Chapter 3: As If for the First Time

ull market, the value of his stock portfolio was estimated to be around thirty thousand.Seeing a slight fluctuation, whether to continue investing in several promising stocks or take profits and exit...Chapter 3 As If for the First Time

Life is always more dramatic than fiction.

In this inland city with mountains, water, sunshine, and camphor trees, there are always some wishful thinking events worth hoping for. For example, one might think that a grand lottery prize will be won in this city someday, or perhaps a beautiful girl encountered at a corner may unexpectedly meet you again the following autumn, thus opening up an entirely new chapter.

For Xue Yiyang, however, the latter scenario is often less likely to happen in his life than the former.

However, the most pressing issue currently is that the girl who has been probed about endlessly during the freshmen registration phase and whose placement in Class 5 incited a stir across the entire grade level is actually sitting just a few seats away from him in this new high school class.

From where he sits, he can see her profile, a sight that makes even his frozen heart in winter beat rapidly.

This realization significantly reduces his frustration about being in the same class as Zhang Xi, grandson Yi (likely a name), Li Ai, and others.

What’s more important is that this girl was someone whom his close friend Su Can knew on the bus during their middle school exams. Now he himself shares a classroom with her, giving him plenty of opportunities to brag in front of Su Can. He enjoys seeing Su Can's envious and surprised expressions; after all, the attention Su Can received over the holidays was more than enough to make others jealous.

Since that barbecue by the seaside, some girls have already been asking who Su Can is, a rare treatment even for him, Xue Yiyang. However, Su Can’s identity as a student of No. 3 Middle School would deter these girls from First High, who feel superior.

For Tang Wu (Wu Fang), the most helpless and annoying thing is being at the center of gossip on her very first day of school, with many classmates sizing her up uncomfortably. While girls might have a bit of vanity for such adoration, when it becomes overwhelming, it’s no longer amusing.

In particular, Su Cen's friend sitting at the seven o'clock position from her was staring at her with a look that seemed about to drool. When she looked over at him, he waved and greeted her in an overly casual manner, saying "Hi!"

This was enough for Tang Wu to have even more reason to ignore him.

Tang Wu's fluttering eyelashes couldn't help but feel somewhat awkward about the present environment. When she saw Xue Yiyang again, she subconsciously thought of Su Cen. It was hard to imagine that this person and this name left a significant impression on her during her supposed rational and calm high school days.

Now, in the new classroom in the newly built teaching building at No.1 High School, with swaying tree shadows outside the window, the autumn wind blowing, and patches of light separated by balcony columns, Tang Wu realized that all of this would become part of her memories over the next three years, accompanying her as she embarked on a life path towards greater heights.

As for those who once existed in her life, they were like shooting stars; perhaps one day in the future she might recall them... but not necessarily remember them deeply.

The sound of their homeroom teacher's voice came from outside the door, and the classroom suddenly fell silent. Of course, nobody would be foolish enough to make a bad impression on the homeroom teacher on the very first day of school.

Xiao Rihua felt familiar with the man holding a note from the head of the disciplinary office in front of him. After careful consideration, he immediately recalled the high school entrance examination three months ago.

In Xiao Rihua's eyes, Su Cen had abandoned himself during that exam by quickly writing and submitting his test paper before leaving, which left a deep impression on him. He had long since categorized Su Cen as a delinquent student.

When he looked at the note from the head of the disciplinary office, his brows furrowed. Before Tian Feng became the head of the disciplinary office, they were neighbors, but ended up having an unpleasant relationship due to disputes over school housing construction, even leading to a verbal altercation between their wives. This incident wasn't a secret within the school and everyone knew about it. After Tian Feng was promoted to the position of head of the disciplinary office, Xiao Rihua's life became increasingly difficult.

Recalling when Tian Feng had ever given him any favors, seeing Su Cen holding his note made Xiao Rihua feel a surge of anger inside, but he couldn't let it out. He nodded and said, "You may go in."

But he had long harbored resentment towards Tian Feng for planting a bitter fruit, and his eyes became increasingly unfriendly towards Su Cen.

