We ordinary people also need to fall in love.

Li Mu Bai had originally planned to go to the bookstore on Sunday to see if they had the book "Emperor Renzong of Song: The Era of Shared Governance," but Saturday's events had dampened his enthusiasm.

What's the use of reading so many books and being able to write poetry? The house is still a mess. He suddenly felt doubtful.

"Don't be sad (*¯︶¯*), try the daifuku I made after evening self-study."

Chen Qiuhe passed the notebook over to Wu Changguo right under his nose.

This guy... is too bold. He returned the notebook to Chen Qiuhe.

Wu Changguo stepped down from the podium, came to Chen Qiuhe, and held out his hand, gesturing for her to hand it over.

...What could be more embarrassing than your homeroom teacher finding out about your sad things?

Compared to Li Mubai's nervousness, Chen Qiuhe handed it over readily.

Wu Changguo picked it up, glanced at it, and then returned it to her.

"Ask again after evening self-study."

What tricks did Chen Qiuhe use to even fool Wu Changguo?

After evening self-study, Li Mubai asked this question.

"What? Aren't you sad anymore?" Chen Qiuhe teased.

"Am I sad?" Li Mubai could never admit his vulnerable side.

"Alright, alright, you're the best, come and have a piece of daifuku."

Chen Qiuhe carefully opened her personal tin box, which contained daifuku (Japanese auspicious cakes) in various colors, each wrapped in an oil-proof paper tray.

"What flavor do you like?" she asked.

"I won't eat anymore, thank you."

"If you don't want to eat it, then you can eat it. I'll pick one for you, this durian one, durian is delicious."

Chen Qiuhe didn't even ask Li Mubai's opinion, and directly picked one out and placed it on his desk.

What a domineering girl…

Since we've already brought it out, let's eat it.

"Thank you," he said again.

I haven't tried Dafu Li Mubai yet, but I've bought quite a few mochi from the convenience store, especially back in the summer.

I don't know what Chen Qiuhe's family does, but they make small cakes and shortbreads every week.

"How does it taste?" Chen Qiuhe asked.

I couldn't taste it, so I took another bite.

"fine."

"Hmph."

……

"Knock knock".

During the second evening self-study session, Wu Changguo gently tapped on Li Mubai's desk, signaling him to follow him to the office.

Li Mubai thought they were going to talk about giving advice on urging classmates to study, but he didn't see Xie Shu following them.

"Li Mubai, how's your studies going lately?" Wu Changguo asked as he poured water into his teacup.

This is the hardest question to answer. If you say you've learned very well, what if you don't do well on the test later? That would be embarrassing. If you say you haven't learned very well and have many problems, that would be disrespectful to the teacher.

"Thank goodness, teacher."

"Um."

Wu Changguo paused for a moment, then continued, "The first thing I wanted to do was ask about your studies. The second thing is that the midterm exams are coming up soon, and the school will be stepping up its screening efforts. You should also pay close attention to your classmates. Bringing cell phones and dating are strictly prohibited."

"OK."

"Okay, go back and continue your studies."

Back in the classroom, Li Mubai was actually wondering why Xie Shu hadn't been invited. Was it because the boy was the one whose phone was caught last time?

Zhao Feng has switched to using a basic mobile phone now.

Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore. I should focus on my studies.

Being at school is like Sisyphus pushing a boulder; it's a repetitive cycle every day.

Of course, there is still a fundamental difference. Sisyphus is truly repeating, while the student, though seemingly repeating, is actually making progress in a spiral.

This is true for Li Mubai; aside from math and English, he feels he hasn't made much progress.

Rumble, rumble, rumble.

A muffled clap of thunder suddenly sounded outside the self-study classroom on Thursday evening.

It's going to rain, and quite heavily. Hopefully, it won't rain until I get back to my dorm.

Click!

A bolt of lightning struck, followed by a scream, and the classroom was plunged into darkness.

A power outage is really something.

"Yo ho~"

"What are you shouting for? Be quiet, the power will be back on soon," the geography teacher said loudly.

"If you have a cell phone, take it out and use it to light your way," the teacher continued.

There's also the matter of wits, but unfortunately no one would be foolish enough to take out their phone.

