The male takes the lead and it is up to him to decide the rhythm and pace. If the male is a good dancer, the female will have it easy. I was very lucky, I had a good dance partner for the very first dance in my life.

After the song ended, Xiao Bo smiled, "It becomes formal from now."

The enchantress stepped onto the stage in a red flowery cheongsam. She first laughed before speaking, "Qi Qi's likes are so weird, I'm frying and selling on the spot* but I'm not good at singing this. However, this it a token to you from us all."
*[Means applying freshly learnt knowledge.]

This was really a huge surprise, I was deeply in love with a time period from before. In the past, when I watched Zhou Xuan and Hu Die's videotapes, I had sighed, "What is luxury and dissipation? This is luxury and dissipation! What is tortuous romance? This is tortuous romance!"

I never thought Xiao Bo remembered, it was even more unexpected that Enchantress, who loved pop music, would specially go and learn it for me.

The sound of the music started, Enchantress lightly swayed and started singing with tenderness.

In the soft music and hazy lights, it seemed like we had brought back the old Shanghai.

I danced with Xiao Bo while lightly singing along with the music.

After the Enchantress finished singing, she walked onto the dance floor. Wu Zei held her hand and they started dancing with us.

'In the Mood for Love', 'Evening Primrose'......the songs played continuously one by one. I danced until I was full of sweat. We seemed to be wearing red dancing shoes* and would never stop.
*[The fairy tale 'The Red Shoes' where the girl was forced to keep dancing in her red shoes]

Although there are many disappointments in this world, although life is riddled with countless wounds, it is still filled with happiness and hope. Xiao Fei has already pulled herself together and Xiao Bo will definitely be able to get into university. In the future, I can choose to go to the same school as Xiao Bo and also the same university as Xiao Fei. After university, after Enchantress and Wu Zei get married, we can dance like tonight everyday.

Wu Zei and Xiao Bo exchanged glances. Wu Zei held Enchantress' hand as they walked off the dance floor, Enchantress laughed, "You guys continue, we're going to rest for a bit."

I asked, "How many old songs did Brother Li prepare exactly?"

Xiao Bo laughed, "As long as you keep dancing, the songs will keep playing."

"After this song, let's stop dancing. I'm tired."

Xiao Bo held my hand as we walked off the dance floor, I was still humming the tune.

On the sofa were the silhouettes of many people. I couldn't see who was who clearly and only heard a voice ask, "Qi Qi, are you happy?"

It was Brother Li. I sang in reply, "I love this vast dim light of the night, I love this nightingale's song, I love even more this dream that's like a flower, hugging the sweet scent of the night."

Brother Li burst out laughing.

Xiao Bo pulled me down to sit. I leaned against him and still hummed softly.

Brother Li said to the person sitting beside him, "We're giving little sister a celebration. We've made Little Six see a laughing stock."

The tune in my mouth cut off. Xiao Bo was very sensitive, he was immediately aware and patted my back, expressing that I was fine.

Little Six said, "No wonder Brother Li wouldn't let us brothers come in and play today."

Little Six's tone was different to in the past, it seemed like the words 'Brother Li' weren't called as frivolously as before.

Brother Li laughed, "I'm truly sorry, how about this, in the remaining time, you can play however you like." A person took out a bottle of alcohol and Brother Li handed it to Little Six, "This bottle of alcohol was brought back from Europe by Wang Yong. I've been saving it all this time. Since it's Little Six's birthday today and everyone is happy, let's drink it together. Today everyone is happy, you're all happy, we're all happy, let's all celebrate happily."

Little Six vaguely said, "Brother Li and Director Wang's son are very close huh, we'll have to borrow Brother Li's reputation for people like us to be able to drink a cup of Wang's son's wine."

Brother Li continued to laugh, "Everyone is friends, all friends." He waved his hand to let someone come and open the bottle. "No matter if it's drinking or dancing, do as you please."

The meaning behind Brother Li's words were already expressed very clearly but Little Six clearly didn't appreciated it. He suddenly pointed at me, "I want to invite this little sister to have a dance with me."

Xiao Bo had been leaning forward slightly. After hearing Little Six's words, he suddenly burst out into laughter, laughing while he leaned back onto the sofa lazily. He calmly said, "Tonight she's my dance partner, she's not allowed to dance with anyone else."

Little Six laughed and asked Brother Li, "Brother Li's words just then no longer count?"

Brother Li apologized, "Little Six, I'm truly sorry, my brother hasn't studied well, he is thoughtless and talks with no manners. Please forgive him Little Six!"

Little Six started to chuckle, "Okay, Brother Li is full of power and courage as expected. Let's wait and see!" He stood up to leave. The person serving the wine was holding a plate with the wine, Little Six casually swung his hand and the plate flipped over and all the wine smashed to the floor.

In the sound of falling glass, Little Six angrily left with his people. Only at this moment did I see Zhang Jun was also there. He didn't speak a word the entire time so I didn't know he was with them.

Someone came over to clean up the glass. Brother Li waved his hand, telling them to come and clean up later.

I know that these things had nothing to do with me, Little Six sincerely wanted to pick faults but Brother Li had already decided not to back down. I was only there at the right time and became their excuse. However, I still should apologize, "Brother Li, sorry."

