From the blazing summer to the harsh winter.
She had always been busy with people and things around her, neglecting the most fundamental issue—herself.
It was not until this moment that she suddenly realized, after her rebirth, what she needed to change the most was actually herself!
Accidents could be prevented, family bonds could be extended, one could study harder, love was like being cultivated in a ’Petri dish.’
Yet, she always felt like there were other changes needed within herself...
It was her attitude towards life!
In her past life, she was disheartened and muddled through each day as it came, becoming accustomed to a mediocrity that lulled her into contentment.
In this life, she harbors dreams and aspirations that spur her on, powering through with unrestrained vigor!
What a wonderful feeling it is!
To have a heart that yearns, and a life still long to live.
All of a sudden, Pushkin’s poem emerged in Zhen Yu’s mind, and she recited it unwittingly.
"If life deceives you,
Do not be sad, do not rush!
Gloomy days will pass:
Believe, joyous days will come!
The heart forever yearns for the future;
Yet now it tends to sorrow.
And that which has passed,
Will become cherished memories."
Zhen Yu’s voice grew softer and her nose more sore as she lowered her head, gently clenching her fists.
She blinked back the tears to the corners of her eyes.
Zhen Yu didn’t want others to see her vulnerability, even if that person was Han Mingyue.
In the times ahead, she wanted to face life with positivity, to live each day earnestly and do everything sincerely.
To become the bravest version of herself.
She was startled by a warm touch on her head and forgot to look up.
With only two people in the room, could it be Han Mingyue?
Zhen Yu didn’t know how to react and simply kept her head down obediently.
When Zhen Yu softly recited the first line of the poem, Han Mingyue had stopped writing.
But he didn’t turn around until he felt her voice growing fainter, from sorrowful to barely audible, and then he turned to look at her.
For some reason, looking at the dark top of the girl’s head, he felt an exceptional sorrow, hard to bear.
Reaching out was an instinctive reaction to comfort her, though he was unsure what to say.
So he just gently ruffled her hair.
After doing so twice, he didn’t really want to let go; he paused for a moment, smoothed her hair again, and then reluctantly withdrew his hand.
Zhen Yu looked up, "Mm."
Zhen Yu smiled gently, "It’s nothing, keep writing."
Han Mingyue gazed at her shimmering eyes for a while, then silently turned his head to continue writing.
Han Mingyue spent half an hour writing a script for a singing contest, and then had Zhen Yu read it.
Reading through it, he was not satisfied and took it back for revisions, making several drafts, and finally, when Zhen Yu agreed to memorize it, an hour had already passed.
Zhen Yu’s superb memory allowed her to remember everything after just a few reads, and then she wanted to go to the living room to practice.
"Practice here! I’ll be your audience and help you find any shortcomings," Han Mingyue stopped Zhen Yu, saying.
Zhen Yu pondered for a moment before nodding, "Alright then."
She indeed was facing these things for the first time, so it would be good to get some advice from someone.
In the time that followed, Han Mingyue gave Zhen Yu some advice from the perspective of a real audience, all concerning some particularly noticeable issues.
Like stumbling nervously, standing there stiffly, eyes fixed on a single spot, and other similar things.
After several attempts, when Zhen Yu was finally able to recite the script fluently and calmly, Han Mingyue also gently applauded her.
The two exchanged smiles, and since Zhen Yu’s throat was dry from talking, she signaled the end of the practice.
Han Mingyue went out to get two cups of water, placed them on the table, and walked out again.
Sitting in the chair, Zhen Yu slowly drank water and pondered whether there was still room for improvement.
Han Mingyue brought the living room fruit plate in, set it on the small round table by the bed, and looked up to ask Zhen Yu, "Oranges or apples?"
"Apples." Zhen Yu disliked sour, so she conservatively chose apples and walked over to the young man, putting down her water cup.
Upon hearing this, Han Mingyue started to peel an apple.
Zhen Yu reached out, "I can peel it myself."
Han Mingyue dodged, "Let me do it."
Seeing him refuse, Zhen Yu simply squatted in front of the small round table, watching him peel the apple.
With elbows resting on her knees and hands supporting her chin.
Han Mingyue peeled the apple skin into one long strip, unbroken from end to end, evidently doing this often.
The moment the apple peel fell onto the table, Zhen Yu asked, "Are you eating? Shall we each have half?"
Han Mingyue glanced at the girl, "Okay."
After speaking, he cut the apple in half, put down the knife, and handed her half of it.
Zhen Yu had just taken the half apple and was about to bite when she was suddenly yanked up.
"Ah?" With her mouth still open, she bit into nothingness because her arm was pulled away.
It wasn’t until Han Mingyue pulled her to sit on the edge of the bed, "Sit down to eat!" The young boy spoke with a hint of reprimand.
"Oh!" Zhen Yu obediently sat down and started crunching on the apple with Han Mingyue.
As they were eating, Han Mingyue suddenly turned and asked, "Do you hope you can be chosen as the host?"
"Yes." Zhen Yu replied without hesitation.
Qiao Xian was very considerate, taking the opportunity to explain on stage during Monday’s morning self-study.
It was Teacher Cao who ’informed’ him, asking Zhen Yu to cooperate with him in running for the position of host.
Although there was inevitable behind-the-back snide remarks, no one dared to bring it up openly since it was an order from the homeroom teacher.
Because Monday was for individual preliminaries, Zhen Yu and Qiao Xian hadn’t practiced together.
After all, it was still uncertain whether they would pass the first round~
On Monday afternoon, after the third period math class, Zhen Yu and Qiao Xian were directly led away by Teacher Cao.
The location, the school cafeteria.
Siying School was small and facility-wise behind the times, lacking a proper auditorium, and most activities were held outdoors in spring, summer, and autumn.
In the bitterly cold winter, they had no choice but to retreat to the cafeteria. The tables and chairs would be moved to the sides, leaving the students to stand in the center.
For the host selection, each class nominated two people; the judges consisted of teachers involved in the arts and a school leader, so the crowd was small, only taking up a corner of the cafeteria.
When Teacher Cao brought the two into the cafeteria, there were already some people there.
Instructing them to find a corner to sit, Teacher Cao then joined the other teachers in conversation.
Zhen Yu could only whisper with Qiao Xian.
After all, Qiao Xian had been the class president for many years, accustomed to speaking in front of a crowd.
Seeing Zhen Yu’s composed face, therefore not too tense himself, he quietly asked her, "Are you confident?"
"No." Zhen Yu was looking at a familiar figure in the distance, answering briskly.
You’re not here just to muddle through and leave, are you? You must have never been ’thrashed’ by Old Cao!