Chapter 374

The next day, the school sports meet at Fu Yi Middle School continued in full swing.

In the morning, Yan Zhusheng easily won the gold medals in the 100-meter and 200-meter finals.

As she sprinted toward the finish line, classmates from Class 8 of Gao Er all stood up cheering; when she returned with her gold medal, they clapped enthusiastically, welcoming the sprint queen of Class 8.

Yet also in the morning, a quiet online sharing session quietly began.

【Embrace Sister Jiang's arms!】

【Ren Zheng】: Did you all watch "Literary Era" last night?

【Jiang Liuxian】: I haven't had time yet—what's up?

【Hua Xiuxiu】: It's hard to explain.

【Zhang Guohuang】: It doesn't feel as satisfying as the class monitor's writing— I mean the plot, it just feels like the showboating isn't smooth enough.

【Zhu Yufei】: Is that even the point? I was watching her drive the whole time!

【Hua Xiuxiu】: The writing is truly excellent—way better than the class monitor's. The class monitor's books are mostly plain language, with hardly any elegant phrasing.

【Hua Xiuxiu】: "Literary Era" is different—really different. I've read some other Online Novels too, but this one's style gives a uniquely comfortable feeling; it's definitely written by someone with real skill.

【Ren Zheng】: Stop analyzing that— isn't the real focus the borderline content?

【Zhu Yufei】: I think I need to relearn the idiom dictionary.

【Zhang Guohuang】: Holy shit! Now that you mention it, I just remembered—that "welcomed with a corridor of people" scene totally blew my mind!

【Hua Xiuxiu】: Shut up! Don't say it out loud!

【Lin Yuan】: What do you mean? What's wrong with "welcomed with a corridor of people"?

【Zhu Yufei】: Hehe.

【Zhang Guohuang】: Hehe.

【Ren Zheng】: You guys are disgusting—stop talking about this in the group, okay?

【Fang Chen】: Yeah, let's keep it normal—don't ruin the reputation of guys.

【Zhang Guohuang】: Damn! This stuff was written by Senior Xu herself! I'm just retelling it!

【Ren Zheng】: I'm starting to doubt whether our guess is even right—could Senior Xu really write something like this?

【Zhu Yufei】: So what?

【Zhang Guohuang】: I think it's fine—you don't know, before, Chen Zhongqi read a romance novel and lent it to Shi Yanran. I got curious and peeked at it—man, that was intense!

【Chen Zhongqi】: Shut up!

【Shi Yanran】: Who told you to sneak a look…

【Zhang Guohuang】: The point isn't that— the point is girls' novels can be just as spicy too. If Senior Xu can write this, I think it's totally normal.

【Zhu Yufei】: Enough, enough—doesn't matter if it's Senior Xu's or not, I think it's pretty good. I'll finish reading it slowly later.

The first wave of discussion ended.

As lunchtime neared, the group chat became lively again.

【Ren Zheng】: I take back what I said earlier—I now think "Literary Era" really might be written by Senior Xu…

【Hua Xiuxiu】: What happened?

【Ren Zheng】: Didn't you hear? This morning, Senior Xu sat next to me and chatted with Ying Chanxi.

【Ren Zheng】: She actually teases people privately! Made Ying Chanxi's face turn red.

【Ren Zheng】: It's exactly like Jiang Mingyue from the class monitor's novel!

【Ren Zheng】: And the teasing style feels just like in "Literary Era."

【Ren Zheng】: It's all subtle—no explicitness—but when you think about it, the speed is insane.

【Zhu Yufei】: Okay okay, now it's confirmed—this novel definitely deserves a proper read.

【Zhang Guohuang】: I read over twenty chapters yesterday, still haven't gotten far.

【Zhu Yufei】: I've read over a hundred chapters.

【Ren Zheng】: A hundred chapters?! Are your eyes a scanner?

【Hua Xiuxiu】: I've only read eleven chapters—I feel this book is meant to be savored; reading it that fast will make you miss tons of details.

【Zhu Yufei】: If it's good, you can reread it.

