Chapter 046: Whom Are They Watching

When class ended, Zhang Tan stayed in his seat, resting his chin on one hand as he gazed out the window. He enjoyed this posture—it made him feel like a thinker, contemplating the meaning of life. Nearby, Gao Jie, Zhu Dandan, and Cao Yuchuan were engrossed in a lively conversation about the Dabie Mountains. Gao Jie’s grandmother lived deep in those mountains, and every year she spent her winter and summer breaks there.

She always returned with a heap of river stones.

Cao Yuchuan and Zhu Dandan expressed their interest in these stones, prompting Gao Jie to promise she’d bring some for them next time she visited.

Honestly, Zhang Tan found this topic dreadfully dull.

So he turned to Gao Jie and said, “I’d like some river stones too—the kind about the size of an egg, or a bit smaller. I want a pair, similar in size, perfectly round, with no protrusions. The color doesn’t matter.”

Cao Yuchuan, curious, asked, “What do you want them for?”

“Health balls, you know? Like those gentlemen you see on TV, spinning two balls in their hands. Doesn’t it feel like the epitome of idle wealth?”

Gao Jie imagined this for a moment. “It feels more like an old landlord, honestly.”

“Like Huang Shiren,” Zhu Dandan added.

“That’s exactly the effect I want,” Zhang Tan admitted, amused by his own eccentric taste.

“Alright, I’ll look for a suitable pair when I go home,” Gao Jie agreed.

“Thanks. I’ll treat you to a meal someday.”

Just then, Zhou Chengcheng and Liu Luyao from Class 2, Grade 1, walked past the corridor in front of Class 5. As they approached Zhang Tan’s window, one of them glanced in his direction, then quickly disappeared down the hallway.

“These two girls are from Class 2, right?” Zhu Dandan frowned. As a girl herself, she instinctively felt annoyed by prettier classmates. “Their class is right next to the stairs—why do they have to walk this way? It’s so strange.”

Zhang Tan sensed that the girls were looking at him.

Sometimes, when he crossed paths with them, it was obvious—they would sneak glances, even point at him behind his back. Not in the gossiping way, but the way people react to a celebrity. Zhang Tan wasn’t being vain; he truly was quite famous at school.

And soon, he would be even more well-known—because his novel had been published.

Judging by how quickly news spread, after the second class ended and morning exercises were done, all well-informed freshmen would know. By the next day, most of Grade 1 would have heard. In two or three days, nearly every student in the school would know.

There was precedent for this. In his previous life, a student from Grade 1, Class 3, had won third place in the city’s math competition. Three days after the results, everyone knew his name.

If even such fame could spread swiftly, Zhang Tan’s novel would surely make its rounds just as quickly.

No matter what, those two girls were definitely watching him.

Zhang Tan was confident in this.

But, wanting to keep a low profile, he didn’t share this thought. Instead, Cao Yuchuan, feeling even more self-assured, declared, “Don’t you think they’re deliberately walking by? I feel like they’re looking at me.”

“Oh, really?” Zhang Tan was speechless.

“Didn’t you notice? Every time they pass, they glance at me. I’ve made eye contact with them several times,” Cao Yuchuan insisted.

Zhang Tan coughed and changed the subject. “By the way, did you write your love letter?”

Cao Yuchuan shook his head. “No, you won’t help me write it, and I don’t know how.”

Zhang Tan asked, “Do you think you’re handsome?”

Before Cao Yuchuan could reply, Gao Jie and Zhu Dandan chimed in, “He’s nowhere near handsome.”

Cao Yuchuan’s face darkened. “I may not be handsome, but I’m not ugly either.”

Zhang Tan spread his hands. “Exactly. You haven’t written a love letter to impress them with your talent, and you’re not handsome enough to turn heads. Why would you think they’re interested in you?”

“Maybe I’m their type,” Cao Yuchuan hesitated, then defended himself.

“Have you looked in the mirror lately?”

Zhang Tan almost said it out loud, but decided it would be too harsh. Instead, he patted Cao Yuchuan’s shoulder and smiled, “Maybe I’m being unfair. Everyone has their own preferences—perhaps you’re exactly their type. The world is vast; who can say for sure?”

Cao Yuchuan shamelessly agreed, “That’s true.”

As they bantered, a group of boys from other classes walked past the window, glancing inside.

Zhang Tan pointed at the window. “Hey, Cao, looks like these guys are interested in you too.”

“Haha, haha.”

Gao Jie and Zhu Dandan laughed heartily.

…

Zhang Tan’s novel had been published in a magazine, and the news spread like ripples in a pond.

At the center, Zhang Tan continued his routine life. That noon, a big day arrived for Class 5, Grade 1.

The second round of the Shuangdun Middle School soccer tournament: Class 5, Grade 1 versus Class 3, Grade 2.

At midday, Ding Chunlong rallied his classmates to support the team on the field. After lunch at the Garden Restaurant, Zhang Tan hurried over, leading the soccer team onto the field for warm-ups.

The school neither supported nor opposed the soccer matches; everything was organized by the students themselves.

The school soccer coach, Zhao Quan—also the PE teacher for Grade 2—served as the authoritative referee and supervisor, while scouting for promising freshmen to join the school team.

“Detective, I heard your novel got published?” The referee for this match was Xu Weidong, captain of the soccer team in Class 6, Grade 1. With a whistle in his mouth, he chatted amiably with Zhang Tan.

Since it was a student-organized match, Zhao Quan didn’t bother acting as referee. Instead, team captains from each class drew lots to serve as referees. Xu Weidong was assigned this match, and Zhang Tan would referee the next game between Class 5 and Class 1, Grade 2.

“News travels fast,” Zhang Tan remarked.

“You’re impressive! When are you treating us?”

“If we win this match, I’ll treat. If we lose, forget it,” Zhang Tan openly used the promise of a meal as bait for Xu Weidong’s officiating.

Xu Weidong immediately returned a knowing look.

That’s the benefit of popularity. Zhang Tan was clearly cozying up to Xu Weidong, but so what? If Class 3, Grade 2 had the means, they could do the same. Of course, it was shameless, but perhaps it reflected the broader reality of Chinese soccer—black whistles, favoritism, and bribes were everywhere.

Zhang Tan’s eyes could tolerate a grain of sand.

“Detective, play well—score ten or eight goals!” Ding Chunlong led the Class 5, Grade 1 supporters, occupying the best seats in the grandstand.

Only a few scattered students from Class 3, Grade 2 sat nearby, muttering, “Do you think this is a hen laying eggs? Ten or eight goals?”

Freshmen could play freely, but sophomores had to study seriously, so interest in soccer dwindled. By senior year, participating in games was unthinkable; homeroom teachers strictly forbade students from going to the field.

So, before the high-pressure policies set in, Zhang Tan was determined to lead Class 5, Grade 1 in one last flamboyant show!

To leave a grand mark on their youth.

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