Chapter 1: Back to High School
Wen Xia nestled in the man’s arms, looking at the English textbook in her hands. She suddenly sighed and muttered, “Husband, if I could go back to high school, I would definitely study hard and get into a good university.”
Hearing this, Qin Mo put the divorce case he was holding on the table and lowered his head to look at his wife’s fair cheek. “What’s wrong? Were you bullied?” he asked, then took the English textbook from her hand.
Wen Xia shook her head. “I wasn’t bullied. The principal said that whoever has the best-performing class will be recognized as the most outstanding teacher.”
“This time, the class I taught did the best, and today the principal called me to his office. He was subtly saying that my educational background isn’t very good, and that it’s not a good look on the display board.”
“He gave me a 2,000 yuan reward, and the title of ‘Most Outstanding Teacher’ was given to someone else.”
“I don’t lack money. I’ve dedicated myself to teaching this class—why can’t I be the most outstanding teacher? Is it embarrassing to upgrade from a vocational college to a bachelor’s degree? It’s actually very inspiring.” By the end, her tone showed dissatisfaction and a sense of injustice.
She had performed poorly in the college entrance exams and barely managed to enter a vocational college. Later, after meeting Qin Mo, she became determined to upgrade her qualifications. She eventually passed the teacher’s certification exam and became a high school English teacher.
Qin Mo lowered his head and kissed her forehead with a hint of comfort. “He just doesn’t understand. It’s really inspiring.”
When he first met Wen Xia, well, her grades were terrible. For her to upgrade and become a teacher—it truly was inspiring.
Then, he pulled her a little closer and said, “Why don’t you stay home and relax, eat, drink, and maybe have a baby to play with?”
They were both around 27 or 28 years old—it was about time for them to have children.
Wen Xia’s face turned slightly pink. “Husband, do you want to keep me?”
“I’ve wanted to for a long time, but it’s you who never gave me the chance.”
Qin Mo lifted her and stood up, heading toward the bedroom.
Soon, sounds not suitable for children could be heard.
……
“Xia Xia, the teacher’s coming, Xia Xia!” Someone shook her, their voice becoming more urgent.
“Husband, stop it, I just want to sleep a little longer,” Wen Xia mumbled groggily in response.
At that moment, the classroom was completely silent. The whole class heard the words, “Husband, stop it, I just want to sleep a little longer,” and burst into laughter.
Seeing the chemistry teacher’s face turn green, Liu Anan gave Wen Xia another shake. “Xia Xia, Xia Xia, wake up.”
Chemistry teacher Xue Wenyan was so furious she looked like she was about to explode. How could a teenager be calling someone “Husband” like that? It was disgraceful.
She slammed her hand on Wen Xia’s desk. “Wen Xia, if you want to sleep, get out of here!”
Wen Xia suddenly woke up, her eyes shifting from drowsy to alert, then finally to confusion. “Teacher Xue?”
It seemed she had been so upset that she’d dreamt about her high school days.
Looking at the chemistry teacher’s furious expression, this dream felt too real.
“Get out and stand at the door,” Xue Wenyen ordered harshly, pointing to the door.
…
Standing in the doorway of Class 8, Wen Xia looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar school. Slowly, she began to realize—this didn’t feel like a dream.
She immediately pinched her arm. “Ouch!” she gasped in pain.
Can dreams hurt?
Her expression changed as she suddenly realized—had she really gone back to high school?
Or had she just had a dream about the next ten years of her life?
But Qin Mo was still very vivid in her mind—she even knew the few moles on his body.
Her mind remained muddled until the bell for the next class rang, and then she was called to the office by Xue Wenyan for a reprimand.
“Wen Xia! If you’re not going to study when you’re at school, then don’t come at all. Don’t affect the learning atmosphere of the class,” Xue Wenyan said, clearly displeased with her.
It wasn’t just her—several of the teachers were also unhappy with Wen Xia.
Because the current Wen Xia was hard to like—she slept in class, read novels, and was among the bottom ten in the class.
