Chapter 11 (Chapter 91) Back to Modern Times (2)

The familiar face on the podium, the way he bent down to pick up the roster, was exactly the same as before.

She either didn't notice the gazes from below the stage, or if she did, she didn't care, and simply read out the names one by one: "Feng Ziyan, Neng Xiaoyao, Qiao Chengjun..."

As the responses echoed through the classroom, she finally called out a name: "...Zhuang Shi".

Her voice rose slightly at the end, and she looked up with some confusion, her gaze wandering around the classroom as if searching for something.

Zhuang stretched out one arm and answered loudly, "Here!"

Zhou She saw it clearly: she and Zhuang Shi made eye contact for only a moment, then she immediately glanced left and right before their eyes met.

She uttered it almost unconsciously, her voice very soft, only clearly audible through the loudspeaker: "Zhou She".

Zhou She gazed at her face, the crowd around him seemed to quietly disappear, and all he could see were those clear eyes: "Here."

After the teacher waited until the entire class roster had been called and no one was late or left early, she finally glanced at the class with satisfaction: "Very good, everyone's attitude towards my class has been quite proper. Now, let me explain some of the rules for my class..."

Zhou She did not hear what the teacher was saying.

From the moment he saw Gu Xunhui, along with shock, doubt also welled up in his heart.

Zhuang Shi, who shares the same name as his good friend, Zhao Niang, who clearly still remembers him, and Liang, a renowned traditional Chinese medicine doctor…

Something's not right, nothing seems right.

"Let me introduce myself first. My surname is Shen, and you can call me Teacher Shen."

The man turned around and quickly wrote three large characters on the blackboard. Zhou She looked up and stared at them: "..."

It clearly says Shen Mingzhe.

This is even stranger!

"If you have any questions outside of class, you can ask me through WeChat. For things like coursework and assignments, ask your senior, Gu Xunhui."

She really was still called Gu Xunhui.

Zhou She looked at her carefully. Gu Xunhui was dressed simply and plainly now, without her exquisite and gorgeous clothes, which for a moment reminded him of the distant past.

Gu Xunhui hastily left his contact information and then quietly walked to the side of the podium.

The first lesson of the semester was ancient history, a compulsory course that was directly incorporated into the curriculum, leaving no room for choice.

Zhou She himself doesn't remember what major he applied for. Not long after he finished the college entrance examination, around the time the application period ended, he was rushed to the ICU.

The teaching materials distributed were quite thick, and Teacher Shen on the stage was exceptionally serious, speaking in a gentle and detailed manner, which made Zhuang Shi next to him begin to doze off.

Teacher Shen walked a few steps down from the stage, picked up his textbook, and strolled over to Zhuang Shi.

Thanks to his front-row seat, he reached out and tapped Zhuang Shi on the head: "Are you asleep, classmate?"

Zhuang Shi, still half-asleep, forced his eyes open and mumbled, "No, teacher, you explained it so well, I'm thinking about it."

Teacher Shen stared at his eyes, which he tried to open wide but couldn't, his messy hair, and his huge dark circles: "..."

"Since you're not asleep, repeat what I just said?"

Zhuang Shi jolted awake, now fully alert. Zhou She opened his textbook, trying to explain, but was immediately caught by Teacher Shen: "Why don't you explain it to him?"

Zhou She stood up and read aloud: "The Ning Dynasty had a total of twenty-seven emperors and lasted for 385 years. The turning point of the Ning Dynasty was when Emperor Zhongzong defeated the Northern Di in one battle, which marked the beginning of the history of unifying China."

Although they are all familiar historical events... no, they can't really be considered history.

For Zhou She himself, it was simply something that happened around him.

Even so, the more familiar something is with you, the more awkward it feels to read it aloud in public.

Shen Mingzhe listened and nodded. He gestured for Zhou She to sit down, then turned on the projector. The topic of the lesson was displayed on the large screen at the front.

“My personal habit is to start by talking about the key points for the exam,” Shen Mingzhe said. “This class is a required course, and the key points for the exam are usually two parts: first, the reign of Jingqing in the Ning Dynasty, and second, the reign of Xuanren in the Sheng Dynasty.”

So after roughly connecting the whole picture, he started directly from the late reign of Emperor Ningrenzong.

"As everyone knows, emperors are more prone to folly in their later years. Emperor Renzong was the third son of Emperor Ning Taizong. During the struggle for the throne, his two elder brothers died, so he ascended the throne naturally. His early reign was excellent until he gradually entered his later years."

Although Shen Mingzhe still had a serious face, he spoke in a very lively manner.

As soon as Zhuang Shi started the lesson, he felt sleepy again and asked Zhou She to keep an eye on the teacher for him.