Brother Li unhappily sighed, "If you feel sorry then my 'Li' is spelled backwards. You not jumping up just then and smashing the wine on him is already giving me lots of face."

Wu Zei, Enchantress, Xiao Bo and I all laughed. Brother Li sighed, "This Little Six is too greedy. He was going to turn hostile sooner or later. Even though we are no longer afraid of him, this is still very troublesome."

Xiao Bo smiled, "The government does a crackdown every few years. Counting the years, it should be soon. Last time when we drank with Wang Yong, didn't he say that the official documents are already out?"

Brother Li laughed out loud, "Then we don't have to worry." As he spoke, he stood up, wanting to leave.

Wu Zei worriedly said, "Big brother, speak clearly, how exactly are we going to deal with Little Six?"

"I still need to go and see Wang Jie, I'll explain to you later. Tonight belongs to Qi Qi. Don't let Little Six ruin your mood. You guys should continue playing however you want to play."

Wu Zei and Enchantress went back to dance. Xiao Bo asked me, "Do you still want to dance?"

I asked, "Am I pretty tonight?"

He nodded, "Pretty!"

I hesitantly wanted to ask, "Between Zhang Jun's girlfriend and I, who is prettier", but I didn't even need to think to know what the answer was. Xiao Bo would definitely say me, it wasn't worth being a reference standard.

I wearily said, "I don't want to dance anymore."

Xiao Bo asked, "DO you want to go get changed?"

I touched my dress and reluctantly said, "I'll wear it for a while more."

Xiao Bo laughed. I swung my fist over, "What is there to laugh at? Can't I be conceited for a while?"

"Let's go out for a walk."

He pushed me out the dance hall. The two of us strolled along the sidewalk. I felt that the world tonight was different to usual and after walking for a few steps, I finally realized what was wrong and worriedly said, "My glasses."

"I won't lose you, we can come back and get it later."

I could only follow him and continue looking at the flowers through the fog.

We chatted while we walked, if someone heard our conversation, they would definitely faint, he was actually asking for study advice from me and I told him how I studied proudly and frankly.

Actually, I didn't know what I was talking about because no one has ever asked me about my study experiences. I only told him about how I understood the essence of each subject. Not only was it different from what the teacher taught, some of my learning methods ran against their ways. However, Xiao Bo listened with particular focus.

Xiao Bo smiled, "Qi Qi, you made me a bit surprised. I think you should put Qing Hua and Peking University as your aims."

I lightly said, "I'll either go to the same school as you or the same school as Xiao Fei. It's best if the three of us could go to a similar school. I'm afraid of being alone, I hope I have used up all the loneliness in my life on my childhood years."

It was the first time Xiao Bo asked, "Don't you have a little sister? Why aren't you close with her? After my dad died, sometime my mom would lose control of her emotions and cry while smashing things. I would hide under the bed and often think how good it would be if I had siblings, at least there would be someone else and we could rely on each other."

Xiao Bo's voice was very calm and I couldn't hear any other meaning behind it. I stood and held his arm then raised my head and asked, "Why are you close with me?"

He looked at me, smiling and used his hands to help me rearrange the crooked flower in my hair. Just as he was about to speak, a familiar voice called out from across the street, "Xiao Bo brother."

I frowned, how come I bumped into her wherever I went? Evil spirits really do linger!

Xiao Bo smiled, "I'm consulting Qi Qi for study advice."

She laughed, thinking that he was joking with her.

"We're going off to sing. It's boring without lots of people. I wanted Zhang Jun to find a few friends but he found it troublesome, Xiao Bo, come along with us!" She then looked at me and exclaimed, "Luo Qi Qi, you are really pretty tonight, where did you buy the dress from?"

My vanity was greatly satisfied. I couldn't resist looking at Zhang Jun's expression but I couldn't see clearly at all.

Xiao Bo politely refused, "I still have other things on tonight, let's all go and play next time."

Zhang Jun immediately said, "Then next time." And pulled his girlfriend away.

His girlfriend still turned around, "Xiao Bo brother, let's play together next time, I have sisters to introduce to you."

After she left did I realize, how was she praising me? She was only praising my dress.

Xiao Bo eyed his watch, "It's nearly ten, let's go back and get changed then I'll send you home."

I was surprised, "You really have other things on tonight?"

"We've officially fallen out with Little Six. I'm worried about the karaoke bar so I want to go back and take a look and also warn Wu Zei to be more alert."

I shook my head,"Do you know how Zhu Ge Liang* died? He died of tiredness! You can't worry about things that you have no control over. If even Zhu Ge Liang can't do it then how can us mortals?"
[Chancellor of Shu Han during Three Kingdoms.]

Xiao Bo pushed me back laughing.

After I changed back, I told him that I could go back by myself and didn't need him to send me back.

Seeing that I still had time, I rode my bicycle to the side of the river. I pushed my bicycle to a patch of grass then I flipped over to the bottom of the bridge. I sat by the rocks listening to the sound of the water gushing.

In the dark, there were only an occasional passerby. I quietly hid in the darkness of the night and felt very at ease. I was someone who easily thought too much but by the water side, listening to the water flow by, I didn't need to think about anything. I forgot about the time and when I was alert again, a long time had already passed. I feel like that kind of mental state was kind of like a Buddhist meditating but I've never meditated before so I don't know if it really is similar or not.

