Chapter 4: First Love Boyfriend

  Seeing the thick and majestic school gate of Yu Ning Middle School, as well as the students entering one after another, Zhou Hao felt a surge of emotion in his heart. It had been a long time since he last came back. Taking a deep breath, he tightened the backpack on his back and stepped into the school gate.

  The scenery in Yu Ning Middle School is not much different from Zhou Hao's memory, with a row of lush banyan trees on both sides of the campus road, and the simple teaching building shining brightly in the sunlight. The new gymnasium in the distance is still under construction, only the outer layer of bamboo and mesh can be seen.

  Following the path of memories, he arrived at Class 1 of Grade 2 and saw that many classmates had already gathered in the classroom. Looking at those familiar yet unfamiliar faces that now appeared before his eyes again, Zhou Hao's heart rose with an indescribable emotion. He looked up at the "Class 1 of Grade 2" sign on the door and stepped into the classroom with one foot.

  "Zhou Hao, good morning." A boy with a short haircut and a slightly chubby build flashed a brilliant smile at Zhou Hao.

  Seeing this chubby boy, memories of the past came flooding back. The boy's name was Liu Shichao, Zhou Hao's deskmate and also his best friend during middle school. After graduation, Liu Shichao went to Beijing to make a living and only occasionally kept in touch with Zhou Hao. Now seeing his old friend again after all these years, Zhou Hao felt quite excited but couldn't show it, so he just smiled and said: "You're up early too."

  "Where did you go yesterday? I went to your house to look for you, but there was no one at home." Liu Shichao asked while holding Zhou Hao's plagiarized homework.

  Thinking of yesterday's visit to Zhou Lichang's house to borrow money and being ridiculed by Xu Yongwei, Zhou Hao felt annoyed again, vowing to "repay" them well in the future. At the same time, he also said to Liu Shichao: "No, I accompanied my mom to do something yesterday."

  Liu Shichao was busy copying his homework, "But I saw the girl opposite your house seems to be waiting for you to come back." As he said this, he suddenly raised his head, and a pair of eyes narrowed into a slit. "Zhou Hao, tell me the truth, who is that girl? She looks very pretty, much prettier than the girls in our class."

  As soon as he finished speaking, the girl with a few freckles in front of him suddenly turned around and glared at him, "What if I'm not pretty? What if I'm not good enough? You're just a disgusting fatso, who would fall for you?"

  "Hey! I'd let it slide if you called me fatty, but why do you always have to add the word 'dead' in front? It's really unlucky." Liu Shichao protested indignantly.

  "Go ahead and call me a fat boy, what can you do to me?" The girl not only wasn't afraid of Liu Shi Chao, but instead raised her head high and puffed out her chest, with a fierce look as if she was ready to fight Liu Shi Chao.

  "You" Liu Shichao didn't dare to do anything to her, after all, fighting among boys is a common thing, but if you hit a girl, the whole middle school period will be unbearable, besides, he didn't mean to quarrel with her seriously.

  Next to them, Zhou Hao couldn't help but chuckle at the loving couple. The girl's name was Luo Hui, and she had been at odds with Liu Shichao throughout middle school, often quarreling over trivial matters. Yet, they had gotten married suddenly after graduating from college, shocking everyone. When serving as best man for Liu Shichao, he had said to Zhou Hao with a bitter face: "When I first saw her in middle school, I knew that my life was doomed to be ruined by her."

  At this time, the girl sitting next to Luo Hui pulled her hand slightly and whispered: "Don't make trouble, class is about to start."

  Seeing the girl's profile, Zhou Hao patted his own forehead and said in his heart: "And her, how could I forget?"

  Her name is Gao Jingyi, and she's extremely beautiful. At that time, Wang Xijun couldn't compare to her. She was the undisputed class beauty of Zhou Hao's class, and many senior boys had pursued her. However, she had a proud temperament and was cold and distant towards everyone. Zhou Hao had never heard of her discussing romance with anyone. In later alumni gatherings, Zhou Hao occasionally saw her again, and at that time, she looked even more beautiful and mature than in middle school. However, she remained single and was never seen bringing a boyfriend to the gatherings.

  When sitting behind her, Zhou Hao occasionally caught a glimpse of her snow-white neck inadvertently exposed, bringing great visual impact and psychological disturbance to Zhou Hao at that time.

  Just as everyone was indulging in memories of the past, a white figure walked into the classroom and went straight to the podium. With a crisp and pleasant voice, she said to the students below: "Alright, classmates, let's start class."

  Summoned back by this familiar voice, Zhou Hao looked up at the podium with some excitement, his heartbeat also accelerating uncontrollably.

  The person on the stage had a head of beautiful black hair, a pair of bright big eyes and a cherry-like red lip, smiling always gave people a comfortable feeling like spring breeze, unknowingly warming others' hearts. At this time, she was wearing a milky white shirt with a grey knee-length skirt, looking elegant and dignified.

  This beautiful woman is the head teacher of Class One, Grade Two and also the English teacher of this class - Li Ruolan.

  Li Ruolan just graduated from Normal College this year and became Zhou Hao's class teacher in the first year, which is only about 23 years old now.

