Chapter 55: A Brilliant High School Period p1
The cold wind howled outside the window. Even sitting in the classroom, one could feel a chill from the soles of their feet. No one wanted to do the morning exercises. At this time, doing the morning exercises was just torture. The moment the bell rang, a chorus of wails erupted in the class.
Kong Xiaoxu was the first to stand up. Like a shepherd herding sheep, he herded his classmates up, from the back row to the front. “Hurry up, hurry up, don’t dawdle! Get moving and line up outside!”
They got up reluctantly and dragged their feet out of the classroom.
The moment the classroom door opened, a gust of cold wind hit their faces, biting and piercing. “Oh my god, I’m freezing to death!”
They shrank their heads, stomped their feet, and rubbed their hands. Some would put their hands on their classmates’ backs to warm up. Some of the less particular ones would directly put their cold hands on their backs. The classmate who was ambushed would let out a cry, squat down, and immediately, four or five pairs of claws would come over.
The girls were much gentler. They would hide behind another person, letting the one in front block the wind, and put their hands under the armpits of the girl in front. One after another, four or five girls would line up like this, their heads shrinking lower and lower. The taller one was the unlucky one.
Zhou Wanfeng had her hands in her pockets, her school uniform collar pulled up to the top, so that her nose was not visible. Yun Jingya was stomping her feet and hiding behind. She had gloves on her hands, but her face was not protected.
The line was crooked. A gust of cold wind came, and a collective gasp could be heard from all the classes.
When the school’s broadcast music came on, and the physical education teacher in the front blew his whistle, the first class began to enter the field. They were not doing exercises anymore. The students couldn’t even stretch out their hands, arms, and legs. Without a teacher watching, they were all like thin willows, swaying in the wind.
“One, two, one, one, two, one! The classes behind, keep up!”
“One, two, one, one, two, one! Run!”
Running was much better. If you didn’t run, the people behind would catch up and step on you.
The first year ran on the outer circle, the second year on the middle circle, and the third year on the inner circle.
All the students of the school were now gathered on the playground. The slogans of each class were intertwined. Their originally stiff bodies warmed up as they ran, and their throats opened up. The slogans they shouted were no weaker than during the military training.
Who knew which class’s student had dropped a glove or a hat on the track. After one lap, they saw several. Unfortunately, they couldn’t pick them up after they had passed. The moment you squatted down, the people behind would pounce on you.
The gloves and hats were trampled to a pulp by all the classes.
Only when it came to Zhou Wanfeng, she would kick it up with her foot, grab it with her hand, and throw it to the outermost side, so that at least the classes behind would not trample it.
To do this, you had to have good balance and speed.
First Year, Class Three was now used to running in circles. Especially the few people who were leading the run. The moment they saw something dropped on the road, they would shout, “There’s a gray-blue hat in the third vertical row!”
The classmate in the third vertical row who was running alongside Zhou Wanfeng would consciously switch places with her, and then they would watch as Zhou Wanfeng performed a stunt-like move to pick up the thing.
The classmates behind couldn’t get enough of it. It was a kind of longing for the world of martial arts. There was a reason why martial arts movies were so popular.
Zhou Wanfeng had lead bags on her ankles. At first, only Yun Jingya knew. Later, Wang Feili knew, and then the classmates in the class, and even the homeroom teacher, Xu Lei, knew.
For the sake of her health, Xu Lei had even specifically talked to Zhou Wanfeng.
Zhou Wanfeng lifted her pant leg. There were indeed two on her ankle. “It’s fine, teacher. It’s not a problem. I’m used to it.”
Anyway, in the hearts of the students of First Year, Class Three, Zhou Wanfeng’s formidableness could not be simply described in one or two words.
But after the incident in the third cafeteria where she had hit Liu Jinchen from First Year, Class Six, some things about Zhou Wanfeng from junior high had been vaguely spread among the first-year classes.
Some were true, some were false. Some people didn’t quite believe it.
More than a dozen people ganging up on her? Anyway, admitting that Zhou Wanfeng was formidable and could fight was one thing, but one person fighting against more than a dozen people felt a little exaggerated. Even if someone knew a student from Zhou Wanfeng’s year at Shuangshu Middle School and got a definite answer, they still felt it was too exaggerated.
