Chapter 7, The Process of Growth

Yet material possessions can be taken away, but memories and the past can never be removed. It suddenly dawned on me that my grandparents have truly aged; their frail bodies have grown old alongside the little courtyard. Their gentle eyes are filled with concern. I turned my face away, suppressing the tears that were about to overflow.

In order to save time, Baicao decided not to go back for lunch or dinner, and instead, they would make do in the cafeteria. However, Churan was unwilling, stating that the school cafeteria food was too unpalatable and very dirty. Yet, Churan's mother usually did not have time to cook. Pouting, Churan reluctantly accepted the situation. In the cafeteria, Churan was particularly picky about her food. She only scooped out a small piece of the soft yolk from the fried egg, leaving the crispy edges. She would only nibble on a part of the vegetable leaves. As for the rice, she picked through it meticulously. Baicao said, "Be obedient, how can you attend class if you don't eat enough?" Churan put down her chopsticks, looking troubled. Baicao laughed, "You are really hard to take care of." Churan replied with a grin, "It's okay, if I can't get married, I'll just follow you. You wouldn't abandon me, would you?" Baicao reached out and playfully pinched her nose.

It rained in the middle of the night. The sound of the rain was lingering. The scenery outside the window resembled a chaotic embroidery. Baicao suddenly recalled a line from a poem: "Time only knows how to hasten one’s aging, not to believe in deep affection." As I repeatedly pondered over this, it felt as if a large number of disordered feathers had fallen in my heart

The elderly cat lay lazily on the wall, quietly observing her. She looked at it as well, reaching out to stroke its thin back. Many soft, loose hairs fell down, sticking to her hand. It truly was beyond old.

I can no longer feel your tenderness

Just make a wish upon a shooting star

Sitting on the bus to Jin'an, she felt the fluids within her body gushing away. She resembled a plant uprooted from its soft soil, leaving the earth behind, helpless as the moisture from her roots swiftly evaporated

On the day of the move, Baicao suddenly felt a sense of reluctance to part with it

Young man, hey, Shen Jiacheng! This is Chen Baicao, and you don't even greet him.

She has a very stubborn temperament. ... Almost ... . ... There are hardly any girls who have a good relationship with her. However, she is not easy to deal with—let me tell you, but please don't spread it around—her parents divorced a few years ago. Her father had a child with another woman. Oh dear, I won't say more. Now that she has finally found a friend like you, you must take good care of her; she is the least capable of taking care of herself.

Churang's home is not far from Yizhong. Baicao asked her why she came to register alone. She took the hibiscus flower from her braid and simply said that she was used to it, that being alone was fine.

On the last night of military training, the class teacher asked everyone to write a reflection on the training. Baicao's writing stood out, prompting the teacher to read it aloud. After finishing, the teacher requested the author to stand up so that the classmates could recognize her. Baicao, blushing slightly and smiling, stood up gently from the corner. A boy whistled loudly and cheerfully. The teacher, feeling excited, proposed that Baicao be the representative for the Chinese language subject and asked if anyone had any objections. The same loud and cheerful whistling confirmed the teacher's suggestion.

Watching you with wide-open eyes

Ji Tianmin was also very silent, remaining quiet the entire time. It was not until the graduation party that he began to sing "Starry Wish"

In an instant, a sensation akin to a spark from Mars penetrated deep into Baicao's heart, causing her some pain. She looked up, and thin, pale yellow ginkgo leaves fluttered down like butterflies. Brother Song Lan was still speaking, mentioning that the two of them were middle school classmates and had a very good relationship

On the surface, Baicao appeared slightly impatient, merely stating that she understood. However, she was still holding back her energy. At school, Churan was a student who did not put in much effort, rarely taking notes and hastily completing her assignments. She grabbed Baicao's hand and said, "Oh, it's just a small exam, why are you so nervous?"

Bai Cao smiled gently and said, "It's alright. Everyone is undergoing military training. That appearance makes one unable to help but feel affection. She thought for a moment and added, 'I can help them by pouring water and handing out towels.'"

