Chapter 5, Childhood

Su Cuo withdrew his gaze and asked him: "Senior brother, how is your foot?"

The work in the laboratory was essentially concluded. That morning, after she finished her tasks, she went to the book market near the school, where she spent the entire morning browsing. In the end, she purchased a set of exquisite bookmarks as a birthday gift

At that moment, a series of light footsteps and a soft cough sounded at the door again. The two turned their heads simultaneously; Su Cuo widened his eyes, calmly stood up from the bed, and stood to the side with his gaze lowered. Xu Yihao, feeling awkward, shifted left and right nervously, glanced at Su Cuo, and then hesitantly said: "Dad, what brings you here"

That day, just before going to sleep, she unusually turned on her phone, and a message popped up: "Are you coming to the hospital tomorrow?" Su Cuo held the phone, staring blankly for a long time

Su Cuo bent down to help him, but a drunk person is often heavier than usual. After several attempts, she truly ran out of strength; just as she decided to call for help, Xu Yihang suddenly regained consciousness, wrapped his arms around her waist, and murmured: "Su Cuo?"

Some people cannot be seen again. This is a truth

Chen Zijia remained unperturbed, "So you mean that I cannot come to you for help in the future?"

Yes. Su Zhi sighed, "I grew up with her, attended the same elementary and middle schools, and our universities were also adjacent. Yet, I still do not know how she has changed, let alone others. Before the college entrance examination, my father took her to see a psychologist, who said she was psychologically very healthy. Apart from herself, no one else would know."

Then you should go again. Yang Xue concluded, "It is best to be by their side twenty-four hours a day, never leaving or abandoning them, to demonstrate your virtue and capability"

The stadium began amidst the excited shouts. Ying Chen sat down, initially unaware of Su Cuo's unusual expression, thinking she was simply watching the game calmly. However, after more than ten minutes, she noticed that Su Cuo's eyes remained fixed ahead, and upon closer inspection, it was evident that there was no focus at all. Ying Chen reached out to touch her hand and found her palm to be icy cold. She nervously nudged her.

Su Cuo came to his senses, "Ah, what happened?"

The location where Su Cuo was situated was excellent, providing a panoramic view of the entire venue. When the team members made their entrance, she was the first to notice Xu Yihai. She was directly facing him, his face fully bathed in sunlight, with thick eyebrows and an expressionless demeanor. From her vantage point on the high platform, she surprisingly did not perceive him as short. Soon after, cheers and applause erupted, the momentum was overwhelming, surging from the basketball court and seemingly overpowering everything.

Engineering Physics

She paid no attention to whether Xu Yihai agreed or not, and walked straight over, bending down to raise the temperature.

Xu Yihai suddenly said, "I sent you a text message while I was at the hospital"

has already recovered

Let us take it one step at a time. Su Cuo smiled, just as she was about to say something, a wave of screams erupted from the court, completely drowning out her words

Su Cuo habitually inquired about Xu Yihao's injury, nodding in consolation. He stood up and said, "Then you all take your time, I have no other matters, I will go back to study by myself."

Inquiring about what she is doing is not a difficult task; everyone tells him that Su Cuo is busy every day with her courses and laboratory work, completely absorbed in her tasks. Xu Yihai initially thought he would be angry when he saw her again, but at this moment, he only feels a mix of bitterness and sweetness, with no trace of anger left. The fact that she can come is already a great thing.

The voice was clear, could it be that I am not dreaming? Xu Yihai suddenly opened his eyes, but was blinded by the bright white light of the street lamp. He covered his eyes with his left hand and chuckled twice, "Hehe, Su Cuo, Su Cuo, it really is you."

"Everything is fine, and aspirations reach far and wide." Su Cuo answered truthfully. From the moment she learned that Ying Chen's father and grandfather were both diplomats, she had suspected that they would eventually take this step, though she did not expect them to proactively inform her.

Although it is already evening, the remnants of the daytime heat still linger. After stepping out of the hospital building, the summer warmth remains as usual. Su Cuo looked down and was taken aback—no wonder the principal had just scrutinized her clothing; she had been wearing Xu Yihang's coat all along! All she could do was smile wryly.

Principal Xu adjusted his glasses and scrutinized Su Cuo, seemingly deep in thought, "Very few girls study this major, and even fewer students can recognize me at first glance"

I was just about to ask you, "You seemed to be lost in thought while watching her. How can you be daydreaming during such an exciting match?"

In the end, I still made a trip to the hospital. Intentionally choosing to go at night, I thought there would be no one else there, just like yesterday. However, upon reaching the entrance, I discovered that Lin Zheng was also in the ward. She and Xu Yihao were huddled together, whispering about something, perhaps making notes in a few books.

In this way, three or four weeks passed as if they were just a single day. Su Cuo never minded living a frugal life; what others perceived as an incredibly dull existence, where days dragged on like years, was to her simply life itself, with no difference between a year and a day

Yingchen was at a loss for words. She asked, "Has she seen a psychologist?"

Ah, what does it matter?" Achen's eyes widened several times.

As I reached the door, I heard Xu Yihai's voice coming from behind: "Su Cuo."

