The Secret Realm of Time, His and Her Life Through the Changes

Wang Jie stood up, patted the back seat of the bicycle, and said, "Get on, I'll give you a ride."

"It's still early, let's take a walk." Zhou Yanruo hung her schoolbag on the handlebars of her bicycle and walked beside Wang Jie.

"You didn't sleep well last night, your eyes look swollen," Wang Jie asked with concern. "Is something wrong?"

"No, it's just hot."

When Zhou Yanruo first met Wang Jie, she was in high spirits, but after a short while, she became listless.

Wang Jie knew that Zhou Yanruo must have encountered something that made her unhappy again, but she couldn't keep things to herself. There was no need to ask; she would tell him everything herself in a little while.

In the sweltering heat of August, the asphalt road leading from the bus stop to the school gleamed darkly from the dampness. Dense trees lined both sides of the road, creating a dense canopy of shade.

Wang Jie pushed his bicycle, while Zhou Yanruo walked beside him.

The rising sun shone through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled light and shadow on them, adding a touch of dreamlike beauty to the scene.

Everything around seemed to be immersed in tranquility and harmony, with only the occasional birdsong and rustling of leaves gently breaking the silence.

The two walked silently together toward the school.

"I'm going back to school to repeat my senior year in September, and I need to be back in Beijing before the end of August."

Sure enough, Zhou Yanruo couldn't hold it in for long before she brought it up herself.

"Have you decided to repeat a year and take the college entrance exam next year? Aren't you going to attend this training course?"

“The training course doesn’t end until October, and I don’t know what to do,” Zhou Yanruo said again. “The training course has tests every month, and after two months, the results are ranked, and then the bottom 10 students are eliminated. You know that.”

"Yes, I am familiar with this testing mechanism. You were ranked eighth from the bottom in last month's test."

Zhou Yanruo glared at Wang Jie, "I know that, you don't need to remind me."

Wang Jie smiled casually and said, "Don't glare at me. What's wrong with reminding you? Your participation score has already caught up this week."

“I will persevere until the end of August to complete the test. If I pass the test smoothly, I will talk to my parents and try my best to persevere until the end of the training course. They have to agree or disagree, and I will go to Hancheng to become a trainee.”

She then added a harsh statement: "If they remain stubborn and cannot support me as an artist, I will... I will run away from home."

"Oh, why did you even think of running away from home? No, no, that's not necessary." Wang Jie quickly changed the subject, "You know, the challenges get bigger and bigger as you go on. What if you get eliminated in the final selection? You need to be prepared."

"Even if I fail the final exam, I'll accept it. But I'm not willing to give up halfway, and I can't do something I'll regret."

Wang Jie couldn't help but admire Zhou Yanruo in his heart. Although she was young, she was so persistent in pursuing her dream. Even if she didn't achieve it in the end, it was still worth the effort.

“Actually, my test score was dragged down by dance. I’m thinking of taking extra classes in the evenings these next few days. Anyway, my mom and dad are in Xichuan this week, and I don’t want to go home early.” Zhou Yanru thought for a moment, then tilted her head and said to Wang Jie, “You’ll stay with me, right?”

“It’s Friday today. I have classes every Wednesday evening.” Wang Jie calculated the time himself and then said confidently, “Starting today? I’m fine with today. It’s just that Wednesdays might be a little late, but I can talk to the students’ parents and arrange for the class to start an hour earlier, so it can end at 7 o’clock and I can come pick you up before 8 o’clock.”

“It’s settled then,” Zhou Yanruo said. “You have classes in the morning on the weekend, right? I can come to school to practice for a while in the afternoon, and you have to come with me.”

This time, Zhou Yanruo no longer used a questioning tone, but directly made a request.

"Won't the training be too frequent, preventing my body from recovering and ensuring good results? Besides, is it okay without a fitness instructor's guidance?"

Wang Jie was somewhat worried.

"Sure, you've seen us practice, haven't you? I'm just practicing dance to improve my muscle memory. I won't do any difficult moves. You can just watch over me and it'll be fine," Zhou Yanruo said confidently, pouting.

"Alright then, we'll see how things go, but don't overdo it."

"Don't worry, we'll definitely pass the test at the end of the month." Zhou Yanruo stretched out her finger and made a V sign, playfully waving it in front of Wang Jie's eyes.

As they walked and talked, a sudden roar of machinery came from behind them, growing clearer and stronger as it approached. Immediately afterward, a sleek black Honda motorcycle sped past Wang Jie and Zhou Yanruo, then abruptly turned back, making a sharp turn and braking sharply in front of them, the tires screeching against the pavement.

"Hi, Zhou Yanruo, oh, it's Teacher Wang! I didn't recognize you from behind."

The rider on the motorcycle was Cheng Zhi, a student in the training class. He straddled the motorcycle, one leg on the ground, striking a pose that was both dashing and handsome. He took off his helmet, held it in one hand, and greeted Wang Jie and Zhou Yanruo: "Hi, Zhou Yanruo, oh, it's Teacher Wang. I didn't recognize you from behind."

He looked excited and radiant; the speed of the motorcycle clearly fueled his passion.

"No need, I'll accompany Teacher Wang for a walk."

Zhou Yanruo looked at Cheng Zhi, her tone revealing a hint of impatience.

"It's so hot this early in the morning, it'll be cooler at school soon."

"You can go now, I still have things to talk to Teacher Wang about." Zhou Yanruo was unmoved.

Wang Jie waved his hand at Cheng Zhi and said somewhat seriously, "You're not 18 yet, are you? Do you have a driver's license?"

Upon hearing Wang Jie's words, Cheng Zhi's lips pursed into a V-shape. He said somewhat aggrievedly, "Why is Teacher Wang lecturing me? I was just trying to help and you scolded me instead."

After he finished speaking, he sped away on his motorcycle, leaving only the roar of the machine echoing in the morning air.

Zhou Yanruo looked at Wang Jie and laughed, "He wanted to show off his 'Honda King,' but you gave him a lecture and scared him away."

“I have seen the student information for your class. Cheng Zhigang is 17 years old.”

Wang Jie continued, "Motorcycles are inherently dangerous. He was a minor and driving without a license. As his teacher, I have a responsibility to remind him."

“You always say you’re a teacher, but you’re not a proper teacher.” Zhou Yanruo seemed to always be bothered by Teacher Wang Jie’s ‘identity’.

“I heard from my classmates that Cheng Zhi is the only son of Cheng Yonggen, a well-known large-scale breeder in Xichuan.”

"Is this Cheng Yonggen, who runs aquaculture in the lake?" Wang Jie said. "Sigh, they've polluted the lake water, and the organic matter levels are seriously exceeding the standard."

"How did this train of thought lead to the idea of ​​lake pollution?" Zhou Yanruo teased. "Our teacher, Mr. Wang, is quite socially responsible."

“You just said I wasn’t your teacher, but now you say I am,” Wang Jie said with a smile.

"Tch, I don't want you to be my teacher."

Zhou Yanruo playfully tossed her head and walked briskly into the school, heading straight for her classroom.

Wang Jie watched his retreating figure silently, a faint flutter rising in her heart.

He shook his head slightly, as if trying to dispel the indescribable emotion, then turned and walked towards the bicycle shed.