Hard not to remember such a standout as Teacher Lin.
Lin Huayan checked the time—second self-study nearly over—so she quickened back to the dorm.
Laptop bag on desk, she sank into the chair, pulled out a bottle of watermelon VC lozenges.
Unscrewed, two in her mouth.
Watermelon flavor bloomed from tongue to palate—sweet. Her taste was fine; the flavor unchanged.
Her right hand delved into the bag again, emerging with two cans of beer.
Just two.
For a light, mood-soothing sip.
Over fancy reds or whites, she preferred beer.
Mellow malt aroma.
From clear sweetness to bitterness.
Layered flavors and mouthfeel—not too cooling, not too fiery.
Just right.
Sweet and bitter, perfectly balanced.
Not too much, not too little—just enough to moisten the memories perfectly.
—Happy birthday, Lin Huayan!
—Hey, watch it. I’m your teacher. No calling me by name.
—We’re not teacher and student.
—Lou Yixuan, we’re from the same school, same grade—you’re a student, I’m a teacher. I’ve subbed for your class and tutored you in math. If that’s not teacher and student, then what is?
—I don’t care. I say we’re not, so we’re not.
—What’s with the sudden attitude? Wait until you graduate, then we can be friends.
—Sorry, Teacher Lin. Don’t be mad.
—I’m not mad. Yixuan, thank you for celebrating my birthday, for the cake and dinner you prepared so carefully. Next time—or next year, if there’s a chance—I’ll do it for you.
—There will be. Teacher Lin, next year on this day, no matter where I am in college, I’ll take leave and come back. You have to keep your word—we’ll celebrate together again.
—Deal. What’s with these two cans of beer?
—It’s a day worth celebrating. One for each of us, a little sip to lift the spirits.
—Confiscated. You’re not allowed to drink.
—Oh. So next year, on my eighteenth birthday, can I?
—Next year, yes.
On Mid-Autumn night, when she replied to Lou Yixuan’s 【Happy October】, she was really saying—happy birthday.
Fate had it that Lou Yixuan and her birthdays both fell in October.
One on October 8th.
The other on October 24th.
Lou Yixuan had said they could celebrate together, splitting the difference at October 16th.
So her 29th birthday that year was on October 16th, shared with Lou Yixuan’s 17th.
To be precise, it was Lou Yixuan who gave her the most unforgettable birthday of her life.
But the next year’s birthday, they both broke their promise.
Tomorrow was October 16th again.
Tomorrow wasn’t Wednesday, but it was sports day.
Would Lou Yixuan come?
Would she find the same “excuse” as during military training to accompany the students, to cheer them on?
Both cans of beer were opened.
Lin Huayan picked up one and gently clinked it against the other.
Yixuan, I’m sorry. And, happy birthday!
Happy 26th birthday to you. And may you be happy every day.
She wanted to wish her smooth sailing in everything, but the long road ahead was no smooth path—riddled with twists, peaks, valleys, and setbacks.
All she could wish for her was to face every bump and hurdle with a smile—”happiness.”
…
October 16th fell on a Thursday. Lou Yixuan had no classes at either school.
She spent half the day at Haifan Art School, seriously auditing other color theory teachers’ classes.
After lunch, Du Heming sent her a voice message: “Lou Lou, you’re really not coming? Let me tell you, your class’s little treasures are fierce—took first place in two events this morning alone. Our class doesn’t have a single first yet; our best is second in the boys’ 200-meter.”
Lou Yixuan replied: 【I’m studying too—can’t drop the ball.】
Du Heming: “Fine, fine. The sea of learning knows no bounds. Be the good role model for your treasures, Teacher Lou.”
【Lou Yixuan: I’ll try!】
Just past 2 p.m., HR asked if she was on campus today; if so, she could head to the photo studio to retake her headshot.
The PR department was collecting headshots of top students from each major, with a pro photography and makeup team on site.
As one of the teachers missing her promo photo, Lou Yixuan naturally cooperated.
When she arrived at the studio, Mo Jinyu—the dean of the film and media department—was posing in front of the gray backdrop.
Eight years later, Haifan Art School’s youngest dean in history still shone as brightly as ever.
“Hello, I’m Lou Yixuan from the Art Teaching Center.”
The photo assistant checked the teacher list and led her to makeup: “Teacher Lou, get made up first. Mo Dean’s almost done—you’re next.”
Headshots went quick; teacher makeup was simple. The whole process took just over ten minutes.
“Mo Dean, check the proofs.”
“Does this pose look a bit too mature?”
Mo Jinyu was the shining face of Haifan Art School’s management and faculty team—her headshots got the most use, so she updated them every couple years.
The studio door swung open again: “You’re done already? Am I late?”
“How’d you get here? Is CEO Xi that free?” Mo Jinyu tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Is the design department not busy enough?”
“I… I came to check on the teachers’ headshots. Design uses them a lot—poses, composition, lighting. I can sync with the photographer to lighten our workload.”
Xi Manchu smirked and sidled behind Mo Jinyu: “Let me fix it. How about pinning it up? It’ll highlight your vibe better.”
“The last ones were pinned. Want a change of style.”
“Whatever you want.”
The photographer, from Haifan’s regular studio, knew their relationship.
He immediately grabbed the camera for Xi Manchu: “Manchu-jie, I just shot a set of Mo Dean…”
“That won’t do. No need to look.”
Mo Jinyu cut in urgently. “Reshoot the set.”
The photographer jumped. “Oh, right, right. Mo Dean, let’s reshoot.”