  For Zhou Hao, compared to the childhood sweetheart Wang Xijun and the aloof Gao Jingyi who gave people infinite fantasy, Li Ruolan was his true first love, even if it was just a one-sided secret crush.

  In his previous life, Zhou Hao pursued Zeng Ying regardless of everything, just because Zeng Ying had some resemblance to Li Ruolan in her eyebrows and eyes.

  Zhou Hao felt that Li Ruolan was a bit like the popular actress Liu Yifei from the previous generation, giving people a pure and innocent feeling. However, Zhou Hao thought that if he had to compare them, Li Ruolan was much more beautiful than Liu Yifei.

  In order to get Li Ruolan's attention, Zhou Hao worked very hard in English class and had even won a first prize in the English Olympiad. However, things didn't go as planned, and Zhou Hao's excellent English grades made Li Ruolan feel at ease, instead shifting her attention to those students who were struggling.

  "This time, I definitely can't participate in that Olympic crap." Zhou Hao stared at Li Ruoshan on the stage and thought to himself: "In future English exams, I'll have to deliberately let it slide, best if Teacher Li gives me one-on-one tutoring."

  Li Ruolan's lectures are very serious, because her own strength is very solid, plus her own experience in learning English, the English scores of Class 1, Grade 2 have always been leading the whole grade. Moreover, many boys in the class, like Zhou Hao, admire Li Ruolan very much, and the seriousness of the English class is unmatched by other subjects.

  Every time Li Ruolan's gaze shifts over here, Zhou Hao immediately sits up straight, afraid of giving her a bad impression. Even Liu Shichao next to him often passes notes to Zhou Hao, writing on them what clothes Teacher Li wore today, saying how beautiful she looks and so on.

  When the bell rang, Li Ruolan's gentle voice floated over, "Zhou Hao, come here for a moment."

  Zhou Hao was stunned, and only then remembered that he hadn't paid his tuition yet. Li Ruolan called out to him, saying he should come with her for this matter, so he hastily stood up from his seat and followed behind Li Ruolan as she left the classroom.

  As Li Ruolan arrived at the English teaching and research office in the office building, other teachers had gone to class, so there were only two people left in this spacious office: Li Ruolan and Zhou Hao.

  "Teacher Li, this is my tuition for this year. Don't mind that it's late," Zhou Hao said as he handed over the tuition in an envelope to Li Ruolan.

  When Li Ruolan saw the envelope handed over by Zhou Hao, she hesitated for a moment before revealing a faint smile. "I also wanted to tell you that if your family is really having difficulties, I can help you apply for a scholarship from the school."

  Looking at Li Ruolan's smile like a faint orchid, Zhou Hao was very moved and shook his head: "No need, Teacher Li, I'm fine."

  Li Ruolan sat in the chair, looking at Zhou Hao sideways. "Zhou Hao, I know you study very hard and that your family is under a lot of financial pressure. I hope you can overcome these difficulties. Remember, only knowledge can help your family get out of trouble. If there's anything you need my help with, just let me know and I'll do my best to assist you."

  "Got it, teacher. I will." Zhou Hao was somewhat unconvinced by Li Ruolan's words, as knowledge often couldn't help him escape the cruel reality. However, he appreciated Li Ruolan's concern. Moreover, standing beside Li Ruolan, Zhou Hao could smell the fragrance of her hair.

  "By the way, there's one more thing."

  "Huh?" Zhou Hao suddenly came back to his senses.

  Li Ruolan handed a volume to Zhou Hao, "Your English grades are also top-notch in the class, so the teacher wants you to participate in this year's English Olympiad."

  Zhou Hao heard this and thought that Teacher Li was indeed going to let him participate in the English Olympiad. He immediately wanted to refuse, "Teacher Li, my English isn't good, I haven't grasped a lot of grammar rules, going to the competition would be embarrassing for the school."

  "How could that be?" Li Ruolan smiled lightly, "In the previous semester's final exam, English ranked third in the grade. If such results are not considered good, then wouldn't the other classmates be even worse off?" After thinking for a moment, she said: "Or else, since you say there are many grammatical points that haven't been grasped, I'll help tutor you."

  "Private tutoring?" Zhou Hao asked hastily, because in his previous life when he participated in the Olympic competition, the one who gave them English tutoring was that fifty-year-old senior.

  But then Li Ruolan also thought of the problem, "However, it seems that the class has already decided to let the class director give you students a lecture and tutoring after class."

  "Impossible, teacher. I have to go home and help my mom with things after school, so I won't be able to stay in school for the senior's tutorial class."

  "Alright, I'll mention it to our class then. Let me come over to your place tonight and tutor you."

  "Really?" Zhou Hao was extremely excited to be alone with his first love.

  Seeing Zhou Hao's excited expression, Li Ruolan still thought he was enthusiastic about this competition. "It can't be determined yet, I have to explain your special situation to the class, and hopefully, the class will approve."

  Zhou Hao said: "Anyway, thank you teacher."

  "If you want more teachers like me, then work harder in competitions." Li Ruolan smiled.

  "Don't worry, teacher. That competition won't be a problem. When the time comes, I'll give you the first prize certificate!" Zhou Hao was clear about the competition questions and naturally had absolute confidence.