I turned reality into a romantic comedy

"Okay, okay, I just suddenly really need to go to the bathroom. Mumu, come with me, okay?"

"Oh."

Watching the two girls leave the pottery classroom together, Chen Junqian instinctively wanted to wipe his face, but he quickly realized that his hands were still covered in clay, so he went to the sink to wash them before slowly returning to the classroom.

It's fair to say that Xu Youwei's strange reputation in their class has been around for quite some time. So, when everyone was surprised by her behavior in today's pottery class, they got used to it after a while. They just added another personality trait to her that seemed like she was capable of beating people, as they whispered among themselves.

As expected, when it was time for after-school care at noon, Lin Mu approached Chen Junqian on his own initiative, just as Chen Junqian had predicted. The two sat side by side in the last row of the TV room, watching "Jackie Chan Adventures" which aired every noon, while chatting quietly.

The day before yesterday, we watched episode 11, featuring the Monkey Talisman. Yesterday, we watched episode 12, featuring the Tiger Talisman. And today, in the recap of episode 13, we can see an 'MVP-level replay' of how Evil Dragon, who was separated from Evil Dragon by the Yin-Yang power of the Tiger Talisman in the previous episode, stole all the talismans, leading to the resurrection of Shendu.

"Sometimes, I even suspect that Weiwei might also have a tiger charm. For example, yesterday she came to school as the good Weiwei, but today she turned into the evil Weiwei. Otherwise, her emotional fluctuations always seem a bit too big."

Lin Mu propped her chin up with her hand, watching the animation on TV while sighing and complaining.

"It's probably related to her family, right? After all, we don't know anything about her family situation. You don't even know where she lives."

As someone who has grown up at this age and is now reborn as a child again, Chen Junqian is very clear about the aspects of the environment in which children at this age, who have begun to develop their own independent thoughts, tend to experience particularly great pressure. However, they often cannot express this pressure in a concrete way, mainly due to differences in their level of understanding.

This is precisely why adults often fail to empathize with children's thoughts. Actions that children consider quite outrageous in expressing their emotions are often naturally ignored. At most, they might mutter something like, "You're acting strange today," or "Are you in a bad mood?" It's rare for adults to ask further, like, "What happened at school?" It's not uncommon for adults to directly retort, "I work outside every day and then come home to buy groceries, cook, and serve you, and you give me the cold shoulder first."

It's more accurate to say that the situation of his family and Lin Mu's family is quite rare. Although it could be said that it's because the two of them are indeed people who don't cause their parents any worry, on the other hand, it is precisely their parents and family education that have raised them into such personalities.

"Speaking of which, it seems that Weiwei keeps a diary. It would be great if we could see her diary so that we could understand what she is thinking every day."

Lin Mu, who thought he had come up with a great idea, quickly realized it wouldn't work after giving his suggestion. He lowered his head, looked at his toes in white sneakers, and denied it to himself:

"But she should be using the same password-protected diary as the one she gave me. Even if she did bring it to school, we wouldn't be able to read it without knowing the password."

"Oh, so this is what you got from her this morning."

"This is because it can improve one's ability to write Chinese compositions."

"But we also have to write a weekly journal entry and submit it to our teacher. I feel like you're barely managing to get by with yours, let alone the daily journal entry you have to write every day."

"Different."

As he spoke, Lin Mu lowered his head and repeated himself:

"It's just different."

She used to dislike writing weekly journals because she never knew what to write. Every day of her life was a repetitive cycle with little change. Apart from the level increases in the mini-games on QQ Space, such as farms, ranches, supermarkets, and parking spaces, she felt like nothing was changing, even her height.

But these past two days, she suddenly felt that every day had become very long, and every day seemed to have things she wanted to write down and record as a diary. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been moved by Xu Youwei's words and accepted the gift directly.

However, Lin Mu was still unclear about the specific source of this idea. Not good at complex thinking and unwilling to think too much, she, like Xu Youwei in the morning, changed the subject in an almost abrupt way:

"How about we follow Weiwei after school today and see where her secret base is?"

"Not today. You've already finished eating all the vegetables at home. You'll have to go to the market to buy some more after school. You can keep the remaining six yuan with you."

