DCTMOAS Extra 1

In the sweltering summer, the occasional sound of cicadas chirping echoed from the trees on campus—endless, but not too bothersome.
In Class 7 of the third-year high school, the countdown on the blackboard had stopped on June 4th.
There were only three days left until the college entrance examination.

This was the final lesson for the graduating seniors of Grade 12 at No.10 High School.
The warning bell had rung, but the classroom was still buzzing with noise. Some students were signing each other’s uniforms, others were huddling together in small groups, taking photos to commemorate the day.

Normally, taking out an electronic device would mean getting it confiscated by the class monitor, but today—no one cared anymore.

Chu Cheng walked into the classroom carrying a bunch of paper gift bags and almost got knocked over by students darting around chaotically.
Right behind him, Yu Siting was also holding bags full of stuff. He frowned and barked, “What are you doing? There’s still one class left. Everyone, back to your seats.”

The sharp voice cut through the air. The students quickly ran back to their desks, and the classroom quieted down.

The final class on the schedule was supposed to be self-study, but it was clear this was going to turn into a class meeting.
On the front lectern, two tall stacks of graduation certificates waited to be distributed.

The main and assistant homeroom teachers placed the gift bags they had just brought in onto the table. Inside were red Wangzai milk candies for good luck, black gel pens and marking pens for the exam, campus-themed mystery box figurines, and cupcakes decorated with “Top the Exam Rankings” in gold lettering…

All of this had been prepared late into the night by Chu Cheng, a little token of encouragement before the exam.

Mr. Yu gave a brief opening speech and then began distributing the graduation certificates and gifts together with the assistant homeroom teacher. They called each student up by name in order, handing over the certificate and offering a personal blessing—full of ceremony, like a mini graduation hooding event.

“Xu Wanwan,” Chu Cheng called out, handing a certificate to the girl who stepped forward, smiling gently. “Good luck on the college entrance exam.”

Yu Siting handed a gift to Ying He, and casually teased, “Forever number two.”

In the last few mock exams, Ying He had consistently been beaten by Lu Yan in the rankings. Even when he finally tied once, he ended up placed lower because of a weaker Chinese score.

“He is too,” Ying He said, shooting a glance at Chu Cheng and snapping back bluntly. After all, in the current term, the best Chinese exam score from Class 7 had only ranked second.

“Huh?” Chu Cheng was hit out of nowhere, equal parts annoyed and amused. “Blame the right person, will you? Why drag Chinese into this? Was I the one who roasted you?”

Ying He raised an eyebrow indifferently.
Yeah, I dragged you in on purpose. Your partner has a sharp tongue, and the two of you are always in cahoots anyway.

While the teacher and student bickered, Xu Wanwan had already opened her gift bag. Many students who hadn’t gotten theirs yet crowded around out of curiosity.

“This mystery box is so cute!” Xu Wanwan was fiddling with the little surprise toy.

Chu Cheng stopped arguing with Ying He and smiled as he spoke, “Your class rep bought the whole box. There’s definitely a hidden limited edition inside. That one looks amazing. But which bag it’s in… I don’t know.”

“Are you sure this isn’t rigged?” The students turned to Lu Yan, laughing as they asked.

“No, no,” Chu Cheng raised his hand immediately and promised, “I even opened his for him.”

As he spoke, he handed a graduation certificate to Han Rui and offered his wishes: “Happy graduation to my little class monitor. I hope everything goes well for you in the future.”

“Thank you, Mr. Chu,” Han Rui replied as she received it.

Yu Siting also handed a gift bag to Meng Xin, his go-to helper over the past three years. Unlike Chu Cheng’s gentle warmth, he stuck to his signature sharp tongue: “I heard you want to study medicine. Don’t make me too scared to go to the hospital when I’m sick.”

“Hmm…” Meng Xin thought sincerely for a moment and said, “Then I wish you good health~”

The whole class burst into laughter.

“Ji Yanan.”

“Wu Yuqing.”

“Li Sheng.”

“…”

Every student’s name was called. The two teachers handed out the certificates and gifts one by one, each with well-wishes for the exam. Soon, only two bags and two certificates were left on the lectern.

