In late May, the school organized graduation photos for the third-year high school classes.

Their class 3-1 was the first in line.

Although the teachers always hoped students wouldn’t waste time on dressing up, this time, against all odds, Teacher Song prepared combs, mirrors, and some small hair accessories, placing them on the podium. “Students who need them can borrow them to tidy themselves up. But please return them when you’re done; these were all contributed by your English teacher.”

Jian Sha was well-prepared, combing her bangs in front of the mirror. Looking at her, Jiang Ruotang was reminded of the line “facing the mirror, she adorned her hair with yellow flowers.”

He thought Jian Sha was a tomboy, but she was actually very fond of beauty.

Jian Sha finished tidying herself, then helped Cai Ji style his small curly hair and trimmed Zhao Changfeng’s eyebrows.

“My eyebrows are growing so well, no need to trim them!”

“Your eyebrows are messy; shaping them will make you look more energetic!”

“No, I don’t want to. What man trims his eyebrows…”

Zhao Changfeng tried to dodge, but was restrained by Jiang Ruotang: “Trim them for him! Changfeng, listen to me, trimming your eyebrows will make you look more spirited and neat!”

“You… you… you can trim my eyebrows, but don’t make them thin and long…”

“Alright, alright, we won’t! Sword eyebrows, sword eyebrows! Don’t believe me, see for yourself!”

Jian Sha was quick, and in no time, she had finished grooming Zhao Changfeng’s eyebrows.

Zhao Changfeng looked left and right in the small mirror, then stroked his chin, “It does seem like I look more handsome!”

“Right? Who’s next for me to groom?” Jian Sha waved her eyebrow razor.

“Trim mine, please.” Cai Ji raised his hand.

Cai Ji’s eyebrows were relatively sparse. Although the shape was trimmed, something was still missing from his overall look.

Jian Sha winked at Jiang Ruotang, “Go borrow an eyebrow pencil.”

“Huh? Where am I going to borrow one?”

Jian Sha gestured with her chin towards Chen Minzhen in the front row, who was the class beauty.

“Alright, for Cai Cai.”

Just as Jiang Ruotang was about to get up, Lu Guifan left his seat first. “I’ll go borrow it.”

Lu Guifan walked to Chen Minzhen’s desk and asked calmly, “Chen Minzhen, could I borrow your eyebrow pencil?”

The female student named Chen Minzhen looked up, her gaze meeting Lu Guifan’s through her glasses, and she was slightly startled.

Ever since Lu Guifan changed his lenses, making eye contact with the academic prodigy for more than three seconds had been selected as one of their school’s top three heart-fluttering challenges.

Chen Minzhen still thought it was an exaggeration; no matter how good-looking Lu Guifan’s eyes were, could they really surpass Bai Yingchuan’s?

But at this moment… Oh my god, the graduation countdown has already begun, Chen Minzhen suddenly understood Lu Guifan’s charm.

“Oh, okay… Brown or light gray?”

“It’s for Cai Ji; I don’t know what color suits him.”

“Light brown suits him,” Chen Minzhen took one from her makeup bag and handed it over.

“What color suits Jiang Ruotang?”

“Ah…” Chen Minzhen glanced back at Jiang Ruotang, who was chatting with Jian Sha. “He should also suit light brown.”

“Okay, thank you. I’ll return it to you later.”

Lu Guifan smiled faintly and turned away.

Chen Minzhen tilted her head, then told her deskmate and best friend, “I just realized the class monitor’s eyes are actually really good-looking!”

“You just noticed?”

“And when he just asked me to borrow the eyebrow pencil, he was so gentle. Not at all like when he collects homework!”

“Do you feel like you missed out on a hundred million?”

Chen Minzhen nodded vigorously, “Yes!”

“Don’t think about it. That hundred million only belongs to the class monitor’s deskmate.”

Chen Minzhen looked back again, only to see Jiang Ruotang smiling as he took the eyebrow pencil and handed it to Jian Sha.

Cai Ji tilted his head back slightly. Jian Sha was quite talented at drawing eyebrows, not too dark, not too light.

“Do you think… Lin Lu will come for the group photo?”

After Cai Ji spoke, he realized he shouldn’t have brought up that name.

