The night before Zhang Shu returned to school, Wang Wei secretly prepared a welcome ceremony.

The ceremony maintained his style of being tacky but enthusiastic – everyone was given two small red flags to line the walkway in welcome.

The classroom was decorated with a banner: [Welcome Home, Hero].

Sheng Xia and Xin Xiaohe stood under the banner, seemingly hearing crows cawing overhead.

Xin Xiaohe: “Does he think Zhang Shu will like this kind of thing? Isn’t this just what he likes?”

Sheng Xia: “But Teacher Wang used his money for this.”

Xin Xiaohe: “Mm, it is shocking. He must be proud of Zhang Shu. Finding such a gem in a parallel class – I bet he’ll tell this story to every batch of students for years to come: ‘I once had a student…’ and so on.”

The mental image made Sheng Xia laugh.

Wang Wei had asked Sheng Xia to scout ahead: what time would Zhang Shu arrive?

Back home, Sheng Xia messaged Zhang Shu: “What time are you coming to school tomorrow?”

Song Jiang: “Why, do you have a surprise prepared for me?”

Sheng Xia: …

Uh, he was quite perceptive. Though hopefully, it wouldn’t be a shock instead.

“Mm, there’s a small gift,” she replied evasively.

Song Jiang: “What is it this time?”

Sheng Xia: “Not telling you.”

Song Jiang: “A surprise?”

Song Jiang: “Rubbing hands.jpg”

Song Jiang: “Though it would be hard for any surprise to top ‘The Criminal Law of the People’s Republic of China’.”

Sheng Xia: “…”

Sheng Xia: “What time will you arrive at school?”

Song Jiang: “During the long break.”

Sheng Xia: “That late?”

Song Jiang: “Yeah, have something to do.”

…

During the long break the next day, students had already returned from morning exercises, but there was still no sign of Zhang Shu.

Class Six hadn’t gone to morning exercises, waiting in the corridor for a long time.

Wang Wei had even brought a bouquet – well, more accurately, a single flower.

A huge sunflower with seeds already grown in the center, the edible kind. The packaging was quite elaborate though, with multiple layers.

Someone complained: “Teacher, just one flower? That’s too stingy!”

Wang Wei glanced at the student: “What do you know? This is called standing alone in excellence. Sunflowers are great, representing sunshine and positive energy! I specifically chose this.”

“Isn’t it just because it’s cheap?”

Wang Wei: “Nonsense.”

“He’s coming, he’s coming!” Just before class was about to start, the lookout student ran back to report: “Zhang Shu’s here, but… he brought people…”

Brought people?

Everyone looked toward the connecting corridor to see Zhang Shu in his school uniform, looking fresh and energetic, striding forward with two people following – one carrying a video camera, the other holding a microphone.

Were they reporters?

The bright logo on the microphone indicated: Nanli Broadcasting and Television Station.

“Wow, such a big production?”

“Hasn’t Brother Shu been refusing interviews?”

“He hasn’t replied on Xinfeng either.”

“Probably because Sheng Xia cried that day…”

“Exhausted from dispelling rumors.”

Amid the whispered discussions, Zhang Shu’s group had reached the corridor entrance, where they found students holding small flags lined up on both sides as if they’d been waiting for a long time.

Both sides were startled by each other’s preparations.

The reporter reacted quickly, hurriedly instructing the cameraman: “Quick, film this!”

Zhang Shu climbed the steps, “What’s all this, Old Wang?”

Wang Wei snapped out of it, shoved the flower into Sheng Xia’s arms, muttering: “I don’t want to be on TV…”

Then he ducked behind the crowd, slapping Hou Junqi’s arm: “Start cheering!”

Hou Junqi: “Welcome, welcome, a warm welcome!”

The Class Six crowd was stunned for two seconds – they should have prepared a proper slogan instead of this tacky enthusiasm.

But everyone still joined in shouting: “Welcome, welcome, a warm welcome!”

