Early autumn in the south was one of the most comfortable times of year. The breeze was cool, the air humid, and even a few deep breaths while walking down the street could leave you feeling refreshed.
The entrance to S City No. 1 High School was deserted. The wind swept fallen leaves along the ground, making a soft shushing sound now and then and adding to the desolate atmosphere.
Cheerful music rang across campus, the special bell for the start of first period in the morning.
“Oh, we’re dead, we’re dead. We’re late!”
Two or three boys in blue uniforms came running up, looking as if they’d been through the wringer, only to be stopped by the security guard.
“You three, come over here and sign in.”
“Come on, sir, cut us some slack.”
“You little brats, who are you calling sir?”
“Oh, dear uncle, we’re sorry. Can’t you let us off just this once?”
The security guard smacked one of the boys on the head, his anger shooting through the roof. “I’m your brother. Do you even know how to talk? Huh? Hurry up and sign in. Show me your student IDs!”
The three boys glumly filled out the form with practiced ease. The guard sat to one side and took a sip from his water bottle, remembering to warn them, “I’ve got my eye on you, so don’t write fake names or fake class numbers.”
The three sighed.
The guard gave a snort and started scrolling on his phone.
The boy who finished first put down his pen and glanced idly at the security camera feed.
What the hell?
A figure vaulted over the wall and into the school, moving so fast it was astonishing.
“That’s awesome!”
Which of their buddies was that nimble? He was practically light as a feather.
“Who’s awesome?”
“Why are you talking to yourself while staring at the cameras? See a ghost?”
The guard shooed them out.
Luo Cheng sat on a stone bench beside a path, his schoolbag in hand. He leisurely brushed at his pant leg, sweeping away the bits of grass he’d picked up while climbing the wall.
He had just pulled a carton of soy milk from his bag and stuck in a straw. Before he could take a sip, a familiar roar came from nearby: “You three are late again, huh? You make a profession of this or what? Get over here!”
It was the director of discipline.
Luo Cheng quickly slipped away.
The director of discipline’s lecture to the three hapless boys grew fainter and fainter as Luo Cheng ran up the stairs.
As he was enjoying their misfortune, he heard a chorus of gasps. He paused with the soy milk at his lips and turned to meet the physics teacher’s eyes from inside the classroom.
They stared at each other, speechless.
Someone stifled a laugh.
It was painfully awkward.
“Luo, you’re here nice and early.” The physics teacher was an old man in reading glasses, and he was now fixing Luo Cheng with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Another little while and you could’ve stayed to admire the sunset.”
Luo Cheng: “……”
“Spend this period outside finishing your breakfast. You look like you’re still asleep, so you might as well get some fresh air and wake up.”
Luo Cheng bent at the waist and stood by the wall.
Someone in the classroom laughed out loud, earning a glare from the old man.
After finishing his soy milk, Luo Cheng took a slice of toast from his bag and bit down on the dry, bland bread. Then someone tapped on the nearby window from inside. “Cheng-ge, the sun’s a bit strong. Mind blocking it for me?”
“……”
“I was wrong, Cheng-ge. Don’t hit me.”
“I’m going to kill you.”