Chapter 1, Dust

I sent a message to Chen Qiaoluo, saying that I would be going out of town recently, and then I packed a few pieces of clothing and boarded a flight to City B with my father. The distance from City A to City B is quite far, and it wasn't until two hours later when we landed that I still felt somewhat unreal

The determination in Chen Qiaoluo's eyes left me momentarily stunned

Gu Yu looked at me in confusion and asked, "Classmate, is there anything else?"

After exchanging phone numbers with Xu Xuan, I went straight home

"Oh, little girl, are you here to play all by yourself? Would you like us to keep you company?" said the leading young man with ill intentions

There is no longer any distinction

"Please, Miss, which of your eyes saw me idling about?" Chen Qiaoluo replied weakly

Seeing me like this, Chen Qiaoluo immediately grinned and said with a cheeky smile: "How could I possibly die? If I were to die, you would have no idea how lonely you would be."

A group of people arrived quickly and left just as swiftly, disappearing at the doorway within a few seconds

As soon as I finished speaking, I heard my father's scream: "Daughter, what happened to your knee? Why is there a band-aid on it? Did you get hurt somewhere?"

The scream made me lower my head to look; my originally fair knee was now scraped, and bright red blood was gushing out.

Hearing him say this, I couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing: "This is your place, isn't it? Isn't it inappropriate for you to say that? In all my years, I've truly never seen a boss who drives away customers like you do"

Seeing me like this, Guyu is not in a hurry, patiently standing there waiting for me to speak

The wildness in the blood confronts reality and illusion

However, the absence of something now does not imply that it will not exist in the future

Yes, I am that foolish, foolishly running to confess to him and then being rejected I bit my lower lip, trying hard not to cry out

It is as if one has been thrown into a silent black hole

Just as I was gladly accepting, he suddenly spoke again: "But, Junhao, Gu Yu is really not one of us. For your own good, you should avoid getting close to him in the future."

It seemed that Chen Qiaoluo noticed I had woken up and turned her face to look at me

South Korea, Seoul

Xu Xuan took the medical kit and squatted down, using his clean and slender fingers to dip a cotton swab in the medicine and help me clean the wound

The news that Gu Yu has a girlfriend completely unsettled me, and the thought of confessing has repeatedly surfaced in my mind many times. His face is right in front of me, and I could almost reach out and touch him for real.

Perhaps I could go home to find my father, but I really do not want him to worry about me

In fact, I do not want to go out to play alone, but returning to school like this is also meaningless

The staff hurried over to help me up and asked with concern, "Miss, how are you? Is there anywhere you feel unwell?"

"At seventeen, you should be in your second year of high school, right? If I remember correctly, today is Wednesday. Why did you come here alone instead of attending class?" Xu Xuan asked.

Seeing that I had no intention of speaking, he turned around and intended to leave

Dad brought the soup out from the kitchen, sat down, and said: "Daughter, hurry up and eat, make sure you don't go hungry"

Bars are inherently chaotic places, and Aunt He Pei, who performs there regularly, inevitably encounters trouble. I can understand Chen Qiaoluo's actions, but seeing him injured, I cannot help but feel a sense of anger

Upon hearing his voice, my heart ached. I remained silent for a few seconds before softly saying to him: "Chen Qiaoluo, I am at the Weiman Arcade in the city center, could you come and keep me company?"

It seemed that he did not expect anyone to be here. He paused for a moment, stopped in his tracks, and said apologetically, "I’m sorry, classmate, I didn’t know you were here"

Chen Qiaoluo called me around 9 o'clock. As soon as I saw his name, I felt displeased. After hesitating for a moment, I still answered the call

"Pah, who wants to play with you?" I glanced at him and said coldly, "Step aside, don't block my way."

It seemed that he had not anticipated such an answer. Chen Qiaoluo was taken aback for a moment, then continued to ask: "What on earth is wrong with you? What was that phone call about this afternoon?"

The events of this morning regarding the Grain Rain have left my heart utterly exhausted, as if a treasure I had cherished for two years was suddenly stolen from me, and I do not even know who the thief is

However, in that moment, it felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over my heart. My words caught in my throat, and after a while, I continued, "You go ahead and take care of your business. I will wait for you here, and you can come find me once you are done."

"Does it hurt?" Xu Xuan raised his head to look at me and said comfortingly, "Just bear with it for a moment. There is some dirt in the wound, and if it is not cleaned properly, it may get infected."

