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

Late May.

Unlike the solemn atmosphere of the upcoming senior year battles, the freshmen were still in a joyful and playful atmosphere.

The sound of reading aloud fills the air during morning Chinese language reading sessions.

Zheng Yue said excitedly, "Brother Ran, did you know? A masterpiece appeared in the online novel world yesterday!"

I've heard a little about it.

Zheng Yue exclaimed, "This book is called 'White Night Walk.' I won't spoil it, you'll know when you read it. It's incredibly well-written!"

"The author's observations of Japanese society are incredibly detailed; they're just like any other Japanese person..."

you scold again?

Lu Ran had anticipated the success of "White Night Walk," but he hadn't expected it to be so popular.

It's true... readers have been suffering from serious novels for too long.

Popular literature that also has a compelling story is so rare in this world.

If that's the case, wouldn't martial arts novels be filled with indiscriminate killing?

He had a winning hand.

Just as Lu Ran was happily lost in thought, a small hand waved in front of his eyes, and a stunningly beautiful face came close to him.

"Lu Ran, have you made a decision yet?"

"Well……"

Lu Ran looked up and saw that Zheng Yue, who sat at the same table, had been moved to the front row and was enjoying the gentle embrace of being surrounded by girls.

Xia Liang sat down next to him without any hesitation.

Taking the initiative to sit next to a boy requires a certain amount of courage, but for the straightforward and flamboyant Xia Liang, it seems to be nothing at all, as if it were nothing at all.

She herself is a legend.

Xia Liang has a bright and delicate oval face, skin as clear as porcelain, and fine, dark blue hair. She is so beautiful at first glance that it seems unbelievable, as if drawn by the hand of a god or demon, that one dares not look at her a second time.

I still remember the first day of school. When she arrived, she was mistaken for a celebrity. Even students from the next class came to watch, and the news spread like wildfire...

That's how easily he became famous.

However, after becoming famous, not many people dared to confess their feelings to Xia Liang.

Even Zhou Jiahao only secretly tried to curry favor with her, not daring to make it public.

Because everyone knows in their hearts that the gap is just too big.

"Oh, it's finished." Lu Ran showed her the story outline.

"So fast?" Xia Liang was surprised, her gaze falling down.

Fu Gui was originally a wealthy young master, but he was addicted to gambling and gambled away his entire family fortune...

Xia Liang read attentively.

From the synopsis, it tells the story of Fugui's life, but it is extremely tragic.

Just reading the synopsis made her breathless.

"The protagonist is too pitiful, isn't he?" Xia Liang thought for a moment after reading it. "Should we give the protagonist some hope? Otherwise, it's too tragic."

"I will give the protagonist a happy ending," Lu Ran said.

"Hmm~" Xia Liang's eyebrows curved into a smile.

Hearing that Lu Ran would adopt her suggestion and give Fugui a good ending, she breathed a sigh of relief and felt a sweet feeling in her heart.

"The background of this novel is the social changes from the 1940s to the 1980s. Can your writing skills support it?" Xia Liang looked at it carefully again and asked.

"It's alright."

"Have you come up with a title for this novel yet?"

"To live."

"Alive?"

Xia Liang pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "It's a very charming name. I'll wait for you to write the first draft, and then our art publication can be put on the agenda."

"Mm." Lu Ran nodded.

Their eyes met, and Xia Liang gave a soft "hmm." "Everyone is very enthusiastic about the reprint of the painting. We have received many submissions. I would like to invite Xing Ping to join the literary society to help with the review and proofreading."

"That's good." Lu Ran had no objection.

"Also... I'm thinking of starting a comic strip column. After all, I studied art and have always wanted to create my own stories. What do you think?"

"Oh, that's good."

Lu Ran remembered that in his dream, Xia Liang did indeed become a cartoonist.

—But the harsh reality is that in the current environment of Chinese animation, it is extremely difficult for new cartoonists to stand out.

"Don't just say it's good, give me some feedback too!" Xia Liang said angrily.

