sketchbook

When Qi Sheng walked into the classroom, he was enveloped in the crisp, dry air of early autumn. His figure was as upright as a straight poplar tree, and all the students' eyes turned to him in a flash, almost as if they were burning holes in him. He seemed not to notice, only slightly lowering his eyes, his fingertips pinching the corner of his lesson plan, his Adam's apple bobbing, and he remained silent.

Luo Yan was already feeling a bit awkward because of her status as a "transfer student," and now she felt even more like she was nailed to her seat.

Qi Sheng finally looked up, his gaze sweeping over the sparsely filled seats before landing on the girl in the front row. His voice was as clear and gentle as a mountain stream: "Are there any other people who haven't arrived yet?"

The girl was startled by his sudden gaze, her cheeks flushing crimson. Her lips trembled for a long time before she stammered, "Teacher... they went to play ball."

Qi Sheng glanced at the class roster with little concern, his fingertips pausing on the paper—all the names were unfamiliar. His gaze returned to the classroom; despite it being a science class, there were very few boys, and girls made up the majority, creating an inexplicably restrained atmosphere.

He placed the lesson plan on the podium, pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to the girls in the front row: "Pass this to the back." He then looked up, raising his voice slightly, "Hello everyone, my name is Qi Sheng, I study at Yiyang Normal University, and I'm a teaching assistant for physical education this semester. Let's get acquainted today, and the rest of the time... is it free time?"

Perhaps it was his deceptive appearance—handsome features and a clean-cut demeanor like a college student, completely unlike a "teacher." The whole class fell silent for a second, then someone whispered, "Teaching assistant intern? He looks so young."

Luo Yan showed no expression, but took this brief moment to carefully observe him.

He had already taken off his white tennis cap, his wispy bangs hanging softly across his forehead, revealing a high, straight nose and thin, sharp lips. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting shadows on his profile like a meticulously drawn sketch. His bright purple sun-protective clothing made his skin appear almost translucent, yet his pupils were as deep as ink, his gaze astoundingly focused and inexplicably captivating.

Qi Sheng's voice was also distinctive, deep and clear, with a slightly tingling sensation as it flowed through the eardrums. Luo Yan sighed inwardly: All physical education teaching assistants look and sound like this? How come I've never noticed before?

On a whim, she pulled out her sketchbook and pencil, the tip of which quietly slid across the page—first sketching the line of his shoulder as he leaned against the podium, then outlining the curve of his eyelashes as he listened to a question. The class had long since veered away from "physical education," becoming a Q&A session where Qi Sheng was surrounded by questions about "how to join university clubs" and "physical exam techniques." Most of the students were infected by the "young teacher's" energy, chattering incessantly with questions.

Luo Yan, however, was like an outsider, immersed in her own little world. The pencil scratched as she wrote down his slightly moving lips and the wrist bones that were revealed when he wiped his sweat.

"I hope we won't be discovered?" She glanced at Qi Sheng, who was patiently answering the girl's questions about "long jump techniques in the physical education exam," his profile focused and gentle.

After an unknown amount of time, Qi Sheng, exasperated by the barrage of questions, glanced at his watch, his brow furrowed, and clapped his hands at the noisy class: "Alright, save the questions for next time. There are five minutes left in get out of class, everyone stretch a bit."

The words had barely left his mouth when the students in the back row groaned, "Class is over already? Teacher, let's chat a little longer!"

Qi Sheng ignored him, packed up his lesson plan, and gestured with his chin to the whole class: "get out of class dismissed."

The bell rang just then, as if it were perfectly timed for him. Qi Sheng waved his hand, turned and left, his steps light yet exuding a seasoned air, completely unlike that of an "intern".

As soon as he left, the classroom erupted in discussion, with everyone talking about the intern teaching assistant.

Luo Yan was still drawing with her head down, the pen tip hovering over the paper. Pan Yue leaned over from her seat and nudged her lightly with her elbow: "Hey!"

Luo Yan snapped out of her daze and subconsciously stuffed her sketchbook into the desk drawer.

Pan Yue, with her sharp eyes, noticed the lines in the corner of the sketchbook and curiously leaned over: "What are you drawing?" she asked, trying to grab it.

Luo Yan hurriedly pressed down on the notebook, her cheeks burning: "It's nothing."

Pan Yue didn't insist, and smiled mischievously: "You said it was nothing, but you practically buried your head in your notebook during class." She paused, then asked softly, "Don't you think Teacher Qi is...remarkably handsome?"

Luo Yan remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.

Pan Yue got excited: "Right, right! I didn't think he was a teacher at first glance! Hey, Luo Yan, are we going to the cafeteria for dinner later? I heard they have sweet and sour pork ribs today."

Luo Yan shook her head and packed her things more quickly: "No, I have an appointment with a friend."

Pan Yue pouted and didn't press the matter: "Alright, I'll go to the cafeteria first. See you at evening self-study."

Luo Yan nodded, and only got up and left the classroom after Pan Yue had run far away.

The corridor was already crowded with people, and the setting sun streamed in through the window at the end, casting long shadows on everyone. She followed the flow of people to the east, where a lone vending machine stood, hidden in the shade of a camphor tree—this was the place she and He Xiaoyou had agreed to meet.

The glass door of the vending machine reflected the setting sun, illuminating her slightly uneasy face. She stood beside the machine, unconsciously twisting the hem of her school uniform, calculating in her mind that He Xiaoyou should be arriving soon.

During these few days of switching classes, He Xiaoyou was the only person who could make her feel a little relaxed. The thought of being able to talk to her later made her tense nerves relax a bit.

The wind rustled through the camphor leaves. Occasionally, students would pass by, chatting and laughing as they walked towards their dormitories, probably catching their breath before evening self-study. The vending machine clicked, someone had bought a bottle of cola, the crisp sound of the pull tab being pulled particularly clear in the quiet.

Luo Yan looked up at the direction of the teaching building, then looked down at her watch. There were still two minutes left before the agreed time.