Su Cuo had never seen them play basketball before and was unaware of their exceptional skills. They agilely competed on the court, fully showcasing the charm of the sport. Xu Yihao's soaring elegance during dunks, Chen Zijia's precise three-point shots at critical moments, and Su Zhiyun's elusive dribbling that left defenders helpless all astonished the spectators

How?

Su Zhi contemplated for a moment and said, "Perhaps you are right, but I stand by my opinion"

The game on the court is intensely competitive. Su Zhi dribbles past the players of Huada, passing the ball to Chen Zijia. Chen Zijia leaps from beyond the three-point line, and the basketball traces a perfect arc in the air, falling into the hoop like a stone dropping into water.

The tender expression made Su Cuo's body go numb on one side, and then she tried hard to put on a look of shock, "Senior Brother, how did you get out of bed? Quickly lie back down."

They will arrive soon, I will go downstairs to take a look. Su Cuo took out his phone to check.

Su Cuo sat on the sofa watching television. It felt like many years since he last watched TV, although there was a television in the dormitory, no one really watched it. Everyone had computers, so what was the point of watching TV

"Can you really sit through a movie like this?" Xu Yihao leaned against the door, unsure how long he had been standing there.

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Zheng smiled and warmly greeted her: "Thank you for bringing back the clothes. Su Cuo, feel free to take a seat; we are a bit busy at the moment"

"Not at all," Xu Yihao immediately replied

Ying Chen smiled softly, "I can tell. The first time I saw her, I thought, look at her eyes, so full of spirit. I have never seen eyes like that, as if I could see wisdom within them."

Su Cuo wanted to stand up and call for help, but his collar was caught and he could not move, so he had no choice but to raise his voice to call Su Zhi for assistance. However, it was Ying Chen who came, who smiled wryly and said, "Your brother is also drunk," and then helped Su Cuo lift Xu Yihao. Throughout the journey, the three of them did not speak, all feeling drowsy.

Ying Chen shot her a glare, "If you don't get up this early, you won't be able to find anyone. You don't even turn on your phone," she pointed at the science center, "and no unauthorized personnel can enter here.

Early in the morning on the weekend, Ying Chen came to find her. At the bottom of the Science Center, she saw Su Cuo approaching.

Su Cuo smiled faintly. She had not slept well, and there were dark circles around her eyes

"No way," Xu Yihai chuckled, "Is it possible that there are people in the school who don't know you? Dad, you are too modest. You truly underestimate the admiration your classmates have for you. But how is it that you managed to come and inspect this small ward amidst your busy schedule today?"

When the accident occurred, the three of them were in the car. My uncle and aunt tightly held Su Cuo in their arms with their bodies. When the police arrived, they found that everyone in the car, except for her, had not survived. She sat in the pool of her parents' blood, having only sustained very minor injuries. Su Zhi gestured to her temple with her hand, saying, "There is a scar here, on the temple, but it is not very noticeable now."

The waves of sound surged in the stadium, with the scores of both schools tightly contested. The battle for the basketball reached a fever pitch. In the last ten minutes, everyone was on edge, fully prepared for any outcome. However, no one anticipated that a turn of events would occur at this moment

Principal Xu, wearing a pair of glasses, appeared more three-dimensional and more elegant than when Su Cuo had seen him from a distance upon enrollment. After inquiring about Xu Yihao's recovery status, Principal Xu turned his attention to Su Cuo

Suddenly, screams erupted from the court. Ying Chen cheered a few times and noticed Su Cuo sitting there with a frown. She blinked, patted Su Cuo, and pointed at the court, saying: "Look at Chen Zijia; if anyone needs to advertise for the sun, he would be the best spokesperson"

Su Zhi looked at him and said, "Chen Zijia, I cannot help you with anything. How to choose is Su Cuo's own matter."

This bedroom has a bathroom. Su Cuo prepared hot water for him to wash his face and clean his body, then carefully fed him a hangover remedy, after which she did not sleep again, sitting by his bed with her eyes open until dawn. She was afraid of waking Ying Chen, so every movement she made was extremely quiet

As Lin Zheng caught up to the stairway, he spoke directly and to the point: "Su Cuo, what is your relationship with Xu Yihao?"

Senior sister

In the aftermath, various statements emerged, each differing in version. Ultimately, it was due to Xu Yihai's one-legged jump shot, which, due to excessive force, resulted in him landing on the foot of an opposing player, leading to an ankle injury and the rapid appearance of a swelling the size of half an egg.

In the face of such honesty, Su Cuo gently nodded and said, "Senior sister, please speak."

I really do not want to disturb them, but perhaps Yihao has already looked up and seen her. Su Cuo did not hesitate, and walked into the ward with grace, draping her coat over the back of a chair, smiling brightly as she spoke: "Senior Brother, I brought you some clothes. Are you feeling any better today?"

Su Cuo held her coat in her hand, just about to enter the door to return the garment; as she turned around, she saw Lin Zheng hurriedly riding his bike, one hand carrying many items, entering the hospital through another door. She walked quickly, not casting a glance in Su Cuo's direction.

"Come with us." Su Zhi shook his head

As Xu Yihao had just left, Chen Zijia arrived shortly after, taking the same seat, with little expression on his face

"There is no need to urge me to leave; I was already planning to go. I have a conference abroad tomorrow, so please be careful at home by yourself and do not run around," Principal Xu instructed, turning his gaze to Su Cuo. He paused for a moment on her clothing, smiled, and said, "Su Cuo, thank you for coming to see Yihao. If you have time, please come to see him more often."

