Chapter 1 ：What to Do When You Discover the Class President''s Secret

 In November, Spark City had already become quite cold. The previous night, it had started to rain. Although it was just a drizzle, it was enough to make the already cold Spark City even chillier.

 Leonard DuPont had forgotten to check the windows before going to bed. The light blue curtains in his room were being blown all over the place by the wind outside, making a series of crackling sounds that mixed with the howling wind, forming a natural alarm.

 However, Leonard still didn''t wake up.

 He was still trapped in a dream, his brow furrowed, looking uneasy and scared.

 Outside the door, there were faint sounds of low-voiced conversations.

 "It''s almost time, why isn''t Leonard up yet?"

 "It seems like he didn''t respond when we knocked just now..."

 "Let''s shout again..."

 "Forget it, let him sleep. I''ll call the teacher and ask for leave."

 So, by the time Leonard struggled out of his dream, the clock by his bed showed it was already 8:25 AM—the first class had already started.

 Leonard, with a sleepy face, stared at the clock in a daze.

 A few seconds later, he immediately threw off the covers and sat up, looking terrified.

 As he hurriedly donned the clothes piled messily on his bed, he simultaneously rushed out of his room.

 "Mom, I overslept. Why didn''t you wake me up?" His still-sleepy voice echoed in the living room, soft and childlike, as though he was whining.

 After hastily washing up, he ran to the entrance to change his shoes, wrapped a thick plush scarf around his neck, put on his hat, grabbed his schoolbag, and was about to pull open the door.

 "Leonard, don''t rush. We''ve already called in for you."

 "Huh? Dad, you haven''t gone to work yet?" Leonard paused, looking towards the kitchen.

 "Here, take your breakfast." Mr. DuPont, busy in the kitchen, hurried over and handed him a prepared lunchbox.

 "It''s still early. I''ll leave a bit later. I''ve already called your teacher, so there''s no need to rush. Just walk slowly." Mr. DuPont instructed him, carefully checking his attire for the day, and disapprovingly pushed Leonard back into his room, "It rained last night, and it''s colder today. Go put on another sweater."

 Helplessly, Leonard had to go back and put on another sweater.

 Leonard had weak health since childhood, always catching one illness after another. An incident in middle school caused him to catch a serious illness, after which Mr. and Mrs. DuPont stayed home to take care of him for several years before he got better.

 Mr. DuPont knew his son was very disciplined and hated being late, fearing he''d catch a cold in his rush to school and get sick again. So, before Leonard left, Mr. DuPont repeatedly told him to take his time.

 "I know, Dad," Leonard replied, a bit helplessly. His health had improved, but his family still remained vigilant.

 Yet, knowing it was out of parental concern, Leonard wouldn''t refuse.

 Leonard took the lunchbox, waved to Mr. DuPont at the entrance, "Dad, I''m leaving now."

 His house was not far from the school—it was a specifically purchased school district house.

 Although he had an excuse for being late, he still wanted to get to school as soon as possible.

 Leonard looked at the shared bikes by the roadside, took out his phone, and unlocked one to ride to school.

 He remembered Mr. DuPont''s advice and didn''t ride too fast.

 After a short while on the bike, he felt the extraordinary chill of the day. Cold wind occasionally swept by, stirring up the fallen leaves on the roadside.

 In an instant, he somewhat regretted choosing the bike; walking would likely have been warmer.

 He felt his hands nearly freezing.

 Leonard stopped, trying to pull his school uniform sleeves down and tuck his hands inside before setting off again.

 After about ten minutes of riding, Leonard finally arrived at the entrance of the high school. The bike-sharing zone was slightly to the side. Leonard parked the bike properly, rubbed his hands together for warmth, and walked towards the gate.

 The school is located in the old part of the city, surrounded by many retired seniors, with some small shops at the entrance interspersed with alleys.

 Passing one such alley, Leonard suddenly heard a very familiar voice, causing him to straighten his back and stiffen.

 No way, why would the class monitor be outside at this time?!

 He remembered the dream he had last night, wore a troubled expression, and hurried past with his head down. Passing by, he clearly heard the conversation inside:

 "Henry Mellon, don''t push me too far!"

 "Push you too far? I''ve already bullied you, why worry about going too far?"

 Rustling sounds followed, like the friction of down jackets.

 Leonard paused, feeling both scared and curious, wanting to look but fearing to. He heard more exchanged words in a different tone from Henry.

 Leonard nervously twisted and tugged at his fingers, carefully moved to the alley wall, and peeked inside.

 In the dim alley, two people were in a standoff, the atmosphere tense. Black and white school jackets lay on the ground, casually kicked around, with a few muddied footprints visible.

 One person was pressed against the wall by their collar, looking a bit disheveled. Previously aggressive, he now fell silent.

 The other, taller, wore thin-rimmed glasses, calmly assessing the person in his grip.

 Seeing the familiar face, Leonard''s breathing became erratic.

 A flash of silver startled Leonard, making him take off running, fearing the people inside might come out and beat him up.

 "Hey, student, why so late? Did you get a leave?" The guard at the duty room saw someone rush by and quickly called out.

 "Uncle, I''m from Class 3, Grade 2. I already asked the teacher for leave."

