It was just a love letter; I'm really no great writer!

Lu Ran vented all his anger on Class 9.

It was filled to the brim.

Final 2-0 – We are the champions!

Under the scorching sun, he led his teammates to lift the Hercules Cup...

Lu Ran ran to the tap to wash her face.

I couldn't help but recall Li Xingping's awkward yet vivid flirting from the stands.

hiss.

Was it unintentional? Or intentional?

can not tell.

Yes, this girl's acting skills have reached a level of perfection.

Innocent eyes, worried expression.

And the intentional or unintentional massage techniques, her fingers...

Thump thump.

Lu Ran suddenly heard his own heart pounding rapidly.

"...It must be because I've been feeling hot lately." He rubbed his face with cold water, putting Yi Ni out of his mind.

……

The afternoon classes were Chemistry and Politics.

Lu Ran's exam results were just so-so, and he lost interest in listening to the lectures.

Like everyone else, I quietly awaited the arrival of summer vacation.

There's still half an hour until the bell rings.

The politics teacher pushed up his reading glasses and said goodbye to the students. For some students, this was their last politics class in high school.

Class teacher Zhang Xuan walked in, smiling as he picked up the Little Hercules Cup and scanned the faces of every student in the class.

"First of all, I want to congratulate our class on winning the Huaizhong Football League championship at the end of our first year of high school. You are all the best!"

A round of applause erupted in unison.

Lu Ran, Zheng Yue, and Yuan Binbin exchanged a smile.

Perhaps many years later, they will still remember this day, a hot but not dull afternoon, the purest joy.

"Then, our final exam results came out, and everyone can decide on their subject choices based on their scores and interests."

As Zhang Xuan spoke, he instructed Pan Jinwen to curl her hair to indicate her preferred major.

After the report cards were handed out, whispers and discussions broke out in the classroom.

Lu Ran also paid close attention to the report card.

He received the ranking of Huaizhong High School's first-year high school final exam results.

The name that comes into view is Zhao Yishuang, listed first.

This guy has a total of 981 points across nine subjects...

The total score is only 1050!

Now I understand the sense of awe that outer disciples feel when they see the sect's holy maiden in novels.

Then continue downwards.

Li Xingping was found in the 65th place of the grade. Her total score was 942, and she was somewhat biased towards science subjects.

Zuo Hanzhi ranked 157th in her grade with a total score of 919, showing a relatively balanced performance across all subjects.

Xia Liang ranked 244th in her grade with a total score of 899, and her academic performance leaned more towards humanities.

Then I saw my score—831 in total, ranking 525th. I only got 102 in math, but at least I passed.

Lu Ran breathed a sigh of relief.

Lu Ran's good friend Zheng Yue ranked 535th, which is the first time Lu Ran has surpassed him—after all, Lu Ran's Chinese score was exceptionally good this time.

You have to scroll down to find Di Lingyan; she's ranked outside the top 700.

She usually trains in track and field, so she doesn't really attend academic classes.

"Not bad, not bad, I can have a blast this summer vacation." Zheng Yue was quite satisfied with her grades. "Ran-ge, which subjects did you choose? Is there a chance we can sit at the same desk again?"

"I'll choose history, politics, and geography; they're all literature and don't require much brainpower," Lu Ran said.

"Ah, then we probably won't be in the same class," Zheng Yue sighed.

"It doesn't matter." What Lu Ran didn't say was that he would be going to Yande High School next semester.

Xia Liang said excitedly, "Haha, I also chose history, politics and geography. My score is almost the same as Lu Ran's! We might be in the same experimental class!"

Li Xingping bit her lip. Her strongest subjects were physics, chemistry, and biology, completely opposite to Lu Ran's...

……

After collecting the expression of interest forms, Zhang Xuan gave some safety instructions and then announced the end of the school term.

The boys let out a series of monkey-like screams and rushed towards the classroom door.

Compared to the pressure of transitioning from the second to the third year of high school, the summer vacation after the first year of high school was the most relaxing and enjoyable summer ever.

After saying goodbye to all my close friends.

The classroom became empty, and the setting sun cast a dim yellow light in one corner.

Lu Ran sat in his seat, slowly tidying up his desk and books.

This year, this semester, a lot has indeed happened, and he has experienced very special growth and changes.

"Lu Ran." Zhang Xuan walked up to Lu Ran, took out two envelopes and handed them to him, "There are two letters for you."

"Oh, thank you, Teacher Zhang."

"Lu Ran, I'm very lucky to be your homeroom teacher, but it's also a pity that you're my math teacher. You have a talent for literature, so keep up the good work." Zhang Xuan patted Lu Ran on the shoulder and encouraged him.

Lu Ran smiled and said, "Yes, I'll do my best."

This warmed his heart, reminding him that he wasn't fighting alone.

Teachers, classmates, family, and friends all hope to see him achieve even greater success in the literary field.

Just like climbing.

Why climb to the top?

Because the mountain is there.

……

Lu Ran opened the first envelope and took a look.

Inside, on a blank sheet of paper, was a simple invitation:

[To Mr. Lu Ran]

Hello! We are the variety show project team at Tencent Video, currently preparing a documentary travel reality show. We sincerely invite you to participate as a special guest in the live broadcast and recording of this program.

Then below are the recording time, fee, general itinerary, and contact person's phone number.

