Chapter 12
On Friday afternoon, the autumn sun was gleaming brightly. A gentle breeze blew across Chaoyang Middle School's playground, festooned with colorful flags, bringing with it the sweet fragrance of osmanthus flowers. A cheerful welcome song played on a loop over the radio. "Celebrating Teachers' Day" was prominently displayed on the backdrop of the makeshift podium. The campus was bustling with people, filled with the vibrant atmosphere of a festive occasion.
Ling Peng stood at the school gate, feeling somewhat helpless as he turned down Zhang Hao's third apology call. The guy had been drafted by his instructor and couldn't come.
"Aren't your classmates coming?" asked Chen Siyu, who was standing beside her. She was wearing a beautifully tailored taro-purple knit dress with high heels, delicate makeup, and slightly curled hair. Standing among a group of middle school students in blue and white uniforms running and playing, she stood out like a precious flower mistakenly planted in a field of weeds.
"Yeah, I got stood up." Ling Peng put away his phone. "Let's go and find Lao Wang in the office first."
Shen Siyu took his arm and looked around curiously: "You guys are quite... energetic in high school."
Elsewhere, behind the podium on the playground, Zhao Jinglu bent slightly, giving final instructions to a group of eighth-grade girls, their faces flushed with excitement, wearing uniform dance costumes. "...Remember the order and formation, and smile, just like in rehearsal. Don't be nervous..." Her voice was gentle and clear, carrying a reassuring power. Xu Linjie was also nearby, helping to check the cables connecting the sound equipment, and he glanced at her with concern from time to time.
"Senior Jinglu, my hair ornament seems a little loose!" A little girl squeezed over.
"Don't move, I'll help you adjust it." Zhao Jinglu helped her tie it up again with skill and quick movements.
Ling Peng and Shen Siyu walked downstairs to the teaching building.
"The teacher's office is upstairs. Let's go up and talk to Lao Wang and come back soon." Ling Peng said to Shen Siyu.
"Well, there must be a lot of teachers in there. I won't go up, okay?" Shen Siyu was not very interested in meeting a group of unfamiliar teachers. She pointed to the shade of a tree not far away and said, "I'll wait for you over there. It seems like the show is about to start. I'll watch for fun."
"Okay, I'll do it as soon as possible."
Ling Peng turned and went upstairs. Shen Siyu found a relatively quiet bench under the shade of a tree facing the stage and sat down. She pulled her phone from her exquisite handbag and casually took pictures of the lively scene.
On the playground, the program progressed smoothly, finally reaching the final awards ceremony. The outstanding teachers took turns taking the stage to receive flowers and applause. Teacher Wang was among them, beaming brightly.
After the awards ceremony, the teachers took a group photo on stage. Teacher Wang looked around, as if searching for someone. He spotted Zhao Jinglu, who was helping to calm the young actor at the side of the stage, and waved to her.
Zhao Jinglu trotted over and said, "Teacher Wang, congratulations!"
"Jinglu, do me a favor," Teacher Wang said, grinning from ear to ear, lowering his voice. "One of my graduates is back, and I just asked him to wait for me in my office. Go get him now, I need to take a picture with him! He's tall and handsome, you'll know who he is at first glance."
"Okay, teacher, I'll go right away." Zhao Jinglu agreed, feeling a little curious.
The teaching building was much quieter than outside. Zhao Jinglu walked to the familiar office door, which was ajar. She knocked and pushed it open.
A tall, straight figure was standing with his back to the door, looking at the teaching schedule on the wall. He turned around when he heard the noise.
The afternoon sun shone through the window and fell right on his chiseled profile.
Time seemed to stand still at that moment.
Zhao Jinglu could clearly hear her heartbeat suddenly accelerating.
It's him! Ling Peng!
He was taller than I remembered, his shoulders broader, his youthful immaturity gone, replaced by the clear, upright demeanor of a young man. He wore a simple white T-shirt and jeans, but his outstanding demeanor couldn't be concealed.
Ling Peng was also stunned. The girl before him was tall and slender, wearing a clean school uniform and a simple ponytail. She had fair skin and clear eyes. She stood quietly at the door, with a unique temperament between a girl and a young woman. She was calm and gentle, but her eyes revealed a lively spirit.
Looks very familiar... She's... the one who taught him to dance...
"Teacher Wang asked me to call you down for a photo." Zhao Jinglu spoke first, her voice a little tighter than usual, but quickly regained its composure, even carrying a hint of surprise at meeting an old friend. "Senior Ling Peng?"
"Zhao Jinglu?" Ling Peng finally confirmed, and a huge, extremely bright smile instantly bloomed on his face, with undisguised surprise and joy, "Wow! It's really you! I almost didn't recognize you! You've grown so much taller? The change is too big!" His tone was relaxed and friendly, as if he had met an old friend he hadn't seen for a long time, with no barriers at all.
"Senior, there isn't much change, except... a little more handsome." Zhao Jinglu couldn't help but smile. Infected by his straightforward praise and enthusiasm, her tone became lively, and she revealed a long-lost shallow dimple on one side of her face.
"Let's go! Old Wang can't wait to show me off." Ling Peng walked over with a smile, and walked out side by side with Zhao Jinglu naturally. He said in a familiar tone, "You're quite impressive. You got directly admitted to our school. How's it going? Are you still dancing?"
"I haven't been dancing much. I've been a bit busy with my studies."
"Really? The way you taught us back then, it would be a shame if you weren't a dance teacher. But you can pick it up again when you have time."
"Come on, the way you guys danced back then... I was afraid you'd ruin my reputation."
"Hahaha, it was Zhang Hao and the others who held me back. I made significant progress afterwards."
"By the way, where are Zhang Hao and the others? Why didn't they come?"
"Hi, something urgent happened. They will come back in a few days..."
The two walked down the corridor toward the playground, chatting and laughing. Ling Peng found chatting with this "young teacher" particularly relaxing and enjoyable. She was no longer the prim and proper one, now quick-witted and engaging. Zhao Jinglu also sensed that Ling Peng's sunny and dashing demeanor remained unchanged, but her conversation had gained a touch of casualness and sincerity, which unconsciously relaxed her.
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