Chu Cheng handed one to Lu Yan. There wasn’t much left to say to his good boy. They simply exchanged a smile—words weren’t needed.

Yu Siting passed the final bag to Mu Yiyang.

The boy shook the mystery box inside and looked mischievous. “Mmm~ this one’s got a story. I’m pretty sure I’m that 1 in 120 lucky winner.”

Immediately, someone corrected him from the back: “Bro, the odds of getting the hidden one are 1 in 144.”

Mu Yiyang frowned in confusion. “Huh? Did I miscalculate?”

Yu Siting sighed softly. “Let’s leave one item today, so we can meet again someday. I won’t embarrass you today—but in the future, do me a favor and try not to mention I ever taught you, okay?”

“Ok ok!” The troublemaker made a knowing gesture. “Once I leave school, I’ll tell everyone it was the PE teacher who taught me math.”

Another burst of laughter filled the classroom.

Maybe no one had fully grasped the pain of parting yet.
Or maybe they just didn’t want to end their last day at school with tears of reluctance.
This class meeting went on as lightheartedly as any other day.

Even after the final bell rang, many lingered in the classroom, reluctant to leave. They voluntarily stayed behind to help decorate the exam room—
sweeping, mopping, removing shelves and desks with markings, sticking seat numbers, adjusting the clocks, writing the blackboard layout…

Only after making sure everything was done did they gradually begin to leave.

Before leaving, Chu Cheng took a photo of the classroom in its final state.

In the coming semester, he had already decided to go back to teaching first-years together with Mr. Yu.
It would be another three years before they returned to teach another graduating class.

Back in the car, Chu Cheng let out a long sigh—part relieved, part nostalgic.

“Mr. Chu looks exhausted, but also seems very sentimental,” said Yu Siting as he pulled the car out from the parking spot behind the school building.

As a fledgling “new bird” sending off his first batch of graduates, Chu Cheng felt that no matter how he responded, it would sound sappy and get him teased.
So he could only suppress the turbulent emotions rising in his chest.

“Every farewell is a beginning. You have a brand-new mission ahead.” Yu Siting looked at Chu Cheng’s quietly restrained and stubborn expression, smiled gently, and added with a comforting tone, “This was also the first group of students I personally led from Grade 10 all the way here.”

“Alright already~” Lu Yan, sitting in the backseat, sensed the low and heavy atmosphere inside the car and spoke up toward the two “old fathers,” “You still have me, okay? Don’t act like two abandoned elderly people.”

Chu Cheng sighed softly again, but before he could even speak, the beloved son in the back had already exploded.

“What kind of nonsense is that!”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“But you already had that ‘better than nothing’ look on your face. Am I really worth less than an army in your heart?”

“Hahahaha.”

Amidst the playful banter, the car merged onto the city’s main road.

On such a special day, the three of them weren’t in a rush to head home. Along the way, they picked up some gifts and made a stop to visit Zhou Jin and Shen Nannan.

In the last semester, Teacher Shen had persisted in teaching with her pregnant belly all the way until summer before finally taking her leave.

Initially, Yu Siting thought it might not be appropriate to visit a female colleague at home. But since Chu Cheng had a good relationship with Zhou Jin, it became perfectly natural to drop by.

Their son had been born on May 1st, so his nickname was simply “May Day.”

“A little boy born on Labor Day, hello there~ doo doo doo~” Chu Cheng stood by the crib, gently touching the baby’s chubby leg through the tiny blanket.

Being so close to a newborn melted his heart into a puddle. His movements and voice softened instinctively to the utmost gentleness.

Yu Siting glanced at him with some surprise.

“No matter how tall or mature someone is, once they see a baby, they instantly gain the magical ability to speak in baby voice,” Shen Nannan laughed brightly, exposing her husband in the process. “He does it too—pinches his voice and babbles to the baby every day, tireless. And you two are high school teachers!”

“Haha.” Chu Cheng chuckled. “But it’s just too cute.”

“Is he getting sleepy?” Yu Siting noticed the baby squinting and sticking his tongue out repeatedly.

