Chapter 1, Time is a farewell poem.

It is alright, I said hastily

Taking advantage of Xu Muchen's absence, I applied a light makeup in front of the mirror to conceal my pale complexion. I did not want Xu Muchen to notice anything amiss with me, nor did I wish to attend the hometown gathering in such a state. Presenting myself in the best condition before others is a form of self-respect and also a respect for others

I walked to the washbasin, turned on the faucet to fill the basin with water, and then submerged my face into it

He shrugged his shoulders, revealing a helpless expression: "I was forced in here by the heavy rain to seek shelter."

I connected the call, and Xu Muchen's voice clearly entered my ear: "Lan Xin, are you ready? I will wait for you downstairs at your dormitory in a little while. I will call you when I arrive"

If it weren't for his exceptional perfection, I would doubt whether he is doing this intentionally. Many times, he gives me the illusion that he treats me differently, that he might have a slight affection for me.

That was truly a long time ago, so long that perhaps Xu Muchen himself has already forgotten it.

Certainly, the focus of the discussion is not on me, but rather on Xu Muchan

It felt as if a sharp needle gently pierced through the heart, causing the heartbeat to instantly lose its rhythm

"By the way, are you and Xu Muchan together now?" she suddenly asked me

"Hmm, I know." A smile appeared at the corner of her mouth

My heart suddenly contracted, and my hand holding the milk tea cup trembled, causing the warm milk tea to spill out and splash onto the back of my hand. I heard myself ask in a feigned calm voice: "Her? Yu Chen?"

The current Chen Ke is completely different from the girl in my memories. I feel somewhat at a loss, unsure of how to converse with Chen Ke, whose personality has changed so drastically

She was taken aback for a moment, remained silent for a long time, and then slowly said: "I didn't tell her anything. I want to try to get to know her again, to try not to think about those things."

I had no choice but to return to the library, pick up the book I had not finished reading from the shelf, and sit down again by the window

Halfway through my walk, a hurried passerby suddenly bumped into me, and I stumbled, nearly falling. Xu Muchen quickly grabbed my arm and steadied me.

However, no one answered the phone. Reluctantly, I dialed again, and this time it was finally picked up

Lan Xin

However, Xu Muchen grabbed my hand and said, "There are quite a few people, this is safer."

"Did you also attend that gathering? The one for our hometown tonight." I once again diverted the topic, even though I had anticipated what Chen Ke would say when I came here to see her

My hand quietly formed a fist, contemplating when to invite Song Yanyi out to have a proper conversation with him. Since it is destined to yield no results, it is better not to give hope from the very beginning.

My emotions have been unsettled for a long time. I have noticed that throughout today, my mood has been like a roller coaster, fluctuating up and down. Just when I begin to calm down, something even more bewildering follows closely behind.

She is taking a desperate gamble, as she will be leaving this city after graduation; this is her last opportunity. Although the list of attendees for the gathering has already been announced, anyone on the list can bring along other acquaintances from their hometown, so there is still a good chance.

Chen Ke, which school are you attending? I shifted the topic elsewhere, "What a small world, it turns out we have been in the same city all along"

Even over the phone, I can sense that his mood seems to be very good, and his cheerful voice is quite infectious

A profound sense of helplessness spread over me. I took a shower, changed into my pajamas, climbed into bed, and went straight to sleep

Unlike Chen Ke's delicate oval face, my face is round and chubby, and when I blush, it resembles a ripe apple. When we used to play together, she would always joke that she wanted to eat me like an apple

"It is truly unexpected to see you here," he said as he took out his phone from his pocket. "Come, let’s exchange contact information."

And what about me

I happened to glance in that direction, and without the slightest pause, the scene of that dusk, with the little boy quietly sitting on the bench, vividly emerged in my mind

"Lan Xin." She looked at me quietly and gently called my name, "Long time no see"

Seven years have passed, and everything has changed—appearance, height, attire, and demeanor—but I am absolutely certain that it is Chen Ke.

I did not continue the conversation with Chen Ke, as I do not have the right to judge whether she is right or wrong. She is different from me; she is much braver than I am. At the very least, she bravely faced Mo Yuchen and courageously confronted me.

Are you also here to read?

I know. "Song Yanyi interrupted my words, "I will work hard to change your answer."

Song Yanyi quickly reported a series of numbers, and I hung up as soon as I dialed. Song Yanyi was very happy to save my phone number.

Xu Muchen's hands are a bit cool, which feels quite pleasant in this hot weather

I want to see you," she said after stating her name, not waiting for me to speak, and added this sentence.

