Chén Zhāoyáng gazed at the blue sky outside the window, his heart filled with yearning and anticipation for the future. Even the scent of disinfectant in the hospital ward no longer seemed so pungent. After his father left, he leaned back against the hospital bed, his gaze sweeping casually across the room before landing on the school uniform folded neatly on the chair beside the bed. That blue-and-white uniform was somewhat faded, the collar still stained with indelible sweat, and the hem slightly curled, radiating an aura that felt both familiar and strange.
He reached out and picked up the uniform, his fingers gently rubbing against the fabric as memories came flooding back like a tide. This uniform carried every bit of his junior high school life from his past life—there had been laughter, tears, and those unspoken, tender crushes. Suddenly, his hand paused at the right pocket of the uniform; it was bulging, as if holding something inside. Curious, he reached inside and pulled out a crumpled exercise notebook. His own name was scrawled crookedly across the cover in the immature handwriting of his youth.
Opening the notebook, he found it densely filled with step-by-step solutions to math problems. In some places, the paper had been rubbed black by erasers, showing how much he had struggled back then. Chén Zhāoyáng flipped through a few pages at random, a self-deprecating smile involuntarily tugging at the corners of his mouth. His math grades in his past life had indeed been mediocre at best, and these incorrect answers were the ultimate proof. Just as he was about to close the notebook, a slip of paper fluttered out from between the pages and drifted lightly down to the floor.
Chén Zhāoyáng was slightly startled, and he bent down to pick it up. The handwriting on the note was graceful and neat, forming a sharp contrast to his own crooked scrawl. His heart skipped a beat, and an inexplicable sense of nervousness surged into his mind.
He unfolded the note. It read: "Chén Zhāoyáng, I think there's another way to solve this math problem. Take a look and see if it makes sense. After school, I'll meet you at the flower bed behind the library, and I'll explain it to you. Lín Xiǎotáng." Seeing the name "Lín Xiǎotáng," Chén Zhāoyáng's breathing instantly grew shallow. The regrets of his past life pierced his heart like a sharp blade.
Lín Xiǎotáng—the campus belle who had haunted his dreams. In his past life, because his studies had slipped, he had drifted further and further apart from her, ultimately missing out on so much. In this lifetime, seeing this note felt as though he had grasped an olive branch extended by fate. He scrutinized the note closely, as if trying to decode deeper meanings from those few scrawled words. Had she taken the initiative to ask him to meet just to discuss a math problem? A mixture of anticipation and lingering apprehension welled up in his heart.
He glanced at the clock on the wall. There was still some time before school let out. These few hours felt excruciatingly long to him. Tossing and turning on the hospital bed, he conjured Lín Xiǎotáng’s image over and over in his mind. Her fair face, her expressive eyes, the small dimples at the corners of her mouth when she smiled—every single detail made his heart race. When the time finally arrived for his discharge, Chén Zhāoyáng hurriedly packed his things, completed the discharge procedures, and rushed toward the school without a moment to spare.
Along the way, the sea breeze gently brushed against his cheek, carrying the distinct, salty tang of the ocean. Lined on both sides of the street were old-fashioned buildings with mottled moss clinging to their walls, and overhead, telephone wires crisscrossed like gigantic spiderwebs. Small shops along the roadside played currently popular pop songs, their melodies echoing through the air. Chén Zhāoyáng had no heart to admire this familiar yet foreign street scene; his mind was entirely consumed by the upcoming meeting.
At last, he arrived at the school. The campus looked just as he remembered: the sounds of students laughing and playing drifted from the playground, and the walls of the teaching building were somewhat weathered, with the paint peeling slightly. Chén Zhāoyáng took a deep breath, forced himself to calm down, and walked toward the flower bed behind the library. The flower bed was planted with colorful blossoms, butterflies fluttered gracefully among the blooms, and a faint floral fragrance permeated the air. From afar, Chén Zhāoyáng spotted a familiar figure: Lín Xiǎotáng was standing by the flower bed, holding a book and reading quietly.
Today she was wearing a clean, neat school uniform, her hair tied up in a high ponytail with a few wisps of hair framing her cheeks, adding a touch of playfulness. The sunlight bathed her, outlining her slender silhouette like a beautiful painting. Chén Zhāoyáng's heart instantly raced, and his footsteps grew somewhat heavy. As he slowly approached her, his throat felt as though it were blocked by something, leaving him momentarily at a loss for words.
Lín Xiǎotáng seemed to sense someone approaching. She looked up, and seeing that it was Chén Zhāoyáng, a radiant smile bloomed on her face. "You're finally here! I was starting to think you wouldn't come." Her crisp, melodic voice rang in his ears like silver bells.
