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

Chapter 293 Shen Yuan really got off easy.

A morning breeze swept through the space between the two, carrying a faint, sweet fragrance.

The excitement didn't subside; instead, it silently fermented in the stillness of their eyes meeting.

Li Zhi took a few steps forward, her high heels making a crisp, soft sound on the campus road in the early morning.

Those eyes, filled with the morning light and anticipation, looked straight at Shen Yuan, her voice extremely soft, carrying a hint of tender probing.

"Shen Yuan..."

The girl's slender fingertips quietly tightened the smooth, cool satin hem of her skirt, her delicate chin slightly raised, yet with a hint of shyness, as she clearly conveyed the words that had been swirling in her heart all the way to his ears.

"...Does it look good?"

The moment she finished speaking, she couldn't hold back anymore. The pinkness on her earlobes spread rapidly, and her cheeks were flushed as if by the morning sun.

However, her gaze stubbornly refused to leave, as if she were stubbornly waiting for an answer she already knew but longed to hear for confirmation.

Shen Yuan looked at the radiant face so close to his.

Looking at the barely concealed nervousness and anticipation beneath her thick, long eyelashes, at the blush rising on her cheeks, and at her slightly raised chin as she tried to appear calm.

The turbulent waves that surged within me by the magnificent impact were instantly swallowed up by an even more turbulent warm current.

Without a second thought, the boy's Adam's apple bobbed, and a deep, clear response almost spontaneously escaped his lips.

"nice."

It's not a vague "it's alright," nor a polite "not bad."

It was an unequivocal affirmation, falling heavily, carrying an almost overflowing appreciation and...something deeper.

The gaze was too direct, too focused, as if trying to imprint that exquisite reflection deeply.

Upon receiving this brief yet absolute response, the bud of joy in Li Zhi's heart burst open with a "bang".

Overwhelmed by a surge of satisfaction and the shyness of being affirmed in person, her carefully maintained composure crumbled instantly.

"Hmph..." She quickly lowered her head, letting out a very soft sound through her nose.

To hide her burning shyness, the girl suddenly turned around, her dark hair tracing a shimmering arc in the sunlight.

That slender figure carried a touch of Li Zhi's slight arrogance.

"You know what's going on!"

The slender heels tapped lightly on the ground, and just as she was about to take a step, her wrist was suddenly gripped by a gentle yet irresistible force.

Li Zhi paused, and before the shyness that had just begun to rise could take shape, the warmth between her fingers spread along her skin.

She looked down and saw Shen Yuan's well-defined fingers loosely encircling her slender wrist.

The morning breeze lifted the soft downy hair on her cheeks, a few strands brushing against the boy's tightly clasped fingers.

“Let’s go, it’s time to amaze everyone, baby.” He chuckled softly, his fingertips lightly caressing the inside of her wrist, sending a slight shiver down her spine.

He didn't let go; instead, his hand slid down naturally, his palm precisely enveloping the girl's fingertips, firmly grasping the expectation beneath her shyness.

Li Zhi let him lead her a few steps forward, feeling the gentle pull of his palm.

The girl's gaze swept over his sharp features, and her heartbeat quietly returned to a gentle rhythm.

She didn't try to break free anymore. Instead, with a slight sway of her steps, she quietly moved her arm closer to his side and gently and naturally took Shen Yuan's strong forearm.

Beneath the slightly heavy fabric of the suit in the boy's arms lay the warmth and taut strength of his body; that subtle presence penetrated the thin satin of the suit and reached straight to the heart.

The girl's action of linking arms with him was so practiced that it seemed like an innate instinct, and a corner of her soft white shawl gently brushed against his shoulder.

Her black satin skirt swayed gracefully as she walked side by side with his tall and slender figure in the morning light.

Heading towards the teaching building, I blended into the bustling and bright morning light and the crowds.

Not far from the school gate, in the temporary parking area, two strikingly different women leaned leisurely against their respective cars.

The morning light outlined the proud smiles on their faces, their eyes like searchlights, accurately capturing the receding figures of their children nestled together.

Zhang Yuyan crossed her arms, her smart and neat outfit making her look particularly energetic in the morning light.

She grinned widely, her eyes narrowed into slits, and she nudged her husband, Lao Shen, who had also just turned off the car and gotten out, with her elbow.

Xu Chan chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with tenderness and barely concealed joy.

She watched Li Zhi's back as she nestled against Shen Yuan's arm like a little bird, feeling the budding charm and affection of the young girl.

