Chapter 56:Exclusive to Jinjiang 1/2

On that day, Mrs. Wang called Song Fuzhi and asked, “I have a bit of an urge to visit our old high school. Would you like to come along?”

Since retiring, Mrs. Wang has found it hard to stay idle. She spent her time at home tending to flowers and plants, often dragging Song Fuzhi and Shi Zhang to visit her.

The “old high school” she mentioned was the one where Song Fuzhi attended and where she had worked for a long time.

It wasn’t a prestigious school; situated in a small town near the city, it admitted students from the local area, resulting in a diverse range of student abilities.

Later, she was transferred to a school in the city, and the whole family followed her to the city.

At that time, the entire family of Song Fuzhi lived in a neighborhood next to the school, an old-fashioned neighborhood without an elevator, but it was almost the best residence in the town.

Song Fuzhi’s adolescence was unremarkable, but her memories of the small town were profound.

That kind of slow-paced life, full of fireworks and a grounded atmosphere, is hard to experience in today’s big cities.

When Song Fuzhi answered Mrs. Wang’s call, Shi Zhang was next to her, engrossed in reading a journal.

As it was also Shi Zhang’s high school, Song Fuzhi wanted to consult his opinion.

Song Fuzhi said to Mrs. Wang, “Let me ask Shi Zhang.”

Mrs. Wang agreed and then hung up the phone.

Shi Zhang quickly looked up and asked, “What’s going on?”

Song Fuzhi said, “My mom wants to visit our high school and asked if we want to go back and take a look.”

Just after saying that, Song Fuzhi suddenly paused, feeling like he shouldn’t have asked.

Shi Zhang’s memories there were not pleasant; he probably wouldn’t want to go back.

Unexpectedly, Shi Zhang nodded quickly. “Sure, I haven’t been back for a long time.”

Song Fuzhi pondered for a moment: “Hmm, do you really want to go?”

The reason he asked was apparent; if Shi Zhang said “yes” out of politeness but didn’t really want to, it would be awkward.

However, Shi Zhang quickly nodded, “I want to. What’s the big deal? I’ve moved on. Besides, my high school life was actually pretty good—good friends, good teachers, and a spiritual pillar.”

Song Fuzhi didn’t care much about the “spiritual pillar” part; he caught onto another point: “Good teachers?”

“That’s Mrs. Wang.” Shi Zhang lowered his eyes, his tone solemn. “Without her, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

This was one of the rare positive comments Song Fuzhi heard about his mother from her students, but he could easily imagine they were all positive.

Perhaps Wang Huiling wasn’t always a responsible mother, but she was undoubtedly a good teacher.

Song Fuzhi rubbed Shi Zhang’s cheek. “If you feel uncomfortable on the way, tell Mrs. Song.”

Shi Zhang chuckled, “Sure, Teacher.”

They set off on the weekend, with Shi Zhang driving, Song Fuzhi in the passenger seat, and their parents in the back. They chatted about everyday topics throughout the journey.

During the trip, Song Fuzhi’s phone kept vibrating. Luolüli had sent him the edited video and was eagerly asking him to watch it. She exclaimed, “Check it out quickly! Isn’t it amazing? It’s fantastic!”

While Shi Zhang focused on driving, the parents dozed off in the back.

Song Fuzhi discreetly put on his earphones, lowered the screen brightness, and raised his phone to watch the video Luolüli had sent.

The video’s concept and shots were suggested by Song Fuzhi, and Luolüli helped bring them to life.

For the entire series, Song Fuzhi wanted to interpret the character in his own way but also incorporate elements of Octopus Teacher’s version of the cosplay.

Since Octopus Teacher’s final cosplay work was a convention photo, the background of the photos was the convention’s shops with pedestrians passing by.

The character itself belonged to a fantasy world, so Song Fuzhi added some modern elements to the video.

The young silver-haired war god walked confidently on the modern streets, adorned in light armor. The camera followed him, outlining a cold yet beautiful profile.

Various colorful shops lined the street behind him. Occasionally, a passerby would turn to look at him, captivated.

When the war god passed an old telephone booth, the background suddenly shifted. The modern small street transformed into a grand fantasy palace, with white marble columns collapsing at the war god’s feet.

In the distance, the sky shimmered with bright blue light. He opened his arms, and the silver hair fluttered in the wind, welcoming the arrival of light amid the chanting of worshippers.

