Rebirth of Chinese Entertainment, the Diary of a 95 Flower

Chapter 169 Tian Xi's slightly shy and silent confession

As Tian Xiwei made her decision and picked up her pen to answer the questions, Jiang Yang was studying the reading comprehension section of the Chinese language exam.

One of the questions made Jiang Yang laugh.

This question is worth a full 8 points.

The accompanying image is the cover of the physical book "Chronicle of a Blood Merchant" (许三观卖血记). The cover features three upside-down water jugs with their bases attached to the top of the cover. Question:

[The cover shows an upside-down kettle; what is the author's intention in designing this?]
I've been in the workforce for over a decade.

I've dealt with publishers before and understand the situation.

This question is obviously problematic.

The choice of cover for most physical books is not something the author can decide; it is usually the publisher who takes the lead, with the editor-in-chief or marketing director making the decision.

However, the author of this book is Yu Hua, a well-known writer, who does have some decision-making power over the book's cover.

Let's talk about why the kettle is upside down on the cover.

In a previous life, Yu Hua discussed this issue in an interview.

When answering the question, Jiang Yang wrote: "Because if the water bottle on the cover is placed upright, not upside down, it will block the waist seal."

I only realized something was wrong after I finished writing it.

Cross out the answer and rewrite it:

"The author uses a reversed order to reveal the cold and indifferent social context of the times, thus using a small example to illustrate a larger theme, hinting at the tragic life of the protagonist."

When you finish writing the entire Chinese test paper, look up and glance at the time.

There is half an hour left to hand in the exam.

I remember back in high school, I always finished writing right on time.

The first half hour felt like an eternity, while the last half hour passed at the speed of light.

We can learn a lot about language skills from Yang Chaoyue; he can recite ancient poems fluently.

What used to be the most troublesome thing about reading classical Chinese texts, I can now read as if it were modern Chinese, and I can translate it with ease.

Outside the window, the bare branches of the locust tree pierced the leaden-gray sky.

There were bits of rubber scattered on the ground.

The "Outstanding Teacher" sticker on the proctor's thermos cup on the podium had faded and curled up with the steam.

In the examination room, it was so quiet that you could clearly hear the scratching sound of a pen cutting through the exam paper, and occasionally the 'click' of a 2B pencil breaking off when filling in the answer sheet.

You can smell the ink from the poorly printed exam papers.

More than a decade later, sitting in a classroom again, I realized how amazing my concentration was when I was a student.

You can sit down and study for half a day.

Not like now.

I feel uncomfortable if I don't use my phone for two hours, like ants are crawling all over me.

Finally, the proctor announced, "Exam time is over. Hand in your papers. Everyone stop writing. Students in the last row, start collecting from the back."

Jiang Yang was about to get up.

I glanced at the exam paper and the essay, and suddenly froze.

Scalp numbness.

I misread the essay topic.

The requirement is to write an essay on the theme of "My Mother". There are no restrictions on the genre; argumentative, narrative, or practical writing are all acceptable.

I misread the question and wrote 'My School' instead.

Before the exam papers were collected, Jiang Yang quickly grabbed his pen and added a line: "I am an orphan, and my school is my mother."

Walking out of the examination room.

The corridor outside was noisy.

The top students gathered in a circle to compare answers. Jiang Yang recognized someone's face and slapped his thigh, shouting, "Holy crap, I chose C! Oh no, I chose B!"

I wanted to go over and say hello.

I couldn't remember the other person's name at all.

I even saw someone making cheat sheets for the next math exam.

Unlike in his previous life, Jiang Yang did not return to the classroom after handing in his paper, compare answers with his classmates, and then wait for the next exam.

When I arrived at the classroom for morning self-study, all the classmates' faces seemed somewhat unfamiliar.

Without specifically looking at the names, it's impossible to tell who's who.

Those friendships forged during skipped classes, the joy of sharing snacks in class—those memories are gone.

It always feels like I'm wearing a school uniform and blending in with the kids.

As for the beautiful and youthful female classmates, not to mention them, I used to blush when I spoke, but now I only lust after their bodies.

Some people thought they would remember it for a lifetime, but in the end, they even had to look at the names on the back of the graduation photo to find their place.

He pulled up a stool, sat down against the wall, took out his phone, and was about to open Honor of Kings.

Suddenly, I received a WeChat message from Hu Lin: "Xiao Jiang, are you there?"
Jiang Yang typed back: ["Yes, Teacher Hu."]
Why would Hu Lin send me a message out of the blue?

Has Zhao Jinmai run away from home again?

Headache.

Jiang Yang was very fortunate that he had safely sent Zhao Jinmai back to Shenyang. No matter how much she ran away from home, it was no longer his fault.

Tian Xiwei handed in her exam paper in the exam room at the very end of the same floor, walked towards the stairwell, and habitually returned to her art class classroom to compare answers with her familiar classmates.

I rubbed my temples, feeling mentally exhausted.

As I walked, I unconsciously curled the corner of the test paper, making a crisp sound.

Before the exam, I was determined to ask Jiang Yang out during evening self-study tonight, but after the exam, I hesitated.