The young man poured juice for her and made a face, saying, "Don't mind him! This kid always looks like that." Let's watch television. Hey! He shouted to the boys, "Give the remote control to the little girl; she doesn't want to watch any sports match."

The hundred herbs nod gently, nestled in the moonlight beside Xi Ai

One day, Baicao met Churan's mother. She looked at Baicao and gently took her hand, saying, I know you are Chen Baicao from Qingmian. Churan likes you very much and hopes you can be a good sister to her and take good care of her. As she spoke, she glanced at Churan, saying, My Churan always makes people worry. Baicao, just by looking at you, one can tell you are a very well-behaved child

The heartache is so intense that it renders me breathless

She continued to tidy up. Each item was handled so slowly and leisurely, as if she were trying to find the memories of the past from each object, those delicate and beautiful old times reminiscent of celadon.

The boy named Shen Jiacheng merely glanced at her and said coldly yet politely, "Hello"

The small courtyard is lush with greenery, with clusters of translucent fruits resembling green jade hanging from the grape trellis, and the patches of Perilla and Patchouli are exceedingly abundant. In the corner, the balsam flowers bloom in layers, vibrant and colorful. ... Dried herbs are laid out in a bamboo basket, including bitter orange, forsythia, eucommia, and red spoon, as well as windbreak. ... These familiar medicinal materials, she can recognize them all. This is the peaceful courtyard where she has lived since childhood. The flowers, plants, trees, medicinal herbs, bricks, and tiles are all equally familiar to her. Now, she is about to leave.

Upon returning home, my mother said, "Baicao, you must hold on tight, starting from now." Although everyone says that once you enter a key high school, you need not worry about university, my mother still hopes that you will be an outstanding child, consistently excellent. In this era, only those who are absolutely outstanding can find their place. You must perform well in the first monthly exam of high school.

Time passed swiftly. Once the seven-day National Day holiday was over, the monthly exam would follow. The teacher emphasized that this was the first large-scale assessment since entering high school, and it must be taken seriously. After the results were released, not only would there be a ranking for the entire school, but the list of rankings would also be posted. Baicao appeared calm and indifferent on the surface, but inside, she was extremely anxious and restless. Having entered the First High School with such excellent grades, she would face significant pressure in every subsequent exam. A slight misstep could lead to gossip, and she had always been aware of the difficulties of being a good student. Having entered the First High School with such excellent grades, she would face significant pressure in every subsequent exam. A slight misstep could lead to gossip, and she had always been aware of the difficulties of being a good student.

Father does not understand her heart

In the flickering candlelight, Baicao suddenly wept. She ran out of the classroom, convinced that some good times would never return.

The homeroom teacher sometimes comes to observe their military training. Bai Cao's face is pale, and her expression is calm. The teacher said, "You must be the ailing Chen Bai Cao, right? Didn't you submit a sick leave note? Why aren't you resting at home properly?"

She looked up and took a deep breath. She needed to remember the azure sky and clouds, as well as the youthful feelings that would never return.

Xi Ai stepped out to silently accompany her. Xi Ai did not pass the high school entrance examination; she had resolved to learn sewing. When she saw Bai Cao crying, she cried as well. She also thought of Jing Zhe.

Mother said again that I must do well on the exam tomorrow. Song Luan across the way has been studying for a long time. This child works much harder than you. Baicao lifted the quilt and said softly, I understand.

In the distance, Xi Ai, who had already apprenticed as a tailor, silently watched the car leave. She bid farewell to her only childhood companion, a sisterly friend who inexplicably tugged at her heartstrings.

On the night before the exam, Baicao became anxious again. She no longer wanted to play childish divination games as she did before; even if the divination were successful, it could not provide her with comfort. The moonlight was beautiful, and the osmanthus flowers were blooming. The wispy clouds intertwined gently, like thin gauze. She lay alone in bed, seriously contemplating many things. Her mother knocked on the door and brought in a bowl of freshly peeled chestnuts. Baicao lazily turned over. Her mother said, "If you are tired, cover yourself with a blanket and sleep; why keep your eyes so wide open?" She lay alone in bed, seriously contemplating many things. Her mother knocked on the door and brought in a bowl of freshly peeled chestnuts. Baicao lazily turned over. Her mother said, "If you are tired, cover yourself with a blanket and sleep; why keep your eyes so wide open? Tomorrow is the exam."

