Chapter Nine, never to return

The bus made a large detour and returned to the entrance of No. 19 Middle School. The two of them jumped down while yawning, and Tang Yi almost stumbled as he missed his step.

Mother Chen glared at him and said, "How can you speak to your mother like that? Studying abroad is your father's idea; we can't just let you do nothing at home. It's good for you to experience some hardships outside. They haven't even decided whether to accept you yet; do you think it's that easy? This school has an exam in October, and you must pass it to enroll. Spend these two months improving your English; if you pass, you can go study, and if not, you will come back."

Chen Shang hurriedly embraced her, their eyes meeting as they shared a knowing smile. The night was deep, and there was not a single passerby on the street. Chen Shang waved to hail a taxi and turned to Tang Yi, saying: "I am leaving now, you should head back. I will send you a text before my flight tomorrow."

Tang Yi glanced at the address composed of unfamiliar English and numbers, having no concept of it at all, unable to imagine what kind of place it might be. If this address had reached her hands two months earlier, her feelings might not have been as complex and unclear as they are now—far from feeling joy, there was instead a hint of resentment mixed in.

I also believe that you have a great talent for languages; why not choose literature? Choosing literature is also good, but the key is to find what suits you.

Tang regained his composure and began to vividly recount how he nearly scared himself to death, describing Principal Liao's kindness and amiability, as well as Fan Congsi's remarkable sense of justice, leaving everyone in awe and admiration.

That was still last year's matter, you may have forgotten. You and Chen Shang got into a fight with many people; Chen Shang was about to run away, but when he saw you fall, he ran back to help you, standing in front of you to challenge someone to a duel

Tang Yi grabbed his arm, stood on tiptoe, and lightly pecked his lips like a dragonfly touching the water, whispering, "Be careful on the road. I will wait for your return." Her initiative was quite shy, and before Chen could hold her back, she shook off his hand and ran away.

She and Xia Wenqian went to the cafeteria for a meal, and the weather forecast was being broadcast on the television. After the announcer reported the weather for major cities in the country, the weather conditions for international cities were displayed only in text and graphics on the screen. She stood in the middle of the path with her tray. Xia Wenqian urged her, "Come on, why are you just standing there?" Tang Yi waved her hand repeatedly to signal her to be quiet, squinting her eyes to look for a while before saying, "Ah, London is foggy again. It's only October, and it's already below zero, much colder than here. I wonder if Chen has brought a winter coat." Xia Wenqian urged her again, "Come on, why are you just standing there?" Tang Yi waved her hand repeatedly to signal her to be quiet, squinting her eyes to look for a while before saying, "Ah, London is foggy again. It's only October, and it's already below zero, much colder than here. I wonder if Chen has brought a winter coat."

The two individuals supported each other as they exited the office building. Chen Shang, Xia Wenqian, and several outstanding students hurried over upon hearing the news, and the two parties met downstairs. Everyone anxiously asked, "Is everything alright?" Tang Yi patted his chest and smiled while making a funny face. Only then did everyone feel relieved and urged the two to recount the details of the incident.

Chen tilted his head and glanced at her, "I suspect that you must think I am just sweet-talking you, right? To be honest, the reason I am so desperate to get into the elite class is entirely because of you. Otherwise, who would be willing to endure such suffering? Just dealing with a beer-belly like Sun is already enough for me."

Chen Shang walked with a stern face, not uttering a single word. Fan Congsi, your reckless behavior is clearly undermining a brother's position!

Xia Wenqian asked who had chosen the liberal arts. Tang Yi mentioned a few names. She pretended to be casual and asked Fan Congsi what he had chosen. Chen Shang eagerly interjected: "Science. I chose science; could he possibly choose the liberal arts?" Xia Wenqian nodded without saying anything. Tang Yi asked her if she wanted to join them for a meal. She shook her head, saying, "You all go ahead; I am feeling quite troubled at the moment and can't make up my mind, so I can't eat."

