Section 3

If the years truly flow like water, then why can they not recede? Instead, they rise like the tides of the sea, stirring up waves time and again

"No, absolutely not! He is either driving a repair vehicle equipped with a ladder or a jamming tracking vehicle with a pot lid antenna; none of them are normal." Yang Buhui hurriedly dragged her suitcase and fled.

Mo Xiaoli turned her face, stared at the screen, pressed the transmission button, and adopted a serious tone: "Eastern Airlines Flight 2208, turn left to heading 120, descend to 900..." At that moment, the controller in the arrival sector coordination position put down the phone, turned to Mo Xiaoli, and said: "Area control report, Xinghang Flight 3122 has a patient in urgent condition, requesting to arrange for priority landing as much as possible"

"Stop it!" Yang Buhui's expression was somewhat unnatural. "I reiterate, Nie Zhuoyang has no connection to me whatsoever! His pursuit of me back then was merely a joke, which is why I didn't bother to respond to him. There isn't a reliable 'rich and handsome guy' among them; we can't afford to associate with them."

Tang Xiaoxiao curled her lips and said, "Don't get the wrong idea; that is the senior leader of our control center. I'm just hitching a ride, besides, do I really have that kind of charm?"

Indeed, he exuded an extraordinary demeanor. He was a young man in his twenties, tall and slender, wearing a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, appearing refined and gentle, smiling at Wei Biwei. He was not particularly handsome, but his soft and tender smile, along with his elegant and noble aura, overshadowed the two prominent school heartthrobs who followed shortly after.

"If you don't want to eat, then don't!" Tang Xiaoxiao retracted her hand and snorted coldly, "I almost forgot your status; how could you eat these street vendor foods!"

"Oh, is this specially for me? You are the best to me, Miss Bu Hui!" Tang Xiaoxiao said with a smile as she took the item.

Tang Xiaoxiao, wearing headphones, held soy milk, fried dough sticks, and steamed buns in her hands. As she walked in the morning sunlight while listening to English, a sudden honk from behind startled her, nearly causing her to spill the soy milk.

Only Nie Zhuoyang was seen lying on the stretcher, his eyes tightly closed, his complexion pale, with a few traces of blood at the slightly pursed corners of his mouth. His dark blue tie had already come undone, and several buttons below his neck were also unfastened. His snow-white uniform was open, revealing a shocking expanse of deep crimson on his shirt front

Yizhong is the best middle school in Binhai. At that time, Tang Xiaoxiao was determined and worked hard, even hanging her head from a beam and pricking her thigh with a needle, just to get into Civil Aviation Junior High School. Once she got in, she was just an unnoticed little grass by the roadside. In contrast, Wei Bi became famous in one fell swoop with her astonishing opening remarks

"It's fine, staying up late is nothing." Nie Zhuoyang suppressed a laugh and glanced into the bag, "Is that all? The soy milk has saccharin added, right? Were the fried dough sticks cooked in gutter oil?"

Not long after Wei Bi transferred to the school, one day after class, she and Yang Buhui walked out of the school gate together and happened to see Wei Bi walking towards a black sedan across the street

Binhai No. 1 High School is a prestigious institution, and prestigious schools are often attended by children from wealthy and influential families. Therefore, every morning and evening, luxury cars gather at the school gate. Tang Xiaoxiao did not recognize the brand of the car, but she could be certain it was an expensive one, as the man standing beside the car truly exuded an extraordinary demeanor

What is it? It is the spicy crayfish from the street vendor!" Yang Buhui shook her head and sighed

"Do you still need comfort or sympathy?" Yang Buhui wrapped his arm around her shoulder and leaned his mouth close to her ear, "Who did you just get out of the car with? I saw it all."

"Crawfish?" Tang Xiaoxiao blinked and awkwardly tried to smooth things over, "Uh, that's a local specialty; you have to eat it at a street stall to really enjoy the flavor"

Miss Tang, it seems you are only half a year younger than me, right? At least I have had a former boyfriend, what about you? Yang Buhui elongated her voice and glanced at her sideways

"It was in my past life that I owed you!" Tang Xiaoxiao murmured softly, handing over the items in her hand. "You seem to have been exhausted last night, right? Allow me to treat you to breakfast, so you can replenish yourself, young master!"