Sometimes I feel like I'm a very fickle person.

One second they mustered the courage to make a decision, and the next second they cowardly regretted it.

They cannot keep their word.

Before she even reached the stairwell, Tian Xiwei's originally hurried pace slowed down, and her steps became lighter.

Out of the corner of my eye, I glanced at the boy sitting against the wall, wearing a school uniform and playing on his phone.

It looks a lot like Jiang Yang, but I'm not sure if it is.

So I didn't say hello.

Because the other person was looking down.

Tian Xi took a few steps back, leaned forward, bent down slightly, and looked closely.

Noticing that the other person's head tilted slightly, she immediately looked down and pretended to look at her shoelaces.

Seeing that the other person's attention was still on their phone, I took a closer look.

My gaze darted rapidly between his phone screen and his profile.

On his phone screen was a WeChat chat message. The person sending him the message had the contact name Hu Lin.

It's Jiangyang!
About two weeks ago, I saw Jiang Yang's WeChat profile in Jiang Yang's car.

I have a WeChat friend named Hu Lin.

I wanted to speak, but my voice seemed stuck in my throat.

I'm even annoyed by myself.

Before the exam, she was still full of enthusiasm, planning to ask Jiang Yang out and dance for him, hoping to get a gig.

Jiang Yang is right in front of me now.

They don't even have the courage to talk to people.

Tian Xiwei pinched the zipper of her school uniform with her left hand and slid it up and down a few times: "Jiang Yang."

"Ok?"

Jiang Yang looked up and saw Tian Xiwei. He smiled and asked, "How did you do on the exam?"

"I did alright on the test."

After saying that, Tian Xiwei bit her lip and added, "I didn't understand the last ancient poem at all."

Jiang Yang could clearly sense that Tian Xiwei was acting strangely today.

You can tell just by the sound.

The tone is mellow and smooth.

She has a sweet voice.

It sounds nice, but it's not the Chongqing dialect; it's Mandarin.

Why are you speaking Mandarin again?

"Oh...right, I forgot."

Tian Xiwei unconsciously drew a circle with her right toe: "Let's go, let's wander around the playground. It'll be annoying if we get caught using our phones here!"

"Oh, right? Let's go!"

Seeing Jiang Yang get up, Tian Xiwei quickly followed. For the first few steps, her hands and feet moved in sync, her body unable to keep up with her heartbeat.

She turned around too quickly, and her ponytail swung onto her shoulder.

Follow Jiang Yang down the stairs and walk towards the playground.

Tian Xiwei always kept a distance of half a meter from Jiang Yang, and would secretly adjust her stride to synchronize with Jiang Yang's.

I chatted with Tian Xi for a while, about ten meters away from the senior high school building.

Jiang Yang turned around and looked at the entire senior high school building.

The corridor was bustling with people; some were leaning on the railings checking answers, while others were chasing and playing, their school uniform sleeves fluttering like flags.

The sausage grilling machine at the convenience store downstairs hummed and hissed, mingling with the girls' playful banter as they shared spicy snacks.

"Isn't it great that everyone's like this now? Noisy and boisterous, it's the most relaxing time," Jiang Yang muttered to himself in Mandarin.

Hear the words.

Tian Xi tilted her head slightly.

I don't understand Jiang Yang's meaning.

Is now the most relaxed time?
But the teacher clearly said that this is the most stressful time, and that life will be easier after the college entrance examination.

Who is right, Jiang Yang or the teacher?
The running track at Tongliang Center is a mixture of cinders and gravel.

On sunny days, sandstorms can break out; on rainy days, it turns into a swamp.

The platform was a tin shed covered with faded slogans.

The basketball hoop has a tempered glass backboard with peeling paint.

Tian Xi sat down on the cement platform in the audience, her knees together and tilted inwards.

He unconsciously picked at the crack in the cement platform with his fingers.

The tip of her shoe lightly touched Jiang Yang's canvas shoes.

I just couldn't bring myself to say, "Do you want to see me dance?"

The gaze shifted from Jiang Yang's phone screen to his Adam's apple, then to the shadow cast by the warm winter sun on his eyelashes.

Jiang Yang received a WeChat message from Hu Lin: [“Xiao Jiang, I need your help.”]
Jiang Yang replied: ["Teacher Hu, if you say so, I will definitely help if I can."]
Hu Lin messaged me: ["MaiMai wants the 'Fire Cannon Heiress' skin for Sun Shangxiang in Honor of Kings. It's Sun Shangxiang's first limited-edition skin, priced at 288 points, and the only one with pink skill effects. You can give it to her."]
Jiang Yang's anxiety subsided.

Mai Mai didn't run away from home; she started playing role-playing games.

It's not just because Hu Lin would never send him such a message.

Also, a system notification sounded in Jiang Yang's mind:
[Under your care, Zhao Jinmai's acting skills have improved, and you have received corresponding feedback.]

Jiang Yang typed back: ["Go play with your mother's phone."]
The other party replied: [“Brother Yang, it really is Teacher Hu.”]
Jiang Yang immediately sent a video chat.