From the modern to the otherworldly, the war god seemed to possess the power to freely traverse different times and spaces. He appeared as if he could really show up in some corner of the earth.

The effect far exceeded Song Fuzhi’s expectations.

He hadn’t expected Luolüli to create such a detailed scene. Initially, he thought a close-up of the palace pillars would be enough, but Luolüli had given him an entire world.

Song Fuzhi: Ah, Luolü, you’re amazing.

Luolüli: It’s nothing, just my old skills!

Song Fuzhi: Three parts for my cosplay, seven parts for your world-building.

Luolüli: I think your ideas are good. Special effects these days aren’t that difficult.

Suddenly, they found themselves engaging in mutual praise, something Song Fuzhi wasn’t used to. He smiled and scratched his ear.

Song Fuzhi: I’m sending it now; no need for further edits.

Luolüli: Go ahead. I’m waiting for you to set the stage on fire.

In reality, Song Fuzhi was quite nervous.

The last time he posted the swordsman cosplay from the convention, it was a spontaneous decision, and he was in a relaxed state, akin to documenting his life.

But this time was different. This was a gift for a senior figure in the cosplay community, and if the cosplay wasn’t good, Song Fuzhi wouldn’t even be able to present it.

Before the seniors saw it, the work would be scrutinized by the keen eyes of the masses. If many people thought the cosplay was bad, it was likely doomed.

So, before pressing the send button, Song Fuzhi’s heart was pounding, feeling like he was about to be pushed onto the judgment seat.

He suddenly felt the same way he did when he handed in an exam paper in class.

And the big teacher marking the papers was sitting right beside him, yet he couldn’t show it to him yet. It was even more torturous.

“Fuzhi?”

Suddenly, Shi Zhang’s voice came, and Song Fuzhi’s fingers trembled, pressing the send button.

He also took out his earphones and quickly dimmed the screen. Song Fuzhi pretended to be calm and responded with a casual “Hmm,” looking at Shi Zhang as if nothing happened.

Although his heart was beating rapidly,.

The feeling of secretly submitting homework under the teacher’s nose was too exciting.

Shi Zhang raised his chin slightly. “Can you help me check the navigation? Which exit is it at the upcoming interchange?”

Song Fuzhi hurriedly responded with two “Oh’s” and opened the navigation to check.

When he earnestly entered the destination, Shi Zhang suddenly asked in a gentle tone, “Were you chatting just now?”

Song Fuzhi’s fingers trembled again, and he nodded, saying, “Yes.”

Afterward, he hastily added, “With an ordinary friend.”

Shi Zhang paused for a few seconds and then chuckled softly. “So eager to explain.”

Song Fuzhi realized he had overreacted and regained some confidence. “I just didn’t want you to misunderstand.”

“No misunderstanding,” Shi Zhang glanced at him quickly and said softly. “I just felt you were chatting happily, and you had your headphones on. I called you twice before you heard.”

Song Fuzhi awkwardly uttered an “Ah” and then an “Oh,” and his lips slowly curled up. “Did Professor Shi not dip dumplings in vinegar at lunch?”

In the back seat, Mrs. Wang, who was sleeping soundly, raised an eyebrow discreetly. Mr. Song, who had just been lightly snoring, changed his position in silence with his eyes closed.

—

The family stayed at a hotel in the center of the town, conveniently with two legally coupled couples in adjacent rooms.

By now, it was not early, and the former high school had closed its doors, so they planned to visit it the next day.

The family took a stroll on the streets, bathed in the sunset. Having lived here for a long time, they had a lot to chat about.

“It’s changed a lot.” Old Song walked with his hands behind his back, feeling sentimental. “The streets used to be narrow and dilapidated, but now they’re all smooth cement roads.”

Mrs. Wang pointed to a place not far away, saying, “That used to be a bookstore. I used to go there every day to see if there were new practice problems.”

Song Fuzhi laughed and nudged Shi Zhang’s elbow. “Mrs. Wang used to replenish her teaching materials from here and then deal with you guys.”

Shi Zhang blinked. “Mrs. Wang had a tough job dealing with us.”

Mrs. Wang gave Shi Zhang a stern look. “I remember that day. When I came to pick up the ordered teaching materials, I saw you sitting on the floor reading a book full of drawings of plants in this store. It made me so angry. This child actually skipped class to look at flowers and plants.”

Old Song was somewhat surprised. “He used to skip class when he was young.”