"Yes, it seems like we really do need to buy groceries again."

As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Ever since she went to the farmers' market with Chen Junqian, Lin Mu has become much bolder. After all, as the second-ranked student in her class and the third-ranked student in the entire grade, she was even eager to try it herself.

"Actually, I used to see my mom haggling with the shopkeeper for a long time when she bought things."

"...With the way we're buying groceries like we're picking out birdseed, we shouldn't even think about haggling over a few cents or dimes."

Although his past life experience allowed Chen Junqian to pick out a few small vegetables at the market and have the vendor weigh them without any psychological pressure, it would be too much for him to haggle over such a small amount. However, he was indeed an expert in this area.

"Right."

Perhaps recalling the experience of spending only three or four yuan with Chen Junqian last time, Lin Mu shrank back somewhat reluctantly.

Just then, the TV was showing the final battle. Jackie Chan, whose hands were soaked in magic potion, was rummaging around inside Shendu's body. The various thrilling scenes and battles between talismans kept the other children glued to the screen, screaming in excitement.

"Speaking of which, Chen Junqian, what kind of talisman do you want most?"

"Probably a chicken? I mainly want to try out what it feels like to fly. Where's Lin Mu?"

"What I want most is the dog charm, so that my dad, mom, grandpa, grandma, maternal grandpa, maternal grandma, aunt, great-aunt... in short, everyone can be young again like the dad in the cartoon."

"Didn't you think about yourself?"

"Hehe, because I'm still young and won't get old yet."

In the sliver of midday sunlight streaming through the window, Chen Junqian turned his head and saw Lin Mu swinging her little legs lightly as she laughed, as if someone had thrown a piece of rock sugar into honey, making it so sweet you could hear a clinking sound.

Chapter Twelve: The Problem That Can't Be Spoken Of

"A super crisis."

When Chen Junqian arrived at school in the afternoon, he saw his deskmate Zhong Yu speak to him in a serious tone as if the world was about to end, and his hand unconsciously rested on his shoulder.

"What's wrong? Did your family find out you were staying up all night playing computer games?"

"I forgot my books for class this afternoon."

Which door?

"science."

While it's true that many of the special weekly classes in elementary school, such as science and integrated practical activities, can be taken over by the main subject teachers, unfortunately, their science teacher is an extremely strict old-fashioned person. If he's found to be without his book, he'll probably be sent straight to the back of the classroom to stand and listen to the lesson.

"Let's borrow it from the class next door."

"I was just about to do that. I'll go to Class 1 and Class 2 in the corridor to find someone. Qian'er, could you borrow someone from Class 3 next door for me? I'll treat you to something later. Thanks."

After saying that, Zhong Yu had already run out of the classroom. Chen Junqian had no choice but to follow and help. After all, they were buddies, and he should help with this small favor of borrowing books.

Actually, borrowing books isn't that difficult, but it's not that easy either. It mainly tests your interpersonal relationships with students in other classes outside your own. After all, not everyone is shameless enough to directly ask a classmate from another class whom they don't know or have never spoken to for a book.

Conversely, if a student whom Chen Junqian didn't know at all came to borrow a book, he probably wouldn't lend it out. After all, who knows if the student would ruin his textbook in just one class period, and maybe come back with several scribbles and corrections.

However, when he actually got to the door of Class 3 and saw the students coming and going, Chen Junqian was indeed a little dumbfounded.

After all, elementary school was over a decade ago. It took him a lot of effort these past two days to recall his classmates one by one by relying on the duty roster and the teacher's roll call during class. He wasn't familiar with the students in the next class, not even before his rebirth, let alone after his rebirth.

Whether in elementary school, junior high school, high school, or university, Chen Junqian's social circle was surprisingly small. Moreover, due to his personality, he would never be forced to socialize because he forgot to bring his books, nor would he be as eager to sign up for every activity and actively participate in various events as Xu Youwei.

Through the window, he saw a familiar face sitting by the window. It was Zhu Wenyun, whom he had bumped into twice a couple of days ago. Compared to the students in the other three classes, she was definitely someone he knew.

Among the girls Chen Junqian knew, this girl had the longest hair, even longer than Lin Mu's. It inexplicably reminded him of the phrase that would become popular on the internet a few years later: "Wait until my hair reaches my waist, will you come and marry me?"

