Chapter 30: Osmanthus Blooms and Falls (Part 1)
Lu Li had never looked forward to his birthday so much. In his previous life, before marrying An Baili, birthdays were mostly spent slowly brewing a cup of tea by himself, drinking it until evening, and then going out to stroll the streets with An Baili, sitting on the ground in the square next to the university like many other student couples. After they got married, birthdays became an event where he would come home to be sprayed with colorful streamers by An Baili, and then the little couple would happily drink until they were tipsy, provided they hadn’t been fighting.
Youth is a wonderful thing.
Last night, the three ladies had a long chat, and Lu Li had the rare pleasure of enjoying a bed all to himself. He slept very soundly. He dreamed that he proposed to many girls, that he attended his daughter’s parent-teacher conference, and even dreamed of a boss who did nothing but exploit him… A boss? Why would he have a boss? Dreams truly don’t follow logic.
The next day, the day before Lu Li’s birthday, he arrived at school in high spirits. He saw students in groups of three and five, gathered together and discussing something. Just as Lu Li and An Baili settled into their seats, the energetic Silly Goose rushed into the classroom holding an envelope. Instantly, everyone’s gaze fell upon the class president, their eyes filled mostly with curiosity and anticipation. “Class President, did you get your Character Evaluation Book?”
“What grade is Miss Chu?”
“Isn’t that a stupid question?”
A smile bloomed on the Silly Goose’s face. “It’s Superior-Superior.”
So, the Character Evaluation Books were being handed out. Lu Li rested his chin on his hand, watching the girl who was smiling beautifully amidst the crowd. She was stunningly beautiful, as if everything around her was born to be her foil. A thought inexplicably surfaced in Lu Li’s mind: she was like a brilliant firework, a magnificent shooting star, instantly illuminating half the night sky, only to fade into eternal silence, just like in her previous life. He felt like a person setting off fireworks, chasing stars, hoping to forever keep this splash of perfect color within his sight.
Just as Lu Li was lost in his sentimental thoughts, the Silly Goose’s gaze fell upon him, and her eyes suddenly turned gentle, brimming with affection. She walked toward Lu Li, and the crowd naturally parted a path for her. The class president said meekly, “Good morning, Lu Li.” Her tone unconsciously became soft and delicate, as if she were being coquettish.
“Good morning, Jingyi. Congratulations, Superior-Superior.”
“Mhm.” Hearing Lu Li’s praise, Chu Jingyi revealed a sweet, silly smile. Every time she heard a compliment from Lu Li, she would be happy for half the day. “Lu Li, your Character Evaluation Book will be sent out soon too. With the Character Evaluation Book, getting into Mulan University for the interview will be a sure thing! And Baili, yours too.”
An Baili pointed to herself. “I get one too?” She hadn’t received a Character Evaluation Book in her previous life, which meant her performance at school had been truly terrible.
“Of course you do!” the Silly Goose said affirmatively.
An Baili took the class president’s Character Evaluation Book, opened the envelope, and took out a folded piece of cardstock. The cover was printed with a gilt pattern, and in the center was a line of small characters: “Character Evaluation Notice, issued by the Chuanhai Evaluation Committee.” Unfolding it, the text read:
“This is to certify that Miss Chu Jingyi has demonstrated outstanding performance at school. After discussion and decision by the committee, she has been evaluated as Superior-Superior.”
“During her time at school, Miss Chu Jingyi has respected her teachers and elders, studied diligently, and fostered unity among her classmates. She has also organized major school events and presided over student group meetings on multiple occasions. During her tenure as a student cadre in the student council, she rectified the school’s atmosphere and was strict with herself. She is upright and generous, not arrogant or proud of her family background, treats others with peace, and handles matters with principle. She has few shortcomings, and is thus evaluated as Superior-Superior.”
The three words “Superior-Superior” shone with a golden light. An Baili’s mouth fell open in envy. “Is this actually covered in real gold?”
An Baili excitedly grabbed Lu Li’s arm. “Li, let’s go out for dinner with Jingyi tonight, let’s bring Hupo too, as a celebration for Jingyi. I want to eat grilled fish.” Lu Li rubbed his chin; he had the same idea. But to his surprise, the Silly Goose said, “Not today.”
Lu Li looked at the Silly Goose with curiosity, which made the Silly Goose’s face turn red as if she were drunk. Being stared at so directly by Lu Li in front of so many people was already too much for her. This was the kind of girl who would need to wear a red veil at her wedding, shyly holding her husband’s hand.
“Stop looking at me…”
“Jingyi, do you have other work today?” Lu Li asked. “I thought you already stepped down as student council president.”
“I don’t have any more work,” Chu Jingyi stammered, her hands behind her back. An Baili peeked over and could see Chu Jingyi’s fingers twisting together behind her, her heels tapping up and down. An Baili couldn’t help but let out a snicker. She also thought Jingyi was just too silly; she couldn’t even lie properly.
“I don’t have work…” she repeated, as if trying to think of a reason. “But, but, I have other things… I can’t today, but tomorrow, the day after, and the day after that are all fine. Just not today.”
Lu Li believed this Silly Goose truly had private matters to attend to. If this were his past life, he would definitely have tried to find out her plans, attempting to gain complete control of the situation. He suddenly thought of Mei Jinliu, shook his head, and said with a helpless smile, “Alright then, we’ll make it another day.”
In a relationship, leaving personal space was actually a very important thing. Lu Li didn’t want to probe too deeply, even though the Silly Goose was stammering and looking extremely guilty, clearly up to something sneaky.
Seeing that Lu Li didn’t press further, Chu Jingyi quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
When school ended, the Silly Goose parted ways with Lu Li and the others and walked out of the school gate as usual. But this time, she didn’t get on the school bus home. Instead, she turned and walked toward the pedestrian street. The little girl was afraid of being seen by Lu Li or An Baili, taking one step and looking around three times, sneaking all the way to a stationery store. The female shop owner was dozing off. Seeing Chu Jingyi, she shouted in pleasant surprise, “The pretty young lady from the other day, you’re here?”
The Silly Goose frantically shushed her. “Ma’am, please be quiet.”
The shop owner let out the hearty laugh characteristic of a middle-aged woman, then sighed with emotion, “Youth is a wonderful thing.”
The Silly Goose thought of a gangster deal from a TV show, where one person would lower their head and ask in a deep voice, “Did you bring the goods?” and the other would whisper back, “Did you bring the money?” She suddenly had an impulse to imitate it, asking in a muffled voice, “Ma’am, are the goods ready?”
The shop owner smiled and said, “The custom stationery has been ready for a while. Here, the pair of couple’s pencil cases you wanted.” She then laid out two pencil cases, one pink and one blue. Chu Jingyi blushed, a little shy at the phrase “couple’s pencil cases.”
She opened the blue pencil case. Lu Li’s name was laser-engraved on the side, and a special compartment for a photo had been made inside, perfect for putting their picture from last time. She had always remembered Lu Li saying he didn’t have a pencil case, so she thought of giving him one with their photo on it for his birthday tomorrow… As for the pink one, it was a little girlish thought of her own; she wanted to use the same style of stationery as Lu Li.
This custom pencil case was not cheap. Afraid that Lu Li wouldn’t accept such an expensive gift, the Silly Goose deliberately tore off the price tag before having the shop owner put it in a gift box. She carefully held the gift box and walked out of the stationery store. Just thinking about Lu Li’s surprised expression when he received the gift tomorrow made her heart feel like it was flowing with honey.
I have to give Lu Li a surprise, she thought. I can’t just give it to him casually like last year.
