Although the senior year of high school is monotonous, it is also fulfilling. The scorching summer days gradually passed, and soon it was time for the new school year to officially begin, as well as for the first-year students to report in.
For a long time, the campus, which had been quiet with only the senior students, suddenly came to life with the arrival of the new students.
As Liu Ruyan walked through the school gate, she happened to run into a group of freshmen clustered together, laughing and joking.
"Ugh, I suddenly feel old," she couldn't help but sigh. Unknowingly, she had become the senior-most student in the school.
Every year, after the freshmen complete their military training, a simple opening ceremony is held, during which a senior representative gives a speech. This year, the senior representative was naturally Lu Chuan.
On this day, he wore a neatly ironed white shirt, his fluffy and smooth hair looked clean and fresh, and he shone with a radiance that made it hard for anyone to look away.
Even before he took the stage, many younger students were already captivated by him, whispering about who this handsome guy was.
"Next, let's welcome Lu Chuan from Class 3 of the senior year to give a speech on behalf of the students."
Upon hearing Lu Chuan's name, many of the already drowsy students in the audience instantly perked up, widening their eyes and looking around.
The freshmen were also full of curiosity, as before the school year began, Lu Chuan's name had already been well known.
Under the expectant gazes of everyone, Lu Chuan stood up from his seat, adjusted his shirt, and with his long legs, walked confidently and calmly up to the podium.
"Wow, so he's the famous school heartthrob of our school."
"Senior Lu Chuan is so handsome."
"We actually get to share the same school as Lu Chuan, but he will graduate next year. I don't know if it's lucky or unfortunate."
Lu Chuan's appearance on stage was bound to attract admiration from many girls.
"Dear teachers, and fellow students, good morning. I am Lu Chuan from Class 3 of the senior year."
Lu Chuan's voice was deep and magnetic, and his few simple opening words drew cheers from the audience.
"Firstly, I am honored to represent the seniors and share some of my not-so-mature experiences about high school life with the juniors…"
As Lu Chuan spoke on stage, Liu Ruyan mouthed the words below. Lu Chuan hated writing essays, and this speech was one he had traded for a week's worth of math problems for Liu Ruyan to help him write.
Due to the limited capacity of the school hall, only the first and second-year students attended the opening ceremony, while the senior students were arranged to watch the televised broadcast in the classroom.
As Liu Ruyan watched Lu Chuan on the screen, she had a hazy feeling as if she were watching a celebrity.
Even though she wasn't present in the hall, she could still feel the enthusiastic atmosphere as if it were a celebrity fan meeting rather than a senior's speech.
"Hey, Ruyan," An Ran nudged Liu Ruyan with her elbow and whispered, "After the opening ceremony, there will definitely be a wave of confession craze. By then, Lu Chuan will probably receive so many love letters that his hands will be sore."
Liu Ruyan curled her lip, "It's not that exaggerated."
"Not exaggerated at all. You don't know how crazy the freshmen are. Older students know Lu Chuan won't accept their confessions, so they tone it down and rarely make fools of themselves. But freshmen don't care if they'll be rejected; they're all incredibly bold."
Liu Ruyan gave a noncommittal smile. Since she transferred here over a month ago, she really hadn't encountered anyone coming to confess to Lu Chuan.
After the opening ceremony, when Lu Chuan returned to the classroom, math class was in session. He lightly knocked on the door, and after receiving a nod from math teacher Chen Zhijun, he entered the classroom.
Although he returned to his own class, he still attracted a lot of attention.
"Hey, where are you all looking? Haven't you seen him before?" Chen Zhijun rapped on the blackboard, "Look this way!"
During the two hours Lu Chuan was out, Liu Ruyan felt like something was missing in the large classroom. She couldn't muster any enthusiasm for anything until he returned to his seat, and the feeling disappeared.
During this math class, which was all about test papers, Liu Ruyan felt drowsy, unable to stop yawning.
Just as she yawned widely once again, a piece of chalk flew from the podium, startling her.
"Liu Ruyan, are you so bored listening to my class? Look at you yawning one after another, and with your mouth wide open, aren't you afraid a fly might get in?"
Mr. Chen's remarks drew laughter from the class, also serving as a warning to the many students who were struggling to stay awake, prompting them to pinch themselves.
An Ran's prediction came true. Even during the first break, there were already a few lower-year girls loitering outside the classroom, hoping to catch a glimpse of the heartthrob.
"Excuse me, I, I'm looking for Senior Lu Chuan."
As the class was speculating who would be the first brave girl to approach, a sweet-looking girl timidly spoke at the door.
"Oh~" The classroom erupted in noise.
Liu Ruyan, who had been sleeping with her head on the desk, was woken by the commotion and looked up to see a girl standing at the door.
She was wearing a cute doll shirt and cropped jeans, with two low pigtails, large eyes, and was very adorable—just the type that boys liked.
However, amid the laughter, her face was already flushed, and she kept her head down, gripping the hem of her clothes tightly.
"You're looking for Lu Chuan? He's not here, go back."
Just as Ye Ziming returned from the restroom and saw the girl at the classroom door, he immediately understood who she was looking for.
He had gone to the restroom with Lu Chuan earlier, but Lu Chuan said he wanted to stay inside a bit longer, so Ye Ziming came back first.
Lu Chuan had figured out a strategy to avoid these younger girls—he would stay in the restroom after class and not come out. It seemed that being a heartthrob also had its hardships.
The girl, hearing that Lu Chuan wasn't there, couldn't show her disappointment in time and quickly turned and ran away.
It wasn't until the corridor was empty that Lu Chuan strolled back into the classroom, just as the second bell rang.
As he walked past Liu Ruyan, he glanced at her with the corner of his eye, seeing her writing English words in her notebook.
Liu Ruyan had excellent English grades, partly because she naturally enjoyed language subjects, and partly due to her extensive vocabulary.
Whenever she couldn't focus on studying or had something on her mind, she liked to memorize English words. It was a way for her to cope with stress and adjust her mood.
For the rest of the day, Liu Ruyan barely managed to speak to Lu Chuan. Whenever class ended, he either disappeared into the restroom or lay on the desk to sleep, never coming out.
The junior girls who couldn't find him had to resort to asking others to pass on love letters and notes. Liu Ruyan encountered a few herself.
"Hey, stop pretending. I know you're not asleep," Liu Ruyan stood next to Lu Chuan and kicked the edge of his desk.
Lu Chuan peeked up sneakily, "Are they all gone?"
"Yep!" Liu Ruyan handed him two pink envelopes, "Some people left you love letters."