Chapter 10

Class 5's classroom was near the stairs, and Cheng Xun stood by the railing at the corner waiting for Liang Shizhe, who was on duty.

Cheng Xun rested his elbows on the railing, his back slightly bent, his posture languid and relaxed. His gaze was fixed on the distant sunset, the afterglow dyeing half the sky a bright yellow, a magnificent sight. The afterglow spilled into the corridor, falling on him and outlining the young man's slender and tall figure.

There was no evening self-study session on Friday. Liang Shizhe was on duty for almost ten minutes. By the time the afternoon classes ended, almost all the students had left the school.

Today is Cheng Ying's birthday. Cheng Xun originally planned to go to the mall after school and pick out a gift on her own, but Liang Shizhe insisted on going with her.

Liang Shizhe knows Cheng Xun well. The gifts he gave to his brother in junior high school were quite expensive, but they were almost never to his liking. He wondered if Cheng Xun had carefully chosen the gifts or if he simply didn't care about other people's preferences.

Cheng Xun got bored while waiting. Seeing that there were no students passing by in the corridor, he reached into his pocket, took out a cigarette case, put a cigarette in his mouth, and lit it with a click.

Cheng Xun didn't have a heavy smoking habit; he would only smoke one cigarette occasionally. When half of the cigarette ash had fallen, Liang Shizhe walked out of the classroom, came to his side, and leaned against the railing.

Liang Shizhe watched Cheng Xun exhale white smoke with a cigarette between his fingers, his face expressionless. Liang Shizhe raised an eyebrow and warned him in a mocking tone, "Don't you know that smoking is not allowed at school? If you get caught, you'll be in for a scolding."

"Are you going to tattle?" Cheng Xun casually lifted his eyelids and curled the corners of his lips.

"Give me one, and I'll be merciful and not complain." Liang Shizhe grinned and held out his hand to Cheng Xun.

But they were just that unlucky; they got caught by the head of the teaching department.

"Smoking openly on campus, are you two incredibly audacious, or deliberately defying school rules and regulations?!" The dean of students sat at his desk, his face turning pale with anger. He stared at them for a few seconds with sharp, heavy eyes, then sighed with disappointment.

Besides Cheng Xun and Liang Shizhe standing in front of their desks, there were three boys writing self-criticisms on the sofa next to them in the office. Their behavior was a bit worse; they were smoking in the classroom during the afternoon break, which directly affected the students in the class.

The three boys were writing their self-criticisms very slowly, dragging their feet for a long time without managing to produce more than a few words. The head of the teaching department dragged two of the boys back to the office, and their eyes all turned to look at them. When they heard that the reason these two seemingly well-behaved boys were being reprimanded was also for smoking, they couldn't help but feel amused.

The dean of students swept his gaze around the office, first giving a warning look to the three boys who were peeking in and watching the commotion. After they lowered their heads to write their self-criticisms, he looked at Cheng Xun and Liang Shizhe.

"It's only been two weeks since school started, and the second and third-year students are more well-behaved than you. This kind of bad atmosphere must be nipped in the bud and cannot affect the other first-year students." The dean of students picked up a book from the table and slammed it down. He angrily pointed at the two students in front of him who seemed to have a good attitude: "You two, each write a two-thousand-word self-criticism and repent properly. If your attitude of admitting your mistakes is not serious enough, you will be given a minor demerit."

Liang Shizhe, who had been relatively calm, was stunned when he heard that he might receive a minor demerit. He looked up at the head of the teaching department and exclaimed in surprise, "Ah!" Was it really necessary? He felt that he hadn't done anything too serious, and he hadn't even finished his cigarette yet.

Seeing his disapproving look, the head of the teaching department smiled sarcastically: "See, I knew it. You all think that smoking at school is a small matter, and that even if you are caught, you won't be severely punished. It is because of this kind of wishful thinking that you are so unscrupulous."

Liang Shizhe's lips twitched. He thought that this dean of students was quite good at psychological analysis. He glanced at Cheng Xun standing next to him. Cheng Xun's eyelashes were lowered, her face was expressionless, and she looked very calm, composed, and obedient.

At this moment, Cheng Xun spoke up: "Teacher, we did have a bit of wishful thinking, thinking that smoking after school wouldn't risk being caught by the teachers passing by the classroom."

Cheng Xun seemed to genuinely realize his mistake, and said in a repentant tone, "However, after being discovered to have written a self-criticism this time, I dare not have that侥幸心理 (a sense of侥幸, or a feeling of getting away with something) anymore."

Liang Shizhe listened to Cheng Xun's words in disbelief, admiring Cheng Xun's ability to be flexible and his exceptional attitude in admitting his mistakes. Liang Shizhe knew that although he said those words, he was probably thinking that next time he would find a more secluded place on campus to smoke.