Zhou She agreed, propped his chin on his hand, and glanced at Gu Xunhui, who was sitting to his side.

Gu Xunhui had her hair tied in a ponytail, with long hair falling down her neck to her shoulders. She was wearing a T-shirt and carefully making notes in her notebook.

She noticed Zhou She's gaze, turned slightly to the side, and gave him a calm and unwavering look.

But Zhou She knew that she remembered him.

Gu Xunhui's brief warning was interrupted by Shen Mingzhe: "Let me pick a student to answer: In the changes in the selection of the successor to the throne in ancient times, what impact did Emperor Renzong have?"

As he spoke, he walked toward Zhou She with a clear goal in mind.

Zhou She: "..."

Sure enough, Shen Mingzhe walked up to him and said seriously, "Your attention isn't on the blackboard or the textbook. You've already learned it? You answer that."

Zhou She silently stood up.

What impact?

His thoughts drifted back to decades ago. It was so long ago that he couldn't recall it at first. After a moment's thought, he could only recall the various battles of wits and courage he had with his grandfather.

Therefore, based on his only guess, he said, "It broadens the range of choices for inheritance rights?"

According to normal inheritance rules, even counting up to eight hundred people, it wouldn't be his turn.

When Zhou She said those words, he didn't even know whether it was a good thing or a bad thing.

Having more choices of heirs was not actually a good thing for a country in that era.

Shen Mingzhe seemed surprised by his answer.

He turned around, strode to the podium, and wrote several large characters on the chalk: "What Emperor Renzong went through in his later years regarding the choice of his successor, and why he gave up his sons and chose his grandson instead, is still a topic worthy of study today."

Zhou She thought to himself, "It's the sky; I can see the sky."

Shen Mingzhe couldn't guess what he was thinking, and slowly said, "Emperor Renzong's choice of Emperor Zhongzong was a very significant event in his political career. Fortunately, after Renzong established his heir, there was no large-scale turmoil. The only turmoil was when his third son forced the emperor to abdicate and rebelled, which was quickly suppressed."

However, it cannot be denied that Emperor Renzong's choice was a reluctant one made after comparison, unintentionally expanding the pool of potential successors. Following Renzong, Emperor Zhongzong further expanded this pool, forming the succession system we are familiar with for the next few centuries.

After Shen Mingzhe finished speaking, he nodded to Zhou She: "Good answer, add two points."

When Zhou She sat down, he felt somewhat dazed.

Sitting in the classroom, listening to the teacher recount events from thousands of years ago. Time travels, history and the present intertwine and merge into one.

Behind me, some classmates couldn't help but whisper, "Will this part be on the test?"

"Definitely, it's a common topic in high school history exams, especially the history of changes in the succession system. Just memorize it..."

"Even women don't have inheritance rights, I really don't know what those people are thinking."

"If power can be held by a few people, why bother with the division of power? Thank you, King Jungjong, my charming ancestor."

"Now I believe you really love history..."

Shen Mingzhe finally stopped bothering him, closed the book, and said to the students, "get out of class dismissed."

The moment Zhuang Shi announced the end of class, he stood up, full of energy and enthusiasm: "Let's go, let's go, there's no class in the second period, let's go back to the dorm and sleep!"

As he spoke, he reached for the wheelchair.

Zhou She gently pressed his arm: "You go back first, I have things to do."

Zhuang Shiqi asked, "This lesson didn't really cover any key points...?"

Zhou She didn't speak, and Zhuang Shi shrugged and said, "Alright, I'm leaving then."

The huge lecture hall was quickly emptied.

Only Zhou She and Gu Xunhui remained in the same spot.

The closer one gets to home, the more timid one becomes; this perfectly describes Zhou She's feelings at this moment.

He tentatively asked, "Zhao..."

Gu Xunhui stood up.

She was very tall, casting a shadow over Zhou She. Zhou She had just woken up from his serious illness; he was not as tall as before, his face was pale, and he looked somewhat tired.

Gu Xunhui said softly, "Zhou She?"

Zhou She responded.

"Zhou Ruochuan?"

Zhou She's slightly furrowed brows immediately relaxed, and he smiled: "It's me."

Gu Xunhui looked at him quietly for a while, then stretched out his hand, palm up: "The students for the next class are coming, let's go first."

Her hands were warm, her skin smooth, and still strong. She pulled Zhou She along, pushing the wheelchair out with one hand.

The weather was fine and sunny, and the sky was high and clear.

Gu Xunhui found a pavilion where no one was around, and the two sat facing each other.

If they weren't wearing modern clothes, it would be the same as every time they drank together before.

Gu Xunhui had actually been here for many years.

