A Short High School Love Story: Grateful to Have Admired You in My Youth
During high school, during lunch breaks or before evening study sessions, the school’s broadcast would always start. There were two hosts, a male and a female, and I inexplicably grew fond of that male voice.
Later, I found out that the owner of that voice was Lin Xiaocheng. Why did I like him? Was it because his voice was soft and sticky, the youthful vibe in the stories he narrated, or the songs he chose that hit right at my heart?
I thought about it many times, but I still couldn’t explain why.
Just like a crush in adolescence, as long as I felt I liked it, I quietly kept it in my heart without questioning the reasons.
So, when other classmates criticized Lin Xiaocheng’s rambling broadcasts or said his voice was unpleasant, I would always get inexplicably angry, giving them disdainful looks, or even rushing forward to argue with them.
But they often used a few words to instantly deflate my fighting spirit. Those words were: “Are you not convinced? Do you know he has as many flaws as you have freckles?”
In their triumphant laughter, I would often run back to my seat, bury my head deeply, and fall into silence. Yes, I had many freckles and was often teased by other classmates for it. At that time, I was becoming more and more self-abased and lonely.
So, I often wandered alone: eating alone, strolling alone in the campus, reading and writing letters alone, talking to myself in a quiet corner.
And during those times, I would always encounter Lin Xiaocheng. He would consistently use his magnetic voice to narrate every wave-like story from his heart, sharing his insights, and occasionally bits of his life.
In those mesmerizing listens, I found solace for my soul and deep, varied feelings.
It was those bittersweet experiences of youth and growth that deeply fascinated and depended on me. Over time, my desire to see the “true face of Mount Lu” of Lin Xiaocheng grew stronger.
But thinking of my freckled face, I hesitated before actively meeting him and chose instead to sneak a peek at him broadcasting from outside the school broadcast room.
He wore large headphones, occasionally operating the equipment with his right hand, while his left hand flipped through outlines or materials. Most of his attention, however, was focused on the microphone in front of him. He tried his best to make his voice deep and infectious.
Lin Xiaocheng was very focused during the broadcast, and he was also very attractive. Watching him, everything seemed so beautiful. He used this method to spread his voice throughout the campus.
Suddenly hearing him say goodbye to all the teachers and students, I was startled and immediately prepared to escape, but he quickly ran out: “Hey, wait a minute!”
It turned out that he had already noticed me. I tried to hide my panic and turned back to smile at him. He also smiled, and I saw his face full of dense pimples like the stars in the night sky.
Walking side by side with him in the lush campus, I always deliberately kept my head down, fearing he would look at my freckles more, but he didn’t seem to care, just chatting and laughing, completely ignoring his flourishing pimples…
The next day in the broadcast, Lin Xiaocheng talked about issues like freckles and pimples affecting “face.”
Finally, he said a very warm sentence: “No matter how unimpressive a girl looks, it doesn’t stop her from growing into a good girl; it’s okay for boys to be unattractive because charm is only about impression, and a good impression can be created.”
That sentence instantly gave an outlet to my long-standing inferiority complex and made me understand where his confident charisma in the campus came from. I never imagined that Lin Xiaocheng would actually invite me to his broadcasting room.
I sat quietly beside him, watching him broadcast. His side face, full of pimples, became more beautiful and charming because of his concentration. His gently moving lips were also full of attraction, making one unconsciously fall into some emotion.
After the broadcast, Lin Xiaocheng casually opened the drawer beside him and showed me the letters from listeners.
Various different styles of handwriting expressed their admiration and liking for him, and he explained with a smile: “Actually, many classmates scold me too, but these beautiful encouragements are enough to make me feel warm and happy.”
And I, too, longed for the recognition of other classmates. So, could I also use my voice to bring nourishment and care to those growing hearts like Lin Xiaocheng? When I tentatively asked Lin Xiaocheng, he readily agreed!
My broadcasting career began under Lin Xiaocheng’s careful guidance. Gradually, I also started to be liked by a small group of classmates. Later, I liked broadcasting even more, so much so that when filling out my college entrance exam application, I didn’t hesitate much and chose the broadcasting department.
After graduation, classmates told me that Lin Xiaocheng had a crush on me at the time, which was why he let me join the broadcast station, but I just smiled without saying anything.
I admit, during those years, I admired him. He made my youth incredibly beautiful with his presence. He also taught me how to accept myself and bravely change the bad reality with his enthusiasm.
To this day, I haven’t forgotten Lin Xiaocheng, nor his face full of familiar pimples.
If we could meet again, I would say to him: “Lin Xiaocheng, thank you for appearing in my youth and giving me the chance to find a more perfect version of myself.”
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
