The bell rang.
At the front of the classroom, the middle-aged woman teaching set down her marker and turned to face the students.
"That concludes today's lesson on integration by parts," she said. "Make sure to practice the problems on page 127 before our next class. You'll thank me later."
With that, she gathered her materials and left.
Students began packing up, the usual post-class chatter filling the room. But before anyone could leave, the class monitor stepped forward.
"Everyone, a moment please!" Sun Xiao called out, her voice cutting through the noise.
The students paused.
"For those who wanted to register for the campus incubator program, please hand over your proposals before you leave."
A few students approached her desk, dropping off documents before filing out.
At the back of the classroom, Su Yue turned to Lin Feng.
"Won't you be submitting your proposal?" she asked. "You and your roommates have a business, don't you? Or have you already done that?"
Lin Feng shook his head.
"You won't be enrolling in the program?" she asked, surprise evident in her voice.
"Yeah."
He let out a sigh.
"And I recommend you don't either, if you're getting tempted," he said as he stood up and made his way toward the front.
Su Yue watched him for a moment, then followed.
…
Lin Feng reached the front of the classroom. It was almost empty by now.
Sun Xiao was busy arranging the stack of applications on her desk. As she lifted them, one flew off and drifted toward the floor.
Lin Feng caught it mid-air.
"Lin Feng?" she called out, noticing him.
"That's me," he said with a smile.
He placed the application back on the stack, then cut the pile in half and picked up one portion.
"Where to?" he asked.
"To the common office," she said with a warm smile.
Su Yue arrived beside them.
"I'll help too," she said, taking a portion from Sun Xiao's hands.
"Thank you," Sun Xiao said gratefully.
"No need to thank me," Su Yue replied with a smile.
Lin Feng raised an eyebrow.
"Hey, why didn't you thank me? I was the first to help."
Sun Xiao tilted her head playfully.
"It's expected of a man to save a damsel in distress, isn't it?"
Su Yue chuckled at that.
Lin Feng smiled.
"Do you know what happens after the damsel is saved?" he asked.
"What?" Sun Xiao asked innocently.
He leaned in close to her ear.
"They get married," he whispered.
Sun Xiao's face flushed crimson.
"What? What happens?" Su Yue asked, leaning in curiously.
"It's a secret," Lin Feng said, already walking ahead.
"Not fair! Tell me too!" Su Yue complained, hurrying after him.
…
They entered the common office.
The room was filled with teachers - some grading papers, others engaged in quiet conversation. The two followed Sun Xiao as she navigated through the space, heading straight for one corner.
A man sat there behind a cluttered desk. He was middle-aged, short, and a bit on the larger side.
"Here are the submissions for 2020 Finance Class 03," Sun Xiao said politely.
They stacked the applications on his desk.
The man merely nodded at them without a word.
They turned to leave.
"Aren't you three from my class?"
A soft voice called out from across the room.
They turned around. A woman was waving from the other end, gesturing for them to come over.
It was their class counselor, Liu Mei.
"Hello!" she greeted enthusiastically as they approached.
"Sun Xiao and..." She paused, seeming to struggle with the names.
"Lin Feng," he interjected quickly.
"Su Yue," Su Yue added.
"Yes, yes. I'm sorry - I'll definitely remember next time," Liu Mei said, clasping her hands together apologetically.
"It's no problem at all," Lin Feng said.
"Were you guys submitting the incubator program applications?" she asked.
"That's right," Sun Xiao reported.
"What about you three? Did you apply?"
"I don't have much interest in business," Sun Xiao said.
"I'm too busy to start a startup," Su Yue shrugged.
"I believe in independence," Lin Feng said simply.
The counselor nodded approvingly.
"Good, good."
Then she leaned in, lowering her voice to a whisper.
"To tell you the truth, the program itself isn't even all that good. It's just a bunch of old men who…"
She noticed a few gazes turning her way and quickly cleared her throat.
"Ahem. Anyway, it's good to see that you guys are doing okay. I won't hold you for too long."
She turned to Sun Xiao.
"Don't forget to inform the class that we'll have a class meeting tomorrow evening before the start of Golden Week."
Sun Xiao nodded. "Understood."
"Alright, have a nice rest of your day," Liu Mei said with a smile.
"You too, Teacher," they said in unison, bowing before taking their leave.
…
In the corridors, as they walked, Su Yue turned to Lin Feng.
"What's up with the incubator program anyway?" she asked. "You said not to join it, and even the counselor…"
Lin Feng suddenly pinched her arm.
"Ow!" Su Yue let out a sharp sound and spun toward him, ready to protest.
But his expression was serious.
A girl was walking toward them from the opposite direction.
Lin Feng bowed politely as she passed.
"Greetings, Senior."
The girl acknowledged him with a slight nod and continued on her way.
After she was gone, Su Yue rubbed her arm.
"What was that for?"
"Don't you know who that is?" Lin Feng asked.
"Who is it?"
"The student council president."
"Really?" Su Yue asked in surprise.
"Yeah," Sun Xiao confirmed. "I met her at the student council meeting."
Su Yue turned to Lin Feng with a puzzled expression.
"But how did you know?"
"She was there at the military training closing ceremony, remember?" he said casually.
Well, she wasn't actually there - he just remembered her from his future memories.
"Really? I don't recall..." Sun Xiao said, trying to remember.
"Me neither," Su Yue added.
"Maybe you guys were too tired to pay attention," he said quickly.
"Hmm, maybe," they said in unison.
At that moment, a voice called out as they exited the building.
"Lin Feng?"
He turned toward the source.
It was Yu Shen.
"Friend of yours?" Su Yue asked.
Then recognition flickered across her face. Wasn't this the guy Lin Feng had run after the other day?
"Yeah, you could say that," Lin Feng said as Yu Shen approached.
He extended his hand in introduction.
"This is Yu Shen," he said as Yu Shen reached them.
He then gestured toward Su Yue.
"Yu Shen, this is Su Yue."
"Hi?" Su Yue extended her hand tentatively, and Yu Shen shook it.
Lin Feng stepped aside and pointed at Sun Xiao.
"And this is Sun Xiao, our class monitor." He smiled. "You're both class monitors, so you'll probably get along well."
The two shook hands politely.
Lin Feng placed a hand on Yu Shen's shoulder.
"I really like the class monitor," he said. "When you're in those class monitor meetings or whatever, take care of her for me."
Yu Shen nodded. "Of course."
Sun Xiao's cheeks turned pink.
"Like...?" Su Yue muttered under her breath.
Lin Feng straightened up.
"Anyway, it was good hanging out with you guys. I had an appointment with my friend here, so I'll leave first." He gave them a small wave. "Have a good rest of your day."
"You too," the girls said.
Yu Shen bowed politely at the two of them, then turned and left with Lin Feng.
…
Now only Su Yue and Sun Xiao remained.
Su Yue glanced at Sun Xiao, who was still slightly flushed.
"Don't get your hopes up, girl," she said flatly. "Knowing him, he definitely didn't mean it like that."
"Mean what?" Sun Xiao asked quickly, composing herself.
Su Yue just sighed.
"C'mon, let's go. We shouldn't be late for laundry."