As I pushed open the door of the milk tea shop, a wave of coolness greeted me, the air conditioning inside was set to a high level

The rain in the midsummer season always comes quickly and departs just as swiftly

Indeed, it took a considerable amount of effort to gain admission. I do not possess a genius-level intellect, and my academic performance has always been merely above average. In order to enter University A, I did not waste a single minute during my three years of high school

I turned on the faucet, cupped the cold water in my hands, splashed it on my face, took a deep breath, and confirmed that I was mentally prepared before finally opening the dormitory door and stepping outside

Hmm... I recalled carefully that he indeed seemed to have been in the same class as me during our first year of high school. However, even so, was it really necessary for him to be this happy to see me

I reached out and brushed the hair he had touched, forcing myself to pretend as if nothing had happened and said: "Thank you, it might be from my clothes"

Indeed, I am quite surprised myself that I was able to smile upon seeing Chen Ke

"Do you have something on your mind? You seem a bit distracted," he said. "If there is something you cannot figure out, feel free to ask me; perhaps I can provide you with an answer."

It seems that all disguises have been stripped away, all bluster has been exposed. I am the clown hiding in the darkness, unable to escape. I wish to flee from the spotlight, yet I find that no matter where I run, that light will not move away from me.

She incredulously asked me, "Really?"

That is only because she had a quarrel with me; we have not broken up yet

An afternoon downpour washed away the heat in the air

I do not want to keep avoiding like this," she said, "Lanxin, you have always been the bravest among the three of us

I have arrived, please come down

As I placed the book back on the shelf, I recalled the scene of my first encounter with Xu Muchan

The last time I saw Chen Ke was at the graduation ceremony of the sixth grade in elementary school. She was wearing a cream-colored school uniform dress, her smile was exuberant and passionate, as if she always had an inexhaustible vitality, along with an innate arrogance and willfulness.

Hmm? I withdrew my wandering thoughts and slightly tilted my head to look at his face

"How strange, before you arrived, I felt like running away, but now I actually think it is wonderful to see you." She lowered her head, her long eyelashes drooping down, obscuring the emotions in her eyes.

"That secret... did she find out?" I asked, looking into Chen Ke's eyes.

After not seeing each other for seven years, this guy actually said something so bewildering right upon our first meeting

I am feeling anxious, I am at a loss.

"Well, it's good that there isn't any," he said with a smile

I originally thought that we might never see each other again in our lifetime she said with a sense of emotion

Xu Muchan walked over from the group of boys, slightly positioning herself behind me, and smiled at Song Yanyi: "What a coincidence, you are also in Qing City."

I turned around and saw Xu Muchan's strikingly handsome face

I actually liked you quite a bit before, but you didn't talk much, so we didn't communicate much. He seemed a bit embarrassed as he scratched his head, "I thought I would never see you again. Lu Lanxin, can you give me a chance? All I need is the right to pursue you."

When we reach a place with fewer people, he will let go of my hand

Of course, it is a friend

Reuniting with an old classmate unexpectedly at university can certainly be considered a delightful experience

First, I declare... I said

At that moment, a voice tinged with surprise came from not far away

I know that even if it was unintentional, a mistake is still a mistake. I choose to bury that past deep within my heart, pretending that nothing happened, and to become friends with Yu Chen again, which is indeed very cunning. Her tone was filled with deep sadness and helplessness, "But, Lan Xin, I cannot turn a blind eye. I want to do something to help her. Even though I know that at this point, whatever I do is meaningless, the past cannot be changed, and even if I occasionally lend a hand, it won't make much of a difference, I still want to make an effort..." But, Lan Xin, I cannot turn a blind eye. I want to do something to help her. Even though I know that at this point, whatever I do is meaningless, the past cannot be changed, and even if I occasionally lend a hand, it won't make much of a difference, I still want to make an effort...

Although it is expected, Xu Muchen, I do not wish to confide in you about those troubles, for they are my difficult-to-mention little secrets. I have sworn in my heart that I will not tell anyone.

I told Chen Ke that I do not like Xu Muchen

Chen Ke was momentarily taken aback, touched her ear, and seemed a bit embarrassed: "Lan Xin, you are still the same as before. You were incredibly cute back then, and after seven years, you are still just as adorable."

He pulled me forward without giving me a chance to speak, and I felt quite conflicted inside

However, I cannot like him; I must keep my distance from him. Otherwise, I will definitely be unable to hide my feelings any longer, and I will end up liking him to the point of not knowing what to do.

"I apologize, I should not have asked. Because... I saw Xu Muchan's name on the list of the hometown association, I thought you had already... I'm sorry." She became anxious

I returned to my dormitory, sat in front of the computer, and tried to calm myself by watching a TV series, but it was all in vain; Mo Yuchen's smiling face always surfaced in my mind, so I simply turned off the computer

It has been mentioned before that she is a student at our school, and she is now in her fourth year. She is hosting this gathering, but it is merely an attempt for her final effort

I had only watched half of the movie when the phone on my right side started ringing. I picked it up to take a look, and it was a call from an unfamiliar number that I had not saved before

Chen Ke

I fell silent. It was not that I had nothing to say, but rather that I did not wish to discuss such topics with Xu Muchan

After getting off the bus, I followed Xu Muchan towards the subway station

I found a chair to sit down, looked around, and did not see Chen Ke's figure. I kept an eye on the entrance, fearing that I would miss Chen Ke's arrival

Since Xu Muchan stepped into this university, he has been a topic of conversation among the girls during their leisure time. This is due to his excellent demeanor and strikingly handsome appearance; when he smiles, it creates an illusion of encountering a celestial being.