"You are still laughing," I glared at him indignantly and retorted, "It has always been you who is uneducated and idle, it has nothing to do with me"

I believe that everyone has a scar in their heart that they are unwilling to touch

I received the game tokens and walked in aimlessly.

I do not know much about Chen Qiaoluo's family, but I vaguely understand that he is currently relying on Aunt He Pei. As for his father, he has never mentioned him.

I was stunned for a few seconds, and then quickly replied, "No, no one is sitting."

Just as I was muttering to myself, a commotion suddenly erupted outside the door. I turned around and saw several young men who looked like delinquents walking in, while the two girls nearby also returned to their workstations upon seeing this

Chen Qiaoluo is not much better off than I am. When I saw him on the podium, he had bruises on his face. From the statement of the disciplinary director, I learned that he was involved in an off-campus brawl and, like me, was brought up to face disciplinary action.

"Come on, you think you can be nice to me?" I rolled my eyes at him and said, "It would be a blessing if you could just stop causing me trouble."

Some matters and emotions need to be expressed in person; whether through a phone call or a letter, they can never convey that depth of feeling.

While I was halfway through my meal, a shadow suddenly appeared on the table. I looked up and saw Gu Yu standing in front of me

I do not know how much time has passed, when the Grain Rain in front of me spoke up with a hint of apology, saying: "Classmate, I am sorry."

After finally waiting for the morning classes to end, I walked alone to the school cafeteria. At No. 12 Middle School, I cannot be considered a good student; I have a habit of skipping classes and do not enjoy studying. If it were not for my decent grades in each exam, I fear the teachers would have completely given up on me long ago

I do not know how long it took him to put the band-aid on me. He stood up and seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as he said: "Alright, there is nothing more to worry about now. You should head back quickly; more people will be here in a little while."

It is "The Street of Temptation" by Li Zongsheng

What matters does the young lady wish to instruct us on this time

It was merely a fleeting glance at the opening ceremony of the first year of high school, yet it unexpectedly accompanied me through two years of time. I had thought about confessing to Gu Yu in the past, but I was afraid of being hurt. Thus, I could only silently stand at a distance, secretly watching him, like a fool.

It was not until we reached my doorstep that Chen Qiaoluo suddenly looked at me and said earnestly: "Zhu Jun, Guyu is not suitable for you. But you must believe that there is always someone in this world who loves you. Even if he has not come now, he will surely appear by your side in the future"

I never intended to say these things, I just still have feelings for you

To be honest, I have never been criticized like this in my entire life, and I feel somewhat disheartened at the moment

After purchasing my meal from the cafeteria window, I found an unoccupied seat and sat down

"How are you? You see it now, right?" Xu Xuan smiled at me and suddenly asked, "What is your name?"

After a short while, Xiao Su came over carrying a medical kit: "Boss, here you go."

Words spoken from the heart are expressed so directly

After a while, he finally returned to his usual playful demeanor and said to me: "Come on, to celebrate your heartbreak, I will treat you today, and we will drink until we are completely intoxicated"

I am also aware of the gap between Gu Yu and me, but liking someone is just liking someone; what can be done about it

The neon lights of the city have been illuminated, and occasionally a few people pass by.

You were born on the street of temptation

It was not until I ran to a place downstairs where no one was around that I could not help but cry softly. My first affection, my first secret love, I never expected the ending to be like this

Well, you go ahead and get busy first

Although this matter was once brought up by Chen Qiaoluo for mockery. In his view, Gu Yu and I are like the stars in the sky and the grass on the ground, fundamentally mismatched.

My father's barrage of worries came at me like a machine gun, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes in response: "It's nothing serious, I just accidentally fell today"

"Hey, you didn't see me," he said with a smile, handing me the shoes that I had left beside me, and added, "Looking at you, you must still be a student. In the future, don't come to places like this alone; it's too chaotic."

From my perspective, I could only see the thick hair on the top of his head; as for his expression, I could not discern it clearly. However, I knew that at this moment, he must be serious. Just as my thoughts were somewhat stirred, the pain from the wound made me involuntarily cry out.

It makes you unable to part with all of this

Just when I was at a loss, Chen Qiaoluo suddenly came running towards me from a distance. He bent over with his hands on his knees, breathing heavily with his head lowered

Chen Qiaoluo leaned against the pillow and turned his face to Xiao Heige, saying: "Xiao Heige, when you see my mom tonight, just tell her that I will be staying at your place for a few days, so she doesn't have to worry."

