Lin Mao grinned lazily. He wasn't someone to back down from a challenge.
"I said life's a joke. Just look around. No one is really living it. We are all just pretending to know what we are doing."
Ms. Zhang shot him a disapproving look.
"Lin Mao, you are always so quick to dismiss things. Maybe if you listened more, you would understand."
Lin Mao shrugged. "Maybe. But I don't need to understand everything to know that this class is killing me."
A few of the students laughed, and Ms. Zhang sighed deeply.
"That's enough for today. Everyone, write a reflection on what life means to you, and I expect it on my desk by the end of the week."
As the bell rang and the class slowly emptied, Lin Mao couldn't help but think about what he had said.
Maybe life is a joke… Or maybe I'm just too tired to care about it right now.
He grabbed his bag, ready to escape. His daydreams about medieval battles and grand conquests slowly faded to the back of his mind, replaced by the duty and responsibilities of his reality.
Maybe someday, he would find a life worth living. One that wasn't so boring, one where he didn't have to sit through endless classes about the meaning of life.
As Lin Mao hung his bag over his shoulder and made for the door, Ms. Zhang's voice called out behind him.
"Lin Mao," she said.
He stopped mid-step and glanced back at her.
"Yes, ma'am? How can I help you?"
Ms. Zhang folded her arms, her eyes sharp and unwavering.
"What is it that you truly want? What's your dream?"
Lin Mao blinked in confusion as the question caught him completely off guard.
"Wh…what?"
His usual carefree demeanor wavered. He locked eyes with her and noticed the serious expression that was etched on her face. She wasn't joking.
He scratched the back of his head with a nervous chuckle escaping him.
"Dreams, huh?" He paused, letting the question hang in the air.
He searched her eyes again, hoping to find some hint that she was playing with him—but no, she was genuinely waiting for an answer.
After a long moment, he sighed. "I don't have any dreams, Ms. Zhang. I just want to live a life where I don't have to ask myself, *'Why am I even living?'*"
Ms. Zhang's expression didn't change. She tilted her head slightly and asked, "And do you think you've achieved that life?"
Lin Mao snorted with a smirk curling his lips.
"Not with your philosophy class that I have to attend every day," he said with a laugh that echoed in the empty classroom.
Ms. Zhang herself smiled. "Hmm. Life isn't always about answers, Lin Mao. Sometimes, it's about learning to ask better questions."
Lin Mao shrugged as he turned back toward the door.
"Maybe. But for now, my only question is, 'When's lunch?'"
"Go on, then," she said, her voice softer now. "But think about it. Life's meaning has a funny way of showing up when you least expect it."
"Yeah, yeah." He waved over his shoulder as he walked away.
But something about her question lingered in his mind. What is it that I truly want?
He shook his head as he stepped out into the corridor. The smell of fried dumplings wafted from the cafeteria, and his stomach growled in hunger.
"Dreams can wait, Lunch can't."
Lin Mao made his way down hallway to the cafeteria. His mouth watered at the thought of dumplings, but before he could reach the cafeteria, a familiar voice called out for him.
"Lin Mao!"
He sighed, recognizing that voice instantly. A young woman with flowing black hair and dark eyes stood before him.
She was beautiful with smooth skin and delicate features, the kind of girl who turned heads without even trying.
She crossed her arms, tapping her foot impatiently.
"Why didn't you come to me right after class?" she said with a cute pout on her face.
Lin Mao didn't even slow down. He glanced at her briefly, then continued walking as if she were invisible.
"Lin Mao!" she called again, running after him.
She tugged at his sleeve like a child trying to get attention.
"Oi, Lin Mao, don't ignore me!"
His hands were shoved into his pockets as he continued walking. His eyes were dead set on the entrance of the cafeteria. He finally reached the entrance and pushed the door open.
The cafeteria was massive, with rows of tables and chairs stretching out in every direction. Students filled the space, eating and chatting, making the atmosphere lively.
But as soon as he stepped in, the room fell silent. All eyes turned to Lin Mao and his persistent follower.
Then almost as if it was planned, murmurs and gossips filled the room at the same time.
"Look, it's Lin Mao," someone whispered.
"The laziest student in the whole college," another added
"Isn't he the guy who has been repeating the same class for three years now?"
Lin Mao sighed inwardly. Can't even walk into lunch without becoming the topic of conversation.
Meanwhile, the crowd's attention shifted to the girl following behind him.
"Holy… that's Senior Chu Ha," a first-year student gasped, nearly dropping his tray.
"She's so pretty!" another whispered in awe.
"Just looking at her makes my whole day," someone else added.
Lin Mao ignored the whispers and grabbed a tray. He then began piling food onto it as if nothing was happening.
Chu Ha, however, basked in the attention. Her lips curled into a playful smile as she waved to the students who ogled her.