If it were not for the incident that later befell my uncle and aunt, Aco would probably have already become a professional chess player by now

Su Cuo comforted him: "It is I. Senior brother, please stand up, I will escort you back to your room"

Lin Zheng is slightly taller than her, and their eyes remain at the same level. "You are truly intelligent. I won't waste words with you. I have never seen anyone play the 'Third Piano Concerto' at your level without any preparation."

"Hey, Mr. Su," Yang Xue felt a deep sense of anger, "Your president is injured and lying in the hospital, and you haven't gone to see him? It's been a week and you still haven't visited him?"

When Xu Yihao was helped to the bed, he was indeed awake for a few seconds, and in a dazed manner, he said: "Su Cuo, can you give me a chance, please?" However, he did not wait for a response and closed his eyes again to sleep

Ying Chen smiled wryly

When Su Zhi fell asleep again, she went to the garden. In the spacious and exquisite garden, the sound of birds chirping was continuous, and a gentle breeze blew, fresh like the winds of March, carrying the fragrance of leaves, dispelling all the heat. Throughout the long summer, only the early morning was the coolest. In the vast courtyard, from the front lawn to the backyard swimming pool, there was no one in sight. Perhaps it was because the previous night had been too lively, and everyone was still asleep. In the vast courtyard, from the front lawn to the backyard swimming pool, there was no one in sight. Perhaps it was because the previous night had been too lively, and everyone was still asleep

She smiled and said, "Today is Chen Zijia's birthday, and there is a gathering at Mi Shi's house. They asked me to come and invite you to join us as well"

Not bad," Su Cuo said, "better looking than I imagined

Senior brother, you are too polite. I originally owed you a favor, and this assistance is nothing significant. Su Cuo mustered his spirits and smiled cheerfully, saying, "So now we are even, right?"

They are swimming, let's go together said Xu Yihao

Lin Zheng continued, "That time I deliberately altered your program with the help of a classmate. My intention was merely to embarrass you, so that Xu Yihao would stop thinking about you so much. I often see him reading the articles you write, over and over again, without getting tired of them. Xu Yihao, with his aloof demeanor, is indifferent to everyone. Principal Xu is quite worried about him; he believes that a boy of his age should have friends of the opposite sex. Coincidentally, my father knows Principal Xu, and since I am in the same class as him, Principal Xu hopes that I will interact more with him." She paused, "Our relationship is that simple, Su Cuo. I have said all this just to ask you for one honest answer." Principal Xu is quite worried about him; he believes that a boy of his age should have friends of the opposite sex. Coincidentally, my father knows Principal Xu, and since I am in the same class as him, Principal Xu hopes that I will interact more with him." She paused, "Our relationship is that simple, Su Cuo. I have said all this just to ask you for one honest answer."

Su Cuo blinked her eyes, and indeed, the person who came in was someone she knew. The first to enter was Xu Yihao, followed by Mi Shi and Chen Zijia. Mi Shi was dressed like a little princess, warmly greeting the guests; lastly, Lin Zheng and another boy she had heard much about walked in hand in hand, intimately close, and everyone seemed accustomed to this, showing no signs of surprise. Su Cuo suddenly recalled Lin Zheng's words, "Others are much better than him," and couldn't help but smile slightly. Intimately close, and everyone seemed accustomed to this, showing no signs of surprise. Su Cuo suddenly recalled Lin Zheng's words, "Others are much better than him," and couldn't help but smile slightly. Perhaps in the eyes of outsiders, it indeed seemed much better. That boy was Wang Chen, the former president of the student council at Xida, a junior, with a pair of charming, wandering peach blossom eyes, showing an unimaginable enthusiasm towards Su Cuo. As the saying goes, one cannot refuse a warm invitation; most of that afternoon was spent chatting with him.

"If you hadn't broken your leg, I wouldn't have come here." Principal Xu glanced at his son, "Is this an eviction order?"

Hmm, I do recall, " said Chen Ruo thoughtfully, " This morning I went to Huada to find her and saw Azuo. I felt a bit strange—I can't quite describe that feeling. She was walking alone, as if everything around her didn't exist. It was like a riddle.

Su Zhi said: "It doesn't matter, even if you don't come to ask me, I will still tell you. It's good for you to know. Xu Yihai, you should not put pressure on Su Cuo. That is useless. She has gone through many things, she is smarter and more sensitive than both you and me. I wouldn't dare to say that I understand her, let alone you"

Hello, how are you feeling? Su Cuo stood by his bedside, smiling as she asked. In the brief moment it took to say those words, Xu Yihao felt the scent of the medicine in the air intensify and then fade, only to intensify again. His gaze lingered on Su Cuo for a long time; he had not looked at her this closely in a long while. He could not tell when it had happened, but his anger had vanished without a trace. The pride he had harbored for so long seemed to have been completely shattered by her smile. He recalled the last time he had seen her; she had ridden past him on her bicycle, like the wind, so utterly focused and unperturbed.

