Rebirth 08: A Happy Life Begins in Elementary School

Li Zhao stopped keeping a diary after graduating from elementary school.

Because he failed to fulfill the last wish in that diary—to get into New Taipei First Senior High School.

The reason was that his parents were too worried about not getting into the top 100 and having to pay high tuition and fees, so Li Zhao settled for second best.

For a long time after entering junior high school, Li Zhao was unwilling to open this diary.

The idea that "success is the only solution in life" probably took shape around that time and has become increasingly ingrained in the years that followed.

Later, this diary was sealed away in a corner of Li Zhao's memory.

Li Zhao was in his room rereading his past thoughts, his feelings were very complicated.

Sometimes I'm amazed by wonderful ideas, sometimes I'm embarrassed by childish emotions, but in the end, there's a faint sense of melancholy.

2008, a year that Li Zhao would often reminisce about, always evoked a sense of vigor and anticipation in his memories of his past life.

Everyone believes that everything is just beginning, and "future" is a powerful word.

Li Zhao couldn't say for sure whether he was really missing an era or himself when he graduated from elementary school and entered junior high.

Now that I've been reborn and look back rationally, I realize that 08 was indeed a year of many disasters.

Snowstorms, earthquakes, financial crises, melamine contamination...

Just like Li Zhao's year in 08, his parents' divorce left a shadow on him, and he was forced to choose New Taipei Experimental School for his exam, which led to his depression. It doesn't sound like something worth remembering.

But watching the Olympics during summer vacation and seeing his country win fifty-one gold medals, the joy of everyone cheering together was enough for him to savor for a lifetime.

Perhaps this is the meaning of happiness.

It can be very short, very shallow, and you may not even realize it at the time, but it will unleash amazing power in the future.

The diary in Li Zhao's hand carried many of his hopes during his elementary school years, but after Li Zhao started working, it became a notebook of regrets.

"I've almost finished reading all of the Adventure Tigers series thanks to Chen Nian, they're so good. I really wish I could own a copy so I could lend it to Chen Nian."

The Adventure Tigers, who circulated the most dangerous book in class, ultimately couldn't escape the fate of "Where did the decryption card go?"

"I was still second in my class in the final exams, but this time I made it into the top ten in the grade. Unfortunately, my parents didn't seem happy. I'm not too happy either. Why was my essay one point lower than Aunt Ma's? Does the teacher not like me?"

Sister Ma, whose real name is Ma Yingying, is the class monitor of Li Zhao Elementary School. She is a petite girl with excellent grades and a proud personality.

"I really wanted to participate in the English preliminary competition. It's a national competition! But my name wasn't on the list for the grade-level training class, so I decided not to bother."

Li Zhao chuckled upon seeing this, thinking to himself, "He really cares about saving face."

Wouldn't it be even better to not be selected for the training program, but still win the exam and advance to the semi-finals? That's what I did in junior high.

"He Shuyao came to ask me a question today, but I spaced out and couldn't answer it. It was so embarrassing. Everyone was making a fuss about it, I was so annoyed!"

This diary entry was quite interesting, but Li Zhao couldn't laugh.

He Shuyao.

This is a heavy name.

Li Zhao's elementary, middle, and high school classmates. They both loved reading since they were young, so they communicated a lot and had a good relationship.

Although there were many people who stirred up trouble, Li Zhao had no objections during his primary and junior high school years.

High school... Li Zhao couldn't explain it clearly.

He only remembered that because his middle school entrance exam score was just short of the top score in the province, New Taipei High School, he became even more obsessed with things like "effort" and "success," and he was completely focused on studying the classics.

At that time, Li Zhao appeared aloof and unapproachable. He usually kept to himself and his roommates didn't talk to him much.

The only person I can call a good friend is He Shuyao.

Li Zhao's study schedule is rather peculiar. He studies instead of sleeping at noon, and studies before dinner after class. He eats while everyone else is doing laundry, and takes a shower and does laundry while everyone else is returning to the classroom, making sure to avoid peak hours.

The only one in the class whose rhythm matched his was He Shuyao.

He Shuyao was very pretty in high school, with a face that, if you looked at it for too long, would seem a little disrespectful.

The boys in the class blushed after saying just a few words to her, except for Li Zhao.

However, Li Zhao was quite good back then. When he looked up to relax his neck while studying, he would always catch a glimpse of a few girls who would quickly turn their heads away as if nothing had happened.

Li Zhao no longer remembers whether he had any special feelings for He Shuyao back then, because his senior year of high school was overwhelmed by exam papers and the anxiety of choosing a university and major.

Later, Li Zhao chose a school in the north, while He Shuyao stayed in Linjiang.

