Chapter 1, A Small City

However, when he arrived at the shallow area just now, holding an umbrella and wearing a mask, sunglasses, and a hat, Shen Qianxue and the other two people had already disappeared

Shen Shaohai fell silent for a moment and nodded in agreement

So far, she and Xia Ziming remain in a relationship dynamic characterized by one being strong and the other weak. Xia Ziming is sometimes very gentle, but most of the time he is quite dominant, speaking decisively and never inquiring whether others like it or not

Shen Qianxue covered her face, not understanding the weight of this slap, nor the meaning of Zhang Meiwen's words. She was somewhat confused, as the world of adults was separated from her by a thin veil. On her side of the veil, she saw the divorce agreement placed in front of Zhang Meiwen.

Happy birthday. Xia Ziming kissed Shen Qianxue on the forehead

Indeed, Xia Ziming has been so popular since childhood, how could he possibly remember someone as inconspicuous as her? The words spoken in the past were merely the innocent musings of a child

What will she become if they get divorced

Hello, your name is Xia Ziming, right? Let us borrow your phone to play with it

"Ziming, go take the luggage out of the trunk. We are staying here tonight, and we will go to the mountain to pay respects to our ancestors later," said the woman in the black dress to the young man. The young man, feeling impatient, walked to the back of the car and dragged out the suitcase from inside: "Mom, can we not stay here? It’s so dirty and disgusting here"

Activities within the school hold a fatal attraction for freshmen. Che Xiaoman has always enjoyed admiring handsome men. She heard that this year's Top Ten Singers competition features many handsome contestants, and so excited was she that she skipped dinner and dragged Shen Qianxue to the competition venue

As soon as they met, a look of embarrassment appeared on Shen Qianxue's face, her hand tightening as if she wanted to pull Chen Xiaoman back, fearing that she would step forward and cause someone to feel uncomfortable

Xia Ziming watched Shen Qianxue as she bent down to search for shells on the beach

Xia's father and mother were in the wrong, yet they were not the type to lower their pride and apologize. They could only leave with their son, leaving Shen Qianxue, who had just been beaten, and Zhang Meiwen, who was out of breath.

A black sedan is parked in front of a well, beside which is a household. Only an old man remains to look after the house, as the owner has long since moved out.

I have other matters to attend to with Xiaoman, so let's have a meal together another time," Shen Qianxue politely declined. Zheng Sheng wanted to say something more, but Che Xiaoman had already taken Shen Qianxue away.

It is just that sometimes, some awkwardness is unavoidable

He said: "Shen Qianxue, do you still remember what I said? If we can meet again in the future, you will be my girlfriend"

The two individuals gazed at each other in silence, unsure whether a few seconds or a longer period had passed.

Xia Ziming supported Shen Qianxue, who had just finished her IV drip, back to the dormitory. On the way, he couldn't help but ask, "Why didn't you mention that you have never had a medium-rare steak?"

I need to go back to the dormitory to put my textbooks away first. If not, it will be twelve o'clock. Shall we contact each other by phone?" Shen Qianxue smiled at Che Xiaoman. Uncertain if she had misread the situation, she inadvertently caught a glimpse of the man driving in the car, who was looking at Che Xiaoman with an expression of impatience.

Qianxue, where are you going

Later, Shen Qianxue and Zhang Meiwen moved into a 70 square meter commercial apartment and obtained urban household registration. However, from that day on, Shen Qianxue became a child from a single-parent family

It is that "colorful" boy

Also due to her reckless abandon, she made the same mistake as before, slipping and falling forward. This time, however, because of the speed of her run, she felt as if she had momentarily escaped the pull of gravity.

On this night, the friendship between Che Xiaoman and Shen Qianxue underwent a subtle change

Those five years of time seemed to rewind in that moment

Regardless of what kind of personality Xia Ziming has, Shen Qianxue likes him

The temporarily erected stage is still testing the sound system, with various noisy sounds blending together, causing discomfort to the ears

Shen Qianxue stood there, feeling as if she had been doused with a bucket of cold water, her entire body chilled from head to toe

At this moment, Xia Ziming finally understood that it was not a cold, but rather a result of eating something wrong. However, in front of the school doctor, he still retorted, "Having diarrhea weakens the body; shouldn't one replenish it?"

At that moment, a flame ignited in Shen Qianxue's heart. All her emotions surged like a fountain, filling her eyes, and she covered her mouth in disbelief

"You really can fall quite well." The boy's deep and gentle voice broke the confinement of time, and the brilliance that enveloped them seemed to fade, allowing time to flow once more

Indeed, she is going to find Xia Ziming

However, this time, she did not land

Xia Ziming noticed that Shen Qianxue was neither jealous nor angry, so he nodded in agreement

I am fine

As the two were about to say something more, Che Xiaoman strode over and, without any hesitation, extended her hand to demand a gift: "My birthday is in a few days as well, where is my gift?"