I had sat in the dark for a long time. Just as I was ready to go home, I heard the sound of slow footsteps in the quiet night as it gradually approach and finally stop on the bridge.

A person was leaning on the bridgehead smoking, it was actually Zhang Jun. The surprised me didn't dare to move. My figure became one with the rocks on the side of the river but he only gaze out at the river lost in thought so he didn't notice the slightest bit that there was a person sitting below.

After he finished a cigarette, he lighted another one. He smoked while throwing stones down the bridge. The stones weren't big but I was sitting by the river and occasionally, a stone would land near me, splashing my face in water droplets.

I completely didn't understand, why was this person throwing stones here in the middle of the night? Did he not go sing at all or had he already finished singing?

No one could give me an answer, there was only the stones falling one by one. He threw them for an hour before there were no more left. He had also finished half a packet of cigarettes.

He leaned back against the bridge and smoked for a while then threw the cigarette butt into the river, turned and left. I climbed back up completely soaked and pushed my bicycle back home.

My mom and dad were of course very angry at me coming home late. However, after I got top, it seemed like I received an amnesty for everything. They didn't say anything, only telling me that I wasn't allowed to play so late in the future.

I quickly went to wash up and sleep.

That night, I dreamed I walked to Zhang Jun's side wearing a dress and high heels. However, he still ignored me and only looked at that familiar beautiful girl smiling. They danced non stop on the dance floor, one dance after another. I ran some hurt but there was no one home. Mom and dad left with little sister. I burst out crying loudly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wow this took much longer than I expected so hopefully it is still Sunday when you read it haha.
I actually cut a section off (because it was getting too draggy and I'm a bit pressed for time sorry!) where Qi Qi tells Xiao Bo all about how she studies and she offers to get him in touch with Chen Jing who is smarter than her and may be of more use but he declines because he understands what Qi Qi is trying to explain.

2. Happy Summer Vacation.

Admiration is a very delicate thing, one step forward and it can become admiration, making you see that person as a model. One step back and it can become envy and hate, making you see that person as an enemy.
However, not everyone is completely an angel or devil so admiration can turn into jealousy, into an evil spirit, making people struggle back and forth.

Although there were quite a few shadows, my second summer vacation during middle school was still warm in my memory.

Xiao Fei's mom didn't allow her to go out but she was happy for me to come and find Xiao Fei so often, in the afternoon, I went to find Xiao Fei and we would curl up on the sofa watching television and eating snacks.

We chatted about our future, about what we wanted to do later on. She turned her nose up on my thoughts on wanting to open a book store and lamb skewer stall but then said in a good temper, "It doesn't matter, I'll be in charge of earning money. I guarantee you won't die of hunger in the future."

She helped paint my toenails, examining what color of nail polish matched my sandals the best. However, she didn't use any herself. She also helped me brush my chair, studying the magazines at home to see what hairstyles the celebrities had then did her best to brush my hair that way using the things she had at homes. She even gave me her prettiest dress, trying hard to make me pretty whereas she gave up on herself and hid under a boyish hairstyle.

In the mornings, I often accompanied Xiao Bo to revise. Xiao Bo worked very hard, he woke up at six every morning and memorized English.

We would often go to the side of the school's lotus pond. He sat in the small pavilion and facing the breeze and sunshine, he would memorize his English. I sat on a rock by the lotus pond, admiring the lotus flowers while drawing the outlines with a brush .

When I got tired of drawing, I would watch Xiao Bo memorize his textbooks. Sometimes when I was bored, I would intentionally bother him. Xiao Bo's concentration abilities were exceptionally strong, if he decides how much he wants to memorize in a day, he will definitely finish it. No matter what I did beside him, it wouldn't distract him. I was unconvinced and didn't believe he could really stay undistracted so I tried all kinds of tricks to tease him with.

No matter what I said, he still ignored me so I started to sing loudly. I started from Teresa Teng and learning from the sisters in the karaoke bar, I shimmied in front of him, winking and singing sweetly, "I sent you out of the village, there are some words I have to say, although a hundred flowers have bloomed, don't pick the wildflowers on the side of the road. Remember my love, remember my love......"

No reaction?

I jumped to the railing in front of Xiao Bo as if standing on a podium. I rolled up a piece of drawing paper and used it as a microphone. I bit my tongue and sang vaguely to indicate the song was Cantonese. At times I lowered my head pondering deeply, other times I learned on the railing looking around to give out the feeling I was aggrieved with bitter hatred: "We gradually become drunk as we go deeper into the night, at this moment we are so close together, my reminiscence seems to be shaking causing my internal dilemma to grow deeper and deeper. With my once broken heart, I let you softly get closer today......"

Still no reaction?

I jumped off the railing and walked in circles around XIao Bo, and loudly sang, full of power and grandeur, "Arise! All those who don't want to be slaves! With our flesh and blood, let us build our new Great Wall......"

Xiao Bo held his English textbook, his eyes staring over some blank space without the slightest reaction whereas the sound of a crash sounded outside the pavilion, a person sat on the floor laughing.