Yet within a minute, waves surged once more in my heart

No, it's not necessary, we have other matters to attend to, we will leave now

I received a call from Xiao Hei Ge the next afternoon. Throughout the entire class, my phone kept vibrating in my pocket. Finally, after class ended, I returned the call and heard his anxious voice.

"Wishing you well, Jun." I replied candidly and openly.

If I do not confess, will I have to keep this hidden emotion for a lifetime

Of course, I replied as a matter of course

I sat on the edge of the rooftop, hugging my knees in sadness, as a gentle breeze brushed against my face

It seemed that he sensed my probing gaze, and he turned to look at me. After a while, he chuckled lightly and asked, "What is there to see about me?"

I rejected her kind offer, took out my phone to check for any damage, and when I scrolled to my recent contacts, I saw Chen Qiaoluo's name, which made me feel even more depressed. That scoundrel, if it weren't for him not keeping me company, I wouldn't have been so unfortunate. I curse him to never find a girlfriend for the rest of his life

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare." Jin Shaokai took two steps back and said somewhat flustered, "I did not know this was your place, Young Master Xu. If there is anything amiss, I hope you will forgive me."

This fellow is rather arrogant

It's nothing much, just heard that a new skating rink has opened over in Tianchang Road, and I was thinking of inviting you to go have some fun together

But I have no other reliance besides my love for you

I don't know if it's because of being alone, but I always feel a bit low-spirited, and my rounds are somewhat bumpy. Upon reflecting on the reason, I believe it must be because Chen Qiaoluo is not paying attention to me. Thinking of him, I can't help but feel frustrated again. This guy, actually gave up playing with me for a beautiful girl, it's truly unbearable

I bit my lip, and for quite a while, I didn't know how to begin speaking

The greatest benefit of a breakup is probably the justification to indulge oneself

I took out my phone, not knowing when it had run out of battery and shut down automatically. I waved the screen-black phone in front of Chen Qiaoluo's eyes and said, "It's out of battery."

Ice skating? I heard Chen Qiaoluo hesitate for a moment, but he quickly rejected me, saying, "Miss, you can go by yourself. I have some matters to attend to right now, so I won't accompany you."

In this state, apart from Chen Qiaoluo, it seems I have no other friends left

Speaking of the "fateful bond" between Chen Qiaoluo and me, it dates back to a school meeting six months ago

"Who knows, it is probably just my bad luck this year." I closed the book beside me and asked, "Chen Qiaoluo, will you go to school tomorrow?"

Once such thoughts emerge, they immediately engulf my mind

The ice skating rink is located on the basement level of the Baicheng Building. As soon as I walked down the stairs, I felt a sense of dimness.

"Understood," replied Little Black.

How can that be? My daughter is in such poor health; we must not let her fall ill. Come on, Dad will take you to the hospital to have a look.

Even the wildest heart knows when to refuse

I like him

I stood at the entrance of the arcade, suddenly at a loss as to where I should go next

His rhetorical question left me speechless

This is a podium watched by thousands of people, and his actions surprised me.

I drank sip by sip, striving to ignore the momentary heat in my heart

My accusation made Chen Qiaoluo burst into laughter instantly. He said, "Zhu Junhao, where do you get the face to talk to me? It is now 3:30, class time. You called me, and aren't you also unconsciously skipping class yourself?"

Seeing my father hurriedly take off his apron, I quickly stopped him and said, "It's really nothing, Dad, I've already taken care of it, so there's no need to make a fuss."

Seeing me like this, Chen Qiaoluo instead burst into laughter. He said, "Zhu Junhao, isn't it just a confession that was rejected? It's not a big deal. Besides, I told you long ago that Gu Yu is impossible with you. Just think about it, how could someone like him, a well-behaved 'model student', possibly tolerate our kind of aimless and idle behavior."

After a while, I finally mustered the courage to look at him and asked, "Is it true that you have a girlfriend?"

Hmph, this fellow who forgets his friends when he sees beauty

After the busy tone rang for a long time, the familiar voice of Chen Qiaoluo finally came through

I got off Chen Qiaoluo's back and walked home alongside him. The moonlight was gentle, and we did not speak again

However ... ...

