On the first day of school, as usual, the homeroom teacher, Ms. Li, emphasized the important points for the semester from the podium, and the students all looked at the podium from below, just like last September.

"Time flies! You're already in sixth grade. You're my second graduating class. This year, you can seriously consider choosing a school." Even the usually stern and serious Ms. Li was filled with emotion today.

Upon hearing the words "school selection," the people below began to murmur and discuss excitedly and curiously.

"Also, you're in sixth grade now, the oldest students in this school. Don't take advantage of being the oldest to bully other kids."

Perhaps because they've spent so much time together, Mr. Li occasionally jokes around in class; in his heart, he's long considered them his own children.

Wednesday afternoon was physical education class. The PE teacher only gathered them together briefly before letting them have free time because he was busy preparing for the sports meet. The sixth graders' studies were relatively more intense, so this gave Su Xun and his classmates a rare opportunity to relax.

After the dismissal, the students dispersed in twos and threes. Some headed to the school's small supermarket, some prepared to return to the classroom to review their lessons, and many more went to get various sports equipment to play with.

Su Xun was wondering whether to go back and review the math word problems he hadn't solved that morning or go play badminton with his classmates when he suddenly heard a voice from beside him.

"Su Xun, let's go sit on the lawn. It's been so long since we've had a proper chat." It was Tang Shi, who gently tugged at Su Xun's sleeve because she didn't get a reply. Her brows were furrowed, and she looked very aggrieved.

Seeing Tang Shi's expression, Su Xun was both amused and exasperated. Since the start of the semester, Su Xun hadn't really paid much attention to her friends. Her family emphasized every day at mealtimes that it was her last year and she needed to make the most of it, as it would make choosing a school much easier later. The pressure from her family had kept her focused on her studies.

"Okay, I also have a lot to say to you." Su Xun also wanted to talk to Tang Shi about the pressure he had been under recently.

Upon hearing this, Tang Shi's brows finally relaxed, and she smiled. Her cheeks were slightly flushed in the sun, making her look very charming. She skipped along, holding Su Xun's hand, and walked towards the football field.

"Su Xun, Tang Shi! Where are you going? Take me with you!" As we were walking, a hurried shout came from behind.

It was Pu Xiaochuan, who was a little out of breath because he was a bit overweight.

Su Xun and the other person stopped in their tracks.

"Phew~ I finally caught up with you two."

"Pu Xiaochuan, what are you trying to do now? You keep bothering me and my little Xunxun." Tang Shi pretended to be angry.

"Hey, I just wanted to play with you guys. Besides, Su Xun isn't all yours. You're so stingy." Pu Xiaochuan made a face at Tang Shi's words, clearly annoyed.

"You! You're so annoying." Tang Shi seemed genuinely annoyed by the funny face.

Su Xun quickly stepped forward and said, "Xiao Chuan, come with us. Tang Shi, we'll go buy comics with you later. Don't be angry."

“See? Su Xun is much better, unlike you, you’re so fierce.” Pu Xiaochuan immediately jumped up after getting the agreement.

"Pu Xiaochuan, you jerk!" Tang Shi stomped her foot and rushed forward alone. Su Xun and Pu Xiaochuan hurriedly chased after her, and the three of them finally sat down in a corner of the football field.

Since their last meeting in the cafeteria, the three of them have often eaten lunch together, and they have formed a small group at some point, spending a lot of time together.

Pu Xiaochuan is easygoing and loves to joke, while Tang Shi is also hot-tempered. The two often bicker, and Su Xun has to act as a peacemaker.

After getting to know Pu Xiaochuan, Su Xun found it hard to connect this lively character with the Pu Xiaochuan who sat quietly drawing. She always wondered if a person could have two personalities.

"Speaking of which, the teachers have been really strict lately, with daily tasks like 'Today's tasks are...'" Tang Shi said, resting her chin on her hand.

“Yes, yes, I even have less time to draw now.” Pu Xiaochuan imitated Tang Shi’s gesture, resting his chin on his hand and gazing at the sky.

Tang Shi saw this, and the two of them started playfully fighting again.

"Because the transition from elementary to middle school is coming up soon, the teachers must be quite anxious," Su Xun explained.

Suddenly, a shadow fell on the lawn beside me.

"Pei Ke, what brings you here?" Su Xun was somewhat surprised to see Pei Ke.

"I saw you guys chatting over here and wanted to join in the fun, but you're not welcoming me?" Pei Ke walked closer and sat down cross-legged among them.

After a year, Pei Ke and Su Xun communicated much more. They would gossip about interesting things at school, discuss problems together, and occasionally Pei Ke would make a little joke. He was naturally impulsive, and at first, because Su Xun didn't like to talk to the people around her, he was too embarrassed to always approach her.

Influenced by his deskmate, Su Xun became more talkative and would initiate conversations with him after class. The two were finally acting like normal deskmates.

Tang Shi was always with Su Xun, so she could talk to Pei Ke. Although Pu Xiaochuan didn't interact with Pei Ke much, they were in the same class and both were fairly outgoing, so they didn't feel awkward.

"By the way, which high school do you want to go to after graduation? I really don't know." Tang Shi remembered the topic from earlier.

“My mom wants me to go to No. 2 Middle School, but I think it’s too far from home, and I heard that you have to take an exam to get in, so I don’t think it’s suitable for me.” Pu Xiaochuan scratched his head.

“I don’t mind the distance; Starlight Middle School seems pretty good. What about you, Su Xun?” Pei Ke turned to Su Xun.

"Me? I want to go to a school further away, to try out this feeling." Su Xun wanted to be far away from home, as if that would allow her to get far away from that place of concentrated pressure.

"I heard that there are a lot of courses in junior high school, and the textbooks alone can be overwhelming," Pu Xiaochuan said mysteriously.

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