As they shouted, everyone couldn’t help laughing, and the louder they laughed, the louder they shouted, completely embracing the mindset that as long as I’m not embarrassed, others will be.

The small flags waved with increasing vigor as everyone crowded forward, making the scene increasingly chaotic and uncontrolled.

The onlookers from neighboring classes: …

Zhang Shu’s expression could be described as pleasantly surprised – a mix of shock and amusement.

He turned to the reporter with a helpless smile: “Maybe we should stop filming.”

The reporter smiled brightly: “No, we must film this. Such lovely classmates, what great material!”

They had already finished the planned interview at the school gate and just needed to film a few shots of Zhang Shu studying in class, probably using only one or two seconds in the final cut.

But this scene was too rich and wonderful!

Zhang Shu was surrounded in the middle, feeling more than a little awkward.

Someone pushed Sheng Xia forward, “Brother Shu, we have flowers too!”

The crowd immediately started cheering, and Sheng Xia felt more than a little awkward.

Zhang Shu’s expression became intriguingly interesting.

He stood there with a slight smile, waiting.

Sheng Xia steeled herself and held out the flower, “Welcome back to class, this flower is prepared by Teacher Wang.”

Zhang Shu stepped closer, taking the bouquet in a way that, in the crowded space, looked like he was about to embrace her.

And under the bouquet, his hand covered hers…

Sheng Xia was startled, looking up to meet his tender gaze.

This was in public, with everyone watching, including cameras. How could he grab her hand under the pretense of taking the flowers?

Sheng Xia quickly withdrew her hand, completely pushing the flower into his arms before hurriedly retreating into the crowd. She kept her head down, hearing the surrounding cheers grow louder.

When the bell rang, the commotion died down. This was Lai Yilin’s math class, and the TV crew left after filming a few shots, not disrupting the teaching order.

Lai Yilin had watched the entire welcome ceremony and teased at the end: “Zhang Shu, did you see the banner Teacher Wang specially prepared for you?”

The class erupted in laughter.

Zhang Shu had noticed it earlier but still turned to look again, “praising”: “Old Wang is truly talented.”

…

Zhang Shu’s return made the class lively all morning.

Although he had recently returned from exams, he had come and gone quickly while exhausted, so nobody had bothered him then.

Now it was different – every break, his desk was surrounded by male students.

They discussed all sorts of topics.

Sheng Xia passed by, giving up any thought of joining.

During the last class break, as she passed by again to get water, she was called.

“Sheng Xia.”

It was Zhang Shu calling her.

The surrounding boys’ gazes turned playful.

She turned, her eyes asking: What?

“Where’s the gift? Didn’t you say you had a gift for me?” Zhang Shu asked naturally.

“Ohohoho~”

“A gift? What is it?”

“Wow…”

The boys started teasing.

How childish!

Sheng Xia didn’t want to be watched, so she replied: “There’s no gift, I just tricked you into coming to school.”

Zhang Shu: …

Then she linked arms with Xin Xiaohe and they both went to get water.

Waves of laughter erupted behind them.

“Hahahahaha!”

“Don’t be discouraged, Brother Shu, Old Wang has a gift.”

“Hahahahaha!”

Xin Xiaohe held back her laughter, looking at Sheng Xia meaningfully: “It’s so nice to have a class couple.”

No need to spend data to ship CP.

“Don’t talk nonsense!” Sheng Xia emphasized.

Knowing she was shy, Xin Xiaohe was even less inclined to stop. She suddenly asked: “Hey, did you see Zhang Shu’s responses to posts on the confession wall?”

Sheng Xia nodded.

Xin Xiaohe: “Do you know what his username means?”

Sheng Xia shook her head.

Xin Xiaohe leaned close to her ear, pronouncing each syllable: “XXRMM means Xia, Xia, Ruan, Mian, Mian (Summer, Summer, Soft, and Fluffy).”

Then she was pleased to see Sheng Xia’s ears turn pink under white, her eyelashes fluttering as she froze.

“He’s shameless, copying me. But how does he also know? Has he also…” Felt it?