During his university years, Li Zhao was obsessed with accumulating resources for his future career. He was so busy that he was always on the go. Even when He Shuyao occasionally tried to chat with him on WeChat, his replies were sporadic.

Then, around the time he graduated from university, Li Zhao returned to Linjiang to attend He Shuyao's funeral.

She was waiting for the red light on the curb when a car sped towards her and drove off at full speed.

The driver was driving under the influence of alcohol.

Li Zhao hadn't had a chance to confirm whether there had ever been feelings of attraction between them, nor had he had the opportunity to ask himself if "getting used to being with someone" could be called love.

There will never be another chance.

After that, Li Zhao devoted all her energy to her work, eventually amassed a lot of money, experienced a terrible love affair, and found herself in a mess of family relationships.

Fortunately, he now has a completely new life.

"Eating the right thing at the right time..." Li Zhao murmured to himself.

March 7, 2008, Friday, the day after Li Zhao's rebirth.

My thoughts were in turmoil last night, and I didn't sleep a wink.

It had been a long time since Li Zhao had gotten up before 7 a.m. ... After washing his face, Li Zhao was still sleepy. He noticed that his breakfast included an extra sausage, which he sliced ​​and fried until crispy. The boiled egg next to him was already cut into four pieces and served with soy sauce.

Zhou Xiaoyun urged Li Zhao to speed up as always, seemingly unaffected by their conversation last night.

But what she wanted to say was hidden in her breakfast.

Li Zhao smiled knowingly.

Even the smallest change is a good thing, as long as it's positive.

"You look so listless today, Zhao." Chen Nian ran over to Li Zhao as soon as he saw her at the school gate.

"A little," Li Zhao yawned.

"Because of your parents?"

"No, I just didn't sleep well."

"We have an English test today, are you okay?"

English?

In his previous life, Li Zhao was a department manager at the largest private planning and design company in Linjiang Province. Although he didn't use most of the knowledge he learned in school in the workplace, his department needed to deal with many international clients, so fluent business English was a basic requirement.

To call it a "dimensional reduction attack" when it's being taught in elementary school is an understatement.

"Of course, no problem."

During morning reading, the children's voices were very clear and loud, including Chen Nian, who was sitting upright reading the text next to me.

Li Zhao stared blankly at the timetable. The timetable for elementary school students was surprisingly simple. It was filled with Chinese, math, and English, plus three physical education classes a week, and one art and labor class a week that was practically invisible.

Now that classes are starting, I'll have plenty of time to think about my rebirth.

Carrying the memories of his previous life, Li Zhao was not able to connect with his current memories after being reborn, which caused him to always have a sense of disorientation.

Looking around at his classmates, Li Zhao couldn't even remember the names of more than half of them.

Basically, there are only three types of people you can invite: one is outstanding, one is someone you have a good relationship with, and one is someone who is particularly noisy.

There are also some exceptions.

For example, Zhao Pengwei, who sits in the last row of the class.

His grades were consistently in the top ten of the class, but he was arrogant and looked down on everyone. When he found out that Li Zhao did not apply to Xinbei No.1 Middle School, but he himself barely made it in, he made a sarcastic remark in the class QQ group.

The two had no contact after that until a few years after Li Zhao started working, he suddenly contacted Li Zhao through his parents' connections, calling him his elementary school classmate and making all sorts of gestures of goodwill, just to invite Li Zhao to dinner and introduce him to someone.

Li Zhao naturally did not agree.

Speaking of special cases, Li Zhao couldn't help but shift his gaze to the right front.

He Shuyao sat upright, nodding as she read the text, her long ponytail swaying back and forth.

She hadn't fully grown up yet; she was just cute. But she became prettier year by year after starting junior high.

If she continues her journey through junior high and high school with Li Zhao in this life, just like in the previous one, perhaps the two will find new destiny.

However, she is still just a little girl.

Upon reflection, Li Zhao realized that he didn't really know He Shuyao. Apart from knowing that this seemingly aloof and pretty girl was actually a bit straightforward and loved snacks, he didn't know much else.

Li Zhao sighed softly to himself and murmured: It's good that I'm alive.

After morning reading ends, there are still ten minutes before class starts. Everyone will try their best to chat a few more minutes or go to the toilet in groups.

He Shuyao stood up, picked up her math book, and walked towards Li Zhao.

Chen Nian just pulled out a rubber CJ7 toy from his bag, ready to show it off to Li Zhao, but immediately stopped talking when he saw He Shuyao coming over.

Toys are nowhere near as fun as gossip.

"Li Zhao," He Shuyao said crisply, "Don't leave after the first class, I have a question for you."

Then he floated back.