"The heavy rains we missed in Those Years, the love we let slip away in Those Years!"
...Principal Chen listened to the lyrics and couldn't stop the sweat from trickling down.
"Director Wang, when I get back I'll definitely discipline this singing student properly."
Wang Jing blinked. "Why on earth would you do that? The lyrics are lovely and the singing's beautiful—it even moved me."
Principal Chen finally exhaled in relief.
Wang Jing said, "Any student who can write these lyrics is gifted. We're promoting quality-oriented education, Old Chen—time to update your mindset."
Principal Chen nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes!"
When the break ended, Ye Chen and Li Sitong returned to the Classroom.
The moment they stepped inside, they sensed the atmosphere had shifted.
Suddenly, the Classroom erupted in thunderous applause.
"Ye Chen, did you write that song?" Xu Liang couldn't help asking.
"If I didn't, did you?" Ye Chen shot back.
The song "Those Years" hadn't been released in this world yet—it wouldn't come out until 2011.
So Ye Chen claiming authorship wasn't exactly a crime.
Anyway, he was plagiarizing from the future; no one would ever know.
"Ye Chen, I seriously can't be friends with you anymore," Xu Liang said, defeated.
"Why not?"
"You're handsome, you play Basketball, you sing like an angel, and you're loaded with talent—how are us single dogs supposed to survive?"
"Well, at least my grades are a bit better than yours," Xu Liang consoled himself.
Ye Chen smiled faintly. "I might have to disappoint you there."
"What do you mean?" Xu Liang froze.
Ye Chen said mysteriously, "You'll find out after tomorrow's Monthly Exam."
In the corner, Xia Yingluo watched Ye Chen quietly.
For some reason, his song had just made her cry.
Ugh, why is Ye Chen so exceptional?
Why does my heart race whenever I see him?
The other girls stared at Ye Chen with starry eyes.
The one hurting most was Gao Qian.
"What do I do? I've already fallen for Ye Chen. I must've been blind to turn him down."
Ye Chen is like a treasure chest that keeps revealing new gems; Gao Qian's guts are twisted with regret.
After school, Ye Chen suddenly called out to Xia Yingluo.
"Yingluo, the Mock Exam is tomorrow—could you tutor me tonight?"
Xia Yingluo hesitated. "All right."
She knew all about Ye Chen's bet with Teacher Wang.
Deep down she hoped Ye Chen would win so they could share the same interest group.
A wicked little smile flickered across Ye Chen's lips.
He wasn't asking for help with homework—tonight his family was making spare-ribs.
He simply wanted an excuse to make sure Xia Yingluo got some good nourishment.
After school, Xu Liang waited at the bike shed for Ye Chen.
"Head home without me; I've got something going on," Ye Chen said.
Xu Liang frowned. "Something's up with you—we always ride home together."
Just then Xia Yingluo walked over. "Ye Chen, let's go. Didn't you say I'm coming to your place to tutor you?"
She was taking the tutoring seriously.
After all, Ye Chen kept helping her; she wanted to do something for him too.
Ye Chen nodded. "Sure, let's head out."
Xu Liang's eyes bulged as he watched them leave. "Damn, that escalated fast—meeting the parents already?"
They hadn't gone far; Ye Chen and Xia Yingluo heard every word.
Ye Chen pretended not to notice, but a rosy blush crept across Xia Yingluo's cheeks.
They cycled side by side into Ye Chen's housing estate.
Ye Chen's family was ordinary; they lived in an old workers' dormitory.
The building was over a decade old, home to factory employees.
Ye Chen and Xia Yingluo pedalled along the path.
Along the way Ye Chen felt countless eyes boring into them.
He even overheard some of his father's co-workers gossiping.
"Isn't that Old Ye's kid? Why's he bringing a girl home?"
"They're both in uniform—must be classmates."
"Old Ye's son is something else—already got himself a girlfriend."
...Right then, a colleague from Ye Chen's mom's workshop called Mother Ye.
"Hello, is this Xiuying? Your son seems to be in love—I just saw him heading your way with a pretty girl."
Li Xiuying, apron on, was cooking; the news rattled her.
Her son was bringing a girlfriend home? So sudden—she wasn't ready!
"Old Ye, something's wrong—your son's brought his girlfriend home!"
Ye Zheng kept his eyes on the newspaper, unfazed. "Why the fuss? The boy's eighteen—he's allowed to date."
"What kind of talk is that? He's in Senior Year—how can he date?" Li Xiuying fretted.
Ye Zheng looked at her, exasperated. "Relax. I dated in High School too, and now I'm middle management at the plant."
The moment he spoke he felt a chill.
Mother Ye smiled dangerously. "Oh? So you had a High School romance you never told me about?"
Ye Zheng: "..."
"We'll settle that score later. Our son—pardon, the classmate—is almost here; go change clothes."
The instant Ye Chen pushed open the door he found his parents sitting ramrod-straight, eyes fixed on Xia Yingluo.
Mother Ye had been wearing a scowl.
He's in Senior Year and still luring my son.
But one look at Xia Yingluo and her eyes lit up.
Such a beautiful, well-behaved girl.
Seeing his parents staring, Ye Chen quickly said, "Mom, Dad, this is my classmate Xia Yingluo—she's here to tutor me."
Ye Zheng regarded his son with admiration.
Truly the son surpasses the father—far slicker than he'd ever been.
Back then he'd never come up with an excuse this good.
"Oh, you're here to tutor Ye Chen? Come in, come in!" Mother Ye beamed.
Her son wanting to study—what mother wouldn't be thrilled?
Still, such a gorgeous girl hired as a tutor—something felt off.
A home tutor who's a pretty female classmate? Highly suspicious.
Xia Yingluo panicked when she saw Ye Chen's parents.
Ye Chen had told her no one would be home.
She tugged Ye Chen's sleeve. "Since your parents are here, maybe I'll come another day."
Seeing them, Xia Yingluo's heart fluttered with stage fright.
Ye Chen grinned. "The test is tomorrow; there's no other day. Mom made braised spare-ribs—your favorite. You tutor me, I treat you to dinner—perfect deal."
Mother Ye also smiled. "Thank you for helping our little Ye study. Since you're here, stay for supper."
With that, she pulled Xia Yingluo straight inside.
Ye Chen stared—this wasn't his mom's usual style at all!