Chapter Nine: Formerly, Four

Gu Yunsheng spoke with absolute certainty, yet internally he felt completely uncertain. He merely observed Jiang Tian smile quickly upon hearing the words, while simultaneously straightening his back. The evening sun cast a warm and resolute glow on the half of his profile facing him, illuminating it gently.

The reason why the arrogant Wang Bo would come over to apologize became clear after several private discussions between Jiang Tian and Gu Yunsheng, although they could not reach a conclusion. It was not until their first year in college that the answer emerged—although Wang Bo's father is now the director of the municipal education bureau, a long time ago, back when Jiang Tian, Gu Yunsheng, and of course Wang Bo were not even aware of it, the current Director Wang's first job was as the secretary to Jiang Tian's grandfather. It was not until their first year in college that the answer emerged—although Wang Bo's father is now the director of the municipal education bureau, a long time ago, back when Jiang Tian, Gu Yunsheng, and of course Wang Bo were not even aware of it, the current Director Wang's first job was as the secretary to Jiang Tian's grandfather.

Then let's wait for the winter and summer vacations, there will be opportunities

Jiang Tian wanted to pull him back, but Gu Yunsheng completely ignored him, continuously bouncing off the bed to change his clothes, and then handed Jiang Tian's clothes to him: "No, I will go with you. The one who acts first is definitely me; I can't let you go alone to face the blame."

The School of Architecture has an entrance examination, and new students must go first

After the results were announced, the candidates who had been tormented for three years were like birds released from their cages, spending their days in thank-you parties, travel, and celebrations, as if they were trying to make up for the suppressed three years in just a few months. Gu Yunsheng was very well-liked in his grade; after having enough fun with his own class, he was also invited by other classes. After spending a week out with this group of friends, he barely had time to catch his breath before receiving a call from another group, eagerly rushing off to the next lively event. Gu Yunsheng was very well-liked in his grade; after having enough fun with his own class, he was also invited by other classes. After spending a week out with this group of friends, he barely had time to catch his breath before receiving a call from another group, eagerly rushing off to the next lively event.

A month has passed in a whirlwind of madness and drunkenness, and suddenly one day I realized that there is only one week left until the start of school. It was at this moment that I abruptly remembered the Jiangtian, whom I had not inquired about for a long time.

Gu Yunsheng woke Jiang Tian, who was wrapped in the quilt, informing him that there was a phone call for him. Jiang Tian, still in a daze from sleep, extended a hand and responded vaguely, but soon hung up the phone again. Seeing that he did not get up, Gu Yunsheng assumed there was nothing urgent and continued to sleep. However, less than five minutes later, Jiang Tian suddenly sat up straight from the quilt, startling Gu Yunsheng, who shivered and also got up: "What are you doing?"

The two individuals, fully prepared to face reprimand, were instead taken aback by these words, unsure of how to respond. Jiang Tian's grandfather looked at them and waved his hand, saying, "You two are indeed capable, being able to take down seven or eight children."

The faces of the two individuals suddenly turned pale, and the psychological preparation they had previously built collapsed in an instant. Later, Gu Yunsheng shook his head, grabbed Jiang Tian, and said: "It's fine, his parents are here just in time; I was still worried that they wouldn't come."

Still tidying up. My grandmother has packed three large boxes for me, and my grandfather and I are trying to persuade her to reduce it to two. At this moment, Jiang Tian's expression and tone softened a bit, "What about you? Have you come back from playing outside?"

The school did not make a public statement regarding the fight, instead quietly speaking with a few of the parties involved to settle the matter. This approach was certainly influenced by the impending college entrance examination, but the fact that a top student and the son of the city bureau chief were involved in a fight would inevitably tarnish the school's reputation if it were to spread. However, because of this incident, Jiang Tian and Gu Yunsheng did not attend school together in the last few months of high school. Gu Yunsheng's mother was terrified when she saw her son covered in injuries, and from that day on, she drove the family's newly purchased car to pick him up every day, regardless of Gu Yunsheng's protests, which were of no avail. However, because of this incident, Jiang Tian and Gu Yunsheng did not attend school together in the last few months of high school. Gu Yunsheng's mother was terrified when she saw her son covered in injuries, and from that day on, she drove the family's newly purchased car to pick him up every day, regardless of Gu Yunsheng's protests, which were of no avail.