Zhou Wanfeng’s personality was cold and indifferent. She never responded. If you asked a few more questions, she would just look at you with a cold and quiet gaze. That deep and unreadable gaze on you would just make you want to run away.
Anyway, everyone in First Year, Class Three had seen how formidable Zhou Wanfeng was during the military training.
And Zhou Wanfeng was also very good at studying. She was always in the top ten in the class in exams. Her grades were very stable, and she was well-balanced in all subjects, never favoring one subject over another.
The students returned to the classroom, panting. Not long after they sat down, the homeroom teacher, Xu Lei, came in. The moment they saw him holding his black notebook, the whole class knew that he had something to say.
“Let me say something. New Year’s Day is coming up. The school and the class are going to hold a New Year’s Day party. This matter will be organized by the cultural and sports publicity committee and the class officers. The class has to submit at least two performance programs. For our own class’s party, everyone can show off whatever talents they have. Let’s all perform enthusiastically and make the party lively. As for the classroom decorations, you can go to the market and buy some streamers, colored paper, balloons, and so on to decorate it simply, to create an atmosphere,” Xu Lei said simply. There was still some money left in the class funds, so these expenses would be paid from the class funds.
“Of course, we also need to buy some snacks for the class party. The class officers can discuss what to buy during the self-study period. I’ll leave this matter to you to discuss.”
“Speaking of New Year’s Day, that means we’re entering January, and that means the final exams. We’re at the end of the textbook. Everyone should study what they need to study and review what they need to review. The exams are basically on the 15th or 16th of January every year, not much difference. Everyone should have a good idea and make a study plan.”
“And the tuition fee issue, it’s a little early to talk about it now, but it has to be paid sooner or later. During the vacation after the exams, you should all talk to your families and prepare in advance. This tuition fee issue cannot be unpaid. I hope none of you will drag it out for too long.”
“And the school has recently discovered some ambiguous relationships between male and female students. I hope everyone can study hard during the exam period…”
The homeroom teacher, Xu Lei, said a lot of things. The most exciting thing was the school’s New Year’s Day performance. There would be food, drinks, and things to watch.
While the classmates were discussing, the homeroom teacher, Xu Lei, called Yun Jingya out to talk.
Wang Feili immediately raised her hand and said, “I’m sure he’s calling Yun Jingya out to be the host of the school performance.”
She was familiar with this. It had been like this in junior high.
It was easy to imagine Yun Jingya as the host. She had a good temperament, was pretty, and her Mandarin was standard.
During the self-study period, Wu Junfeng was in charge. He first discussed the snacks to be bought for the class party. It was basically decided to have melon seeds, peanuts, oranges, candies, bananas… and spicy strips.
The spicy strips were added later. Some people disliked the strong smell, but some said it was delicious. After a show of hands, they decided to buy it.
The front and back blackboards for the class’s New Year’s Day party were to be done by this week’s duty group.
These were all simple. The trouble was the performance programs to be submitted.
The people of First Year, Class Three, who were talkative in class, were a little quiet after they went out. When they heard that the selected programs would be sent directly to the school’s New Year’s party, they all chickened out.
Yun Jingya, as the cultural and sports committee member, took on one herself. She could dance or play the piano. The piano could be borrowed from the music room, so it was not a big problem.
Then what about the other one?
“Doesn’t anyone want to perform a crosstalk? Or imitate a skit?” Wu Junfeng tried to encourage everyone.
Unfortunately, the most attractive stage of buying snacks was over. Everyone was now doing their homework with their heads down, and no one was paying attention to him.
“Why don’t the class officers discuss one among themselves? To represent First Year, Class Three?” Jiang Chen said from the back row. His voice was not loud, but he was popular in the class.
And the classmates had no desire to perform at all. Hearing someone come up with such a good idea, they immediately stopped doing their homework and all expressed their strong approval.
“I think what Jiang Chen said is very good.”
“I agree. At a critical moment, it’s the class officers who have to step up.”
“The remaining program will be left to the class officers.”
