Youth is a book that is too hastily written.

The June sun blazed like fire, and the school playground was bustling with activity.

There was less than a month left until the high school entrance examination.

For the ninth graders, today was a special day—graduation photo day.

Look at the camera! Three, two, one! Cheese!

The crisp click of the shutter froze time in the summer of 2018.

The photographer, a plump middle-aged man, was waving his hands, trying to direct a group of teenagers who simply couldn't stand still.

Chen Zhi stood right in the middle of the back row. Unlike the others who were making peace signs, he just kept his hands in his pockets and gazed calmly at the camera lens.

At this time in his previous life, he had shrunk into the furthest corner like an invisible man, his bangs covering half his face. No one cared if his eyes were closed, and no one would specifically look for him after the photos were printed.

Until his rebirth, that graduation photo had been left to gather dust at the bottom of a box, and he hadn't even had the courage to take it out.

Alright! Dismissed! You can find your friends and take a few more pictures. They'll all be put into the graduation album!

At the command of their homeroom teacher, Wang Qian, Class 3 of the ninth grade, which had barely maintained its formation, scattered in all directions.

Howling and cheering, these guys pulled out the phones they had hidden in their uniform pockets, pant legs, and even their shoes and socks.

Standing in the shade of a tree drinking water, Wang Qian watched the chaotic scene unfolding before her. She just shook her head helplessly, lacking her usual strictness.

The whole school knew what kind of existence Class 3 was.

Under Chen Zhi's leadership, the vibe of this class was outrageously unconventional.

Drawing the curtains to watch movies during study hall was the norm. Out of over fifty people in the class, at least thirty dared to brave the rules and bring their phones to record their beautiful junior high youth.

Although their discipline points were often deducted terribly, Class 3's grades were undeniably strong. Chen Zhi took one spot in the top ten of the grade, Pei Ningxue took another, and Li Zhiyi also claimed one. Coupled with the fact that their average score was consistently ranked first, homeroom teacher Wang Qian simply turned a blind eye.

Chen Zhi, come over here and take a picture!

Not far away, a few boys who were usually tight with him were waving at him with their arms around each other's shoulders.

Chen Zhi walked over with a smile and was pushed into the center position by several large hands.

Cheese—!

The shutter clicked. The boys laughed freely and wildly, their eyes shining with hope for the future.

After the large group photos were taken, the crowd dispersed, and everyone began to pair up or gather in small groups to take pictures with their close friends.

Class Rep! Class Rep, look here!

Li Jiahao, who knows where he got a selfie stick, held his phone up high and excitedly called out to Chen Zhi.

Chen Zhi leaned back in disgust, dodging the guy's claws that were trying to rest on his shoulder.

Stay away from me, it's hot.

Don't be like that, Class Rep! This is our youth! We have to leave a colorful mark!

Without taking no for an answer, Li Jiahao forcibly framed Chen Zhi in the shot, and also pulled in Pei Ningxue, who was just about to slip away next to them.

Click.

In the picture, Li Jiahao was smiling like an idiot, Chen Zhi looked like he had nothing left to live for, and Pei Ningxue...

This usually aloof wealthy heiress was currently secretly making bunny ears over Chen Zhi's head, a hint of mischief hidden in her cold eyes.

After finishing the collective group photos, the crowd began to scatter in twos and threes, each looking for their good friends to take pictures.

Li Zhiyi stood quietly by the flowerbed all along, clutching her phone tightly in her hand.

She had tied her hair into a high ponytail today, revealing her smooth and full forehead, making her look fresh and neat.

Chen Zhi had long noticed the glances she threw his way, that cautious look of wanting to say something but stopping.

He strode over.

What are you spacing out for? Did you buy a phone just for display?

Li Zhiyi was startled, her shoulders shrinking back a bit. She looked up and met Chen Zhi's smiling eyes.

N-no.

Then let's take a picture.

Chen Zhi naturally took her phone, switched to the front-facing camera, and then bent down slightly, bringing his head close to hers.

The distance instantly closed.

Li Zhiyi could even smell the pleasant scent of laundry detergent on Chen Zhi, mixed with the smell of sunshine.

