Winter Returns

Chapter 204 A "Crazy" Night (Thanks to Alliance Leader Yuandan for the donation)

Zhang Shutong took out the smiling statue.

He was sitting in a window seat, which was perfect for placing his chair on the windowsill.

As darkness fell, the campus became the liveliest place at night, with a large crowd gathered in front of the school gate. The temperature dropped sharply, and many parents were worried that their children would catch a cold, so many more came to pick them up in person.

At present, many parents have entered the school, and similarly, many students are running out, creating a surge of people.

Zhang Shutong glanced at the campus below before looking away.

There were still quite a few people in the classroom. Of the four classes in the fourth year of junior high, only their class had not yet finalized their program for the New Year's Eve party; the other three classes were already rehearsing.

Class Two is singing a choir, with Class Leader Gu personally taking the stage; Class Three is performing a drama, with Class Leader Feng also personally taking the stage; Class Four… Zhang Shutong’s network of connections is a blank in Class Four, so it’s impossible to draw a conclusion.

He watched the students coming and going in the classroom, waiting quietly in his seat, hoping that the man might be among them.

People around me asked:
Are you sure he'll come out?

Du Kang drank a box of student milk.

Zhang Shutong was sitting in Class 3:

"Why not?"

"But I still think it's safer for us to go into the tunnel..."

"Who do you think holds the upper hand right now?"

"That man, right?"

“No, it’s us. Since he’s the one targeting us, what does that mean?” Zhang Shutong explained, “It means we have something he wants. Since he’s been looking for us, why should we let him lead us by the nose?”

Zhang Shutong had something else to say: based on yesterday's experience, the area near the old house is really not a good place to lure people. The terrain there is very low, and whether it's the hospital corridor, the top floor of the dormitory, or even the rooftop of a nearby high building, you can see what's happening in front of the old house, and you can't be sure where the other person is.

Zhang Shutong's immediate priority was to "tell" that man, "I have the fox you want, come and get it," rather than silently observing. After careful consideration, the school was actually the most suitable option.

This is an open scheme. Anyway, the man needs to find out which class he is in. When he finds him, he suddenly discovers the fox in Zhang Shutong's hands. Whether or not he comes to take it depends on the other party's own plans.

"I'm still a little panicked," Du Kang said softly.

"Don't panic, there are so many people around, even if he sees me, he won't attack. By the way, do you have any strawberry flavored ones? I could have a box."

"Have……"

"Thanks."

"You two come and help!" Ruoping said from the front of the classroom.

Zhang Shutong had just taken a sip of milk when he was called to move some props. He glanced at the furry leather suits on the ground; they must have been borrowed from the school's storage room.

"It feels like there are fewer this year than before."

Last year, he and Du Kang rented the props when they left the island.

"Our teacher said that since we're in the graduating class, we should be grateful if we have any fun and not take up too much of our study time, so there aren't too many students. Besides, how am I supposed to go out and buy things if I stay home all day?"

Ruoping lowered her voice:

"Does that man look like him?"

The next second, the man helped his daughter pick up her schoolbag, and the father and daughter left the classroom.

"Speaking of which, is it just the four of us today, with Qiu Mian and Qing Lian staying behind?" Ruoping casually changed the subject.

"Correct."

In just a few words, the number of people in the classroom dwindled.

"There must have been quite a few students staying after school today to rehearse, across all four grades of junior high?"

"Yes."

"So do you think that man would make a move at school?"

"It's hard to say," Zhang Shutong said, shrugging. "Just make sure he confirms that the fox is in my hands."

Now Zhang Shutong's face has become a business card, and he must stay near the fox. So after assembling the props, he returned to Du Kang's seat.

It was really lively.

In the past, the campus would have been quiet and deserted by this time, but today every classroom was lit up, the wind was blowing against the windows, and the laughter of boys and girls could be heard through the windows. Zhang Shutong couldn't do something like catching someone while doing his homework. He was bored and rested his chin on his hand, watching Director Ruoping instruct the actors.

"No, that doesn't look good when you smile," Ruoping said disapprovingly.

Previously, her go-to actors were herself and Qingyi, which inadvertently raised her standards. Now that both of them have left, Director Ruoping is short of actors.

"What are you performing this year?" Zhang Shutong asked, unusually curious.

"It's the same old story of a prince saving a princess," Du Kang said helplessly.

She still loves stories about princes and princesses.

What about your role?

"I'm just helping out with odd jobs this year," Du Kang said listlessly. "What's so fun about just the two of us? What about your class?"

"Poetry recitation."

"Huh?" Du Kang was startled.

“I only heard about it.” Zhang Shutong thought for a moment. “The class monitor said that this is the only thing that can get the homeroom teacher to agree, but there are many people who oppose it, and it is probably still under discussion.”