【Ren Zheng】: I've realized something—when Senior Xu talks to others, she's quite aloof…

【Ren Zheng】: Or maybe not aloof—just deliberately distant.

【Ren Zheng】: But when she chats with Ying Chanxi and Li Luo, she's completely relaxed.

【Zhu Yufei】: No wonder we didn't notice before—the version the class monitor sees is totally different.

【Zhang Guohuang】: Damn! Now I'm kinda into Jiang Mingyue's character design…

【Hua Xiuxiu】: Contrasting character archetypes are common in novels.

【Lin Yuan】: The class monitor is such a jerk.

【Fang Chen】: The class monitor is such a jerk.

…

After lunch, when everyone returned to the classroom for nap time, Li Luo said to Zhu Yufei: "Ying Chanxi isn't feeling well—she won't be participating in the 400-meter this afternoon. Remember to inform the PE teacher."

"Oh, okay, got it." Zhu Yufei nodded.

Ying Chanxi, sitting at her desk, heard Li Luo and Zhu Yufei's conversation and immediately blushed slightly.

Qiao Xinyan didn't know what had happened and looked at Ying Chanxi in confusion: "What's wrong with you, Chanxi? You were fine running 1500 meters yesterday."

"Mmm…" Ying Chanxi leaned close to Qiao Xinyan and whispered, "I got my period after running yesterday."

"Oh… that explains it." Qiao Xinyan nodded understandingly, then glanced at Li Luo and whispered with a smile to Ying Chanxi, "Li Luo is so thoughtful—he went ahead and told them for you."

Ying Chanxi's cheeks grew even redder, but she muttered softly, "That's just what a class monitor should do—what's so thoughtful about it?"

Hearing Ying Chanxi speak so stubbornly, Qiao Xinyan merely chuckled, knowing she should take everything she said backwards.

By afternoon, among Li Luo's group, only Xu Yinghuan had participated in another 400-meter race and returned with sixth place; the only event left for Li Luo was the 3000-meter.

As evening approached and the men's 3000-meter race began, Class Eight's students, just like they had done the previous afternoon for the women's 1500-meter, surged en masse to both sides of the track.

Students from other classes were much the same.

No athletic students participated in this 3000-meter race.

From the very start of the race, Li Luo maintained his position in the leading group; by the fourth lap, he began gradually increasing his pace and firmly secured first place.

After that, no other student could catch up to him.

Especially during the final lap, when they saw Li Luo accelerate slightly for a final sprint, those behind instantly lost all desire to chase him.

Thus, when Li Luo crossed the finish line and was met with cheers from Class Eight, the second-place runner had just emerged from the turn, sprinting the final hundred meters.

As for Liu Shaowen, who had also signed up for the 3000-meter, he was utterly ignored.

On the award podium at the center of the lawn, Li Luo held the gold medal for the 3000-meter champion once more and took a photo—his sports meet was now successfully concluded.

On the third day, as the teacher's fun competitions ended, the Rock Society reappeared on the closing ceremony stage and delivered a brilliant final performance, bringing the sports meet to a complete close.

……

Time quickly arrived at November 21st.

With the announcement date for the December 24th academic and elective exam results drawing nearer, many students who had chosen to take the first elective exam were gradually growing anxious.

Meanwhile, another undercurrent was quietly stirring.

【Embrace Sister Jiang!】

【Ren Zheng】: Why do I have this strange sense of déjà vu?

【Hua Xiuxiu】: What's wrong?

【Ren Zheng】: Don't you think… the male characters in Literary Era become more and more like the class monitor's copy as you read further?

【Zhu Yufei】: Huh? Now that you mention it…

【Zhang Guohuang】: It really does seem so?!

【Hua Xiuxiu】: Why does it seem like you've all read so fast? We've only been reading for a week—I'm just on Chapter 65.

【Ren Zheng】: Oh come on, Xiuxiu, you read too slowly—I'm already past Chapter 400!

【Zhu Yufei】: I've finished the whole thing.

【Ren Zheng】: How'd you get through it so fast? She's nearly a thousand chapters in! I'm already fast for having read a little over half!