Her face flushed completely red in an instant, and her heart pounded wildly in her chest.

Smile a bit, don't make it look like I owe you money.

Chen Zhi reached out and poked her stiff cheek.

Li Zhiyi pursed her lips in a panic and tried hard to pull a shy and gentle smile.

On the screen, the boy was flamboyant and confident, the girl was shy and introverted, and the blue sky and white clouds behind them became the perfect backdrop.

This moment was permanently saved.

Having dealt with his two most important good friends and bros, Chen Zhi's gaze began to search the playground for that most familiar figure.

Under the shade of a tree not far away, Lin Wanwan was surrounded by several girls taking selfies.

She wasn't wearing her school uniform today, but had changed into a white dress. With her long hair draped over her shoulders, she looked somewhat unrealistically beautiful under the dappled shadows of the trees.

The young girl was youthful, exquisite, and moving.

Just as Chen Zhi was about to head over, his footsteps suddenly paused.

Chen Zhi saw a thin figure hesitating on the outskirts of Lin Wanwan's little circle.

It seemed to be a boy from Class 2 next door named Wang Tiantian.

He wore a pair of thick black-rimmed glasses, usually spoke softer than a mosquito, and had a very low presence.

At this moment, Wang Tiantian was tightly gripping his phone, looking somewhat cramped and nervous.

He took a step forward, then shrank back as if electrocuted. His forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat, and it was hard to tell if it was from the heat or the nerves.

Chen Zhi raised an eyebrow. He didn't approach immediately, but silently leaned against a nearby horizontal bar and watched.

Finally, after about two minutes of mental preparation, Wang Tiantian rushed in front of Lin Wanwan as if he were overdrawing all the courage he had for his entire life.

Lin... Lin Wanwan!

His voice cracked a bit as he shouted.

Lin Wanwan, who had been joking around with her best friends, froze for a moment. She turned her head and looked blankly at this boy who had suddenly popped out.

The surroundings instantly quieted down.

Wang Tiantian's face flushed bright red, and his body trembled slightly uncontrollably, but he forced himself to stand his ground and not retreat.

Can... Can I take a picture with you?

His voice grew softer and softer, until it was almost inaudible at the end.

Lin Wanwan blinked her big eyes, clearly not expecting this to happen.

She subconsciously cast her gaze toward Chen Zhi not far away.

Chen Zhi stood up straight, just preparing to walk over and help her out of the awkward situation.

After all, at this age, this kind of public confession or invitation was indeed a burden for a girl.

However, before he could even lift his foot, a few harsh sneers suddenly came from the side.

Yo, isn't this that quiet weirdo? What's up, a toad lusting after swan meat?

The speaker seemed to be one of the idle boys from their class, with his school uniform tied loosely around his waist, wearing a mocking smile that he thought looked very handsome.

Wang Tiantian, why don't you take a look in the mirror? Who is Lin Wanwan, and do you think you're worthy?

Exactly. Do you see her actual childhood sweetheart standing over there? You still dare to get close to her, you really don't know your place.

"This is hilarious. Do toads really have such wild dreams these days?"

The vicious words were like knives, stabbing into him one after another.

Wang Tiantian's already meager courage was shattered in an instant.

His face instantly turned pale, and the hand holding his phone trembled violently. It was as if his spine had been pulled out, causing his whole body to hunch over.

Seeing him reduced to such a humble, dust-like posture was truly heartbreaking.

"S-sorry."

Wang Tiantian lowered his head, his voice choked with emotion, and turned around, wanting nothing more than to flee this suffocating place.

Chen Zhi's eyes grew cold. He despised this kind of trash who trampled on others' self-esteem just to show off their own superiority.

Just as Chen Zhi was about to go over and teach those foul-mouthed jerks a lesson, a crisp voice rang out first.

"Stop right there!"

Lin Wanwan called out, stopping Wang Tiantian in his tracks just as he was about to run away.

Then, under everyone's shocked gazes, she took a few quick steps and stood right in front of the boys who were still snickering.

Her face, which usually wore a sweet smile, was now covered in a layer of frost.

