The first monthly exam was held over a month after school started. Spring was fickle, the wind wild, and the temperature unstable, but the winter jasmine had blossomed, its goose-yellow flowers clinging one by one to the bright green branches and leaves. Jiang Du loved spring the most, but unfortunately, this spring was a season of farewells.

The class group chat hadn't been disbanded, but no one was as keen on writing in yearbooks as they were in middle school. This was only the first year of high school; no matter what, they were still in the same school, so there would always be chances to meet.

Because it involved placement into the Liberal Arts Experimental Class and the Science Experimental Class, the students took this monthly exam very seriously. Teacher Xiao Xu held the last class meeting, writing "Your radiance will match your effort" on the blackboard to encourage everyone.

After taking the exams for the several subjects, Jiang Du felt she had done alright, but whether she could get into the Liberal Arts Experimental Class was hard to say. After all, there were too many people at Mei Zhong. There were six liberal arts classes in total, but only one was an experimental class. The competition was quite fierce.

Right after the exam, the school was flooded with people, a veritable sea of them.

The newsstand was crowded with girls buying magazines. Jiang Du paused and spotted Wang Jingjing. The two hadn't returned to their previous state of intimacy; they could only be said to have maintained the scope of normal classmates. She had come to buy magazines not with Jiang Du, but with another female classmate who had also chosen science.

With the exam over, everyone was temporarily relaxed. Jiang Du, not knowing what to do by herself, went to look at the winter jasmine. She really loved winter jasmine, such a delicate yellow, so clean, spread out like stars. When no one was looking, she plucked a flower and pinned it to the button of her jacket.

"Which class are you from? What are you doing?" a deep reprimand came from behind her, making Jiang Du jump in fright. But when she turned her head, she found it was Lin Haiyang. Her heart instantly settled, but she was still a little embarrassed.

Lin Haiyang was laughing heartily. He said, "Don't I sound just like the dean of students? Last time, he caught us smoking and made us hold the horse stance as punishment. I was limping for two days."

Jiang Du finally laughed along with him. "Smoking is wrong in the first place." As she said this, she naturally thought of a certain someone, and her smile faltered—soon, she would no longer be able to sit in the classroom next to his.

"Hey," Lin Haiyang nudged her arm familiarly, "what's going on with you and Wang Jingjing? It's not because of Wei Qingyue, is it?"

Jiang Du's heart was suddenly seized. Her expression turned sour. "Why do you say that?"

"I ran into Wei Qingyue yesterday. He asked me to pass a message to you, to ask if you've done the favor he asked of you. He said he's been waiting. He was afraid of affecting your exam, so he had me tell you today. Did you and Wang Jingjing have a falling out over something to do with Wei Qingyue? You girls are just so prone to getting angry, I know." Lin Haiyang was more talkative than a gossiping woman; once he started, he couldn't stop.

Jiang Du wasn't without a temper. She thought to herself, 'What do you mean, girls are prone to getting angry? I rarely get angry.' But she would never show it, her expression remaining placid. "It's nothing. I'm not familiar with Wei Qingyue."

"Then what did he ask you to do?" Lin Haiyang continued to gossip. Jiang Du was getting annoyed by his questions and said through gritted teeth, "It's not convenient for me to say." She knew Lin Haiyang meant no harm; he was just too noisy. Usually, she found it amusing, but for some reason today, she suddenly felt irritated and upset, because of the class reassignment, and because of many other trivial things.

The results were announced a week later. On that day, the scene in front of the notice board was truly spectacular. Everyone eagerly searched for their own names. From within the crowd, a cheer would erupt from time to time. When some cheered, others sighed. It was always a case of some celebrating while others grieved.

Jiang Du got into the Liberal Arts Experimental Class.

The moment she learned the result, she felt a sense of joyous relief, as if she had survived a disaster. She had hope now, hope of getting into a key university.

As expected, Wang Jingjing was placed in a regular science class, while Wei Qingyue's name was hung high up in the number one spot for the Science Experimental Class. Not far below, one could see Zhang Xiaoqiang's ranking.

Her own name seemed to be a world away from theirs.

Jiang Du was jostled about by the crowd, but her eyes remained fixed on the three characters of Wei Qingyue's name. This was an increasingly rare opportunity, and she had to seize it. Wei Qingyue's scores for every subject were deeply engraved in her mind. What was the use of remembering these things? Not everything had to be useful. Wei Qingyue was the meaning of her girlhood.

Next would be an incredibly busy period: moving dorms, changing classrooms, as everyone officially entered the experimental period of their chosen tracks. That day, Class Two held a brief farewell party. Teacher Xiao Xu was as humorous as ever, and everyone listened, laughing and crying. It was time to set off on a new journey.

After everyone had left, Jiang Du lingered. She sat in the empty classroom, as quiet as a cicada pupa underground. This was the last time she would sit here. The twilight streamed through the window, casting long shadows on the desk.

At the end of the hallway, the lockers had already been moved to the new classroom's corridor.