As soon as the video call connected, I saw Zhao Jinmai's grinning face: "Yang-ge, why are you still wearing a school uniform? What, trying to look young?"

"Final exams."

"Oh my god, you have exams too? I almost forgot you're a student too! Seeing you suffering here makes me feel so good!"

She continued, "Yangzi, who's this girl? She's pretty hot!"

Jiang Yang turned his phone screen around to show Tian Xiwei in the frame and introduced her: "This is my classmate, Tian Xiwei. She's a dance student and will be taking the art college entrance exam soon. She studies folk dance and has very strong dance skills. If you want to learn to dance in the future, maybe she can teach you."

"Sister Weiwei, right? You're really pretty, with those big eyes, like two big grapes." Zhao Jinmai stopped her playful smile.

With a sweet, business-like smile on her face, she greeted Tian Xiwei.

"Hello."

Tian Xi's shoulders trembled slightly, and her heart pounded faster.

It really is Zhao Jinmai!

That child star you only see on TV.

Just how powerful are Jiang Yang's connections?

As she spoke, she stood up abruptly in a panic, frantically brushing off non-existent dust from her body.

Jiang Yang introduced Tian Xiwei: "This is Ling Meiqi, the 'Shamate Princess'."

"Jiang Yang! Do you want to be beaten up? Try spouting my embarrassing past again."

Zhao Jinmai's smile froze, and she began to speak ill of Jiang Yang: "Sister Weiwei, let me tell you, Jiang Yang has had a dog lick his face. That dog is really fierce; it only bites hot shit."

Tian Xi felt awkward and didn't know how to respond.

Suddenly I realized that I'm really terrible.

Zhao Jinmai is someone in the film and television industry whom I have absolutely no contact with.

Now that I finally have the chance to get in touch with him, I don't even know how to say a word.

Mingming is usually quite talkative.

In critical moments, their reactions become sluggish.

Fortunately, Jiang Yang didn't let him talk to Zhao Jinmai for long.

The time for the next math exam is approaching.

I need to go back to the exam room.

As soon as she stood up, Tian Xiwei swung her arm more widely, pretending to accidentally brush against Jiang Yang's hand.

Her fingertips gently traced the lines on Jiang Yang's palm.

He feigned complete ignorance.

Noticing that Jiang Yang seemed to be looking in her direction, her breathing became shallow and almost stopped, and the rise and fall of her chest was magnified by the folds of her school uniform.

I finally mustered up the courage.

My little finger gently hooked around Jiang Yang's finger.

Realizing that Jiang Yang hadn't shaken off her hand, she slowly pressed her palm against Jiang Yang's entire hand.

He dared not look up at Jiang Yang.

Her eyelashes trembled violently.

"Jiang Yang, you..."

I realized that I was speaking Mandarin again.

I don't know why, but whenever I try to act like a lady in front of Jiang Yang, I unconsciously start speaking Mandarin.

The unspoken tension became a stress response in Mandarin.

She switched to the Chongqing dialect: "Why are your hands so cold? Let me warm them up for you."

"My hands are cold?"

Jiang Yang squeezed the hand that Tian Xiwei was holding.

It was as cold as a piece of iron.

That's the opposite, right?

Tian Xiwei's hands were cold, so I wanted to warm them up.

"Tian Xiwei, what's wrong with you today? You're acting all strange," Jiang Yang muttered.

Tian Xiwei didn't even look up as she continued, not even realizing she had switched to Mandarin: "Um, what I meant was, it's gotten colder today."

He spoke softer and softer, his voice fading at the end.

As soon as she finished speaking, Tian Xiwei regretted it.

How could someone who is usually so eloquent say something so meaningless?

The mouth runs faster than the brain; what comes out is all nonsense, what is left unsaid is the truth.

When you meet someone you like, your body learns to lie before your brain does.

The voice grew softer and softer.

His speech was disjointed and too fast for Jiang Yang to understand.

He was flustered and hesitant to speak.

The side of her body that was being held by Jiang Yang's hand was stiff as a board, and she almost walked with the wrong gait.

The hand that Jiang Yang had held was gradually getting hot, burning, and numb.

With her other icy hand, she unconsciously pinched her earlobe to cool it down.

He didn't hear a single word Jiang Yang said.

Every few seconds, he would steal a glance at their clasped hands.

She realized that Jiang Yang hadn't shaken her off at all.

She lowered her head, using her bangs to hide the smile that was gradually spreading across her lips.

Without realizing it, I found myself walking with my arms and legs moving in unison.

The person with cold hands extends their hand first, while the person with a warm heart blushes first.

I wanted to walk slowly, but my steps were so fast it felt like I was running away.

As they approached the senior high school building, Tian Xiwei suddenly let go of Jiang Yang's hand and ran wildly toward her exam room, her ponytail swinging like a rabbit fleeing for its life.

I ran to the stairwell.

Realizing that Jiang Yang couldn't see her anymore, she tried her best to suppress the corners of her mouth, but they still managed to curl up.
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(End of this chapter)