The classmates all pushed the program to the class officers with their chatter. Wu Junfeng was now looking at Jiang Chen with daggers in his eyes.
All the discussions seemed to have nothing to do with Zhou Wanfeng. She was reviewing.
Yun Jingya had other ideas. At lunch in the cafeteria, she quietly asked, “Wanfeng, do you want to perform a program?”
“No.”
“Why not? You can be with me. I can accompany you,” Yun Jingya wanted Wanfeng to be more integrated into the class. The current Wanfeng was like an outsider in First Year, Class Three, not very concerned about the people and affairs of the class.
“Wanfeng, this will be a very good and wonderful memory.”
“I’m not interested.”
Yun Jingya tried to persuade her, but Zhou Wanfeng was very firm.
Jiang Chen chimed in, “Actually, Zhou Wanfeng, you can go on stage and do a set. And with some music, the effect will be no worse than the dances of the girls in Class Four and Class Five.”
Zhou Wanfeng looked up and glanced at him, and said coldly, “It’s no fun to fight alone. Will you fight with me?”
Jiang Chen was startled and was about to shake his head and admit that he was just kidding.
But then Yun Jingya suddenly clapped her hands. “That’s a great idea!”
Jiang Chen was dumbfounded. What was a great idea?
“I know what you guys can perform!” Yun Jingya said, looking at Zhou Wanfeng and Jiang Chen with an eager expression.
Zhou Wanfeng ate with her head down. Yun Jingya’s intentions had been very obvious lately. She was actively trying to show her off like a treasure, and she was very dissatisfied with her state of being on the fringes of the class.
She would always be whispering in her ear, “Wanfeng, high school is very important. You can’t let your youth be wasted.”
“Wanfeng, you have to enjoy your school life in your three years of high school and participate actively. In the future, when you’re old, these will be precious memories.”
Zhou Wanfeng could probably understand the change in Yun Jingya’s mentality. She was lonely, cold to things other than studying, and not active with her classmates.
Before Yun Jingya had gone back to South Lake Mansion, there was always an indescribable guilt and sadness in her eyes when she looked at her.
During the evening self-study, Yun Jingya, as the cultural and sports publicity committee member, decided to help the class rehearse a program. With that, she grinned at Zhou Wanfeng below.
Jiang Chen was kicking Zhou Wanfeng’s chair from behind. “Zhou Wanfeng, you should refuse! Are we really going to go up and perform? Perform you hitting me?” Jiang Chen’s voice was on the verge of tears.
His deskmate, Wu Junfeng, had never expected things to take such a turn. He had been discussing imitating a skit with a few other class officers, but he hadn’t expected a program to be ready so quickly.
He didn’t care about the anxious Jiang Chen and strongly approved.
Seeing Yun Jingya’s serious look, Zhou Wanfeng put down her pen, took a deep breath, and walked to the podium. “Let me say it,” she said. Yun Jingya had a rough idea in her head, but it was as if Zhou Wanfeng knew what she was going to do.
She had even thought of it in more detail.
“Something like that. We’ll get seven more people from the class, boys and girls are both fine. Don’t worry about showing your face,” she said with a cold introduction, then went down and gave the podium back to Yun Jingya.
After hearing this, Kong Xiaoxu kicked his stool away with a crash and was the first to raise his hand to sign up. “Me, me, me! I want to participate!”
Wang Feili was a step behind and was filled with regret. “No one is taking my spot! I have to be in it!”
Even Wang Feili’s deskmate, the usually quiet Ding Yanhua, also raised her hand. Her voice was as soft as a mosquito. It was Wang Feili who had heard her and had gotten her a spot.
Apart from Zhou Wanfeng, the three girls were Wang Feili, Ding Yanhua, and Li Shanshan, and the four boys were Kong Xiaoxu, Jiang Chen, Wu Junfeng, and another class officer.
The homeroom teacher, Xu Lei, was a little surprised to see the submitted program. He was even surprised to see Zhou Wanfeng’s name. He asked Yun Jingya what the program was.