Tang Yi laughed and said: "Hey, what is there to not know? Didn't we learn about it in geography class? The Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England, is the Prime Meridian, the zero time zone, and we are in the East 8 time zone"

Tang made a face and sighed, saying: "Poor Chen! I have heard that British cuisine is extremely meager, consisting only of potatoes and beef, and they spend their days eating boiled cabbage and carrots, with at most a side of green peas. I wouldn't be able to stand it either, let alone him."

Chen Shang felt that with his grades, there was an eighty to ninety percent chance he would not pass the exam, so he did not take the matter to heart. When school started, he casually mentioned the study abroad exam to Tang Yi. Seeing that he did not regard it as important, she naturally paid even less attention to it. The two often talked about how boring life was, how slowly the days passed, and what they would do when they grew up. They always felt that studying abroad, graduation, and parting were all distant and unattainable matters, little did they know that in the blink of an eye, they would be worlds apart.

Xia Wenqian did not say anything more, smiled at him, and left

She looked at her gloomy self in the mirror and murmured, "Chen Shang, oh Chen Shang, whether you come back or not, you must at least give someone a word. Just leaving without a trace, what kind of situation is this?" Her unclear and endless waiting was such that she could not die with her eyes closed.

A few days later, someone posted a picture of a "naked run" on the school's BBS forum. The photo only showed a bare back, and since it was taken at night, it was very blurry and unclear who it was. The post omitted the name, and the signature below read, "A fleeting glimpse in September, for this I would risk everything," followed by an ellipsis. It is said that when Chen was running naked, he kept singing this line, which led to him being teased by others.

Fan Congsi encouraged her, saying: "Why don't you write a letter to A Shang?"

He scolded with a smile: "Audacious and shameless, indeed!"

As she stepped out of the principal's office, her legs felt weak, and she had to lean against the wall to walk. She said to Fan Congsi, "The psychological gap is too great; let me rest for a moment and catch my breath." Saying this, she wiped the cold sweat from her forehead

The report card was distributed that day. Tang Yi did not look at his own grades at first; instead, he noticed the striking red number in the "Chinese" column for Chen Shang, revealing an expression of "disappointment in unfulfilled potential." Before the exam, Chen Shang had boasted publicly that if he did not pass this time, he would run naked in the boys' dormitory. As a result, the boys kept urging him to go through with it. Tang Yi secretly cursed him for deserving it.

If you feel sorry for him, you can send him some food

As friendship ultimately triumphed over love, summer quietly arrived

Tang Yi went to the classroom and had all the outstanding students sign their names. The next day, she got up early and, taking advantage of the quietness in the school, secretly posted the red paper with black characters titled "Petition" on the bulletin board in front of the library. The turmoil in the cafeteria had not yet settled when the issue of the "Petition" arose again. Coupled with the collective protest of the outstanding students from No. 19 Middle School, this matter quickly gained attention. When class ended at noon and everyone went to check again, the lengthy "Petition" on the bulletin board had already disappeared, and the students posing as "roadblocks" at the cafeteria entrance had also been dispersed by the security guards.

"Where? It must have splashed on while washing the brush." She reached out to wipe it, but after two attempts, she still couldn't clean it off.

Chen held her hand with a sense of reluctance and, in a moment of inspiration, said: "I don't want to go back so early. How about we take the bus and take a tour around Shanglin City? What do you think?"

On Christmas Eve, Fan Congsi came to find her excitedly, handing her a note and saying with a smile: "This is Ah Shang's address in the UK, which I obtained from Uncle Chen's secretary. I asked her when Ah Shang would return, and she said she didn't know either. Uncle Chen had her send something to Ah Shang once, and that's how she got this address; she also doesn't have Ah Shang's phone number"

Due to Chen Shang's absence, Fan Congsi has had little opportunity to visit the Chen family. Tang Yi had previously been constantly asking, "When will Chen Shang return?" After waiting for two consecutive months, she never dared to turn off her phone, always keeping it with her, even placing it within reach while taking a shower, hoping that he would call her, or at least send a text message. However, the greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment. Time and again, the disappointments caused her once passionate heart to cool down little by little. Gradually, she began to mention Chen Shang's name less and less in front of others.