Deliberately forgotten by me, unwilling to mention, unable to speak or voice, the name that I thought I would never recall, at this moment, escaped from my lips.

I subconsciously glanced at Xu Muchan, who was quietly looking at me, his deep-set eyes concealing an expression that I could understand but was unwilling to comprehend

Alright, please wait a moment. The shop assistant smiled and walked away

I nodded slightly, watching Xu Muchan leave

I glanced back at the window; the rain and mist were hazy, and the rain was already falling heavily.

Chen Ke was unable to speak for a long time, and the atmosphere was somewhat tense

The originally calm mood became turbulent due to this phone call. I took a deep breath, and after a long time, I finally allowed my restless heartbeat to return to its proper rhythm

"A cup of vanilla milk tea," I smiled and asked Chen Ke, "What about you? What would you like to drink?"

Throughout the journey, Xu Muchen occasionally spoke a few words to me. I responded casually, neither too eager nor overly distant. After all, I positioned myself as his friend, so my words and actions should reflect that of a true friend, shouldn't they

In that fleeting moment, I seemed to see the shadow of her childhood reflected in her.

Ah... I was momentarily taken aback, unsure whether it was due to the oppressive atmosphere caused by the rain or because Xu Muchan was right beside me. My brain was a bit slow to react, "A hometown association?"

A somewhat tired voice from Chen Ke came through the phone: "It's Lan Xin. I'm sorry, I won't be able to make it to the gathering today"

Rain Morning, Mo Rain Morning

On the way back, Xu Muchen remained silent. When we reached a set of steps, he suddenly took my hand. I struggled for a moment, but he gripped it even tighter.

Three years of high school is enough for strangers to become familiar with each other. However, I cannot say that Xu Muchan and I are particularly familiar; we merely exchange a few words when we meet, and that is all.

"Well, I participated," she said. After finishing that cup of red bean milk tea, she stood up to bid me farewell, "I have a part-time job to attend to, so I will leave first. See you tonight"

Why? University is a great time for romance. If you don't have a relationship, how can you justify the title of being a university student? What is Lu's phone number? Let's exchange contact information! I think I'm quite good; would you consider me?

"Don't be so formal with me. That's it, I'm hanging up now." He hung up the phone without further discussion

The breeze was gentle, the sunset beautiful, and in the languid twilight, he sat quietly, as if he were a watercolor painting with a distant artistic conception

Besides myself, besides Chen Ke, Mo Yuchen is also in this city... I am lost in thought

What is your name

Long time no see I pulled out a chair and sat down opposite her The beautiful waitress came over and asked us what we would like to drink

As we walked from the dormitory building to the school gate, a considerable distance, many people's gazes swept back and forth between Xu Muchan and me

I cannot help but feel a bit worried, why hasn't she come?

"Lan Xin, welcome to the alumni meeting." Senior Sister Yuan, who is responsible for organizing this alumni meeting, approached.

Song Yan Yi

Oh, Lu Lanxin!

"It's alright, you don't have to agree to date me right now, it's just an opportunity. Lu Lanxin, you don't have to refuse so completely, do you?" As he spoke, Song Yanyi's gaze fell on Xu Muchan's face, "I just thought you and Xu Muchan were dating, I thought I definitely had no chance. Since you are not dating, give me a chance, okay?"

I turned around and saw a boy I did not recognize, who was somewhat overweight

Let us meet at the school gate instead. I instinctively wanted to refuse his offer to pick me up downstairs at the dormitory.

I don't need to listen closely to know that they must be discussing matters related to Xu Muchan and me

Alright

Okay, I will be there soon. I hung up the phone

"Just don't stay until the evening." Xu Muchen turned his head and looked out the window with me at the torrential rain.

Perhaps we were in the same class, but we certainly did not speak much to each other

"That's great! Thank you." Song Yanyi ran over happily and shook my hand firmly, "You didn't refuse me, I really appreciate it."

