Rebirth 08: A Happy Life Begins in Elementary School

Are you still interested in this kind of book?

"right."

He Shuyao exclaimed softly, "I didn't expect that."

Do you watch it regularly?

"..." He Shuyao became shy.

"I want to buy something classic and good-looking, but there are so many here, I don't know where to start."

Li Zhao's frankness completely shattered He Shuyao's hesitation, and the girl immediately transformed into a recommender, knowing the entire row of bookshelves like the back of her hand.

At first, Li Zhao listened quite attentively and picked up two books that He Shuyao strongly recommended.

But soon, after "This is pretty good", new heights appeared such as "super awesome", "top-notch", "the best ever", and "you'll regret it if you don't watch it".

Li Zhao felt that the two books he had initially held were now worthless.

Along with the affirmation, there was also a lot of criticism.

"Be careful when reading this book. The author's writing is excellent, and he's very good at writing tear-jerking scenes, but it's all about tear-jerking and doesn't give a happy ending. I don't know what I was reading."

"Don't read any of this author's books; they're awkward, pretentious, and written in a particularly rigid style."

"Ah, I'll regret reading this book for the rest of my life. The beginning is so good, but the end is so bad."

……

Li Zhao listened quietly as He Shuyao introduced the bookshelf from one end to the other.

Among them were many masterpieces that Li Zhao had heard of in his previous life, but He Shuyao basically listed them as "not worth reading".

The tastes of gourmets are completely different from those of ordinary people; niche and exquisite items are their favorites.

In an era before online shopping became popular and online reading was not mainstream, large bookstores were the choice for most students.

In his previous life, Li Zhao had been away from bookstores for many years and was looking forward to spending an afternoon there. However, he found that the books on the shelves were either outdated or he had never heard of them before. The popular books that were ranked highly online were playing hide-and-seek with him, and his bookstore image was completely shattered.

"Have you seen that much?"

He Shuyao said with a hint of pride, "I've read all the books here."

Li Zhao had just noticed a few rather peculiar books: "Welcome to Peach Blossom Spring?"

He Shuyao paused for a moment, but still nodded decisively.

Li Zhao read aloud the book cover's recommendation: "The passionate love of youth, the ever-expanding emotions..."

"Oh, I misremembered. I definitely haven't read this book. What are you saying? I don't quite understand."

He Shuyao's speaking speed was off the charts.

It is well known that girls mature earlier than boys; girls may already understand things that boys might not.

Li Zhao was momentarily drawn in by the astonishing recommendation and was about to open it.

"This book is too weird, let's not read it. I've already recommended the ones I need, just buy these few. Let's go."

"And this one?" He Shuyao took the book from Li Zhao's hand, and Li Zhao picked up a new one, "The True Story of a Bitter Love in Youth".

Damn, he almost didn't dare read the title aloud.

"Okay, okay... I was just bragging. Although I have read a lot, it's impossible to finish reading all the books on this bookshelf..."

Li Zhao glanced at the book, then quickly stuffed it into a corner as if he'd seen a ghost.

"Hmm?" He Shuyao became interested instead. "What kind of book is it that you're so disgusted with?"

It was something that female fans of BL (Boys' Love) would love to read, and it almost blinded Li Zhao.

"Sigh, you can ignore it."

Are bookstores this open at this time of year? Or do the people who collect these books have no idea what they've collected?

Do works of literature about youthful pain and heartbreak not need to be reviewed?

Then I'll just write something random!

In conclusion, Li Zhao still brought three youth literature books recommended by He Shuyao, plus twenty-four junior high school textbooks to the forefront.

He Shuyao immediately started taking out her small backpack, and then watched as Li Zhao tossed her two red bills.

"Huh?"

"I still have the money to buy books," Li Zhao whispered to He Shuyao. "I can pay you back double the allowance I borrowed from you before in a few days."

Did you get what you wanted?

"I bought it, and it even made me money."

"Just give me back my six thousand."

"No," Li Zhao said seriously, "you have to accept it."

He Shuyao paused for a moment, lowered her head, then nodded with a smile on her lips.

Ok?

She seems to really enjoy this way of communicating?

A teenage girl who's read a lot of youth literature and has a bit of a delusional personality likes domineering CEO-style conversations... it makes perfect sense.

The cashier was puzzled by Li Zhao's purchase of junior high school textbooks, but suddenly understood after he submitted three books of youth literature.

This guy must be a rich, academically challenged student, and he even has a girlfriend.

They probably lost all their textbooks while having a puppy love relationship.

Completely wrong.

Because the books were quite heavy, He Shuyao suggested that they go to the Western restaurant across the street to sit down.

After sitting down and ordering two cups of milk tea, Li Zhao, as if on cue, took out the bread He Shuyao had bought. Just as he was about to praise He Shuyao for her thoughtful planning, he saw the waiter bring over a serving of French fries and a serving of fried chicken wings.

"It's a set meal, not expensive, it's on you." He Shuyao winked.

So this is what your elementary school life was like, Miss He?

In his previous life, Li Zhao never went out to order food by himself until he graduated from high school!

The two continued their conversation about youth literature while eating. After He Shuyao provided an in-depth analysis of the three books she had recommended to Li Zhao, she suddenly changed the subject:

"Li Zhao, you're the Four-Knife, aren't you?"

Li Zhao, who was drinking milk tea, almost choked.

Why do you say that?

"My dad both praises and criticizes this 'Four-Knife' guy, saying he's incredibly skilled, but that it will bring him a lot of trouble..." He Shuyao said slowly, "So I've always paid close attention to his articles, although... I haven't really understood them. But I always feel a sense of familiarity with them."

Li Zhao's heart was beating a little fast.

"Reading his writing is very comfortable, as if someone is gently telling me stories. At first, I was wondering whose voice it was, because it was so indistinct. But when Teacher Li was explaining composition to me, I suddenly realized, that was your voice."

Girl, do you know what you're saying?

This comment is so strategically worded...

It would be even better if he didn't talk while eating chicken wings.

Well, not necessarily.

She understands you. Happiness +3, Total 43

"No matter how I look at it, your writing seems exactly the same as Sikoudao's. It's just that Sikoudao's writing is too professional for me to understand."

"So you've concluded that I'm Four Knives?"

"Um."

"Is it purely based on intuition?"

He Shuyao shook her head. "I've done my research. I've compared the word choices and punctuation habits with the articles you showed me. The 'Return to Truth' you showed me before was more subtle; I could only see some resemblance. But the essay Teacher He praised you for, and the essay exercises that followed, are so similar!"

She really knows.

"However, the articles written by Sikoudao are highly professional. Do you think I understand that kind of knowledge? Your father is the director of the planning bureau, and even he thinks his level is high..."

"What's my dad compared to that?" He Shuyao decisively ignored her father. "I don't think it's too surprising that Teacher Li understands urban planning."

Those articles are more than just about understanding.

"So, Teacher Li," He Shuyao said expectantly, "are you a four-knife expert?"

Li Zhao did hesitate for a moment, but ultimately shook his head.

"no."

He Shuyao said "Oh" and slowly lowered her head to start drinking her milk tea.

The disappointment in his eyes was clearly visible.

really...

"But you must keep it a secret," Li Zhao said.

Then the girl suddenly looked up, and her eyes lit up again.

It shone like never before.