The ten-day training finally came to an end. The students reluctantly said goodbye to their instructors and boarded the bus back to school. The girls were naturally sentimental and their eyes would well up with tears when they parted, while the boys, no matter how reluctant they were, would only feel regret in their hearts and still show a nonchalant expression on their faces.

That day happened to be a Friday. After returning to school, the homeroom teacher told them to go home and rest for two days, and also to get back into study mode as soon as possible.

They also assigned a task: to write a summary and reflection on the event. This essay would be sent to the grade level for evaluation.

The students groaned in despair upon hearing the news. They had finally managed to get two days off, and now this had happened. However, they would still do their best to complete the task, as this activity had left them with many unforgettable memories.

For Su Xun, these ten days felt like a fleeting dream, gradually fading away amidst the care of her family during the holiday and the heavy workload after returning to school. It was as if it had happened many years ago, and she would only realize it when it was mentioned occasionally, that it had actually happened not long ago.

In Su Xun's short life, very few things can remain in his memory. Perhaps they are too mundane, so they will fade away with time. Only those unforgettable things can make his memory stay, becoming past events that never fade in his heart.

"Before we begin class, I have some good news to share with you all." In Chinese class, Teacher Zeng beamed with joy, "Our classmate Su Xun won first prize in the grade-level essay competition for this military training activity. Congratulations!"

After saying that, he took out a certificate from the lesson plan and asked Su Xun to come up and collect it.

Su Xun was also bewildered. First prize?

Mumu walked to the podium, received the certificate, and returned to his seat.

"I never imagined that our Su Xun, who is usually so quiet, was actually secretly building up her strength. I've read your essay, and it's really good. Keep up the good work."

Su Xun stuffed the certificate into the desk, stroking the pen in his hand, a surge of joy welling up in his heart, along with a long-lost feeling. This complex emotion lasted throughout the entire class and could not be calmed down.

"Alright, that's all for today's lesson. Everyone, remember to memorize what we learned today, and we'll check it in class tomorrow."

A carton of milk was handed to him. "Congratulations, you've won first prize."

Looking in the direction the milk was being handed to her, she saw Pei Ke, who was smiling at her. When he saw her looking at him, he pouted, indicating that it was for her.

"Thank you." I took the milk and put it on the table.

Pei Ke seems to really like milk; she brings a carton to school every day.

"Actually, I'm quite embarrassed."

"Huh? It's just a carton of milk. It's not like it's the first time you've drunk my milk." Pei Ke was baffled by the apologetic reply and could only give a casual answer. He regretted it as soon as he said it and wanted to slap himself. His ears felt hot.

What am I even saying? It's all a jumbled mess.

He glanced at the other person's expression and, seeing that nothing seemed amiss, breathed a sigh of relief.

"What I mean is, about my article winning the award." Seeing that Pei Ke seemed not to understand what he meant and had a strange expression on his face, Su Xun explained.

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about. This is proof that your abilities have been recognized." Pei Ke wanted to quickly change the subject, afraid that she would realize something.

"Actually, I'm a bit resistant to writing," Su Xun said slowly.

Su Xun loved books from a young age, all kinds of books, and she also loved writing. Her essays were often read aloud by her teachers as model examples, praised in front of the whole class. She gradually realized she had a talent for this, and thus began to think of becoming a writer, but it was just a preliminary idea; she didn't intend to tell anyone. At the time, password notebooks were very popular, so she wrote her little secret in one.

One day, she was suddenly called to the teacher's office. Before she could close her notebook, she saw two classmates flipping through it when she returned. Instead of feeling ashamed for peeking at someone else's things, they loudly mocked her. Many years later, she still remembers the sarcastic expressions and words of those two classmates that day.

"Hahaha, you actually want to be a writer? That's hilarious."

"Do you think you can become a writer just by writing two essays and getting praised by the teacher?"

She lost her temper that day; it was the first time she had ever been so angry in front of her classmates. Both classmates were terrified; they never expected the usually mild-mannered Su Xun to have such a frightening side. Later, Su Xun tore the notebook up and threw it in the trash, along with that dream that hadn't even had a chance to take shape.

After that, she never thought much about writing again.

She hadn't mentioned this to anyone else, and she didn't know why she suddenly wanted to tell Pei Ke. Perhaps it was because although Pei Ke sometimes liked to tease her, he had never looked down on her.

"That's how it is. You're not going to criticize me too, are you?"

"Why should I say anything to you? Your good writing is your talent. Those two people are just jealous of you. You're doing great now. I don't think you need to belittle yourself like that. Since you like writing and have talent, just follow your heart and keep going. Why always care about what others think?"

"Thank you."

It would be a lie to say she wasn't moved. No one had ever said these words to her before, encouraging her to stick to her own path. She had always been too concerned with what others thought, letting their opinions sway her.

"If you want to do anything in the future, just tell me, and I will definitely support you." Pei Ke patted Su Xun on the shoulder and said this seemingly casually.

It may have been just a very small sentence, but it was like the words those two classmates used to mock her back then, something she remembered for a very long time.

How lucky you are to have someone who supports you.