Recently, a matter of moderate significance occurred at the Nineteenth Middle School. It is unclear whether the stir-fried beans with meat in the cafeteria were undercooked, but many students experienced severe gastrointestinal distress, including vomiting and diarrhea, among whom was Xia Wenqian. Cafeterias in schools across the country are generally similar; not only is the food unpalatable, but it is also often contaminated with various foreign objects such as insects, hair, and plastic bags. The bean incident prompted students to express their long-standing dissatisfaction with the cafeteria. Initially, only two classes united to refuse dining in the school cafeteria, but as the situation escalated, students from all classes joined forces, collectively choosing to eat at outside restaurants. Ultimately, the situation reached a point where several students placed chairs at the entrance of the cafeteria to block entry, resulting in a day when fewer than ten students dined in the otherwise large cafeteria.

Chen held her hand and said: "No, what I mean is that I have fulfilled my wish, it is worth it!"

There is an unwritten rule at the Nineteenth Middle School that boys are not allowed to enter the girls' dormitory, while girls can enter the boys' dormitory under the pretext of visiting. Tang Yi registered at the dormitory management office and curiously looked around. In the corridor on the first floor, she saw boys walking around shirtless, and she quickly pretended not to see them. When she came out of the elevator, Fan Congsi asked her to wait a moment, and seeing that there was no one outside, he opened the door to invite her in

Here," Fan Congsi pointed to the spot on her face, took a tissue, and gently wiped away the ink.

Xia Wenqian was somewhat surprised, "You know this so well?"

Chen was so angry that he scolded the Chinese teacher, crumpling the report card as if to throw it away. Tang Yi snatched it away, took a closer look, and said in surprise, "You actually scored 101 in English." Chen snorted and replied, "Of course, the foreign teacher isn't hired for nothing." At this point, he seemed to remember something, and with great excitement, he took a piece of paper, added up all the scores, and found that they totaled exactly enough to pass. He waved the report card and shouted, "Who says I didn't pass? An average score that meets the passing mark is still a pass!" He seemed to remember something again, and with great excitement, he took a piece of paper, added up all the scores, and found that they totaled exactly enough to pass. He waved the report card and shouted, "Who says I didn't pass? An average score that meets the passing mark is still a pass!"

The two parted ways unhappily

Xia Wenqian listened and smiled with her lips pressed together, "We are science students; who still cares about the prime meridian? I see you are fond of everything related to it, aren't you? I asked why you eagerly pulled out the geography textbook yesterday, and it turns out it was to check the time difference. Chen Shang has only been gone for a few days, and you already want to become like this?"

Fan Congsi urged her not to be afraid and accompanied her to the principal's office after school. Tang Yi's face was as pale as if she were heading to the guillotine, gripping his hand tightly and refusing to let go, looking at him with pitiful eyes. Fan Congsi could not bear to see her like this, "You once said that we are friends through thick and thin. I am also involved in this matter; if the school wants to punish us, they should have the ability to expel both of us!" Saying this, he knocked on the office door.

Tang Yi listened to him speak so confidently and jokingly said: "Once you go abroad, it won't be up to you anymore. I mean, what if, what if you can't come back?"

"It is not safe to stay here for long, let us hurry and leave, please help me a little," she said with a sense of fear

At the end of September, before the students filled out their preferences for science and liberal arts, the Nineteenth Middle School held a parents' meeting. It was the first time Tang Yi met Chen Shang's mother, and her first impression was that she was young, beautiful, and elegant. Since her home was far away, her parents could not attend, so she assisted the teachers in hosting the parents along with several class leaders.

Tang Yi said: "Oh, forget it, the postage is expensive, it would cover my living expenses for two months."

After a while, Chen Shang slightly nodded and said, "Hmm"

While others at the Nineteenth Middle School have gone on summer vacation, only a dozen or so gifted students remain for intensive training. The summer heat is intense, leaving everyone drenched in sweat. Some curious students decided to test just how high the outdoor temperature was by placing a raw egg on the hood of a car, which quickly cooked. With no air conditioning in the dormitory, Tang Yi spends his days either in the classroom or nestled in the library.

