The Library’s Secrets and a Familiar Face

My mind was so consumed with thoughts of An An during class that when the teacher called on me to answer a question, I stammered incoherently, utterly oblivious to what had even been asked.

“Ling Jiu, are you sleepwalking in class again? What were you dreaming about this time? Was it a game?”

As always, the entire class erupted in laughter.

I shot them a disdainful look.

*Honestly, what’s so funny? You’re all just a flock of sheep, echoing each other, a brainless mob.*

It was then that I noticed Bai An An watching me with a hint of concern, prompting me to flash her a confident smile. From a distance, my close friend subtly opened a book, pointing to the teacher’s question as a discreet reminder. I nodded, then delivered a flawless answer, even adding my own insightful perspective.

Ling Chen’s research materials were truly invaluable; I would have to thank him properly later.

Seeing my perfect response, the teacher on the podium looked utterly deflated, forced to offer a strained smile as he smoothed things over. “You see, even though Ling Jiu sometimes drifts off in class, she still thoroughly reviews the material. However, Ling Jiu, try not to get distracted next time. Please, have a seat.”

“Yes.”

This small interruption did nothing to stop my train of thought. I began systematically eliminating suspects, pondering which long-tongued busybody was spreading rumors.

The adage about students being friendly to one another holds true, but if you insist on becoming an enemy…

I am a spiritual successor to Dzerzhinsky, after all. To deal with you little rats who hide behind the scenes, I have but one thing to say:

“I have mercy for my classmates, but none for my enemies.”

Despite these bold words, as I continued to ponder, a sense of powerlessness washed over me.

What good would knowing the culprit do? My nature simply wouldn’t allow me to retaliate against others. Even if I were to seek revenge, as a vulnerable individual, I am outnumbered and outmatched. What could I possibly achieve?

“Academic elites” are a privileged class within the school, and their methods of bullying are far more ruthless than those who bully without a second thought. These individuals possess many faces, adept at disguise, knowing when to advance and retreat, and always aware of the bottom line. Their bullying tactics are often insidious and covert, like a thorn planted deep within your heart, striking only when you are completely caught off guard.

Even if you gather undeniable evidence of their bullying, it won’t be taken seriously enough. After all, they are the “privileged class.” What can the school do to them? Will they support the academic elites who bring glory to the school, or will they support a blight like me?

So-called justice is merely a fig leaf when confronted with self-interest.

The thought of these dark, malicious, and exquisitely self-serving individuals smoothly navigating society with their cunning intellect sends shivers down my spine.

It’s difficult!

To rush into solving this based on a momentary impulse would be to fall directly into their meticulously laid trap. They would simply repackage themselves, transforming from bullies into victims, and I refuse to let them off so easily.

I remained entangled in my thoughts even after class ended.

Initially, my approach to bullying was to simply “ignore it.” I believed these people would eventually give up when they couldn’t gain anything from me.

But as a Kamen Rider, I cannot ignore tomorrow’s Earth!

Pah, as An An’s best friend, I cannot ignore the potential threats she might face!

However, I faced a minor predicament. What should I do if I needed to use the restroom?

I quickly rushed to the corridor, and sure enough, the women’s restroom had its usual long queue. Accidentally entering the wrong restroom last night had already caused me immense embarrassment, but for a pure man like me to enter the women’s restroom…

See no evil!

My masculine morality had not changed with my gender; I still held onto my bottom line.

Yet, my current physiological state wouldn’t allow for hesitation.

What to do?

Was I truly going to cross that line?

I felt that once I took this step, there would be no turning back. Once there was a first time, there would be countless others, and then I would become accustomed to it, losing my proud male soul!

Although most people wouldn’t see it as a big deal, I tend to obsess over strange, trivial details, essentially creating my own suffering. To have such a warped personality, I truly am one of a kind.

After much deliberation, I found a compromise. As the saying goes, if you’re not caught, it’s not a crime. If I secretly went to the women’s restroom alone, wouldn’t that solve the problem?

But with the women’s restroom constantly full, how could I possibly go alone?

Right, the school library! It’s practically deserted there!

Alas, I reminisced about my dashing days, how I was the coolest guy among all the boys going to the restroom. Now, I could only sneak around.

A true hero doesn’t dwell on past glories.

****

The library was silent and empty. Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the tall bookshelves, and countless tiny dust motes danced in the rays. Rows upon rows of books on the shelves were covered in dust, like silent guardians, quietly protecting the brilliance of human wisdom.

Walking between the bookshelves felt like exploring a mysterious labyrinth, each book a tempting treasure, whispering the secrets of knowledge through its unadorned cover. In the heart of a bookworm like me, books are like enchanting maidens—not proactive, requiring me to conquer them one by one.

Though they might initially keep you at arm’s length, allowing you only to guess their inner world from a few lines on their covers, once you spend enough time with them, they will smile upon you, revealing everything without reservation.

‘I possess three thousand Grand Dao, hidden in the Southern Mountains, to be passed down to future generations.’ Anyone who says such a thing is clearly an old bookworm, attempting to monopolize these maidens while making excuses. Such people ought to be criticized.

Beautiful maidens should be equally shared among everyone! What kind of hero hogs all the good things?

Therefore, the person who conceived the idea of a library is truly a saint!

To selflessly dedicate one’s “wives” to those in need—this purpose is even grander than Tian Chengzi opening his harem to his retainers!

I casually pulled a book from a shelf, softly reading its title: “Postpartum Care.”

I fell into silence.

So this was why these books were covered in dust. The school library’s positioning had always been awkward. Initially, the school built it merely for appearances, without much investment. However, later, in response to policies promoting quality education, they overcompensated.

The school constantly required every student to read at least one book per week, yet the library’s collection completely disregarded students’ reading preferences. As a result, they bought a pile of specialized books, leaving the library ultimately deserted.

Of course, there were both pros and cons. For instance, I quite liked the school library because you could find some truly interesting books, such as A Theory of Justice, State and Revolution, Anarchy, State, and Utopia, The Social Contract, and Mao’s Dragon-Slaying Techniques…

Every time I sat in the library, I felt as if countless predecessors sat beside me, guiding me with their wisdom.

Since I was already in the library, I might as well read for a while before leaving. It was a long break anyway, a perfect time to slack off here.

Finding a copy of Doctor Zhivago, I headed towards a spot bathed in sunlight. The wind gently blew through the window. Not far away, at a table, a slender-faced youth was turning back the pages of a book, ruffled by the breeze.

As if sensing my arrival, the youth looked up. The sunlight dispelled the shadows on his face, seemingly illuminating even the tiny downy hairs with its gentle warmth.

His eyebrow arched slightly, and he rose, smiling at me.

“Sister.”