Chapter 1 Edward Harris

　　"The cicadas that summer were louder than any other year, the branches outside the classroom window grew wildly, but still couldn't block out the blazing sun."

　　The top floor of the Mingli Building at the affiliated high school was always noisy during the big break. The class monitor of Grade 11, Class A, drifted into the classroom from the hallway, shouting, "Announcement—someone new is joining our class!"

　　"The little eunuch from the Office of Ceremonies is lying again," someone teased.

　　"You're the damn eunuch! I'm serious."

　　"It's not midterms or finals, why would someone be joining?"

　　"A transfer student."

　　At this, everyone awake in the classroom perked up: "Boy or girl? For real?"

　　"Absolutely! I just saw him, a guy, fair-skinned and pretty handsome." The class monitor smacked his lips and added, "No idea which teacher is so heartless, poaching someone else's school hunk."

　　A chorus of rowdy jeers erupted in the classroom, and a few girls took the opportunity to glance at the back corner of the last row. There, a boy was napping on his desk, one hand covering the back of his head, long fingers slightly curled, wrist bones prominent.

　　It was so noisy around him that he scratched his short hair and turned his head to face the other way.

　　The girls withdrew their gazes, and their voices immediately softened: "Where did he transfer from?"

　　The class monitor named a school.

　　"What the heck? Is there even such a school nearby?"

　　"I've never heard of it either, but it must be a key provincial school, otherwise he couldn't have transferred into our class."

　　"Wait, let me check." The boy speaking sneakily pulled his phone out from under the desk. "No teachers coming, right? Keep an eye out for me."

　　He quickly searched, then stared blankly at the screen: "What the hell?"

　　"What is it?"

　　The boy showed his phone around, and everyone else was stunned too.

　　After a while, someone finally snapped out of it: "He's from out of province? Transferred to Jiangsu after finishing Grade 10 elsewhere? Planning to take the college entrance exam here? Is that handsome guy out of his mind?"

　　The supposedly out-of-his-mind William Bennett was currently waiting for instructions in the academic affairs office.

　　Cicadas screeched endlessly in the dense shade. He moved away from the window and put on his headphones to hear the new voice messages from his dad. Three in a row, each a full minute long—Martin Bennett's usual style.

　　"Your Uncle Little Brooks just called to say you went upstairs by yourself. Why didn't you wait for him? It's better to have someone with you in a new place with new classmates—"

　　"How's the school atmosphere? Is it very different from your old school? They're both key provincial schools, but after all, they're not in the same province—"

　　"Did you meet Old Carter—"

　　The air conditioner in the political education office was a bit old, only cooling certain spots, perfect for middle-aged and elderly folks. William Bennett stood at the air vent, the slight sweat at the ends of his hair being blown cool. He tapped the screen with his finger, only listening to the gist of each message before cutting it off, rolling his eyes at each one, and by the third, he was a bit dazed.

　　Of course he knew Uncle Little Brooks—he was the driver who brought him to register. Cars weren't allowed in the teaching area, and the parking lot was far away. William Bennett found even one extra step a hassle, so he just let him leave first.

　　So...

　　"Who's Old Carter?" William Bennett said, holding down the send button.

　　"You cut off my voice message again?" Martin Bennett replied instantly.

　　William Bennett fanned himself with his collar, pretending the internet had cut out.

　　Martin Bennett called right away, sounding helpless: "Old Carter is the director of the political education office, not very tall, looks pretty decent, maybe a bit stern. He should have been the one to meet you. Did you see him?"

　　William Bennett tried to recall based on the description: "I don't think so. The teacher who took me upstairs was pretty friendly, kept smiling, just looked like Monkey D. Luffy."

　　And short—barely up to William Bennett's shoulder, had to look up to talk. He settled William Bennett in and then went downstairs, saying he was going to get new textbooks.

　　Martin Bennett paused: "Oh, that's probably him."

　　William Bennett: "......"

　　He thought for a moment and said, "Dad, do you think I look decent?"

　　Martin Bennett wanted to smack him.

　　As a businessman, he was a master at saying the right thing to the right person, but he just couldn't keep a straight face with his son.

　　Voices came from outside the door. William Bennett craned his neck for a look: "Monkey—no, Director Carter is here, I'll hang up now."

　　Martin Bennett sped up: "Alright, do your best, try to make a good impression on your teacher on the first day, and don't go giving people nicknames."

　　"Okay." William Bennett replied lazily.

　　"I'll have Little Brooks pick you up tonight. I should be home by then too, and I'll take you—"

　　He hesitated for a moment, then tried to sound casual: "We'll have dinner with your Aunt Harris, the thing Dad talked to you about last time, okay?"

　　William Bennett pressed his lips together.

　　Aunt Harris's name was Owen Harris, and she had a son. He'd never met Owen Harris in person, only seen two photos, and barely paid attention to them.