It was currently the holidays and only seven in the morning. I thought only Xiao Bo and I were at the lotus pond so I exposed my true self without a thought. I never thought Chen Jing was sitting in the bushes beside the pavilion sketching. He was probably so shocked after seeing me make a spectacle of myself that he flipped over the easel and to save his art, he fell on the floor.

I was so embarrassed I just wanted to find a hole to crawl into. However, who was I? I've long been trained by Treasure Bowl. So I pointed at Chen Jing and lectured, "What are you hiding here secretly watching?"

"I came at six which was before you so even if it's secretly watching, it should be you who is secretly watching me." Chen Jing stood up and put his easel back up, still laughing. On his easel was a picture of a dewy lotus flower. It was only a sketch but it was more vivid than my watercolor.

I stared at it for a while and couldn't help but sigh, geniuses were geniuses, they were even superior in art.

Only when he started picking up his pencils did I realize that I was stepping on one and it was already broken. He smiled, "It's fine, I have a lot."

I glared at him then turned and left.

When I walked into the pavilion, I discovered Xiao Bo that old person still silently memorizing English, even his posture didn't change, however the page had changed.

I considered myself given up and sat back on the rocks in defeat. I picked up a brush and stared at the lotus flowers in the pond in a daze.

When Xiao Bo finished the day's work, he called me to leave.

Later, we often bumped into Chen Jing at the lotus pond. He was also learning art, only, he was learning to sketch skill life. I didn't talk to him and he also ignored me, we both went along doing our own things.

One day, he looked at Xiao Bo for a long time then suddenly walked up to Xiao Bo and said, "English isn't learnt like this. English is a language and speaking is it's most important feature. No matter how much effort you put in, if you're silently memorizing it all day, it's all wasted. You should loudly say it out, you don't have to force yourself to memorize it, you only need to practice reading it repeatedly. After some time, you will naturally grow a sense of the language and have a feel for it so sometimes when you do multiple choice questions, you don't have to bother with grammar, you just read over it and your tongue will tell you which one is correct."

Xiao Bo quickly said, "Thank you."

Chen Jing calmly replied, "No need. When Chinese people start speaking English, they all seem rather comical, you don't need to be embarrassed or care how other people see you. Just keep loudly reading." After he finished talking, he left carrying his easel.

Xiao Bo immediately followed his advice and loudly started reading. It was indeed quite comical and I started laughing loudly. However, Xiao Bo's ability to act as if no one else was present was very amazing, he read his things and didn't care the slightest if other people laughed.

After he grew tired from reading, on our way back, Xiao Bo said, "I never thought the child prodigy had such a leisurely and carefree mood, he's not the rumored reading machine."

I replied, "Him learning art definitely isn't on a whim, he definitely has some special plans for himself. He's very crafty, don't be fooled by his appearance. I used to be desk mates with him when we were younger and I didn't lack from his teasing."

Xiao Bo laughed, "He's very interesting."

I also laughed, "He's someone from a different world to us."

After our summer holidays ended, the new school term started.

As Xiao Fei didn't participate in the end of year exam, the school decided to use her average exam mark from her two years at school. She was assigned to the top class, Class (2) and Zhang Jun entered the slow class, Class (7). With my rank as top in the class, I entered Class (4) and second in the class was Guan He.

When I went to report and saw this ranking, I had a very surreal feeling, I was actually in front of Guan He? I was actually in front of Guan He!

I walked inside the classroom like I was in a dream and sat in a corner in the last row.

When Guan He walked in, a large half of the class was already full. A lot of classmates said hello and called her over to sit and many of the guys stared at her. I lightly thought how she was still so popular.

Guan He looked around the class then she smiled, politely declined everyone and walked straight to my side and asked, "Is anyone sitting here?"

I shook my head. She sat down and said hello, "Hi, long time no see."

I twitched the corners of my mouth, which can be counted as a smile, "Mhm." To you, it indeed has been long time no see but to me, I have been paying attention to you.

Not long after, our homeroom teacher walked in. She was a female maths teacher who had just transferred over from an experimental middle school. After she walked in, she first introduced herself, "My surname is Wu, we'll spend the year together so I wish to try my best to send you all to a key high school." Closely following this, she asked, "Who is Luo Qi Qi?"

Her eyes enthusiastically searched the front few rows whereas the students' eyes all looked towards the back. After a while, I reluctantly raised my hand. She was somewhat surprised that I was sitting in a corner of the last row but she still enthusiastically smiled at me then asked, "Who is Guan He?"

"I am." Guan He stood up smiling.

Teacher Wu was even more surprised, the second place was also at the back? And desk mates with first place? It wasn't very consistent with the ways of good students that she knew. She smiled and nodded, "Sit!"

Guan He sat down. Teacher Wu looked at the two of us, "In the upcoming year, I will do my best, I also hope the two of you will try hard with me to create a good study atmosphere and help your classmates improve."

Guan He smiled and nodded, I lowered my head and stared at the table in a daze. I had already gotten used to being a bad student so I was very unused to a teacher's enthusiasm and attention.

Teacher Wu said, "I'll first get to know everyone and then we'll do a general cleaning. After general cleaning, we'll assign seats. If there are any students with special seat requests, you can come and tell me. Luo Qi Qi, you're in charge of leading everyone to clean up; Guan He, you're in charge for leading everyone to clean the windows.

I frowned, did this teacher not ask around about what kind of person I am? She actually only looks at the scores.