Yun Jingya covered her mouth and smiled. “Wanfeng said it’s still a secret. She won’t let me say,” she said. Zhou Wanfeng had not refused. She was very happy. She knew very well that Wanfeng was the type of person who was very serious when she did something. She was not worried at all that the program would be cancelled in the end.
And it was just as Yun Jingya had said. Zhou Wanfeng was serious and solemn when she did things. If there was a program, there had to be a rehearsal.
She had already spoken to the homeroom teacher. Basically, during physical education, self-study, and the lunch break, they would find a quiet place to rehearse.
Speaking of a quiet place at school, it had to be behind the school’s first cafeteria. At this time of year, it was in the shade, and you couldn’t see the sun. It was freezing.
The moment Jiang Chen arrived, he was shivering with cold. “Let’s change places. It’s too cold here.”
Zhou Wanfeng had her hands in her pockets and walked straight in. It was indeed quiet here. Apart from the occasional cafeteria staff passing by, students basically wouldn’t come over.
“Don’t worry. You won’t be cold in a while,” she said, and then took off her jacket. The others were taken aback. All they saw was Zhou Wanfeng suddenly shake her arms…
Although there was no wind, they heard Zhou Wanfeng punch, step, and move with a powerful and windy presence.
Everyone was watching with their blood boiling, especially Kong Xiaoxu, who was already imitating her in the back.
After one set, Zhou Wanfeng let out a soft breath, her face flushed. She glanced at the stunned group of people. “For the next few days, we’ll be rehearsing this here.”
Wang Feili’s adoring gaze was uncontrollable. She even wanted to go and hug Zhou Wanfeng’s thigh. It was so cool, so stunning.
The other few were also filled with excitement. They just felt that the visual was too stunning.
Wu Junfeng took a breath, clapped his hands, his eyes sparkling. “This school’s New Year’s party has a program selection. I feel like we’ve made a big one this time, aiming for first place. The music for the performance should be uplifting, with a strong drum beat. And we also need special performance costumes and shoes…” Wu Junfeng was excited. He had originally just been making up the numbers, but now, after watching Zhou Wanfeng’s performance, he was completely hooked.
He wanted to win an award. He didn’t even care about the first prize. He wanted the special prize.
“I have a small tape recorder. If there’s a cassette, I can play it,” another class officer said, wanting to go with Wu Junfeng.
Kong Xiaoxu raised his hand and said that he would take care of the performance costumes, his eyes filled with an unusual excitement. “The teacher of the class I used to take would often organize performances. He definitely has clothes we can borrow.”
Zhou Wanfeng stood to the side and watched them all get lively. She arranged them in a basic rehearsal formation according to their height.
After that, the few of them were always rehearsing behind the first cafeteria.
The people of First Year, Class Three watched as the few people who went out during physical education and self-study came back, all of them covered in sweat, their faces red and out of breath.
On a day like this, to be able to train like that, it was clear that they were not slacking off.
They were just curious. What were they performing?
No one dared to ask Zhou Wanfeng. Ding Yanhua was an introvert, so others wouldn’t ask her either. Wang Feili’s mouth was sealed with a lock. She wouldn’t say anything.
Jiang Chen would just keep them in suspense. He would ask you all sorts of questions but wouldn’t tell you anything, and would even make you more confused. It was better not to ask.
Wu Junfeng and the class officer, for the sake of the best effect, wouldn’t say a word.
The only breakthrough was Kong Xiaoxu. But this time, he wouldn’t say anything. When pressed, he would just point at Zhou Wanfeng in front and say, “Don’t ask. If you want to know, go and ask Zhou Wanfeng. If she says it, I’ll say it.”
The curious people immediately gave up. Forget it. They would just wait and see the performance.
The homeroom teacher, Xu Lei, submitted the program. The school’s organized activity also had a rehearsal. If the quality of the program was not good, it would be cut.
The school’s New Year’s Day party had a rehearsal three days in advance to see the programs. The ones that were not good would be cut.
They went one class at a time.
First Year, Class Four and First Year, Class Five had a clash of programs. They were both a few girls dancing, and the dance styles were both upbeat.
Wu Junfeng had told the homeroom teacher, Xu Lei, in advance that their class would be the last to rehearse.