The rejection from Gu Yu made me feel much sadder than I had imagined. I went to the racing game area to experience the thrill of destruction and death. I played alone for about half an hour before I took out my phone to call Chen Qiaoluo

It turns out that the phrase "I like you" is not as difficult to say as I had imagined

Unlike students like Chen Qiaoluo and myself, Gu Yu is a legend in this school, excelling in both appearance and academics, and even her interpersonal skills are flawless and beyond reproach

Alright, I will go and help you prepare now said Xiao Hei Ge

This afternoon, I played all the games alone in the arcade, from Crazy Racing to Slam Dunk. It seems that the feelings of heartbreak can only be vented through these activities

I do not know how much time has passed, but faint footsteps reached my ears. When I turned around, I saw Gu Yu walking towards me.

Faced with my sudden accusation, Chen Qiaoluo was taken aback for a moment, then asked in confusion: "Where have I offended Miss Zhu? I haven't even said a word and you are already so angry with me"

Returning to City A was on a weekend afternoon, and I had somewhat organized my emotions. This world does not cease to function just because the Grain Rain has passed; I have too many things that I cannot let go of. He has never been everything in my life.

With me, do you lack anything at all

The acquaintance seemed to happen so naturally. Later, I asked Chen Qiaoluo why he became friends with me. He told me that he had never seen a girl get reprimanded for skipping class, and he wanted to know what kind of person I really was

After taking no more than ten steps, the voice of Xu Xuan came from behind: "Hey, Zhu Junhao, leave a phone number, come over to hang out when you have time."

Seeing me nod, he then spoke: "That was just a joke among classmates, it shouldn't be taken seriously"

I used a public phone to call my dad, informing him that after playing outside in the evening, I went to "Old Times Blues" with Chen Qiaoluo

The lights of the city have gradually begun to illuminate. While I was on the road, my father called to ask what dish I wanted for dinner. In that moment, the pain in my knee and all the displeasure in my heart seemed to dissipate like smoke, leaving only a warm light in my heart.

I do not dislike her; in fact, I even like her a little.

Seeing that Dad wanted to continue speaking, I interrupted him without a moment's hesitation and said, "Dad, I am very hungry; I hardly ate anything at school for lunch."

My throat was only able to produce sound normally by the afternoon, but unfortunately, it remains hoarse

The people in the arcade changed in batch after batch, and I also exchanged game tokens at the service desk at least five times, but by the time I was exhausted and sitting in the rest area, Chen Qiaoluo still had not arrived

Chen Qiaoluo's words evoked my sorrow, and the scene of being rejected by Gu Yu resurfaced before my eyes. My nose tinged with bitterness, and I was on the verge of breaking down in tears

"Chen Qiaoluo, I..." The words were caught halfway in my throat, and the dull pain rising from my chest nearly rendered me breathless. I sniffed for a while before finally speaking, "I was rejected by Gu Yu."

I do not know what Chen Qiaoluo is busy with; the other end of the phone is filled with a cacophony of sounds. He seems to be occupied, and after listening to my request, he merely said lightly: "Zhu Jun is well, I have some matters to attend to right now, you can play by yourself for a while."

"Let me give you a piece of advice." Perhaps it was due to the scorching sun that I had been exposed to for too long, I opened my mouth and scolded, "Chen Qiaoluo, have you skipped class again? Tell me, how many times have you come this week?"

"Zhu Jun, the teacher is watching you." My deskmate Li Zi nudged my arm and said softly

Having said that, he turned his face towards the little girl and said, "Xiao Su, why aren't you going yet"

Ah, you are hungry, just wait, Dad will have the dishes ready soon

"Alright, I may have been a bit abrupt," Xu Xuan shrugged and said, "In the future, if you come here, just look for me directly, don't come alone like this. You are still too young and do not understand how dark this world can be"

In contrast, Chen Qiaoluo seemed to have already accustomed himself to the situation; while the disciplinary director was speaking in front, he lowered his head and took out his phone to check.

All previous worries and displeasures vanished in an instant

The concern expressed by Xu Xuan made me feel a moment of warmth, and the frustration I had been feeling was soothed at this moment. This boy, whom I had only known for an hour, offered me an unexpected amount of tenderness, leaving me somewhat dazed.

Go to my room, there is an emergency medical kit in the second drawer of the cabinet, please help me bring it here

At noon, I did not go to the cafeteria, but instead ran alone to the rooftop of the old teaching building to calm down. This teaching building has been abandoned for a long time, and the rooftop is rarely visited by anyone.