Jiang Du stroked the class schedule next to the podium for the last time. The joy of getting into the Liberal Arts Experimental Class had vanished so quickly. She could no longer easily see the tree in front of the library, she could no longer pretend to casually glance at the figure in the next classroom. All she could do was write letters that would never be sent.

"The new issue of 'Book City' after it resumed publication is already at the Municipal Library." Wei Qingyue had appeared at the entrance of Class Two at some point. He leaned against the doorway, starting the conversation without any preamble.

Jiang Du was startled and turned her head.

She stammered a little, hastily replying, "Really? I haven't been in a while. I was in cram school over winter break, and I've been preparing for the placement exams recently."

"Congratulations on getting into the Liberal Arts Experimental Class." Wei Qingyue pulled something out of the back pocket of his jeans and tossed it directly to Jiang Du. Jiang Du fumbled to catch it and held it tight.

It was a new Tweety Bird keychain.

"During a monthly exam last semester, I might have broken your keychain. I just remembered. This is a new one to compensate you," he said lightly.

Jiang Du clutched the Tweety Bird. She was very happy, the kind of happiness where all worries were temporarily forgotten just by seeing him. Wei Qingyue knew she had gotten into the Liberal Arts Experimental Class, he knew her keychain was a Tweety Bird, and he even told her that her favorite magazine was at the library. Heaven knew how long she would be happy because of this.

"Thank you," Jiang Du smiled faintly. With the smile, her brows relaxed. But Wei Qingyue said, "See, I even remember that you like to read 'Book City' magazine, I've treated you to KFC, and I've walked you home. With all that, we can be considered friends, right?"

Jiang Du was taken aback by the question... Friends? He wanted to be friends with her? Or rather, they could only be friends? What else was there to hope for? Originally, they were just strangers.

Her expression was somewhat unnatural as she tried her best to hide it. "Of course. If you're willing to be friends with me, then we're friends."

Wei Qingyue seemed to find this amusing. He laughed, "Looking at you, you don't seem very happy about it."

"No, I'm not. I'm very happy to be friends with you," Jiang Du said, eager to explain, her face turning red.

Wei Qingyue nodded, looking at her with a thoughtful expression. "Since we're friends, how come you haven't paid any attention to the favor I asked of you?"

Jiang Du was instantly at a loss for words.

She understood what he was talking about.

A sudden downpour seemed to fall in her heart. Jiang Du summoned her courage and asked, "Why do you want to receive the letters?"

"Why do you think?" Wei Qingyue asked back cryptically.

Jiang Du's breathing quickened. She shook her head and said indistinctly, "How would I know?"

Her palm ached slightly from how hard she was squeezing it. She felt that Wei Qingyue's eyes looked dark and bright, so bright that they could see through all of a person's thoughts. She didn't dare to meet his gaze.

She had to be careful even with her breathing, afraid the rhythm would be off.

"Because," Wei Qingyue said, leaning against the door without moving, his eyes on her, "I guess the girl writing to me might be very shy, like you, always getting nervous easily. What I want to tell her is, I'm not that scary. Getting close to me isn't that difficult for her. I think we should be able to get along. If she writes to me, I'd be happy to reply. If she's afraid to talk to me face-to-face, we can communicate through letters." At this point, he paused. "As friends."

Jiang Du's tense body suddenly relaxed at that moment. As friends.

Her nose tingled, and she wrung her hands, the Tweety Bird caught between them.

"Is it something like having a pen pal?" Jiang Du's voice sounded as if it were trembling in a cold wind.

Wei Qingyue lowered his eyes and chuckled, saying "No," but he didn't elaborate. He let out a long sigh. "Have you told her or not?"

"The letters were written by Wang Jingjing. You have her QQ number, you can ask her directly." Jiang Du's heart was so constricted she could barely speak. She lowered her head and tucked her hair behind her ear.

Wei Qingyue didn't really refute it, just said, "Is that so?" Jiang Du looked up and met his deep gaze, then quickly looked away, changing the subject. "That time, the keychain wasn't broken, but thank you anyway."

"You're welcome." Wei Qingyue smiled and straightened up. "I'm leaving now, going to get something to eat."

At the mention of food, Jiang Du couldn't help but ask him, "How do you eat when you go home on weekends?"

"Sometimes the housekeeping auntie comes over to clean and cooks me a meal. Sometimes I go out to buy food. Why?"

Jiang Du's heart was pounding. "My grandma says that food from outside isn't clean, home-cooked food is better. You should try to have your family's auntie cook for you."

Wei Qingyue looked unconcerned. "Life and death are fated. You live as long as you're supposed to." He suddenly gave a mischievous smile. "Or, how about I come to your place to eat? There's always someone cooking at your house."

Jiang Du took him seriously. Although she was blushing, she actually replied, "That's not impossible. My grandparents are very hospitable."

After she said it, she also felt it might not be appropriate, and she fell silent.

A gentle breeze blew in, making her long, soft hair flutter. Wei Qingyue suddenly had the urge to reach out and touch it, wondering if it felt as soft and coolly smooth as he imagined.

A girl's hair could be so beautiful. It was the first time Wei Qingyue had noticed a girl's hair.