The beautiful staff member at the milk tea shop brought over the milk tea we ordered. I lowered my head and took a sip; the warm vanilla milk tea filled me with an indescribable sense of comfort. I have always loved drinking vanilla milk tea, a beverage readily available on every street corner, which is not particularly rare, yet I simply enjoy it. Because every time I drink it, I experience a feeling of happiness

I walked up to him, and he suddenly reached out to touch my hair. My body stiffened abruptly; he was too close, and my breathing became somewhat erratic

What will Chen Ke say to me

Time truly flies; in the blink of an eye, seven years have passed. After seven years, what kind of person will Chen Ke be now

I thought I could face it well, but it is only now that I realize, after seven years have passed, I am still a coward

Sure. It is indeed quite troublesome, and there is no reason for me to have to go through Xu Muchan since he and I are just friends. I took out my phone and said, "What is your phone number? I can just call you."

The venue for the gathering has been set at a relatively remote hotel, as the prices there are very affordable. For us university students, a location with a high cost-performance ratio is the most suitable for gatherings

I tell all the girls who question me about my relationship with Xu Muchan that I have no relationship with Xu Muchan, neither now nor in the future

In real life, there is no Cinderella. The only ones who can stand beside the prince are princesses, and I am not a princess. It is enough for me to understand this

At that moment, a slightly surprised voice sounded behind me

"You cannot deceive me, Lanxin." He suddenly smiled, "We are friends, are we not?"

After arriving at the school, Xu Muchan escorted me to the entrance of the dormitory building and watched me enter

Senior sister has a beautiful name, Yuan Lin. She once had a crush on a boy, but unfortunately, she did not have the courage to confess her feelings at that time, and this regret has lingered in her heart. Later, she learned that the boy was also in this city, which is why she wanted to organize this hometown gathering. The attendees include not only students but also some young professionals working in this city

However, an illusion is ultimately just an illusion. I understand better than anyone that a remarkable boy like Xu Muchen could never possibly like someone as inconspicuous as me

Finding me is equivalent to finding her, after all, we are in the same school and are close to each other said Xu Muchen

In fact, if Chen Ke really comes, I do not know what to say to her. After all, our connection has been interrupted for so many years, and the last memories remain in elementary school. Many things have already been washed away by time, and apart from a few vivid memories, I find it difficult to recall other events from that time.

The air remains hot and dry, with a fierce wind sweeping in a wave of scorching heat.

Hello, senior. I greeted her

I soon put this matter out of my mind. The time for the gathering had arrived, and many strangers were gathered together. The person I was looking forward to seeing—Chen Ke—never appeared.

Time, under the scorching sun of a summer afternoon, rushes towards me, as if everything has returned to my elementary school days

"You haven't forgotten about the hometown gathering tonight, have you?" He slightly turned his head, quietly gazing at me with eyes that held a smile

"The things I love, I could drink for a lifetime without ever getting tired of them." I said softly, "Chen Ke, you have become so beautiful, and you have also become so quiet."

Throughout our entire elementary school years, Chen Ke and I were very close friends, and we were almost inseparable wherever we went. However, after graduating from elementary school, we attended different middle schools, and since then, we have not been in contact with each other.

"It suits you very well, your voice is very pleasant." I remember that Chen Ke has always loved singing, and she sings very well

Just friends

Oh, that, I remember, I remember. I felt a bit embarrassed, I was a little distracted just now and didn't react in time

But I clearly lied, because how could anyone not like a boy like Xu Muchen

The speaker is a girl, her voice carrying a hint of anxiety and conflict

The Dooku milk tea shop mentioned by Chen Ke is located directly across from our school. After exiting the school gate, crossing the road, and walking a few more steps, you will arrive there

"Alright." Song Yanyi nodded, then turned his gaze to my face, "Lu Lanxin, you should leave yours as well."

However, to my surprise, he did not let go of my hand the entire way, holding it all the way to our destination, and only slowly released it after we entered the banquet hall.

"Red bean milk tea," she said

05

After Xu Muchan left, I took a while before putting the book back on the shelf. I noticed that several girls were secretly observing me, whispering something among themselves

I once thought that I might never encounter Chen Ke again in my lifetime, yet just as I was about to forget her, she unexpectedly appeared in the most direct manner.

To be honest, when I first saw him in university, I was quite surprised. By that time, it was already the second semester of the first year, and Xu Muchen had already become a figure of idol status.

Could it be an admirer of Xu Muchen? I have received similar calls in the past, with various tones, all inquiring about the nature of my relationship with Xu Muchen

"It is unfair to you and to Yuchen." She looked into my eyes, as if summoning her courage, "Lanxin, the past cannot be changed, but at least now and in the future, we can seize the moment well"

Boys of that age are rarely as quiet as he is. They always prefer to gather in groups of three or five to play and make noise, in order to expend their seemingly endless energy—at least the boys in our class are like that

"Beautiful lady, you should come out for some fresh air too," a voice came from behind.

"So it was fake, I thought you two were really together." The voice of Song Yanyi came from not far away, and he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. When he saw me turn to look at him, he slowly walked over: "I wanted to come help you just now, but I didn't expect to be a step slower than Xu Muchen." He looked quite regretful.