"Hey, what's going on?" Lang Tai asked, somewhat perplexed. Tang Xiaoxiao grabbed him and said, "That's great! Hurry and take me to the helipad, Gate 126 in the West District." Although she had an airside pass, regular vehicles were not allowed to enter. Hongchuan Airport is very large, and walking there would take at least half an hour; only airside vehicles can drive directly to the aircraft. The airside vehicle twisted and turned, finally arriving near the plane. Tang Xiaoxiao hurriedly got out of the car and immediately saw several people frantically loading a stretcher onto an ambulance. Had they already deployed the stretcher? Tang Xiaoxiao's previously calmed heart sank again; she ran a few steps forward, suddenly stopped, and widened her eyes in shock.

After the winter break, as the spring semester begins, the annual radio direction-finding cross-country competition at No. 1 High School is about to commence, with teams of two allowed to form freely. Tang Xiaoxiao, feeling that she has always been clumsy, had no intention of participating, but unexpectedly, the favored seed player Lin Yufan came to find her.

Yang Buhui's home is located in the west of the city. Tang Xiaoxiao held her back: "It's quite late now, Lang Tai should be in the dormitory at this hour. Let him drive you back; after all, business is not done without some sense of righteousness."

Nie Zhuoyang's hand rested on the steering wheel, his expression slightly weary, his clothes somewhat wrinkled, dark circles under his eyes, and a hint of stubble on his chin, clearly showing signs of a night spent away from home. Tang Xiaoxiao took off her headphones and frowned: "It's early in the morning, don't honk the horn randomly and disturb others' rest, have some civic responsibility"

Yang Buhui confidently extended her hand: "Hello, Senior Sister, I am from Class 1 (5), I have long admired your name!" However, Tang Xiaoxiao sniffed disdainfully. A little wife? How cheesy. Indeed, Nie Zhuoyang did not let her off, saying to Wei Bi: "This is our school flower's little follower, also known as the famous weed of No. 1 High School—dogtail grass!" Tang Xiaoxiao weakly retorted, "You are the dogtail grass!" Nie Zhuoyang didn't even glance at her, directly taking Wei Bi's hand to show off to Lin Yufan: "Lin, my little wife just transferred here, you might not know, she is also a seed player in the Mathematical Huabei Cup, just like you and the others, a top student!" Wei Bi fiercely stepped on Nie Zhuoyang's foot, and said to Wei Bi: "This is our school flower's little follower, also known as the famous weed of No. 1 High School—dogtail grass!" Tang Xiaoxiao weakly retorted, "You are the dogtail grass!" Nie Zhuoyang didn't even glance at her, directly taking Wei Bi's hand to show off to Lin Yufan: "Lin, my little wife just transferred here, you might not know, she is also a seed player in the Mathematical Huabei Cup, just like you and the others, a top student!" Wei Bi fiercely stepped on Nie Zhuoyang's foot, shook off his hand, and ran to Wei Mingbo, pouting: "Brother, this person is too shameless, let's ignore him!" Wei Mingbo looked at Nie Zhuoyang, who was dramatically howling while holding his foot after losing the ball, smiled slightly, and affectionately ruffled his sister's hair. ... It was a late autumn afternoon, the air was filled with a faint fragrance of osmanthus, and the setting sun cast a soft golden edge on him, shining in the eyes of a certain girl nearby ... shook off his hand, ran to Wei Mingbo, pouting: "Brother, this person is too shameless, let's ignore him!" Wei Mingbo looked at Nie Zhuoyang, who was dramatically howling while holding his foot after losing the ball, smiled slightly, and affectionately ruffled his sister's hair. ... It was a late autumn afternoon, the air was filled with a faint fragrance of osmanthus, and the setting sun cast a soft golden edge on him, shining in the eyes of a certain girl nearby ...

"Little Pepper, did I owe you something in my past life? Why do you always feel the need to discipline me at any time and place?" Nie Zhuoyang leaned forward to look at her, raising an eyebrow and saying, "What are you thinking about? Can't you think of me in a better light?" Tang Xiaoxiao, caught in her thoughts, felt a bit embarrassed and bit her lip, saying, "Do you seem like a good person? You only act serious when you're in uniform." Nie Zhuoyang slightly squinted his eyes and replied, "I don't want to honk, but you're blocking my way."