I have never heard Chen Qiaoluo mention his father, as if this person never existed in his world

Just as a surge of anger welled up within me, my foot suddenly slipped, and I lost control, propelling myself forward. Three seconds later, I found myself sprawled out in a "big" shape at the edge of the railing

Sigh, this is all my fault. Xiao Hei sighed heavily and said, "A few days ago, a customer came to the store. He was generous, but also quite lewd. Sister He Pei suffered quite a bit at his hands. Just yesterday, A Luo came to find me, and I accidentally let something slip. This kid has a violent temper and cannot stand to see his mother wronged, so that night he beat that man up. However, that man seems to have some influence, and today he brought a few people to deal with him."

Just as I was confronting him, a clear voice from a boy suddenly interjected: "Jin Shaokai, this is my territory; causing such a ruckus here might not be appropriate."

The coursework in the second year of high school is both intense and tedious. I rested my chin on my hand, gazing out at the white clouds, while the math teacher at the podium incessantly lectured on equations

It seemed that my gentle approach was ineffective, and the young man immediately became angry, grabbing my wrist forcefully

Chen Qiaoluo, do you still have the face to call me?

Xu Xuan's words were like a dose of painkiller, leaving me momentarily stunned and dazed in place

"Seventeen, what is the matter?" I asked in confusion

I have never inquired about everything concerning him, just as he has never asked about my family

Have you ever seen darkness

Believing that all imperfections can be resolved with love

"Let go?" The young man laughed ominously and said, "Will you give what you have in hand to someone else?"

"Yes, yes, yes, I wish the young lady is intelligent and charming." Just as I was immersed in Chen Qiaoluo's insincere compliments, he continued to ask, "On a serious note, what are you calling for at this time?"

"No, this matter is not your fault." I continued to ask, "Does Aunt He Pei know about this?"

Wishing you well? Xu Xuan furrowed his brow in confusion and said, "How could anyone have such a name"

Hmm. I also stood up, waved my hand at him, and was about to leave

"What Young Master Xu, I am merely the same age as you, so you can just call me Xu Xuan." The boy smiled indifferently, but the smile carried a hint of coldness

"It's nothing, guests are always welcome. If you want to play, I will have someone arrange it for you," he said

He smiled and asked, "Is anyone sitting here?"

My father went out in the afternoon, and when he returned, he had two plane tickets in his hand. With a beaming smile, he said to me, "Daughter, I took a few days off to take you to City B for a little getaway"

His nagging made me roll my eyes: "Come on, handsome Xu, how long have we known each other for you to be so controlling over me"

Although Chen Qiaoluo and I often insult and disdain each other, the moment I heard that he was in trouble, my heart skipped a beat. I hurried to the hospital, where the doctor was stitching up his wounds

This can be considered a rejection

In this case, Gu Yu does not have a girlfriend. Such news is like a torrential rain falling in a parched desert, instantly creating an oasis in my heart

He smiled at me and turned around to walk back

You were born in the midnight of despair

As soon as Xu Xuan finished speaking, I hurriedly said: "There is no need to go through such trouble; this minor injury will heal in just a couple of days."

Like a cat whose tail has been caught, I felt a flush on my face and immediately retorted stubbornly, "Who said I was looking at you? So self-absorbed."

In the world you can see, there is not a single ray of light

However, my unrequited love was soon shattered by reality

It seems she did not expect me to come. Chen Qiaoluo was taken aback for a moment, then immediately asked: "Zhu Jun, how did you come here?"

A dull pain surged in my heart, yet I still smiled and said to him: "There is nothing to apologize for; this matter was entirely my own wishful thinking. Alright, I have things to attend to, so I will take my leave now"

I was momentarily lost in thought, smiled, and tucked the blanket in properly

Junhao, something has happened, Alo has been beaten and is in the hospital

Hello, Chen Qiaoluo, are you still speaking like a human...

Come and see if you are dead or not I said irritably

After settling in at the hotel, my father took me to explore the night market. We took a taxi straight to our destination, and the two of us quietly listened to music in a small bar. At midnight, we went to the adjacent snack street for a late-night meal

Indeed, it is Chen Qiaoluo's style; no matter what, he would never let Aunt He Pei worry. I sighed and fell silent. After a while, the doctor came out, and after exchanging a glance with Xiao Hei Ge, I walked into the ward

I raised my head to look at Gu Yu and almost instinctively said, "Gu Yu, I like you"

Having said that, I no longer glanced at Guyu and turned to run down the stairs

I slept the entire day at home and did not go to school

I want to tell him, tell him that I like him

On this day, Chen Qiaoluo still did not come to class. As I passed by their classroom, I took a cursory glance, and his seat remained empty.