However, because I was sitting in the last row, I wasn't bothered by the boys behind me deliberately pulling my hair and messing around.

Unlike Lin Mu, whose height only allowed her to be placed in the front row, Zhu Wenyun's height was as prominent as the length of her hair; even when she sat upright, this was clearly noticeable.

Chen Junqian turned his head and glanced at her again, finally seeing that the book she was reading was Zheng Yuanjie's "Five Apples That Troubled the Earth." It was one of his favorite fairy tales, and it had helped him develop a liking for apples even more than the proverb "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."

Zheng Yuanjie's fairy tales have always been one of the children's literature works that he likes the most. However, because he has so many series and works, not counting the sub-series such as Lu Xixi, Shuke and Beta, and Big Bad Wolf Rock, the main series Pipilu alone has no less than dozens of single volumes, so he naturally cannot collect them all.

That's why he found a significant portion of the content in the student-shared library that would open a year later, and the name left on it was none other than Zhu Wenyun, who was now reading intently in front of him.

Perhaps because of this connection with a fellow book lover, Chen Junqian reached out and patted the shoulder of a student from Class 3 who was passing by.

"Could you please call Zhu Wenyun from your class? Thank you."

"Oh, it's okay."

Then, he saw the student walk up to Zhu Wenyun and casually say something to her. Zhu Wenyun herself looked up in a daze, seemingly unaware that someone had come to find her.

In a sense, she was the same as Chen Junqian. At most, she was only familiar with her classmates, and she didn't know any students from other classes, let alone have any contact with them.

But the moment she saw Chen Junqian standing by the window, this girl, whose height was absolutely outstanding among the elementary school students, jumped up from her seat, clearly recognizing him.

Actually, Lin Mu's complaints back then weren't wrong. How many elementary school students their age would frequently go to the vegetable market? Therefore, Zhu Wenyun was also deeply impressed by Chen Junqian, who had been quite skilled in all aspects of the vegetable market a couple of days ago.

Of course, this was mainly because Chen Junqian was the first person to see her selling vegetables with her grandmother at the market. She was not only from the same school and grade, but also from the next class.

Having read a lot of extracurricular books in her spare time, Zhu Wenyun, whose imagination is much richer than that of her peers and who is prone to daydreaming, had already thought of many possibilities in just a few seconds.

But she had neither eaten the apple that had been unintentionally modified by aliens and gained superpowers, nor did she have a remote control in her pocket that could be used to control other people's words and actions. She also hadn't seen either the Phantom or the Pentagon UFO. So, faced with Chen Junqian's 'summons', she could only slowly and laboriously move out of the classroom and walk to his side.

"I am Chen Junqian from Class 4 next door."

"...Ah, um, I am Zhu Wenyun."

Just a few days ago at the market, the other person showed no stage fright in front of so many adults and confidently promoted their products to him and Lin Mu. But now, when they met again alone in the school corridor, which was also bustling with people, the other person appeared completely timid. If it weren't for the fact that Zhu Wenjun was a little taller than him, it would have looked like a scene of bullying.

Incidentally, since elementary school boys develop more slowly than girls, it's actually the girls who bully the boys more often.

"I just wanted to ask if you brought your science textbook? We have this as our first class this afternoon, but I forgot to bring it. Could I borrow it? It's okay if you don't, thank you."

"I brought it, I'll go get it for you."

Perhaps because her brain was still a bit malfunctioning, Zhu Wenyun subconsciously gave an honest answer and then went back to the classroom. When she sat down in her seat and took out her book from her bag in the desk drawer, she belatedly realized that she might have said she didn't bring it, and then naturally ended the conversation.

However, since she had already agreed, she had no choice but to take out her science textbook, jog back to the classroom door, and hand it to Chen Junqian, giving him a somewhat worried and anxious instruction:

"Um, well... even though I'm lending it to you, if possible, it's best not to write anything or make any notes in it. And when you turn the pages, please be a little gentler and don't fold the inner pages."

"Okay, I understand. I will return it to you intact after class."

Chen Junqian carefully took the textbook from the other person's hands with both hands. He had also discerned from her words and actions that she was indeed a book lover, so instead of leaving immediately, he gestured with his chin towards her seat.