I will be leaving the day after tomorrow, so I will visit my mother before I go

Staring at Jiang Tian's shoulder blades, which were as thin as two blades, Gu Yunsheng vaguely thought to himself, yes, he only knew that Jiang Tian's mother had passed away when he was very young, and he had never heard his family mention the details. But soon he thought, since the person is gone, what does it matter? At that moment, the concept of Jiang Tian's father quickly flashed through his mind, and he couldn't help but be startled, realizing that even Jiang Tian himself had never mentioned his father to him. Before he could think deeply, Jiang Tian had already stood up, turned around, still keeping his head down, and softly said, "I’m fine now, and I should be heading back soon. Otherwise, I’ll miss dinner." After saying these few words, he waited for a moment before finally raising his head, his eyes glistening with moisture.

Why are you leaving so early? Isn't school starting in September?

Jiang Tian stared at him and after a while said, "If you have no reservations, then go ahead."

However, he could not protest for too long, as the college entrance examination was approaching. Jiang Tian fell seriously ill before the exam, losing his chance to be first in the city, but he still successfully enrolled in the nationally renowned T University. What surprised everyone was that he did not choose the most popular majors at the time, such as Computer Science or Finance, but instead opted for Architecture. Gu Yunsheng, on the other hand, continued his tradition of excelling in major examinations, performing exceptionally well, and also gained admission to a key national university in the most sought-after Computer Science program.

Gu Yunsheng and Jiang Tian exchanged glances, contemplating what to say, when Wang Bo's father suddenly shoved Wang Bo and angrily exclaimed: "Little brat, why don't you apologize to Jiang Tian!"

Gu Yunsheng was too lazy to think deeply about the complicated feelings and casually rushed to find Jiang Tian. Upon arriving at his doorstep, she happened to run into him. Jiang Tian was wearing a white shirt and black pants, looking somewhat aloof. When he saw Gu Yunsheng smiling at him with great enthusiasm, he did not show much reaction and simply asked, "What brings you here?"

Of course, no matter what good news you have, she already knows

This question felt like a bucket of cold water being poured down. Gu Yunsheng did not pay it any mind, ruffled his hair, and still smiled as he said: "School starts in a few days, I wanted to come and see you. Have you packed your things?"

Jiang Tian no longer showed any signs of sleepiness on his face, his expression tense as he raised his voice: "Grandma called and said that Wang Bo's father has come home and wants me to return."

In the old house, the stairs creaked loudly with every hurried step. Originally, Gu Yunsheng was walking in front, but somehow, it was Jiang Tian who knocked on the door first. The scene upon entering shocked both of them: Wang Bo had a handprint on each side of his face, clearly fresh marks, and he wore a sorrowful expression, completely devoid of the arrogant demeanor he had displayed the day before.

As she turned her head, she saw Jiang Tian's back, and the fragments of the dream from last night surged before her eyes. Gu Yunsheng's face flushed, and she dared not look any longer, quickly lowering her head to fasten her buttons neatly.

Gu Yunsheng felt a bit embarrassed and chuckled a few times: "Well, when others invite me, I feel awkward to refuse, so I just go along and have some fun for a while. Speaking of which, we two should really travel together once; in the future, one of us will be in the south and the other in the north, and we will only be able to meet during the winter and summer vacations..."

In fact, on the night of their stay, the relationship between the two became somewhat delicate. Gu Yunsheng occasionally felt that Jiang Tian was avoiding him, but when they were truly together chatting, that feeling would dissipate. For several nights, Gu Yunsheng tossed and turned, pondering and reflecting, yet he often fell into a deep sleep before he could clarify his thoughts. Occasionally, he would dream, waking up to find his fingertips burning, as if Jiang Tian's tears from that night had seeped into his bones without him even realizing it.

