Zhou Rui had been living frugally since registering the copyright for his music. If it hadn't been for Han Zinyin generously feeding him during this period, he might have gone hungry. With his newfound income, Zhou Rui allocated a small amount for food and everyday necessities, reserving ten thousand yuan for emergencies. It was more than enough to cover the needs of a high school student, allowing him to enjoy his final month of high school in relative comfort.
Nearly 40,000 yuan remained, and Zhou Rui knew exactly what he wanted to do with it. First, he planned to buy a laptop. Coming from the advanced technology of 2003, he found life without a computer unbearably inconvenient. The mobile phones of this era, even the flagship "N97," were far too limited in functionality. If he wanted to compose music and manage his projects more efficiently, he needed proper tools.
Additionally, Zhou Rui wanted to purchase a guitar and a keyboard to keep at Song Bin's place. With these instruments, he could transcribe and compose music on weekends. His [Absolute Musical Sense] entry ensured that he'd learn to play quickly and use the instruments effectively.
After drafting a detailed "self-investment" plan on his phone, Zhou Rui checked his inbox. There, he found an email from the "60th Anniversary Literature and Art Guidance Working Group." It was a polite message confirming that his first payment had been made and inviting him to Jingbei once again. The email also extended an intriguing offer: they wanted him to submit more of his work, whether previously published or new. They were open to adjusting lyrics and promised the same level of compensation as "Starry Sea."
Zhou Rui mentally sifted through his memory for suitable songs. There were a few he could submit, but his focus remained firmly on one goal: earning the [Academic Master] entry. Until he achieved that, everything else would have to wait.
With his plans set and money in hand, Zhou Rui returned home in high spirits, only to be greeted by the stormy expression of his mother, Yao Peili. He didn't need to guess—she had already been informed by his teacher, Huang Dewei.
"Do you know where you went wrong?" Yao Peili asked, her tone low and deliberate. She sat on the sofa with her arms crossed, radiating disapproval.
Zhou Rui smiled sheepishly, deciding to go with damage control. "I didn't do well on my last test. Don't worry, Mom. I'll do better next time, I promise."
What followed was a barrage of criticism. Zhou Rui didn't argue or push back; instead, he nodded and agreed to everything she said, repeating, "You're right, Mom," and "I'll never do it again." His unusually compliant attitude caught her off guard. Normally, Zhou Rui would retort at least a few times, but today, he was entirely agreeable.
Eventually, Yao Peili ran out of steam. After a long pause, she added, "Don't get distracted during these last few weeks. I've already spoken with Li Wenqian's mother. I don't want you spending so much time with her. You can use that time to sleep or study."
Zhou Rui hesitated. "Then how will she get home, especially when it's late at night?"
"She's a high school student, not a kindergartener! She can walk home herself or with her classmates. Why should you be the one picking her up every day?" Yao Peili snapped.
It was clear that the two mothers had coordinated their approach: reduce Zhou Rui and Li Wenqian's contact as much as possible during the final month before the college entrance exams.
Zhou Rui didn't push back further. After placating his mother, he returned to his room and focused on his studies. His progress in the [Self-Disciplined Person] entry had reached (90/100), a significant milestone. Once this entry was unlocked, he could combine it with other skills to achieve the coveted [Academic Master] entry, which would resolve all his academic troubles.
With renewed determination, Zhou Rui began his late-night study session. By now, he wasn't just surviving in the "ocean of knowledge"—he had learned how to swim, even if only with basic strokes. After three hours of intense focus, he managed to gain two experience points, bringing his progress to (92/100).
Though progress was slow, Zhou Rui consoled himself with the knowledge that he would likely complete the entry within the next two days. Once he did, he would officially become a top student. The anticipation of the new entry's bonuses filled him with excitement.
Before going to bed, Zhou Rui checked his phone and saw a message from Li Wenqian, sent an hour earlier:
"Zhou Rui, I'll have to go to school alone tomorrow (┬_┬)."
She had even added a crying-face emoji.
Zhou Rui smiled and replied:
"What are you afraid of? Once the revenue from Starry Sea comes in, you'll be a wealthy woman. You can take a taxi every day until graduation."
---
Meanwhile, on the other side of Qinghe County, Li Wenqian had just finished showering. She wore a loose tank top and shorts, her damp hair wrapped in a towel. Sitting on her bed, she glanced at her phone repeatedly, waiting for Zhou Rui's reply. When the phone finally vibrated, she read his message instantly, her lips curling into a smile.
"Really? Then can I buy a lot of snacks? <(￣︶￣)>!" she texted back playfully.
Then she added another message:
"But it seems like our mothers misunderstood us. You know what I mean (′ε`)."
Her heart raced as she sent the second text. Today, her mother's unusual behavior—offering to pick her up instead of letting Zhou Rui do it—had made it obvious that the adults suspected something. Though a little embarrassed, the thought that others might see her and Zhou Rui as a couple made her secretly happy.
Rolling around on her bed, she hugged her phone tightly, giggling at the idea. But when Zhou Rui finally replied with only one word, her joy turned into confusion:
"Misunderstood?"
The simplicity of his response left her reeling. What did he mean? Did he truly not understand her hint? Or did he think the two mothers had completely misread their relationship?
For ten minutes, she stared at the screen, overanalyzing his reply. Eventually, she sent another message, carefully phrased:
"That's right. They misunderstood that we were in love, didn't they?"
She waited nervously, but this time, Zhou Rui didn't respond.
---
By then, Zhou Rui had already fallen asleep. Maintaining "focus time" required adequate rest, and he couldn't afford to stay up too late.