He took leave from school to go to the UK for the pre-admission exam. Tang Yi was a bit nervous, "You won't just go and not come back, will you?" He replied nonchalantly, "Of course not, I'll come back after the exam. I heard that the UK is gloomy and damp all year round, with hardly any sunshine. I have no desire to stay in that dreadful place, and even if I get accepted, I won't go. The school is dividing the classes into arts and sciences this time, and my mom is coming to participate as well."

Hmph, what is there to be reluctant about? Out with the old, in with the new. If you truly leave and never return, I will find someone else.

Fan Congsi shook her head, "No, he said after the exam he still has to wait for the school's notification, and he doesn't know when he can come back. He hasn't even bought a return ticket." She sighed listlessly, resting her right hand on her chin, saying, "I wonder how he is doing over there, what he is eating. He is so picky with his food, he must be starving." Hearing this, Fan Congsi smiled, "When you're hungry, you'll eat anything. Are you still worried that he will starve himself? Haven't you heard this saying: hunger is the best seasoning?"

One day, Xia Wenqian encountered Fan Congsi, who was sitting by the Yuming Lake in a daze, and greeted him with a smile. Fan Congsi appeared lethargic and seemed to lack energy. Xia Wenqian chatted with him for a few moments and suddenly said: "The first time I saw you was under the 'Aiwan Pavilion', where you were fighting with someone."

Principal Liao, in his fifties, has a medium build and a friendly appearance. He recognized Fan Congsi and was somewhat surprised to see the son of an old acquaintance, but he did not say much. His main concern was to ask Tang Yi whether these outstanding students were not eating well in the school cafeteria and if they were facing any difficulties in their lives. Tang Yi, relieved, quickly replied that there were none, and he expressed his heartfelt gratitude by praising the merits of the school.

Mother Chen listened to her son proudly introducing her as the top student in the grade, paying great attention to her, and asked with a smile whether she chose the arts or the sciences. Tang Yi replied that she chose the sciences. Chen Shang quickly interjected, "I also chose the sciences." Mother Chen gently patted her son's head, saying, "How can you say that? You should learn more from her in the future." Tang Yi blushed and stole a glance at Chen Shang, pouring a cup of tea and handing it to Mother Chen. Chen Shang quickly interjected, "I also chose the sciences." Mother Chen gently patted her son's head, saying, "How can you say that? You should learn more from her in the future." Tang Yi blushed and stole a glance at Chen Shang, pouring a cup of tea and handing it to Mother Chen.

A few days later, Xia Wenqian filled in her application form with "Science." Tang Yi asked her why she changed her mind. She casually replied that everyone was choosing Science, so she would choose it too. However, her performance in science subjects had not improved, especially in physics. Among the highly competitive outstanding students, her already unremarkable abilities made her feel even more inferior and quiet.

Tang Yi felt a bit embarrassed because the two were too close, lowering her eyes and not daring to look at him, she softly asked, "Are you done?" Seeing that Fan Congsi did not respond, she couldn't help but look at him, and when she raised her head, she found him staring blankly at her, which immediately made her blush. She took a step back and was about to speak when Chen Shang pushed the door open and entered. He sensed that the atmosphere in the room was somewhat strange and asked, "What are you two doing?" Tang Yi hurriedly replied that they were doing nothing.

Xia Wenqian gently tapped her forehead with chopsticks and laughed, saying: "Is this something you need to worry about? My mother is going along, so naturally, she has thought of everything."

Fan Congsi shook his sore arm and smiled, saying it was nothing, as he picked up a pen to wash it. Tang Yi hurriedly said, "Let me do it, let me do it," as she rushed to wash the pen and tidy up the table. Little did she know, after washing the pen, he looked at her and laughed, "You have ink on your face"

Both individuals believed that this was merely a brief farewell, expecting to reunite soon, yet little did they anticipate that it would turn out to be a parting kiss

Uncertain if it is fate or a twist of destiny, he unexpectedly encountered Chen Shang, who had returned to the dormitory to retrieve some belongings. The two stood in the living room, staring at each other, as the surroundings suddenly fell into a profound silence. They maintained eye contact for about half a minute, and the frozen stalemate gradually began to thaw.

