Chapter 14
Winter vacation passed silently like a gentle breeze, carrying away the troubles of the past year but failing to completely soothe any emotions. Zhao Jinglu and Su Xiaowen's relationship remained stagnant, like the icicles on the window—still there, but lacking their former vitality. Throughout the holiday, Zhao Jinglu immersed herself in dance practice and homework preparation, trying to fill every moment with busyness.
Since the start of the new semester, the atmosphere at school has become noticeably different. An invisible pressure has begun to permeate the air, especially for the students in their eighth and eighth grades.
On Monday morning, the entire school held a flag-raising ceremony on the playground. After the national anthem, the principal did not dismiss the group with a brief summary as usual, but instead made an important announcement.
"Classmates, our graduating class is about to pass a crucial milestone in life, and a new batch of warriors is about to embark on a new journey. Our eighth graders and eighth graders are about to officially enter the graduating class! To allow everyone to more immerse themselves in the intense learning atmosphere, the school has decided—"
The audience became unusually quiet, and all the students in the second year of junior high and the second year of high school pricked up their ears.
"Next semester, our eighth and eighth graders will be relocated to the new graduation campus on the east side of the school. It offers a more independent and tranquil environment, along with improved teaching facilities, and will provide the best support for everyone's final sprint!"
This news was like a stone dropped into a calm lake, causing a slight stir and discussion among the students. The senior campus! It was a slightly mysterious place, signifying heavier responsibilities, a more intense atmosphere, and also... a certain degree of "privilege" and "maturity."
The principal then announced, "After the second period on Friday afternoon, all eighth- and eighth-grade students will gather on the playground for a 'Moving Forward to Graduation' pep rally!"
On Friday afternoon, the middle school and high school departments each occupied half of the vast playground. The sun scorched the plastic floor, and a restless atmosphere hung in the air.
"Graduation campus? Sounds scary..."
"Will I have to take extra classes every day from now on?"
Inside the square formation of junior high students, whispers rose and fell like a tide. Zhao Jinglu and Zhou Nan sat chairs close together, listening to the surrounding discussions. Not far away, Su Xiaowen, Li Yuanyuan, and Wang Yufei also sat together, whispering to each other.
The high school department seemed much quieter, but it was not without any disturbances.
Leaders gave speeches, teacher representatives gave speeches...the process was carried out one by one.
"Next, please invite the sophomore student representative, Ling Peng, to the stage to speak!"
Before the host finished speaking, Zhao Jinglu heard Li Yuanyuan's suppressed but still clear intake of breath coming from a distance. She nudged Su Xiaowen next to her with her elbow: "Wenwen! Look! It's him! Senior Ling Peng!"
Su Xiaowen sat up straight almost instantly, her eyes following the tall figure standing up from the high school formation and walking towards the podium. Her face was a mixture of surprise, excitement, and barely concealed nervousness. She subconsciously adjusted her bangs.
Even Wang Yufei, who was usually relatively calm, stretched her neck out of curiosity.
Then there was a burst of warm applause from the high school department, mixed with a few friendly whistles.
Ling Peng walked up to the podium and adjusted the microphone. He was wearing a clean blue and white school uniform and stood tall and straight.
"Wow, he is a student representative! So awesome!" Li Yuanyuan's voice was full of excitement, as if the person on the stage had some relationship with her.
Su Xiaowen didn't say anything, but her mouth was slightly open, her eyes unblinking, completely absorbed. At this moment, the senior on the stage, representing the entire second grade and speaking calmly, looked even more fair and handsome than when he was sunny and bold playing basketball, emitting an attractive glow.
Wang Yufei sighed softly: "I didn't expect that he is also good at studying..."
Zhao Jinglu sat slightly behind them, taking in their reactions. She too was watching the stage, listening to Ling Peng's clear, steady voice as he delivered the hard truths about adjusting his mindset and prioritizing efficiency. But the uncontrollable commotion of her friends felt like an invisible barrier, separating her from the crowd, a reminder of her awkwardness and the secret she was part of. She silently shifted her gaze from the stage to her knees.
After his speech, Ling Peng bowed and left the stage. Applause erupted from the high school section, and there were also scattered claps from the middle school section, with Li Yuanyuan clapping the most enthusiastically. Su Xiaowen also clapped vigorously, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes followed him back to his seat.
"He's handsome, plays baseball, and has good grades! Wenwen, you have good taste!" Li Yuanyuan concluded excitedly.
Su Xiaowen smiled with a hint of shyness and pride.
The meeting was over. The playground erupted in excitement. Zhao Jinglu and Zhou Nan were carrying chairs back together. Inadvertently, she glanced up from the crowd and saw Ling Peng and several high school boys not far away.
He seemed to be attracted by what Zhang Hao said. He turned his head and smiled, his eyes casually sweeping around and happened to meet her gaze.
At a distance of one or two meters, there was a noisy crowd all around.
His eyes stayed on her face for about half a second, very briefly. Then, he nodded to her almost imperceptibly and very slightly.
Immediately, Zhang Hao grabbed his neck and pulled him away. "Let go! I'm a public figure now." The two of them walked back laughing.
Zhao Jinglu retracted her gaze and turned, only to meet Su Xiaowen's gaze. Su Xiaowen had evidently also witnessed the brief moment, and the excitement and shyness on her face froze in an instant, replaced by a complex expression of surprise and displeasure. She immediately turned her head away and hurriedly caught up with Li Yuanyuan and Wang Yufei, as if she hadn't seen anything.
The slight ripple in Zhao Jinglu's heart was instantly extinguished by this cold gaze.
New campus, closer distance.
But some barriers don't seem to disappear easily due to changes in space.
The road ahead is unknown and the challenges seem to have just begun.
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