"How can you still say that? It was you who leaked the information to the Gray Wolf, allowing him to chase after us all the way, wasn't it?" Yang Buhui poked her on the tip of her nose

"Just know it," Yang Buhui snorted, stood up and patted her shoulder, "Take your time enjoying it, I am going home, my mom is still waiting for me to have dinner."

Oh, a ride-sharing service? What time do you finish work? Are you working overtime with your supervisor?" Yang Buhui looked at her, smiling in an exceedingly ambiguous manner

We have informed the medical department that the doctor and ambulance are waiting for you at the terminal apron

Is it true? Why does this celebrity pilot always demand special treatment? Is the air traffic controller in the western sector also a female controller on duty? I need to report this to the director, as it affects our work. Xue Gang, who should have already gone down the stairs, turned back at some point and stood behind Mo Xiaoli, nagging. The coordinating air traffic controller glanced back at him and said: "It's not a passenger, it's a crew member. They say they are experiencing severe abdominal pain, likely due to food poisoning. The co-pilot has already collapsed, and the captain is still holding on!"

"Mingbo, this is my best brother, the campus heartthrob of our school, the talented Lin Yufan. " Nie Zhuoyang introduced both parties with familiarity and enthusiasm, "Lin, this is my little wife's cousin, Wei Mingbo, a young talent often featured in the finance section... Ah, why are you kicking me?"

Everyone says that the love poem was dedicated by the school beauty to the top student Lin Yufan, but only Lin Yufan claims that it was actually written for the top heartthrob Nie Zhuoyang. Tang Xiaoxiao does not understand why Lin Yufan says this, because at that time, Nie Zhuoyang was known for his playful nature, and apart from that one time when he called her "little wife" in front of Wei Bitang at the school gate, he never bothered Wei Bi again. Instead, Wei Bi often sought Lin Yufan's help with difficult problems, as they were both in the mathematics competition training class.

Upon learning of this matter, Nie Zhuoyang immediately turned to find Wei Bi to be his teammate

Yang Buhui nodded: "Yes, he specifically went to Nanjing to invite me to eat lobster."

Nie Zhuoyang and Wei Bi are truly from the same circle, and Yang Buhui has already learned enough from her past injury to serve as a cautionary tale for her

If Yang Buhui is a beauty akin to a lotus flower, pure and elegant, then Wei Bi is like a peony, resplendent and enchanting

Yang Buhui quickly nodded: "Indeed, otherwise you wouldn't be sitting here alone eating dry fried rice." As she spoke, she took out a Nanjing specialty, osmanthus-flavored salted duck, from her suitcase, "This is for you to go with your rice."

Unexpectedly, an accident occurred during the competition, and Nie Zhuoyang actually sprained his foot, ultimately finishing in second place. However, from that moment on, the school beauty and the school hunk became widely recognized as a golden couple. It was only later that Wei Bi did not complete her senior year and went abroad to study, remaining out of touch until they met again at the accident investigation meeting last time

"It is quite something, the smell of cooking oil, the scent of sweat, the odor of stinky feet, there is every kind of smell here." Yang Buhui glanced at Tang Xiaoxiao with annoyance, "I say, classmate Xiaoxiao, do you really want to call me 'little aunt' that much?"

The news of the disbandment of the Star Dream Team and the transformation of teammates into rivals instantly caused a stir at Zhongyi Middle School, with many even placing private bets on which team would win the championship. Although Lin Yufan and Nie Zhuoyang were evenly matched, the odds heavily favored one side due to the significant disparity in strength between Tang Xiaoxiao and Wei Bi.

"Uncle Xiao, you are truly a peculiar one!" Tang Xiaoxiao secretly decided to give Lang Tai some lessons on how to pursue a girl. It is no wonder that Yang Buhui has high standards; after all, she was once renowned as the school beauty of Binhai No. 1 High School, alongside Wei Bi. Moreover, her first love was actually Wei Bi's cousin. With such a benchmark set, it is indeed not easy for Lang Tai to win the heart of a beautiful woman

"Lobster?" Tang Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up, "Is he being so generous? That doesn't seem like the style of Grey Wolf! It seems that in his eyes, you are a queenly presence."