I don't know. I feel that the more I study the sciences, the more difficult it becomes for me

Once they were alone, Chen Shang began to lose his temper, "Do you have any self-awareness? How can you just casually enter the boys' dormitory?" Tang Yi shot him a glare, "What are you freaking out about? The school allows it, so who are you to control that?" She was already feeling angry inside. Ever since they started dating, he had domineeringly demanded that she report her whereabouts to him at all times and in all places. She was not his possession; he might as well tie a rope around her.

Tang Yi said nothing, casually tossing the note into the drawer and burying himself in his homework. He glanced at her and quietly asked, "What's wrong? Did I do something to upset you?" Tang Yi forced a smile and replied, "It's nothing, it doesn't concern you. I'll write it another day; the final exams are approaching, and reviewing is important." She had some understanding of Chen Shangyou's feelings of hope turning into disappointment, and Fan Congsi comforted her by saying, "Ah Shang might come back after the New Year." "It's nothing, it doesn't concern you. I'll write it another day; the final exams are approaching, and reviewing is important." She had some understanding of Chen Shangyou's feelings of hope turning into disappointment, and Fan Congsi comforted her by saying, "Ah Shang might come back after the New Year."

On the night before Chen's overseas examination, Tang Yi accompanied him all the way to the school gate, feeling as if there were many things to say, yet unable to utter a single word. She gently kicked the tree trunk with the tip of one foot, lowered her head, and said: "I can't go to the airport to see you off... Let's leave it at that... We can talk when you come back..."

Chen looked at her with a smile and said, "Are you reluctant to part with me?"

From that day on, he no longer entered or exited with Fan Congsi, nor did he speak to him. Fan Congsi seemed indifferent and showed no intention of reconciling with Chen Shang, continuing to joke and laugh with Tang Yi as usual. Gradually, everyone began to notice that there was a problem between the two of them. When asked about it, Fan Congsi did not respond, and when asked Chen Shang, he nonchalantly said, "We have severed ties." Over time, their relationship became as antagonistic as fire and water, reaching a point where there could not be one in the presence of the other. Gradually, everyone began to notice that there was a problem between the two of them. When asked about it, Fan Congsi did not respond, and when asked Chen Shang, he nonchalantly said, "We have severed ties." Over time, their relationship became as antagonistic as fire and water, reaching a point where there could not be one in the presence of the other.

Upon seeing this post, someone was greatly enraged and immediately used their privileges to ban the poster's ID

A month has passed, and apart from a text message sent before he went online, Chen has not made a single phone call. No one can get in touch with him; he seems to have disappeared completely. Tang Yi angrily exclaimed, "He better not come back; dying in the UK would be better, so we wouldn't have to worry. This person doesn't even bother to send a message; we thought something had happened to him."

Chen's mother chatted for a while longer before leaving them to attend the parent-teacher meeting. The two sat on the steps outside, basking in the sun. Tang Yi said, "Your science grades are so poor, are you really going to choose science?" Chen Shang stretched lazily and replied, "I don't care; anyway, my science is bad, and my humanities are even worse." After a pause, he added, "As long as I can be in the same class as you, that's enough." Tang Yi quickly responded, "This needs to be made clear; this is your own choice. Don't regret choosing science later and blame it on me."

Tang Yi found herself in a difficult situation. She bought a large piece of red paper and, after school, called out to Fan Congsi, asking him to help her transcribe a "Letter of Appeal." He wrote in beautiful calligraphy. He smiled and said it was no problem, "However, the brush and ink are in the dormitory. How about you come with me to the dormitory?" She quickly agreed.

As the sun was setting, Chen was sitting under the grape trellis eating watermelon. His mother brought over a stack of documents and asked him to sign. With one hand holding the watermelon, Chen signed without even looking and asked what it was. His mother replied that it was a contract for studying abroad at his own expense. His expression changed immediately, and he threw the watermelon away, saying, "Mom, why didn't you discuss this with me first?"