The head of student affairs looked up at the boy, who had a cool and aloof demeanor and seemed kind and harmless. Although he knew that there was a lot of deception in his words, they sounded very pleasant to him. He nodded slightly with satisfaction: "Go over there and write a self-criticism." He pointed to the sofa.

Liang Shizhe resignedly took the paper and walked to the empty sofa next to the three boys. When he wrote more than a thousand words in a chaotic manner, he glanced at Cheng Xun and found that Cheng Xun was writing at a rapid pace. He had already written two thousand words and was still continuing to write.

"Is writing a self-criticism so easy?" Liang Shizhe looked at the more than 1,000 words he had written with all his might with a frown. "Look at me, I'm still a long way from 2,000 words. It's so annoying."

At this moment, Cheng Xun finished writing and put the pen cap back on. "The content of the self-criticism is pretty much the same. When I was writing it, I was thinking about the one I wrote in the third year of junior high school. I just copied down whatever I remembered."

Liang Shizhe said in a low voice, "You really are something else. If the head of the teaching department knew that you were rambling on and on, he would think that a minor demerit would be too lenient."

"Stop nagging, don't forget we still need to go to the mall." Cheng Xun casually moved three sheets of paper covered with writing to Liang Shizhe and said, "You can write as you see fit, it'll be faster. Once the content is roughly the same, just make a few minor changes."

"Oh right, I almost forgot I still need to pick out a gift for your sister." After saying that, Liang Shizhe looked at Cheng Xun's letter of self-criticism while speeding up his writing.

The head of student affairs took a thermos to get hot water to make tea, and the whispers of the three boys opposite him grew louder.

"Amin, copy this for me."

"Damn it, don't try to grab it! You'll be responsible if you tear it apart!"

"Brother Li, look at that boy over there. He's finished writing. When the old man isn't looking, ask him to write it for you. After he's done, take it back when the old man isn't looking."

"Amin, that's a great idea!"

Cheng Xun leisurely twirled the pen in his hand. When their conversation reached his ears, he slowly looked up and saw Liang Shizhe, who was writing a self-criticism, also suddenly look up. Cheng Xun nudged his shoulder, signaling him to hurry up and write.

“Classmate, I’m Wu Zhongli from Class 12.” Wu Zhongli glanced at the office door. The teacher hadn’t returned yet. He raised his eyebrows, brandished the self-criticism in his hand, and spoke with a more assertive tone: “I see you’ve finished writing your own self-criticism. You can write mine for me in the rest of the time. Once it’s finished, we’ll consider each other acquaintances. If you ever have any disagreements with anyone, come to Class 12 and I’ll help you get revenge.”

He's acting all crazy, like he's some kind of big shot in society. His rebellious remarks are so off-putting they make you want to laugh.

Cheng Xun frowned slightly, his dark pupils narrowed slightly, and he said bluntly, "I don't help people write self-criticisms."

Wu Zhongli's eyes widened in surprise. His lackey beside him said angrily, "Don't be ungrateful. We're not giving you a choice, we're giving you an acceptance. If you don't help this time, you'll offend Brother Li. You'll have a lot of trouble later if you hold a grudge."

Liang Shizhe paused, his hand holding the pen trembling. He spat inwardly with disgust. He had never encountered anyone in junior high who could make unreasonable demands sound so dignified.

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhongli straightened his back, rolled up his short-sleeved shirt to reveal the tattoo hidden beneath his clothes, and glared fiercely at Cheng Xun, as if Cheng Xun would be truly doomed if he didn't agree to his demands.

Cheng Xun glanced over indifferently. To be honest, he couldn't make out what the tattoo was. It was just a small, dark blob. Wu Zhongli was probably a little afraid of the school finding out about the tattoo, but he also wanted to show off his gangster-like personality, so he could only reluctantly get a small tattoo on his arm where it would be hidden by his short-sleeved shirt.

Wu Zhongli is clearly a blustering but cowardly person. If Cheng Xun really helps him this time, he will be bossed around by him many times in the future. If he doesn't help him, he will indeed get into trouble.

"I'll give you another chance. Help me write a self-criticism." Wu Zhongli raised his chin, his displeasure obvious. He shoved the self-criticism onto Cheng Xun's desk without hesitation. Right now, he cared about saving face and maintaining his authority.

Cheng Xun looked down at the illegible handwriting on the self-criticism. How could someone's handwriting be even uglier than his? He couldn't imitate the essence of the writing. Cheng Xun picked it up and handed it back to Wu Zhongli: "Our handwriting is different. I can't write it for you."

Wu Zhongli was about to speak when, with a bang, he turned his head and saw the headmaster standing at the door, who had returned with hot water. Steam rose from the cup. He strode over angrily, his leather shoes clicking on the floor.

