I am not Ximen Qing.

Imagine, Sister Ping's beautiful image has been taken over by Sister Hua. What used to be Baoyu's study, now becomes Sister Hua's occasional boudoir. No wonder Baoyu loves girls; they are naturally drawn to water. Willows by the lake, on the riverbank—the willows of the Sui Dynasty were once a scenic feature of the Grand Canal. The willows on the Bai Causeway of West Lake are beautiful, the willows on the Su Causeway of Kunming Lake sway gracefully, and the willows at Fuhai Lake in the Old Summer Palace are charming and affectionate. Sister Hua is like that enchanting willow.

He loved everything about Sister Hua. He could look at her every day, and even wander into Sister Hua's boudoir. It was as if Sister Hua's room possessed a magical power, filled only with her clothes, underwear, and bras. A girl's scent is different; it's just a part of a boy's growth. He didn't know why, but he found it interesting, and everything about Sister Hua seemed beautiful. Of course, Sister Hua was no longer the cheerful girl she used to be. This was evident in her attitude towards his mother—very unfriendly, even disrespectful. Yet, he tolerated and understood Sister Hua's anger and annoyance. This was Sister Hua's home; of course, Sister Hua wouldn't accept it. It was like a cuckoo taking over someone else's nest, like a stranger suddenly moving into his warm home without any reason.

Human nature is so forgetful. Sister Hua and her second aunt's husband had long forgotten the good things they had done for each other. When the family was struggling, her father used part of his salary to help her second aunt's family of five. After her second aunt's husband became the factory manager, he was very powerful, and Brother Jun dared not mention drinking anymore. Drinking, whether it was the kind of life and social interactions depicted in *Dream of the Red Chamber* or *Jin Ping Mei*, wasn't wrong; it was part of traditional Chinese culture. Drinking from morning till night, three meals a day, with meat, chicken, duck, and goose delicacies—that was skill, that was ability. Drinking in Northeast China is truly a culture; warming the delicate wine pot with hot water before drinking is good for the body. At least her second aunt's husband still retained some humanity when he drank. If he didn't drink and was rational, he would definitely be a capitalist, devoid of any human touch.

Because of drinking and the fact that the factory director treated my father quite badly, my second aunt was torn between her husband and brother, crying and wiping away tears. Because of drinking, my second aunt's husband had essentially rescued my third aunt from the hardships of rural life, toiling in the fields. But my third aunt, like her older brother, didn't appreciate her brother-in-law's kindness at all. She was constantly arguing with him, so my second aunt's husband vented all his anger and frustration on her, leaving her no choice but to cry and whine. My second aunt's husband now has a penchant for drinking heavily; when he drinks, he starts rambling on and on, having long forgotten how my grandfather helped him in the bureau during his difficult times.

Zhang Sheng always felt that growing up was not good. He saw more and more truths, and as he grew older, the affection between relatives became weaker and weaker. Sometimes he even looked down on people, but he kept it to himself. His second aunt gave Zhang Sheng Baoyu's clothes to wear, so Baoyu was great in his heart. My second uncle still works at the plywood factory. He's a renowned senior welder; everyone knows his name. He has an exceptional memory. When the equipment imported from Japan malfunctioned and couldn't be fixed, he volunteered and solved it in no time. However, he probably had a superficial understanding of the company's inner workings and political background. He should have read more of the Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government). He thought he was incredibly capable, having solved a major technical problem for the factory. He didn't realize that his actions blocked their path to wealth and offended many people. They were planning to invite Japanese experts, incurring a large expense. My second uncle, with his stubborn and impulsive nature, blocked their path to wealth. Although he saved the country money, he was a nobody and didn't gain any benefit. He just did thankless tasks. In terms of personal development, he's too much like my third aunt; the two siblings are both a bit slow on the uptake.

