Shenghai, Greek Holiday, a high-end bar located in the bustling commercial district of the Bund.
At midnight, heavy rain poured down, yet it did nothing to dampen the nightclub’s fervent atmosphere.
Amidst the vibrant lights and alcohol, couples of handsome men and beautiful women twisted their bodies wildly to the deafening DJ music, indulging themselves wantonly, the air thick with the scent of hormones.
Su Zelin sat expressionlessly at a certain VIP booth, a Rausch cigar in his mouth, watching indifferently as a few companions reveled with abandon.
He had no interest in seeking romance; tonight was merely a business engagement.
A gust of perfumed wind, a female internet celebrity with some fame on Douyin quietly seated herself beside him.
She wore exquisite makeup, with dark purple eyeshadow applied deeply, fiery red lips, and her black stockings-clad long legs under the body-hugging skirt exuded silent temptation under the continuously flickering laser lights.
"President Su, it’s a pleasure to meet you tonight, shall we have another drink?"
The internet celebrity raised the crystal glass in her hand with a coquettish look and voice.
The Lafite wine in the glass appeared even more blood-red against the bright nails, creating a strong visual impact.
This young executive is renowned in the circle as a diamond bachelor.
He is young and capable, exuding an imposing manner with a tall figure, unmistakably a model man, a dream partner for many women.
Su Zelin glanced at her lightly.
The internet celebrity was quite pretty, plus she knew how to dress up, easily scoring over eighty-five.
With his vast experience among flowers, if he wanted, he could take this woman away tonight.
Yet Su Zelin gently refused, "No, miss, I have something to do early tomorrow morning!"
The internet celebrity didn’t give up and leaned slightly against Su Zelin, her hot enticing body emanated a strong and rich scent of perfume.
"President Su, tomorrow’s matters can wait until tomorrow. Tonight, I feel we should be busy with something else, like seizing the day."
She nearly lay half on Su Zelin’s shoulder, breathing fragrant words.
Su Zelin frowned, looking at the heavy makeup snake-like face, unfounded aversion rose in his heart.
"Sorry, it’s a bit stuffy, I’m going out for some air!"
Without leaving a trace, he pushed away the hand holding the crystal glass, stood tall, parted through the dense crowd of guests, and walked straight out of the bar, leaving the internet celebrity with a face of embarrassment.
Outside, torrential rain poured, lightning flashed, and thunder roared. The boundless darkness seemed like a monstrous beast with a gaping bloody mouth lurking on the earth, the city’s neon lights dimmed under its oppression.
The air was less stale, but Su Zelin, with a face like still water, stared into the distance, his mood growing heavier, feeling as if an invisible stone weighed upon his chest.
Several years ago, on a night like this, Qin Shiqing discovered his infidelity and turned away to rush into the downpour, never to return.
Like a walking corpse, he wandered into the street, letting the raindrops the size of beans hit his face.
A bit cold.
Before long, he’d become drenched, but he seemed oblivious.
"Boom!"
A thunderclap exploded nearby, waking Su Zelin as if from a dream.
He inexplicably became furious, raising his middle finger at the gloomy sky: "Fuck you, if you have the guts, strike me dead!"
As soon as he finished speaking, another intense flash of white light descended from the sky.
Without deviation, it struck him squarely.
In the last moment before losing consciousness, Su Zelin abruptly remembered his once uttered vehement vow.
"Qin Shiqing, should I ever betray you, let heaven strike me with lightning, and may I die a wretched death!"
...
"Zelin, wake up!"
In a daze, Su Zelin lifted his head.
This was an old classroom.
The wooden desks in front had passed down through countless generations, covered with scratches, and the lines of small characters etched on the tabletop silently narrated the passage of time.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way!
Must get into Tsinghua or Peking University!
Bai Xiaolei, I love you!
Morning!
Frieza, I’m angry!!!
Lakers are champions, go go go!
...
Whirr whirr whirr...
The iron-blade ceiling fan above spun noisily, its age-worn bearings occasionally emitting a piercing noise during high-speed friction.
Dozens of gazes unanimously fell upon Su Zelin, their owners wore young faces once familiar yet long faded in memory.
Su Zelin’s eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief.
Isn’t this the classroom of the third year, second class at Jianglan Middle School?
Am I dreaming?
But why does this dream feel so real!
He bit his tongue hard.
Ouch, it hurts!
This is not a dream!
Could it be that I have been reborn?
On the podium, a female teacher wearing golden rimmed glasses was furious.
The English teacher for class three-year two, He Lisha, although she preferred being called her English name Lisa by the students.
Looking somewhat like Lisa from "iPartment," with a beautiful face, fashionable dress, and a voluptuous figure, she was like a ripe peach, full of allure for the young bloods in the class.
"Student Su Zelin, please read and translate the passage from the exercise I just mentioned!"
Lisa fury was palpable; she was known for being serious and strict in teaching, and this student dared to sleep soundly in her class!
"Su Zelin is too bold, even in Lisa’s class he’s so presumptuous!"
"Hey, you could say, there’s nothing this guy wouldn’t dare to do."
"The college entrance exam is almost here, doesn’t he feel any pressure?"
"..."
The crowd muttered amongst themselves.
The boy with a fair, clean face and glasses sitting to Su Zelin’s left had a look of schadenfreude.
Yet to fully grasp the situation, Su Zelin remained utterly confused at the moment.