She called out everyone's names once using the sheet of results in her hand to recognize us then left, leaving the classroom which hasn't been cleaned for an entire holiday to us.

Everyone looked at Guan He and I. I stood up, pulled open the backdoor then expressionlessly left the classroom. They can clean however they like, it has nothing to do with me.

Third years were all on the third floor. Class(1), Class(2), Class(3) were on another corridor. If you walk straight across the third building, you will pass the teachers' office in the middle. I didn't want to bump into Teacher Wu so I decided to go down the stairs and walk back up from the other side on the second floor.

I could hear Zhang Jun's voice before I even got to Class(7). From the open window, I saw him standing on the podium with a helpless expression. The expression of the students below were completely different to those in Class(4). After the fast and slow classes have been divided, a bunch of good students sat together and a bunch of bad students sat together, the differences in atmosphere created were really big!

The most aggressive few bad students were all in Class(7). I suspect that the school did this intentionally, just like how Class(6) is the best class among good classes, Class(7) is probably the worst class among the bad classes. I think the middle school department's director has already decided to give up on this class and let the group of bad students hold each other up.

In Class(7), Zhang Jun is considered a good student among the bad students. Looking at his posture, he was probably appointed the class monitor by their homeroom teacher. This teacher's luck was really good, she guessed the right person! If you let an average 'good student' go manage a room of bad students, you only fear that in the end, the good student will also become a bad student. Zhang Jun was quiet in school and didn't cause trouble, relying only on rumors instead of drinking, smoking and fighting to become famous. However, as long as he wanted to, intimidating a few small fries was no problem.

When I saw Zhang Jun, he naturally also saw me. My amusement probably made him surprised as he paused mid sentence, seemingly like he had forgotten his words. The students below immediately started laughing and some even thumped their desks.

Zhang Jun was good tempered and only watched them with a smile, patiently waiting for them to grow tired before he continued to speak. However, that female teacher had enough and continuously shouted, "Be quiet! Be quiet!" Though her shouts of "quiet" were not able to cover the crowd's laughter.

I walked back down laughing and went around to the other side of the second floor before going up again. Class(1) was holding a class meeting and Treasure Bowl was talking. The students below can't be compared to the good class but they were still attentive. It looks like the school values Treasure Bowl and letting him lead a graduating class this time is probably an exercise.

Class(2) and (3) were both cleaning their classes. Lin Lan and Xiao Fei were standing on chairs cleaning the windows. I walked over and stood in front of them. Xiao Fei immediately asked, "How are you here? Doesn't your class need to clean?"

Lin Lan laughed, "She definitely skipped again, right now her courage is getting bigger and bigger. Class(4)'s homeroom teacher thought they picked a treasure but what they don't know is that it's actually a scourge."

I asked, "Who's your homeroom teacher?"

"Chen Yuan Si."

"Chen Yuan Zhe's little sister?" I relaxed, Chen Yuan Si used to be in Class(2) with Xiao Fei and they had quite a good relationship so there shouldn't be any turmoils in Xiao Fei's future days.

Xiao Fei said, "It's her. It's quite interesting how both siblings are class monitors."

Lin Lan said, "Both are good at studying, they have strong capabilities and they look good. In the future, no matter what they bump into, they'll still be fine. Looking at them, I suddenly feel like us, who have no siblings, are so pitiful."

Xiao Fei nodded in agreement. I didn't say anything, I would rather be an only child.

I stood to the side, chatting with Xiao Fei and Lin Lan. Only when they finished cleaning the windows did I go back to class. The class had taken on a new look. The students looked at me in a special way but I completely ignored it, I was no longer able to be penetrated.

Just as I was looking for a seat, Guan He called me. She actually saved the seat next to her for me. All the other seats were taken so I could only quietly walk to her side.

Teacher Wu came in and started announcing the class captains. Our class monitor was a boy who had just transferred here from Xi'an called Li Shan. Teacher Wu introduced him, saying that he used to be a class monitor so he has the experience of managing a class. Guan He was elected as academic captain and also the representative of our Chinese class. I was appointed as the representative of our maths class. Don't think it's just a class representative, homeroom teachers' class representatives get a lot of special rights.

This was the first time I have ever held an official position. When I was younger, I always endlessly wished to be one but now, I only feel helpless. I think I can understand Zhang Jun's feelings of being a class monitor.

Teacher Wu then assigned the seats. Guan He and I were still desk mates, we were assigned to sit right in the middle of the class. Teacher Wu meaningfully said, "I hope the two of you can help and encourage each other to improve and become a good example to the class and lead everyone forward to create a good study atmosphere."

Just like this, the curtains drew back in my third year. Beside me was the person I admired, the person I envied, the person who I liked, liked, a person who reminded me at every moment who I wasn't.

Like in the past, Guan He's grace and demeanor quickly conquered the hearts of the whole class. Our class monitor didn't let down Teacher Wu's great expectations either. He studied well and treated people generously. Quickly, he became trusted among the classmates. Together, he and Guan He kept our class under good order.

Our class was in perfect harmony, the only one in discord was me.

Every two weeks, our school will hold a blackboard newspaper contest* and the winners will get points which apparently will influence which class gets the outstanding award which then influences the homeroom teacher's bonus so the homeroom teachers and class captains attached great importance to it.

