With Teacher Zhang’s approval, Cen Jin and Li Wu walked out of the office one after the other.

In the corridor, students scattered like birds returning to their nests. Within moments, they had all returned to their classrooms, leaving no one in sight.

Cen Jin stopped at the white railing, and Li Wu halted beside her.

The woman turned back, her expression stern: “You’ve become something now.”

Li Wu remained silent, completely lacking his previous composure, appearing entirely different from how he’d been in the office.

“Going home,” Cen Jin smiled faintly, “Did you go home?”

Li Wu spoke softly: “No.”

“Where were you last night?” Cen Jin looked at him, her gaze inadvertently caught by the boy’s eyelashes, for they were truly too long and thick, especially as he kept his eyes half-lowered, displaying two small fans of raven-black feathers.

Li Wu remained silent.

Cen Jin just stared at him calmly, speaking evenly: “Class has already started, and I need to get to the company. How much more time do you want to waste – both yours and mine?”

The youth finally raised his eyes: “I was in the dormitory the whole time.”

“Then why did the teacher look for you?”

He confessed honestly: “I covered for my roommate.”

Cen Jin was slightly taken aback: “Why?”

Li Wu said: “No reason.”

“…” Cen Jin was speechless for two seconds, then gave him another chance: “Why?”

The same three-word question, only with doubled pressure.

His throat moved slightly, and Li Wu’s words were gradually pried out: “Because my roommate didn’t come back.”

“So you just cover for your roommate?” Cen Jin didn’t know how to evaluate this, “Are you some kind of pushover? Since when does friendship require this kind of obligation, this kind of service?”

“It was a special situation.” He still resisted explaining the specific reason.

Cen Jin’s lips tightened for a moment, no longer wanting to look at this stubborn wall of a person, her eyes shifting to the balcony outside: “Just now in the office, you meant for me to help cover up your lie?”

Li Wu didn’t deny it: “Mm.”

“Did you think I would be willing?”

Li Wu instinctively wanted to say no, but the words took a turn before reaching his lips. He said: “I don’t know.”

Cen Jin was instantly frustrated: “If I were your parent, I might be yelling at you right now, believe it or not.”

“Mm.” He docilely accepted the criticism.

It was precisely this attitude that left Cen Jin with nowhere to direct her force, only able to anxiously fume, finally exploding from holding it in, beginning to vent meaninglessly: “You’re going to be the death of me. Did I bring you to Yi High to do these things that anger me?”

Li Wu neither explained nor talked back, only saying: “I’m sorry.”

Suddenly a gust of wind came, stirring both their hair.

A strand of hair stuck to Cen Jin’s lips. She brushed it away, about to tuck it behind her ear when the wind came again gently, and that strand stuck back.

Cen Jin had applied lip gloss today, her lips moist and full, but unfortunately encountering this hellish weather, the decoration became useless, even counterproductive.

Especially when she looked up and met the youth’s slightly smiling eyes.

The accumulated authority instantly collapsed, and Cen Jin was thoroughly annoyed: “What are you looking at?”

Li Wu quickly averted his eyes, his ears gradually turning red.

“What does it feel like to kiss a girl?” – suddenly only Cheng Rui’s words from yesterday remained in his head.

Li Wu became uncomfortable all over.

Afraid of encountering such an awkward situation again, Cen Jin put both hands behind her head, pulled out a strand of hair, and swiftly tied it into a low ponytail.

Just as she was about to speak, recitation sounds came from a nearby classroom. Cen Jin’s heart instantly softened, calmed down, and worried that Li Wu would miss his lessons, she hurriedly asked: “What class do you have this period?”

Li Wu said: “English.”

Cen Jin sighed inwardly, glancing at the office door: “No more talking, go tell Teacher Zhang and hurry back to class.”

“Okay.”

…

Teacher Zhang wasn’t the type of teacher who liked to make things difficult for people to showcase her professional value. After Li Wu bowed his head and apologized a few times, the matter was considered over.

Watching Li Wu leave the office, Cen Jin chatted with Teacher Zhang for a few more moments, inquiring about Li Wu’s situation at school.

Fortunately, according to the head teacher, apart from this small incident, his performance in all other aspects was impeccable, whether in studies or daily life.

Cen Jin felt somewhat relieved. Just as she was about to say goodbye, still feeling concerned, she asked the teacher again: “Teacher Zhang, would it be possible to help Li Wu change dormitory rooms?”

Teacher Zhang showed surprise: “Why?”