"...I have no objection," Lu Ran said.

"Then it's settled. I'll wait for your manuscript." Xia Liang happily returned to her seat.

Lu Ran wiped his forehead. This girl's eyes were inexplicably captivating; one couldn't look at them for long.

Zheng Yue returned reluctantly. "Ran-ge, what did Xia Liang want to talk to you about?"

"Let me write for the school magazine."

"Ugh." Zheng Yue lost interest as soon as she heard it was a serious matter.

The school bell rang.

"I'm going to sleep for a while, don't wake me." Lu Ran took out a U-shaped pillow from his schoolbag, lay down on his desk, and drifted off to sleep.

...I was so excited last night that I couldn't fall asleep no matter how much I tossed and turned.

I still sleep better in class.

***

***

"Dinner's ready, bro."

"How long did I sleep?"

"It only takes one morning."

It was already noon when Zheng Yue woke me up. Sunlight streamed into the empty classroom, and green trees and blue sky stretched out outside the window.

Lu Ran and Zheng Yue went to the cafeteria for a meal.

During his lunch break, he began writing "To Live" and finished the first draft.

Afternoon? I'll just listen to the lectures properly this afternoon.

Although the goal is to get into a university through the guaranteed admission program, I'm just idling around anyway, so I might as well learn something.

When school was over, it was time for the activity I had agreed upon with Xia Liang.

When Lu Ran arrived at the literature club's classroom, it had been completely renovated and equipped with everything it needed.

Two girls were sitting at the table; they were Xia Liang and Li Xingping, who were inseparable.

The two girls were each focused on their computers.

Compared to the dazzling coolness of summer.

Li Xingping is gentle, reserved, and has a warm, spring-like demeanor, coupled with a smile as sweet as a red apple.

No wonder she's so smitten with young boys.

"Lu Ran, you're here~" Li Xingping jumped up, her eyes filled with admiration.

"Ah, hello." Lu Ran was a little stunned by her enthusiasm.

Because he slept in his seat all day, he had very few interpersonal relationships in class.

If the male students are like this, then they're completely unfamiliar with the female students...

He didn't know much about Li Xingping, only that she was Zheng Yue's white moonlight.

"I've been treasuring the love poem you gave me last time." Li Xingping's voice was quite clear and crisp, contrary to her gentle appearance, and she spoke very quickly.

"What do you mean by 'love poems for you'? Those were Zheng Yue's poems for you!" Xia Liang almost slammed her hand on the table.

Li Xingping blinked innocently: "It was written by Lu Ran, I didn't say anything wrong."

As she spoke, she opened her phone case, proudly took out a letter, and began with great emotion, "In the past, life was slower..."

"Stop, stop reading," Xia Liang said weakly. "Let's get down to business, proofreading, proofreading."

Li Xingping smiled faintly and handed the letter to Lu Ran as if it were a precious treasure. "Could you sign this for me?"

"..." Lu Ran did as instructed and signed his name on the letter.

I really can't help it, Lao Zheng. They recognized me a long time ago.

"Then I want one too." Xia Liang gritted her teeth and pulled out a note from the second compartment of her backpack—it contained the line, "Having seen the vast ocean, other waters are nothing; having beheld the clouds of Wushan, other clouds are nothing."

Lu Ran's lips twitched slightly, but he still helped her sign it.

"Huh, you have one too?" Li Xingping exclaimed in surprise.

"This was written especially for me by Lu Ran!" Xia Liang raised her chin, as if she had won a victory, but a bittersweet feeling welled up in her nose.

"Huh?" Li Xingping's eyes widened, her bright eyes darting around as she silently gazed at Lu Ran.

Lu Ran, you're really something, writing this and then that!

Lu Ran guiltily lowered his head and took out his phone. "Let's create a group chat for our literary society."

"I've sent the first issue of 'To Live' to the group chat. Take a look."

"So fast?!" Xia Liang was genuinely surprised this time.