Embarrassed and angry, Sheng Xia raised her hand to hit: “Xiaohe! Xin Xiaohe!”

Xin Xiaohe ran away: “Hahahahaha it’s so nice to have a class couple!”

“…”

“Don’t worry, I haven’t told anyone! I only let it slip when I was shocked, and only Lanlan and Xiaomai were there-“

Lanlan and Xiaomai were Xin Xiaohe’s roommates.

They were also the main participants in their North Gate gatherings.

Sheng Xia: …

Xin Xiaohe: “Really, don’t worry, they’re not ordinary people, they’re CP addicts, and they’ll keep such material exclusive.”

Sheng Xia: …

Her speechlessness was beyond words.

…

At lunch, finally “reunited,” only Hou Junqi wore a smile at the table.

Zhang Shu and Sheng Xia both ate with their heads down, ignoring each other.

Hou Junqi didn’t understand, his mind flashing through countless 8 PM soap opera synopses: Why are two people who’ve overcome adversity and remained devoted now acting like strangers despite their love?

The deadlock was broken at the end of the meal.

It happened when Zhang Shu stood up and somehow pulled at his abdomen, suddenly hissing in pain, one hand supporting himself on the table, the other clutching his stomach, his features contorted.

Sheng Xia quickly stood up, supporting his arm, asking anxiously: “What’s wrong?”

“Isn’t the wound healed yet? Wasn’t it already better? What’s happening, does it hurt?”

Zhang Shu smoothly wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

Sheng Xia was startled, her gaze questioning. Zhang Shu weakened again, completely slumping against her shoulder, brows furrowed, looking very pained.

Sheng Xia had no choice but to support him.

Hou Junqi: …

Brother, using injury to gain sympathy is so cliché, 8 PM dramas don’t even use this trick anymore.

Sheng Xia supported him to the Wenbo Yuan residential complex gate before realizing that Hou Junqi, who had been following behind, was gone.

How could he be so unconcerned about his good friend’s injury?

“Does- does it still hurt?” Sheng Xia spoke up.

Zhang Shu: “A little bit.”

“Then should we go back to the hospital to check, or did you bring medicine when you came back?”

“I brought it.”

“Then take it on time when you get back.”

“Oh,” Zhang Shu suddenly stood straight, “so there isn’t a gift.”

Watching him instantly become tall and straight, Sheng Xia understood everything, feeling both angry and amused.

Was this necessary?

“You can’t use this to trick me in the future,” she emphasized.

Seeing the girl’s serious expression, Zhang Shu composed himself, “Okay.”

She was genuinely concerned about this.

Sheng Xia glanced at him, pulling a box from her school bag. Zhang Shu’s brows relaxed, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.

He took it, feeling the box looked familiar but not thinking too much about it as he opened it.

Then he realized why it looked familiar.

Inside lay a pair of knee guards.

They were the same brand as the ones she had given him before, even the box was identical.

He looked at her, his gaze questioning:?

Sheng Xia smiled slightly: “I hope you get better soon and can use them.”

There was another reason – she had noticed during PE class that his knee guards had become worn.

Although last time, the law book under the knee guards had become Zhang Shu’s trauma, seeing her smiling at him like this, he felt that even if there was a civil law book underneath, he would still be happy.

But he couldn’t resist teasing her: “There’s something else underneath, right? What is it, ‘Marriage Law’?”

Sheng Xia’s smile froze: …

He laughed, already moving the knee guards aside to see what was underneath.

It wasn’t a book, much less a law code, but an envelope.

A pink envelope.

Zhang Shu had seen plenty of these envelopes – she had brought a stack to comfort him when he first woke up.

Zhang Shu suddenly wanted to laugh, looking up at the sky, “Sheng Xia, how dare you? Try passing love letters to someone else and see what happens?”

Sheng Xia was stunned, watching his expression change from joy to exasperation, feeling a bit wrong.

She felt even more embarrassed, hanging her head, her voice so low she could barely hear herself, “This… this one is… written by me.”