Chapter 5: Hello, Old Deskmate

Time slips away, never to return.

Perhaps all I can do is let things take their course.

The last class of the morning is English, my favorite—not only because I excel at it, but also because I get to see Gu Yinyu, my desk mate from junior high, and once again share a desk with her.

Maybe, for me, this is the only joy that comes from tiered teaching.

Yinyu and I became desk mates in the second semester of eighth grade, and remained so until graduation.

Her father teaches physics at First High, and she has a handsome, top-performing older brother who once attended the same school. When we started tenth grade, her brother had just graduated.

Because her brother was exceptionally gifted, especially in physics, and was also the son of a teacher at the school, the teachers often cited him as a model for us.

Yinyu and her brother are very close. Whenever the teachers mention him and cast a meaningful glance in her direction, Yinyu would blush slightly, wearing a proud smile.

Even when teachers openly said, “Gu Yinyu, your physics is very good, but you’re still a bit behind your brother,” she never seemed to live under his shadow, never showed a hint of jealousy or inferiority.

At such times, her eyes would shine and she’d nod in sincere agreement.

When we entered high school and classes were divided, Yinyu was assigned to Class Two. The homeroom teacher was a man nearing forty, who also happened to be our English teacher.

Our English teacher is tall, wears thick black-framed glasses, and sports a full beard, though he keeps it well-shaven, the stubble is still visible.

Mr. Yin, as he is called, teaches with wit and humor, yet students remain wary of him; compared to other classes, his are the most disciplined.

I suspect it has something to do with his formidable beard.

Yinyu both respects and fears Mr. Yin.

She admires him for his integrity and superb English lessons.

But she is also intimidated—beyond his stern demeanor, there is another small reason: she clearly isn’t as naturally gifted in English as she is in physics.

Nonetheless, Yinyu is diligent, and since English mostly requires rote memorization, hard work keeps her grades from slipping too far.

I suppose this is why her father arranged for her to join Class Two; with the English teacher as homeroom teacher, it would surely benefit her English studies.

Yes, children of teachers do have this privilege when it comes to class assignments.

Some might call it unfair—why should teachers’ children get to choose their classes while others must follow arrangements?

But consider how much teachers give for their students: some teach while ill, others care for students as if they were their own children.

And, after all, the difference between classes isn’t so great; in the end, it’s our own efforts that matter most.

Ah, my mind has wandered again, and the math book in my hands remains unread...

The bell rings for the end of class—it’s time for my “old and new desk mate” to switch places.

My current desk mate, Cui Ling, struggles with English and attends English class in Section B, leaving her seat vacant for my old desk mate, Yinyu.

Every time, I find this exchange amusing.

“Hey! I’m here, old desk mate.” Yinyu walks over, hugging her English book and notebook, warmth shining in her eyes.

In that moment, all the gloom in my heart seems to disperse...