“From my observation during this period, his current dormitory environment isn’t beneficial for his studies or growth. You understand Li Wu’s situation is different from other children – he came from the mountains, and many things are new to him, even tempting. I’m not his real family, I can’t supervise him constantly, and I certainly can’t support him forever. The college entrance exam is one of the few fair paths, so I hope there can be fewer distractions, letting him focus whole-heartedly on completing this journey, looking back without regrets.”

Cen Jin spoke calmly, thinking she had expressed her implications clearly enough, hoping Li Wu’s head teacher would understand.

Teacher Zhang pondered for a moment, then smiled back: “Miss Cen, you’re wrong to say that. Isn’t every child unique? It’s just that in your eyes, your child seems especially special. Children are independent, and have personalities, even if their backgrounds, personalities, and grades differ. To us teachers, they only have one identity – that of students. I’ll look into and consider the situation you mentioned, but I must correct your concept. Not to mention now, when Li Wu goes to university and enters society in the future, that environment will be even more mixed, impossible to guard against completely – what will you do then? Miss Cen, don’t make yourself so tense, excessive restrictions aren’t good for your child and will only distance your relationship.”

Cen Jin was stunned, lightly refuting: “Li Wu isn’t my child.”

Teacher Zhang said: “I know, but what about the future? Perhaps you’ll have one, so this can be considered practice in advance.”

Cen Jin was speechless.

…

Rushing back to the company, Cen Jin had developed a thin layer of sweat on her nose. She hurriedly took off her coat, revealing a form-fitting snow-white wool sweater, as lychee peeled off its shell, leaving only the tender flesh.

Sitting and scrolling through Weibo for a while, Teacher Zhang’s words still lingered in Cen Jin’s mind. She decided to go get a cup of coffee to change her mood.

Coincidentally, Zhang Jue was also there. He had just finished pouring coffee and casually took out a black capsule: “You want to do it or should I help?”

Cen Jin glanced at him. Zhang Jue wasn’t wearing glasses today, making his eyes look smaller, but with his deep brows and straight nose, complemented by his gray sweater, he was still quite handsome.

She wasn’t used to troubling others, holding out her hand: “I’ll do it.”

“Bad mood?” Zhang Jue handed her the capsule. As HR, his perceptive eyes were comparable to an emotion detector.

Cen Jin skillfully inserted the capsule into the machine: “You try working overtime every day.”

Zhang Jue held his cup and smiled: “I heard from Qiqi that you guys have made it through.”

“Listen to her – until launch day, everything’s still unknown,” Cen Jin sighed. “Yesterday Yuan Zhen had clients look at things at five o’clock, guess what they said?”

“Hmm?”

Cen Jin imitated perfectly: “‘What time is it, are you suggesting we work overtime?’ Complete with a smile – you know, that primitive emoji smile.”

Zhang Jue laughed out loud, then looked at her for two seconds: “Sister Jin, you don’t look like someone who’s been married.”

“That’s because I haven’t had children.” Cen Jin’s smile suddenly dimmed several degrees, like strong coffee diluted with clear water.

Zhang Jue shook his head, then shook it again: “No, it’s because there’s light in your eyes.”

“My eyes are big.”

“Now that’s a personal attack.” Zhang Jue pretended to be unhappy.

Patiently waiting for the coffee to finish, Cen Jin picked up her cup, but turning around, she found Zhang Jue still hadn’t left.

“Are you very free?” she wondered.

“Because not being creative and not doing Ah Kang’s job.” He was quite composed.

Hit right in the heart, Cen Jin gave a fake smile and turned to leave.

Zhang Jue quickly followed: “Why don’t you read too much into it?”

Cen Jin frowned slightly: “Read too much into what?”

Zhang Jue spoke casually: “Read too much into me waiting for you.”

“Please don’t, thank you, I’ll feel pressured.” Cen Jin shook her head in polite refusal.

Back at her workstation, opening the group chat, their client executive – Ms. Yuan “Ah Kang” Yuan Zhen was again cursing in the group. She was in a state of anxiety disorder every day, with “idiots” being her most frequently used word to describe clients.

Suddenly Cen Jin was tagged.

Aoxing-Yuan Zhen: @Aoxing-Gin, write a Christmas WeChat Moments post.

Cen Jin: Hasn’t it already been submitted? You’ll see it on Moments next week.

Yuan Zhen: Personal one.

Cen Jin: You want me to write this too? Insulting to Gin.

Yuan Zhen: Yes, absolutely speechless, absolutely speechless, still have to think about what their marketing D should post on Moments for Christmas, what stupid request, even asking us to put ourselves in D’s shoes and think what we’d post on Moments, how can we put ourselves in their shoes, if I could be D I wouldn’t be cursing them here, how can such people be D!