But Jiang Ruotang understood why Cai Ji would think of him, because long ago, Cai Ji was also a marginalized figure in class, always struggling to fit in socially.

“He won’t come,” Lu Guifan replied. “Teacher Song invited him, but he politely declined, citing his current residence being too far.”

Hearing this, Jiang Ruotang sighed.

Lin Lu was both insecure and overly proud. He wouldn’t come to face the critical gazes of his classmates.

Soon after, Song Qinghe entered the classroom and asked everyone to go downstairs.

“Are you all ready? Check if you have any rice stuck in the corners of your mouths! Are your suits and shirts buttoned up? Babies, let’s go downstairs!”

Everyone laughed and went downstairs. The afternoon sunlight wasn’t too strong, but it was bright and full of hope.

Song Qinghe, Teacher Wang, and other subject teachers sat in the first row. As class cadres, Lu Guifan and Jian Sha also sat in the first row. Lu Guifan sat next to the teachers, practically in the center.

Jiang Ruotang deliberately went behind Lu Guifan and gently placed his hand on his shoulder.

Lu Guifan was the most rule-abiding. Jiang Ruotang guessed that when the official photoshoot began later, he would definitely brush his hand away, so he might as well keep it there for as long as he could.

When the photographer looked at them through the lens and counted, “One, two, three!”

Just as Jiang Ruotang was about to put his hand down, Lu Guifan suddenly raised his hand and gently pressed down on his fingertips.

At that moment, Jiang Ruotang’s heart seemed to sink into honey. Perhaps it was just a subconscious action for Lu Guifan, but at this moment, Jiang Ruotang knew that he must be special to him.

Because Lu Guifan would not let a second person besides him put their hand on his shoulder during a group photo.

Class ended at 5:30 that day. Jian Sha dragged Jiang Ruotang along to be her photographer, saying she wanted to take a set of photos on the rooftop during sunset.

“Alright, Your Majesty.”

When they arrived at the top of the teaching building, they realized that not only Jian Sha but also other secret young couples were there taking pictures and checking in.

Fortunately, there was no “XX I love you” or “confession umbrella” written on the walls, because no matter who sprayed or carved it, the school would mercilessly remove it.

Beicheng Guangyao could have legends of academic prodigies, but no traces of romance.

Jiang Ruotang was very good at taking photos. While finding angles, he instructed Jian Sha on how to pose.

“Sasha, lift your chin a little, act a bit tough, good, good… just like that…”

“Sasha, point your toes towards me, yes… support your chin, don’t look at me, look into the distance, yes, yes!”

“Laugh with your head back, laugh a bit bigger, be a bit happier, imagine Cai Cai’s little lamb’s wool!”

While Jiang Ruotang was meticulously photographing Jian Sha, Lu Guifan also took out his phone. He captured Jiang Ruotang’s profile.

Like a silhouette, with a rounded facial outline and thick, upturned eyelashes…

At that moment, Lu Guifan felt as if the entire world was setting with the sun, and only Jiang Ruotang existed clearly.

A lava-like emotion surged within him, finally merging with the sunset.

The young couples who were taking photos couldn’t help but come over. The girl leaned in to look at Jiang Ruotang’s phone screen.

“Wow… you really take great pictures… That Jiang Ruotang, can you help us take some?”

For them, youth was only once, and so was first love.

Jiang Ruotang didn’t refuse, helping them take several photos, and then asked for their help.

“Let’s five of us take a picture too.”

Cai Ji’s eyes lit up: “I wanted to suggest that ages ago!”

Even Zhao Changfeng, who hated taking pictures the most, nodded: “We should take one for memory.”

So they all leaned against the rooftop wall. Jian Sha stood at the very front, followed by Jiang Ruotang peeking his face out. Behind them were Cai Ji, Lu Guifan, and Zhao Changfeng.

This deep composition, under Jiang Ruotang’s guidance, truly captured the feel of an artistic blockbuster.

---

May ended just like that.

The college entrance exam was imminent, and classwork focused primarily on self-study. Students worked on practice problems in class, and teachers sat at the front, ready to explain at any moment.

Meanwhile, Lu Guifan was racing against time to predict exam questions for Zhao Changfeng and provide final sprint assistance for Jiang Ruotang.

“Class monitor, you’re truly loyal,” Zhao Changfeng said.