"Is something funny?"

The boys froze, their mocking smiles stiffening on their faces.

"He's been your classmate for three years, not your enemy!"

Lin Wanwan pointed right at their noses, her words firing off rapidly.

"He's just quiet. He hasn't done anything to you, so what gives you the right to talk about him like that?"

"Is it so shameful to muster the courage to ask a classmate for a photo? I think he's ten thousand times better than you gossips who only know how to talk behind people's backs!"

"Your behavior is disgusting. Truly disgusting!"

Everyone was stunned.

Looking at the girl standing in the sunlight, fiercely scolding those boys, Chen Zhi felt an indescribable surge of pride in his heart.

This was the real Lin Wanwan.

This was the future superstar who would carve a bloody path through the toxic dye vat of the entertainment industry, standing under the spotlight to receive the adoration of millions. The sense of justice and kindness in her bones had never changed.

After tearing into that group of cowards, Lin Wanwan took a deep breath, turned around, and walked over to the completely dumbfounded Wang Tiantian.

"Give me your phone."

She held out her hand, her tone returning to its usual gentleness.

Wang Tiantian handed the phone over mechanically, his mind still entirely blank.

Holding the phone, Lin Wanwan turned to look at Chen Zhi, who had been leaning against the pull-up bar watching the show, and tilted her chin up at him.

"Master Photographer Chen, aren't you going to come over and do some work?"

Chen Zhi walked over and took the phone from her.

"As you command, Your Highness."

Wang Tiantian stood awkwardly beside Lin Wanwan. His hands were pressed tightly against the seams of his pants, his body rigid as he maintained a respectful, restrained distance.

Lin Wanwan, however, was very natural. She tilted her head and flashed a brilliant smile at the camera.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, dancing on the hem of her white dress.

Chen Zhi looked at the image on the screen.

One was a radiant future star; the other was an ordinary, humble boy harboring a secret crush.

This stark contrast somehow formed the truest backdrop of youth.

Click.

Chen Zhi handed the phone back to Wang Tiantian.

"Not a bad shot. Remember to leave a good review."

Wang Tiantian took the phone with both hands. He glanced at the photo on the screen, and his eyes instantly grew red.

He bowed deeply to Lin Wanwan and Chen Zhi.

"Th-thank you! Thank you both!"

With that, clutching the phone tightly to his chest as if it were some rare treasure, he turned and ran off.

From beginning to end, he didn't ask for her contact info, didn't say a single unnecessary word, and didn't even tell Lin Wanwan his name.

Youth is a book written too hastily.

Inferiority seemed to have shrouded his entire youth.

Perhaps for him, this photo was the best possible period to mark the end of this unrequited crush.

Chen Zhi couldn't imagine how much courage the normally introverted boy had needed to muster.

The crowd gradually dispersed.

Lin Wanwan stood where she was, watching Wang Tiantian's retreating back, and sighed softly.

Then, she turned around and skipped over to Chen Zhi with her hands behind her back. Her big eyes sparkled with a sly light, as if she were testing the waters.

"Hey, Chen Zhi."

"Hmm?"

"You're... not mad, are you?"

Lin Wanwan carefully observed Chen Zhi's expression. "Was I too fierce just now?"

Seeing her worried over her image, Chen Zhi couldn't help but raise a hand and flick her on the forehead.

"What are you thinking?"

"I was just thinking about when my Wanwan became so cool."

Chen Zhi's tone carried undisguised admiration.

Cupping her forehead, Lin Wanwan's previous anxiety vanished into thin air, replaced by an uncontrollable smugness.

She lifted her chin proudly and gave a little harrumph.

"Of course. Look who you're talking to."

"With a beautiful and kind-hearted childhood friend like me, you should be laughing in your sleep, Chen Zhi!"

Watching her proud little display, the smile on Chen Zhi's lips deepened.

"Yes, yes. My ancestors must be blessing me."

He turned around and looked at the classmates still playing on the field, looking out over the campus that held three years of memories.

The wind blew through the treetops, rustling the leaves.

This hastily written book of youth had, at this very moment, reached its halfway mark.