The first time Shen Qianxue had steak was when Xia Ziming ordered it for her

Shen Qianxue slightly lowered her head to gaze at the sparkling crystal pendant on the necklace

A small car is parked at the entrance of the office building, inside the car sits a young woman. The window is rolled down, and a little boy inside the car calls out to Shen Shaohai, "Dad".

Xia Ziming will bring her tablet to watch movies, play games, and tell her about the big city; Shen Qianxue will teach him how to swim, take him hiking, show him cattle and sheep, and do some things that cannot be done in the big city

He picked up the card, and when he looked up again, Shen Qianxue had already vanished without a trace

Shen Qianxue, I love you, let the sea convey my love outwards!

Shen Qianxue looked at the green tea floating in the paint bucket and thought to herself, this is bad

That night, the boy who found Shen Qianxue's ID card waited in place for this unexpected encounter with the girl. Meanwhile, Shen Qianxue was lost in thought inside the venue, completely unaware that her ID card had been lost.

Xia Ziming, dressed in a short shirt and shorts, splashed through the waves, shouting loudly at the sea. The sea breeze tousled his short hair, and in his zircon-like eyes reflected the image of Shen Qianxue

Shen Shaohai frowned, with little compassion in his eyes: "What are you going crazy about? Zhang Meiwen, it is precisely because of this that I cannot continue with you." Shen Shaohai even expressed some regret, "What did you come here for? Since you are here, let us go ahead and get a divorce."

In the late summer of the year when Shen Qianxue was 13 years old, cicadas were chirping high up in the trees, and birds briefly perched on the intertwined power lines above her head before flying off into the distance. Shen Qianxue carried a bucket to the riverbank to wash clothes, and when she looked up, she could only see the fading silhouette of the birds. Light filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting mottled shadows on her, which resembled the flowing stream.

Why are they getting a divorce

Was it drawn by that boy? This question appeared in Shen Qianxue's mind for a second, only to be immediately replaced by Xia Ziming.

Shen Qianxue was being pulled by her, struggling to keep up with her pace. Upon reaching the corner, they encountered their classmates A Zhao and Zheng Sheng.

It looks so beautiful

Shen Qianxue was momentarily at a loss for words, the heat in her cheeks sufficient to scorch her ability to articulate.

However, Che Xiaoman did not intend to end her concern here: "Does your mother still often hit you?"

After a brief moment of eye contact, Xia Ziming's gaze returned to the several girls beside him

Shen Qianxue raised her head and looked at the person inside the window. Xia Ziming had delicate features and was the most handsome boy she had ever seen. The thought of becoming friends with him sprang to Shen Qianxue's mind, so she smiled at him with kindness and friendliness.

The school doctor looked at him, smiling without speaking, yet his face conveyed the message, "Young man, you should learn more about common sense in life."

Although Xia Ziming said this, he shyly took off his Buddhist bead bracelet and placed it in Shen Qianxue's palm: "This is for you"

You no longer have a father

Shen Qianxue understood that this meant the other party was not holding a grudge. Looking at him in such a disheveled state, she couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh out loud

Shen Qianxue watched him holding the microphone, making interactive gestures. He sang an inspiring song, while Shen Qianxue only felt a sense of daze.

The classmates who were originally causing a commotion fell silent, finding this scene somewhat unbelievable

If Shen Qianxue were to see this person's attire, she would surely remember him vividly. Outside the venue of the Top Ten Singer Competition at the beginning of the school year, this masked individual had her in a "colorful" state and had once come to her rescue.

Are you alright? The owner of those beautiful eyes reached out a hand, making a gesture as if to help her up

When Shen Qianxue found Che Xiaoman, Che Xiaoman was looking at the program performance list. Upon seeing Shen Qianxue arrive, she hurriedly cleared the seat she had been occupying next to her.

Che Xiaoman raised her eyebrows, feeling no embarrassment at all, and continued: "If you have anything that makes you unhappy, you must tell me, for we are indeed steadfast good friends."

The car not only attracted Shen Qianxue, but also the children from the village gathered around, eager to see what was happening

Shen Qianxue's youthful smile touched the usually proud Xia Ziming, who lowered his head, feeling somewhat embarrassed. After taking the phone, he murmured: "Fool, the phone has already been waterlogged; what use is it to fish it out now?"