After watching two movies, Su Cuo dragged her legs down the stairs. She had been sitting for too long and felt a bit dizzy. Slowly, she walked through the corridor and saw Chen Zijia standing at the stairway with his arms crossed. He furrowed his brows, looking at her with concern. Although he did not say a word, the aura and pressure he exuded made it impossible for Su Cuo to ignore his presence; if the light did not lie, there was probably a hint of pity in his gaze, along with an indescribable emotion.

"There is no such thing," Su Cuo shook her head and chuckled softly, "I didn't know that Senior Sister had such keen eyesight; I couldn't see it clearly myself."

The swimming pool is large and clear, with a group of handsome men and beautiful women there, truly a feast for the eyes. Su Cuo remains seated on the sofa in the living room on the second floor, not having gone down at all. Her gaze is fixed on the television screen, yet the sounds in her ears are the laughter, playful shouts, and splashes coming from below. The sounds are not loud, but strangely intertwine in her ears, resembling a cacophony of music.

She was still carrying that brown backpack, which contained her laptop and her books. She wore a soft, cloth long dress, her expression as calm as water, her hair flowing down her back like clear water. Walking along the path in the campus, she seemed to be strolling in an open field, as if she were a recluse among the throngs of people. The campus was empty, silent and still, like a sleeping lake. Ying Chen stared at her in a daze, unsure whether she should call out to her. She wore a soft, cloth long dress, her expression as calm as water, her hair flowing down her back like clear water. Walking along the path in the campus, she seemed to be strolling in an open field, as if she were a recluse among the throngs of people. The campus was empty, silent and still, like a sleeping lake. Ying Chen stared at her in a daze, unsure whether she should call out to her

Are you going home during the summer vacation?" As Su Cuo walked to the door, Xu Yihao called out to her

Xu Yihai looked at the book, then at her, "I have enough flowers here, but there are no books to give," he glanced at the title of the book, "Do you still read Western fantasy novels? I don't know."

Two people, one standing and one sitting, gaze in the predetermined direction, deliberately avoiding each other's eyes, confronting each other like puppets. After a long time, Su Cuo turns his head, and the space by the door is empty and devoid of anyone.

Then she woke up in a sweat, having not slept a wink all night. After that, she did not go to the hospital again

Yingchen snapped back to reality from her imagined scene; no, this is not a barren wilderness devoid of anything, but a university brimming with an academic atmosphere

Su Cuo felt very guilty. Ying Chen and she were originally strangers, but now they are connected because of Su Zhi. Now Su Zhi does not come to find her; it is always Ying Chen who takes the initiative. Both siblings are quite clear that if it were Su Zhi coming over, there are many things she might not agree to, such as the situation today. However, Ying Chen is different; she truly finds it difficult to refuse.

"I apologize," Su Cuo said, "I just remembered a question that has been puzzling me for a long time. Then I lost my train of thought. Oh, Senior Sister, what is the score now?"

The university hospital at Huada boasts excellent doctors and equipment, and the ward conditions are also quite good, making it a comfortable place to stay. Each room appears neat and clean, leaving little for patients to criticize. In the room, there is only one patient, Xu Yihai, while the other two beds are empty. However, the room does not seem empty at all, as flowers and fruits are piled up everywhere.

It is truly a bit of a tearless sorrow. Su Cuo's mind is in a daze, wondering why he impulsively came to see him today, and so late at that. Could it be that Yang Xue's words provoked him? Moreover, he even encountered the principal. Standing together with the principal in a hospital room of less than twenty square meters, is it not a kind of honor?

"Are you from the same college?" Principal Xu looked at Su Cuo, her approachable demeanor exceeding Su Cuo's expectations

You are lost in your own authority, said Yingchen

Su Cuo could no longer maintain the smile on her face, and she leaned against the wall to steady herself

Lin Zheng's expression was calm, but her eyes were intense. The defiant look of such a beautiful girl was moving. Su Cuo paused for a moment, then smiled again and said: "Senior sister, your concern is unnecessary"

Su Cuo cast his gaze upon the court. The players from both sides were drenched in sweat, eagerly running and fighting on the field, rising in adversity, waiting for each twist and turn. They left no opportunity for their opponents, as if it were a war, where every inch of ground was precious, and every second counted. Each moment was an experience of the shared joys and sorrows of victory and defeat, as well as a repeated reflection on his own circumstances and those of life.

Without much thought, Su Cuo replied, "The things you are worried about will not happen. Senior Sister Lin, Xu Shixiong is a good person, and you two are great together." Hearing this, Lin Zheng was taken aback; the other party's response was so quick that it felt somewhat unreal. She pouted and sneered, "What do you mean by that? Yes, I like him, and I will take care of him, but I don't want him." Her voice trembled, "He has someone else in his heart, what do I want him for? It's too painful, I don't want it. No matter how good Xu Yihao is, I don't want him. Others are much better than him." The other party's response was so quick that it felt somewhat unreal. She pouted and sneered, "What do you mean by that? Yes, I like him, and I will take care of him, but I don't want him." Her voice trembled, "He has someone else in his heart, what do I want him for? It's too painful, I don't want it. No matter how good Xu Yihao is, I don't want him. Others are much better than him."

That night, Su Cuo had a dream. In the dream, someone kept asking her, "Will you come tomorrow? I will wait for you." Xu Yihai's face was not clear in the dream, hazy as if shrouded in mist, the face overlapping with the one in her memory. She could not distinguish between them for a moment and could only respond to his questions with her own, "Who are you? Who exactly are you?"

