Reincarnated as a Scholar: But I only write Erotica-Chapter 2: Dreams and ambitions

Lin Mao grinned lazily. He wasn't the type to back down from a challenge—especially not one as boring as this.

"I said life's a joke," he repeated, his voice low but clear enough for those around him to hear. "Just take a look around. No one's really living it. We're all just pretending to know what we're doing."

Ms. Zhang shot him a disapproving glance. "Lin Mao, you're always so quick to dismiss things. Maybe if you actually listened for once, you would understand."

Lin Mao shrugged. "Maybe. But I don't need to understand everything to know that this class is slowly killing me."

A few of the students laughed, and Ms. Zhang sighed deeply.

"That's enough for today," she declared, her patience clearly wearing thin. "Everyone, I want a reflection on what life means to you, and I expect it on my desk by the end of the week."

Ring! Ring!

The bell rang, signaling the end of class and the room slowly emptied.

Lin Mao stood up, hanging his bag over his shoulder. He gave a final glance at the window, ready to escape. Maybe life is a joke... Or maybe I'm just too tired to care right now.

He chuckled softly to himself. His daydreams about medieval battles, sword fights, and conquering kingdoms slowly faded to the back of his mind, replaced by the duty and responsibilities of his reality.

Maybe someday, I'll find a life worth living. One where I don't have to sit through endless classes about the meaning of life.

Just as he reached the door to the corridor, he heard a soft voice call out behind him.

"Lin Mao."

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He froze mid-step, then turned to see Ms. Zhang standing there, her sharp gaze focused entirely on him.

"Yes, ma'am? How can I help you?" he asked, already half-distracted by the thought of the cafeteria.

Ms. Zhang's gaze didn't waver. "What is it that you truly want? What's your dream?"

Lin Mao blinked in confusion, the question catching him off guard. His usual carefree attitude slipped, and for a brief moment, he found himself struggling to find the right words.

"Wh... what?" he stammered.

For the first time, Ms. Zhang's composure softened, her gaze holding an unexpected hint of concern. She wasn't joking, he could tell. She was genuinely waiting for an answer.

He scratched the back of his head awkwardly, his confidence faltering slightly as he searched for something to say.

"Dreams, huh?" he muttered, the words feeling foreign on his tongue. He hesitated, considering her question as if it was something far deeper than it appeared.

After a long, contemplative pause, he sighed. "I don't have any dreams, Ms. Zhang. I just want to live a life where I don't have to ask myself, 'Why am I even living?'"

Ms. Zhang didn't respond immediately. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, as if considering his words carefully, before speaking again.

"And do you think you've achieved that life?" she asked, her voice soft yet probing.

Lin Mao snorted, a smirk curling up on his lips as he leaned against the doorframe.

"Not with your philosophy class, that's for sure," he replied with a laugh, his voice echoing in the now-empty classroom.

Ms. Zhang's expression softened for a moment, a glimmer of understanding crossing her features. "Hmm. Life isn't always about having answers, Lin Mao," she said thoughtfully. "Sometimes, it's about learning to ask better questions."

Lin Mao shrugged as he turned back toward the door. "Maybe. But for now, my only question is, 'When's lunch?'"

"Go on, then," she replied with a gentle wave, her voice a little lighter now. "But think about it. Life's meaning has a funny way of showing up when you least expect it."

"Yeah, yeah," Lin Mao muttered as he walked away, but her words lingered in the back of his mind. What is it that I truly want?

He shook his head, brushing off the thought. Dreams can wait. Lunch can't.

With a growling stomach, he made his way down the hallway to the cafeteria. His mouth watered at the thought of dumplings, but before he could reach the door, a familiar voice called out for him.

"Lin Mao!"

He sighed, recognizing that voice instantly. He turned hesitantly to see a young woman with long, silky black hair and striking dark eyes. Her beauty was undeniable, the kind of girl who turned heads without even trying.

She was crossing her arms, tapping her foot impatiently. "Why didn't you come to me right after class?" she asked, a cute pout gracing her face.

Lin Mao didn't even slow down. He barely glanced at her before continuing his walk.

"Lin Mao!" she called again.

She caught up to him, tugging lightly at his sleeve like a child trying to grab his attention. He could feel the tug, but his focus was on the cafeteria ahead. His eyes never left the door, dead set on the dumplings.

"Oi, Lin Mao, don't ignore me!" she called, now almost clinging to his sleeve.

Lin Mao shoved his hands into his pockets and kept walking. He could hear the collective sigh of the students behind him but that did not matter to him. Upon reaching the entrance, he paused for a moment before pushing it open.

The cafeteria was massive, with rows of tables and chairs stretching out in every direction. Students filled the space, eating and chatting, making the atmosphere lively.

But as soon as Lin Mao stepped into the room, the chatter died down. All eyes turned to him and his persistent follower as if they were a ghost.

"Look, it's Lin Mao," someone whispered.

"The laziest student in the whole college," another voice joined in.

"Isn't he the guy who has been repeating the same class for three years now?"

Lin Mao sighed inwardly. Can't even walk into lunch without becoming the topic of conversation.

The whispers, however, quickly shifted focus when they landed on the girl following him.

"Holy... that's Senior Chu Ha," a first-year student gasped, his eyes widening in surprise.

"She's so pretty!" someone whispered, their voice full of admiration.

"Just looking at her makes my whole day," another voice added dreamily.

Lin Mao ignored the stares and grabbed a tray, casually piling food onto it. He wasn't fazed by the attention—he was used to it by now.

Chu Ha, on the other hand, basked in the attention with a mischievous grin. She waved at the students who ogled her, clearly enjoying the spotlight.

"Another day, another round of gossip," Lin Mao muttered as he finally made his way toward an empty table, ready to dig in.