That is indeed the case

"Pah, I can't express how happy I would be if you were dead." I said insincerely, "You are such a nuisance; if you died sooner, the world would be a lot quieter."

The seriousness in Chen Qiaoluo's words and the determination in his gaze left me momentarily stunned.

For a moment, I stood there in astonishment. Perhaps it was because I was young and naive at that time, I actually thought that Chen Qiaoluo's behavior was incredibly cool, and without realizing it, my admiration for him flowed like an endless river.

The waiter packed the exchanged game tokens into a box and handed it to me, smiling as he said, "Miss, here are your game tokens, please take good care of them"

Even the starlight is destined to extinguish, what kind of appointment are you attending

The pain emanating from my wrist made me unable to resist the urge to break free, yet that hand held onto me tightly

"Hmph, why should you care about me?" I said narcissistically, "I, Miss, can keep up without attending classes, but what about you with that silly brain? If you don't put in a little more effort, how will you manage?"

As soon as I entered the house, my father ran out of the kitchen upon hearing the sound, and joyfully said: "Daughter, I made your favorite braised pork today, and you must finish it all later."

"Yes, yes, yes, it has nothing to do with you at all. We wish Jun to be gentle, kind, generous, and lovely, a rare good girl." Chen Qiaoluo laughed and echoed my words

I turned my gaze towards the sound, and there stood a handsome young man. A faint smile lingered on his lips, and his eyes held a profound depth. I felt the hand that was tightly gripping my wrist loosen, and I seized the opportunity to free my hand.

You are quite clever, aren't you

Perhaps due to it being Wednesday, there were not many people in the entire skating rink. After paying and changing into my skates, I walked onto the ice. I am no stranger to skating; my father has taken me to almost all the skating rinks in this city, and I can even say that I am quite skilled at it

This is a lounge bar, and Aunt He Pei, Chen Qiaoluo's mother, performs here regularly. I have known Chen Qiaoluo for a short time, and he brought me here once.

I cannot say that I am very familiar with this deskmate. During the first year of high school, we were not in the same class, and even after the class division, we were not acquainted. It was only a month ago, after the seating adjustment, that I started sitting next to her. Unlike other girls who are noisy and boisterous, Li Zi is gentle and almost always treats everyone with a pleasant demeanor, readily accommodating any requests.

Until his figure disappeared in the moonlight, I was still lost in thought because of his words

As I followed Chen Qiaoluo inside, I immediately saw Aunt He Pei standing on the stage singing. She was wearing a bright red dress, her hair styled into alluring large waves, and she was softly crooning in a husky voice

I tilted my face to avoid his "lewd hand" and stood up, supporting myself on the chair. I had just taken two steps with my still aching leg when I was stopped: "Don't be like that, little sister, it's just a bit of fun for everyone."

I took a moment to compose myself before waving my hand at them and saying, "I am fine"

Ah, your knee is bleeding

After that sudden fall, I now feel completely drained of energy and can only stay here to rest. Just as I was looking down at my phone, a shadow suddenly appeared above me, and when I looked up, I saw those young people leering at me with lewd expressions.

Upon seeing this, my body reacted faster than my mouth; I swiftly dashed in front of him to block his path

I wanted to refute him, but I couldn't make a sound, so I had to let him mock me. Although Chen Qiaoluo has a bit of a sharp tongue, he is still good to his friends; at least he didn't leave me behind in the bar.

I turned around and, sure enough, saw the math teacher staring at me. I was momentarily taken aback, then quickly lowered my head to read, and expressed my gratitude to Li Zi.

At that time, I became infatuated with an online game and spent countless hours online, even skipping school whenever I could. Eventually, our homeroom teacher could no longer tolerate it, not only calling my father to give me a minor demerit but also publicly criticizing me at the school meeting

He hasn't said anything yet, as Alo does not want her to worry

Such a deep night, the streets after the rain

"What a bother," Xu Xuan smiled and said, "If this girl has scars on her body, it won't look good."

What unresolved emotional issues are there

I believe the luckiest thing in my life is having such a father. He does not ask me why I drank so much yesterday; he knows I am unhappy, so he takes me on a trip

On the other end of the phone, Chen Qiaoluo was silent for two seconds, then suddenly chuckled and said, "Alright, whatever you say makes sense."