A young man dressed in a black leather jacket stood on the podium, gazing at the spot illuminated by the lights, and began to sing a song

On this tumultuous night, it seems that all tranquility converges upon them, as if a beam of light separates them from the surrounding darkness

Yet she still clings to her ridiculous expectations and fantasies

Xia Ziming

"Run!" The boy who pushed Xia Ziming into the river quickly fled, while the non-swimmer Xia Ziming struggled in the water, calling for help

The boy by the window put down his hands and closed the curtains again. He glanced at the ID card on the table, and after a moment of contemplation, he picked it up

It was such a coincidence that when two people got off the bus, they happened to encounter Shen Shaohai coming out of the office building

She arrived. Shen Qianxue swiftly tidied up her textbooks and miscellaneous items, hurriedly ran downstairs, and stopped in front of Che Xiaoman, still slightly out of breath

As Shen Qianxue ran towards the main stage with something in her hands, she slipped and fell forward. At the moment she fell, the green tea in her hand was also thrown out due to inertia

It felt as if someone had announced a farewell, yet Shen Qianxue did not wait for her separation from Xia Ziming; instead, she received news from her father. It was a hot afternoon when her mother pulled her back from the riverbank, giving her a woven bag and instructing her to pack her clothes. Confused and bewildered, she only learned from the neighbors' casual conversations that she was to go to the city to find her father

Remembering her purpose, she hurriedly thanked the boy and continued on her way to her destination. As she ran towards the backstage, she seemed to see a green tea bottle covered in paint, which had been transformed into a cute little animal.

"Let's go have Chinese food next time, as it seems you can't handle Western cuisine." Xia Ziming supported the weak Shen Qianxue, whose lips had turned somewhat pale. Xia Ziming glanced at her and, in front of everyone, picked her up in a horizontal embrace. As he walked, he advised her to eat some supplements when she returned, mentioning that she hardly had any flesh on her body.

It is a love song, poignant and moving, as if it expresses all the youthful sentiments of one's adolescence

Alas, it is indeed unfortunate for women to encounter such matters; it is better to say less about it.

Perhaps this is the blindness of those in love? Blindly believing that everything about the other person is good, blindly convinced that one can accompany the other through all the paths of life.

Xia Ziming initially did not react, and only after calming down did he realize that his savior had already submerged for a long time. He became anxious and called out: "Hey, hey, don't scare me, come up quickly, hey!"

Because of Shen Qianxue, he has become less averse to this small place that lacks internet, shopping malls, and even decent restrooms. In the presence of Shen Qianxue, the air is fresh, the sunlight is bright, and everything is clean and beautiful

Xia Ziming leaned close to the riverbank, peering out. Suddenly, Shen Qianxue emerged from beneath the water and bumped into Xia Ziming's chin, causing him to stagger back a few steps and sit down on the riverbank. While Xia Ziming rubbed his chin, Shen Qianxue handed him the phone she had retrieved.

With a dull thud, she heard the sound of the beverage bottle dropping into the liquid

How could she fall in front of the same boy twice? How embarrassing

As soon as the host's voice fell, a wave of screams erupted from the audience

Afterwards, Che Xiaoman asked her if she was lying. At that time, Shen Qianxue smiled without speaking, which left Che Xiaoman feeling quite troubled. She repeatedly advised Shen Qianxue: "In this world, men approach women with a purpose."

Hearing this, Shen Qianxue paused, stopped in her tracks, turned to look at Che Xiaoman, and did not intend to respond

The first time Shen Qianxue met Song Yiming was outside the venue of the Top Ten Singers competition two months later

A fleeting look of indignation crossed Che Xiaoman's face, but she quickly made amends: "I was just joking, after all. I was also doing this to celebrate Qianxue's birthday..."

Shen Qianxue looked at Xia Ziming in the crowd; he stood out so prominently among the people, yet he remained just as he was when she first met him, not fond of mingling too closely with others

A masked man gently pushed aside the curtains with his gloved hand, seeing three people splashing water and playing by the beach

Her wrist was caught by something

The singer's backstage is separated from the stage by a corridor, and Shen Qianxue runs against the wind, lost in her own world

Now encountering two "purposeful young men", Che Xiaoman, full of determination, stands protectively behind Shen Qianxue, clearly indicating her intention to take charge on Shen Qianxue's behalf

Before the parties involved had any reaction, Che Xiaoman snatched the love letter and read it aloud with great emotion from the podium. That elegantly written love letter in the small script of the Republic of China era was thus published on the school's official Weibo account

Shen Qianxue stood up and brushed off the dust from her clothes

Shen Qianxue's smile became increasingly awkward, yet this was not the first time such a scene had occurred. Sometimes she felt that Che Xiaoman was being a bit presumptuous, but in her heart, there was already a Xia Ziming residing. Having Che Xiaoman to help shield her was, for her, a form of convenience.

Not far from the seaside, there is a villa, and the people inside the villa walked to the floor-to-ceiling window upon hearing the name "Shen Qianxue"

Unlike in childhood, he did not express his dislike for those around him directly on his face

In that moment, Shen Qianxue's breath came to a halt; she forgot what she was originally going to do and simply stared blankly into those eyes, deep and profound like the galaxy.