Since he had noticed her hair, his gaze wandered, and he soon noticed her slender figure, long legs, fair neck, eyebrows that looked like they were painted on, and... her slightly developed chest. When he realized what he was looking at, Wei Qingyue immediately averted his eyes.

Jiang Du felt increasingly self-conscious under his gaze. She couldn't help but ask in a small voice, "Is there something on my clothes?"

Wei Qingyue's throat moved. He pointed to her shoulder, feigning nonchalance. "You have a few hairs there."

In the dorm, people shed hair every day; it would get tangled in the broom when sweeping. It was the same at home. Jiang Du quickly pinched the stray hairs off her shoulder and smiled awkwardly. "Long hair tends to shed."

"I'm off." Wei Qingyue coughed into his fist. Jiang Du nodded and stood alone in the classroom for a moment. After waiting for what she felt was an appropriate amount of time, she ran to the window and looked out.

Wei Qingyue was wearing his denim jacket again. His hair was fluffy, bouncing with his steps, as if it too were pulsating with life.

After a few busy days, Jiang Du arrived at her new classroom. She had a new deskmate, a quiet and seemingly aloof girl with a very unique name: Zhu Yulong. When Jiang Du entered the class, her academic ranking was near the bottom. Every year in the Science Experimental Class, there were students who voluntarily transferred to regular classes because they couldn't keep up, but this rarely happened in the Liberal Arts Experimental Class. Looking at all the unfamiliar faces, she secretly resolved that she had to work even harder.

Zhu Yulong didn't like to talk. She seemed cool and distant, and no matter what was said, she always had a calm, unruffled expression. If Jiang Du didn't initiate a conversation, she would never speak to her first. Coincidentally, they were also roommates in the same dorm. It was only after moving in that Jiang Du realized the atmosphere really seemed different from her previous parallel class. In other words, everyone in this year's Liberal Arts Experimental Class seemed so independent and fiercely individualistic.

Because Jiang Du was good at writing, some people in the class had heard of her fame during the first year, but that didn't mean they truly admired her. These students had been poring over the then-most-popular Mengya Magazine since elementary school, imitating its style, vaguely depicting their youth. In middle school, they had participated in the New Concept Composition Contest and won first prize in Group B. When it came to writing, their pride was very high.

Of course, the academic competition was even more intense.

Jiang Du felt uncomfortable for a time. She repeatedly reassured herself that everyone was the same; it took time to adjust to a new class. But even after a new class group chat was created, she didn't want to get to know anyone. On the contrary, she quite missed Wang Jingjing and Zhang Xiaoqiang. But once they were separated, it seemed everyone had a new life, their own new circles. Was she the only one who was so nostalgic?

During every long break between classes, Jiang Du couldn't help but go downstairs for a walk, hoping for something in her heart. Unfortunately, it never happened. Not even once.

It wasn't until late April, when the Liberal Arts Experimental Class schedule was slightly altered due to a teacher's availability, that PE class was moved from the afternoon to the third period in the morning. Only then did she discover that it unexpectedly coincided with Science Experimental Class One.

During PE class, Jiang Du would only run one lap each time. After warming up, she spent half the time in free activity. When she saw Zhang Xiaoqiang, she waved at her a little shyly. The girls in the Science Experimental Class were also tough; they were playing basketball over there. Zhang Xiaoqiang wasn't tall, but she was agile enough, and she looked fierce when fighting for the ball.

Over on the other side, the boys occupied another court.

Jiang Du saw Wei Qingyue. He was dribbling the ball. Like the other girls from the Liberal Arts Experimental Class, her gaze drifted towards the boys from the Science Experimental Class. Because everyone said the boys in this year's Liberal Arts Experimental Class looked like dinosaurs.

From time to time, Wei Qingyue would lift his shirt to wipe away his sweat, revealing a fleeting glimpse of his lean, strong waist.

The girls would then break into a flurry of whispers.

During a break, Wei Qingyue, while casually continuing to lift his shirt to wipe his sweat, walked towards the school gate.

The security guard at the gate was being pestered by a man.

He had only intended a casual glance, but soon, upon hearing a familiar name, he turned his head to look.

"I'm a parent. I can even say the name, Jiang Du from the first-year liberal arts key class. That's my daughter. I'm telling you, my daughter is in Mei Zhong's key class, and you're fucking telling me I can't go in to find her? On what grounds?" The speaker was a man Wei Qingyue recognized at a glance.

The exhibitionist he had encountered in the bookstore. Wei Qingyue had always remembered him. He had even run into him at the school gate later on—the gloomy, triangular eyes, the long, thin face.

In this season, the man was only wearing a white shirt, which was dirty and wrinkled. The exposed half of his arms was covered in needle marks, his skin bruised and dark.

He was making a scene, demanding to enter the school to find someone, but the security guard wouldn't let him. The guard had seen this man more than once before. Recently, this man had always been lurking around the school, to the point that the school had even called the police.

Wei Qingyue stopped completely, his gaze sharp, staring at the man before him who was cursing and swearing—the man who had nearly molested Jiang Du.

And he was actually claiming to be Jiang Du's father.