She opened her eyes one morning and saw an endless forest. She looked around blankly and saw someone running towards her in the distance. It was a little girl dressed in strange clothes, who grabbed her hand.

"What are you doing here?" the little girl said in a cheerful voice. "Don't wander off! I have to go to school, I don't have time to watch you!"

Her accent was slightly different, but Gu Xunhui could understand it.

The little girl dragged her home, muttering, "When will this idiot ever get any smarter?"

Gu Xunhui learned all of this in a daze, and finally one afternoon, he said to his younger sister, "Xunrong."

Gu Xunrong was startled and scrambled out of the kitchen. Gu Xunhui heard her frantically tell her parents, "Mom and Dad!! My sister can talk!"

Almost instantly, her parents rushed in, looking at her expectantly: "Xunhui, you can talk now?"

Gu Xunhui was still not familiar with them.

But she could see the love that Gu's parents had for their eldest daughter during this time. She felt a little guilty for the real "Gu Xunhui," whose whereabouts were unknown.

She nodded, her voice hoarse, and called out, "Dad, Mom."

Gu Xunhui gradually realized that he had arrived in the future.

A brand new era, a brand new future.

Even though she held great power in her past life, she still inevitably heard many negative comments.

Of course, these voices never uttered in front of her, but Gu Xunhui knew them, she could hear them. She had many ears and eyes, forever watching over all directions for her.

But it's different here.

This is the paradise she dreamed of, the result of her tireless pursuit, and the future she hoped to see after years of hard work.

Gu Xunhui grew up in an era that was as beautiful as a dream. His family was not as well-off as in his previous life, but they could still barely support two students by tightening their belts.

When Gu Xunhui reached high school, tuition fees suddenly increased. Fortunately, an entrepreneur provided a scholarship, allowing her to focus on her studies and continue her education without worrying too much about making ends meet.

She had the entrepreneur's secretary's WeChat, but after she was admitted to university and told him the news, they lost contact.

Gu Xunhui naturally tried to return the money to the other party, since she could earn money on her own long ago, but without exception, it was returned until a month ago.

A message suddenly popped up on WeChat after three years of silence.

In a simple sentence: "Hello Ms. Gu, I am Zhou Huai. My younger brother, Zhou She, will be entering A University in a month. He has just recovered from a serious illness, and I hope you can take care of him."

The second message was a payment notification.

Gu Xunhui didn't even have time to return the money. She stared at that familiar name, the name she had dreamt of countless times in the dead of night, her eyes glistening with tears.

Zhou She said softly, "Zhao Niang, why are you crying?"

His hands were cooler, and he gently covered Gu Xunhui's hands with them, as if to comfort him.

Gu Xunhui casually wiped away the tears from the corner of his eyes: "It's nothing."

She said with some worry, "How did you get so sick? You look..."

Too thin.

In his previous life, Zhou Ruochuan could ride a spirited horse, draw a bow, and venture deep into the northern deserts to drive out the northern barbarian cavalry.

Zhou She didn't seem to care much: "It's probably because I was too strong before, so they took away some of my physical strength."

Gu Xunhui glanced at him speechlessly, skipped the topic, and started telling him about his experiences over the years.

She always walked ahead of Zhou She.

This is how the Heavenly Curtain speaks of history, and this is how it was in its previous life.

They were happier in their previous life, having already done everything they wanted to do and go to all the places they wanted to go.

After Zhong Cong turned sixteen, she was entrusted with handling important state affairs. They traveled incognito until Xiao Jianhe, who was the most good-natured, sent someone to find them, and only then did they reluctantly return to the capital.

Therefore, the previous life was harmonious and fulfilling.

Gu Xunhui cherished this hard-won second life just as much, and only after finishing his story did he ask, "Do you know Shen Mingzhe?"

A thought flashed through Zhou She's mind: "Him?"

Gu Xunhui smiled: "He remembers."

Zhou She: "..."

You're putting on quite a show, Lord Shen.

“I saw many old friends here,” Gu Xunhui sighed. “Fang Jingruo is in the Literature Department next door, and Huai Leju is majoring in Physical Education…”

Zhou She was dumbfounded.

How come people in his era are almost riddled with holes?

so……

Zhuang Shi? Dr. Liang?

Gu Xunhui could tell what he was thinking and shook his head, saying, "Zhuang Shi wasn't faking it."

Zhou She affirmed, "With his acting skills, he shouldn't be able to fake it."

Gu Xunhui chuckled, then thought for a moment before saying, "That's right, but perhaps one day he will remember what happened before."

“It’s okay if you can’t remember,” Zhou She continued. “We can just get to know each other again.”

Gu Xunhui: "That's right."

Their eyes met, and they both understood what the other wanted to say.

