I'm a senior in high school, and the system says I'm going on a blind date with my childho

Chapter 286 A-Jie's Advice

The sound of the shutter clicking the graduation photo still seemed to vibrate slightly in the air of the playground, mixed with the echoes of the teenagers' laughter and playfulness.

But the moment the long line of Class 15 stepped back into the shadow of the teaching building, an invisible transformation quietly occurred.

The morning sunlight in summer gradually changes from its gentleness to its sharpness, casting distinct patches of light through the glass windows onto the corridor floor tiles.

As the line drew closer to the classroom door, the familiar scent of old book pages became increasingly clear, mixed with a faint, sweet fragrance of the girls' moisturizers or lipsticks.

The laughter seemed to be filtered out by an invisible door.

He Zhiyu and Zhuo Peipei walked beside Li Zhi, whispering about the fun they had while taking photos. But when their eyes swept over the familiar "Senior Three (15) Class" sign, they quickened their pace.

The initial relaxed excitement from taking photos was replaced by a settled sense of urgency to learn.

"Hey, are we going over the test paper next physics class?" Zhuo Peipei asked softly, the smile on her face fading slightly.

“Yeah, so many people got the last question wrong yesterday, Old Zhang will definitely have to explain it,” He Zhiyu replied.

However, there were exceptions. The boys in the back row, who were still arm in arm with Ah Jie, were still chatting about what had just happened, seemingly without a care in the world.

Their conversation didn't revolve around Shen Yuan and Li Zhi, nor around the teachers like Lao Zhou and Yang Yishui, but rather around high school.

Taking graduation photos may just be a routine procedure for schools; every year at this time, a group of students will take graduation photos.

But it's different when it comes to an individual.

Ah Jie put his arm around Yang Ze's shoulder and vigorously rubbed the back of Chen Mingyu's head with his other hand. His voice was still loud, but it lacked its usual boisterousness and was more serious than usual.

"Damn... thinking about graduating soon, I'm actually starting to feel... like my youth is coming to an end."

Chen Mingyu slapped A-Jie's hand away in disgust: "Okay, okay, Brother Jie, don't pretend to be profound here, it's giving me goosebumps."

He paused, watching the familiar classroom door draw closer, and added in a low voice, "...But thinking about it, it makes sense. In another twenty days, we won't be able to eat the cafeteria food anymore..."

"What? You're actually thinking of eating in the cafeteria?"

"What right do you have to say something if you specifically go to the cafeteria to find bizarre food?"

Yang Ze smiled and pushed up his glasses: "It's not just the cafeteria, is it?"

For once, Ah Jie's expression lost its flamboyance. He rubbed the back of his head, as if trying to suppress the emerging melancholy, his throat slightly hoarse.
"Tsk... After the college entrance exam, we're really all scattered, bros. We won't be able to get a full five-man team to play games anymore."

Chen Mingyu and Yang Ze, who were standing next to him, were silent for a moment. Then, the three of them bumped shoulders with each other in tacit understanding.

"Get the hell out of here! You son of a bitch, it's not like your dad's dead!"

This mutual dislike, tinged with the roughness of youth, seemed to be the best remedy for suppressing the quietly emerging sorrow of parting.

The group bumped shoulders and stepped into the familiar classroom.

As the bell rang, Class 15 returned to its familiar rhythm.

The day after the graduation photos, as soon as the lunch break bell rang, Shen Yuan reached out and hooked his arm around A-Jie's neck, poking Chen Mingyu and Yang Ze's shoulders in the front row with his fingertips: "Hey, I have a great idea, wanna try something new?"

Shen Yuan didn't keep them in suspense and asked directly, "Shall we film the transition video for the coming-of-age ceremony?"

Ah-Jie's eyes lit up instantly: "Wow! Director Yuan has an idea? Tell me more!"

Chen Mingyu and Yang Ze also curiously came over.

Shen Yuan grabbed a draft paper and started sketching storyboards: "Let's all put on our school uniforms and stand in a row against the wall—"

He tapped the table with his fingers to simulate the sound of a clapperboard.

"Camera up! Then freeze on our poses, and then step out of the frame one by one—"

"I can cut my coming-of-age suit in a second!" A-Jie slapped his thigh excitedly.

"Got it! The school uniform kid instantly transforms into a business elite! I'm the first one to leave, Jay! We have to give him a close-up of his hair flip!"

"Dream on." Chen Mingyu laughed and elbowed him. "Based on height! Shorty, get lost!"

The three of them immediately started wrestling and pushing each other to get into position.

Shen Yuan curled the corners of his mouth: "Yes, that's pretty much the feeling. We walked over one by one and then each of us went to our respective seats."

Looking at the group, Shen Yuan continued to ask.

"So that means everyone agreed to film?"

"Film it! We have to film it!" Ah Jie was the first to break free, his eyes shining. "Brother Jie, I have to record at least three takes!"