Upon seeing me like this, Chen Qiaoluo immediately panicked and said, "Zhu Junhao, what happened to you? If there's something to discuss, let's talk it over calmly. Please don't cry."

What a little firecracker! The young man leered as he reached out his hand, intending to touch me

Having finished speaking, Jin Shaokai turned to the few people behind him and called out: "Why aren't you leaving quickly!"

"But your skating skills are quite good, how could you fall so badly?" he asked in confusion

After a while, he finally calmed his breath, raised his head to look at me, and said angrily: "Zhu Junhao, as a grown person, do you have any sense of propriety? It's absurd that you don't answer the phone; are you just disappearing on purpose?"

He hesitated for a few seconds before speaking: "I don't know, it depends on the situation."

The bartender, a young man with dark skin, approached us with a smile and said, "Hello, Aloha and Jun, it's good to see you. Are you going to stick to your usual fruit juice today?"

"Whatever." Chen Qiaoluo replied dismissively and then hung up the phone

"Gu Yu?" Chen Qiaoluo was taken aback for a moment, then as if recalling something, looked at me incredulously and asked, "You can't be telling me that you confessed to Gu Yu?"

Having said that, before I could respond in any way, the call was hung up by Chen Qiaoluo

No need, this minor injury is nothing

Perhaps it is the night that instills a sense of trepidation

"Let go." I turned my face towards him and said sternly

I opened my mouth, wanting to call out to him, but found that my throat felt as if it had been burned by fire, causing great discomfort

I breathed a sigh of relief, put my backpack back in the room, changed my clothes, and went out. The dining table was already set with the meal.

In this moment, I feel as though I have been abandoned by the entire world. No one needs me, and no one can notice me. A sense of loss slowly emerges from a corner of my heart, eventually expanding into an overwhelming shadow that is difficult to conceal

What happened? Now you know how it feels to be uncomfortable?" Chen Qiaoluo chuckled lightly

It was the summer of 2010, and a heatwave swept through the entire City A. I stood under the shade of a tree outside the school, calling Chen Qiaoluo. After a long while, he finally answered, lazily asking, "Miss Zhu, what brings you to call me on this hot afternoon?"

Having said that, he quickly ran back to the kitchen

No, I do not drink juice. I immediately declined and said, "Today I will drink alcohol. Brother Xiao Hei, bring me a glass of each different type of wine."

That day the weather was fine, and I returned to school as usual. However, after the first class, news spread that Gu Yu had a girlfriend, which quickly became the hot topic of conversation in the school within just one morning. This week, Chen Qiaoluo still had not come to class, and as I listened to the discussions about Gu Yu in the classroom, I suddenly felt a sense of panic.

Ice rinks, bars, and billiard halls are inherently gathering places for delinquent youths. I cast a disdainful glance at them, curled my lips slightly, and coldly said: "Get lost"

As soon as Chen Qiaoluo finished speaking, I exploded in anger: "Chen Qiaoluo, what could you possibly have going on with your idle lifestyle all day?"

It seemed that Chen Qiaoluo noticed my gaze, as she turned her head to look at me, the corners of her mouth lifted in a colorful smile, and she smiled at me.

Oh, I see. Xu Xuan replied thoughtfully, then asked, "How old are you this year?"

On the other end of the phone, Chen Qiaoluo paused for a few seconds, then helplessly said: "Alright, alright, I admit it. A few days ago, I saw a beautiful woman, her figure, her looks, tsk tsk. I have been skipping classes recently just to pursue her."

I turned to examine the young man in front of me. He was wearing a clean white T-shirt and shorts, with no excess accessories on him. Although his smile seemed insincere, it was still relatively pure. This young man, at first glance, appeared to be a good student, yet little did I expect that he would have such a profound background.

Before I could finish speaking, Chen Qiaoluo pulled me forward

I was escorted by two people to the resting area outside, where one of the girls said with concern: "You should go to the hospital for a bandage, otherwise it will leave a scar later on."

Girlfriend? Gu Yu furrowed her brows for a moment, then relaxed and smiled at me, saying, "Are you referring to that matter that has been circulating since this morning?"

"Hello, hello, hello, don't get it wrong, it's not the 'jun' of a gentleman, but the 'jun' of Wen Tingyun," I explained

I stood at the door anxiously watching, then turned my face to Xiao Hei and asked with concern: "What is going on? How did Chen Qiaoluo end up like this?"