Lu Yan muttered quietly, “How could he not be? Surrounded by Chinese, Math, English, and Chemistry teachers. Even I, someone with high stress tolerance, can’t handle being around two of you.”

Zhou Jin smiled, corners of his lips curving: “He can’t even see clearly yet. But yeah, it’s about time for him to nap. If not, he’ll start acting up.”

“Let’s step out, then. Don’t disturb Little May day.” Chu Cheng tiptoed back a few steps.

Lu Yan was still leaning over the crib, whispering close to the baby’s ear, “Only 6,540 days until your college entrance exam~ How can you sleep?”

“You’re a demon, huh? Get out.” Chu Cheng couldn’t help laughing and grabbed his dear son by the collar, dragging him out of the room.

The group sat in the living room for a while longer, chatting. Shen Nannan mentioned that today was the last day of classes at school. She had originally wanted to go visit the students, but her body hadn’t fully recovered, and taking care of a one-month-old baby was already exhausting. Both she and Zhou Jin were tied up.

Chu Cheng and Yu Siting both expressed their full understanding.

After a little while, the three said their goodbyes and got up to leave.

Just as they left Zhou Jin’s house, Yu Siting received a call from his eldest sister, Yu Xiang. On her business trip, she had specifically reminded her younger brother to keep an eye on Lu Yan’s fragile stomach in the days before the college entrance exam.

“Don’t worry.” Looking at his energetic, bouncing nephew, Yu Siting replied in a low voice.

“After the exams, make sure you come home early. Dad wants Chu Cheng over for dinner. He also wants to arrange a meeting between both families. This should count as an engagement dinner, I suppose.” On the other end of the line, his sister had already moved on to the next topic. “Judging by Dad’s recent financial movements, the betrothal gift he’s preparing for his son is no small amount.”

Yu Siting was unfazed: “He’s just still butting heads with Chairman Jin. I already told him not to worry about it.”

Yu Xiang chuckled, “Just let him be. It’ll all end up in your hands anyway.”

“Fine.” Yu Siting gave a vague reply, then shifted to a more serious tone. “But Old Man Chu and Professor Jin are traveling. Once they return, I’ll have Chu Cheng set a date.”

“Got it. But don’t let anyone bother you in the meantime—you two deserve a honeymoon.”

His sister found it a bit sudden and curiously asked, “Where are you planning to go for the honeymoon? Domestic or abroad?”

Yu Siting opened the car door and got into the driver’s seat. He glanced over at Chu Cheng, who was still admiring photos of the baby beside him, and moved his lips:

“Our bedroom at home.”

“…Huh?”

Both Yu Xiang on the other end of the line and Chu Cheng in the passenger seat were stunned.

---

Mid-August, the Grade 10 teaching building of No.10 High School.

Chu Cheng shifted his legs, which had gone numb from standing, and leaned against the window of a classroom, silently scrolling through his phone while munching on a chilled slice of watermelon in his other hand.

From a few meters behind the classroom door, the stern voice of Teacher Yu scolding students echoed non-stop.

Chu Cheng sighed, tossed the watermelon rind, and picked up another slice to continue eating.

Ten minutes passed. His legs finally gave out. He pocketed his phone, turned around, and peeked through the door crack. Inside, Yu Siting was still in full-on lecture mode, and the group of Grade 10 freshmen in their camouflage military training uniforms were sitting up straight, properly disciplined.

Creaaak—

The classroom door creaked under his leaning weight, drawing Yu Siting’s attention. Several students also turned toward the sound.

Chu Cheng quickly ducked down to hide.

Moments later, the sound of steady footsteps approached, and Yu Siting’s tall figure loomed above him, looking down with that ever-intimidating aura.

Still mad?

Chu Cheng looked up, silently mouthing the words. A clear, cheerful smile spilled from his eyes.

Isn’t it because you spoiled me?

Yu Siting’s expression was still stern, about to say something—when he suddenly noticed the two windowsills beside them lined with neatly packed boxes of chilled, cut watermelon.

“Bought you some fruit to cool you down,” Chu Cheng said with a grin.