If this had been the old Wen Xia, she might have rolled her eyes and shown she didn’t care. But this time, Wen Xia bent slightly at the waist and obediently apologized, “Teacher Xue, I was wrong. I won’t sleep in class again.”
Having heard her apology, Xue Wenyan didn’t know what more to say. She sighed and spoke in a serious tone, “Go back to class now. Don’t let this happen again. Study hard—you’re only in the second year of high school, there’s still plenty of time. Everything I’m saying is for your own good. When you graduate and enter society, you’ll understand what I mean.”
She finished with a final piece of advice, “Stop reading so many novels. They’re not worth much.”
Wen Xia thought of the word “Husband,” her expression slightly awkward. “Thank you for the teacher’s guidance.”
…
Back in the classroom, Liu Anan leaned over with a guilty expression. “Xia Xia, are you okay? I called you, but you didn’t wake up.”
“I’m fine.”
Wen Xia’s seat was by the window, and she glanced outside at the fallen leaves under the big tree.
It was the first semester of her second year of high school.
Just then, someone tapped her on the back. It was the voice of a popular girl. “Xia Xia, are you okay?”
Wen Xia was about to reply that she was fine when the school’s intercom system came on.
“Students, the bell has rung for the next class. Please hurry back to your classrooms and prepare for the lesson…”
The next class was the second one in the morning—math.
The math teacher, Liu Zhiwei, glanced at Wen Xia several times while standing at the podium during class. She listened attentively the entire time.
He picked up the textbook, speaking while stepping down from the podium. He openly looked at Wen Xia, who was sitting properly, taking notes neatly.
It was quite unusual.
…
After class, in the teacher’s office, Liu Zhiwei took a sip of tea to clear his throat. Smiling, he spoke to the other teachers, “Wen Xia, that girl, was really well-behaved today. She listened attentively and took notes—she actually surprised me.”
Xue Wenyan, who had just returned with teaching materials, overheard and felt a bit relieved that Wen Xia had taken it to heart. She explained, “I lectured her during the last class.”
“Teacher Xue is really impressive. I’ve said it a few times, but when it’s time for her to sleep, she still sleeps. There’s nothing I can do about her,” Liu Zhiwei said, shaking his head in helplessness.
…
The morning classes were over, and it was time for lunch.
Wen Xia sat at a table with the two girls she was close to, eating.
Jiang Yan, eating her meal, couldn’t help but gossip. “Xia Xia, what did you dream about in class? And what’s with ‘Husband’? I’m dying of laughter.”
Girls around 16 or 17 were always in the mood for gossip.
Wen Xia’s expression seemed a little down. She poked her spoon into her food absentmindedly.
Ah, she missed Qin Mo.
If this wasn’t a dream, Qin Mo would be at the best high school in Jia County—Jia No.1 Middle School.
She was at Jia No.2 Middle School, which wasn’t bad, but also not great.
Seeing she wasn’t saying anything, Jiang Yan gave her a careful look. “Xia Xia, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you talking? Are you feeling sick? Is it that time of the month?”
Wen Xia snapped out of her thoughts and shook her head. “No, I was just thinking about my husband from the dream. He’s so handsome, so thoughtful.” The last two words were said with a hint of pride.
Immediately, Jiang Yan and Liu Anan burst into laughter, nearly spitting out their food.
…
After lunch, the group washed their dishes in line and headed back to class.
On the way, they ran into two girls walking toward them, probably heading to the restroom.
“Wow, there’s a handsome guy in front of Class 8. He’s so tall, so fair-skinned, like a character from a comic.”
Jiang Yan’s eyes lit up; she loved looking at handsome guys. “Who’s brother is it this time? Xia Xia, An An, hurry up, we can’t miss this!”
Wen Xia used to enjoy looking at handsome guys too, but now she didn’t feel interested. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was already in her late twenties, not a young girl anymore.
“You guys go back to class first. I’ll catch up in a minute,” she said.
