The rhythm of the classroom did not change.
The day's schedule was written on the blackboard, the handwriting clear, the spacing even. Light from outside remained uniform, with no direct sunlight. The brightness of the entire room was stable.
The sound of pages turning appeared in steady intervals.
Some read in low voices.
Some took notes.
The sounds were scattered, but not chaotic.
Guang sat in the front row.
His textbook was open.
His pen moved across the paper.
The handwriting he recorded was neat, without pause.
Everything was the same as yesterday.
Back row.
Li Qiang leaned against the back of his chair.
No book.
No glance at the blackboard.
His gaze rested outside the window.
His posture did not change.
As if the entire class had nothing to do with him.
Third row on the right.
Chen Ming lowered his voice.
"Aren't groups being assigned today?"
Zhang Tao nodded once.
"They are."
"What about him?"
Zhang Tao paused briefly.
"The class monitor will arrange it."
Chen Ming glanced toward the front.
Guang did not turn around.
As if he hadn't heard.
First period began.
The teacher briefly explained the grouping method.
Based on seating.
Four people per group.
Each group needed to complete discussion and record their results.
The outcome would count toward regular grades.
When the explanation ended, the classroom shifted slightly.
Chairs adjusted.
Books exchanged.
The noise increased just a little—
then quickly stabilized.
Guang stood up.
Walked to the center of the classroom.
Did not look at Li Qiang.
Simply followed the seating order and wrote the groups in a corner of the blackboard.
Each group's members were listed clearly.
No one missing.
After writing, he returned to his seat.
Did not say a single extra word.
The grouping was complete.
But one position was left blank.
The back row.
Li Qiang's seat.
Not assigned to any group.
Chen Ming noticed.
He whispered to Zhang Tao.
"What about him?"
Zhang Tao glanced at the board.
"He's not in a group."
"Why?"
Zhang Tao shook his head.
"The class monitor didn't write him in."
His voice lowered further.
"Then what does he do?"
No answer.
The teacher began explaining the task.
Each group needed to complete a section.
Organize viewpoints.
Write conclusions.
Then submit through the group leader.
Discussion began.
The volume in the classroom rose.
Some exchanged ideas.
Some flipped through materials.
Some wrote down keywords.
The rhythm started to flow.
Each group was operating.
Only one place remained still.
Li Qiang.
He still leaned against the chair.
Looking at no one.
And no one approached him.
Like a naturally formed blank space.
Time passed.
Discussions gradually took shape.
Some began recording.
Some organized statements.
No interference between groups.
The system was running.
Guang did not turn back.
But he knew the blank space was still there.
Unchanged.
Second period.
The process continued.
The teacher walked between groups.
Stopped.
Checked notes.
Nodded.
Did not interrupt.
When passing the back row,
his steps paused for a moment.
He looked at Li Qiang.
Said nothing.
And continued on.
As if it were accepted by default.
Noon.
Half the classroom emptied.
Some went to the cafeteria.
Some stayed.
Chen Ming remained seated.
Did not move.
Zhang Tao was organizing notes.
Chen Ming spoke.
"He didn't do anything all morning."
Zhang Tao nodded.
"Yeah."
"Then how is his grade calculated?"
Zhang Tao paused.
"It won't include him."
Chen Ming frowned.
"Then what's the point of him being here?"
Zhang Tao did not respond.
He simply put the papers away.
Guang sat in the front.
His pen paused for a moment.
Then continued writing.
He did not turn around.
Afternoon.
Physical education class.
The light on the field was brighter than in the classroom.
Air flowed freely.
Footsteps, voices, whistles mixed together.
A completely different rhythm.
The group assembled.
The teacher called roll briefly.
Dismissed.
Free practice.
The crowd scattered.
Some ran.
Some played ball.
Some gathered to chat.
Li Qiang stepped out of the group.
Direct movement.
No hesitation.
He walked to the basketball hoop.
Others followed.
The ball started moving.
The rhythm was fast.
His movements were clean.
Jump. Land. Turn.
No excess.
Power was evident.
Voices were louder than in the classroom.
"Pass."
"Here."
The sound of the ball hitting the ground was sharp.
People laughed.
People shouted.
This area was alive.
Completely different from the classroom.
Guang stood by the track.
Watched for a moment.
Then walked over.
No words.
He simply entered the court.
Someone passed him the ball.
He caught it.
No rush.
Dribble.
Stable footwork.
The rhythm did not break.
Li Qiang looked at him.
For the first time.
Their gazes met at the same point.
No words.
The ball moved again.
They began to match up.
Li Qiang was fast.
Direct drives.
Clear physical contact.
Guang did not step back.
Did not steal.
Just held position.
Adjusted his steps.
Fine-tuned angles.
The rhythm was not taken from him.
The ball returned to Guang.
He did not rush to attack.
Just controlled it.
Then shot.
The ball went in.
A crisp sound.
No extra reaction.
Continue.
Second time.
Third time.
The rhythm did not change.
Li Qiang moved faster and faster.
But did not break through.
He paused.
Did not call for the ball again.
The surrounding noise continued.
But this area quieted slightly for a moment.
Guang passed the ball out.
Did not stay.
Left the court.
Second half of PE class.
The teacher gathered everyone.
Announced additional content.
Basic self-defense.
Students formed pairs.
Two per group.
Practicing basic control techniques.
Chen Ming and Zhang Tao paired up.
They exchanged a glance.
No extra words.
Back row.
Li Qiang stood there.
Did not seek a partner.
Guang walked over.
Stopped in front of him.
"We're a pair."
His tone was steady.
No emotion.
Li Qiang looked at him.
No response.
No refusal.
The teacher began demonstrating.
Basic movements.
Wrist grab.
Force redirection.
Center of gravity control.
The movements were simple.
But required precision.
Practice began.
First round.
Li Qiang moved first.
Fast.
Direct force.
Trying to pull him off balance.
Guang did not resist directly.
Followed the force.
Adjusted footwork.
Changed angle.
Slight adjustment of hand position.
Li Qiang's force missed.
Second time.
Faster.
More direct.
Guang did not retreat.
Caught a point.
Turned.
Locked the joint.
Li Qiang's movement paused for a moment.
Broke free.
Stepped back.
Said nothing.
Third time.
Li Qiang used more force.
Pressed forward.
Guang's steps did not break.
Followed the force.
Guided direction.
Rotated the wrist.
Closed distance.
Pressed down the center.
Li Qiang was led off balance.
Lost stability.
The next moment—
he was pinned.
Not thrown.
Controlled.
His arm was locked.
His body could not generate force.
He stopped.
Did not struggle further.
His breathing grew slightly heavier.
Guang did not add pressure.
Only maintained control.
He leaned slightly closer.
His voice low.
"You're not incapable."
A brief pause.
"You just don't act."
No explanation.
No extension.
He released him.
Stepped back.
Li Qiang did not get up immediately.
One hand on the ground.
Paused.
Then stood up.
Did not look at Guang.
Did not speak.
Practice continued.
But his movements slowed slightly.
No longer as direct.
After school.
The crowd dispersed.
The classroom returned to silence.
Guang packed his books.
His movements neat.
No pause.
He stood.
Walked out of the classroom.
Passed the back row.
Li Qiang sat there.
Not leaning back.
Hands on the desk.
Not looking out the window.
Guang did not stop.
Left directly.
The corridor was not crowded.
Footsteps were clear.
He walked down the stairs.
His rhythm steady.
He did not look back.