The cheers from the stadium resounded in unison. Su Cuo withdrew his gaze from the field and said with a smile, "What a wonderful thing; in the future, I can also go to France to visit you all."

He finally said, "I thought you would not come to see me"

The two individuals returned to the side of the swimming pool once again and proceeded to move Su Zhi.

Brother, please tell Mi Shi that I have returned to school and thank her for her hospitality on my behalf. I am very grateful

Wang Chen lightly stroked Lin Zheng's back, his face devoid of the smile he had while teasing Su Cuo in the afternoon. "Xu Yihai is probably drunk behind the rockery. He usually doesn't drink and has little tolerance for alcohol, but this time he is quite intoxicated. You should go check on him." At the same time, he extended his hand and pointed to the other side of the swimming pool, indicating for her to go there.

The female protagonist is very young, with a slender face, delicate skin, and a melancholic, lonely gaze, exuding a unique aura; the male protagonist is approaching middle age, possessing a marble-like visage, seemingly two individuals entirely unrelated. However, under the director's guidance, they develop a subtle romantic connection in the film.

Su Cuo looked at her

Yingchen, you know, I was also a smart child when I was young, and I didn't have to study much to achieve good grades. However, those teachers said that I wasn't even half as smart as Su Cuo. Su Zhi shook his head, "Really, in my entire life, I have never seen a girl smarter than A Cuo. I still remember when someone read her fortune when we were little."

Mi Shi called out from the side: "Sister Ying, why are you looking at Chen Zijia instead of your own Su Zhi?" The noise in the competition venue was quite loud, and only a few people nearby heard this remark, prompting everyone to laugh.

"Did the sun rise from the west today? It's rare to hear you call me 'brother.'" Su Zhi propped himself up in bed and pretended to look at the sun outside the window. Old habits die hard; as soon as he regained a bit of spirit, he began to joke.

"I don't know what time it is, but I have to go back to the laboratory once everyone is up," Su Cuo shook his phone and said, "I just turned it on and found out that my senior sister locked the laboratory keys inside the lab yesterday. I can't get in now, and I'm really anxious. She asked me to go back immediately to unlock the door, or else she will be scolded to death by Professor Bai."

Su Zhi was aware of the situation, exchanged a glance with Ying Chen, and then went over to put his arm around Xu Yihao's shoulder, sitting down on the lounge chair by the swimming pool

Xu Yihai leaned closer to Su Cuo, his hand resting on her face, which was cold from the air conditioning, "Su Cuo, you can't possibly not know—"

These words caused Xu Yihai to be taken aback, as if his entire face were about to radiate light

Ying Chen's gaze flickered

Later, she was sent to her grandfather's house. Other grandfathers favored boys over girls, but my grandfather was different; he favored girls over boys. Su Zhi smiled and said, "He dotes on A Cuo. He was not at ease leaving his precious granddaughter in the care of several uncles, so he decided to take care of her himself. My grandmother passed away early, and my grandfather had served in the military and fought in wars. He was strong all his life and did not want to trouble his daughters to help him take care of A Cuo, but fortunately, A Cuo was very sensible. However, six months later, my grandfather also passed away. Losing a child in old age, especially the son and daughter-in-law he cherished the most, shattered my grandfather's spirit. Once his spirit collapsed, illness followed. My grandmother passed away early, and my grandfather had served in the military and fought in wars. He was strong all his life and did not want to trouble his daughters to help him take care of A Cuo, but fortunately, A Cuo was very sensible. However, six months later, my grandfather also passed away. Losing a child in old age, especially the son and daughter-in-law he cherished the most, shattered my grandfather's spirit. Once his spirit collapsed, illness followed. All in all, there was probably a year during which laughter was rarely heard in the house.

What?

You don't seem surprised at all, said Jingchen in astonishment

Once the words were spoken, both individuals were filled with emotion and astonishment. As Ying Chen's sigh lingered in his throat, he heard a deep voice coming from behind: "I never knew before."

Mi Shi was also nearby, dressed in a white dress, exuding a gentle and graceful aura, stunningly beautiful.

Upon turning around, it turned out to be Xu Yihao, who did not know how long he had been standing there or how much of the conversation he had overheard. The current Xu Yihao wore an expression of shock and disbelief.

Seeing this, Xu Yihao immediately introduced: "Dad, this is Su Cuo, a freshman, and my junior sister."

Su was taken aback and uttered a soft "mm"

Su Cuo adjusted her expression before turning back. She stood facing the light, and Xu Yihao saw the shimmering light in her eyes, momentarily rendered speechless.

In the middle of the night, Su Zhi woke up feeling uncomfortably hot all over. He struggled a few times, making a slight sound. Su Cuo had a light sleep, and this little noise was enough to wake her. She hurriedly got out of bed to check on Su Zhi's condition. Although he had not vomited, his face appeared faintly pale under the dim wall lamp, looking quite unwell.