Bai Cao felt slightly unwell, yet she coldly and calmly said, hello

Churang picked purple hibiscus flowers from the garden, placing them one by one in her thick black hair. She sat on the railing of the bridge, dressed in dark blue, with long, colorful tassels hanging down. She remained as beautiful as ever, strikingly and extravagantly so. She was also taller than Baicao. Baicao looked at her brows and eyes, feeling both joy and melancholy.

Her mother bore a striking resemblance to Churan in her brows and eyes. On her wrist, she wore a jade bracelet, and her figure was exceptionally slender. The mother handed them a box of ice-cold cantaloupe slices, which were quite sweet, urging them to go and enjoy.

Lin Churan, twelfth grade

The small town is shrouded in mist, and her heart is likewise. Grandma is peeling edamame in the corridor, her face full of joy. Grandpa is helping someone with a prescription. Others say, "Ah, Doctor Chen, you are so fortunate, your granddaughter has topped the exam!" Grandpa smiles in response. Mom and Dad have returned, their eyes filled with love

Mother was naturally at ease to see Baicao having such a good companion. She also heard that this was Yan Hupo's cousin, the little girl who went to Qingmian that summer vacation, which made her even happier. Mother went home first, and Churan took Baicao out for a meal

Churan also smiled at her, as if they were old friends who had not seen each other for long, and they naturally held hands together. Churan said, "You did really well on the exam. I just looked at the class assignment list, and we are both in Class 2. We can really be desk mates!"

Xi Ai smiled, looking very satisfied. She gently waved a fan to brush against the herbs, saying that when I am able to make clothes, you will be the first to receive them

I want to control myself

I cannot find the traces you left behind

She suddenly panicked without reason, unable to steady the bicycle, and was on the verge of screaming when the ride became smooth again. She turned her head to look and saw Shen Jiacheng firmly holding onto the bike, his expression still impassive. However, she blushed and immediately got off the bike, telling Song Lan that she wanted to return to the classroom. Just then, Churan came running over with a bag of salted peanuts, asking if she had learned to ride yet. Song Lan replied that she wasn't that foolish!

These several boys were laughing and jostling on the sofa, fighting for the remote control to watch the NBA, all smiling as they greeted Baicao. Baicao felt a bit timid, sensing that she was a girl from a small town, feeling quite awkward.

She has her bangs styled to the side, standing tall and slender against the wall, with a wooden comb held in her mouth, meticulously braiding her long, thin pigtails.

Bai Cao suddenly wanted to know more about them, so she hesitantly asked, "Does Chu Ran have many friends?"

After the results of that monthly exam were released, Baicao faced the ranking list with remarkable calmness. There are a total of fourteen classes in their grade, divided into two experimental classes, Class 1 and Class 2. Therefore, the majority of the top twenty students came from Class 1 and Class 2.

Baicao ranked sixth in her class and fifteenth in her grade. She glared fiercely at the names ahead of her, inhaling sharply in her heart, and resolutely etched those names into her memory.

Bai Cao smiled sweetly. Once all the formalities were completed, she suddenly spotted her in the crowd as she turned around

Baicao is declining, you all take a look, I will go stand on the balcony

Bai Cao smiled as she put down her book, feeling relaxed. "Let's go out and have some fun." Thus, she accompanied Chu Ran to lie on the gradually yellowing grassy slope, watching the large, pure white clouds bloom in the sky, teasing the little red fish swimming back and forth by the rippling pond, and spending a long time carefully selecting items in the boutique. Upon returning to the classroom, Bai Cao quietly reviewed her studies. Chu Ran did not pay much attention, cheerfully going downstairs to show Shen Jiacheng her newly bought silver butterfly necklace—Shen Jiacheng and Song Lan were both in Class 6, just downstairs from Class 2.