"Agreed!" Chen Mingyu and Yang Ze nodded almost in unison, their faces filled with anticipation and excitement. They were clearly pleased with Shen Yuan's idea of ​​turning school uniforms into suits.

The drowsiness of the lunch break in the classroom was largely dispelled by this idea, and it was as if the explosive effect of the finished video could already be seen.

Zhou Shaojie chuckled, then suddenly turned his mischievous gaze to Shen Yuan and nudged Shen Yuan's ribs with his elbow.

He lowered his voice, with a hint of anticipation, and said, "Hey, Director Yuan, this idea is so cool, why don't you invite our young master Li to join in?"

The sarcasm and innuendo in his words couldn't be clearer.

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuan slowly glanced at A-Jie, his eyes seemingly saying, "You idiot."

"bring?"

He let out a low, ambiguous sneer, the last syllable rising in pitch, clearly hitting A-Jie's ears: "Aren't you stupid? This was originally your idea, Young Master Li."

The moment the words left his mouth, Ah Jie's mischievous smile froze, his eyes widened, and he looked like a duck being choked.

Chen Mingyu and Yang Ze, who were standing next to him, were stunned for a moment, then their mouths twitched wildly and their shoulders began to shrug suspiciously.

Oh no, he's losing his composure! Brother Jie's flattery has completely backfired!

The air was quiet for a moment.

Ah Jie slapped his thigh suddenly, his whole body turning towards Li Zhi like a spring, his voice instantly rising three octaves.

"Damn! I knew it! There's no way that dog Shen Yuan could have come up with such a flashy and outrageous move! Case solved! Case solved!"

His eyes shone as he stared intently at Li Zhi.

"I knew it—only I, Director Li, could come up with such a tasteful and insightful plan!"

"Right? Yuanzi's brain is only filled with Li Shao's notebooks and homework, he has no romantic sense at all! Brothers, don't you agree!"

Shen Yuan stood to the side with his arms crossed, watching Li Zhi's ears turn slightly red from being bombarded with A-Jie's flattery, yet he tried to remain calm. A knowing smile played on his lips as he lazily nodded, "Alright, alright, you know best."

Ah Jie's output clearly pleased Young Master Li.

Li Shao raised his delicate chin slightly, his eyes filled with the pleasant feeling of being praised, and casually said, "Well done, Zhou Shaojie, if you can talk, then talk more."

Ah Jie, who was "granted" permission by Li Shao, was instantly greatly encouraged. It was as if his Ren and Du meridians had been opened, and his thoughts were racing.

He suddenly slapped the back of his head, his eyes flashing with an astonishing light, and an even bolder and more thought-provoking idea burst forth like a spark:

"Wait! That's the point! Director Li, Director Yuan! I have an absolutely amazing idea!"

Ah Jie waved his arms excitedly, attracting the attention of He Zhiyu and the others.

"Look, you guys have that 100-day challenge video, right? You film it every day by the banner to record the last 100 days, right? It's so damn classic!"

He leaned forward abruptly, his voice low but barely containing his excitement: "We can gradually improve that video! Starting tomorrow, the camera won't just be showing the two of you!"

He pointed to himself, then to Chen Mingyu, Yang Ze, He Zhiyu, and Zhuo Peipei.

"We'll add each of us in one by one, slowly!"

Ah Jie enthusiastically described, "Starting tomorrow, I'll be in the picture! Although my face won't be shown, my cheers will be included. Two days later, Chen Mingyu, Yang Ze, He Zhiyu, and Zhuo Peipei! Finally! Finally, the whole class will appear in the picture together!"

He got excited and pumped his fist: "That's the key! 'The college entrance exam isn't a solo battle, it's a battlefield a group of people are heading to together!' Just thinking about that theme is incredibly inspiring, isn't it?!" "From a promise between two people to a vow among a group! Isn't that a better way to remember our unbreakable friendship than any gift!"

After he finished speaking, there was a moment of silence.

Chen Mingyu and Yang Ze exchanged a glance and stopped criticizing Brother Jie. He Zhiyu and Zhuo Peipei also had a look of eagerness in their eyes.

This idea about "joining" is like a warm seed, precisely touching the collective unconscious of teenagers who cherish their soon-to-be-ending high school years and yearn to be bound together in some way.

Looking at A-Jie's face, flushed with excitement, and listening to his words about "a group of people rushing to the front lines," Li Zhi couldn't help but smile.

Looking at Li Zhi's upturned lips and the expectant eyes of his friends, Shen Yuan felt a warm feeling fill his chest.

He reached out and pressed heavily on Ah Jie's shoulder, his laughter low and pleasant: "Tsk, Brother Jie... finally said something pleasing to the ear this time."

"Jingle Bell--!"

Just then, the urgent school bell rang suddenly, like a starting gun, instantly shattering the passionate ideas that were brewing and extinguishing the gleam that had just begun to shine in the eyes of the young people.

The ringing of the bell startled everyone, and the atmosphere of discussion that had just been formed was burst like a bubble.

That warm impulse about collectively heading to the battlefield of the college entrance examination was slapped back into the cold pile of test papers.