Su Cuo immediately turned her head to look at the court, but unexpectedly saw a ball spinning rapidly coming in her direction. She reacted quickly, swiftly pulling Ying Chen down to her right side. The ball narrowly grazed her arm, hit the back of the chair behind her, and bounced down to her feet

Two hours later, Wang Chen finally let her go, sighed, and remarked, "You are indeed not much different from the rumors," before shaking his head and going downstairs; Su Cuo finally turned her attention back to the television screen. It was an old movie set in 18th century Europe, with a muted gray-yellow tone throughout the film—hazy light filtering through damp clouds, casting a slightly faded golden warmth. The ever-present studio in the movie was located at the end of the top floor corridor, filled with old items, and each shot resembled a softly toned watercolor painting, exuding a tranquil atmosphere. It was an old movie set in 18th century Europe, with a muted gray-yellow tone throughout the film—hazy light filtering through damp clouds, casting a slightly faded golden warmth. The ever-present studio in the movie was located at the end of the top floor corridor, filled with old items, and each shot resembled a softly toned watercolor painting, exuding a tranquil atmosphere.

It was already very late after dinner, and looking up, one could see the stars scattered across the sky. The original plan was to stay at Mi Shi's house for one night, and everyone became more uninhibited. Most of the boys were half-drunk, and then they chatted, discussed various topics, and played cards, causing a commotion until late at night

I forgot the exact words, but it roughly means that she is smarter than most people and suffers more than the average person; as long as she can endure it, that is enough

It turned out that Xu Yihai could also speak in such a playful manner, and Su Cuo glanced at him. She had originally thought he was somewhat aloof, that unless necessary, he would say one word and never utter a second. She had known him for almost a year and had never heard him make a joke.

Looking.

There is no need to go. Su Zhi held her back, saying, Going would be a waste of effort anyway

Ying Chen sat by the pool, splashing water, and looked around, frowning. She asked Su Zhi beside her, "Why hasn't A Cuo come down yet? I'll go call her."

A trace of fatigue flickered in Su Cuo's eyes, and without responding, he slowly descended the stairs step by step

Xu Yihai forced a smile, "When did you know about my feelings for her—"

As Principal Xu departed, Su Cuo sat back down on Xu Yihao's bed, lost in thought about Principal Xu's appearance and demeanor; Xu Yihao put away the playful expression he had shared with Principal Xu, fell silent for a moment, and then spoke again: "Did Chen Zijia and your brother tell you that my dad is the principal?"

After the final exams, the vast majority of students returned home, and all the members of Su Cuo's dormitory had left, leaving her alone. She did not go anywhere, instead, she remained at the school, repeating this life day after day: after getting up in the morning, she would go to the laboratory, occasionally visiting the library, where she would spend the entire day, returning to the dormitory around ten-thirty in the evening

"Who said I didn't go?" Su Cuo said, "But when I went, the room was overcrowded; how could I possibly get in? Moreover, the final exams are approaching, and time is so tight.

Su Zhi and Ying Chen were certainly not visiting her home for the first time, as they were very familiar with the place. As soon as Ying Chen entered the house, she began arranging the room for Mi Shi, while Su Zhi moved in and out of the kitchen, bringing out various snacks, cut fruits, drinks, and so on, placing them on the coffee table in front of Su Cuo

Upon hearing this remark, Lin Zheng moved the corner of his mouth, "To take up and to let go? Is it sarcasm or praise? Yet, no matter how much love or fondness there is, if it is not yours, it ultimately is not yours. How can one force it? In the end, it is futile."

Seeing Su Cuo smile so easily, Ying Chen's expression became serious for a moment, and he said: "A Cuo, I need to tell you something."

Xu Yihai was truly drunk, lying half-reclined on the bench with his eyes closed. At the corner of the bench were four or five bottles of beer. His hair was somewhat deep, with the front strands nearly covering his eyebrows. The stark contrast between his jet-black hair and pale complexion was striking.

Su Cuo was unsure whether she should put on a look of surprise, but in reality, her face showed little expression. The principal, after all, is the principal; the way he conducts himself and speaks is truly pleasant.

Outside, there was a brief clamor of voices as several people entered the living room

She quickly finished speaking, passing by him without raising her head, leaving only the gentle brush of her clothing and breath.

Perhaps there are others who cannot sleep, but this is something she is unaware of. After wandering in the yard for half an hour, Su Cuo still noticed signs of someone getting up. She returned to the living room, rummaged through her backpack, and was surprised to see several text messages popping up quickly.

I will not respond anymore. There are many matters in the laboratory

Your brother has chosen French as his second foreign language, " said Yichen, pondering, " We plan to go to France after graduation

Xu Yihao was reading and taking notes, after all, it was his leg that was injured, not his mind, so he could not be exempted from the exam. When the sound of footsteps was heard, he put down the book and pen in his hands and quietly watched the person enter the hospital room

Su Zhi did not return home during the holiday, instead, he stayed at school to make up for his French studies. Whenever he had free time, he would explore various places both indoors and outdoors with Ying Chen. Life was quite comfortable, and he completely forgot about having a younger sister

Su Zhi shook his head, "You may not have noticed, but I know that when Mi Shi mentioned going swimming just now, Su Cuo's expression changed. Every time she has that kind of expression, it definitely means that this matter cannot be accomplished. To be honest, it is already quite rare for her to come here."

Su Cuo glared at her, "I estimate that someone has already done this, alright."

There isn't much either, those few you know," Yichen blinked and said, "I'll come to pick you up with your brother at noon, think about what birthday gift to buy. Also, it would be best to bring your swimsuit.

