"All right, that’s it for today’s class—"

The homeroom teacher’s words hadn’t even faded when several students shot up from their seats.

"Hold it!" She slammed her palm on the desk, scowling. "Did I dismiss you?"

They plopped back down with a collective *thump*.

"Look at you! What’s this behavior? Huh?" Arms crossed, she glared. "Eager to skip off to the internet café? Want me to turn next period into self-study?"

With the high school entrance exam looming, most electives had been replaced by self-study sessions. Even PE—mandated by the education bureau—now occurred only once every two weeks. Their craving for movement was understandable.

(Though middle school PE usually meant two laps of warm-ups before dismissal anyway.)

"Announcement: Starting tomorrow, Saturday classes resume."

Those simple words detonated like a bomb in the cramped classroom.

"Why?!"

"What century are we in? Extra classes?"

"At least give us notice! I’ve got plans tomorrow!"

"Yeah, springing this on us sucks!"

Even Tan Lijiang—the model student in the teacher’s eyes—stood up. "Teacher, can I take leave? I’ve got something tomorrow."

Watching the chaos, my heart churned.

On one side: the joy of a second chance at youth, back in these familiar halls.

On the other: the ache of knowing futures I couldn’t change.

Some would become factory workers. Others office drones. A few would lose everything to failed businesses—families shattered, lives broken.

Yet here they stood today, children arguing with a teacher over Saturday classes.

"Enough! It’s just extra class—why all the fuss?" The teacher jabbed a finger at the notice pinned above the national flag behind her. "Check the countdown! Our school’s lenient. Others hold classes *Sundays* too. Be grateful!"

"Look at Yi Yao. So composed. Why can’t you be heroes like her? That’s the gap. Understand?"

*Only because they haven’t been kidnapped. Death treats everyone equally.*

...Wait. Teacher, are you throwing me to the wolves?

Deliberately shifting focus to me. Painting me as the odd one out. Trying to make me a target?

Classrooms were strange ecosystems. Everyone knew a classmate ranking city-wide #1 changed nothing for them—yet they’d still sabotage rivals. Whispering *"I didn’t study last night—gonna fail!"* before exams. Or *"Screwed up big questions—hitting the internet café all night!"*

No one could game guilt-free knowing their best friend was home studying.

"Yi Yao. Stand up. Share your thoughts on extra classes."

Seeing my hesitation, she mimed "stand" with stiff fingers.

"Before I answer," I rose, smiling faintly, "I have a question for you, Teacher: Do *you* get one day off a week? Or two?"

Rest days were everyone’s weak spot—even teachers.

Just as the bureau banned weekend classes for students, national labor laws capped workweeks at 40 hours. Five eight-hour days. Legally.

Reality? For twenty years—right up to this year—80% of Shangjing City schools held Saturday classes. Employers demanded single-day weekends.

Even in 2026, a decade later, nothing had changed. Only worsened.

"I—" The teacher choked, staring at me. "...See? I’m working overtime *with* you. Isn’t that reason enough to study hard?"

"Enough. Be here tomorrow. I’ll take roll myself. Skip it, and face consequences."

Muttering threats, she snatched her lesson plan and fled the classroom.

"Haha, Yi Yao! That shut her up!"

Two boys in front spun around, thumbs up.

"Yeah! She’s sweating overtime too while we suffer. Fair trade!"

I just smiled quietly.

*Still such children...*

Teachers bore far heavier burdens.

Students could nap during class or sneak phone games. Teachers? Lecturing nonstop. Grading mountains of homework after hours—unpaid overtime.

Students suffered extra classes; teachers suffered extra work. Both exhausted. A tangled yarn ball of sorrow with no loose end.

"Hey, Yi Yao. Still no sign of Azure Excellence?"

As I packed my bag, Tan Lijiang and his crew approached. "The PE basketball match starts soon. You promised an answer after class."

"My answer is—" I pulled a cap from my textbook and settled it on my head. "I’ll play in his place."

"*You?*" Tan Lijiang’s disbelief was plain. "Seriously? You play basketball?"

I turned slightly. "I do. Problem?"

*I don’t. But Yi Yao does.*

Her streetball skills were brutal. After school, holidays—she’d played with Floral Snake’s crew. Like taekwondo, ball-handling lived in the body. Inheriting hers, I knew the game like my pulse.

"Whatever... Fine. Suit yourself." He waved off his friends, clapping my shoulder. "Meet at the court after warm-ups."

"Got it."

His agreement was predictable.

Yi Yao hid her talents—even acing 800m runs, she’d pace herself to barely pass. Tan Lijiang and I had history. He’d see my volunteering as a chance to humiliate me on court.

Warm-ups. Laps. Safety reminders. PE period ended.

Free time began.

I shed my uniform jacket, revealing denim shorts and a tee, and headed to the court.

Tan Lijiang and the 12th Class squad were already there.

"Short on players?" A 12th Class boy eyed Tan’s group. "Only four?"

Tan pointed at me. "Her."

"Seriously, Lao Jiang? No fun." The boy glanced at me. "No guys left in 11th Class? Bringing a girl ruins the game."

I stepped beside him. "Don’t treat me like a girl."

"Oho? Bossy big-sis vibe?" He faked left, brushed past me, and sank a clean shot. "We won’t apologize if you get hurt."

"Try hitting me first."

*Please. Playing with Floral Snake’s crew? I’ve seen street fights over rebounds. You babies are too green.*

"Alright. Bold." He tossed me the ball. "Lao Jiang—I’ll trust you this once. Your girl. Your serve."

I threw it back. "Rules first."

"Yi Yao," Tan Lijiang whispered behind me, "shouldn’t you take off that cap to play?"

"No need." I adjusted the brim, taking my forward position. "Start."

*Losing this cap loses the whole point of this game.*

"11th Class bullying us now?" A 12th Class player flared. "Listen, kid—I won’t hold back. This is about class honor."

The commotion drew crowds. Even girls who usually avoided basketball gathered under the sun, whispering about me.

"I never asked you to."

"Heh. Your call."

The whistle blew. Game on.

"12th Class! Two points!"

A slick pass secured their first score.

"12th Class—ten!"

"Twenty-four!"

"11th Class—two!"

"12th Class—forty-two!"

"11th Class—eighteen."

Fifteen minutes in, not one shot was mine. My teammates never passed to me. Even when I stole the ball, they demanded it back.

"Halftime!"

Barely sweating, I walked to my bag. A small white hand offered an ice-cold water bottle.

"Yi Yao,加油."

Luo Xiaoning—second only to Tan Lijiang in grades. In my past life, she’d often asked me study questions. Here? Yi Yao barely knew her.

"You’re our class’s first girl to join a basketball match. Do your best."

Seeing my confusion, she added this softly.

"Thanks."

After a few sips, I approached Tan Lijiang. "Swap me with the guard."

"Why?" He mopped his brow with a towel. "Never seen you practice shots."

"Call it, Lao Jiang?" Several 12th Class boys sauntered over, grinning. "Down by twenty-six. Fifteen minutes left. Quit while you’re ahead."

"Why quit?" I lifted my face to the blinding sun. "Twenty-six points? Nine three-pointers, and we lead."