Tang Xiaoxiao did not expect that her casual remark would turn into a "crow's mouth," and Nie Zhuoyang's "retribution" would come so quickly. That afternoon, Mo Xiaoli arrived to take over her shift more than half an hour early. "Xiaoxiao, I'm here! You can go home early, it's fine!" Mo Xiaoli said cheerfully. "What good news do you have? You're so enthusiastic?" After completing the handover as per regulations, Tang Xiaoxiao put away her headphones and looked at Mo Xiaoli with confusion. Mo Xiaoli hesitated, seeming somewhat shy, and ultimately said nothing, smiling as she turned to sit down and began directing the aircraft. ... "What good news do you have? You're so enthusiastic?" After completing the handover as per regulations, Tang Xiaoxiao put away her headphones and looked at Mo Xiaoli with confusion. Mo Xiaoli hesitated, seeming somewhat shy, and ultimately said nothing, smiling as she turned to sit down and began directing the aircraft. ... Xue Gang strolled over with a teacup, smirking: "Xinghang 3122, arriving at Longkou West, will dock in fifteen minutes." Tang Xiaoxiao was taken aback, as if ...? ... That was Nie Zhuoyang's flight. ? "Infatuated." Xue Gang shook his head disdainfully and walked towards the stairs. Xue Gang strolled over with a teacup, smirking: "Xinghang 3122, arriving at Longkou West, will dock in fifteen minutes." Tang Xiaoxiao was taken aback, as if ...? ... That was Nie Zhuoyang's flight. ? "Infatuated." Xue Gang shook his head disdainfully and walked towards the stairs. Tang Xiaoxiao followed for a couple of steps, thought for a moment, but then turned back, dragging a chair to sit beside Mo Xiaoli, not looking at the radar screen but watching her with great interest. Mo Xiaoli felt uneasy under her gaze and, taking advantage of the interval between the aircraft's takeoff and landing, turned her head and whispered, "What are you doing? Don't try to steal this from me; I saw it first!"

"You don't want a rich and handsome man, and you also look down on an economically suitable man, Miss Yang, you are already twenty-four years old! You are about to enter the ranks of leftover women..."

The rear door of the ambulance quickly closed and it sped away with a whoosh. Once Tang Xiaoxiao came to her senses, she felt as if her heart was about to leap out of her throat. She took a few steps forward, then turned and ran back to the side of the vehicle, pulled open the door, and jumped in: "Hurry, let's go to the emergency center!"

Tang Xiaoxiao chuckled softly and lowered her voice, saying, "Don't worry, that's not my type. I just wanted to hear if your voice is sweet and melodious. Ah, if you really like someone, go after them! As the saying goes, when a man pursues a woman, there are mountains in between; when a woman pursues a man, there is only a thin veil..."

"Who is your little wife?" Wei Bi raised her eyebrows and kicked Nie Zhuoyang again. Nie Zhuoyang dodged with a grin: "I heard your grandfather talking to my grandfather the last time I visited your home. If you don't believe me, you can go back and ask."

When did you become so sharp-tongued? All you do is criticize me, without any thought of offering comfort or sympathy at all. Tang Xiaoxiao pouted.

The two of them circled around the car, and Nie Zhuoyang caught a glimpse of Tang Xiaoxiao and Yang Buhui, who were watching the excitement from the side. Not wanting to escape, he turned back and grabbed Wei Bi's hand, pulling her over: "Let me introduce you, our school's beauty and talented girl from Class 1, Yang Buhui..."

Ah? The three of them were taken aback, then simultaneously leaned their heads towards the screen, almost colliding with each other. "Calm down, calm down, it's fine!" Tang Xiaoxiao comforted Mo Xiaoli, while plugging the headphones she was holding into the monitoring port. Eight minutes later, Star Flight 3122 was about to land. Nie Zhuoyang's voice came through the headphones, still as steady as usual, which made Tang Xiaoxiao's heart relax slightly. It seemed that Young Master Nie liked to exaggerate, not to be trusted. Five minutes later, Star Flight 3122 landed smoothly. Tang Xiaoxiao finally breathed a sigh of relief, removed her headphones, stood up, and patted Mo Xiaoli's shoulder: "I told you it's fine, do you want me to help you take a look?" Mo Xiaoli nodded gratefully at her. Tang Xiaoxiao quickly walked down the stairs, and when she reached the first floor of the control tower to wait for the elevator, she realized her palms were sweaty. With a "ding," the elevator door opened, and a few mechanics in gray uniforms stepped out, with Lang Tai at the forefront. Tang Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up: "Gray Wolf, is your ground vehicle downstairs?"