Two people are sitting by the swimming pool. Su Zhi holds her hand and slowly begins to speak: "You have no idea how clever A Cuo was when she was young. She started learning Go at around four years old, and just a few months later, her skills had already surpassed those of her teacher. She approaches everything this way; there is nothing she cannot learn, the harder the better. In this regard, she is very much like her father, my second uncle. My dad still says that Su Cuo's father is the smartest among their brothers."

"Who else went along?" Su Cuo asked

Then the atmosphere grew cold. Xu Yihai told himself to let go of his so-called aloofness and pride, but he simply could not do it. Thus, he stood there, refusing to speak. Meanwhile, Su Cuo's gaze lingered on the television for a long time, so engrossed as if what was happening on the screen was the only reality, while she and Xu Yihai beside her were merely elusive characters in that television show.

"I came here once before, together with Su Zhi and the others. There are so many people here that it was too crowded, so I didn't come in," Su Cuo looked around and said, "The room seems a bit cold. May I raise the temperature of the air conditioning a little?"

Yes, they informed me shortly after the start of the semester," Su Cuo tugged at his clothes, stood up, and said, "Alright, I won't disturb you any longer. Senior brother, focus on your studies.

Xu Yihai did not care about the clothes at all; his eyes were filled with joy as he asked her what fruits she wanted to eat and whether she thought the air conditioning was too cold, among other things

Both individuals remained silent. After a while, Chen Zijia walked over first and sincerely spoke: "Acuo, our project is progressing quite smoothly. Most of the credit goes to you. When you have some free time, I would like to treat you to a meal." The light from the wall lamp fell into his eyes, creating delicate ripples. Such a handsome young man, genuinely expressing gratitude from the bottom of his heart, was extremely captivating. Even though Su Cuo had grown accustomed to it, he was still taken aback.

"There is nothing wrong," Su Cuo assessed his expression and said, "Brother, your complexion looks much better."

There was no need to come over so early to tell me that

Along with the ball rushing towards the stands, there was also Xu Yihai, who was steaming with energy. As he ran, he turned back to wave at his teammates, his hair already soaked. Su Cuo bent down to pick up the ball and threw it steadily towards him. Xu Yihai's gaze fell upon the stands, and a bright glimmer quickly flashed in his eyes. However, this was all a fleeting moment, so quick that others could hardly see it.

Ying Chen let out a sigh, patted the seat beside him, "You finally made it"

Chen Zijia's fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of the cool chair, "Do you really think Aco cares about Xu Yihao? No, I don't think so. Su Zhi, you don't understand your sister at all. You know she is smart, but when have you ever seen a smart girl not hold on to what she cares about? Instead, she just hands it over to someone else?"

No, Xu Yihai interjected, "She is from the School of Physics."

Mishi's home is located in a tranquil and beautiful area on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by such large houses, a place not meant for ordinary people. In front of the three-story building is a large expanse of green lawn, and at the back, there is a sizable swimming pool. The interior decoration of the house is elegant yet not extravagant, with exquisite arrangements, and everything is placed in its proper position. Su Cuo did not hide her astonishment and sincerely exclaimed: "Mishi, your home is truly beautiful"

Glancing at the electronic scoreboard, Ying Chen said: "It is six to six, and it will be difficult to determine a winner for a while."

It is acceptable

The card table by the pool has been cleared. The aunt at Mi Shi's home is hurriedly gathering things as she walks upstairs; Lin Zheng is dozing off against Wang Chen's shoulder, her makeup slightly smudged, yet it gives her a uniquely fresh appearance; beside them, Wang Chen has his arm around Lin Zheng's shoulder, whispering softly to her, regardless of whether she is listening or not.

However, regardless of the circumstances, the outcome remains unchanged. Xu Yihao was injured and had to leave the field in disappointment during the last ten minutes. The absence of key players led to the slight defeat of the Law School of Huada; Chen Zijia was also injured in this chaotic incident, his handsome face scratched during the turmoil, leaving a bruise on his cheek that would likely take over a week to fade. Of course, these rumors were conveyed to Su Cuo in the form of gossip.

Supporting Xu Yihao back onto the bed, Su Cuo naturally sat on the edge of the bed, rummaging through her backpack to pull out a heavy stack of books, which she placed on the small table. "I originally planned to bring you flowers, but at this time, I have no idea where to buy them, so I can only give you books. You can flip through them when you feel bored."

"Looking at her, she doesn't seem like someone who has experienced so many childhood traumas," Yan Chen said, "She has a good temper, is always smiling, and appears to be just an ordinary girl"

For example, he said, "I have long heard of your esteemed name," to which Su Cuo replied, "I have also long heard of President Wang's high reputation." He then said, "I heard that you write programs very well; when will you teach me?" Su Cuo responded, "The library has the most books on computer science." He remarked, "Su Cuo, you are truly a person who does not reveal your true self," and Su Cuo replied, "Likewise, likewise." Wang Chen asked, "Why do you want to study such a difficult major as engineering physics?" Su Cuo countered, "Why do you want to study such a complicated major as electronic information?" The questions and answers alternated in a cycle, resembling an intellectual quiz. Onlookers mostly remained speechless and went downstairs to swim.

Su Cuo slightly bowed, his attitude neither servile nor overbearing, "Hello, Principal."

