Jing City No. 3 Middle School, Class 2, Grade 12.
The classroom was noisy and rowdy before evening study.
Lu Yao sat alone in a corner.
Her fingertips unconsciously rubbed the little charm on her pencil case, a gift from her brother, Lu Li.
Ever since Lu Li had gone missing, it was as if half her world had collapsed.
He had patiently helped her with problems, secretly slipped her pocket money, and been the first to stand up for her whenever she was treated unfairly.
Her brother, who had promised to "take you to eat our way across the capital," had not been heard from in months.
The unresolved wait had sent her grades, once firmly among the top twenty in her year, plummeting to the bottom of her class.
"Lu Yao, try some of the nougat crackers my mom made."
A girl in the row ahead turned around.
She pushed a small paper packet in front of her.
"You didn't seem to have much appetite at dinner."
"Have a little, at least."
The sports committee member, who sat diagonally behind her, returned from playing basketball.
Beads of sweat still dotted his forehead. He wiped his face with a towel as he leaned over and said,
"Yeah, Lu Yao, you've lost quite a bit of weight lately."
"Why don't you come run a few laps with me on the field tomorrow morning? You'll feel much better after some exercise."
Lu Yao forced a smile. "Thank you, I'm just..."
"Worried about your brother, right?"
Her deskmate on her right gently took her hand.
"When my cousin was in the border defense forces, we often couldn't get in touch with him for over half a year."
"He said that was normal and told us not to worry."
"Maybe something came up at your brother's company or something."
The class academic committee member adjusted her glasses and said earnestly,
"That's right, Lu Yao. Your brother is probably doing something very important."
"Like before the physics competition last time, didn't you say, 'A temporary parting is for an even better reunion'?"
"If you ask me,"
A boy in the back row chimed in, spinning a basketball as he spoke.
"Maybe Lu Yao's brother was suddenly sent on a business trip by his company."
"He might even be away on business abroad!"
"What if he left in such a hurry that he didn't have time to say anything?"
That made some sense, drawing the attention of several classmates nearby.
Everyone nodded in unison, their gazes filled with warm support as they looked at Lu Yao.
Just then, their homeroom teacher, Teacher Li, entered the classroom carrying her lesson plans.
She looked around the classroom, her gaze finally settling on Lu Yao.
"Lu Yao, have you run into some kind of trouble lately?"
"I've noticed that you've often been distracted in class recently, and your homework is always late. If you need help, you must tell me."
Lu Yao raised her head and met Teacher Li's worried gaze.
She opened her mouth, but she didn't know where to begin.
Yes, her grades really had slipped far too much.
With her loved one gone, she simply had no motivation to study.
And it had happened at this critical juncture in her final year of high school.
She couldn't perform well on any of the mock exams.
She couldn't help lowering her head.
But just then, a sudden hush fell at the classroom door.
Everyone involuntarily looked toward it.
Several solemn-faced soldiers, standing ramrod straight, marched directly into the classroom under the lead of a major.
Their air of stern righteousness clashed with the atmosphere of the school, instantly awing everyone into silence.
Teacher Li went forward in surprise. "Comrades, what brings you here?"
After greeting her, the major slowly swept his gaze across the classroom.
It finally settled on the girl by the window, clutching a charm.
He walked to Lu Yao's desk, stood at attention, and gave a precise military salute. His voice rang out.
"Comrade Lu Yao!"
That form of address sent a shock through every teacher and student in the class.
"C-comrade?"
"What's going on?"
"Lu Yao, she..."
"..."
As everyone talked noisily among themselves, the major continued.
Every word was like a clap of thunder, exploding through the silent classroom:
"We have been ordered to inform you! Your brother, Comrade Lu Li, was selected by the state to carry out a special strategic mission because of his outstanding professional abilities. He has now rendered a major meritorious service!"
"In recognition of Comrade Lu Li's exceptional contribution, and with special approval from our superiors, you have been granted admission to Jinghua University without an entrance examination as the family member of someone who has rendered meritorious service!"
"At the same time, you may freely choose from any of the country's top universities according to your own wishes!"
Boom!
The news exploded through the classroom like a blockbuster bomb!
A chorus of stifled gasps rose in the classroom.
The classmates exchanged looks of disbelief.
But more than that, there was an understanding filled with solemn respect.
Teacher Li was shocked at first, then smiled with relief and gently patted Lu Yao on the shoulder.
Lu Yao clutched the little charm tightly.
Three months of worry, longing, and fear turned into scalding tears that rolled down her cheeks.
Her brother hadn't gone missing. He was doing something important for the country.
Looking at the girl before him, whose face was streaked with tears but whose eyes shone brightly,
the major's stern face softened almost imperceptibly.
"Comrade Lu Yao, you have a brother to be proud of. He is a meritorious hero of the nation, and he is your glory too!"
"On behalf of the state and the organization, I thank Comrade Lu Li for his dedication!"
"Sir,"
she asked through her sobs, her voice so soft, as if she feared waking from a beautiful dream.
"Can I see my brother? Just for one minute."
"I'm afraid that won't be possible. Comrade Lu Li is currently carrying out a major mission and cannot get away."
"But he asked me to tell you..."
He leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice.
"He's doing well. He wants you to focus on your studies and wait for him to come back and fulfill his promise."
Those words struck the softest part of Lu Yao's heart.
It was a secret message that only the two siblings understood.
Her brother still remembered their promise.
The major straightened and looked around the classroom, his voice ringing out once more.
"Here, on behalf of the organization, I solemnly announce that, until Comrade Lu Li's mission is completed, every aspect of Comrade Lu Yao's education and daily life will be taken care of."
"She is the family of someone who has rendered meritorious service, and she is also a source of pride for us all."
In that moment, there was no jealousy, no doubt.
After a moment of silence in the classroom, someone led the way, and sincere, enthusiastic applause rang out.