In fact, I also feel that it is truly wonderful to see you again. For some reason, my heart suddenly became very soft

I don't know if I'm overthinking it, but I always feel that Xu Muchen seems very reluctant to let Song Yanyi have my phone number

After a long time, I finally calmed down completely. At that moment, the phone on the desk rang. I wiped my face and walked over, picked up the phone, and took a glance; it was a call from Xu Muchan

Where are you? I am going to see you. Excessive justification is also futile, and I quickly came to terms with reality

I hold my phone, standing by the window, watching the bustling scene below. The neon lights flicker on and off, enveloping the entire city in a play of light and shadow

I swiftly placed my hand behind my back, and the heavy stone that had been pressing on my heart finally fell to the ground

What happened? I asked

My heart suddenly sank; it turns out that no matter how many years have passed, whenever I think of that incident, I still find myself engulfed in a state of anxiety

"No need to say thank you, let's go. The location of the gathering is a bit remote, we need to take the bus first, and then transfer to the subway to get there." Xu Muchen gently blew, and the white fluff flew up into the air, eventually disappearing in the warm orange glow.

Not very happy? I am somewhat surprised, why? Because I gave my phone number to Song Yanyi? But that makes no sense

It felt as if a current spread from the phone throughout my entire body, causing me to stiffen, as a memory awakened from the depths of my mind

"Lan Xin ... ... Lu Lan Xin, is that you?" After a while, someone on the other end of the phone hesitantly asked.

But how can I like him? How can I allow myself to like him? A long, long time ago, I had already lost the qualification to like him.

I am not yet prepared to meet Mo Yuchen. At this moment, I cannot stand before her with an unruffled demeanor, especially after having avoided her for seven years; I simply cannot do it.

"It's just leaving a phone number, it won't make a difference, why be so aloof?" He seemed somewhat displeased.

There may be other reasons? I do not wish to deny the feelings of others, although I am certain that I will not accept this affection. However, every love that comes into this world, as long as it does not harm anyone, deserves to be respected

04

Xu Muchen?" Song Yanyi was momentarily taken aback, glancing at Xu Muchen and then at me, "So you are also here. It is indeed quite a coincidence!"

He is so nonchalant, as if holding hands is not a big deal. In such moments, if I hesitate and withdraw, would it make me seem guilty?

Returning to the dormitory, all the roommates have gone out, some to go shopping with their boyfriends, others to take on part-time jobs. In short, during the weekends, very few college students are willing to stay quietly in the dormitory.

Am I being confessed to by someone? Is this the first time in my life that someone has confessed to me?

Originally, a boy as dazzling as him would have no intersection with a girl like me, who gets lost in a crowd. Now, the fact that he takes the initiative to greet me is entirely because we had already known each other before he became a heartthrob

That day, unexpectedly, I had a long-awaited reunion with my old classmate Xu Muchen at the university, and he was very warm and friendly towards me. After that, whenever I encountered him at school, he would smile and come over to talk to me. In fact, I had been trying very hard to avoid him; I wanted to distance myself from him subtly because I feared that if I allowed myself to get too close, one day I would be unable to suppress the feelings in my heart.

I saw Lan Xin," Chen Ke said softly

I stared at the phone screen, lost in thought

You indeed have something on your mind said Xu Muchen

At that time, I did not yet know his name; I only knew that he was the brother of a girl who studied dance with me. He would often come to pick up his sister after class, quietly waiting outside for our lessons to finish.

I did not expect her response to be: "Lan Xin, I am Chen Ke"

Well, if I have worries

However, I did not expect that Xu Muchan and I would be admitted to the same university

As I walked to the entrance of the dormitory, through the glass window, I saw Xu Muchen standing under the lush camphor tree. He was wearing a white shirt, and the afterglow of the setting sun cast upon him, making his delicate features appear even more beautiful and gentle.

"Lan Xin." Upon seeing me, he revealed a brilliant smile, his brows and eyes filled with joy

Her pitch-black eyes reflected my face, and I smiled

The little girl who used to smile so warmly and always raised her eyebrows before calling out to me must have grown up to be just as wonderful. This was my unwavering belief from the past

I reached out and touched my own face, unable to help but gently press my lips together

"Not bad. Do you want to go meet her?" Chen Ke asked. She appeared extremely calm, but the gently trembling milk tea in the cup she was holding revealed her current mood. In fact, she was not as calm as she seemed, just like me.

I unconsciously remembered such a scene, so that even after so many years, that image has not faded from my heart

I quietly slipped out of the banquet hall, found a quiet place, and dialed Chen Ke's number. I couldn't shake off my worries; what if she encountered something terrible

The hometown association mentioned by Xu Muchan was established a month ago

He refused to let go of my hand, and I could not break free, so I went along with him. First, we took the subway, then transferred to the bus. Throughout this journey, I did not speak, nor did Xu Muchen.