He holds no official position and doesn't need to participate in discussions, unlike a certain class monitor.

“That’s right, I almost forgot that your teacher is very old-fashioned.” Du Kang added, “Why don’t you and Qingyi come and fill in? Think about it, Class Two is in the choir, so he won’t have anything to do.”

“I suppose so…” Zhang Shutong hadn’t finished speaking when Ruoping pointed at him with the rolled-up script tube:
"Shutong, you demonstrate."

Zhang Shutong smiled for a second, then told Du Kang expressionlessly:
"Playing a tree would be fine."

Looking around the campus again, there were far fewer people. Zhang Shutong glanced at her phone again:
"I estimate it's about right."

"what?"

“If that man had seen me, he wouldn’t have come up and snatched me directly. Instead, he would have followed the crowd back to the school gate and followed me like he did yesterday. But now all the students have left, and he hasn’t waited for me. He should be pretty sure I’m rehearsing in the classroom.”

Zhang Shutong also said:
"Wait until the rehearsal is finished, then we can move on to the second step."

"Speaking of which, is Gu Qiu Mian's driver waiting outside?"

"Yes, that's an extra layer of protection, but there were too many people at the school gate just now, so we didn't need it."

As if on cue, Gu Qiu Mian appeared. No sooner had he finished speaking than he heard someone from next door say:

"Take a break, ten minutes."

Then a pair of little boots stepped into Class 3.

Now, Gu Qiu Mian and Ruo Ping may have truly reconciled. Ever since Zhang Shutong confessed to her at noon, she had called the two of them together during the long break and brought up the chocolate incident. Ruo Ping felt somewhat apologetic, but Gu Qiu Mian shook her head and said that she should thank Ruo Ping for thinking about it back then, otherwise she wouldn't have had such a valuable opportunity. The two shook hands and made peace.

Of course, Zhang Shutong doesn't understand female friendships and doesn't intend to comment further.

The change that followed was that Gu Qiu Mian, who would never have come to Class 3 so casually before, came without warning today.

“Theatrical plays,” Gu Qiumian said nostalgically. “I always wanted to play with them, but unfortunately they always left around New Year’s Day.”

Zhang Shutong asked if you wanted to make a guest appearance. She said that if it didn't take up too much time, it would be fine, since the performances of each class were staggered, so there was plenty of time.

Who are you making a cameo appearance for?

Right now, the student playing the prince is kneeling on one knee before the king, promising to rescue the princess, and so on. After a brief narration, he embarks on his journey to slay the dragon. Zhang Shutong watched it again and again:
"It seems there are no seats available."

This year's play was indeed small in scale. In previous years, in order to allow as many students as possible to participate, even the "trees" in the journey had dedicated actors, but this year they were replaced with foam backdrops.

"How about we put on a show too?" Gu Qiumian suggested.

Zhang Shutong wondered which class she was in, then thought that since she was a rich girl, if she went to the principal... she probably wouldn't even need the principal; she could just talk to the head of the teaching department, and that would definitely add an extra program to the New Year's Eve party.

If Zhang Shutong is an energy-saving advocate, then Qiu Yumianmian is an energy-consuming advocate. She crossed her legs, tapped her chin with her finger, and actually began to think:
"What role should I play..."

She counted on her fingers, saying that they needed to determine the scale first, since she could get a lot of people from the whole school to act in the roles. Then came the script, which needed to be a beautiful one. Next, they needed to find a director, one who would resolutely carry out the young lady's wishes. Finally, they needed actors.

Zhang Shutong asked if she needed any stagehands, and was met with a glare from her.

“I can write screenplays,” someone said.

Zhang Shutong looked at Qingyi and thought to himself, "Brother, where did you come from?"

“Actually, when I was writing the script last year, I had already planned out this year’s plans in advance,” Qingyi said with some melancholy. “I didn’t expect that we would be divided into different classes this year.”

Zhang Shutong quickly turned to look at the podium. At that moment, the student playing the prince encountered a blacksmith on his journey. The blacksmith said, "Young prince, I have three swords here. One is made of brick and stone, and another is..."

Hey, shouldn't the prince carry his own sword?
Zhang Shutong could tell at a glance that it wasn't written by Qingyi; Qingyi's prince would bring all three swords with him.

Of course, the three-sword style is the coolest! Who wants to choose one of the three swords?

"So what do you want to write?"

“I’ve upgraded last year’s script,” Qingyi said, beaming. “Last year, we only saved one princess, right? This year, I’m going to turn it into two. Then, the dragon will tie the princesses up to two different locations, and each princess will be equipped with a bomb that explodes simultaneously. The dragon will then tell the prince the locations of both princesses, and the prince can only save one… Now, here’s the key point: when the dragon tells the prince the locations, he secretly switches their positions. In other words, you want to save Princess A, but when you get there, you find that you’ve saved Princess B…”

Quickly apologize to the princess.

