Chapter 2: The First Time I Heard Your Name

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“An’an, time to get up. I’ll take you to school,” Shi Jingcheng called as he knocked on Shi Song’s bedroom door.

Lying in bed, Shi Song opened her eyes, stretched languidly, and responded, “Okay.” She got up to change out of her pajamas, dressed quickly, grabbed her backpack, and left the bedroom to have breakfast in the dining room.

“Brother, what’s for breakfast today?”

“The usual three items—all your favorites.”

Shi Song placed her backpack on an empty chair and sat down at another, beginning her breakfast.

“Brother, did Mom and Dad come home late last night?”

Shi Jingcheng nodded. “Yes, they went out to play mahjong with Uncle and Auntie, didn’t get back until almost three.”

“I see.” That explains why she hadn’t seen the four elders when her brother picked her up last night.

Shi Jingcheng glanced at his watch. “It’s about time to head out. Don’t be late.”

“Alright.” Shi Song slung her backpack over her shoulder, changed her shoes, and left with Shi Jingcheng.

The Shi siblings walked together toward the exit of their neighborhood.

On the way to Chongde High School, Shi Song had many questions she wanted to ask her brother, but seeing his somewhat grim expression, she swallowed them back.

They soon arrived at the school gates. Shi Jingcheng ruffled her hair, bent down so their eyes were level, and said, “An’an, study hard at school. If you ever get too tired, tell me and I’ll ask for a leave so you can rest at home. Don’t let anyone bully you, alright? And don’t walk home alone after school—I’ll have Brother Jin Yi come pick you up. I’ll be busy lately and won’t be able to keep you company at home, so be good, okay?”

Shi Song nodded. “I know, Brother.”

“Alright, go on inside. I’m off now.” Shi Jingcheng stood up and ruffled her hair once more.

“Bye, Brother! Take care on the road.” Shi Song waved, then turned and entered the school.

Shi Jingcheng smiled at her words.

Entering Chongde High, Shi Song couldn’t help but marvel again at the scale of the school. She made her way to the classroom and saw that some classmates were already there, studying. She sat in the same seat as yesterday, and soon more students trickled in.

At 7:20, the homeroom teacher arrived and organized the students to begin morning reading. Everyone took out their new textbooks and read aloud in unison, sounding less like freshmen and more like seasoned upperclassmen, so cooperative that the atmosphere was harmonious and uplifting. But suddenly, a voice broke the serenity.

“Excuse me, may I come in?”

“You’re five minutes late,” the homeroom teacher paused during her rounds, checked her watch, and looked at Shen Xianxing.

“Sorry, teacher, it won’t happen again.”

The teacher sighed, “Alright, go back to your seat and join the morning reading.”

Shen Xianxing thanked her and returned to his seat.

Morning reading wasn’t long, just thirty minutes. Soon, it ended and after a short break, the bell signaled the official start of class.

The first lesson was with their homeroom teacher, who also taught mathematics—a gentle-looking woman, recently transferred from a northern high school, named Zhou Nian.

Zhou Nian didn’t begin with the textbook. Instead, she had students introduce themselves and elect class officers.

“We’ll start with the first boy in the first column on the left, then continue in an ‘S’ shape, alright?”

“Yes, Miss Zhou,” the students replied in unison.

“Hello everyone, my name is Gu Xiang. I graduated from Experimental Middle School.”

Gu Xiang’s introduction was traditional, as were most that followed, until one boy’s turn brought a change. Instead of introducing himself, his deskmate spoke for him.

“His name is Xie Siyin. He damaged his vocal cords over the summer and is still recovering. He thinks his voice sounds terrible now, so he’s shy to speak. Oh, and he graduated from No. 2 Middle School.”

After a brief silence, someone lightened the mood, “No matter what any of us are like, we won’t abandon anyone in our class.”

“Yes! We’re all friends!”

After Xie Siyin, it was Shi Song’s turn.

“Hello everyone, I’m Shi Song. My name is inspired by the phrase ‘With best wishes through the seasons,’ reflecting my parents’ hopes for my health. I graduated from the Affiliated High School of Normal University.”

“Shen Xianxing, from the same school as her,” Shen Xianxing added, nodding at Shi Song.