“It’s nothing, we’re all friends,” Lu Guifan’s expression remained unchanged.

“Honestly, for the past two years, I never thought we’d be talking so calmly,” Zhao Changfeng said.

Lu Guifan chuckled, glancing at Jiang Ruotang, who was struggling with a comprehensive problem, “For the past two years, you also never thought you’d call him ‘brother’.”

Jiang Ruotang, who had only managed a few steps despite racking his brains, turned to Lu Guifan and said, “Can you… come home with us tonight?”

Zhao Changfeng didn’t think much of it and replied, “Even a mule needs rest. It’s the last few days; do you still want to wring out the class monitor’s last bit of value?”

“I’m not…” Jiang Ruotang opened his mouth, but the explanation ultimately went unsaid.

He was just nervous, which was why he couldn’t sleep.

Not everyone gets a second chance; even for repeat students, many score worse the second time than the first.

Even knowing that failing the college entrance exam doesn’t mean life is over, after all, he had worked hard for almost a whole year, painstakingly retrieving knowledge that had been scattered to the winds. If he didn’t get in, Jiang Ruotang would question his life.

More importantly… if he didn’t get in, or didn’t get into a university in the capital, it meant he would be separated from Lu Guifan.

Given his abilities, getting first place in the province would be like taking something from his pocket.

He would definitely go to the capital.

Until that day’s class ended, Jiang Ruotang slowly packed his things. Lu Guifan looked at Jiang Ruotang’s profile and said, “If you’re really worried about having a sudden question tonight, should I go to your house to stay with you?”

Jiang Ruotang was overjoyed and nodded almost without thinking: “Yes! Yes!”

For Lu Guifan, he considered his personality not very likable.

From childhood to adulthood, he wouldn’t say flattering words, and even when he helped others, he wouldn’t boast about it. He was also too serious and rigid. Other relatives had also said that high IQ and low EQ would put him at a disadvantage in society, no matter how good he was at studying.

But Jiang Ruotang was different; what he accepted and wanted to be close to was his true self.

Lu Guifan gently pressed the back of Jiang Ruotang’s head: “Then can you pack your things a little faster?”

“Very fast! Extremely fast!”

Zhao Changfeng, with his backpack slung over his shoulder, said speechlessly, “Men, you can’t say you’re fast, very fast.”

Jiang Ruotang gave him a big eye-roll.

That night, Jiang Ruotang lay against the wall, feeling very excited, especially when he heard the gurgling sound of water. His mind automatically played dynamic scenes in the steaming mist: Lu Guifan tilting his head back, wet black hair clinging to his forehead like a siren, water flowing windingly along his cheeks, neck, shoulders, converging downwards…

Then Jiang Ruotang fiercely pinched himself.

Stop it, stop it, your imagination is too vivid!

Even idol dramas would be called cheesy if they filmed like this!

Jiang Ruotang felt like he had too much junk in his head. As he rolled around trying to shake out all that waste, the bedroom door opened, and Lu Guifan stood in the doorway, startled.

“Why are you playing ‘caterpillar house’ again? Can you still emerge from your cocoon?”

“Just… you weren’t here, I was a bit bored,” Jiang Ruotang casually offered an excuse.

He paused when he saw Lu Guifan’s unbuttoned pajama collar.

Lu Guifan’s collarbone… was truly beautiful.

Before, Lu Guifan would always button his shirt all the way up, a true model of male virtue; Jiang Ruotang couldn’t even get a glimpse.

The weather in late May had already turned warm. Although it was still a bit cool at night, it would feel hot right after a shower. Lu Guifan had unbuttoned one button, and Jiang Ruotang finally saw a different view.

Lu Guifan looked down at the suddenly quiet Jiang Ruotang, while pulling at his collar to dissipate heat.

The heat seemed to be radiating onto Jiang Ruotang’s face.

Jiang Ruotang felt his self-control being challenged. He was getting hotter and sweating under the covers, but without the covers, his reaction would be obvious. It was truly contradictory.

Blame it on an 18-year-old body, hormones too rampant!

But Lu Guifan was his beloved; if this were 28… it would probably be the same.

Lu Guifan got up and sat at Jiang Ruotang’s desk to dry his hair, conveniently with his back to Jiang Ruotang.