"Your name is Wu Zhongli, right? You still don't know how to repent and have someone write a self-criticism for you. Do you really want to be disciplined?!" The head of the teaching department almost poked Wu Zhongli's face with his finger, his chest heaving with anger.

Wu Zhongli's aggressive demeanor immediately subsided, and he appeared completely angry but dared not speak out. He casually lowered his sleeves.

This small action was noticed by the head of student affairs, who shouted, "Is that a tattoo?"

Wu Zhongli defended himself, saying, "It was pasted on."

The lackey named Amin cooperated and said, "Yes, teacher, we just put them on for fun. If you don't believe me, I can show you the purchase records of the temporary tattoos."

Liang Shizhe curled his lip. They kept calling him "teacher," but just now they were calling him "old man." They were so two-faced. Thinking about how they were so aggressive just now, but now they were so timid, he secretly smiled.

"Even if it's a sticker, it's not acceptable!" The head of student affairs slammed his thermos on the table with a crisp sound, then put his hands on his hips. "It's a sticker now, but next time it'll be a real tattoo. Do you know how difficult it is to remove tattoo marks?"

Liang Shizhe watched them being reprimanded, then, in a good mood, he tidied up the three pages of self-criticism he had just finished writing. He gave them a pitying look, stood up, and handed them to the head of the teaching department.

"Teacher, we've finished writing our self-criticisms." Liang Shizhe lowered his head slightly, looking remorseful.

Cheng Xun also handed over his own share.

The head of the teaching department swiftly pulled the two self-criticisms away, flipped through the pages, and glanced at them briefly. He said, "You two have a good attitude, so I'll let you off this time. It'll be a minor demerit. But don't let it happen again."

Liang Shizhe said loudly, "Understood, teacher." After saying that, he glanced at the three boys standing next to him, his eyes showing a hint of smugness.

*

When Cheng Xun returned home with her birthday present, it was already dark, around 8:30 PM. Liang Shizhe had picked out the gift, saying that ten-year-old girls like Cheng Ying all liked fluffy dolls. The gift was beautifully wrapped by the shop assistant in a gift box, tied with a pink bow.

Cheng Xun opened the door and went inside. The lights in the room were off. In the darkness, he bent down to change his shoes and heard the accompaniment of the birthday song. Then, the voices of Cheng's parents singing for Cheng Ying rang out.

Cheng Xun was clearly a step too late to get home and missed the moment to light the candles and sing the birthday song.

Cheng Xun stood in the entryway, holding a gift box in one hand and taking his phone out of his pocket with the other. He opened the chat app to check if he had missed any messages, such as messages that it was Cheng Ying's birthday today and she was telling him to come back quickly so they could celebrate her birthday together.

Cheng Xun remained hidden in the dimly lit environment, the light from his phone illuminating his face. A self-deprecating expression flashed across his face. When the singing stopped, he put away his phone and walked towards the living room.

At this moment, Cheng Xun bumped into Cheng Rongken, who was walking over from the dining table to turn on the light. After the light was turned on, they looked at each other, and Cheng Rongken was slightly surprised.

Without saying hello, Cheng Xun went straight to the dining table, where a large cake was placed, decorated with a ring of strawberries that Cheng Ying loved to eat.

Zhang Yuyun was taking the candles with "ten years old" carved on them off the cake for her daughter when she heard the noise and thought Cheng Rongken had returned. But when she looked up, it was Cheng Xun. Her face showed a moment of embarrassment.

"You're back. I thought you went to the internet cafe. Look at the time. I know you're lazy, but you should pay more attention to your sister's birthday." Zhang Yuyun's tone was a bit reproachful and dissatisfied as she cut a piece of cake and placed it in front of Cheng Ying.

Cheng Rongken sat back down in his chair and asked, "Where did you go after school?"

Cheng Xun placed the gift box on the dining table, frowning as he pondered how to answer. Should he tell the truth, about being caught smoking and having to write a self-criticism? Cheng Xun knew that if he told them, he would definitely anger them; he did indeed have that wicked thought.

But then Cheng Xun thought again, it was Cheng Ying's birthday today and the family atmosphere was still quite warm, and he shouldn't ruin it.

"I went shopping with a friend and had dinner there." Cheng Xun chose to lie. Before entering the bedroom, he pointed to the gift box, "This is a gift from Cheng Ying."

Cheng Ying, dressed in a princess dress, called out to him, "Second Brother, aren't we going to eat cake together?" Although they weren't close, her second brother never forgot to give her a gift on her birthday.

Ye Yuyun said, "Aying, don't you know that your second brother doesn't like cake?"

Cheng Ying watched as Cheng Xun opened the bedroom door and went in, then the door closed tightly behind him, as if separating them into another world.

Cheng Ying doesn't recall ever seeing her second brother eat cake, and his birthday wasn't celebrated as enthusiastically as her and her eldest brother's, so she doesn't know the exact date of her second brother's birthday.