Cen Jin: I can write, but what about the fee? This is extra work.

Aoxing-teddy popped up: I’ll report it.

Cen Jin: Thanks.

Teddy took the opportunity to announce a dinner gathering: Saturday dinner, Cen Jin’s welcome meal, we’ve been busy and it’s a month overdue, come if you’re free.

He posted the same content in the company’s main group.

Then tagged Cen Jin: The guest of honor shouldn’t be busy, right?

Cen Jin replied with a smile: Probably not.

―

Class 10’s evening self-study today was physics. The head teacher came to class early but didn’t lecture, just letting everyone study independently.

The entire classroom was silent except for the soft sound of pen tips scratching paper pages. The second period was the same, with Teacher Zhang sitting behind the podium like a solemn Buddha.

Halfway through the time, the head teacher suddenly stood up and called out: “Cheng Rui.”

The boy with black-rimmed glasses who had been whispering was startled and raised his head.

Li Wu heard the name and also turned to look at him.

Lin Honglang and Ran Feichi also looked over.

For a moment, all four residents of dormitory 0206 had brief eye contact.

Teacher Zhang walked down the steps: “Come out.” She walked out of the classroom as she spoke.

Cheng Rui got up from his seat with a pounding heart and followed her out.

The classroom door was closed, and the teacher leaned against the railing while Cheng Rui stood with his back to the window.

In the dark, their voices were low, not a single word could be heard.

Li Wu felt a trace of unease rise in his heart.

He frowned slightly, forcing himself not to think too much, and lowered his head to continue solving problems.

But everything that happened afterward almost confirmed his worst suspicions.

A few minutes later, Cheng Rui returned, and Lin Honglang was called out.

After about the same interval, Lin Honglang came back in, and Ran Feichi was exchanged.

This time, the head teacher’s conversation with the student became extremely long, and the tone gradually became sharp and loud. The whole class vaguely heard phrases like “always turned a blind eye before” and “taking responsibility for yourself”…

When the class bell rang, chaos erupted. Ran Feichi stormed back into the classroom, his eyes straight ahead and bloodshot, and began packing up his books.

The head teacher returned to collect her teaching materials and left with a cold face.

Lin Honglang shouldered his bag and walked to Ran Feichi’s desk, frowning as he asked: “What happened?”

Cheng Rui bounced over anxiously: “What’s going on? What did Ai Qin old lady say to you? I swear I kept my mouth shut and didn’t sell you out!”

Ran Feichi paused, seemingly trying to calm his emotions, and after a while asked: “It wasn’t you two, right?”

“Nonsense!” Lin Honglang realized: “Am I that kind of person?”

Li Wu stood in his seat, somewhat worried. Just as he was about to go over, Ran Feichi pointed at him, gritting his teeth: “Ask him.”

The atmosphere instantly became tense.

Students in the class all looked over, some pulling at others to leave, some staying to watch the drama.

Lin Honglang also looked at Li Wu, his gaze scrutinizing: “What did you do?”

Ran Feichi laughed coldly: “I thought he was so loyal, but he turned around and sold us out.”

Li Wu stopped, saying in a deep voice: “I didn’t say anything.”

“You didn’t say anything? Your family even wants to get you transferred to a different dorm, probably been waiting for a chance to get at us. I thought you were just pretending before, looks like it wasn’t fake.” As Ran Feichi spoke, he raised his sleeve to roughly wipe his eyes, then shouldered his bag and left.

Lin Honglang and Cheng Rui followed step by step, using body language to comfort him.

Passing by Li Wu, Cheng Rui gave him a very complex look, saying nothing.

Li Wu chased down the stairs, his voice getting louder: “Can we clear this up?”

Lin Honglang suddenly turned back to block him, grabbing his jacket, his tone unfriendly: “Sure! Talk to me, just don’t bother Ran Feichi, okay?”

The collar tightened, but Li Wu didn’t pull away from his hand, just standing straight, his brows tightly knitted.

“What’s there to clear up? What is there to say, why are you so eager to distance yourself from yesterday’s cover-up and play the good guy?” Ran Feichi turned back, his eyes crimson: “Thanks to you, both Gu Yan and I have to call our parents tomorrow! Are you satisfied now?”

His shout was full of painful crying tones.

The biting wind cut across the faces of the young men, painfully cold.

Li Wu was completely speechless, a corner of his heart collapsing as the draft suddenly rushed in. He stood motionless in the desolate night.

So that’s how it was,

So she really wouldn’t help him cover up the lie.