An afternoon passed by heavily, accompanied by the scratching sound of pen on paper, carrying formulas and theorems.

The accumulated knowledge briefly suppressed the initial excitement of taking the photo.

As the bell rang to signal the end of the third period, the last bit of tension suddenly dissipated.

The next period is a self-study period.

Perhaps due to the approaching college entrance examination, the school has arranged more breathing time in the tight schedule.

Self-study periods are one of them.

Self-study has been transformed into a break, allowing students to arrange what they want to do during self-study periods.

Some are resting, some are reading, and some are playing ball.

Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me.

Almost the instant the teacher finished announcing "get out of class dismissed," A-Jie sprang up from his seat in the front row.

He darted over to Shen Yuan's desk, who was leisurely tidying up his stationery, and braced his elbows on the pile of books. His eyes shone like searchlights.

"Hey! Brother Yuan! My Director Yuan!"

Ah Jie's voice rose, filled with barely concealed eagerness and excitement, the last syllable still standing out prominently in the slightly noisy classroom after school.

"We have the plan, and the ideas are awesome. When are we going to start working on that amazing transition video?" He put his hands together, made an exaggerated "please" gesture, and leaned forward.

"Why not seize the day? I think the weather is perfect now, the sunset is incredibly beautiful, it'll definitely create a great atmosphere for the photos! What do you say? Just waiting for your command, Brother Jie is ready to go!"

"Alright then." Shen Yuan put down his pen, leaned back in his chair, and smiled mischievously.

His gaze shifted slightly, passing over the impatient A-Jie, and landed precisely on Li Zhi beside him.

The early summer afternoon sunlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow on her slightly lowered profile.

Although the beautiful girl was reading a book, the unconscious slight pursing and then upturning of her lips betrayed her own little anticipation.

A low laugh escaped Shen Yuan's throat, deliberately drawn out, his voice neither too loud nor too soft, clearly reaching Li Zhi's ears:
"What does Teacher Li think? There's no time like the present, and we still have plenty of study time, so how about... we go and film it now?"

Li Zhi's fingers, which were gripping the book pages, curled almost imperceptibly.

The girl whose name was called raised her clear eyes.

She quickly glanced at A-Jie, who was staring expectantly, and Chen Mingyu and Yang Ze, who were also filled with anticipation.

Her last glance swept over He Zhiyu and Zhuo Peipei, who also looked forward to her.

Finally, her gaze met Shen Yuan's deep eyes, which held a confident smile, as if to say, "Look, everyone's waiting."

Her cheeks began to warm up, and the girl pursed her lips, as if suppressing the involuntary upward curve of her lips, or as if gathering her strength.

She quickly closed the book in front of her, her delicate, fair chin lightly touching it.

"Then..."

Li Zhi's voice wasn't loud, but it was clear enough for everyone around to hear, with a slightly playful tone at the end.

"Let's get started."

The voice just fell.

"Whoa—!"

A strange scream immediately burst from A-Jie's mouth. He excitedly slapped his thigh and almost jumped up on the spot.

"Long live Director Li!!"

Ah Jie completely ignored the surprised looks from the other people in the classroom, so excited that his spittle almost flew out.

"Let's go! There's no time like the present, and this opportunity won't come again!"

Chen Mingyu and Yang Ze grinned at the same time, excitedly high-fiving each other: "Let's get started!"

"That's amazing! I wonder how well it will work!"

"It must be amazing!"

He Zhiyu grabbed Zhuo Peipei's arm, and both of them were beaming with joy.

"hurry up!"

As Shen Yuan watched the small group of people in front of him instantly ignite, the smile on his lips grew even wider.

He casually stuffed his stationery into the desk drawer, stood up, and did so with a neat and decisive posture.

"Okay, then stop dawdling."

Shen Yuan waved his hand, as if he were truly the director in control of the entire situation.

"Target: the corridor!"

A group of people, including Li Zhi, immediately stood up, like a flock of birds that had just received a signal and were eager to fly out of their cages.

The group whispered among themselves about who would step out of the camera's view first.

He Zhiyu and Zhuo Peipei followed closely behind, excitedly discussing the details in hushed tones.

"Would you like your hair fixed?"

"I feel the background needs to be cleaner..."

They quickly passed through the desks and chairs at the back of the classroom, and under the curious or bewildered gazes of the other students, they rushed out the back door of the classroom.

The evening sunlight slanted through the glass windows of the teaching building, casting interplay of light and shadow in the empty and quiet corridor.

As soon as they stepped out of the classroom, freed from its constraints, the group felt as if they had been released from a seal.

Ah Jie was the first to hop to a relatively spacious spot in the middle of the corridor, pointing to the smooth, mirror-like beige wall.

"Quick, quick! Brother Yuan! Director Li! Right here! This wall is clean and long enough to be a perfect backdrop!"

As he spoke, he leaned against the wall and struck what he thought was a cool pose, which made everyone burst into laughter.

(End of this chapter)