Are You Moved?

Time rewound to the long break during evening self-study tonight.

Lin Zida and Zhuang Jianhui stood in the eastern corridor. Beneath the night sky, a desolate moon hung high above, its light pale and lonely.

Lin Zida said, "I heard that some expelled students had their families pull strings and ask people from the Education Bureau to speak with the principal."

Zhuang Jianhui was unconcerned. "And?"

Lin Zida said, "Since they've already been expelled, it naturally won't change anything."

"Pull strings?" Zhuang Jianhui laughed, finding it absurd. "Those people think that having a few minor connections means they can alter an established reality. It's truly ridiculous."

Lin Zida understood. "It's a society built on personal connections. That's normal."

Zhuang Jianhui said flatly, "Ignorance."

Then he added, "Still, it's good. Only after they pull those strings will they understand what it means for a mayfly to glimpse the blue heavens."

Lin Zida listened to Zhuang Jianhui without saying anything.

That was indeed the truth. The Zhuang Family had placed people throughout every important department, like an ancient towering tree spreading its branches and leaves.

Ordinary people could strive their entire lives and still only look up at such power.

Yet not everyone obediently followed the rules.

For example, the Yellow Turban rebels of ancient times.

Or First Graves in later generations.

A nameless path north of Riverside Fish Restaurant.

The lonely moon still hung high in the sky. The air around them carried a chill, brushing lightly over Zhuang Jianhui and Lin Zida and making them both shiver.

The cement floor glimmered faintly beneath the moonlight, as though covered in a thin layer of frost.

"Little brother, you're here?"

The sudden voice was hair-raising.

The frail girl, who had looked anxious just moments ago, lost her pleading expression and became