They arrived at Jiang Tian's home, comforting each other along the way while feeling uneasy. Sure enough, they saw Aunt Zhang peering out at the door. From a distance, she spotted them approaching and anxiously asked, "Xiao Tian, Yun Sheng, why did you get into a fight with others? Look, their whole family has come over. Go quickly to your grandfather's study. Your grandmother is so worried that her high blood pressure is about to act up"

They changed trains twice before arriving at the suburban cemetery. The cemetery is situated by a small hill, with rows of tombstones densely lined up. This is Gu Yunsheng's first time at this place; just a glance left him dazzled, so he could only follow Jiang Tian as he skillfully navigated through various paths. After walking for more than ten minutes, they finally stopped in front of a tombstone.

Jiang Tian avoided Gu Yunsheng's gaze and said in a hoarse voice: "Does she really know?"

"Well then, come and play with me, it's a nice place. I haven't been to the place where you study either..." He continued to speak with great enthusiasm, and finally noticed the bag that Jiang Tian was holding, pausing for a moment, "Uh, are you going out?"

Gu Yunsheng was still a bit groggy. After thinking for a long time, he finally reacted and his expression changed: "He still dares to bring his parents to your house to cause trouble? I will go back with you."

If it weren't for Jiang Tian's grandfather later saying, "Children fighting is not a big deal," it is uncertain how long this standoff would have lasted. After sending off the guests, the old man looked at the two young men who had already grown a head taller than him and slowly said: "He insulted your mother, so you fought back; that shows spirit, and a fight is a fight. But since he came specifically to apologize, and you still refuse to speak, that is simply looking down on others"

Gu Yunsheng was instantly struck, pinned in place, unable to move. He heard his own stammering voice: "Jiang Tian, you... you must not be sad. Come and see her; Auntie will be very happy. You have been accepted into T University; she will surely be pleased if she knows from the afterlife..."

Although they had anticipated a hundred possible scenarios in advance, they certainly did not expect to return to an apology. Jiang Tian was taken aback, hearing Wang Bo's apology, which was as faint as a mosquito's buzz. His expression changed several times, yet he remained silent, his face frozen in a look of stubbornness and obstinacy.

They say it is said with love and strength, but on the way back, my heart remains uneasy—everyone knows the character of Grandpa Jiang, who has never raised his voice, never scolded anyone, let alone resorted to violence. However, if he shows even a hint of disappointment, the whole family feels such pain and shame that they could cry immediately.

Gu Yunsheng couldn't help but chuckle at this point, but was quickly pricked by the gaze from Jiang Tian's grandfather, prompting him to stand upright with his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, hands at his sides in solemnity

Gu Yunsheng did not expect him to leave so early, and immediately regretted not returning a bit sooner. He looked at the items in Jiang Tian's hands and finally mustered the courage to say in a very polite and consultative tone: "Do you want me to accompany you?"

A photograph was embedded above the tombstone. The person in the photograph, Gu Yunsheng, was someone Jiang Tian had seen many times at home, and he was not at all unfamiliar. Moreover, Jiang Tian and his mother bore a striking resemblance to each other. Jiang Tian stood before the tombstone, with Gu Yunsheng following behind him. His expression was not visible, but it was clear that he stood for a while, then knelt down to pull out the weeds and other debris from the grave, offered flowers, and then burned what appeared to be a photocopy of a university admission notice, remaining there for a long time without getting up.

On the day they stayed at Gu's house, both of them slept very soundly, and neither could remember when they had fallen asleep or what they had said before sleeping. They only remembered waking up because Jiang Tian's grandmother had called. The usually kind elderly lady sounded a bit angry this time; upon hearing that it was Gu Yunsheng who answered the phone, she did not engage in much small talk and repeatedly said: "Yunsheng, let Xiaotian answer the phone... Is he sleeping? Even if he is sleeping, wake him up."

Considering that you all know how to take care of each other and not worry the adults, I will let this go this time. Alright, Jiang Tian, your grandmother has stewed some pork knuckle for you, and Yun Sheng can stay for dinner as well. The elder smiled and casually sent them downstairs.