Returning to the audience, Shen Qianxue listened absentmindedly to the singers' enchanting voices, while her soul and thoughts seemed to drift away to an unknown place

Shen Qianxue believed that the happiest time of her life was the year she was in a relationship with Xia Ziming

A Zhao was not afraid of her, and pulling along Zheng Sheng, whose face was as red as a tomato, approached and said: "Shen Qianxue, how about we go have a meal together?"

On their first Valentine's Day, because they did not make a reservation at the Western restaurant in advance, they waited in the waiting area for an hour. By the time it was their turn, Shen Qianxue was almost asleep.

Zheng Sheng gained attention on the school's official Weibo for writing a love letter to Shen Qianxue

Due to the large crowd, Che Xiaoman went in first to find a seat, while Shen Qianxue took her meal card to the convenience store to buy drinks and chips

After the award ceremony concluded, a beam of light descended from above, landing on Shen Qianxue.

The young man continued to watch them, observing as Xia Ziming took out an exquisite box from his pocket and opened it in front of Shen Qianxue

My phone, why should I lend it to you to play with? If you want to play, ask your parents to buy one for you. If you can't afford it, then don't embarrass yourself here

Shen Qianxue did not respond to her. At this moment, the curtain had already been drawn open, and Che Xiaoman, feeling disappointed, pouted her lips and decided to watch the performance by herself

When Shen Qianxue ran into the singer's backstage, Xia Ziming was chatting with several girls. Those girls also seemed to be contestants, as the blush and eyeshadow on their faces were quite exaggerated

Beyond the lights, Che Xiaoman tightly clenched her fists, biting her lower lip as she watched the radiant Xia Ziming kiss Shen Qianxue's lips

I heard your roommate say that you couldn't sleep all night after drinking coffee

This Che Xiaoman is like a lightning rod; this lightning will not strike Shen Qianxue. Let's go, there's still more to see. Ah Zhao sighed helplessly and pulled Zheng Sheng into the sixth cafeteria

Two medium-rare steaks, two lattes. Xia Ziming appeared somewhat dictatorial while placing the order, believing that good things should not be questioned by others regarding their preferences.

As a result, that night, Shen Qianxue experienced vomiting and diarrhea, and was assisted by her roommate to see the school doctor in the middle of the night, while Xia Ziming remained completely unaware.

A middle-aged man and woman dressed in black suits emerged from the car, their attire contrasting with that of the rural residents. Shen Qianxue stood there, unable to look away.

At that time, Shen Qianxue probably also liked his kind of domineering and arrogance

"Alright." Zhang Meiwen's reaction was unexpectedly calm

Shen Qianxue indeed wanted to politely decline, she smiled hesitantly, brushed her long hair that was gently swaying in the wind, and was about to speak when she saw Che Xiaoman once again blocking the two of them

A businessman from the town came to tell Zhang Meiwen that Shen's father had become wealthy in the big city, found a new wife, and now has a son who is four or five years old.

Many people turned their heads to look at them on the road, and the blush on Shen Qianxue's face unconsciously revealed her inner sense of happiness. She felt a bit shy; after being glanced at a few more times, she secretly buried her head in Xia Ziming's chest

Shen Qianxue was momentarily at a loss for words, remaining silent.

With a splash, someone jumped into the water

No wonder that house has always been without men; it turns out there is someone outside.

People outside were constantly discussing, while Zhang Meiwen stood at the door with a pale face, waiting for Shen Qianxue to finish packing her clothes, then pulled her daughter out of the house

"Who are you? If you are not a contestant, please do not enter casually." The voice of the staff brought Shen Qianxue's thoughts back. At the same time, it also drew the attention of Xia Ziming and others.

Che Xiaoman was completely focused on the handsome men and beautiful women on stage, and did not pay attention to Shen Qianxue's unusual silence. She occasionally nudged Shen Qianxue's arm, asking if the boys on stage were very handsome. However, Shen Qianxue seemed somewhat absent-minded, and her perfunctory responses caused Che Xiaoman to lose interest in engaging her in conversation again

Perhaps it was the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen, bright and clear, as if they could merge the universe and all things into that flowing depth

Xia Ziming took a deep breath and hurriedly shifted his gaze

Che Xiaoman smiled proudly as she fiddled with her curly hair and returned to the beach

Noticing the embarrassment on Shen Qianxue's face, the boy spoke again: "Do you have something urgent to attend to?"

However, there has never been a banquet that does not end in parting

If we can meet again in the future, then be my girlfriend. Xia Ziming, seeing that Shen Qianxue did not say a word, continued to speak to himself. Shen Qianxue suddenly raised her head, only to see him smiling brightly.