"How could I? I... I got your note and rushed right over," Chén Zhāoyáng stammered, so nervous he didn't know what to do with his hands.
Seeing how nervous he was, Lín Xiǎotáng couldn't help finding it a little amusing. "Don't be so nervous. I just wanted to go over a math problem with you. Look, it's this one." With that, she opened the book in her hand and pointed to a math problem.
Chén Zhāoyáng leaned in, staring at the problem. Memories of his past life and his current knowledge intertwined in his mind. In truth, this problem was hardly difficult for him now that he had experienced Rebirth, but to avoid exposing his secret, he deliberately put on an expression of deep concentration.
"Hmm... I think your method makes a lot of sense, but there's still one part I don't quite understand," Chén Zhāoyáng said purposely.
Patiently, Lín Xiǎotáng began to explain it to him. Her gaze was focused and earnest, her long eyelashes fluttering gently every time she blinked. On the surface, Chén Zhāoyáng appeared to be listening intently, but his mind had already drifted far away. He stole glances at Lín Xiǎotáng, a myriad of emotions welling up inside him. In this lifetime, he was determined to seize the opportunity and never let this affection slip away again.
When she finished explaining, Lín Xiǎotáng looked up at him. "Did you follow that?"
Chén Zhāoyáng nodded quickly. "Got it. Thanks a lot, Xiǎotáng. I had no idea you were so good at math."
Lín Xiǎotáng smiled. "Don't mention it. Classmates should help each other out. Besides, I think math is pretty interesting; once you get the hang of the methods, it's not hard at all. If there's anything else you don't know in the future, you can always ask me."
"Really? That's amazing!" Chén Zhāoyáng said excitedly, secretly rejoicing inside. This was the perfect opportunity to grow closer to Lín Xiǎotáng.
The two chatted for a while longer, their conversation gradually drifting from mathematics to other topics. They talked about recent books they had read, their favorite music, and their aspirations for the future. Chén Zhāoyáng discovered that Lín Xiǎotáng was not only pretty but also full of ideas, holding unique perspectives on many things, which only made him more captivated by her.
"I want to get into a good university in the future and see the outside world," Lín Xiǎotáng said, gazing into the distance with a sparkle in her eyes. "What about you, Chén Zhāoyáng? Do you have any dreams?"
Looking at her, Chén Zhāoyáng said earnestly, "I want to get into a good university too, and I also want my family to live a comfortable life. I know it won't be easy, but I'm going to work hard." A resolute determination shone in his eyes, causing Lín Xiǎotáng to look at him in a new light.
"I'm sure you can do it!" Lín Xiǎotáng encouraged. "As long as we work hard, there's nothing we can't achieve."
Before they knew it, the sun began to sink westward, and the horizon was brushed with brilliant evening glow. Both Chén Zhāoyáng and Lín Xiǎotáng realized it was getting late and time to head home.
"I really enjoyed talking with you today. Let's study together again next time," Lín Xiǎotáng said with a smile.
"You bet, it's a deal!" Chén Zhāoyáng replied hastily, terrified she might change her mind.
After parting ways, Chén Zhāoyáng walked home with a remarkably light heart. Today's meeting had brought him and Lín Xiǎotáng much closer, and he felt as though he could see hope for the future. He knew this was only the beginning; many more opportunities to spend time with Lín Xiǎotáng awaited him.
When he got home, his mother had already prepared dinner. The family sat around the dining table together, eating steaming hot food. Chén Zhāoyáng mentioned his meeting with Lín Xiǎotáng at school today, prompting his mother to tease him with a smile, "Oh? Is this the young lady you've taken a fancy to?"
Chén Zhāoyáng's face turned beet red. "Mom, stop talking nonsense. We were just discussing our studies."
His father looked at him and said with a smile, "Regardless of all that, you're still a student, and your studies come first. Discussing problems with classmates is a good thing, but make sure you don't get distracted."
Chén Zhāoyáng nodded repeatedly. "I know, Dad. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
After dinner, Chén Zhāoyáng returned to his bedroom and lay on his bed. Images of being with Lín Xiǎotáng kept playing in his mind. He knew his journey of Rebirth had only just begun, and many challenges lay ahead, but the mere thought of Lín Xiǎotáng filled him with drive. He secretly vowed that in this lifetime, not only would he achieve his own dreams, but he would also protect the people around him and ensure they all lived happy lives. With wonderful visions of the future, he gradually drifted off to sleep, a smile lingering at the corners of his mouth.