【Zhu Yufei】: It's barely two million characters—can't you finish it in a week?

【Jiang Liuxian】: So exactly how is he like Senior Li Luo? I've only just reached Chapter 100…

【Ren Zheng】: You'll see when you read further—it's uncanny. I can't quite explain it, but his behavior, mannerisms, everything—it just feels like he's Senior Li Luo himself.

【Zhu Yufei】: That's hilarious—is Senior Xu directly writing Senior Li Luo into her novel?

【Zhu Yufei】: They've even written them into bed already, with all these elaborate scenes—way more thrilling than what the class monitor writes.

【Zhang Guohuang】: Don't even mention the class monitor—he's already over three million words and still just kissing!

【Zhu Yufei】: Don't exaggerate—at the very least, they've already taken a bath together in a hotel room.

【Zhang Guohuang】: Hah, it's just foggy glass level stuff—I can't believe how the class monitor came up with this plot; it drives me crazy, yet gives me zero real content!

【Ren Zheng】: Hmm… that's true… I admit Senior Xu is better… but can you guys stop discussing this in the group?

【Zhang Guohuang】: I'm just curious—does the class monitor really… you know… with Senior Xu?

【Zhu Yufei】: The Jiang Mingyue in the class monitor's novel is definitely mischievous—could they really…

【Ren Zheng】: Stop guessing—if there really was something, why wouldn't the class monitor write it into his own novel?

【Zhang Guohuang】: How could he dare? If he wrote it, his two girls by his side would explode on the spot!

【Hua Xiuxiu】: Even if we joke around normally, do you really think the class monitor would be with three girls at once?

【Zhu Yufei】: For anyone else, I'd say impossible—but if it's the class monitor, I can only say… it's hard to tell.

【Ren Zheng】: But regardless, about the possibility that Senior Xu is writing Literary Era, let's try not to leak it.

【Zhang Guohuang】: Of course not.

【Hua Xiuxiu】: I'm talking to you—don't just promise here; if this gets out, it'll be you, @Zhang Guohuang.

【Lin Yuan】: True.

【Fang Chen】: Zhang Guohuang's mouth is like a toddler's diaper—no zipper at all.

【Zhang Guohuang】: I swear I'll keep my mouth shut! This time, I won't say a word!

……

"This parent-teacher meeting will mainly share information about the first elective exam."

On Saturday morning, Kong Junxiang spoke from the podium, while Ying Chanxi distributed the parent-teacher meeting notices.

Unlike last year.

Because this year includes academic and elective exams, Gao Er has canceled the mid-term exam, replacing it directly with the academic exam.

Meanwhile, Gao Yi and Gao San just completed their mid-term exams two days ago, with results scheduled for release on the 24th—perfectly aligned with Gao Er's schedule.

"My advice is to come if you can; you must explain this clearly to your parents when you get home."

"For this elective exam, fifteen students in our class chose to take it."

"Five students chose one subject, three chose two subjects, and seven chose all three subjects."

"The results will be out in three days; we'll use our class's situation and the school's overall data to give parents a brief summary and sharing."

"Once the results are out, I'll also take time to explain them to the class first, so everyone can better understand the new college entrance system."

After receiving the parent-teacher meeting notice at his seat, Li Luo turned to Yan Zhusheng: "Will Aunt Yuan be free next Saturday?"

"I'll have to ask," Yan Zhusheng said, blinking. "Mom's been busy since the singing show—if she can't make it, it's fine—she doesn't understand elective exams anyway."

"True enough." Li Luo chuckled and nodded. "Let's see how you do on this exam—if you can get full marks in even one subject, that'd be great."

For Yan Zhusheng, after entering Gao San, she needed to take the unified and school-specific art entrance exams and prepare in advance.

Although her musical foundation had been carefully nurtured since childhood by Yuan Wanqing, who had hired specialized teachers abroad, there was no need to worry too much—but all necessary preparations still had to be made.

If she could finish all three elective subjects before Gao San, that would be ideal for everyone.