"Are you really going to give Song Yanyi a chance?" he asked me淡淡地. "Don't be fooled by him. Boys can be very persuasive with their sweet talk. He says he likes you, that he has liked you for a long time, so why hasn't he told you all these years or tried to find you? If he truly liked you, he would have definitely sought you out, no matter where you were."

I am right at the entrance of your school," she said, "I am waiting for you at the Duku Milk Tea shop in front of your school

Oh, the name is indeed pleasant to hear." He chuckled, "I wonder if Classmate Lu has a boyfriend

I closed the dormitory door, walking while putting my keys and phone into the small bag I carried with me

That day, he stood in front of the bustling bulletin board, slightly tilting his head and leaning to the side, searching for his name on the class assignment list posted on the board

The organizer of this gathering is a senior student named Yuan. She is very attractive, has a carefree personality, and is enthusiastic about participating in various social activities. She is quite well-known at our school

There is one matter that has always weighed heavily on both Chen Ke and me, a past that we are both unwilling to touch, a history that we are eager to forget

My gaze inadvertently swept across Xu Muchan's face, only to find his brows slightly furrowed, his eyes deep and unfathomable. He seemed somewhat displeased

Neither Chen Ke nor I would likely want to see each other again, for once we meet again, we will surely be reminded of that incident

"Lan Xin, you are amazing for being able to get into University A," she said with a smile. "At that time, only one person from our school was admitted to University A."

Lan Xin

I slowly walked to her side

She exchanged a few pleasantries with us before running to the entrance of the banquet hall to continue waiting for others

I learned that his name is Xu Muchen during a late summer to early autumn period, on the day the first year of high school began several years later

Well, I thought so too

In this southern city, the late summer afternoons seem to always bring a sudden downpour, without any warning, catching people off guard

It is of no consequence. I can only say this.

"Well, both Lan Xin and I are at University A. Didn't you check the list of the hometown association?" Xu Muchen said with a smile as he took Song Yanyi's phone and entered his phone number, "Let's keep in touch, and we can hang out together in the future"

"Lu Lanxin," I replied

Raindrops tapped against the window, producing a dull sound. The content of the book was not particularly captivating, and I casually flipped through a few pages, torn between whether to exchange it for another one

No need, I do not have that intention for the time being, I will go in first

I opened the wardrobe, found a blue dress to change into, and combed my short hair that was cut to ear length

"You are not in a relationship, which is great." Song Yanyi looked into my eyes, and his expression suddenly became very serious, "Because if that were the case, I wouldn't be able to pursue you and have you be my girlfriend."

"Lan Xin." Chen Ke took a deep breath, as if in that brief moment, a certain decision had already been made, "Should we... should we perhaps..."

"I don't know you, why should I give you my phone number?" I was a bit angry as well, forcefully shaking off his hand and turning to walk away. But after just a few steps, he followed me again, looking determined not to give up until he got the number.

"Where is the courage?" I chuckled self-deprecatingly, "I am merely a coward, a coward who does not even dare to touch memories."

Song Yanyi, however, is not so easily dismissed: "That would be quite troublesome; let's keep one."

Xu Muchen? I called out to him in confusion

It is precisely for this reason that there are always girls calling me to question my relationship with Xu Muchan. I couldn't help but let out a bitter smile.

Since then, I have been evading everything related to the past, including people and events. Whenever I feel pain, I instinctively want to escape

No, I was just looking to see if there were any acquaintances around, I explained

My gaze returned to the entrance; the banquet hall was already filled with quite a number of people, yet Chen Ke had still not arrived

Then, I will call you later. Xu Muchen stood up and smiled while shaking the phone in his hand

Later, when I entered the classroom, I was unexpectedly surprised to find that he was actually in the same class as me

Such a Chen Ke gets along very well with me

Lu Lanxin, calm down, it is just a name, and that incident happened seven years ago

I choked on a sip of milk tea and immediately began to cough loudly. Chen Ke hurriedly handed me a tissue. For a moment, I felt flustered, even wanting to flee from Chen Ke's presence.

"I apologize, it is my fault," the boy said, glancing at me before turning and leaving.

She is wearing a white short-sleeved top paired with cropped wide-leg pants, her long black hair tied up in a high ponytail. The afternoon sunlight streams through the window and falls on her, and her dazed expression is as beautiful as the cover girl of a youth magazine

"Don't you remember? It was organized by Senior Sister Yuan a month ago," Xu Muchen patiently reminded me

There is a white object. He smiled as he held out a piece of white fluff in front of me

I opened the wardrobe and took out a white dress to change into. After waiting for a short while, Xu Muchan's call came in.