Lu Ran fell into deep thought.

They want me to record a show...

Such a great opportunity to expand one's fame, I never expected it to come to me.

After all, no matter how strong the Zhao family's network of connections is, they can't control the giant penguin.

Moreover, this is a travel reality show, which is essentially a paid vacation—

If we calculate each period as two days and one night, the pre-tax amount is a full 500,000!

Even someone who writes online novels and collects money in sacks was shocked by the remuneration offered by this variety show.

This is much faster and easier than him working hard to write words.

Then he opened the second envelope.

"What is this again?" Lu Ran was taken aback.

[The National Poetry Association will hold the Shushan Poetry Festival in Qingdu Province in August. We hope Brother Lu will grace us with his presence. — Jiang Xingzhi, President of Huaicheng Poetry Association]

Poetry gathering...

Lu Ran suddenly realized.

Poetry is very popular in China, and events like poetry gatherings are held multiple times a year.

The venue for this poetry gathering was chosen to be in Shushan, hence the name Shushan Poetry Gathering.

It brings together the nation's top poets.

Composing poems, writing couplets, making friends, and discussing the philosophy of life through poetry and songs... it is truly a great pleasure.

Lu Ran's fame in the poetry world is now at its peak.

Even if it's under a semi-ban, it's impossible not to invite this young poet saint.

If there's nothing else going on, Lu Ran wouldn't mind joining in the fun.

only……

In August, it coincided with a travel reality show.

After a moment's hesitation, Lu Ran decided to decline the invitation to the Shushan Poetry Gathering.

You think you can get my poems for free without paying me?

You'll have to pay more.

……

As the sun set, Lu Ran walked out of the classroom with his schoolbag on his back.

I thought I would be the last one leaving, saying goodbye to Huaizhong, where I had spent a year together.

but……

Lu Ran smiled slightly.

Five girls stood quietly in the corridor, casting five beautiful shadows in the twilight.

Zhao Yishuang.

Di Lingyan.

Left Hanzhi.

Li Xingping.

Cool in summer.

They, the Liangran Literary Society, and the Huaizhong Pictorial are all proof of his existence.

"Yishuang told us everything." Xia Liang wrinkled her nose. "You...you're leaving Huaizhong, right?"

"I was planning to tell you guys later." Lu Ran smiled nonchalantly. "Why are you making it so serious? It's not like I've quit the literary society. I'll continue to write for the magazine over there."

"Come on, let me give you a hug."

Lu Ran walked over and hugged Xia Liang. "President, I've taken care of the piracy issue. You don't need to thank me too much."

"We promised to keep it a secret!" Xia Liang said, feeling both embarrassed and angry.

"Ha, you think they didn't notice?"

Lu Ran hugged Zhao Yishuang a second time, "Yishuang, I will come back, wait for me."

"Mmm." Zhao Yishuang looked at him with eyes as clear as autumn water. She had always trusted him unconditionally.

Lu Ran gently released Zhao Yishuang.

He took a step to the left and gently hugged Di Lingyan. "Lingling, in my heart, you are unique."

"Hmph." Di Lingyan snorted, glaring at him angrily, "When you go over there... don't you dare mess around and provoke any pretty girls, you hear me!"

This statement is quite in line with her current identity as a fake girlfriend.

Moreover, this is what she truly thinks.

Her reminder naturally drew a barrage of sarcastic remarks from the girls towards Lu Ran.

"That's hard to say."

"Tsk tsk, Yan De's school beauty is in danger."

"I bet Lu Ran will have a new love letter leaked out less than a month after the start of the semester."

"A month? A week!"

"..."

Lu Ran's lips twitched slightly, wisely choosing to lie down and let the ridicule take its course.

He walked towards the smiling Li Xingping and gave her a hug. "Xingping, you are the smartest girl I have ever met. Having a wide range of interests is not a bad thing, but you can try to find what you really want to do."

"The most wonderful thing about life is being able to truly become fascinated by something." (Note 27)

Li Xingping's eyes were somewhat bewildered, and she tightened her arms around Lu Ran's waist as if it were an iron hoop.

It's like... wanting to meld him into my own body.

It's hard to imagine that a girl could have such strength.

In the end, I let go.

Humans are strange like that; every embrace in this world will eventually end with letting go. (Note 28)

Lu Ran sighed and walked up to Zuo Hanzhi.

After having that dream of a parallel world, the only girl he initially fell in love with was Zuo Hanzhi.

Her purity, her coolness, her singing voice.

Her delicacy, sensitivity, and transcendent poetic sensibility.

Her love for poetry...

Every part of it fascinates me.

He opened his arms to embrace the girl.

A sinister voice came from behind: "Lu Ran, I've been watching you for a long time..."

Lu Ran felt a chill run down his spine. He turned around amidst the girls' laughter, then his pupils suddenly dilated—

It was as if a colossal giant's bald head was peering out from the wall.

It was like a scarecrow jumping around.

It was as if two Mount Tai were pressing down on them.

Like...

Zheng Qianyun pressed down on her with overwhelming pressure, her brows furrowed with anger. "Look at you! What are you doing on this sacred campus! It's just a transfer school, and you still want this hug and that kiss."

"Don't you want to hug me too?"

-

Note 27: From Liu Cixin's "Ball Lightning".

Note 28: From Brodsky's "Grief and Reason".