Shi Song smiled at his introduction and played along.

There were only a couple more students to go, and the introductions were quickly finished.

Zhou Nian then announced the next step. “Welcome to Class Four, our big family. Now let’s begin the election of class officers.”

Hands shot up as students eagerly participated, and the competition was fierce for every position. But in the end, the roles were filled.

Seeing that all posts were assigned, Zhou Nian announced the results:

“Class president: Yu Yan. League secretary: Shen Xianxing. Sports representative: Fang Jinyu. Chinese literature representative: Shi Song. These are our class officers—please cooperate with them actively.”

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“All classes, please assemble on the field. The opening ceremony is about to begin!”

The announcement echoed through the hallway. Students quickly formed neat lines and marched downstairs to the sports field in an orderly fashion.

Once all classes were assembled, the PE teachers directed the freshmen to their assigned spots. In front of them stood the sophomores, and closest to the stage were the seniors, about to face their college entrance exams.

When every freshman class was in place, the PE teacher signaled to the host on the stage, who announced the official start of the opening ceremony.

“Chongde High School’s Autumn Semester Opening Ceremony for 20XX is now in session!”

Colorful smoke erupted in front of the stage, vibrant hues intertwining in the sky, adding a festive air to the occasion.

As the smoke dissipated, the host continued, “Now, let us welcome our Principal Zhang to speak!”

Thunderous applause followed.

Principal Zhang ascended the stage, dressed in a teal cheongsam, hair elegantly pinned with a hairpin, glasses perched on her nose. Her skin was impeccably maintained; even with the high-definition cameras projecting her image onto the big screens on either side of the stage, she didn’t look her fifty years.

“First, I welcome our new freshmen. Welcome to our family!”

“I’d like to summarize our school’s performance last year. Five hundred and eighty students took the college entrance exam, with a pass rate reaching a school record of 92%. Among them, our valedictorian, He Yun, scored 706—she’s one of our own.”

“Thank you, Principal Zhang. Now, let’s invite our freshman representative, Sheng Yan, to deliver a speech.”

Sheng Yan took the stage from the left, standing at the podium in a blue and white school uniform, half-rimmed glasses on his nose, reading from a prepared speech.

“Hello everyone, I’m Sheng Yan. My speech is titled ‘Youthful Aspirations.’”

“Melodies never cease; youth awaits in full bloom. In these vibrant years, hope and possibility abound. In this beautiful time, we must strive forward, cultivating the soil of our dreams. Many of us bury ourselves in books, absorbing the nourishment of knowledge; many young entrepreneurs bravely venture into the market, weathering its storms. They write the chapters of youth with sweat and effort, pursuing their ideals with unwavering faith and tenacity. Only by living this way can our youth bloom in its brightest glory.”

...

“Though time stretches on and the world is vast, the future is boundless. My speech is over, thank you.”

Finishing his speech, Sheng Yan bowed to the students and teachers below, then left the stage the same way he had come.

“Thank you, Sheng Yan. Now, we will announce the list of students awarded for excellence and outstanding conduct.”

Certificates were handed out, and then the host teacher declared the ceremony over. Each class returned to their classrooms in order.

Back in the classroom, Shi Song asked her deskmate Fang Youqi if she had gotten a good look at Sheng Yan.

Fang Youqi nodded, excitement on her face. “He’s really handsome! When the camera zoomed out, I’d guess he’s at least 185 cm. I heard he’s the city’s top scorer this year! Let’s go check out Class One next period, want to come?”

Shi Song shook her head. “No, Youqi, you go ahead. If we’re meant to meet, we will.”

Fang Youqi shrugged. “Alright, then do me a favor—tell the teacher I went to the restroom if she asks.”

“Sure.”

At noon, day students at Chongde High went home.

On the leafy campus paths, groups of students in blue and white uniforms walked home together, chatting.

“An’an, I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”

Shi Song ignored Shen Xianxing, walking ahead alone. He, undeterred, continued trailing behind.

“Can you be quiet? I haven’t seen you this noisy in over a decade,” Shi Song finally snapped.

“Oh...” Chastised by Shi Song, Shen Xianxing fell silent.