"Do you also like reading Zheng Yuanjie's books? I just saw you reading his 'Five Apples That Trouble the Earth'."

Probably not expecting Chen Junqian to suddenly bring this up, Zhu Wenyun was first taken aback, then hesitantly nodded:

"Ah."

Then, as if she had just remembered something, she quickly waved her hand:

"But that won't do, because I haven't finished watching it yet."

Seemingly worried that her words would displease him, Zhu Wenyun quickly offered an alternative:

"However, I also have a book called 'Canned Little People' and a book called 'Red Sofa Music City' in my desk drawer. I can lend you those two if you want to read them."

"I've read all of these books. Well... consider this a thank you for lending me the books today. I have quite a few Zheng Yuanjie fairy tales at home. If there are any books that you haven't read but I have, I can bring them to school tomorrow to lend to you."

Perhaps because discussing books easily calmed Zhu Wenyun down, it was quite obvious that she had relaxed considerably. After hesitating for a moment, she took the initiative to speak:

"I'd like to read 'The Germ King' and '419 Deadly Sins,' do you have them?"

"Yes, I'll bring it to you tomorrow."

"Thank you."

Since it was almost time for the first class of the afternoon, Chen Junqian and Zhu Wenyun, who weren't very familiar with each other, didn't chat any longer. After saying goodbye, they returned to their respective classes.

When Chen Junqian returned to his seat, he discovered that Zhong Yu had already borrowed a textbook.

"That's what they call being more careful than being afraid of something going wrong. Thanks for your hard work. Who did you borrow it from? Just leave it there and return it after class."

Do you know Zhu Wenyun from the class next door?

"Zhu Wenyun? Never heard of her, she probably never asked me to do any quests or anything."

As the two chatted, Lu Cheng, who was in the front row, turned around slightly and joined their conversation:

"It would be a miracle if she asked you to do any online game quests. She's a model student in Class 3. Didn't our teacher read her weekly journal aloud before? She completed it with exceptional quality and quantity, much better than those of us who just barely managed to reach the word count."

At this point, Lu Cheng lowered his voice mysteriously again:

"However, Zhu Wenyun's biggest problem is that she usually performs well in Chinese class and writes good weekly journals. The teachers all say that she reads a lot of books, but when it comes to the formal exam, she often can't even finish writing the Chinese composition. So many people in her class say that her usual weekly journals are actually copied."

Chen Junqian had heard Lin Mu mention this before, but not in as much detail as Lu Cheng, so he asked out of curiosity:

"Old Lu, how do you know so much?"

"I overheard it yesterday when I went to the office to deliver some documents for my homeroom teacher. It sounded like they were discussing with the homeroom teacher of Class 3 whether or not to let her participate in the next city-wide essay competition."

Because the main subject teachers usually teach several classes, and so did their class's Chinese teacher and homeroom teacher, Mr. Yang. He also taught Chinese to the neighboring Class 3, otherwise he wouldn't have read out the outstanding weekly journals of the neighboring class to his own class.

"Also, don't rush to ask me why you went to borrow a book from her. Haven't you noticed that you've been getting involved with girls a lot lately?"

Faced with the class monitor's probing question, Chen Junqian simply gave a perfunctory reply:

"You're just imagining things. I was just borrowing a book from someone."

There's nothing he can do. Who told him to have a system living in his mind that keeps telling him to be the male protagonist of a romantic comedy and to build some kind of bond with girls? Actually, elementary school kids are at an age where it's easy for them to become friends. It's just that he never took the initiative to interact with others in the past.

Just like when he saw Lin Mu a couple of days ago, if he hadn't stopped to ask and help, he wouldn't have truly gone from being an acquaintance to a good friend. It's just that compared to Lu Cheng and Zhong Yu, who are still stuck in the idea that boys should hang out with boys, he was a little more proactive.

Before they could exchange more than a few words, the science teacher had already entered the classroom. As the school bell rang, led by class monitor Lu Cheng, all the students stood up and bowed to the teacher to greet him. Only after receiving a "Hello, classmates" response did they lazily return to their seats.

I can only say that I tend to get sleepy during the first class in the afternoon.