In the darkness, Li Mubai pulled the hand that was grabbing his sleeve off.

Two minutes later, the classroom was still dark. The teacher continued, "Class monitor and vice-monitor, please maintain discipline for now. I'll go check what's going on."

Then Li Mubai saw Xie Shu stand on the podium, and he followed him to the podium. In the darkness, he could only see the other's blurry figure.

The teacher left, and soft, rustling sounds gradually filled the classroom.

Should we ask for quiet? He turned to look at the person next to him, and the figure in the darkness seemed to be looking at him as well.

Then a slender finger poked my arm…

"Students, please be quiet for a moment, the power will be back on soon." Li Mubai paused for a moment, then spoke in a slightly louder voice than usual.

Fortunately, the discipline in the top class is relatively high; if no one paid any attention to him, that would be truly disastrous.

A light drizzle began to fall outside the window, which quickly turned into a heavy downpour a few seconds later, accompanied by thunder loud enough to drown out any human voice.

Ah... even with an umbrella, I'd still get soaked.

Did you bring an umbrella?

Xie Shu spoke very softly, as if he only wanted to keep the conversation within the range that the two of them could hear.

"...I brought it."

"I didn't bring it."

Hmm—and then what?

Squeak, crack.

The power was restored, and the classroom was instantly bright again.

"Alright, students, continue your self-study." The teacher returned from outside the classroom.

"Did you bring an umbrella?" Chen Qiuhe asked in her notebook as she returned to her seat.

Why are they all asking the same question... But then again, when it rains, isn't the first question always whether you brought an umbrella?

"I didn't bring it."

"Then the umbrella in your backpack's side pocket is mine." Chen Qiuhe pretended to take his umbrella.

Li Mubai immediately took the umbrella into his hand before replying on the paper:

"This is mine, didn't you bring it?"

"I brought one, but one umbrella isn't enough; the rain is so heavy it can't protect my whole body."

"Here are five umbrellas. Use one to hit your head, and the other four to hit your front, back, left, and right sides, forming a Roman tortoise formation."

"Good idea."

After evening self-study, Chen Qiuhe started forming a team. The rain outside the window was still pattering against the window, and Li Mubai could only hope that the heavy rain would gradually subside.

"Xie Shu, do you want to come with us?" Chen Qiuhe asked.

She has already assembled an umbrella-shaped tortoise shell formation, which is basically her roommates, plus Zhang Chun.

"No, I'll come back when the rain stops."

"Hmm—then Shu, let's go back first. Wait a moment, I'll come pick you up with an umbrella," Deng Yi said after thinking for a moment.

Xie Shu nodded.

Time passed second by second, and the heavy rain showed no signs of stopping; on the contrary, it grew heavier and heavier.

Xie Shu left the classroom a few minutes ago and has probably arrived at the dormitory by now.

Forget it, I won't wait any longer. I'll just get wet and change my clothes.

Li Mubai carried his schoolbag and went downstairs. The ground floor of the teaching building was an open space, and many students were still standing there waiting for the rain to stop or lessen... Had Xie Shu not left yet?

Looking around and seeing no one from his class, he walked up and asked, "Class monitor, you haven't left yet?"

"Um."

"Do you want me to lend you my umbrella?" Li Mubai wanted to suggest sharing it, but felt it would be too presumptuous.

"And you?"

"I'm fine."

He can take off his coat and use it as an umbrella later.

Let's go together.

what?

"Let's go together." Seeing Li Mubai in a daze, Xie Shu repeated.

Li Mubai began to hesitate. What if he ran into Deng Yi halfway there? Or what if he ran into one of their classmates?

"The dorm room might be closed soon," Xie Shu continued.

Okay, let's go then. It's better than the two of us spending the night in a cold classroom. Some of the students who were still waiting also rushed into the rain.

Li Mubai took out his umbrella, which was neither too small nor too large, a two-person umbrella.

He opened up, and Xie Shu came to his side, very close, which reminded Li Mubai of the time he visited Teacher Wu, except that the rain wasn't as heavy that time.

He slowly walked into the rain to make sure Xie Shu could keep up and not fall behind and get soaked.

A small umbrella slowly moves forward in the downpour...