With this in mind, I will no longer be entangled in my thoughts

I know that there are definitely people doubting my relationship with Xu Muchan. I instinctively moved a little further away from Xu Muchan, but as I walked, Xu Muchan came back to my side.

Hmm. I nodded and said sincerely, "Of course it is true. You know, I am not good at lying."

There are reasons, all stemming from insufficient affection, Xu Muchen said

Chen Ke suddenly raised her head to look at me. As she looked at me, one of her eyebrows arched slightly, and her pair of jet-black eyes sparkled brilliantly

At the end of the gathering, many boys and girls exchanged contact information with each other. However, the crush of the organizer, Senior Sister Yuan, did not appear, which is probably the biggest regret of the evening

Hello, who is this?" I connected the call, brought the phone closer to my ear, and asked

Hmm? I turned my head to look at him, and in the slightly dim light, his profile was exceptionally handsome

She clearly stated that she does not have a boyfriend. The boy's arrogant demeanor immediately diminished significantly

"Do you not remember me?" He seemed quite hurt, "I am Song Yanyi, we were classmates in the first year of high school!"

"What a reckless rain," he said as he took a seat across from me with a book in hand. "It came down so suddenly, catching everyone off guard!"

Many girls believe that there is something between Xu Muchan and me, but in fact, they are overthinking it. We are merely high school classmates and at most can be considered ordinary friends

He was holding a copy of "A Brief History of Time" in his hand, smiling at me.

"Who are you, meddling in my business!" the boy asked angrily, "Am I bothering you by asking her for her phone number?"

Well, alright! I nodded, thinking that I must do something to prevent myself from overthinking.

I lifted my head and looked over in a daze

Seeing him like this, I find myself at a loss for words of reproach. Although he is indeed talking nonsense, ultimately it is to help me out of a difficult situation

I have some admiration for Xu Muchen, who, despite clearly talking nonsense, manages to speak as if it were true

"To whom is it unfair?" I do not know why I asked such a question

I took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and poured myself a cup of hot water before finally sitting down at my desk. I opened my computer, casually selected a movie, intending to pass the afternoon time with it

This is a secret that I have deeply hidden in my heart and do not wish to reveal, but this secret is known only to Chen Ke

A is located in the university town of Qing City, which is home to several universities in addition to our own. Not far in front of our school, many small shops have opened, primarily catering to the university students in the area

I stood up and walked out with her. I saw her off on the bus, watching as it slowly drove away and disappeared from sight, before finally letting out a long sigh of relief

I turned to leave, but the boy suddenly grabbed my arm, blocking my way.

"It is only natural for friends to confide in each other about their troubles," he said

What he said may be correct; the reasons are all due to insufficient affection. If one truly loves, regardless of the reasons, one would go to the side of the beloved, even if it means traversing the ends of the earth or facing destruction.

It is indeed a remarkable coincidence to encounter Xu Muchan at this time here

I held the cup of milk tea tightly in my hand: "I cannot do it. I cannot go meet her and tell her those things, nor can I pretend as if nothing happened and get to know her again"

It was a bright sunny day, during a beautiful dusk. After finishing my dance class and changing my clothes, I was ready to go home. Just as I stepped out of the changing room, I saw a handsome young boy. He was wearing a white shirt and black trousers, which were the uniform of a well-known elementary school nearby

After speaking, she hung up the phone without waiting for me to say anything

It is I, may I ask who you are

Thinking this way, I found myself feeling anxious, unable to distinguish whether I was eager to see her soon or if I truly did not wish to see her again

"I apologize for saying that; I only wanted to help you out of a difficult situation." Xu Muchen put down his hands and looked at me with deep regret

When we parted in the afternoon, we agreed to meet again in the evening. Is something wrong? Or is it because you no longer wish to see me?

Ah? I was stunned, momentarily frozen in place

"She said she doesn't want to stay, can't you hear?" At that moment, Xu Muchen's voice rang in my ears, and immediately, a long and clean hand gripped the boy's wrist. He exerted force, forcibly pulling the boy's hand away from my arm.

03

I am also in Qing City, I saw your name on the list of the hometown association." She said softly, "Lan Xin, I would like to meet you, I have something very important to discuss with you.

However, I soon found myself no longer troubled, as the large raindrops began to fall sporadically on the ground, quickly becoming more and more intense. In just a short while, the rain was pouring down heavily and rapidly.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but several boys walked over and laughed as they pulled him away. It seemed that those people should know him.

I am sorry, but I do not plan to have a boyfriend for the time being I felt at a loss and was slightly flustered in my heart

I slowly walked out of the library

In the mirror beside the washbasin, my slightly pale face is reflected.

A peculiar thought arose in my mind: could it be that this boy named Song Yanyi likes me?

Not being able to remember his name indicates that I am not familiar with this boy; otherwise, I would not forget even his name. Moreover, I cannot retrieve any memories of interacting with him from my mind.

