We ordinary people also need to fall in love.

In November, Pingyang City is always shrouded in continuous autumn rain, with only a day or two of sunshine. Moss quietly sprouts in some neglected corners of the school.

Chen Qiuhe and Xie Shu got to know each other quite quickly. Before long, Chen Qiuhe wanted to make jokes and tell memes to make Xie Shu laugh, but unfortunately she met her match - Xie Shu didn't understand her jokes at all.

Li Mubai's relationship with Xie Shu didn't progress as quickly. He always felt a distance between himself and Xie Shu. Could this be what Lu Xun called "the pitiful thick barrier"?

Another thing that puzzled him was that Deng Yi would always give Xie Shu a wary look whenever she came to the cafeteria after school.

Wang Rui, who was next to him, maintained his usual style until one night when Li Mubai stayed up late and discovered the other's secret—he didn't study during the day, but studied like crazy at night.

Li Mubai also discovered that he also read books, but he reads modern literature, such as Yu Hua and Chen Zhongshi. Sometimes he even reads them during evening self-study. So he decided to read his own books as well.

"Cough cough."

During Tuesday evening's English self-study session, Ms. Li returned to her office, and Wang Rui, who was sitting next to her, suddenly coughed lightly.

Li Mubai glanced at him and noticed that he had put his book away, so he immediately pushed his book into his desk as well.

They probably haven't noticed...

Li Mubai calmed his tense heart, and then a figure walked up to him, stopped, turned around, and beckoned to him.

This was all discovered.

He resignedly handed the books from the desk to Wu Changguo, who glanced at them and then gestured for him to come out.

Did I say that the second year of high school is a crucial time and that students shouldn't read extracurricular books?

Upon arriving at the office, Wu Changguo plopped down and asked him a question first.

It appears to be a question, but it is actually a statement.

"I have told you, teacher," Li Mubai answered honestly.

"As the vice class monitor, you should set an example even more." Wu Changguo tapped his fingers lightly on the book on the table.

"Okay, teacher, it won't happen again."

Now that we've said the bad things, it's time to say the good things. A qualified homeroom teacher should use both strictness and kindness.

"Of course, you don't read those shady books like other students, which is commendable. Your book..."

Wu Changguo picked up the book, glanced at it, and continued, "The Gains and Losses of Politics in Chinese Dynasties should be related to history, right?"

"Yes."

"No matter what, you shouldn't have brought the book to the classroom to read. If other students saw it, wouldn't they all follow suit? Take this book back and read it privately, no exceptions." Wu Changguo returned the book to him.

"Okay, thank you, Teacher Wu."

Li Mubai was a little surprised. He thought the book would be confiscated and he wouldn't be able to get it back until the end of the semester. He had almost finished reading it.

"Alright, hurry back to your evening self-study session. Hide your books and don't tell anyone," Wu Changguo reminded him.

"OK."

Li Mubai put the book into his coat. On his way back to the classroom, he passed by Class 1. Xing Yi in the classroom seemed to sense something, looked up at him, and then looked away.

During the evening self-study break, Chen Qiuhe immediately turned around and asked him:

"Your phone was confiscated?"

Li Mubai glanced at Xie Shu secretly, and seeing that the other was still doing his own thing, he said, "I didn't bring my phone."

……

Chen Qiuhe laughed, a laugh born of anger.

She continued, "So what were you charged with?"

"Book."

"What book? Let me see?"

"They've all been taken. Go ask Teacher Wu for them." Li Mubai had already moved his books into his schoolbag.

"You're not reading any unhealthy books, are you?"

I don't know why Chen Qiuhe always likes to tease Li Mubai in front of Xie Shu and then watch him look embarrassed. Is this what it means to be a funny person?

"Don't talk nonsense. This is a professional book, 'The Gains and Losses of Politics in Chinese Dynasties'."

"Oh, okay, my condolences."

What are you saying? How can you use the word "please accept my condolences" so casually?

Wang Rui patted him on the shoulder: "Brother, be careful next time."

Is there a next time? Li Mubai will not bring books to the classroom anymore.

When the bell rang for evening self-study, Chen Qiuhe straightened up, and the noisy classroom quieted down again.

Xie Shu seemed to turn around to take something out of his bag, and then gently placed a note on the side of his desk.

My condolences.

……

On Wednesday, during his club class, to avoid having his evening study time taken up by math teacher Mr. Chen like last time, he focused on doing his homework, but he could hear two girls chatting nearby.

"Hey, did you see the confession wall yesterday? Someone wrote a novel about it, the writing is really good."

The school's confession wall has become a kind of school forum, where anyone can post anything.

"I haven't read it yet, what's it about?"

The novel is titled "The Story of a Cool Senior and a Cute Junior".

"What kind of weird name is that?"

"Don't let the cheesy name fool you, the content is amazing! Go check it out and you'll see."

"Forget it, I don't care about that. I only care about why Qiu Ke hasn't written any new poems in so long."

"Is it possible that they're already a senior in high school and preparing for the college entrance exam?"

Li Mubai was a little conflicted. He hadn't expected to have fans. Did these count as fans? He guessed so. Should he keep posting?

Li Bubai: "Do you think we should continue posting on the confession wall?"

Back in his dorm that night, Li Mubai sent Yan Shu this message. Remembering that he had said he wouldn't send it not long ago, he chuckled self-deprecatingly.

Yan Shu: "Why did you change your mind?"

Li Bubai: "Some of my classmates are really looking forward to new poems. I feel bad for them if I don't post them. At the very least, I should post an explanation."

Yan Shu thought for a moment and replied, "What you said makes sense."

Li Bubai: "How about I edit a section of the text that's been interrupted, and you help me post it?"

Li Mubai always thought that the confession wall was run by Yan Shu.

After thinking for a moment, the other person decided to be honest: "Actually, I've stopped taking care of the confession wall. I handed it over to someone else because I'm quite busy with my studies."

Li Mubai said he understood, but he still wanted Yan Shu to help forward it to the people running the confession wall, since he was more familiar with Yan Shu and there was a risk of exposure for newcomers.

Li Bubai: "Can you help me forward this to the new operations team? If you think you're too busy, I can just send it to the confession wall."

Yan Shu: "Yes, that's fine."

Li Bubai: "Thank you."

Li Mubai would not usually say "thank you for your hard work," it feels like a superior saying it to a subordinate after they have finished their work.

Yan Shu: "You're welcome. Actually, I have another suggestion, I wonder if you'd be willing to accept it?"

Another suggestion? It wouldn't be to join the literary club, would it? Probably not. I already said I'm a senior in high school, practically "retiring" from that age.

Li Bubai: "Hmm, what is it?"

Yan Shu: "I am quite familiar with the president of the literary society. I can give her my work so that she can publish it in the school newspaper, and it can also be published in some provincial publications under the school's name."

The president of the literary society? Xie Shu? Then what is your identity?

One sentence sent a chill down Li Mubai's spine. Were all his previous guesses wrong? Was the other person not a science student?

Li Bubai: "Are you more familiar with the president of the literary society?"

Yan Shu: "We're not that close, but I have connections. I have classmates who are quite active in the literary society, so I should be able to talk to the president."

Li Mubai immediately thought of Han Xiaowei. Come to think of it, she was in a science class and was quite active. That makes sense, then everything will be fine.

Li Bubai: "I need to think about it. Thank you for your kindness."

Yan Shu: "Okay, then get some rest early, goodnight."

Li Bubai: "[moon emoji]".