Uncle Er often talked to Zhang Sheng about grand ideals, great dreams, and a glorious entrepreneurial history. He was so ambitious; he wanted to contract the factory. But why couldn't he cultivate good relationships with the leaders? Simply giving them cigarettes, alcohol, chicken, duck, and fish during holidays was enough—just polite formalities. With his talent, which leader wouldn't want to promote him? He was too arrogant, so promotions were out of the question. The leaders treated him like a tyrant, and factories need people like that—people who earn their living purely through merit. As for money, he was quite shrewd and knew how to make quick money. He did something quite absurd: forgetting his initial relationship with Tang Wan and Tang Li, he actually told Grandma that Aunt Er was a "loose woman," like Bai Yulian and Pan Jinlian—not a virgin. This made him deeply disappointed in love and romance. They'd been dating for so long; he probably didn't want to be a womanizer and still dream of finding a virgin. Typical hindsight bias. The issue of virginity was merely a cover for problems in the couple's married life. Their marriage soon hit a rough patch; the second aunt had been cheating on him both before and after the marriage. While the second uncle was working away from home, the second aunt started an affair with the security guard at the plywood factory. That ugly man frequently visited the second uncle's house up in the mountains, and the second aunt's insatiable desires drove her to have a passionate affair with the guard. The second uncle often called his second aunt a spendthrift, saying that no amount of money could save her; the money would always mysteriously disappear. When the second uncle asked his second aunt how she spent the money, she would always stammer and give no explanation. Finally, he made the difficult decision to stop contributing his salary to the household. The mother-in-law, Old Mrs. Tang, was someone who couldn't afford to miss out on anything, so she constantly gave her daughter bad advice, inciting the couple to fight. My second uncle is now fighting not only with Old Lady Tang, but also with my second aunt, second aunt's husband, wife, niece Sister Hua, my younger brother Jin Suocai, and even the leaders of the plywood factory. But he also has someone he loves, his eldest nephew Zhang Sheng. He even complains that his elder brother doesn't name his son according to the Yalu River family genealogy. Zhang Sheng's name should follow the "Suo" generation, something like "Zhang Suo something" would be best.

Zhang Sheng still cherishes the memories of visiting his elder brother and sister-in-law at the Dahe Forest Farm every year to wish them a Happy New Year, and of his second uncle who would give him a New Year's gift of ten thousand firecrackers every year. Back then, his second uncle was more humane; now, he seems a bit eccentric. His beautiful wife is no less beautiful than Pan Jinlian, no less so than Bai Jinlian, and quite alluring, isn't she? But what's wrong with him? Perhaps he's gotten tired of eating too much mutton. His second uncle's house is very close to his second aunt's. On his way to school, Zhang Sheng can see his second uncle's beautiful house high in the mountains. Even a good life isn't easy for him. Moving from one place to another, constantly migrating and wandering, his parents do it all so their children can receive a better education. Whether it's *Dream of the Red Chamber*, *The Scholars*, *Jin Ping Mei*, or *The Romance of the Western Chamber*, they all tell stories of struggle, from the imperial examinations to the path of education and learning. Su Qin's help relieved her parents' worries. Zhang Sheng could even see Gao Feng's two-story villa near the school gate. Gao Feng rode his motorcycle much like in Jackie Chan's City Hunter movie. How she wished there were more beauties like those in A Chinese Ghost Story or Tokyo Love Story in this forest school! Stepping into the dreamlike campus, she felt so happy. The main teaching building stood in front of the huge circular playground, with single-story classrooms on both sides. Entering the tall teaching building for the second time, she saw a wide central staircase, which branched into two narrower staircases on either side, leading to the top five floors. The spacious classrooms were full of students, completely different from the schools in the Dahe Forest Farm. She was filled with anticipation and excitement. Why? Because this place was as lively as a brothel, with so many beautiful girls. The girls nurtured in the city were so different from the girls in the mountains, rivers, and forests. They were like the blazing fire of youth, full of vitality. Zhang Sheng was both excited and nervous. No wonder it was so difficult to transfer schools from the mountains to the outside world. It turned out that the schools outside the mountains were full of beautiful girls, a garden full of spring colors. For the sake of the beauties in the West Chamber, he had to study hard and study diligently.

Zhang Sheng finally understood what he was afraid of. He was afraid of losing the opportunity to study amidst a sea of ​​beautiful women, afraid that poor grades would embarrass the head teacher Su Qin and his math teacher who had spoken well of him. It was all a hypocritical facade. The teachers were so caring towards Zhang Sheng. To help him gradually recover, they specially arranged for him to sit in the last row. It was wonderful; sitting in the back, he could have a panoramic view of the class's beauties, like falling into a dream of a fairy maiden. In his lingering, hazy state, he heard his math teacher, Chen Lili, a nearsighted woman with a face full of class struggle, speaking at a rapid, almost audible pace, like pearls clashing on a jade plate. Her almost ventriloquist-like words pulled Zhang Sheng back from his romantic fantasies to the reality of studying. Confucius's most prized disciple was Yan Hui, but Chen Lili often mentioned in class that her last disciple was the dashing and romantic Chu Liuxiang, a talented and charismatic figure admired by everyone.

"Dragon and Kirin"

"arrive"

You calculate it.