The next day, Xia Ziming's parents inadvertently noticed the Buddhist beads on Shen Qianxue's wrist. They grabbed Shen Qianxue and, without any distinction, accused her of being a thief! Shen Qianxue was momentarily stunned, and when she came to her senses, she had already been brought to her own doorstep by the crowd of onlookers.

This departure was too hasty, and Shen Qianxue did not have the opportunity to properly bid farewell to Xia Ziming before being swept away by the tumult of reality

Shen Shaohai came to the security room to pick someone up, and Shen Qianxue shouted, "Dad." The next moment, Zhang Meiwen's slap landed on her face.

The term "divorce" was something Shen Qianxue had only seen on the outdated, bulky television at home, yet she never imagined she would hear these two words from her parents. She remained silent, gazing at her parents, as a brief moment of fear filled the emptiness in her mind

For Xia Ziming at that time, the term "township" was a terrifying one. There was nothing here, and even going to the bathroom was particularly troublesome. However, in this detestable township, there was Shen Qianxue, a girl who seemed capable of infusing color into all the dull shadows here

Um... Shen Qianxue replied weakly.

I said, when you two are showing off your affection, could you consider the feelings of me, this third wheel? Che Xiaoman expressed some dissatisfaction, her face wearing a smile that was not quite a smile.

Xia Muzui's words were not clean, speaking such flirtatious remarks at a young age. It was then that Xia Ziming completed the truth: "I fell into the river, and it was she who saved me"

Che Xiaoman stepped forward and linked her arm, pulling her outside: "Let's go to the third cafeteria for a meal; I heard there is a chicken steak set today"

Shen Qianxue was also startled by his unfriendly behavior on the first day, and no longer extended any goodwill towards him. She merely watched him from a distance, observing as he listlessly kicked stones and listened to music on his phone.

Shen Qianxue stood in place, watching the boy leave until he was out of sight, before remembering that she still needed to find Che Xiaoman

The young man glanced at her figure disappearing under the lights, just as he was about to move forward, he stepped on a card. It was a card made of sturdy material, featuring a photo on a white background along with a line of address.

When Shen Qianxue lifted her head, she saw a boy standing about one meter away from her, wearing a mask. His long bangs slipped out from under the brim of his cap, slanting across his forehead. Beneath his dark hair were eyes reflecting the lights of the main stage. He seemed startled, staring blankly at Shen Qianxue.

Shen Qianxue was taken aback, while Xia Ziming turned around in a panic and ran away

When Shen Qianxue came to her senses, the boy had already walked away carrying the paint bucket

The curtains of the floor-to-ceiling window completely obscure this window, and the person inside is wearing a thin long-sleeved shirt. He is wearing sunglasses and a mask, seemingly trying to cover all of his skin with something.

The blinding light forced her to raise her hand to shield her eyes; she instinctively closed her eyes and only slowly opened them after adapting to the brightness.

The crowd around gradually increased, and Shen Qianxue held back her tears, standing still as Zhang Meiwen continued to hit her. Zhang Meiwen often picked on the neighbors, leading to a very poor relationship within the community. When such an incident occurred, the neighbors did not even offer any advice, merely standing by to watch the spectacle.

Although she was clearly happy inside, she felt like crying a little

The box should contain a necklace, and Shen Qianxue cooperatively lifted her long hair as Xia Ziming carefully put the necklace on her.

However, Shen Qianxue has indeed refused and has informed the other party that her heart belongs to someone else

Shen Qianxue seemed to be enchanted by him, harboring a slight joy, and solemnly nodded her head

Shen Qianxue responded vaguely with a sound, did not speak further, and walked down the bridge on her own, stepping into the open door of the girls' dormitory building

On stage, Xia Ziming, dressed in a black jacket and black leather pants, stands out even more. He is the only contestant adorned in a metal style and the only male participant who has elicited continuous screams even before his appearance

After he steadied Shen Qianxue, he jokingly said: "I almost became 'colorful' multiplied by two"

Shen Qianxue remembered this day in early April, the lights were dazzling, and Xia Ziming on stage bloomed like flowers in the dark night, flourishing amidst the clamor

Shen Qianxue left the singer's backstage with a bitter smile, feeling somewhat desolate

Shen Qianxue was flustered: "I'm sorry, your clothes..."

"Then go wherever it is cool." Xia Ziming scoffed disdainfully and turned to leave. However, a few boys behind him, unable to tolerate his arrogant demeanor, took the opportunity as he turned around to push him into the river.

Shen Qianxue was firmly locked in his embrace, the music on the main stage came to a halt, and in the silence where no one spoke, she seemed to hear the sound of a heartbeat

The owner of the palm took a step back, turned, and reached out to embrace her waist. It was as if they were dancing a beautiful waltz, yet this entire series of movements was executed by the young man while carrying a bucket of paint.