Tang Xiaoxiao smiled awkwardly and said, "My little cousin is a practical man, how about we switch to a 'tall, rich, and handsome' type? Young Master Nie mentioned a few days ago that he is currently single. Although a good horse does not turn back to graze on old pastures..."

"Beware of retribution, you might get struck by lightning!" Tang Xiaoxiao stamped her foot, yet her heart felt as warm as the earth in spring. He said she was his true friend, and he cherished their bond since childhood. As for her, unrelated to love, she was willing to be the last pure land in his heart, safeguarding their mutual innocence.

Even after many years, a certain story still circulates at Binhai No. 1 High School: a sophomore girl who transferred there stepped onto the stage to introduce herself: "I may not be the most beautiful, I may not be the smartest, I may not be the most capable..." Just as everyone was admiring her humility, she added, "Hello everyone, my name is Wei Bi, Bi as in the jade that adorns a tall tree."

"Look, I was just afraid you would react this way, which is why I never told you. He is he, and I am I; I am just a pilot, just like you, working early and late, putting in extra hours, never having weekends or holidays as a civil aviation worker." Nie Zhuoyang's voice gradually sank, revealing a hint of fatigue and helplessness. "Xiaoxiao, I don't have many true friends, and you are one of them. Don't let those things distance us from the bond we have had since childhood."

She did not know what exactly happened last night, but it was evident that she had initially misunderstood. While she felt regret and self-blame, she could not help but feel heartache, yet a mocking smile appeared on her face: "Mr. Nie, you think too highly of yourself. Have you forgotten how you used to ask me to lend you my homework to copy when we were kids?"

His eyes were very dark, and as he quietly gazed at her, his look appeared profound, as if he had a thousand words to say but could not find the means to express them. Tang Xiaoxiao was accustomed to his spirited demeanor, yet she had never seen him in such a state of silence and weakness. On the bustling street, under the bright sunshine, he seemed to stand alone in late autumn, feeling lonely and desolate

Tang Xiaoxiao pushed her away and said, "What are you talking about? That is our leader. I just hitched a ride back with him."

Tang Xiaoxiao lifted her cup and took a sip of tea, which was the house-made barley tea from the Rainbow Restaurant. It was light and refreshing, seemingly carrying the essence of spring from the willow branches. However, today, she unexpectedly detected a hint of bitterness in the taste.

Wei Bi is beautiful and capable. It is said that she won numerous awards in mathematics and physics during her middle school years. Shortly after her arrival, she quickly became one of the prominent figures at No. 1 High School and soon rose to the position of the chief school belle. During the New Year's Eve party, she made a stunning move by reciting a love poem she had written in public.

With an opponent like Wei Bi, although Lin Yufan teaches earnestly and Tang Xiaoxiao studies diligently, how can the gap be bridged in such a short time?

Nie Zhuoyang was wearing dirty sneakers, with one pant leg rolled up higher than the other, and he was holding a dirty basketball under his arm; Lin Yufan was dressed neatly in a dark blue school uniform, carrying his backpack in an orderly manner. In front of that man, the two prominent figures from the first high school instantly became mere inexperienced students.

"How could I forget!" Nie Zhuoyang relaxed his expression and smiled, "If you truly care about your old classmate, I would love to eat the fried dough sticks you made yourself." Tang Xiaoxiao blinked and replied, "Aren't you afraid that I might accidentally add too much alum, causing your intelligence to drop after eating?"

Tang Xiaoxiao smiled and evaded: "Where? He is also attending a training session organized by the manufacturer to learn, and by the way, he invited you to dinner or something like that"

"That is just right, descending to a level consistent with your IQ, which will facilitate our communication and prevent you from constantly misunderstanding me." Nie Zhuoyang looked at Tang Xiaoxiao, whose face had turned red, with satisfaction, laughed heartily, and pressed the accelerator, causing the car to zoom past her.

Recalling Wei Bi's strong defense of Nie Zhuoyang during the meeting, Tang Xiaoxiao suddenly had an epiphany. When she thought about Nie Zhuoyang's background, she couldn't help but laugh at herself.