High school, for most domestic students, is a period you might miss, but certainly wouldn't want to go back to.
The one or two hours of lunch break had to be planned for meals, toilet breaks, naps, plus some fresh air outside.
You could say it's stricter in some aspects than prison management.
The playground is filled with students coming and going.
Playing basketball, playing ping-pong, most are strolling around the playground gossiping about the day's various news, or young couples secretly sitting in the corners, stealthily holding hands like guilty thieves avoiding others' gazes. If they sneak in a kiss, they could feel elated all day long.
It is only during this special period in high school that you can feel this reckless yet restrained rush of youthful hormones.
At School No. 4, the management for school uniforms isn't so strict, except for Monday's flag raising and Friday's dismissal, students can choose freely whether to wear them.
Xu Musen and An Nuannuan walked on the edge of the playground in casual attire, not too conspicuous.
Of course, as long as their faces aren't seen.
In the past, An Nuannuan always sat alone in a wheelchair, had few friends, and every day liked to keep her head down, her hair covering much of her face, appearing gloomy and unapproachable.
But now, she wears a light floral long dress, her long hair fluttering, and under the sunshine, her fair skin is flawless like milky porcelain.
Her slender legs peek a few inches from under her dress hem, and she likes to tiptoe when walking, like a little bunny hopping along.
"Xu Musen, this tree is blooming again, it's so pretty."
She pointed to a row of white Crape myrtle trees planted at the edge of the playground. In Zheng City, these trees usually bloom by May, clusters of red and white petals flourishing.
Clusters of flowers, fresh and elegant.
Raising her hand, An Nuannuan gently touched the flowers, a height she couldn't reach sitting in a wheelchair before, now she could finally hold them in her hands and admire them closely.
Xu Musen stood behind her, the midday sun streaming down, in this breezy and pleasant season, the sunlight carried a touch of warmth and vibrancy, falling on her, amidst the splendid garden, her upturned lips resembled the first sip of ice-cold Sprite in summer.
That is the ultimate youthful sensation mixed with sea salt and lemon.
The girl admires flowers, lovelier than the blooms.
Xu Musen stepped forward, picked a flower and placed it behind her crystalline ear, carefully admiring.
"This way, it's the prettiest."
Xu Musen's eyes were full of her, if only back in high school he could be with her earlier, perhaps their daily life would be .
The petals are white, yet the girl's cheeks are slightly flushed.
What girl doesn't like compliments?
She happily thought of holding Xu Musen's arm.
But just as she reached out, she realized many eyes were quietly watching them.
The playground is just that big, their actions were seen by the students hanging around.
An Nuannuan felt a bit embarrassed, seeing her arm already half holding Xu Musen's, intending to withdraw.
Xu Musen noticed her retracting movements.
"So many people are watching..."
An Nuannuan said softly, hiding behind Xu Musen.
Xu Musen laughed, held her hand back, and openly faced the surrounding students, unashamed: "Let them watch. Getting caught dating at school mostly results in a school-wide announcement. Anyway, it's not my first time being reported."
In the past, every confession from Xu Musen would lead to a school announcement, already a regular on the criticism board.
There's a saying, couples officially endorsed by the country may not all be due to love, but if they are criticized by the school, they must have real feelings.
"Not being recognized for a relationship by the school does take away something. Let's go, at worst we'll be called in, but I don't think our families would oppose us dating."
Xu Musen chuckled, slowly raising their hands, the diamond ring on the ring finger still sparkling.
An Nuannuan couldn't help but laugh, this guy always had such a mischievous streak.
They're already engaged, so they aren't afraid of being called in!
The two walked hand in hand across the school playground.
Naturally drawing many people's attention along the way.
"Which class are they from? They sure are bold, holding hands so openly..."
"Damn, I'm going to report them! This is too blatant, how are us single folks supposed to survive?"
"Alright, alright, they're a perfect match, who are you to object?"
"Can't deny, they're too good-looking, feels like we haven't seen them before..."
Many high schoolers secretly date, but openly flaunting a relationship is quite rare.
Especially since they look so attractive.
An Nuannuan in her light floral dress, simple yet fully displaying her lively and pure beauty.
Her cheeks flushed, far more lovely and vibrant than the flowers by her ear, her bright eyes like clear springs without a hint of impurity.
A spirited young girl, these four words truly fit An Nuannuan at this moment.
Perhaps cuteness pales in comparison to allure.
But the girl's vibrant and radiant charm remains the unshakeable uniqueness in one's teenage years.