Because Shen Qianxue had been staring at the green tea in the paint bucket, the boy thought she had a particular fondness for that bottle of green tea, so he scooped it up with his gloved hand

Do not think that you are impressive just because your family is wealthy; we are not interested in playing with you either

Shen Qianxue smiled awkwardly, and when she looked at Xia Ziming again, he was also looking at her

Zhang Meiwen's temper is quite fierce, so it is normal for the man not to return

The man in black urged: "My parents used to live here, what are you complaining about? Hurry up!"

In order to alleviate the awkwardness, Shen Qianxue tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, preparing to change the subject.

The children in the village immediately approached and surrounded the small car as soon as they entered, peering curiously inside

Xia Ziming held the microphone, passionately confessing his feelings as he walked towards Shen Qianxue. Another beam of light followed his movement, and when the two beams of light converged, Xia Ziming embraced Shen Qianxue tightly.

The following song "Li Bai" will be performed by Xia Ziming, a first-year student from Class 3 of the Department of Financial Management

She revealed a mischievous smile and put on the bracelet that came from "exploitation": "Why not just give me this as a gift, consider it my birthday present"

Xia Ziming, with a quick tongue, remarked: "Wasn't it you who wanted to come along? You should have known you would see such a scene."

Zhang Meiwen's world collapsed at that moment; she did not know how she had walked in front of that man, nor did she understand what had filled her blank mind. It was as if, in that instant, all the self-deceiving words were swept away by the tidal wave of reality

The light shone on the young man, and it was only then that Shen Qianxue could see clearly that the young man's jeans and black hooded jacket were covered in paint. All of this was thanks to her bottle of green tea

The boy smiled and said: "I was scared into 'a riot of colors' by your green tea."

Shen Qianxue suddenly realized her awkward situation, hurriedly got up, and did not touch the hand that was extended with good intentions

The door of the back seat was opened by someone inside the car, and a boy, roughly the same age as Shen Qianxue, stepped out. He was also dressed in black, but his expression was somewhat impatient and disdainful.

As usual, before Shen Qianxue could speak, Che Xiaoman had already declined the boy's invitation to Shen Qianxue

Zheng Sheng turned his head back, lowered it, and let out a long sigh

Xia Ziming and Shen Qianxue both felt a bit awkward, and at that moment, Che Xiaoman unceremoniously took the tiger's eye bracelet off Xia Ziming's wrist

Five years later

Shen Qianxue sighed inwardly, feeling that even the sense of shame was superfluous, as the other party had seen her appearance when she received the poverty alleviation scholarship

Shen Qianxue looked on in a daze as everything unfolded: the arguments, the tearing, the insults. In the end, she and Zhang Meiwen were taken away by security. All of this highlighted Zhang Meiwen's defeat, while that woman never even showed her face, proving to be an undeniable winner

Originally in a daze, Shen Qianxue suddenly raised her head upon hearing this name, her eyes wide open as she gazed at the stage, as if there was a light there that she had always longed for

Xia Ziming rushed over with the crowd and discovered that the person being beaten was Shen Qianxue. He pushed through the crowd to intervene, but was unable to protect Shen Qianxue from the assault. His father grabbed his arm, and in his anxiety, he exclaimed: "She is not a thief; the items are mine, I gave them to her!"

After that day, Shen Qianxue became the only friend of Xia Ziming in the small town.

"It's just clothes; as long as they can be worn, that's enough." Shen Qianxue's smile appeared somewhat awkward. In the past, she did not understand and had taken a few pieces of clothing that Che Xiaoman did not want, until she was discovered by Zhang Meiwen and received a beating, at which point she realized that people have their pride.

At the shallow bay, the sea breeze gently caresses the shore, while a solitary seagull circles above

It is indeed him

Che Xiaoman is a friend that Shen Qianxue met in high school. The reason for their acquaintance is quite simple; they became desk mates during their first year of high school and have not been separated since.

It lasted only a few seconds, yet it felt as if several centuries had passed

"Don't look anymore, it's too far away." After they left, A Zhao nudged Zheng Sheng's shoulder

"Shen Qianxue, hurry up and come out! What are you dawdling for!" Che Xiaoman pouted. She did not like waiting for others, and when Shen Qianxue did not respond within three minutes, she could no longer contain her impatience

After the steak and coffee were served, Shen Qianxue hesitated to eat due to the sight of the bloody beef, and the black coffee, reminiscent of traditional Chinese medicine, was difficult for her to swallow. Xia Ziming, oblivious to her discomfort, continued to chat and laugh with her, making plans to come again next time

He seems not to recognize her

In this day and age, one must keep a close watch on one's man

She does not know whether the Xia Ziming on the list is the Xia Ziming she knows, but even if it is not, she still wants to confirm it

Xia Ziming seemed to be well-prepared in advance; he poked his head out of the shabby second-floor window and shouted at the children below: "What are you doing? Get away from here, move aside, and don't dirty my car!"