The autumn rain and the new and old peach charms are both preparing to stay away from this guy.

“Maybe we don’t need to hire a screenwriter,” Gu Qiumian said thoughtfully, resting her chin on her hand. “We can let the actors and director negotiate it themselves.”

"Then what are you doing?" Zhang Shutong couldn't help but ask.

"I'll take care of the fun." She lifted her chin. "I'll save you a lead role, do you want it?"

"Are you really sure you want to add another program?"

"Oh, just hypothetically. I have to go to rehearse with Class Two later, so it's impossible to start tonight. Let me think about it first."

As she spoke, she glanced at the time:
"I'll go ahead."

"it is good."

Zhang Shutong glanced out the window again. The campus was almost empty by now, which meant he could finally go to the restroom.

As Zhang Shutong emerged from the restroom, waving his hands, he glanced at Class One. The argument inside had reached a fever pitch. Class monitor Wu Shengyu, unable to convince the class, gestured for them to stop, saying:
"Does Lu Qinglian have any objections?"

Lu Qinglian paused, her pen still in her hand.

"random."

Unlike the others who crowded in the front row, she sat quietly by herself, doing her own thing, as if she were on a deserted island, oblivious to the surrounding noise.

"Quiet down for a moment and let Lu have a say." The class monitor was not giving up. He smiled and said, "Since she chose to stay, it means she has ideas for this year's program. I think the blackboard bulletin is very well drawn. Everyone, please be quiet and let each person take turns speaking. Arguing will not get us anywhere."

Upon hearing this, Lu Qinglian stood up, looked around at everyone, and her demeanor suddenly changed, from indifferent to unquestionable. Even the students who were speaking subconsciously fell silent. Lu Qinglian said calmly:

"I'll change seats."

It's not an explanation, just a statement.

After saying that, she picked up a pen and paper and left the classroom while everyone stared in disbelief.

Although her delicate face was expressionless and her tone was not angry, Zhang Shutong knew her well enough to know that she must have been annoyed by the noise.

"I told you we'd like to go somewhere else," Zhang Shutong said, casting a sympathetic glance.

"I thought it was just a meeting." She rarely showed a headache.

Zhang Shutong knew that the teacher's office was locked after school, otherwise Lu Qinglian would definitely have gone there to wait.

"How is it now?"

The two of them talked as they walked.

"If that person comes today, they will definitely have located the fox and know that I am still rehearsing in class. Now all we have to do is wait."

She nodded her chin and asked again:
Which class is quieter?

"None of them are quiet." Although Zhang Shutong didn't know what program Class 4 was performing, she could tell from the noise in the corridor that it was very noisy.

Lu Qinglian sighed softly.

“However, there’s no need to keep doing practice problems at this point,” Zhang Shutong suggested. “I can’t stand the noise in Class 1 either, but the other classes are more lively, and it’s fun to join in occasionally. If I had to choose, Class 3 is better. Besides, with Ruoping around, who would dare to bother you?”

Lu Qinglian glanced at him expressionlessly.

Zhang Shutong felt he had been wrongly accused.

When the two arrived at Class 3, the play on the stage had already ended. Ruoping first took a look at the general effect and found it acceptable, so she asked the actors to go back to their seats to memorize their lines, and the rest of the small details could be polished during rehearsals.

Qingyi asked if I could help revise the script.
Ruoping said very seriously that only Shutong could bring out the feeling in your chuunibyou script, and the others were not quite right. Zhang Shutong said helplessly that he would no longer be able to write me. He suddenly had a whimsical idea: if Lu Qinglian were to act in the play, it would save on the script. She doesn't talk much and relies entirely on her aura.

Before rehearsal, to make room, the desks in Class 3 were pushed together, and the students sat around them. Zhang Shutong noticed that Lu Qinglian had clipped her ballpoint pen to her exercise book. Ruoping was quite excited; she had been cooped up at home for too long these past few days and chattered incessantly. While chatting, she turned to supervise the actors' work, saying with some regret:
"If only we hadn't been divided into classes this year, Lao Song would definitely have agreed to let us go crazy."

Everyone agreed, but unfortunately, there are no "what ifs".

"When will the rehearsals end?" Zhang Shutong asked. He was fairly clear about the arrangements for Class Two. They would only sing five times; any more and their voices would suffer. So Gu Qiumian's rehearsals would be over soon.

"You can leave now." Director Ruoping urged everyone to hurry up. "It depends on whether it's Class 1 or Class 4. My friend is in Class 4. I asked around, and it should take about twenty minutes."

Zhang Shutong nodded.

The next step is figuring out how to get through those twenty minutes.

Ruoping had a sudden inspiration:
"How about we play Truth or Dare later?"

(End of this chapter)