"No, the place where I work has someone who can't come in for their part-time shift tonight, and the boss asked me to cover for them." The noisy sounds mixed with Chen Ke's voice entered my ears, "I won't talk to you for now, I'll call you back later, hanging up now."

I do not know if it is because I was already nervous before, but now, as I am about to meet Chen Ke, I have instead calmed down.

I thought for a long time, but ultimately did not break free from his hand

Oh. She nodded somewhat flustered, "I apologize, I thought..."

After so many years, the girl who used to call me Lu Lanxin no longer has the arrogance in her voice

Is she doing well? I asked softly

"Not at the moment," I said, "but I do not plan to have a boyfriend for the time being"

I stand at the entrance of the library, torn between running back to the dormitory in one breath or waiting for the impending heavy rain to pass before returning.

In the dance studio in the afternoon, a girl dressed in a white ballet skirt smiles freely and exuberantly. She always raises one eyebrow habitually before she even speaks, and then calls out to me in a slightly arrogant tone: "Lu Lanxin"

She fell silent again

Thank you I quickly expressed my gratitude while taking a step back, wanting to maintain a bit of distance from him

There are some vague conjectures in my heart. At this point, the only thing I can say about the relationship between Chen Ke and me seems to be that matter

Indeed! I wholeheartedly agree, I just don't know how long this rain will continue.

"You still love drinking vanilla milk tea." Chen Ke suddenly laughed, as if a tense person had suddenly relaxed, "After all these years, haven't you grown tired of it?"

A boy called out to me, and he was very tall, striding towards me with large steps. His eyes were bright, and he looked at me with a face full of disbelief: "It really is you! What a coincidence to run into you here!"

"Lan Xin." Suddenly, Xu Mu Chen turned his head to look at me

Because of this phone call, because of this girl I do not wish to encounter again

01

I stared at him in confusion, straining to recall who this boy was. Although his appearance seemed somewhat familiar, I could not remember his name at all

I waved my hand at her, and the coughing gradually subsided

Since we all come from City W, I quickly got to know Senior Yuan after enrolling. The reason she is hosting this gathering is to use the name of the hometown association to find a boy she once had a crush on.

I am at C University, she said, majoring in Broadcasting.

Ah, no, no, I was just wondering if I would run into someone I know in the evening. I turned my head aside, averting my gaze, not wanting him to see my expression and eyes

Nevertheless, I ultimately arrived at the school gate

Just when I felt a bit awkward and didn't know how to deal with the overly enthusiastic Song Yanyi, Xu Muchen's voice came through. This truly felt like a lifeline to me

I have been a bit busy lately. Perhaps one day, I will muster the courage to meet her, but... not now

I took out the key and opened the door to the dormitory, which was pitch dark inside, and my roommates had not yet returned

She came to her senses and raised her head to look at me

Almost at a glance, I confirmed that the girl sitting by the window, propping her chin up with one hand and staring blankly at a bottle of bluebells on the table, was Chen Ke

"Is the person you care about coming, Lan Xin?" Xu Mu Chen noticed my unusual behavior and asked with concern

"It is today," Xu Muchen said, "Let's go together later."

Chen Ke's words made me a little angry

As I was conversing with Xu Muchan, the rain outside had unknowingly ceased.

My hand instinctively tightened around the phone: "Why are you so sure it's me? It could also be a namesake, couldn't it?"

Hmm," she replied almost silently

"Lu Lanxin is not a name that is common to the point of being ubiquitous," Chen Ke said

Seven years later, the girl before me is no longer the willful and headstrong little girl she once was

In the summer vacation of sixth grade, filled with the incessant chirping of cicadas and the rustling of the summer breeze, the brave, stubborn, cheerful, and laughter-loving Lu Lanxin had already buried herself deep within her heart

02

I was shocked by this idea, as it was simply too unbelievable. Although Song Yanyi is not as outstanding in appearance as Xu Muchen, he is still quite a handsome man. It is unlikely that he would be interested in a girl like me, who has neither a good figure nor a pretty face.

I explained: "I don't like him, so why should we be together? Xu Muchan and I are just alumni now."

Hehe. Chen Ke let out a light laugh because of my words. With this smile, her previously somewhat stiff shoulders finally relaxed completely

"I had originally decided not to contact you, but when I saw your name on the guest list, I felt I had to tell you, because not saying anything would be too unfair," she said

I pinched my slightly chubby face and couldn't help but complain: "I am no longer a little girl, being praised for being cute really doesn't make me happy at all"

It is no exaggeration to say that Xu Muchan is the pride of everyone, possessing a good temperament, good looks, and a sharp mind, almost capable of anything

No. I still deny it

"Yes, it bothers me, because I am her boyfriend," Xu Muchen said matter-of-factly. While I was still in a daze from his words, he had already placed his hand on my shoulder.