 Leonard silently prayed, Sorry, uncle guard. I really need to hurry!

 The guard, flipping through his records, mumbled, "This kid, what''s the rush? Let me see, Class 3, Grade 2, oh, Leonard."

 "Uncle."

 He had just marked the name when another figure appeared.

 Recognizing the person, the guard asked, "Henry, why so late today? Did you ask for leave?"

 Henry smiled apologetically, "I overslept. Sorry to trouble you, uncle."

 The guard, momentarily stunned, then understandingly smiled, "Well, it rained last night, and today is colder. Sleeping in is understandable. Just explain to your teacher."

 He noted Henry''s name and waved, "Go on in. The first class isn''t over yet."

 Henry thanked the guard with a polite nod and quickened his pace into the school.

 Before long, another person arrived at the gate, his school jacket over his arm, a bit dirty.

 "Derrick Walker, Class 5, Grade 2." He said impatiently.

 The guard glanced at him, "Didn''t ask for leave?"

 "No."

 "Alright, in you go."

 The guard shook his head, wondering what the kid had been up to, seeing his dirty uniform.

 The first class was still in session, making the campus unusually quiet.

 Magnolia grandiflora stood tall even in the cold wind.

 Henry slowed his steps, leisurely heading towards the classroom building.

 The Grade 2 classrooms were at the northernmost part of the school, with Class 3 on the ground floor. From a distance, the balcony was filled with various succulents and green plants.

 Henry noticed a person wrapped up warmly standing at the door, bag still over his shoulder, head lowered.

 The English teacher, seemingly interrupted by Leonard, was visibly displeased.

 Henry approached and heard Mr. Wright continue his lecture, though he seemed slightly perturbed by being interrupted.

 Henry reported himself at the door, instantly brightening Mr. Wright''s mood, "Class monitor, come in."

 Leonard, hearing the voice, shrunk further into himself, hidden hands clenching nervously.

 Henry smiled, glancing at the nervous-looking figure beside him, intrigued by his reaction, unable to see more than his tightly pursed lips and a bit of soft cheek.

 "Leonard, you may come in too," Mr. Wright said casually, then turning to the class, "Alright, continue reading!"

 Leonard, as if given a pardon, quickly ran to his seat.

 His deskmate, William Allen, breathed a sigh of relief alongside him, whispering, "Mr. Wright is so terrifying. You did ask for leave, why''s he so strict?"

 "Never mind. Mr. Wright just doesn''t like anyone being late," Leonard replied as he quickly took out his books.

 "Page 98."

 Leonard nodded and quickly turned to page 98, then began removing his scarf and earmuffs.

 Taking a deep breath, Leonard finally started reading the textbook.

 Having missed the earlier classes, he stumbled over many unfamiliar words. Mr. Wright called on several students, sparing Leonard this time, though the class monitor was inevitably called.

 Mr. Wright favored the class monitor, who had an excellent grasp of English, reading fluidly with a good accent, unlike most students who had a local accent. Every class, Mr. Wright called on him to read aloud.

 At one point, he wanted the class monitor to be his class rep, but since the class monitor was already the student council president, he declined.

 Nevertheless, this did not affect Mr. Wright''s fondness for him.

 Leonard couldn''t help but sneak glances at the class monitor, feeling a bit envious.

 Just then, the class monitor closed his book, his gaze behind the glasses piercing towards Leonard.

 Leonard immediately buried himself in his book, not daring to look up.

 "What are you doing?" William asked, confused.

 "Nothing," Leonard''s muffled voice came from his desk.

 "You''re not catching a cold, are you? Why did you only ask for a short leave?"

 "No, I just overslept." Leonard finally looked up to explain.

 William, with an envious expression, said, "Lucky you. If I oversleep, my mom would scold me to school, and then the class tutor would scold me again."

 "Here, notes," William handed over his English notes, "Today, Mr. Wright spoke so fast. I didn''t understand much, but I wrote it all down. Teach me when you''ve learned it."

 Leonard nodded, "Alright."

 Admiring Leonard''s serious expression, William couldn''t help but pinch his cheek, "Lucky to have you, Leonard."

 "Don''t pinch my face."

 "Aww, it''s just so pinchable—soft and chubby, unlike mine," William pinched his own face.

 "William." Henry and the math class rep were distributing yesterday''s math quiz papers.

 "Yes, coming!"

 Leonard paused his notes, looking up just in time to hear Henry call his name.

 Caught in Henry''s gaze, Leonard instinctively stood up, two pairs of eyes locking, leaving Leonard momentarily stunned.

 "Leonard''s," William announced, quickly grabbing the paper from Henry''s hand.

 Leonard silently sat back down, head lowered, resuming his note-taking.

 With a sigh, William handed his paper to Leonard, "I made so many mistakes this time!"

 Receiving no response, William glanced at Leonard, "What''s wrong? You did well. Why so down?"

 Leonard turned to him, voice faint, "What if I discovered someone''s huge secret? What would happen?"

 Resting on a pile of books, William thought for a moment before dragging a finger across his throat in a mock gesture, "They might...do that."

 Leonard sighed deeply.

 I''m doomed...