Long Qilin was the Einstein of the school, with amazing computing power. Whenever Chen Lili got to the point of her lecture, she would immediately ask her favorite student to help her finish the next part. Long Qilin would run to the blackboard at the podium and use the clever thinking logic and methods that Teacher Chen Lili had taught him during the Hua Luogeng Mathematical Olympiad. He would write and draw on the blackboard, making a very good explanation with pictures and text. Finally, he would return to his seat.

“Long Qilin, you can’t be arrogant, because you lost to Mu Tiefeng in the bureau’s math Olympiad, you know? All of our math teachers thought you would be first, but Mu Tiefeng won first place and you only got seventh.”

Chen Lili mocked Qilin, who was known for his boastfulness, flirtatiousness, and womanizing ways, showing her disappointment and frustration. She pointed out that without proper study of the Analects and a problematic attitude towards learning, he couldn't possibly win the championship. Not content with that, Chen Lili added, "Qilin, don't be arrogant. Mu Tiefeng is watching you, keeping an eye on you."

Mu Tiefeng was the academic genius of the other classes at Linhai Middle School. Although he was clumsy, he still managed to defeat Long Qilin. Mu Tiefeng's name was deeply imprinted in Zhang Sheng's mind. Long Qilin was already outstanding enough; it turned out the real master hadn't appeared yet.

“Sang Lun”

"arrive"

This big oaf is a complete waste of Li Bai's poem from the Tang Dynasty, "He doesn't understand the affection Sang Lun showed me." This Sang Lun is a Tang Dynasty time traveler, like Wang Mang traveling to the Han Dynasty—completely out of place in today's society. If Sang Lun went to Taiwan or Hong Kong, he could be packaged in a star-making class and become a handsome, tall, and sunny prince of love. Why did Chen Lili call Sang Lun a big oaf? Zhang Sheng finally felt a little empathy. He was Sang Lun from *The Romance of the Western Chamber*, a chance encounter between different times in Li Bai's poem. Now they were inseparable, sitting at the same table, in the last row. He was in his adolescence, his voice, once capable of singing Faust, was now almost hoarse, and his face was covered in acne. He liked Sang Lun because there was no barrier between them; they could see into each other's souls. Zhang Sheng knew Sang Lun was the kind of physically strong person who should be playing baseball in America, not wasting his youth sitting here. Sang Lun is a runner, the 10,000-meter champion of the previous bureau sports meet, and an elite member of the Linhai School sports team.

"Teacher, I know I'm all brawn and no brains."

"You've already admitted it yourself, but your deskmate is really good at math, he can help you." Chen Lili's words made the whole class turn around to look, making Sang Lun's face turn bright red. He was nearly two meters tall and very eye-catching. Zhang Sheng also felt embarrassed.

Chen Lili's way of applying pressure is quite unique; it seems like encouragement but actually hides a deadly intent, forcing students to study hard.

"Sit down." In just one day, you become good friends with Sang Lun. Teacher Chen Lili's classes leave no time for idle thoughts. Her skills are unparalleled; she's incredibly observant and attentive. This responsible female instructor, if anyone shows even the slightest sign of mental instability, just whack them with a piece of chalk, instantly raising a large bump on their head. This is the fundamental reason why no student who has graduated from her class has fallen behind in math. No one dares to fall behind; chalk ambushes, whipping pointers—no room for any shortcuts. Only one person has a privilege: last year's 10,000-meter long-distance running champion, "Sang Lun, Sang Lun, Sang Lun!"

Sang Lun was undoubtedly giving face to Teacher Chen Lili. During class, he not only slept soundly but also blatantly lay down. However, his acting skills were commendable; he could sleep with his eyes wide open. Sleeping with such soulful eyes open—what a magnificent art! And since there weren't many TV programs in the evening, for some reason, he seemed cursed by the god of sleep. As soon as he sat down, he would yawn incessantly, as if he had taken sleeping pills.

"Sanglun, your Sanglun is still dreaming with his bull-like eyes wide open." The classroom erupted in laughter.

"What? Ms. Lili, you called me again?" He was used to it. For a while, Ms. Chen had put a lot of pressure on Sang Lun. Ms. Chen Lili genuinely didn't want Sang Lun to give up on his studies and even told him he must get into high school so he could have a chance to go to a sports university and become a police officer. Now that's not going to happen. It's a waste of the athletic talent God gave him. Sang Lun, on the other hand, wasn't cut out for studying. He was a tall, handsome, and fair-skinned young man—he could easily play a heartthrob in a romance drama, or even a bodybuilder!