“With this much? If you can’t piss me off, you’re planning to stuff me to death?” Yu Siting glanced at the boxes of chilled watermelon stacked beside the window—at least dozens of pounds—and lowered his voice. “Either finish it yourself or carry it back down the way you brought it up.”

“Don’t be like that.” Chu Cheng instinctively grabbed his big brother’s sleeve, but when their eyes met, he let go sheepishly and muttered, “I really can’t eat anymore.”

Yu Siting didn’t let up and was about to head back into the classroom to continue his lecture when he suddenly heard a watermelon-scented burp from behind.

“……”

After a two-second silence, Yu Siting was finally defeated, his anger forcibly dissolved. His brows relaxed a little, and he said helplessly, “Wait till I leave, then bring it in for them.”

Chu Cheng saluted with two fingers at his forehead in a “roger that” gesture, then cheekily blew him a kiss.

When the lunch break ended, the re-energized students reassembled on the playground to continue practicing formations and military posture under their drill instructor’s command.

Chu Cheng left the sweetest core of the watermelon in the office for Yu Siting. After they both finished eating, they napped on their desks across from each other for a bit before heading out together to inspect the new students’ military training progress.

The afternoon sun was blazing. The pavement bricks radiated heat. The two took a shaded path around the side of the teaching building, passing by the bulletin boards on either side.

Inside the glass display case, the honor roll still proudly showcased the stellar performance of the last graduating senior class. Class 7’s names stood out:

Lu Yan – Tsinghua University
Xu Wanwan – Tsinghua University
Ying He – Peking University
Meng Xin – Peking University Medical School
Li Sheng – Fudan University
Mu Yiyang – Harbin Institute of Technology
Han Rui – Beijing Normal University

Even though those names and schools were already engraved in Chu Cheng’s memory, he still glanced at them every time he passed by. Through that thin sheet of red paper, it was as if he could see the beaming faces behind each name.

“Tsk, the big bro is still the hands-off type, and Mr. Chu isn’t quite as dedicated as he used to be,” a familiar voice suddenly rang out from behind the bulletin board, under a tree.

Chu Cheng paused, then saw Li Sheng—one of those very names—standing there with a sunny smile.

“I was sent ahead to scout out where you two were slacking off at noon,” the graduate said. “Just happened to run into you at the red list.”

“They?” Chu Cheng latched onto the plural.

“Yeah.” Li Sheng jerked his chin toward another direction.

Rounding the building, they saw a whole row of familiar figures seated in the stands, happily eating soft-serve ice cream under the sun like they’d planned this reunion.

Yu Siting was surprised and pleased. He walked closer and asked, “You all showed up like this in broad daylight—who even let you in?”

Meng Xin shrugged. “We’re the pride of No. 10 High School. You think the gate guard would stop us?”

“Exactly. Anyone who didn’t get good grades wouldn’t even dare show their face here,” Li Sheng quipped as he led the two teachers to the group. “Just now, Mr. Chu stood staring at the honor roll for a good while. We’re guessing he was thinking of us.”

“Of course I was,” Chu Cheng said, sliding into the middle of the group and joining the lively chatter.

“What about Big Bro?” Meng Xin, always eager to compete for Yu Siting’s attention, looked at him expectantly. “Didn’t you miss your right-hand man when I wasn’t around?”

Yu Siting just snorted and said nothing.

“What’s that supposed to mean? I’m gonna throw a fit,” Meng Xin pouted.

“See that tall girl in the fourth row of the formation?” Chu Cheng draped an arm over Meng Xin’s shoulders and redirected his gaze. “Top scorer in this year’s Tingzhou High School Entrance Exam, straight into the senior division from the junior math team.”

“What? That impressive?” Meng Xin pulled a face. “No wonder Big Bro’s been giving me the cold shoulder.”

Chu Cheng winked. “There’s still hope. Here’s the plan—go over and tell her about the blood, sweat, and tears you shed as math class rep. Really highlight the trauma. Then—cough—it just so happens that being the Chinese class rep is far less stressful.”

