Chapter 3

As she watched, a mist began to form in Ruan Su Mo's eyes.

The conversation had not yet ceased, but the atmosphere in the hall was already tumultuous. Some girls rolled their eyes and quietly remarked that another infatuated girl had arrived, while the boys kept casting teasing and mocking glances at Gu Ansheng. In fact, Ruan Su Mo was not unattractive; she was petite and slender, with red lips and white teeth, and would look even better with a bit of makeup. Ruan Su Mo wanted to defend Gu Ansheng, so she waved her hand a few times and said, "Well, I don't know Gu Ansheng."

Ruan Su Mo originally thought that in this lifetime, there might never be another opportunity for the two to meet again

Through the gossip among neighbors, Ruan Su Mo learned that Gu An Sheng had been admitted to Xianglong No. 7 Middle School. She had always believed that Gu An Sheng's mischief was merely due to his unwillingness; if his intelligence were applied to the right path, he would be unstoppable. The facts have proven how correct her belief in him was.

Once again intersecting with Gu Ansheng, Ruan Sumo was in her third year of high school. Gu Ansheng's Xianglong No. 7 Middle School had just passed the evaluation from a provincial key school to a national key school. In order to implement national education policies, the school also began to organize various exchange activities among schools. Ruan Sumo successfully entered the renowned Science Class A at Xianglong No. 7 Middle School with an excellent report card.

However, when the results of the high school entrance examination were released, she did not receive the admission notice from Xianglong No. 7 Middle School as she had anticipated

She stood on the stage, her gaze sweeping across the spacious and bright classroom and the brand new desks. Her eyes moved to the window, where they landed on a familiar yet increasingly handsome profile that had changed with the passage of time. Her palms began to sweat involuntarily, but fortunately, the other party did not look up, as if she did not exist, engrossed in his own activities. Ruan Su Mo did not feel disappointed; instead, she was relieved that he did not see her current nervousness.

Carefully opening the crumpled paper ball, a faint rustling sound is heard, with a hasty and scattered handwriting, consisting of only six words, forming a question:

I apologize, I apologize, I meant to say, my name is Ruan Su Mo, I transferred from No. 11 Middle School, and I hope...

Having spent a bit more time with them, Ruan Su Mo increasingly felt that Zhou Jia Yan was indeed quite a disaster for the country and the people. However, he was too glib and easygoing, and he usually did not refuse gifts from girls, such as chocolates and cakes. The boys, seeing the food piling up in the drawer, would take it home to pass on to their younger sisters to consume. Now, it was even better, as there was an additional Ruan Su Mo to share. Oh no, it should be called sharing the burden. Ruan Su Mo lived on campus and ate at the student cafeteria, while everyone else had slimmed down; only her weight kept climbing. Fortunately, her bone structure was smaller, so it was not very noticeable how much weight she had gained.

In the end, she reluctantly attended the Eleventh Middle School in town. After all, as a girl, it seemed that there was no other option for her to succeed besides studying. When the classes were divided into arts and sciences, Ruan Su Mo resolutely chose the science track, which she did not particularly like. She diligently immersed herself in solving problems and maintained top grades. She thought of Gu An Sheng, a proud person who probably would not want to memorize those flowery textbooks. The feeling of being able to work on the same exam papers and ponder the same questions was something Ruan Su Mo found quite subtle; perhaps it was good to be able to do so.

Gu Ansheng noticed Ruan Sumo entirely because of the girl's self-introduction. She was so focused on looking at one person that when Ruan Sumo was asked by the homeroom teacher to introduce herself, she inadvertently blurted it out.

Purified Water Alley

Fortunately, he remembers, and fortunately, she did not come to the wrong place

Milk candy

The voice is crisp and youthful

Gu Ansheng has a good temper and many friends, but he has only one confidant, Zhou Jiayan. As they gradually became familiar with each other, Ruan Sumo realized that he was no longer the reckless young boy of years past. Words like reserved and gentle temperament are more fitting for the current Gu Ansheng. The changes do not stop there; he has grown taller, become slimmer, his face is more resolute and handsome, and he smiles more often, yet there is an added calmness that comes from the passage of time. Ruan Sumo thought that the quiet name Gu Ansheng was truly tailored for him. The changes do not stop there; he has grown taller, become slimmer, his face is more resolute and handsome, and he smiles more often, yet there is an added calmness that comes from the passage of time. Ruan Sumo thought that the quiet name Gu Ansheng was truly tailored for him

Years have passed, yet Ruan Su Mo still has a fondness for the White Rabbit candy. Therefore, Zhou Jiayan gave her a nickname, calling her "Milk Candy." Under the azure sky and in public places, Zhou Jiayan often boldly calls out her nickname.

Observing the increasing fervor in the classroom, the homeroom teacher had no choice but to intervene, saying, "Isn't the time already tight enough? You still have the leisure to make a fuss. Once your exams are over, feel free to make as much noise as you like; I will join you if you wish!"

Gu An Sheng was not in the mood to care whether there was one more or one less person in the class; he was solely focused on the landscape sketch he was about to complete. The scene depicted the playground outside the window and the white poplars under the winter sunlight. Although it appeared somewhat immature, it already showcased an extraordinary talent. Ruan Su Mo's introduction was too pointed, which compelled him to slightly raise his head to look at the source of the voice.

