"Yes, I've seen him play basketball several times, and the guy waiting to bring him water is the one surnamed Yang, right?" 　　"That's the one. I heard he hasn't been to school for a long time. The two of them were together again at the Yang family gathering this week." 　　"You think he didn't skip a grade back then just so he could stay with him?" 　　"If you ask me, it's a real shame that you don't post an analysis on the forum." 　　... 　　Chen Mo was listening intently when it was already his turn in the queue. 　　The person on duty at the gate today happens to be the head of the second-year high school class, Lai Xianfu, the bald guy who scared Gou Yiyang and his gang like they were being chased by dogs on Friday. 　　Director Lai is actually only in his forties, but he has thinning hair. 　　He recognized Chen Mo. 　　Despite having seen his old records and the news portraying him as a model student, Director Lai managed to force a friendly expression on his usually serious face and said, "I have received your application to live on campus, Chen Mo. Your attitude toward studying hard is commendable. No matter how difficult the conditions were in the past, you must continue to work hard here, study diligently, live up to your own expectations, and live up to your alma mater in the future!" 　　This is so passionate and inspiring. 　　Chen Mo was both warm and somewhat stunned. 　　His high school life here in his previous life was oppressive and stressful. Director Lai was genuinely worried that he wouldn't be able to adapt and told him not to pay attention to what people at school were saying. 　　In the years after Chen Mo graduated, he returned to the school several times and treated him to a meal each time. 　　Despite his advanced age, he is still a grade head. Looking at him with a sense of relief, I said, "When your college entrance exam results weren't ideal, I really thought you would be discouraged. Fortunately, fortunately." 　　During their last meal together, he seemed a little worried and said, "Chen Mo, you don't look well. Have you been unhappy these past few years? Life is only one journey, so don't push yourself too hard." 　　Chen Mo poured him a drink: "I'm fine, thank you for worrying about me all these years." 　　Let's return to the present. 　　Chen Mo, with a casual posture, smiled and said, "Thank you, Director Lai. I'll bring you something next time to repay your guidance." 　　Director Lai frowned and waved his hand, "Chen Mo, this habit of yours is unacceptable..." 　　"It's not expensive. I recently discovered a black sesame paste that's all-natural and additive-free." At this moment, the students around him stopped and stared as he said, "It nourishes the liver and kidneys, protects blood vessels, and... prevents baldness." 　　There were initial snickers, but soon they couldn't suppress them any longer and burst into loud laughter. 　　A familiar teacher nearby joined in the joke: "Director Lai, students these days all know how to bribe. At least one person should be punished by having to read a 300-word self-criticism during the flag-raising ceremony." 　　Director Lai looked at the student in front of him, noticing his relaxed smile. 　　All my worries were like throwing money away. 　　He laughed and scolded, "Why aren't you getting inside yet?" 　　Chapter 9 　　Upon entering the school, Chen Mo first went to the teachers' office for the second-year high school students. The homeroom teacher of the experimental class was surnamed Xiang, Xiang Shenglong, who taught physics to more than a third of the classes in the entire grade. He was in his thirties, wore glasses, and had a rather refined appearance. 　　“Our class’s dormitory spots were already full when the semester started.” He sat behind his desk, his eyes probing, and asked, “There are still spots available in the mixed-gender dorms. Can you accept that?” 　　Chen Mo took the two forms, glanced at them, and said, "I'm fine with either." 　　"Chen Mo." The homeroom teacher called his name, but when Chen Mo looked up, he hesitated and said, "The mixed dorms might be a bit messy, and the study atmosphere is quite different from our class's dorms. You've only been here a short time. Are you really going to live on campus?" 　　Chen Mo understood this tactful advice. 　　Xiaoxiao: "Yes, I'll stay." 　　"Alright then," Xiang Shenglong compromised. "If you have no objections, fill out this application form and commitment letter and give them to the class monitor. He will then submit them to the dormitory management office for official stamping according to the procedure." 　　Chen Mo nodded and was about to leave when he heard a voice at the door say, "Report." 　　Upon seeing the newcomer, Xiang Shenglong immediately said to Chen Mo, "Fill it out here." 　　He turned and waved to the person, saying, "You've come at the right time." His tone was casual yet familiar. "Teach Chen Mo to fill out the form, then make a trip and urge the management office to complete the process by today." 　　"Isn't this your own job?" the newcomer asked. 　　As he spoke, he entered the room and placed two stacks of papers on Xiang Shenglong's desk. He wasn't wearing a school uniform, and the rolled-up cuffs of his shirt inadvertently brushed against Chen Mo's elbow, releasing a slightly unfamiliar, cool scent. 　　After putting his things down, he leaned on the table and glanced at Xiang Shenglong's computer desktop. "An academic report from the Institute of Physics? Wasn't it published in a journal last year? They even took advantage of you!" 　　Xiang Shenglong glanced at him sideways, "This is a research topic led by my teacher. Do you think everyone is like you, not knowing what it means to respect one's teacher?" 　　Xi Siyan straightened up and scoffed, "I didn't say anything. Aren't you the one who started with personal attacks?" 　　"Stop talking nonsense, did you collect all the cell phones in the class?" 　　Xi Siyan shook his head: "Is it meaningful? Nowadays, everyone has two phones, one to go through with school and one to keep in their pocket. If you spend more time during self-study, go wander around the back gate a couple of times, you'll definitely get more than you do by collecting phones." 　　Xiang Shenglong grabbed a book and threw it at him, saying, "Do I need you to teach me how to do things!" 　　Xi Siyan turned his head to catch it, smiled, and then turned his gaze to another person present. 　　He looked at the two pieces of paper in his hand, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "Want to live on campus?" 　　"Mm," Chen Mo replied. 　　I thought to myself, "Isn't this obvious? They're just asking a question they already know the answer to." 　　The next second, Xi Siyan reached out to him. 　　Chen Mo paused for a second and handed over the two forms. 　　As a result, Xi Siyan shook his head and said, "It's not this one. Come on, hand over your phone first." 　　Chen Mo's habit of being extremely private in the years that followed suddenly kicked in. Instead of making a move, he frowned and looked at the other person with dissatisfaction in his eyes.

Chapter 19