Chapter 47: Exclusive to Jinjiang 1/2

On a weekend evening, after Song Fuzhi returned to school, he resumed his role as the serious class teacher.

Before the evening self-study session started, Song Fuzhi, as usual, conducted a random patrol, silently standing at the classroom door.

Even though it was still break time, the students were well-behaved, with most of them quietly studying, and conversations were kept to a minimum.

After scanning the room twice, Song Fuzhi’s gaze paused. In the middle of the third row, a boy and a girl were sitting side by side.

Song Fuzhi noticed them because the boy’s assigned seat was in the first row, but he had temporarily switched seats with the girl’s deskmate, sitting next to the girl.

Both of them were focused on their homework, their elbows lightly touching.

The students in the front row noticed Song Fuzhi and immediately turned to gossip with each other, whether to report or for some other reason; it wasn’t clear.

Song Fuzhi suddenly remembered that, this semester, he seemed to see these two students together from time to time.

After the evening self-study, they waited for each other, and during morning exercises, they walked side by side as if nothing had happened.

Recently, Song Fuzhi had been nourished by love, being cared for by his lover. His perception in this aspect had surprisingly become much sharper.

He didn’t say anything and quietly observed at the door for a while before returning to the office.

The boy’s name was Fang Fan, and the girl was Wu Shuqian, both quiet and studious types.

Fang Fan had excellent grades, consistently ranking among the top few in the class. Wu Shuqian was slightly lower, in the middle of the grade.

After returning to the office, Song Fuzhi pulled up their grades for the semester.

Fang Fan consistently maintained high grades in the class, while Wu Shuqian showed improvement, especially in English, so her overall ranking had risen.

Coincidentally, Fang Fan was also one of the English class representatives.

Song Fuzhi breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed they were helping each other study, and for now, there didn’t seem to be any negative impact.

But “for now” didn’t mean forever, especially during the adolescent phase when romantic feelings were involved. Very few relationships from that time lasted, and some students were even hindered in their studies. Song Fuzhi had witnessed real examples in his previous classes, and it saddened him.

Therefore, Song Fuzhi didn’t intend to turn a blind eye. In the class meeting, a rare sight occurred as Song Fuzhi prepared a PowerPoint presentation.

Maintaining his usual simple style—black text on a white background—the cover bluntly displayed the words, “What is love?”

The students instantly became lively, covering their faces to stifle laughter while whispering to each other. This kind of topic always excites and embarrasses students. They had no idea what had gotten into Song Fuzhi today, bringing up such a topic. It was rare for a teacher to discuss it openly.

Fang Fan and Wu Shuqian exchanged a quick glance from opposite sides of the classroom, thinking they were being discreet. However, Song Fuzhi on the stage could see everything clearly.

Various glances, both overt and subtle, were exchanged, and Song Fuzhi subtly noticed that there might be more than just this one pair showing signs of affection.

It seemed that a wake-up call was indeed necessary.

Song Fuzhi smiled, waiting for the laughter to subside, then pointed to the screen: “Everyone has seen it. In today’s class meeting, let’s talk about love.”

There were no awkward small group discussions or calls on individuals to speak. Song Fuzhi, as always, emphasized logic. He first presented the dictionary definition of love, followed by a real love story.

It was the story of two students Song Fuzhi had taught before. They studied together every day, both getting into the university they desired. After the college entrance exams, they confirmed their romantic relationship and sang a love song together at a class reunion.

At this point, there was a small “wow” from the audience.

Song Fuzhi smiled and continued.

Several years later, when the students returned to visit their teacher, Song Fuzhi asked why they hadn’t come back together. The girl calmly told Song Fuzhi that they had long since broken up; they realized in college that they were not suitable for each other.

The audience expressed a regretful “oh.”

The story was ordinary, but the way Song Fuzhi told it, it was full of ups and downs.

The students were intelligent, and they understood Song Fuzhi’s implied meaning.

First, in academics, love takes a backseat, or else you won’t get into the desired university.

Moreover, the person you liked in high school may not last, as there are too many variables in the future.

Although Song Fuzhi seemed to be simply telling a story without naming names or being explicit, the students who needed to understand should have gotten the message.

Students involved in ambiguous relationships seemed a bit shy, while those who had no such thoughts were unafraid. After Song Fuzhi finished telling the previous students’ story, a bold student asked, “What about you, Teacher Song?”

Every class had some “bold” individuals who dared to ask questions that the general public wouldn’t. Everyone stared at Song Fuzhi, and he, in turn, felt a momentary flashback of the kaleidoscopic and indescribable night from a few days ago.

Song Fuzhi abruptly halted his speech, thinking it was a disaster. It was all because the aftermath was too great and the impression was too deep.

Song Fuzhi coughed lightly, recovered his composure, and said after a pause, “He is the most outstanding person I have ever met.”

Never had they seen such a gentle side of Teacher Song, with eyes full of warmth. The students were astonished.

“So, you all need to make yourselves outstanding first.”

In just a moment, Teacher Song reverted to his usual self. “Only by becoming outstanding can you encounter even more outstanding people.”

—

Shi Zhang entered the office area outside the laboratory with a canvas bag, and the two students all looked up.

Liu Yang asked with concern, “Boss, how’s your wound recovering?”

“Quite well,” Shi Zhang said casually. “If you’re this concerned, you might as well check on the status of the tissue culture. Maybe the microorganisms inside won’t grow so vigorously without your attention.”

Liu Yang immediately fell silent.

Shi Zhang didn’t linger with them much. After confirming some routine progress with other researchers, he left, taking a set of specimen equipment with him.

He also took with him a set of lily petals collected from his bedside.

Shi Zhang had created countless plant specimens from childhood to adulthood, but making such fragmented specimens was a first for him.

It couldn’t even be called a plant specimen; it was more like creating an art collage with imaginative ideas.

Actually, collecting these petals that Song Fuzhi had touched was an impulsive decision for Shi Zhang.

He instinctively didn’t want these plants touched by Song Fuzhi to be discarded. He wanted to preserve them, to be able to recall that moment when he saw them.

It was a tangible representation of private memories. Shi Zhang worked on the specimen alone in his office, even putting up a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door.

He didn’t want anyone to see these petals.