This matter became a topic of light-hearted conversation among the talented class, to the extent that later everyone would jokingly ask each other, "Did you run naked today?" For this reason, Chen Shang did not go to school to find Tang Yi for the entire summer vacation, and whenever they met, it was always arranged to be outside.

Fan Congsi noticed her state of mind was unsettled and anxious, and asked her if she was feeling unwell. Tang Yi, frightened, timidly shared the matter with him. He reassured her, "I don't think it will be that serious; at most, they will just call you in for a reprimand." Tang Yi felt a darkness before her eyes, wanting to cry but unable to shed tears, saying, "It's over." As long as a note was lightly written in her file, her life would be ruined. He reassured her again, "I don't think it will be that serious; at most, they will just call you in for a reprimand." Tang Yi felt a darkness before her eyes, wanting to cry but unable to shed tears, saying, "It's over." As long as a note was lightly written in her file, her life would be ruined.

The deadlock continued day after day, with the elite class shrouded in the low pressure created by the two of them, filled with gloom and chaos. After school, Chen returned home to an empty house, feeling suddenly very lonely. Tang Yi ignored him due to his capriciousness, Li Zhe had long distanced himself because of Zhao Mingyan, and he couldn't be bothered with the likes of He Xianyong. He had also severed ties with Fan Congsi, and he felt as if he had become a solitary figure.

Chen domineeringly said: "That won't do, you have to wait for me. Since you have become my girlfriend, you can only give birth to children of the Chen family, or die as my..." Before he could finish his sentence, he was met with a good beating from Tang Yi. He chuckled and said: "Don't worry, the visa I have is for a short term. It's not possible for me to go and never come back."

Fan Congsi recalled and was suddenly touched by her emotions, lowering her head and saying nothing at all

Chen Shang, still underage, had all the procedures for studying abroad handled by his mother, leaving him completely unaware of the specifics. In September, he took the GRE once, and his scores were dismal. Tang Yi, holding his GRE score report, playfully poked his forehead and teased, "With your poor English, do you still think you can go abroad? Forget it, you might as well stay in the country, you can't even recognize many Chinese characters." Chen Shang felt embarrassed by her words and reached out to tickle her, causing Tang Yi to laugh and plead for mercy.

Usually, she did not feel it, but when Chen Shang suddenly left, Tang Yi then realized that she was not accustomed to it. Her heart felt empty, as if she had lost something, and she could not muster the spirit to do anything. After enduring for three days, she could not help but run to ask Fan Congsi: "Did Ah Shang tell you when he would be back?"

Fan Congsi saw her looking restless and uneasy all day long, and comforted her by saying: "Don't worry, Ah Shang will definitely be fine, Aunt Chen hasn't returned yet, has she?" After a moment's thought, he added: "How about I find an opportunity to ask Uncle Chen how Ah Shang is doing abroad and when he will come back?"

Chen Shang looked at them and after a while asked, "Is that 'Chen Qing Shu' finished?" Tang Yi hurriedly handed it to him. He said nothing, pulling Tang Yi and saying, "If it's done, let's go." Tang Yi thanked Fan Congsi and then went downstairs with Chen Shang.

Everyone was dissatisfied and criticized him for being unreasonable. He smiled and said nothing, displaying an attitude of "What can you do about it?" which infuriated the crowd, leaving them speechless. There were also some who stood by him, arguing that an average score is still considered passing.

Late at night, there were very few people on the bus. Two individuals sat side by side by the window; the light inside the bus was dim, and the old bus swayed and rattled, making a clattering sound. Tang Yi felt somewhat tired and leaned against Chen Shang's shoulder, dozing off. When she woke up, only the two of them remained in the bus. Tang Yi quietly watched Chen Shang, who had fallen asleep with his head tilted, his hair brushing against his eyebrows. Half of his face was shrouded in shadow, making him appear somewhat blurred, as if he might disappear at any moment. A drop of rain seemed to fall on her heart, leaving her feeling a bit sad. She recalled a phrase from a book: sometimes silence speaks louder than words, as if it perfectly described their situation.

