"Su Yu, what are you spacing out for? Hurry back to your seat."

Su Yu slowly withdrew his gaze. He glanced at the homeroom teacher he’d accidentally blocked at the door, flashed an awkward smile, and stepped aside. Then… he walked slowly toward his seat.

He sat diagonally behind the girl. With just a slight reach, he could tap her shoulder.

As Su Yu approached his seat, he drew closer to her. The teacher’s earlier question had clearly caught her attention. The girl lifted her head and glanced at him. Their eyes met midair for a fleeting second—then quickly looked away.

She lowered her head and returned to her book. Su Yu settled into his seat.

"Morning reading starts now," the homeroom teacher announced from the podium, rallying the class. "Today begins the final month. No more flag ceremonies. Hang in there one more month. After this, the sky’s the limit. Keep pushing!"

Murmured readings filled the room. Only a few energetic voices carried the noise; most students hid behind textbooks, quietly catching up on sleep.

"Su Yu, homework’s due today. You’re late—yours is the only one missing."

The girl sitting diagonally ahead turned suddenly. Her large eyes fixed on him, inquiring about his assignment.

"Huh? Xia Qian Ge… your hair’s so short."

Su Yu stared blankly. Such a familiar face. Even the drab uniform couldn’t hide her beauty. Makeup-free, she was still the most delicate gardenia of this summer. Yet he felt slightly unaccustomed—after university, she always wore shoulder-length hair. Here, in high school, she had this youthful short cut.

"Hm?" Xia Qian Ge frowned slightly, fingers brushing her ends. "I trimmed it a bit more yesterday. Does it look bad?"

"No," Su Yu shook his head earnestly. "It’s pretty. Really pretty."

"Flattery won’t save you. You didn’t do it, did you?" Her eyes sharpened, locking onto the real issue.

"Uh…"

Su Yu rubbed his neck. Of course he hadn’t. How could he focus on homework yesterday? He admitted quietly, "Yeah… I didn’t do it."

"I knew it… Still playing Truth or Dare yesterday?" Xia Qian Ge puffed her cheeks slightly. Every frown, every smile—so familiar. She held his gaze. "But you promised me you’d try harder."

"Next time… I’ll definitely do it next time."

"Fine. I won’t report you this time."

She’d only been checking. Turning back, she resumed reading.

But Su Yu remained frozen. In high school, with Xia Qian Ge seated diagonally ahead, interactions came naturally—yet rarely strayed beyond school matters. Still, that closeness had planted a confession in his heart.

Now he saw clearly: high school Su Yu had no qualities to attract her. A confession… would be like a moth flying into flame.

Xia Qian Ge would never like that version of him. If their paths diverged again in university, they’d become parallel lines—never meeting.

Morning reading ended. The subject teacher entered, arms laden with thick stacks of test papers. For seniors, review meant drowning daily in an endless sea of questions.

Su Yu spun his pen between his fingers. He wasn’t that simple-minded boy anymore. His mind buzzed with too much. Staring at the tedious problems, he couldn’t settle.

He’d known Xia Qian Ge would ace university entrance. So last time, he’d crammed desperately, clawed back lost ground, and followed her to the same campus.

But now? He looked at the paper—knew every answer. Felt like fate was mocking him. High school knowledge surged back with crystal clarity. He’d thought years of work erased it all… but this rebirth restored everything.

Meaning: Su Yu, who now knew the gaokao questions, was certain to reach her dream university. A choice. No excuses left. His rebirth demanded value through every decision.

He couldn’t bear the questions anymore. Lecture dragged until noon. The stifling air had long spread like a spider web, smothering the classroom.

He glanced at Xia Qian Ge. She was checking her answers. Her slender eyebrows furrowed, then smoothed—clearly unsatisfied with her accuracy.

"Class dismissed. Rest well. This afternoon, we’ll review the predicted exam paper together."

The teacher left. Fresh air rushed in as the door opened, breaking the canned silence. Sighs of relief rippled through the room. Students filed out in pairs, hurrying to eat—noon rest was precious.

"Su Yu, coming to eat?"

A hand clapped his shoulder. He didn’t need to look up.

"Not hungry… I’ll grab bread later." Su Yu shook his head.

"Seriously?" Chen Kai grumbled, glancing at Xia Qian Ge’s turned back, eyebrow raised at Su Yu. "Didn’t go well? Heartbroken?"

"I didn’t do the homework. Just messing with you."

"Bro, you tricked me too."

Chen Kai pursed his lips. He’d cheer if Su Yu succeeded—but the odds were slim. He wasn’t optimistic. Better this way. At least they stayed friends.

"Mu Qing found out too, right? You can sell out your bro, but I can’t?" Su Yu looked up.

"Hehe…" Chen Kai laughed awkwardly, guilt flickering. "He Mu Qing… treated me to something, promised to introduce a girl from her class. I got carried away…"

"Get lost. If you feel bad, buy me bread."

"On it!"

Chen Kai’s eyes snapped to the door. A commotion stirred. He muttered, jaw slack.

"Whoa—this screams confession. Class Two’s PE rep? Decent-looking… though not as handsome as me."

Classmates’ gazes predictably swiveled to Xia Qian Ge. Head still bent over corrections, she hadn’t noticed. Anyone entering Class One, Senior Three with flowers and gifts could only be here for one person—the girl sitting diagonally ahead of Su Yu.

Su Yu wasn’t surprised. In the original timeline, the day after his failed confession—today—someone had come for her too.

The boy, clearly dressed up, strode briskly toward them, then halted gently before Xia Qian Ge’s desk.

"I’ve… liked you for a while. With gaokao coming…" Flustered under stares, his rehearsed words tangled. "There’s a letter tucked in the flowers. Please read it."

He fled after the last line, leaving behind teasing cheers.

Xia Qian Ge set down her pen. She eyed the bouquet and gift box nearly tossed onto her desk, then turned back with quiet confusion toward Su Yu and Chen Kai.

"I’m grabbing bread. Let Su Yu explain," Chen Kai chuckled, patted Su Yu’s shoulder, and slipped out the back.

Naturally, her gaze settled on Su Yu. He offered a shrug and a faint smile. "From Class Two next door. Forgot his name—their PE rep. Pretty handsome…"

She said nothing. Gave him one deep look. Then turned away. Beneath Su Yu’s calm facade, his heart hammered wildly.

"Could you return these? My reply’s in the letter."

"O-okay."

Su Yu watched the envelope in her hand. Her reply was written right on it—delicate script he could easily read. She’d rejected him.

He took the letter. The frantic pounding in his chest slowly stilled.