At the beginning of the third year of high school, news suddenly arrived that Xianglong No. 7 High School had two exchange student slots available at No. 11 High School, one for liberal arts and one for science. Ruan Su Mo would certainly not let this excellent opportunity slip by, as it might be her only chance to have any connection with him. Ruan Su Mo lived up to expectations and secured the science slot by achieving the top rank in her grade, and coincidentally, the class that accepted her seemed to be the one where Gu An Sheng was. All of this made her feel that the misfortunes of the past seventeen years had finally come to an end, and the goddess of fortune had begun to smile upon her.

Hello, there is actually a girl with the same name as you

They almost recognized each other at a glance

As the high school entrance examination approached, Ruan Su Mo, apart from spending some time on household chores, dared not waste a single bit of her energy on other matters. Her efforts made Lin Xi feel an inexplicable sense of tension. Seeing her study with great determination, Lin Xi was not unfeeling, but had long since become unskilled at expressing herself; when she did speak, it was merely to suggest going to bed earlier, that electricity was expensive, and similar remarks. This mode of communication seemed to have formed a tacit understanding between mother and daughter, and Ruan Su Mo would secretly feel delighted in her heart, which further invigorated her spirit. Seeing her study with great determination, Lin Xi was not unfeeling, but had long since become unskilled at expressing herself; when she did speak, it was merely to suggest going to bed earlier, that electricity was expensive, and similar remarks. This mode of communication seemed to have formed a tacit understanding between mother and daughter, and Ruan Su Mo would secretly feel delighted in her heart, which further invigorated her spirit.

Ruan Su Mo was well aware of how slim the chances were of being admitted to Xianglong No. 7. Countless wealthy and influential families were vying to gain entry here. Despite her excellent academic performance, she felt utterly inadequate compared to those who not only had impressive report cards but also came from affluent backgrounds. Sitting on the steps at the entrance, Ruan Su Mo clutched her report card and cried in a deeply aggrieved manner, her sobs growing more intense. It was the first time she remembered crying with such fervor. Lin Xi could only sigh helplessly beside her. If only she had a better family.

Once these words were spoken, it seemed as if another bomb had been dropped

Since meeting Gu Ansheng at the age of 13, Ruan Sumo has developed the habit of keeping a diary. Although in recent years, the diary has mostly contained trivial matters, she does not want to forget her feelings for Gu Ansheng. She wonders if this sentiment will remain so vivid in her memory after more than ten years, or even decades. She hopes that if she truly forgets, time will help her remember.

Ruan Su Mo occasionally displays the youthful petulance appropriate for her age, not alluring, yet possessing a unique charm. Gu An Sheng usually stands quietly beside Zhou Jia Yan, raising her eyebrows.

In fact, Ruan Su Mo knew that she was merely a brief interlude in Gu An Sheng's life. She had always waited to tell him, "Gu An Sheng, my name is Ruan Su Mo." But he never asked. There are more than 200 people in this world who are suitable for oneself, yet we often choose the very first one. Gu An Sheng, with a few pieces of candy and a quarrel, drew out Ruan Su Mo's long-standing affection for him. Perhaps after that, there would never be a flavor that could stimulate her taste buds like those few White Rabbit candies, nor would there be such trite yet melodious phrases, along with warm companionship.

Just as Ruan Su Mo was about to enter a focused state to listen to the class, her thoughts were disrupted by a small white paper ball. It traced an arc in the air and landed steadily on Ruan Su Mo's pencil case, rolling once before coming to rest on the desk. In surprise, she turned around, thinking it might be a prank or that it had been thrown in the wrong direction, only to see Gu An Sheng looking back at her, pointing at the paper ball and then at her. Ruan Su Mo, almost uncertain, pointed at herself in inquiry, and Gu An Sheng nodded before quickly turning back to focus on the blackboard while the teacher was still unaware.

Just like that girl named Lixia, who possesses a touch of kindness, a hint of dominance, and a somewhat unreasonable nature, it is perplexing how she effortlessly intrudes into one's life, leaving one at a loss for understanding her intentions.

Noticing the other party looking at her, Ruan Su Mo seemed to realize what she had said wrong and repeatedly apologized

Xianglong No. 7 High School is the best national key high school in the area, and as a result, the local government spares no expense in investing substantial funds to make the campus picturesque

Hello everyone, I am Gu Ansheng

The homeroom teacher is a young woman, surnamed Shi, who teaches English. She is approximately twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old and wears a pair of elegant blue-framed glasses. She appears to be quite approachable, as she is a teacher from a big city who has encountered all kinds of children and situations. Moreover, being so young, she tends to handle sensitive issues with a certain level of ease. Ruan Su Mo has been assigned to the last row, where there are no extra seats, only a makeshift desk and chair added to the back. Gu An Sheng is seated in the third-to-last row by the window, with a small divide between them, akin to the "Chu River and Han Border." However, this does not diminish Ruan Su Mo's inner excitement.

The entire venue erupted in an uproar, and Zhou Jiayan, sitting next to Gu Ansheng, nudged his desk mate who was still lost in his own world with his elbow

For Gu Ansheng, there is nothing in Jing Shui Alley that is worth reminiscing about. Over the years, he has almost forgotten everything, with only the sweltering summer of endless heat remaining in his memory. Yet he remembers those eyes, filled with timidity but striving to force themselves to remain calm. Also, over these years, the chubby and fierce girl who embraced him has grown slender.

Such little tricks are often seen in the eleventh grade, usually involving someone in love with someone else. At that time, she found it extremely boring, but now that it is happening to her, she feels surprised and sweet. Yes, sweet, especially if that person is the boy she has liked for four years. Everything she once fantasized about is unexpectedly within reach, and the momentary joy leaves her at a loss.