Tang Yi stretched out his arm to hit her and said irritably, "I didn't realize you were so bad." Xia Wenqian quickly replied, "Alright, alright, I won't joke about you anymore. When Chen Shang returns, I'll tell him how much you think of him..." Tang Yi, feeling both embarrassed and angry, warned her, "Xia Wenqian—" She hurriedly raised her hand in surrender, "Let's eat, let's eat, if we don't eat soon, the dishes will get cold."

Tang Yi gazed out of the window and suddenly remarked, "Time really flies, look, it’s snowing again." She recalled that last year when it snowed, she and Chen Shang had arranged to meet at the entrance of Shanglin Park, but one ended up at the South Gate and the other at the North Gate, leaving them both standing in the icy wind and snow, foolishly waiting for an entire morning. Looking back, it was so vivid, as if it had happened yesterday, yet in the blink of an eye, a whole year had passed! At this thought, her nose tinged with a sourness, and tears nearly fell. Fearing that Fan Congsi would see, she hurriedly made an excuse to go to the restroom.

Tang Yi exclaimed upon entering what everyone referred to as the "Young Master’s Building" for the first time, "Wow, you actually have a living room, and a sofa, and a television!" That evening, she did not attend her evening study session. By the time Fan Zongsi finished writing a lengthy "Letter of Appeal," the trash can was filled with crumpled papers that had not been written well. She felt quite guilty, saying, "I didn’t expect that writing with a brush would be so labor-intensive. If one character is written poorly, the entire piece has to be redone from the beginning"

So... do you want to choose a text

Two people were laughing and playing when Xia Wenqian approached with a volunteer application form. Tang Yi noticed her furrowed brows and quickly asked her what was wrong. Xia Wenqian sighed and said, "Tang Yi, I feel like I'm getting worse and worse in science subjects." She was greatly affected because she only scored 72 points in her physics exam this month.

Tang Yi had a bad premonition. Sure enough, in the afternoon, the school issued a notice claiming that it would actively rectify and reform the cafeteria. The window for "stir-fried lentils with meat" had been abolished, and there would be a resolute effort to prevent such incidents from happening again, welcoming everyone's supervision and criticism. The cafeteria soon resumed normal operations, and "braised spare ribs" no longer used potatoes and tofu as substitutes, while the slices of meat in "boiled meat slices" also increased.

Tang Yi nodded and said, "That is also true." The two found a place to sit down and eat. Xia Wenqian casually asked, "What is the time difference between the UK and us?" Without thinking, Tang Yi replied, "It is eight hours behind us, but the UK observes daylight saving time from the end of March to the end of October, during which the time difference is seven hours.

Tang tried more than once to restore their friendship, but Chen was furious at her advice, and Fan remained indifferent as always. She found herself in a position where she could please neither side, which made her so angry that she simply decided to let it go.

Others may still manage, but it is the talented students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who suffer. They rely on meal cards provided by the school and are left hungry, "not knowing the taste of meat for three months," gathering together to discuss what to do. Someone suggested writing a "petition letter" to request an increase in meal subsidies from the school during the "canteen movement," and unanimously appointed Tang Yi to take charge of this matter

It was a false alarm. Just now I was thinking, if Uncle Liao were to hold your past against you, I would cling to his thigh and plead with him

Fan Congsi gently said, "Ah Shang, you have returned?"

While Tang Yi was still lamenting that "progress comes from struggle," someone informed her to visit the principal's office after class. Why would the busy principal seek her out? A casual inquiry among the talented students would reveal that she was the mastermind behind the "petition letter." Thinking of this, she was drenched in cold sweat. ... The principal, he wouldn't expel me for this, would he? ... Gathering a crowd to cause a disturbance, endangering school safety, the charges seem quite serious ... The principal, he wouldn't expel me for this, would he? ... Gathering a crowd to cause a disturbance, endangering school safety, the charges seem quite serious ... ...

"Oh, is that so? How come I don't remember?" Fan Congsi asked with great interest