The two walked home in silence, each lost in thought.

At 1:45 pm, after their nap, the two bade their parents farewell.

“Mom, I’m heading back to school.”

“Dad, I’m off. Tell Mom when she wakes up.”

They arrived at school at five past two. Many classmates were already in the classroom, studying.

Shi Song sat down and asked Fang Youqi, “You guys are already working so hard on the first day?”

Fang Youqi shook her head. “Not really. It was like this in middle school too. Wasn’t it for you?”

“Not really. The Affiliated High School had a pretty relaxed atmosphere.”

“Relaxed? Sheng Yan graduated from your middle school too. If it was that relaxed and he still topped the exams, then he must be a genius!”

“I think it was chill—study when we should, have fun when we can.”

“No wonder it’s the Affiliated High School.”

The bell rang, and the teacher entered, writing the name “Jiang Qian” on the blackboard.

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“I’ll be your physics teacher. Unless something changes, some of you will see me again after the classes are reshuffled in six months.”

Jiang Qian was an attractive, gentle-spoken male teacher.

“Who’s the physics class representative? Stand up so I can see you.”

The third boy behind Shi Song stood up.

“Teacher, I’m the representative.”

“And your name?”

“I’m Cui Heyan.”

“Alright, you may sit.”

“Everyone, open your books to page two. We’ll start with Chapter One—Mechanics.”

“But we already learned this in middle school, Mr. Jiang.”

Jiang Qian smiled, “I know. This is simply a bridge to high school physics. Reviewing it helps reinforce your foundation and prepare for future topics.”

The students nodded, seemingly convinced, and began taking notes diligently.

When explaining the example problems, Jiang Qian invited students to the board to apply what they’d learned.

“We’ll stop here for today. Take five minutes to digest what we covered.”

Each class at Chongde High lasted forty-five minutes, but most teachers taught for only forty, leaving five minutes for students to review or relax.

“Class dismissed! Go get some fresh air,” Jiang Qian said, picking up his physics book and heading out. “If any of you boys want to play basketball, feel free to challenge me during the weekend or breaks!”

“Alright, Mr. Jiang!” responded sports rep Fang Jinyu enthusiastically.

“Shi Song, Teacher Tian wants to see you in the office.”

Teacher Tian was the Chinese teacher for Class Four—a gentle and intellectual woman.

Shi Song, chatting with Fang Youqi, responded politely, “Okay.”

In the office—

“Shi Song, you’re here! Have a seat. I have a task for you.”

“Ah? Okay.” She had barely entered and greeted the teacher before being assigned a task, caught a bit off guard.

“The school journal is collecting submissions. I’ve read your essays from the entrance and graduation exams; your writing is gifted and your handwriting beautiful. Out of sixty points, you usually score above fifty—truly a natural talent.”

“Teacher Tian, you mean you want me to write an essay for the journal, right?” She nodded.

“Alright, what’s the theme?”

“Let me check.” Teacher Tian scrolled through her phone to a file in the group chat. “‘Patriotism and Family Sentiment’—the deadline is the 30th, so there’s no rush. Take your time.”

“Okay, I’ll head back then, Teacher Tian.”

She nodded.

Shi Song returned to the classroom and began brainstorming her essay.

“You’re back. What did Teacher Tian want?” asked Fang Youqi.

“She wants me to write an essay for the school journal.”

“Oh,” Fang Youqi replied, suddenly understanding.

Shi Song pointed at a bottle of yogurt on her desk. “Youqi, who gave this to me?”

“Shen Xianxing. He asked me to tell you he’s sorry and wants your forgiveness. What happened between you two?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Drink it if you want, or toss it.”

Upon hearing who sent it, Shi Song’s interest waned.

“I’ll just put it back.”

Fang Youqi felt awkward accepting it, since it was meant as an apology from Shen Xianxing to Shi Song.

She placed the yogurt back on Shen Xianxing’s desk, but he wasn’t there. Fang Youqi was about to leave a note.

“No need for a note,” Shi Song said. “Otherwise, he’ll think I’ve forgiven him.”

So, Fang Youqi put down the pen and paper and returned to her seat to chat with Shi Song.