The mother's eyes and eyebrows were curved in a smile, as if she could already foresee how this beautiful moment would be captured in her phone's photo album.

In stark contrast to the two ladies was Comrade Lao Li, who stood beside Xu Chan.

The old father had a stern face and stood ramrod straight, exuding a stern and oppressive aura.

Those sharp, hawk-like eyes were now precisely locked onto Old Shen, who was not far away.

Old Shen felt the death stare coming from Old Li, a thorn in his side.

He cleared his throat somewhat awkwardly, his eyes darting around uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact with his childhood friend.

The two mothers, who had witnessed the entire scene, exchanged a knowing glance, their smiles deepening.

The figures of the young boy and girl in the distance had completely blended into the surging crowd in front of the teaching building, but their posture of leaning on each other was like the most striking footnote, frozen in this ritualistic morning.

As the morning light shines brightly, the glittering crystals reflect countless colors in the confident smiles of the young students on their journey forward.

Li Zhi took Shen Yuan's arm, lifted her skirt slightly, and stepped gracefully up the stairs of the teaching building.

The crisp sound of high heels clicking on the floor was particularly clear in the slightly noisy hallway, attracting the attention of students near the classroom door.

At this moment, Class 15 has lost all trace of the tranquility of the campus in the early morning.

Sunlight streamed through the windowpanes, and the beams of light seemed to be filled with playful dust particles.

The entire classroom seemed to have been put on an excitement button, the air filled with the unique vigor of youth and the excitement brought by the upcoming ceremony.

The students gathered in twos and threes, no longer hunched over their books, but excitedly discussing their outfits.

Most of the boys were wearing brand-new or well-fitting suits and shirts. Although their movements were still a little awkward, their straight backs and bright eyes announced their transformation.

The girls were even more dazzling, with all sorts of carefully selected, rented or bought dresses and gowns, paired with rare and exquisite makeup and hair accessories, making their familiar classmates shine with amazing brilliance.

Their eyes met, filled with curiosity, admiration, and a touch of shy excitement.

When the two appeared at the front door of Class 15, the voices of several boys who had been laughing and joking suddenly stopped.

Zhou Shaojie was standing on his seat, showing Yang Ze and Chen Mingyu how handsome his suit was.

He happened to be facing the doorway when Shen Yuan's tall and imposing figure and the undeniably striking black silhouette beside him came into view.

The next second, it was as if Ah Jie had been put on pause, his waving arm frozen in mid-air.

At that moment, the classroom fell into an eerie silence.

brush!brush!brush!
Almost simultaneously, dozens of eyes, as if drawn by a powerful magnet, focused on that dazzling figure.

"Fuck!"

A gasp of astonishment, brimming with immense shock, burst from He Zhiyu's throat, her voice rising several octaves in disbelief. The young author's eyes shone as if he had discovered a priceless treasure; pointing in Li Zhi's direction, he was so excited he was almost incoherent.

"Zhi...Zhi?! My God! You! You you you—"

Zhuo Peipei, who was next to her, covered her mouth in surprise, her round almond-shaped eyes filled with pure amazement and disbelief.

The president's gaze swept over Li Zhi from head to toe several times before he finally found his voice.

"Oh my god...it's so good...the female lead is exactly the female lead I've always dreamed of!"

The air seemed to freeze.

Shen Yuan could clearly feel the slight tension transmitted through his arm.

Li Zhi was clearly feeling a little hot-eared from the attention he was receiving.

Under the watchful eyes of the entire class, the beautiful girl slightly raised her chin, her pride allowing her to stand firmly, bearing the weight of the moment.

After a brief silence, an even more enthusiastic roar erupted.

"Goddess Li!!"

"My God! Li Zhi, you were absolutely amazing today!!"

"It's blindingly bright!"

"That dress!!! I declare that Young Master Li is the best performer of the night today!!"

Wearing a white dress, He Zhiyu excitedly jumped to Li Zhi's side.

"Baby!!! You're so beautiful, I'm dying of joy!"

"Queen, Li Zhi, you are my queen!"

"This black dress is so beautiful!"

Shen Yuan turned his head to look at the girl beside him with rosy cheeks, his eyes filled with undisguised pride and doting affection.

He Zhiyu suddenly turned her head and glared at Shen Yuan next to her, pointing her finger at Shen Yuan's seemingly calm profile, her voice instantly rising eight octaves.

"Hey! Did you save the galaxy in your past life? How did you manage to snag someone as pretty as Zhizhi? You're so cheap!"