"It is fine to have ambitions that reach far and wide," he said. Then, he slowly chewed on this phrase and asked, "Where are your aspirations?"

Su Cuo looked at her again, reaching out to touch the hair at her temples, his voice almost a whisper: "Senior sister, you truly know how to take things up and let them go."

"Later, Aco came to our house," Su Zhi said. "My father is the eldest son. Later, for convenience in taking care of her, my parents adopted her. My father took her to see many psychologists, and the doctors all said she didn't have any significant aftereffects. They suggested that she learn something else; with more interests, she wouldn't always be thinking about things. She continued to learn chess, started learning piano, and also learned characters, acquiring a lot of knowledge. She learned everything very well, showing great talent, and those teachers were eager to take Su Zuo away to cultivate her wholeheartedly. She continued to learn chess, started learning piano, and also learned characters, acquiring a lot of knowledge. She learned everything very well, showing great talent, and those teachers were eager to take Su Zuo away to cultivate her wholeheartedly.

By the time of his second visit to the hospital, the peak visiting hours had already passed, as everyone had begun to busy themselves with final exams. Su Cuo stood at the door waiting for the doctor to finish changing his medication before stepping into the ward from behind the door. The room was empty, and surprisingly, Lin Zheng was not there either.

It has been a long time since I last saw him, and in such a large school, it is not surprising to not see anyone. Moreover, she is busy, and he is busy as well. Su Cuo quietly recalled when she last saw such an unforgettable face, when was it, and what was the occasion

No, of course that is not what I meant. Senior brother, you have always been very kind to me and have helped me a lot. Su Cuo leaned her right hand against the wall and pressed her left hand against her temple, feeling a slight pain in her forehead. I expressed myself poorly with that last sentence. Please disregard it. What I meant to say is that a promise made should be fulfilled, and I have now done so.

It was only upon arriving at the stadium that one truly understood what an unprecedented spectacle it was. The venue was filled to capacity, with a sea of heads everywhere, and the shouts rose and fell, each wave louder than the last. Su Cuo managed to squeeze into a spot in the front row with great difficulty. The gymnasium was built according to international standards for sports venues, with thousands of seats, all of which were now occupied. Voices erupted from every corner, and the early summer sunlight streamed in through the skylights, with golden dust swirling in the air.

Lin Zheng was surprised to see her face pale, "Su Cuo, I actually don't understand, if you don't want Xu Yihao, then what about Chen Zijia? It's no wonder."

Generally speaking, holding onto one's views is a good thing, but at times, it can be detrimental to both oneself and others. Chen Zijia glanced at him, saying, "When you are too close, you cannot see clearly."

Mi Shi smiled very appreciatively

Suddenly, she felt a weight on her body. Su Cuo straightened up and discovered that a coat had been draped over her shoulders. Following the arms resting on her shoulders, she looked back and saw Xu Yihao standing behind her, his gaze and smile so gentle that it frightened Su Cuo.

What major is it

Ying Chen smiled and said, "He just glanced at you."

"Do you really like Xu Yihao?" Lin Zheng's eyes sparkled, "If you also like Xu Yihao, I know I cannot compete with you. No matter how much I like him, I will give up; but if you do not like him, then in the future, do not come to the hospital. I will take care of him."

Su Zhi nodded, "It is evident when someone likes another person. I am certain that Su Cuo truly cares about you. In the past, during junior and senior high school, many boys liked her, but none of those feelings led anywhere. I have never seen her look at a boy with such eyes. If you really like her, take your time. She just has some things she cannot understand; once she does, everything will be fine"

Su Zhi fell asleep as soon as he hit the bed, leaving everything to worry about to Ying Chen and Su Cuo, who exchanged glances. They were also quite exhausted and had little strength to talk, engaging in a brief conversation before taking a shower and squeezing into another bed to sleep.

Su Cuo put on the door handle with one hand, and after a while, he suddenly remembered, "What?"

I didn't see it. Senior brother, you know that I hardly ever carry my phone.

Xu Yihai's expression was complex, revealing the inner turmoil he was experiencing. After a long pause, he finally spoke: "Su Zhi, I just came over to find you and accidentally overheard your conversation."

Su Cuo remained silent, quietly bowing slightly.

Ying Chen was not surprised to hear this; what was unexpected was that Su Cuo showed no reaction at all after hearing these words. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and asked, "Did you hear what Xu Yihai just said?"

Su Cuo stood while he sat, and for the first time, she could look directly into Xu Yuhai's eyes. However, for some reason, their gaze began to develop in a strange direction. Although he did not speak, countless words flowed continuously from his clear, dark eyes. Su Cuo felt a chill breeze on her back, separating her clothes from her skin. She quickly averted her gaze and saw a patch of moonlight spilling in from the window. Su Cuo felt a chill breeze on her back, separating her clothes from her skin. She quickly averted her gaze and saw a patch of moonlight spilling in from the window

In the early morning, Su Zhi woke up and, at first glance, saw Su Cuo sitting by her bed, gazing intently out the window. The light was dim, and her expression was almost indistinguishable. Su Zhi recalled events from several years ago, paused for a moment, and then spoke: "Acuo, you still find it difficult to fall asleep, don't you?"

Upon seeing Su Cuo approach, Wang Chen asked her: "Su Cuo, is the movie good?"