She is tidying up her belongings in the room. ... books, writing materials, an inkstone, clothes, sachets, embroidered pieces, paper lanterns, and a large lucky charm ... . ... Only then did she realize that she had so many things to take with her. Her father said, "Don't take them, just buy them again when you get to Jin'an."

My father initially studied medicine but later abandoned his studies. With his courage and strategy, he ventured into business alongside my mother, who also gave up her stable job. My father's career has since flourished, but in pursuit of his business, he spends very little time with Baicao.

Before the meal, the adults were discussing their matters. Aunt Song wanted the young man Song Lan to introduce Baicao to his classmates— they all passed the entrance exam for No. 1 High School, and soon they would all be classmates.

It turns out that Churan knows them. Baicao looked foolishly at the three of them chatting about the past. This was the first time he saw Shen Jiacheng's faint smile. He slightly tilted his head to look at Churan, as if there was only her in front of him. His gentle and calm gaze softly enveloped Churan, creating a small space that belonged only to them. Song Lan also noticed this and smiled as she pulled Baicao along, saying, "Let's go, it's fine to follow those two." Baicao turned back to look at them, and Churan cheerfully winked, "You guys go ahead!" Song Lan also noticed this and smiled as she pulled Baicao along, saying, "Let's go, it's fine to follow those two." Baicao turned back to look at them, and Churan cheerfully winked, "You guys go ahead!"

I will not let anyone see me cry

At that time, we had just endured the difficult military training. Churan had tanned quite a bit; she resolutely refused to use sunscreen, and her wheat-colored skin was even more charming. During the military training, Baicao happened to fall ill, not too seriously, which spared her from the suffering of sun exposure. The instructor allowed her to sit under the shade of the silk tree with an umbrella, watching others train. Occasionally, Churan would smile at her from the crowd

Let me tell you that I love you

Baicao was extremely moved, yet did not know how to express it. She simply held onto Churan's hand tightly, not caring why she had stopped replying.

Tell me where the starry sky is

There are many old book stalls outside. After finishing their meal, the two went for a stroll. Baicao found a copy of Zhou Zhenfu's "Poetry and Prose Discussions," while Churen bought an old copy of "Insect Tales of Tokyo".

In the years to come, Baicao sealed those moments in a carved sandalwood box, and a new life began. Yet sometimes, she would wistfully and sorrowfully open that box of memories, reminiscing about those old times that had already faded into darkness

It turns out that she is so nostalgic

And how did I come to meet him?

Pretending to be indifferent, unwilling to think of you

The institution boasts a rich history of over eighty years, featuring numerous ancient buildings and a lush array of flora and flowers, creating an environment that is both elegant and tranquil. Behind the teaching building of Baicao lies a vast garden. Rows of ginkgo trees stand tall and upright. The leaves of the loquat tree are a deep green, making for a beautiful sight. It is likely that by late spring, it will bear abundant fruit. The neatly trimmed boxwood trees are shaped into attractive floral forms. A stream of clear water, whose source is unknown, meanders down from a small waterfall, creating a clear flow where colorful red fish swim, and graceful water lilies float on the surface.

Bai Cao shook her head and held onto Xi Ai's hand

Is there an end there

They became deskmates as they wished. Baicao's home is relatively far away, taking twenty minutes by bicycle. Her brother, Song Luan, spent an entire afternoon teaching her how to ride a bike on the school playground. When she finally managed to ride, albeit unsteadily, she heard Song Luan cheerfully say that Shen Jiacheng had arrived

She stood before the unfamiliar floor-to-ceiling window, pondering how she had come to this city. At such a height, in such a season, and in such a direction

Thus, it took a leisurely half a day to pack up, with large and small bags prepared for taking away

Unable to find a strong reason

The homeroom teacher smiled brightly, feeling a sense of approval in her heart; what a well-behaved and understanding student this is. Later, when she saw the report card and noticed her excellent results in the high school entrance examination, she liked her even more

The river has turned several bends and has reached the edge of the small town. Over there lies the fields where rice has just been planted, the fields where she flew kites with Ji Tianmin in spring. She bent down to pick up a stone and threw it into a plastic bag, submerging all the sweet secrets of the bag into the river, leaving only a few faint ripples.