As he pushed open the creaking classroom door, the unusually quiet atmosphere inside made the sound seem amplified. The bright light at the entrance illuminated everyone's eyes, and the spot of light from outside passed over Su Cen, warmly embracing his back as it cast a shadow on the ground.

The cool autumn wind swept into the classroom through the window, and the ceiling fan slowly rotated. Zhang Xi and Li Ai, who were in the back row chatting about Tang Wu with lowered heads, suddenly widened their eyes.

Some people they had met during a beach barbecue over the holiday also recognized this man wearing a hooded jacket and casual pants, with his carefree demeanor; though slightly open-mouthed, their gazes simultaneously turned to Xue Yiyang.

Tang Wu suppressed the surprise that stirred within her heart like a calm lake as she recalled that day before graduation when they had walked together through the campus. With the grass still damp and light dimming with the approach of dusk, she remembered encouraging him unexpectedly, an event unlikely to occur after walking alone with a boy after school.

The slight melancholy at parting ways at the crossroads was captured in this moment when Su Cen appeared brightly in the classroom doorway.

At that time, only new students had reported for class, and many hadn't arrived yet. Xue Yiyang's seat was unoccupied as was Tang Wu's. In the first-year classes at No.1 High School, teachers wouldn't deliberately adjust seating arrangements; generally speaking, where you sat when you checked in would be your permanent spot.

The majority of students in this class had risen to the upper grades from within No.1 High School, with strong regional protectionism. Moreover, Tang Wu's sudden emergence as a popular girl likely made most girls wary of her; coupled with her aloofness and cold demeanor, male students felt heart palpitations just looking at her, let alone daring to sit beside her. Therefore, it was quite reasonable that no one sat next to Tang Wu.

When something is too dazzling, not everyone will treat it as a treasure; there's also the possibility of avoiding it from the bottom of their hearts.

Seeing Su Cen walk down, Tang Wu had already returned to her usual aloofness. However, inside, she tensed up: what if Su Cen chose to sit beside her

Su Cen noticed the fleeting tension in Tang Wu's expression and smiled slightly as he walked past her. He then placed his schoolbag beside Xue Yiyang and sat down.

Su Cen suppressed the tempting thought of becoming desk mates with Tang Wu, whom he had secretly liked during middle school. In the end, he chose to sit next to Xue Yiyang not because he was indifferent to beautiful girls like Liu Xiaohui, but because he understood the wisdom of always leaving room for maneuver.

It wasn't possible that all favorable opportunities would fall into his lap. After reincarnating and obtaining a chance to change his fate by being in the same class as Tang Wu and starting from the same baseline, this was already beyond what he had ever dared to imagine in his previous life.

If he were too greedy or set expectations too high, heaven might one day revoke these opportunities.

He had become accustomed to being grateful. From the painful lessons and experiences of his later life, he learned a cautious approach—never be too much or expect too much. Perhaps the hardships of his previous incarnation were wealth that taught him these truths, enabling him to face life more calmly whether it was calm waters or stormy weather.

During this time, Xue Yiyang pinched Su Cen's arm hard, causing him to cry out in pain and glare at Xue Yiyang. The latter simply grinned foolishly, "It hurts... so it really is you... this isn't a dream..."

The identity of Tang Wu's desk mate was finally revealed when Chen Lingshan walked in, another girl capable of causing an uproar. Known for her fame even during middle school days, Chen Lingshan didn’t see Su Cen or Xue Yiyang as she entered the classroom; instead, she spotted Tang Wu who had already gained popularity at the registration desk. Driven by a competitive spirit among girls, Chen Lingshan carried her Nike pink sports series backpack and sat beside Tang Wu without hesitating.

When these two girls exchanged flirtatious smiles, their eyes were filled with enmity.

Zhang Xi and Li Ai, who had been the center of attention due to their mischief, now had more gossip material. Zhang Xi nodded sagely, "Our class is sure to become famous now; it's a gathering of beauties!"

Su Cen and Xue Yiyang were both stunned and exchanged looks.pping sound as she stepped onto the bus stairs.The bus, enveloped in a light golden hue, gradually disappeared down the road with its undulating path surrounded by ancient buildings from eleven years...