Many years later, standing on the rooftop across from Xiyuan High School, Lin Quman would always remember that hazy late night when Jin Yan left.
Xiyuan High School was always touting its commitment to a well-rounded education, but in reality, it had long since fallen into the trap of test scores. At the end of June, just after the Class of 2015 had finished their college entrance exams, the school hurriedly moved the sophomore class into the East Building.
Lin Quman gazed absently at their homeroom teacher pacing in front of the classroom and talking nonstop. Her pen doodled mindlessly on the handout, "Close Reading Notes on Chapter Twenty-Six of Dream of the Red Chamber."
"Ahem."
Someone gave her head a light tap.
"Pay attention. Don't secretly do your homework."
A slender, knuckly hand reached out from behind her and took her test paper.
The familiar voice made Lin Quman freeze in her seat, her hand still poised to draw. She hoped the owner of that voice wouldn't notice the uncanny coincidence in the placement of the tiny beauty mark at the corner of the drawn figure's eye.
"I'm confiscating this. I'll give it back after Teacher Tian finishes."
When the classroom grew quiet again, Lin Quman received a brand-new handout.
Theme: Nothing beautiful in this world lasts; rosy clouds disperse easily, and fine glass is fragile
