Chapter 23: Fight for It

Monday—Lin Sitian reached school, called by the study rep: “Teacher Zhao wants you.”
No morning reading—bad premonition.
With Zhou Sheng’s help, her grades rose, fewer distractions. Still, nervous to go.
At the office—class rep chatting with another teacher.
“Lin Sitian—how’s it going?”
Confused, she answered. “Good?”
“Stressed?”
“Okay these days.”
“Your midterm—jumped 17 ranks. Good change.”
Surprised, she thanked him.
“Did Zhou Sheng help a lot?”
She hesitated—remembering past talks. Worried: “Yes” might end their deskmate bond; “No” made it useless.
Before answering, Zhou Sheng arrived.
“Teacher.”
Panicked, she feared seat change.
Office quiet—class rep asked: “Zhou Sheng—dating Lin Sitian?”
Her heart raced.
“Yes.”
Shocked, she wanted to slap herself.
“Since when?”
“May 1st.”
She wanted to scream—too honest!
“Holiday—contact?”
“Teacher! I called to confess!” She interrupted fiercely.
The rep, experienced, ignored her, focusing on Zhou Sheng.
He stayed silent, lips pressed.
The rep scolded—”focus on study, not romance. Date in college.”
Lin Sitian stayed silent.
“Teacher…”
She prayed Zhou Sheng wouldn’t speak.
“We weren’t dating then.”
Confused, she thought: Reading comprehension skills failed.
Rep: “Zhou Sheng—you, too? She’s playful, but you?”
“I’m serious.”
She tapped his hand—rep frustrated.
“Serious? With what—allowance or diploma?”
Turning to her: “Focus on study—love won’t feed you.”
Standard scolding—no parent call, lucky.
She noticed a folded paper—”Zhou” visible.
Rep decided: “Change seats—end this.”
Heart sank—she clenched hands, tears near.
Zhou Sheng, rule – abiding—would he obey?
She panicked—didn’t want to end the relationship.
“Teacher—why no early love?”
Shocked—Zhou Sheng spoke.
“Rank 1, disciplined—Zhou Sheng?”
“Grades dropped?”
“No.”
“More active, trying new things.”
“Lin Sitian’s grades rose?”
“Seventeen ranks!” She puffed.
Rep silent.
“My total score rose. We date, but study first. She improved—if love makes us better, why can’t we?”
Rep, unused to this side of Zhou Sheng, had no reply.
“Too young—immature.”
“College—we’ll be seniors next year. No experience—why mature then?”
“Promise—we’ll progress together.” He spoke firmly.
To her, he was a young general—bright, fearless.
Youth—carrying wind and moon, eyes on mountains and seas.