After a hearty breakfast, Ye Wen’s mother gunned the fire-red Lamborghini. It screamed out of the forest and onto the highway.

Ye Wen gazed at the passing scenery, reaching to roll down the window for some fresh air—only to be stopped instantly by her mother.

“Don’t open it. You’ll catch a chill.”

“…” Too polite to argue, Ye Wen obediently pulled her hand back.

Private cars were rare on the streets of 2004—let alone a luxury sports car like this. Nearly every passerby’s eyes locked onto the vehicle. Though the tinted windows hid the passengers, the sheer weight of those stares made Ye Wen’s skin crawl.

The crimson Lamborghini shot forward like a scarlet whirlwind, then screeched to a smooth halt right at Wenlan Academy’s gates.

It was 8 a.m.—technically late—but the school gates still stood open. A few students rushed toward them, only to be intercepted by the duty teacher.

Ye Wen’s mother lowered her window and waved.

“Xiao Su! Over here!”

“Ah, it’s you! Bringing Wenwen to school?”

“Oh? Little Wenwen’s recovered? Head straight to Old Man Sun’s office to check in.”

“On our way.” With that, she parked the flashy Lamborghini in one of the school’s few reserved spots.

“Wenwen~ Time to get out.”

“Mm…” Car-sick and half-asleep, Ye Wen blinked awake. The familiar school now filled her view.

Above the worn signboard, four bold characters—*Wenlan Academy*—swept in elegant calligraphy. The academy housed elementary, middle, and high school divisions. The first two shared one campus, while the high school section sprawled separately, boasting its own spacious playground.

Ye Wen’s eyes traced the classroom buildings, the golden maple trees lining the paths, and the heavy iron gates…

*By 2008, these gates would be replaced by automatic sliding doors.*

Memories long buried surged back. To have a second chance at the past—wasn’t that its own kind of happiness?

*Student days… the purest, most beautiful chapter of life.*

Lost in thought, Ye Wen only snapped back when her mother tugged her hand, nodding toward a teacher.

She focused—and recognized Mr. Wen, the witty middle-aged history teacher.

“Good morning, Mr. Wen~”

“Ha! Little Wenwen! As lovely as your mother was at your age.”

Neither her mother nor Mr. Wen found it odd that Ye Wen knew his surname—likely overheard earlier.

Next came the principal’s office. After polite greetings, Ye Wen sat quietly like a well-behaved daughter while the adults exchanged pleasantries. She nearly grew impatient before it finally ended. Principal Sun then led them to Ye Wen’s assigned classroom.

*Which class would it be?* Hope and dread warred within her—longing for her old classroom, yet fearing those familiar faces. The human heart was always so contradictory.

Principal Sun stopped before a door labeled *Class 3, Grade 10*. Morning exercises had just ended; first period was about to start. Students filled the seats, waiting for their teacher.

The principal fetched the homeroom teacher—a petite woman with a doll-like face, gentle and adored by all as “A-Dan.”

“Wenwen, don’t be nervous,” A-Dan announced Ye Wen’s late enrollment due to illness, then turned to her. “Come introduce yourself.”

Ye Wen smoothed her sleeves, utterly calm.

*Class 3, Grade 10? My old class.* If history held true, she knew every face here. Years might have blurred the details, but seeing them again sparked instant recognition.

She stepped confidently to the podium, scanning the room. Sure enough—every face was familiar, watching her with curious eyes.

“Hello everyone. I’m Ye Wen. ‘Ye’ as in leaf, ‘Wen’ as in rain-script.” She flicked her hair and winked.

The boys melted instantly. Whistles and cheers erupted:

“Whoops!”

“Welcome, beauty~!”

*This body’s lethal charm when acting cute is no joke!* Ye Wen felt a childish pride, like showing off a new toy.

Her gaze swept the room again—and snagged on one face both familiar and strange.

*Who is that? A change in history? But why does he feel so known?* Confusion prickled her mind.

Impressed by Ye Wen’s poise, A-Dan murmured, “Truly well-bred,” then addressed the class: “Now… where to seat Ye Wen…”

Chaos erupted:

“Me! Me!”

“Sit here! My desk’s free!”

“Dude! Abandoning your desk-mate?”

“You’re no match for a beauty.”

“Hey, you *could* treat me like a girl too~”

“Ugh—don’t make me puke!”

“Luo Liangjian~” A-Dan cut in smoothly. “Heard you chat during class? You’ll sit by the podium.”

“Aww—not again…” Luo Liangjian groaned. “Why’s it always me? I sat by the podium all through middle school!”

“Lucky you,” A-Dan teased. “High school means three more years.”

“Ye Wen, take his old seat.” She pointed, then turned to Luo’s laughing former desk-mate. “Qiu Yi, fetch a desk and chair from the sixth floor.”

Happy to serve a beauty, Qiu Yi dashed out amid envious glares.

*Qiu Yi—!*

Shock jolted Ye Wen. *That familiar-yet-strange face… is me?*

*My own desk-mate? What kind of twist is this…*

*Am I the only one who shouldn’t exist here?*

History had shifted. Once, Qiu Yi and Luo Liangjian were the “Guardian Deities”—flanking the podium on either side.

*To see myself from the outside… No one’s ever lived this.* A grin tugged at her lips. *This school life… might be fun.*

She sighed deeply.

*If only I hadn’t become a girl… I could’ve seized my chance with her.* Her eyes drifted to the back of the girl seated ahead—the silhouette that haunted her dreams even after graduation. The girl she’d quietly loved. The one who embodied her most bittersweet youthful infatuation.

Ten years later, Qiu Yi would dismiss this as a boy’s first crush. But standing here now, Ye Wen realized the truth:

*This wasn’t just memory. It was real. And time hadn’t dulled it at all.*