We can get to know each other again.

If this applies to old friends, isn't it also true for married couples?

Gu Xunhui suddenly asked, "Are you going... to visit your own grave?"

Zhou She was stunned for a moment: "...Right here?"

Why didn't I notice anything before she fell into a coma?

Gu Xunhui first nodded, then shook his head: "It's not in City A, but it's very close. It takes a little over an hour by high-speed rail."

Zhou She became interested.

I've only ever seen cyberpunk tomb sweeping in the sky, but I've never actually done it for myself.

What a novel experience this is!

Gu Xunhui took out her phone and started buying tickets. It wasn't peak season after the start of the semester, so she bought tickets on the spot and reserved entry for the afternoon. Then she remembered, "Do I have classes this afternoon?"

Zhou She opened the timetable and saw: "There is one class."

The two heads huddled together, whispering and discussing. Gu Xunhui glanced at the names of the students, then at the class name, and hesitated before saying, "How about we change the time?"

It was actually a casual class, but Gu Xunhui was always punctual and had a very proactive attitude towards work and study, so of course he wouldn't skip class.

In that short break, Zhou She had already prepared a leave request for his teacher.

Gu Xunhui said, enunciating each word clearly: "...Sweeping graves for family members?"

Zhou She calmly replied, "I'm sweeping my own grave."

Gu Xunhui: "...to sweep my wife's grave."

Zhou She curled the corners of his lips: "You could say that."

Gu Xunhui insisted on pushing the wheelchair, forcibly cramming Zhou She into it, and pushed him all the way to the present mausoleum.

Zhou She, unable to resist, had no choice but to submit. The two walked through the gate one after the other. Although it wasn't peak tourist season, many people still lingered outside taking photos.

Along the long street, there are all kinds of stalls, selling all sorts of things.

Zhou She curiously went over to take a look and saw that the outermost layer contained several small golden figures, which were exquisitely made with gilding. The inscription below read: "Ning Dynasty's First Performer".

Zhou She had a vague idea of ​​what was going on, and asked, "Who is this for?"

The stall owner immediately stepped forward and enthusiastically promoted the gift: "Oh, young man, this is for King Jungjong! Everyone knows that King Jungjong loved acting and money. He'll definitely be happy to receive this!"

Zhou She: "..."

Why is his reputation becoming increasingly bizarre?

A quick glance inside revealed even more quirky everyday items: some medicated plasters for the waist, some novel toys, a pile of compasses, a stack of theater passes…

Zhou She tried to recall each item, but without the sky screen, he had no idea what the purpose of placing these things here was.

Seeing an opportunity, the stall owner continued his sales pitch: "These are all very good! Look, even the emperor and empress would love these plasters. Historically, it's said that in their later years they suffered from back pain, leg pain, and pain all over their bodies! Sending them some plasters would be good for their health."

And this toy is so convenient for taking the kids out! This compass goes without saying—it symbolizes global domination and naval supremacy. And the theater pass—King Jungjong loved acting and watching plays; the play they're currently touring is based on his original work!

Zhou She fell silent. He turned his head and looked at Gu Xunhui.

Gu Xunhui laughed so hard he could barely maintain his composure, pointing at the stall: "Is that plaster for back support? Can I put it on my legs? Does it have a license?"

"Young lady, what are you saying?" The stall owner immediately became displeased, feigning displeasure but actually taking the opportunity to promote his products. "These are all legitimate products. How could those counterfeit or substandard products be used by the emperor?!"

He was well aware of the current social circle; these people would buy things for him, so of course he would send them the best.

I don't understand, but I respect the Renminbi.

Gu Xunhui then bought several plasters and the bouquet at the very back. He had only planned to buy one bouquet, but Zhou She paid for another one.

As for the little golden statuette, Zhou She bought one as well. Gu Xunhui, however, refused to admit his excellent acting skills and insisted on not taking it.

Holding two bouquets of flowers and two bundles of incense and candles, the two found the place to place the offerings against the backdrop of the magnificent sunset.

How does it feel to visit your own grave?

“Very good.” Zhou She laughed. “Let’s not give them this plaster; we can use it ourselves.”

Devout whispers and cheerful banter drifted through the air. Some were talking about their love, while others were praying for their exams, work, or life this year.

Zhou She and Gu Xunhui stood at the forefront, the sunset draped over their shoulders, a gentle breeze caressing their faces, feeling relaxed and happy.

Remembering the past, looking forward to the future.

A new life has just begun.

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Author's Note: Shen Mingzhe: I'd like to hear what you can come up with in class, kid.

Liang Xiao: I want to be a doctor in my past life, my next life, and the life after that. I'm just waiting for Zhou She, the squiggly one, to come and treat me.