That night, Baicao slept in the attic of Xi'ai's house. Xi'ai fanned Baicao gently, and the scent of mosquito coils wafted through the air. Xi'ai asked Baicao, will you forget me

Blame oneself for lacking courage

Bai Cao returned to the room, rummaging through a hidden corner to find Ji Tianmin's letter, as well as the small pendant and card he had given her, among other items. She stuffed all of these into a plastic bag and went out again

Bai Cao suddenly fell in love with this place. A wave of melancholy washed over her; how wonderful it would be if Ji Tianmin were here studying as well. It seemed that everything had not yet had the chance to begin before it withered away in haste. She thought that in such an environment, she should quietly write ancient verses on the leaves for him to see. She should walk slowly with him along the stream, watching the beautifully veined ginkgo leaves flutter like butterflies. She should study diligently alongside him, keeping pace with him. She should later attend the same university as him, and then continue to live such a simple and beautiful life. She thought of this with a pang in her heart, yet silently mocked her own naivety. Clearly, everything was impossible now; what was the point of thinking about him?

They all realize that growth is a process of continuous farewells, constant injuries, and ongoing healing

Bai Cao sulkily pulled the blanket over and began to nibble on a chestnut with her teeth. Mother shook her head and laughed, saying that she had grown up, but her temper had become quite peculiar. Bai Cao turned over again and simply covered her head with the blanket, ignoring her mother.

That is the clear gaze that Baicao will never forget. Yes, it is the first dye.

At dusk, they shared a bowl of shaved ice. Churan loved to eat the small pearls; after finishing her own bowl, she cleaned out Baicao's bowl as well. Baicao watched her with delight. In fact, their personalities are quite similar, but Baicao is more adept at protecting herself. She knows how to remain composed and to restrain her emotions. If you look closely at the depths of Baicao's calm and serene eyes, you will find a stubbornness and persistence hidden within. She will gradually grow into a woman who captivates you, making you unable to resist and constantly think of her, like a subtle fragrance, like a gentle breeze. If you look closely at the depths of Baicao's calm and serene eyes, you will find a stubbornness and persistence hidden within. She will gradually grow into a woman who captivates you, making you unable to resist and constantly think of her, like a subtle fragrance, like a gentle breeze

What is lost is always the most beautiful

Bai Cao listens with a smile, yet her heart is filled with discomfort. Everyone is concerned about Chu Ran, who is the center of attention. She recalls Chu Ran's bright and pure smile, and her heart experiences a secret sharp pain once again

This is Baicao's new home. On the afternoon of their arrival, the neighbors across the street invited the Chen family for a meal to welcome the little girl. The young man from the Song family is in the same grade as Baicao and also attends the same school. With this connection, the relationship between the two families became even closer

And just after she finished speaking, she held Baicao's hand again, saying, now it's good, you have come, so I am no longer alone

yet powerless to prevent you from disappearing at the ends of the earth

Shen Jiacheng, ranked fourth in his grade

Before the start of the school year, Mother took Baicao to register. The First High School was bustling with activity, as another group of the city's most outstanding children gathered there. The teacher handed the roster to Baicao, asking her to find her name and sign it. The names were arranged according to the results of the high school entrance examination, and Baicao pointed to the fifth name. The teacher was quite surprised, exclaiming, "Oh my, this young girl has done really well!"

Baicao has moved. My father has purchased a new house in Jin'an, which has already been renovated and is just waiting for Baicao to start high school. The house is located in a prime area of the city, on the fourth floor, with the front window overlooking the gently rippling moat of Jin'an and the back window facing a villa community. It has good lighting and is also very quiet. The garden downstairs is flourishing with flowers in all seasons

She held Baicao tightly under the magnolia tree, murmuring, "Do you know, I have been waiting for you to come all along"

She walked slowly along the river of the small town. The magnolia petals fell down with a soft flutter, thick and lush. Yet, her heart was ultimately filled with melancholy. However, she could not express it, and even if she did, it would be of no use

At that moment, she saw in the corner of the room a boy with a sullen expression, who was engrossed in reading a newspaper