Meng Xin blinked. “Mr. Chu, your mental abacus is bouncing beads off my face!”

The graduates shared updates on their college lives, laughing and chatting. Chu Cheng and Yu Siting listened attentively, genuinely engaged.

Eventually, it was the outspoken Jiang Zhibo who asked, “Since we all came back as a group to visit our teachers, Big Bro’s not gonna let us leave without treating us to a meal, right?”

Bai Xiaolong chimed in. Both had gotten into sports colleges in Beijing—Beijing Sport University and Capital University of Physical Education, respectively—so they’d still be citymates.

Chu Cheng picked up the cue: “Don’t worry. If he doesn’t treat you, I will. But it’ll have to wait till the sun sets and this round of military training wraps up.”

“Then why are you still running around?” Bai Xiaolong patted his chest. “For the sake of this meal, I’ll keep my eyes peeled on these new brats.”

He jumped off the steps, whipped a deck of cards from his pocket, and darted into the freshman ranks. Since the drill instructor couldn’t watch everyone at once, he started tucking cards into the uniforms of those slacking off.

Faced with this twisted version of “help,” Chu Cheng could only comfort the tormented newbies. Hang in there. Your big brothers universities are about to start military training too. Their days of leisure are numbered.

Chu Cheng walked to the edge of the stands, where Ying He was sitting alone.

Still as aloof and cool as ever, Ying He hadn’t changed much—just styled his hair into a sharp, clean-cut American fade, exuding even more of that effortlessly handsome vibe.

“Didn’t you and Lu Yan sign up for the same driving school? Why aren’t you practicing together?” Chu Cheng initiated the conversation.

“Different learning curves,” Ying He replied curtly, handing him a cone of soft-serve ice cream.

Chu Cheng took it with a smile and asked, “Still competing with each other?”

Ying He said nothing. After a few quiet seconds, he looked out at the drill formations and changed the subject. “Any particularly naughty students this year? Need me to straighten someone out?”

“Just worry about yourself,” Chu Cheng smirked. He didn’t mess up the boy’s hair—just gave him a pat on the shoulder.

Ying He scoffed.

But when Chu Cheng turned to go rest, Ying He pointed at his retreating back and gave a quiet warning to the freshmen around him: “Treat him well, or you’ll answer to me.”

The graduates huddled together in their little gossip corner—because what’s a reunion without a little juicy chatter?

“These guys are still as rowdy as ever. But Mu Yiyang didn’t show up today to stir the pot—now that’s rare.”

“He’s busy with someone—head over heels, can’t get out.”

“From which class? How do you know?”

“From No. 3 High, I also got into him. He and the girl were in the same orientation group chat. A few days ago, he got totally wasted at my graduation party and spilled everything himself.”

“…”

From a short distance away, Chu Cheng looked over—on one side were the returning grads, on the other, the brand-new freshmen. His heart was a swirl of emotions.

He turned slightly and sighed. “These graduates… they really do look a lot more mature than the new cubs.”

Yu Siting said, “They were around the same age when they first walked into my class. Time really flies—they’ve all grown up now.”

“I bet they’re feeling pretty smug right now. Grown-ups at last, graduated, and finally able to chat openly in front of us about all the stuff they didn’t dare bring up before.”

Chu Cheng listened to the half-heard snatches of gossip drifting over, and continued, “There’s that saying… No one stays seventeen forever, but there’s always someone who is seventeen.”

The sky was clear, sunlight rich and brilliant.

Chu Cheng squinted against the glare, bundled in a student’s school jacket, crouching in the shade cast by his tall big bro. He peeled open a nearly-melted soft-serve ice cream and took a bite.

The students had all grown up—but he, somehow, seemed unchanged.

Yu Siting watched the way he carefully unwrapped the ice cream, and couldn’t help but say, “Who says you haven’t changed? You’ve always been seventeen.”

“Huh?” Chu Cheng didn’t catch it, looked up with the plastic ice cream lid still stuck to his lips, cream smeared at the corner of his mouth.

Yu Siting chuckled, and when no one was looking, reached out to ruffle his soft, fluffy hair.

“I was complimenting you.”