Xi Manchu, using her position, whispered teasingly in Mo Jinyu’s ear with a sly grin: “Wifey, you scared the little sis.”
Teased by her wife, Mo Jinyu’s cheeks warmed as she elbowed back: “Don’t mess around. Mind your manners.”
“Got it, Mo Dean. Won’t mess. Coffee after the shoot?”
“We’ll see post-shoot.”
Guided from the side, Xi Manchu captured the most beautiful Mo Jinyu in her eyes—preserved forever in the camera.
It wasn’t the photographer’s fault; lovers knew each other best, catching the most natural, perfect moments.
“Teacher Lou, you’re up. Come on over.”
Hearing the assistant call, Xi Manchu—who was about to leave with Mo Jinyu—glanced back.
Mo Jinyu turned too: “What is it?”
Not many “Lou”s around. Xi Manchu turned on instinct.
Eight years ago—her first year at Haifan’s branding center—coincided with peak art exam results season. Promo for top school exam scores was prime PR work.
Among that year’s stellar results, a “Lou”-surnamed art major dominated—top in unified and school exams.
“Lou Yixuan” appeared on every Haifan promo material.
With her photo.
An elegantly beautiful girl.
Name and face both unforgettable.
She clearly remembered the faculty insisting—Jinghua Academy of Fine Arts is a lock with her academics.
Jinghua, China’s top art university; even just qualifying was elite.
But that year, branding never got her admission news.
Faculty sighed; no one knew where Lou Yixuan ended up. She vanished.
Feeling eyes on her as she headed to the backdrop, Lou Yixuan glanced over, meeting Xi Manchu and Mo Jinyu’s gazes.
She caught a flicker of surprise in Xi Manchu’s eyes.
“Mo Dean.”
She only recognized Mo Jinyu beside Xi Manchu, but Mo Jinyu didn’t know her.
Mo Jinyu nodded slightly: “Mm, hello.”
No interest in chatting; Lou Yixuan had no reason to fake extroversion.
She hadn’t tested, but she knew she was an introvert.
Just a tad more smiley, chatty, proactive than Lin Huayan… an introvert.
“Nothing. Let’s go.”
Xi Manchu’s hand naturally settled on Mo Jinyu’s lower back. “That coffee shop I love has a new seasonal. First cup’s on you.”
“Just you? Or all of us?”
“Can’t turn down the hospitality! I love you! They love you too!”
“Thanks for the hype, CEO Xi.”
“No problem.”
Lou Yixuan felt like Xi Manchu smiled at her before leaving.
The photographer flipped through Mo Jinyu’s latest proofs, sighing to the assistant: “Mo Dean and Manchu-jie have such a solid relationship—total wife goals in my book.”
“If Boss Wei hears that, she’ll dock your pay?”
“Wei-jie and Teacher Qi have been married two years, right? Weekly squabbles, monthly blowouts—studio’s on edge.”
“Haha.” The assistant shook with laughter. “Watch it, or I’ll tattle to the boss and boss lady.”
“Go ahead.”
“No more joking. Hurry and shoot Teacher Lou—the students are coming soon.”
Lou Yixuan spaced out.
So Mo Dean was married too.
To another woman.
And they worked openly at the same place.
That “Manchu” looked a bit younger. What were they before dating?
Perhaps…
Teacher and student, in a way?
She shot her headshot straight-laced, then headed downstairs, out the lobby, to the playground for air.
Stepping onto the empty basketball court, the overcast sky—smothered by heavy clouds—began peeking light through cracks.
The thick clouds seemed moved by this unyielding force, slowly parting.
Sunlight—that warm, brilliant light—finally broke through.
Eager rays pierced like swords, slashing the gloom, bringing light and hope.
The sky brightened; the sun warmed.
The world recolored—from drab gray to vibrant hues.
“Hi there.”
A takeout coffee extended from the side. “You’re… Lou Yixuan, right?”
Lou Yixuan snapped back, turning right—the Xi CEO from Mo Dean’s shoot, Xi Manchu.
She didn’t take it: “Yeah, that’s me. Hi.”
Xi Manchu offered again: “Hot latte, Mo Dean’s treat. Share of the spoils—don’t refuse.”
After a pause, Lou Yixuan smiled and accepted: “Thanks, Mo Dean. And… CEO Xi.”
Xi Manchu sipped her own, standing shoulder-to-shoulder.
“Leaving here, coming back as teacher from student—settling in? Feels like another world?”
“All new.”
“Yeah. Renovated new, ever-fresh new, timeless new.”
Somehow, though Lou Yixuan smiled, Xi Manchu sensed unmelting sadness in it—eyes too deep for a twenty-something.
Sun warmed her skin, coffee her hands; Lou Yixuan felt toasty inside out.
She sipped high—tasted osmanthus rice wine notes—then another.
“Perfect seasonal flavor.”
“Tasty, right?”
“Yeah. No wonder you’re rushing for it.”
Cough… “Not that rushed. Mostly…” Wanted to act cute with my wife.
Xi Manchu’s voice softened; Lou Yixuan was struck—this “CEO” still blushed so easily.
A bell rang—break time.
“Teacher Lou, I’m in branding design. Hit us up for any promo needs, online or off.”
“Sure.”
“Slacking time over—back to the office. Catch you later!”
“Catch you.”
After parting with Xi Manchu, Lou Yixuan headed to the Art Office, staring thoughtfully at her coffee.
Barely sat when she chugged a big gulp.
Downed it gulp by gulp, pulled up ride app on her phone—destination: Tianmu Middle School.