Then, during Gao San, she could focus entirely on the art entrance exams; after those were done, she could return to thoroughly review Chinese, Math, and English.

In terms of high school career planning, Li Luo had already arranged everything for Yan Zhusheng.

Added to Yan Zhusheng's own solid abilities, admission to the Music College of Qianjiang University was still very secure.

…

After the afternoon club activities ended, Li Luo and the other two returned to Bihai Lanting, Unit 1502.

Xu Youyu had come home early at noon and was still lounging in his room.

When Li Luo and the others returned, Lin Xiuhong and Cui Suling had just bought groceries and arrived to cook dinner for them.

Soon after, Li Guohong strolled over from the hotpot restaurant, followed shortly by Xu Rongsheng.

At dinnertime, as everyone sat around the table, Li Luo mentioned the parent-teacher meeting to his parents.

But Lin Xiuhong and Li Guohong no longer cared much about Li Luo's grades—after all, he had consistently ranked in the top forty of the entire school, while also writing novels and songs, earning tens or even hundreds of thousands of yuan per month. What more could parents possibly worry about?

He should just manage himself.

Lin Xiuhong now understood her role perfectly: she simply spent her days happily sitting in Chongran Culture's office, checking for calls inviting her to compose songs or discuss collaborations.

If any came in, she'd jot it down and later mention it to her son when she had time.

When idle, she'd sit on the reception sofa outside the office, inviting neighborhood friends over for tea and chat.

She'd even bought a mahjong table and played mahjong in the office.

Sometimes she'd make plans with Cui Suling; the two mothers would go shopping together, cook meals for the kids on weekends, and spend their afternoons playing mahjong or dancing.

Their little lives were growing increasingly comfortable.

Thanks to Cui Suling's recommendation, Lin Xiuhong had also learned to visit beauty salons for maintenance; now, she didn't just radiate better energy and spirit—her complexion and skin looked as if she'd turned back several years.

"You go or me?" Lin Xiuhong glanced at Li Guohong and asked casually.

"You go," Li Guohong waved his hand. "What's the point? I've heard the teacher's praise until my ears are calloused. These elective exams have nothing to do with us—it's all Li Luo doing his own thing."

"Then you go. I'm playing mahjong with Ling Jie this Saturday."

"I have to watch the hotpot restaurant," Li Guohong frowned. "Saturday's customer traffic picks up. When else can you play mahjong?"

"How much money does your hotpot restaurant even make? And you don't need to be there every day—what's wrong with attending a parent-teacher meeting?" Lin Xiuhong frowned.

Li Luo: "... Just say you don't want to go. It's fine if you don't."

After some discussion, Li Guohong reluctantly accepted the invitation to the parent-teacher meeting, just to hear how the teacher would praise his son this time.

Then Ying Chanxi timidly raised her hand and whispered to Lin Xiuhong: "Lin Yi."

"Hm? What is it, Xixi?"

"Dad says he might be busy next Saturday," Ying Chanxi blinked at Lin Xiuhong. "Lin Yi, could you help me then?"

"Hm? Old Ying's busy again?" Lin Xiuhong paused, then laughed. "You two are in the same class now—why not just have Uncle Li go as your parent? Forget about Li Luo."

Li Luo: "?"

"Can—I can go?" Yan Zhusheng blinked and asked eagerly. "My mom's busy too."

Ying Chanxi: "?"

"Ah? That doesn't seem right," Li Guohong said awkwardly. "Yan Zhusheng, you want us to replace your mom?"

"My mom would definitely agree," Yan Zhusheng nodded seriously. "Uncle, will you help me?"

"Lin Yi~" Ying Chanxi gazed pleadingly at Lin Xiuhong, pouting.

"Alright, alright, alright." Lin Xiuhong couldn't withstand Ying Chanxi's pleading. "I'll go for your dad."

"Cough…" Li Guohong cleared his throat. "Then I'll go for Zhusheng's mom."

"Wait…" Li Luo stood frozen, dumbfounded. "So now I'm parentless?"

"What nonsense are you talking?" Lin Xiuhong shot him an irritated look. "Eat your dinner!"