120: Learn to live life like poetry

Winter in Jiangcheng was sharp and biting.

The wind would blow, seeping in through collars and cuffs.

As soon as the dismissal order for morning exercises was given,

over two thousand people swarmed into the teaching building like ants whose nest had been disturbed.

The classroom door of grade 11, class 3 was violently pushed open.

A wave of heat, mixed with the smell of steamed buns, soy milk, and excess hormones, rushed in.

Lin Que squeezed into the classroom with the crowd. As soon as he stepped over the threshold, his glasses instantly fogged up.

The world was cut off by this sudden mist,

leaving only the noisy chatter around him.

He took off his glasses, casually pulled up the corner of his school uniform to wipe them.

Before his vision had fully cleared, he heard an unusual commotion from the front row.

Usually at this time, everyone would be busy catching up on sleep or copying homework.

But today, they were gathered in a circle, more eagerly than when checking exam rankings.

"Holy crap! Is this real? This is too..."

"Don't push, don't push! Let me take another look!"

At the center of the crowd was the Cultural Committee Member, Liu Hui.

She held a copy of 'Aiyue' magazine, printed on coated paper, carefully spread out on her desk.

"See? The Golden Hall! That's the Golden Hall!"

Liu Hui's voice was trembling, her fingertips hovering over the magazine page, as if afraid of smudging the photo.

"While we're still struggling with monthly exam rankings, she's already holding a solo concert in Vienna!

We're both sixteen, but I feel like I'm just here to make up the numbers, while she's got the female lead's script!"

Lin Que put his glasses back on his nose, squinting as he glanced over.

The photo was very artfully taken.

Under the warm golden lights, a girl in a black backless gown sat at a Steinway Piano.

Her back was as straight as a proud swan's.

The shot perfectly captured the moment her hands lifted.

Her long hair formed a sharp arc in the air.

Indeed, quite stylish.

But who would have thought,

this proud swan, with a rabbit smashing a piano as her avatar,

and sending drooling emoji stickers for street-side barbecue without any regard for her image... "My heavens."

A boy next to him stared, eyes wide.

"Look at these fingers... they're longer than my life!"

"If only we could go in and get an autograph right now."

The Physical Education Committee Member rubbed his hands, his face full of longing.

"What are you thinking?"

Liu Hui pushed up her glasses, mercilessly pouring cold water on him.

"That's an exchange event co-hosted by the school and the province. She's a special guest, and Goddess Ye Xi will definitely be with the team the whole time."

"Sigh—"

A chorus of sighs echoed around.

Just then, two clear coughs came from the classroom doorway.

The noisy market-like atmosphere instantly went silent.

The crowd around Liu Hui's desk scattered like birds and beasts. In less than three seconds,

everyone was sitting upright in their seats, holding textbooks in a proper manner.

Shen Qingqiu walked into the classroom in low-heeled leather shoes, holding her signature blue folder.

She scanned the room.

Her gaze paused for a second on the magazine on Liu Hui's desk, which hadn't been put away yet.

She said nothing, simply walked to the podium.

"Two things," Shen Qingqiu said concisely.

"First, the class meeting on Friday's last period will proceed as scheduled."

She paused, her gaze sweeping across the class.

"Second, regarding this weekend's Youth Art Exchange Conference."

All ears below instantly perked up.

"The school has arranged for reception and escort duties.

In addition to the eight fixed spots from the Student Union, the school leaders have decided to select a few more volunteers from the eleventh grade."

Shen Qingqiu held up two fingers.

"Our class has two spots."

As soon as her voice fell, the air in the classroom seemed to ignite.

The Physical Education Committee Member, who had just been lamenting not being able to go, instantly had eyes as bright as two light bulbs.

"This is a rare opportunity."

Shen Qingqiu continued, her tone calm yet alluring.

"Not only can you get close to leaders from the Provincial Department of Education, and Professor Yu Yan from Jinling Academy of Arts,

but also... the student Ye Xi you were just discussing."

"Whoosh!"

Liu Hui in the first row almost sprang up, her chair scraping loudly across the floor.

"Teacher! I'm signing up!"

Liu Hui raised her hand, her face flushed red, her voice cracking slightly from excitement.

"I've studied piano for eight years and I'm very familiar with the Yiyuan Building. I can definitely complete the task!"

Shen Qingqiu nodded, making a note on her list:

"Liu Hui is one. She has a professional background, suitable.

For the other spot, let's have a boy, after all, there's some lifting and moving involved.

Anyone else?"

The classroom quieted down a bit.

Although everyone wanted to meet the big shots and see the goddess,

once they heard there was work to be done, and they had to show their faces in front of provincial leaders,

many socially awkward boys backed out.

If they said the wrong thing and embarrassed themselves, that would be a major incident announced to the whole school.

Luo Ji hesitated, lifting his hand halfway before putting it down again.

He was the physics class representative, and he had competition class this weekend.

The Physical Education Committee Member wanted to go, but with his loud voice and clumsy habits,

he'd probably be eliminated by Shen Qingqiu in the first round.

"No one else?"

Shen Qingqiu raised an eyebrow.

"This is a great opportunity to be written into your comprehensive quality evaluation."

Just then, from the corner of the last row in the classroom, came the sound of a chair moving.

Everyone subconsciously turned their heads.

They saw Lin Que, who had long occupied the "Sleep God" throne and avoided all group activities,

slowly stand up.

He had one hand in his school uniform pocket, the other raised in the air.

A characteristic smile played on his face.

"Teacher, how about I give it a try?"

The whole class fell silent.

Wu Di's pen, which he had been biting, dropped onto the desk.

Liu Hui's hand, pushing up her glasses, froze mid-air.

Even Shen Qingqiu's hand, holding her pen, paused, a look of surprise on her face.

Lin Que?

The Lin Que who acted like it was the end of the world for him to do anything unless it was giving a speech?

The Lin Que who had "be low-key, sleep high-key" carved on his forehead?

Had the sun risen from the west?

"Lin Que?"

Shen Qingqiu put down her pen, resting her hands on the podium.

"You know the nature of this task, right?

This isn't for fun; you'll be standing there all day, responsible for guiding and explaining.

Are you sure you have the patience for this?"

In Shen Qingqiu's impression, this boy, though talented, had a lazy streak.

This kind of service-oriented work was definitely not his style.

"Teacher Shen, what are you saying?"

Lin Que looked earnest.

"I just want to receive some artistic edification.

Constantly doing problems makes my brain numb.

I heard that masters are coming this time, and I want to see how they live their lives like poetry,

and incidentally... build up my courage?"

The classroom was dead silent.

Wu Di secretly gave a thumbs-up under the desk:

Brother Que is truly Brother Que, he can make wanting to see beautiful girls sound so refined and sophisticated.

Shen Qingqiu looked at Lin Que's eyes, which seemed sincere but held a hint of cunning.

The corner of her mouth twitched involuntarily.

Specious reasoning.

But this specious reasoning was, oddly enough, flawless.

Moreover, with Lin Que's current demeanor and eloquence,

he was indeed more suitable for such occasions than those bookworms who only knew how to study.

"Alright."

Shen Qingqiu closed her folder with a crisp snap.

"Since you have this awareness, then it's you and Liu Hui.

Meet at the Yiyuan Building entrance at 7:30 AM on Saturday. Don't be late."

"Understood."

...