She closed her eyes, waiting for herself to make contact with the surface

The young man lifted the green tea that was stained with paint and said with a smile, "As compensation, I will take this with me!"

Xia Ziming had many things that the village children had never seen before, which led to a conflict that erupted, and Shen Qianxue found it completely unremarkable. On the day when Xia Ziming had a dispute with the village children, Shen Qianxue was washing clothes by the river as usual, and she witnessed those unruly children surround Xia Ziming completely.

Xia Ziming

Like other couples, they stroll hand in hand on campus, occasionally going to the library together and sometimes going out to watch movies for dates. When they cannot meet, they stay in touch through phone calls. During class, they also send WeChat messages right under the teacher's nose. Sometimes, when they are caught playing on their phones, the teacher teasingly remarks, causing Shen Qianxue's cheeks to flush.

Shen Qianxue nervously and excitedly pushed through the crowd

Shen Qianxue had not seen this name for five years. After looking at it several times, she left Che Xiaoman and headed straight for the singer's backstage.

Zhang Meiwen, upon hearing that her daughter had stolen something, walked out from the low house and without a word picked up the spatula she was using to cook and struck Shen Qianxue with it

Xia Ziming went to the mountains with his parents to pay respects to their ancestors. After the ancestral rites, Xia's father, responding to an invitation from relatives, decided to stay a while longer. This greatly troubled Xia Ziming, as he despised this small town that did not match his identity, loathed the unsophisticated people he encountered, and resented the children of his age who came to play with him. Due to Xia Ziming's unfriendliness, many children in the village spoke ill of him behind his back

Zhang Meiwen wandered around the city, and by the time she found Shen Shaohai's company, it was already dusk

It was not until the next day that Xia Ziming learned that his girlfriend was ill. He had thought that Shen Qianxue merely had a cold, and when he went to the school infirmary to find her, he bought her a bunch of tonics that were not suitable for her symptoms. Even the school doctor remarked to him: "I just want to ask you, if someone has an upset stomach and diarrhea, do they need to take donkey-hide gelatin, deer antler, and American ginseng to replenish their health?"

Shen Qianxue watched Xia Ziming leave amidst the crowd, while Xia Ziming turned back to glance at her from outside the crowd; that glance was etched in Shen Qianxue's heart

Shen Qianxue was very embarrassed at that time; she returned the love letter and rejected the other party

The two had agreed to meet at 12:00. Just before 12:00, Che Xiaoman stood downstairs at Shen Qianxue's dormitory and called out to her: "Shen Qianxue, why aren't you coming out yet!"

Alas, poor girl Shen Qianxue

Returned to you

The paint dripped down the bottle, and the boy furrowed his brows and said, "This probably can't be drunk, right?"

Summer Ziming, who was leaning against the window, was taken aback for a moment and then slammed the window shut

I want an urban household registration for my daughter, a house, and for my daughter to stay in the city to study. If you can achieve this, I will sign.

Xia Ziming grimaced and, under the urging of his parents, stepped into the dilapidated old house

"Shen Qianxue, shall we go to the fifth cafeteria for a meal together later?" Chai Xiaoman, who had just emerged from a small car, called out to Shen Qianxue, who was walking by with her textbooks. It was the second semester of their freshman year, and Shen Qianxue, as usual, first went to collect her textbooks before returning to the dormitory to pack her luggage. Unexpectedly, Chai Xiaoman, who always arrived just on time, had come to school early this time.

Then I will go with you. Che Xiaoman wore a blue short skirt with ruffles, and her elegant white chiffon top exuded a princess-like aura. Che Xiaoman glanced at Shen Qianxue and immediately frowned, asking, "Qianxue, isn't that skirt your mother's? Why are you still wearing your mother's skirt?"

Perhaps Shen Qianxue was hiding it too well, as she forced herself to swallow it at that moment and replied when she looked up: "It is delicious"

Shen Qianxue shuddered, and only then did she come to her senses

A warm and powerful force emanated from her wrist. The strong force pulled her in the opposite direction, as the wind tousled her long hair, causing strands to brush against her cheeks, obscuring her view of everything in front of her

I will be going home in a few days and probably won't come back here again. Xia Ziming lay on the high pile of grain, smiling at Shen Qianxue, his expression somewhat dim yet also impatient. He wanted to leave this place devoid of any high technology as soon as possible, yet he did not want to part ways with Shen Qianxue

Shen Qianxue is majoring in screenwriting, while Che Xiaoman is studying administrative management, belonging to two different departments; therefore, the two do not reside in the same dormitory building

The top ten singers performed from the beginning to the end, from the end to the award ceremony, continuing until 10:30. Outside, a young man stood under the dim and unclear lights, flipping the ID card bearing the name Shen Qianxue back and forth between his fingers. In the end, he took a deep breath and left, carrying the paint bucket that had been placed on the ground.

