A Literary Life Starting from the First Year of High School

After school, the three walked to the school gate, and Liu Yang waved and ran off. Lin Shubai and Su Wan walked towards the bus stop.

The bus wasn't crowded, and the two of them found seats in the back. The street scenes outside the window flashed by, and the sunset painted half the sky orange-red.

Su Wan sat by the window, placed her schoolbag on her lap, unzipped it, rummaged through it, took out a White Rabbit milk candy, unwrapped it, and popped it into her mouth. She chewed it a couple of times, then suddenly remembered something, rummaged through her schoolbag again, took out another one, and handed it to Lin Shubai.

"for you."

Lin Shubai took it, unwrapped the candy, and put the milky white candy into his mouth. It was sweet and had a rich milky flavor.

Su Wan leaned against the window, a candy in her mouth, her cheeks puffed out slightly. She stared out the window for a while, then suddenly said, "Lin Shubai, you seem different from before."

Lin Shubai turned to look at her: "How is it different?"

"I can't quite put my finger on it." Su Wan thought for a moment, then rolled the candy from her left cheek to her right. "It's just that you seem... more certain than before."

"Are you sure about what?"

"You've decided what you want to do." Su Wan turned to look at him. "Before, you seemed indifferent to everything. You listened in class, went home after class, and didn't have any particular things you wanted to do. When asked which university you wanted to go to, you said, 'We'll see.' When asked what you wanted to do in the future, you said, 'I haven't thought about it.' Now it's different. You know you want to write, and you write very well. This state is quite good."

Lin Shubai was taken aback, not expecting her to say such a thing. He glanced down at the candy wrapper in his hand, folded it twice, unfolded it again, and said, "Maybe everyone has to find something they want to do."

"So you found it?"

I guess so.

Su Wan nodded and leaned back against the window.

"And you? What do you want to do?"

Su Wan thought for a moment, crumpling the candy wrapper in her hand: "When I was little, I had so many ideas. I wanted to be a chivalrous hero, the kind who roams the world with a sword. Later, I watched TV and thought criminal police officers were really cool—solving cases, catching bad guys, and upholding justice. I thought to myself, I wish I could be a criminal police officer someday."

"A criminal police officer?" Lin Shubai was a little surprised.

"What's wrong? Doesn't it look like it?" Su Wan glared at him.

"It's not that it doesn't look like it, it's just..." Lin Shubai thought for a moment, "You always cover your eyes when you watch horror movies."

"How can that be the same? Watching horror movies is about being scared, being a detective is about scaring others. Besides, I covered my eyes because those ghosts were so fake and unprofessional. If I were really asked to solve a case, I'd definitely be better than them," Su Wan said confidently.

Lin Shubai couldn't help but chuckle.

"What are you laughing at?" Su Wan reached out and slapped him. "I'm serious. I have a very sharp eye. I noticed you picking up leaves and stuffing them in your pocket the other day. Most people wouldn't even notice that kind of detail."

"So you think this can help you solve the case?"

"Of course you can. Isn't that how police officers work? Observing details and reasoning." Su Wan said seriously, "However..." Her tone suddenly softened, "Police academy entrance scores are quite high, and my grades aren't particularly good, so I don't know if I'll be able to get in."

Lin Shubai looked at her and suddenly said, "Then try your best."

Su Wan turned to look at him.

Lin Shubai said, "Didn't you say you have strong observation skills? Then study hard and improve your grades. Being a criminal police officer isn't just about observation skills; you also need to study law, criminal investigation techniques, and many other things. You're only in your first year of high school; you have time."

Su Wan stared at him for two seconds, then turned her head back to look out the window.

"You make it sound so easy," she said softly, but a smile played on her lips.

The bus arrived at the stop. The two people got off and walked towards the residential area. The streetlights were already on, casting long, orange shadows on the ground.

As she reached Su Wan's doorstep, she turned back and said, "See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

"Oh, right," she suddenly remembered, "you must show me your long novel as soon as you finish writing it."

"it is good."

On the sixth floor, the aroma of braised pork wafted from the living room. Wang Xiulan was busy in the kitchen, the range hood humming loudly.

"You're back? Wash your hands and eat."

"it is good."

Lin Shubai changed into slippers and went into the bathroom. The boy in the mirror had a calm expression, but there was a glint in his eyes. He turned on the tap, splashed cold water on his hands, and kept thinking about what Su Wan had just said—"You seem different from before."

Yes, it's definitely different now.

He dried his hands and came out. Wang Xiulan had already put the dishes on the table: braised pork, stir-fried bean sprouts, and tomato and egg drop soup.

"Where's Dad?" Lin Shubai asked.

"I'm working overtime. I said I'd be back at seven." Wang Xiulan put the soup bowl down. "You eat first, just leave some for him."

Lin Shubai sat down and picked up a piece of braised pork. The pork was stewed until very tender, melting in his mouth.

"Mom, I have something to tell you."

"What is it?"

"I passed the preliminary round of that essay competition last time. The school sent my essay to the city."

Wang Xiulan paused for a moment, then put down her chopsticks and looked at Lin Shubai: "Really?"

"It's true. Old Chen told me today."

"Why are you only saying this now?"

I want to tell you in person; it's hard to explain over the phone.

Wang Xiulan looked at him for a while, then suddenly laughed: "You child, have you learned to only report good news and not bad news?"

"There is no sorrow, only joy."

"Okay." Wang Xiulan picked up her chopsticks again. "Then when your dad comes back, tell him. He'll definitely be happy."

"it is good."

After dinner, Lin Shubai helped Wang Xiulan clear the table. Lin Jianguo returned home at 7:30. He pushed open the door and saw Lin Shubai sitting in the living room watching TV. "Finished your homework?"

"Finished writing."

Lin Jianguo nodded and didn't ask any more questions. He leaned back on the sofa, rubbed his shoulders, and said, "Your mom just called and told me that you passed the preliminary round of your essay competition?"

"Yes, it's been sent to the city."

"Okay." Lin Jianguo said one word, then paused for a moment, and then said, "You've loved reading since you were little. When you were a child, I would take you to bookstores, and you could sit in the children's section for an entire afternoon. Now you can write by yourself, that's great."

The living room was quiet, with only the sound of the television. Wang Xiulan came out of the kitchen, placed a plate of sliced ​​apples on the coffee table, and sat down to knit. Lin Jianguo was eating.

The family of three each went about their own business, and no one spoke. But this quiet didn't feel lonely; instead, it gave a sense of peace and security.

Lin Shubai picked up a piece of apple and took a bite. It was crisp and sweet.

He glanced at his parents and suddenly remembered the scene on the day the system unlocked "The Back View"—his father handed him an orange and said, "Eat some fruit after dinner to replenish your vitamins."

That day, he said to the original owner in his heart, "Don't worry, since I've taken over your body, I will take good care of your parents."

He now feels that he is doing just that.

Lin Shubai put two more pieces of apple into his mouth, then stood up: "I'm going back to my room now."

"Go to bed early," Wang Xiulan said.

"understood."