She deliberately enunciated the last four words clearly, and in the noisy classroom, it was like a pebble thrown into water, instantly stirring up a chorus of laughter and whistles.

The boy who was being teased smiled broadly.

Just as Shen Yuan was about to retort, the beautiful girl beside him subconsciously took half a step forward towards He Zhiyu, shielding half of Shen Yuan's body behind her.

"Zhiyu!" Li Zhi's voice trembled with a hint of embarrassment and annoyance, yet it pierced through the laughter with exceptional clarity.

She gripped Shen Yuan's fingers so tightly that her knuckles turned white, but her gaze met that of her best friend, who was covering her mouth and chuckling.

"What do you mean by 'snatched'? Use more polite language!"

"Yes, yes, yes, we are mutually in love!"

He Zhiyu winked mischievously, deliberately dragging out the melody, which made Li Zhi's cheeks turn even redder, and the laughter in the class rose in waves.

Outside this bustling teaching building, on the vast playground of Jiyang Middle School, the stage for the coming-of-age ceremony gleamed under the warm sun.

The bright red carpet stretched forward from the podium, like a road of growth unfolding.

A huge backdrop stands tall, with the bright slogan "At eighteen, set sail and embark on a new journey!" prominently displayed, adorned below with images of ships and soaring birds symbolizing dreams.

The sound equipment was already in place, and the music clips during the testing added a touch of energy and anticipation to the busy scene.

Parents were already seated around the stage, waiting for their children to arrive.

At the edge of the venue, a huge archway has been erected, creating a festive atmosphere.

The teachers were coordinating the process, their faces beaming with satisfaction and anticipation.

The early summer breeze swept across the green field, carrying the scent of fresh grass and fluttering the banners and colorful flags that decorated the area.

The laughter and cheerful chatter in the classroom, along with the elaborate decorations on the playground, together wove a unique prelude to this day.

Inside Class 15, the homeroom teacher, Mr. Zhou, slowly walked into the classroom.

The enthusiastic chatter in the classroom did not stop instantly upon his arrival. The excited voices simply quieted down slightly when they saw him, and curious and slightly apprehensive glances were cast his way.

Old Zhou pushed up his signature glasses, his gaze behind the lenses sweeping steadily across the entire classroom.

His gaze swept over everyone in the classroom, lingering for a moment on Shen Yuan and Li Zhi, a deeper sense of satisfaction seemingly flickering in the depths of his eyes.

There was no immediate urging, no scolding or fussing.

Old Zhou leaned against the door frame and cleared his throat.

His voice wasn't loud, but it was like pressing the pause button; the classroom fell completely silent, and all eyes were on him.

He looked at the group of children in front of him, who were dressed up and whose eyes were full of youthful radiance.

A gentle smile now clearly appeared on that serious face.

"Ah."

Old Zhou's voice broke the silence, carrying a hint of relaxation and approval rarely heard on ordinary days.

He looked at the whole class, his gaze lingering on a few particularly noticeable "new faces," and nodded. His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.

"It's all good."

He paused, as if he felt that the word "pretty good" alone was not enough to express his feelings at the moment, and added a sentence, his tone sincere and unusually tinged with a bit of straightforward appreciation.

"You all look quite energetic today, that's great!"

Sunlight streamed through the window, falling on his slightly upturned lips and the softly gleaming lenses of his glasses.

No further commentary, no lengthy discussion.

The tension and anticipation manifested in the light welling up in his eyes and an uncontrollable widening of his smile.

After a brief silence, the classroom erupted in even louder laughter than before!
The feeling of being recognized, especially by Lao Zhou on such a special day, seemed to add the most powerful footnote to the prelude to this transformation.

"Absolutely! Everyone's all standing at attention today! You look incredibly handsome too!"

Zhou Shaojie chuckled.

Old Zhou couldn't quite keep his smile from spreading across his face after the sudden excitement and straightforward response.

He raised his hand slightly to press down, cleared his throat again, and his voice regained its usual calm and steady strength, but there was no trace of severity in his urging.

"Alright, alright, stop looking so good! The playground is waiting! Hurry up and line up! Girls, watch out for the stairs and steps! Boys, button up your jackets! Let's go!"

He stepped aside to clear the doorway, his gaze sweeping over the group of young people about to embark on a new phase of their lives.

Under his gaze, the boys and girls, filled with the joy of being praised, walked past him in an orderly fashion with bright and energetic smiles.

The crowd merged into the corridor and headed toward the coming-of-age ceremony stage that had been prepared for them in the sunlight.

(End of this chapter)