Li Shan heard that I could draw so he invited me to put in effort for the blackboard competition. I rejected him without thought, from small to now, the thing I lacked the most was teamwork.

Guan He came again to invite me. I said, "I've only learnt for a year or so so I'm not at the stage where I can show people my work."

Guan He smiled, "Li Shan is in charge research, I'm in charge of writing on the blackboard and we hope you'll be in charge of the drawing. It's not hard to find people who can draw. Actually, Li Shan can draw but I think you will have more creative ideas. We need designs that will make people's eyes sparkle. You can try it first and if you really don't like it, you can quit.

I sighed inside, it was the same matter but everything that came from her mouth always made the listener infinitely comfortable. I couldn't say anything to reject her thus, I accepted.

Too many years have gone past. I've pretty much forgotten most of the details on of the many blackboard newspapers but I still remember that Guan He and I were both perfectionists. Because of the difference between blue and light blue, Guan He wiped off the words on the blackboard that she took four five hours to write and started all over again. Because of an essay, I drew four five pictures and asked everyone to give feedback before I continuously edited it until I was satisfied.

Under the co-operation of two paranoid people, the blackboard newspaper from our class never even got second place, it was always first. Li Shan teased that together, Guan He and I were invincible.

Often, after the whole class had left, Guan He, Li Shan and I were still in the classroom working. Guan He and I would work until we were so absorbed in the work we forgot to eat. Li Shan would go and buy us bread and drinks.

When he bought the food, he would call us over to eat. Guan He and I sat on the desks and ate while appreciating the fruits of our labor. During this, it was Li Shan's turn to work. He was responsible for proofreading and adding the last touches.

Guan He was very good at singing, she also liked to sing so she often sat on the desk, rocking her legs while singing. She was able to sing pretty much all the popular songs. She was able to sing whatever Li Shan chose whereas I enjoyed the sound of her beautiful singing while drinking my juice and watching Li Shan work. Occasionally, I would also sway my head and sing along with Guan he. However, I was just humming along to her, like a bass accompaniment.

Once, while we were happily singing, I turned my head and saw Zhang Jun standing at the corridor, watching us through the window. His gaze was very focused, even when I discovered him, he still didn't look away. I was momentarily startled, thinking that he was watching me. But straight after, I understood, I was wrong, he was watching the person beside me, Guan He.

Guan He also saw him and waved her hands at him. Zhang Jun walked in and stood leaning against the wall with his arms folded, reading our blackboard newspaper.

Guan He was still singing. I jumped off the desk and drew the last picture together with Li Shan while trying my best to ignore Zhang Jun's presence.

I don't know why Zhang Jun didn't leave the entire time but Li Shan and Guan He didn't have any objections so naturally, I also couldn't express any objections so he continued to watch our blackboard newspaper.

Perhaps it was because of the joyous sounds of Guan He's singing and perhaps it was because of Zhang Jun's gaze steadily watching the blackboard but I didn't have a trace of envy. Rather, I enjoyed the feeling of happiness from being by his side and tried my best to draw the picture better. Occasionally, when I turned my head, I locked gazes with him. I would hurriedly rush to avoid his gaze. However, there wasn't the sharp ferocity as was in the past.

We didn't say one word but that day, it was the longest time we've been together since primary. It was also the most peaceful and quiet scene I have from my middle school memories.

So much that many years later, I tried very hard to depict the scene again. The soft and warm light from sunset shone in to the big classroom. A beautiful girl sat on the desk happily singing, and girl and a boy was in front of the blackboard, sometimes standing and sometimes bending, drawing with care. A handsome boy was leaning against the way with his arms folded, watching them with focus. Unfortunately, no matter how I tried to draw it, I wasn't able to redraw the scene from my memory.

Our new homeroom teacher was exceptionally friendly and exceptionally good to me. It was the first time I had met a teacher who was so friendly to me.

After class, she would specially call me to her classroom to give me reference books and used a pen to circle the key examples. Every time class finished, she would walk over to my desk and ask me how well I thought she taught to the point that when it was raining or windy, she would specifically remind me to wear more clothing.

However, she didn't know that I deliberately had mental barriers towards teachers and I was already used to keeping a distance from teachers. In this world, apart from Teacher Gao, it was not possible for me to accept any other teacher getting close to me. If she was like Ceng Hong, I could at least be a normal student. But her friendliness and her bias made me scared. The friendlier she was, the colder I became. The more she wanted to get close to me, the more I wanted to escape from her.

I could feel that she was hurt. As a teacher, she probably had never met a student who didn't 'appreciate favors' so much. She wanted to raise me high up so much but I desperately wanted to mix back into the crowd, hoping she would never mention me.

In front of my cold demeanor, her friendliness was defeated again and again. I returned her reference books back to her without opening them. Every time she tried to chat with me, I became uncommunicative. When she saw that I didn't look so well, she worriedly asked if I was sick and when she wanted to come and touch my forehead, I would avoid her and coldly reply, "I'm not a child, I know if I'm sick or not."

Thus, for the sake of wanting her to dislike me, I intentionally didn't do maths homework and intentionally slept in her class.