"Hmm, I'll be right there." Little Su replied and ran off

Hmph

The next morning, as soon as I arrived at school, I saw Gu Yu. He was wearing a clean school uniform, and his delicate face was almost transparent under the sunlight. I stood there in a daze for quite a while, until the class bell rang, prompting me to hurriedly rush to the classroom

"Skipping class every day is nothing but idleness?" I held my breath and directly asked, "What exactly is going on? If you don't tell me today, I won't believe it."

I looked at him, without saying a word

At this time, there was no one on the street, and the bright moon of the summer night hung high in the sky, casting a pure white frost all over the ground

I stand at the front desk of the arcade, my ears filled with the background music of the games

Seeing me say this, Xiao Hei Ge was taken aback and turned his face in confusion to look at Chen Qiao Luo, only to hear him say: "Xiao Hei Ge, just go along with her. She is in a bad mood today, so let everything be according to her wishes"

Every time I come here, I almost always hear Aunt He Pei singing this song. I once asked her why she likes this song so much, and she just smiled without answering

Chen Qiaoluo's words were beyond my expectations. I was stunned for a few seconds, and then I heard him say: "I'm not going to talk to you anymore, that beautiful woman is here, I have to hang up first"

I want to discuss and vent with Chen Qiaoluo, but his phone is always unanswered

I picked up the chopsticks and began my struggle with the food

"Young Master Xu." The young man called out softly.

"If I don't get angry with you, who else should I get angry with?" I retorted, "If it weren't for you not accompanying me today, I wouldn't have gone to the ice rink alone. If I hadn't gone to the ice rink, I wouldn't have fallen, and if I hadn't fallen, my knee wouldn't have been scraped. So, tell me, if I don't blame you, who should I blame?"

"Hmph, what you said is no different from saying nothing at all." I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the ceiling and said, "Chen Qiaoluo, your pursuit of girls is quite intense, isn't it? You haven't been to school for so many days and aren't even afraid of being punished again"

I went to the restroom, and when I returned, the table was already filled with various kinds of alcohol. Brother Xiao Hei was beside me, introducing each one: this is "Bloody Mary," this is "Deep Sea Bomb," and that is "Long Island Iced Tea"

After hanging up the phone, I tidied up a bit and prepared to sleep. However, as I covered myself with the blanket, I caught sight of that band-aid, and Xu Xuan's face suddenly surfaced in my mind

At that moment, Xu Xuan also noticed my wound and waved his hand towards the workbench. Before long, the little girl from earlier ran over and asked, "Boss, is there something you need?"

My father was startled when he saw me reeking of alcohol last night, and early in the morning, he called my homeroom teacher to help me request a leave of absence. At noon, he made me a goji berry chicken soup.

I cursed inwardly in indignation, put away my phone, hailed a taxi, and headed towards Tianchang Road

I do not know when I fell asleep, but when I woke up, I was already on Chen Qiaoluo's back

Seeing that I remained silent, Xiao Hei Ge spoke up with a sense of guilt: "It is all my fault. If I had been more discreet, A Luo would not have been hurt like this."

I got it, Dad. I replied casually as I changed my shoes.

"What is there to be afraid of? I have taken a long sick leave," he said with a smile

I stayed in City B for three days, during which my father took me to explore the entire city. We climbed mountains, visited the old streets, and browsed the shopping malls together. My father made a great effort to cheer me up, and I seemed to have forgotten the pain brought by the Grain Rain.

I opened my mouth, only to realize that my voice had long since become hoarse

As soon as the words fell, everything around seemed to lose its sound. The wind ceased, and the camphor tree downstairs no longer rustled; it felt as if only our shallow breaths remained in the entire world.

When I looked at the time again, the clock in the arcade hall showed that it was already past 9 o'clock, and I walked out of the arcade.

This is my father, the man who loves and cares for me the most in this world

For a full twenty minutes, I behaved with utmost caution, and even after Guyu left, my ears remained flushed with heat

"Hello, Zhu Jun, have you considered my feelings when you say that?" Chen Qiaoluo said, pretending to be hurt, "I have treated you so well all this time, and it seems it was all in vain."

The meaning behind Xu Xuan's words made me feel amused, and at the same time, my shoes were already on my feet. The wound that had been oozing fresh blood was much better now, with the red clots contrasting against the white skin, giving it a somewhat disheveled appearance