It must have been when she fell just now that the green tea fell into the paint bucket he was carrying in his hand

Shen Qianxue's questions could not be voiced, nor would anyone answer them; all she could do was secretly observe the lives of the Xia family of three

As time flows, the young couple becomes increasingly inseparable. On the day of Shen Qianxue's birthday, Xia Ziming took her for a walk by the seaside

Xia Ziming settled down in the village. Several times, Shen Qianxue witnessed the interactions of the Xia family of three, with Xia's father and mother showing concern and gently coaxing Xia Ziming. Shen Qianxue found it increasingly difficult to look away from this family; she thought, a true family must be like the Xia family of three, right

She gazed into the boy's clear eyes, as light refracted from his eyes into her heart. It was unclear whether time had ceased to flow or if the two had forgotten about time.

Zheng Sheng's confession technique is countless times better than that of an average boy. How could Shen Qianxue, an ordinary girl with a plain face, possibly reject such deep affection

This small town nestled against the mountains rarely experiences the clamor of automobiles. Therefore, when the black sedan slowly passed in front of Shen Qianxue, she could not help but stop and take a look.

"Are you an idiot? Since you found me, why are you still running away?" Xia Ziming's words gently echoed in her ears, reminiscent of many years ago, during that dusk when the sparrow perched on the branch. They sat shoulder to shoulder on the high rooftop, watching the sun set in the west.

Shen Qianxue resembled a meteor streaking across the surface of the Earth, yet her landing on the Earth's surface was somewhat ungraceful

This incident was stirred up by that talkative boy, A Zhao. He thought that Zheng Sheng was going to openly pursue someone, so he kept going on about how Zheng Sheng practiced small calligraphy in the dormitory every day, just to write love letters for the girl he liked, which piqued everyone's curiosity. Coincidentally, on the day Zheng Sheng sent the love letter to Shen Qianxue, Che Xiaoman came to visit Shen Qianxue.

But Shen Qianxue was completely unaware, only focused on smiling foolishly at her lover

This is what you recommended to me, how can I not eat it

Her long hair cascaded down like silk, and her floral top fluttered in the sea breeze. It was unclear whether it was because she was too thin or because the clothes were too large, but Xia Ziming could vaguely see the slightly protruding bosom within the falling neckline of her garment

The lights converged on the stage, a beam of circular light following Xia Ziming all the way. His location was the only spot on the stage illuminated by the lights. His jet-black hair was curled and sprayed with some chestnut-colored dye, making him even more dazzling than before

Shen Qianxue stood on the beach not far away, suddenly turning to face the sea, her shy demeanor transformed as she shouted loudly: "Xia Ziming, I love you too, let the sea convey my love!"

Che Xiaoman scrutinized Shen Qianxue, her bright eyes blinking as she looked at Shen Qianxue's plain long dress and straight black hair. She seemed to be in deep distress and said, "I have quite a few clothes that I hardly wear; you can take them and wear them!"

No one knows what she is thinking at this moment, whether it is jealousy or doubt. She is deeply trapped in darkness, yet she must watch Shen Qianxue, who originally had nothing, gather all the light around her

She knew that he was always going to leave; he did not belong to this small place

Sudden happiness seems capable of washing away all past misfortunes. An indescribable emotion surges forth, transforming into tears that fall silently. A cool breath brushes across her face, and as Shen Qianxue stares in astonishment with wide eyes, her petal-like lips have already gently parted. In the distance, it appears as if fireworks are blooming brightly, and where they bloom is a turning point in life.

Shen Qianxue leaned over to look at the program list with Che Xiaoman. Shen Qianxue's gaze moved down the list, which was nothing special at first glance. However,

She did not see it; after she turned around, Xia Ziming's gaze fell once again on her silhouette. He noticed her hand, on which she wore a string of Buddhist prayer beads as a bracelet.

Shen Qianxue is aware of Che Xiaoman's willfulness, so she did not say anything

Shen Qianxue quickly swam to Xia Ziming's side, grasped his flailing hand, and pulled him up onto the shore from the water where he was struggling. The incident happened swiftly, and Xia Ziming was rescued before he had swallowed much water. He sat on the stony bank, coughing and expelling the water that had gone down his throat. Without waiting for him to recover, Shen Qianxue jumped back into the river and submerged herself beneath the surface.