Finally, she realized that I was a stone, not a beautiful jade and started to give up on me. She turned her friendliness to Guan He who didn't disappoint. She gratefully tried to become a better student in return and Teacher Wu enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment for her efforts.

I started to be at ease and quietly went about doing my own things.

Frankly speaking, Teacher Wu was a very responsible homeroom teacher. She put all her efforts into our class. She came to school early and left very late. She was just very evident in being biased to good students but, which teacher doesn't like good students?

Although she was more than enthusiastic in teaching maths, it lacked logic. After listening to a few of her lessons, I realize that it was better to just save time and read. However, what I read wasn't the textbook but detective stories. It started when Guan He lent me her copy of 'Sherlock Holmes'. I liked this kind of intellectual battle and fell in love with the genre. I started to read all kinds of suspense stories, Guan He helped cover for me and the teachers pretended not to notice.

Without realizing, Guan He and I started to chat. She told me her favorite novel and why she liked it. I told her my favorite novel and why I liked it. We discussed our views and understanding of humans and our knowledge of the world. The more I chatted with her, the more I 'beheld a high mountain with awe'*. Among people the same age as me, I've never met a girl as mature and deep as her. Appearance wise, she looks like a normal sixteen year old teenage girl but her thoughts have perhaps already surpassed a twenty six year old. I always thought I matured early but my early maturity brought along rebelliousness and wickedness whereas hers' brought tolerance, inclusiveness and wisdom.

She made me extremely confused. Worshiping her brought along even more pain. I feel like in this lifetime, I wouldn't be able to surpass her no matter what I did. I pretty much didn't have any goals in life, the only goal, hidden deep inside my heart, could only put one in utter despair!

The results from the midterm exam came out, Guan He was first in the class and I was number six. Teacher Wu was very satisfied, she felt that only this result list was normal. To be honest, I also felt that only this was normal.

Xiao Fei once again because Class(2)'s number one. She laughed and warned me to stop reading in leisure and put in more effort to not let her win feeling so unsatisfied.

I didn't say anything. To be honest, it wasn't that I didn't try hard, I controlled the amount I read and tried hard. This result was a true reflection of the level that I was on now. My first in the class result last time was due to luck more.

I got similar results in the sciences but Guan He's English surpassed me by too much. After entering third year, we've started to summarize all our subjects. Our exams weren't just testing one term of knowledge but all that we've learnt in middle school. Because of my grudge towards Treasure Bowl, I did very poorly in English in my first and second year and now, I'm tasting the consequence of my decision.

Because of my poor English foundation, I couldn't remember or understand it and had no interest in learning thus I became even worse at English and my results were even more poor. Of course I came even less interested in learning. I fell into a vicious and bad cycle.

I completely understood but I didn't know how to correct it. I wanted to listen attentively and improve my English grades but the teacher says words I don't recognize and with my muddled grammar, I can't understand what she says so without knowing, my mind wanders off. When my mind wanders back again, an entire English lesson has ended and naturally, I don't know how to do the homework either.

Wanting to improve my English grades became an impossible task. My foundations weren't laid out well, just like a house without foundations, it pretty much can never be built.

Seeing Guan He easily get over ninety percent made me start to regret- why did I not learn English because of my hate for Treasure Bowl? I hated him and didn't listen to his lessons. It felt good at the time but the person who suffered in the end was myself. It didn't affect Treasure Bowl in the slightest, he continued to be an English teacher.

Because of the pressure from our midterm exams, the atmosphere surrounding third year became more solemn. However, Class(7) brought along some amusement to the solemness of our third year.

In the first week of school, Class(7) was divided into two. They had a group fight and two of the desks in the classroom were smashed. One student was beaten until his head was bleeding and was sent to the hospital's emergency room. The principal personally came to lecture them and gave several people a disciplinary warning. However, these people have no intent whatsoever to go to high school so why would they care about warnings? The school probably started to regret putting a group of devils together.

Zhang Jun was very weak and incompetent as a class monitor. I heard that when the group fight occurred, he escaped to the fields in fear and started running, after running ten laps, he went back just in time to send the victim to hospital and avoid a fatal accident so the school didn't pursue it. Actually, even if the school wanted to pursue it, they couldn't. If they dismissed Zhang Jun, there was no one else willing to be the class monitor, they wouldn't be able to enjoy the privileges that came with the role but rather, they had to worry about getting beaten if they weren't careful.

Class(7) was in disorder everyday and something would happen every week. The good girls on our floor tried their best to avoid going in the direction of Class(7) because the guys in that class dared to openly take advantage of the girls, especially those with good grades. Quite a few girls broke down in tears when they were taken advantage of but they didn't dare tell the teacher or else they wouldn't even be able to walk home in ease.

Everyone could only avoid them.

One day during recess, Guan He went to give her Chinese homework to the teacher. When she came back, she helped Class(8)'s Chinese teacher pass their homework to Class(8)'s class representative. Nothing happened when she went but when she came back, a few of Class(7)'s devils who were standing in the corridor started to speak nonsense. Guan He lowered her head, pretending not to hear but a few of the guys blocked her path.

I was standing on the side of the corridor with my back to the wall and watching everything. I was very curious, would it be hard for Guan He to maintain her elegant demeanor under this kind of situation?

Guan He tried to walk around them a few times but the guys didn't let her pass, instead, they laughed and asked what color underwear she was wearing. Guan He's face became bright red but she forced herself not to cry.