Seizing the opportunity, Jiang Ruotang threw off his blanket and rushed into the bathroom… Finally, he could freely clear out the ‘waste’!

After a while, after splashing his face with cold water, Jiang Ruotang made sure his face wasn’t red anywhere before returning to the bedroom.

As he entered, he saw Lu Guifan already sitting against the headboard. His recently dried short hair was fluffy and soft. He wore his black-rimmed glasses, sealing away seventy percent of his good looks and a hundred percent of his desire. Paired with his pajamas buttoned all the way up, Jiang Ruotang took a deep breath, truly so ascetic.

Then he used his old trick. Although he could have climbed onto the bed from the foot, he insisted on stepping in next to Lu Guifan.

Lu Guifan didn’t sense his sinister intentions at all. Instead, he raised his hand and supported Jiang Ruotang’s waist, effortlessly guiding Jiang Ruotang to the inner side with his extraordinary arm strength.

After Jiang Ruotang lay down, Lu Guifan turned off the bedside lamp and took off his glasses.

“Ruotang.”

Before he could adapt to the darkness, Lu Guifan softly called his name. Jiang Ruotang’s heart felt like an empty room, and Lu Guifan’s voice echoed layer after layer within that room.

“Hmm?” Jiang Ruotang turned sideways, lifting his face to look at Lu Guifan.

This feeling was peculiar, because Lu Guifan’s facial contours became increasingly clear, while he certainly couldn’t see Jiang Ruotang clearly.

“I don’t think you need to be nervous about the college entrance exam. You’re very hardworking and very smart. You’ll get everything you want.”

Jiang Ruotang’s throat moved. He spoke: “I’m just afraid… what if I don’t get in, but you all leave…”

Actually, what I’m really nervous about isn’t the college entrance exam, but being separated from you.

Lu Guifan raised his hand and gently touched Jiang Ruotang’s head, “What’s the big deal? I can repeat the year with you.”

Jiang Ruotang was completely stunned.

Everything seemed to rapidly flow backward, returning to his previous life when Lu Guifan gave up the overseas opportunity offered by Professor Yang to take care of him.

Lu Guifan was always Lu Guifan, never changed.

“I don’t need to,” Jiang Ruotang said muffledly.

Lu Guifan thought he was upset about the mention of repeating a year, or that he felt underestimated, and was wondering how to comfort him, when Jiang Ruotang curled up, just like the last time he slept there. He seemed to want to burrow into his arms.

“I will definitely get in; I won’t let anyone sacrifice for me.”

Jiang Ruotang said firmly.

In this life, no matter what he and Lu Guifan would eventually become—lifelong classmates, friends, or if one day Jiang Ruotang achieved everything he desired—what Jiang Ruotang wanted most was for Lu Guifan to have a bright future.

“Silly boy, what sacrifice is this? At most, it’s… a gap year.”

“A gap year isn’t used like that!” Jiang Ruotang added, “Don’t call me silly boy.”

“Aren’t you silly?” Lu Guifan chuckled, “You can’t tell directions once an electron enters a magnetic field.”

“Come on, everyone’s silly compared to you.”

Jiang Ruotang pretended to be angry, turning to face the wall, but in his heart, he felt genuinely happy.

Someone like Lu Guifan, who always had clear goals, would actually say he would repeat a year with him.

Even if it was just comfort, it felt exceptionally precious.

He stayed with his back to Lu Guifan for about five minutes without moving, but unexpectedly, Lu Guifan was the first to turn sideways.

When Lu Guifan put his arm around him and gently rested it on his body, Jiang Ruotang’s heart rate suddenly quickened. Oh my god, I couldn’t sleep already, and with Lu Guifan beside me, I might not be able to sleep even more!

“Ruotang, your paintings are already being exhibited in galleries, and you’ve won a major art competition of high caliber. You have a very visionary perspective, which is why you’ve made so many successful and surprising investment decisions that have impressed your predecessors. Your life has already surpassed ninety-nine point nine nine percent of people… So, for me, Changfeng, and your friends, your excellence is outstanding and cannot be defined by the college entrance exam.”

Lu Guifan’s voice was steady, as if stating an objective fact without any subjective color.

“Besides me, who else have you praised like that?”

“The neighbor’s kid in the village.”

“Why did you praise him?”