Originally, I wanted to just watch and even secretly had expectations of Guan He making a fool of herself. However, I started becoming unable to bear seeing Guan He like this. Just as I was pondering whether or not I should rush forward and snatch Guan He out, a few of the guys in our class who had crushes on Guan He couldn't stand it anymore and started walking over. Even the guys in Class(5) and (6) walked over.

I smiled bitterly and shook my head, it turns out that this was the result, her demeanor won't be broken.

The group of devils in Class(7) certainly weren't afraid of this bunch of 'nerds', even today, a group fight between good students and bad students is entertaining. Too bad there aren't any melon seeds to eat. [Too bad there isn't any popcorn.]

I never thought that just as I was finding a good spot to watch the group fight, Zhang Jun walked down the stairs. When he saw Guan He surrounded by the guys in his class, he immediately understood. He rushed forward and brought Guan He out of the guys' circle. Those guys probably didn't like Zhang Jun from early on and now, they had a reason to beat him up thus they immediately prepared to fight.

But, while Zhang Jun was protecting Guan He, the class monitor of Class(6), Chen Yuan Zhe, hurriedly rushed out of the classroom and stood in the middle of Class(6) and (7), stopping the guys who wanted to go over. After he persuaded this side, he went over and stood with Zhang Jun.

The president of the student council definitely wasn't a light weight. Behind him, many guys spontaneously stood together, clearly showing everyone that they were backing Chen Yuan Zhe up.

I quietly walked a few steps forward and silently stood in a corner, I had no intention of participating in a group fight but if someone hit Chen Yuan Zhe, I would keep his face firmly in mind then ask Wu Zei's little bros to let him rest in hospital for a few days. As for Zhang Jun however, I wasn't worried. He started carrying 'weapons' in Year 4 and Year 6 students walked the other way when they saw him. These years, he's been mixing around with Little Six so if he can't even deal with these fake gangsters, what right did he have to let others call him 'Xiao Jun brother'?

The atmosphere was explosive but Chen Yuan Zhe didn't seem to feel it, he smiled and actually went and clasped them around the shoulders, "We're all classmates. It's our last year, why make things so unhappy? In the future, you'll definitely become respected gang bosses, it would be too embarrassing if people found out a group of you were bullying one girl."

I don't know if those guys were impressed by the group of people behind Chen Yuan Zhe that was growing larger and larger in number or if they were impressed by Chen Yuan Zhe's words but the atmosphere eased down. An impending group fight actually turned into a good chat between Chen Yuan Zhe and a few people to make friends.

I was very surprised, not only because of Chen Yuan Zhe's popularity but his words. I always thought Chen Yuan Zhe was only a kind and capable good student but evidently, he wasn't a good student in the traditional sense.

Zhang Jun didn't care at all about the things happening around him and quietly comforted Guan He. Guan He had always been reserved with her emotions and had long returned to normal. At least, she looked like she was back to normal on the outside. She smiled at Zhang Jun, "Thanks."

Zhang Jun smiled back, "We're old classmates now, you don't need to be so polite right?"

I turned and left. I started hating the fact that I was in Class(4). I'd rather go to Class(1) or (3), at least I wouldn't use the same corridor as them.

After a while, Guan He returned. Quite a few girls surrounded her, chattering around, comforting her. A girl was very nosy and winked at Guan He, "Zhang Jun never meddles in things, he's not the same to you!"

A girl who was slouched over my desk laughed, "I feel like Zhang Jun didn't do much. He seems to be afraid of helping others. I heard that during self study, when he tells everyone to quieten down and everyone shouts 'none of your business' at him, he doesn't even dare to continue speaking. Chen Yuan Zhe is the actual person who saved Guan He."

Guan He smiled but didn't speak. She always upheld her principles and never discussed anyone's rights or wrongs, including her own.

Her being like this made me feel like Zhang Jun shouldn't have bothered. I took out my books and said to the group of girls, "I want to study now. Go and chat somewhere else."

The girls who were discussing heatedly glared at me with discontent then went back to their own seats. Guan He let out a sigh of relief, it looks like she had been enduring for a long time.

For the next two days, I didn't talk to Guan He because I thought she was very annoying, pretentious and fake, she only knew how to pretend to be a weak and pretty lady, gaining the compassion and love from guys.

I hate her!

In which other books would you see the male lead(s???) rushing forward without hesitation to protect a girl who ISN'T the female lead?

Now that I think about it, I think that without Xiao Bo around, it's always been Qi Qi protecting herself (eg. the fights with the primary teacher and Treasure Bowl). Yo Zhang Jun, step up your game!!! I actually thought Chen Yuan Zhe was quite cool, it would be awesome if he appears a lot more in the future!!! (I don't mind if he becomes a lead character!!! Make it a love square!!..Or triangle? I don't know, is Zhang Jun still in this?) I feel like they've grown up so fast though! I was surprised when I read that they are now 16 (!!) It feels like just yesterday when they were still little eleven, twelve year olds but hey, we can openly cheer on their love life without feeling like it's wrong LOL.

Also, there are only two parts in this chapter (which is why this part is so looong) so think of it as cramming 4 weeks worth of parts into only two three weeks haha.