Chapter 4, Those Memories

At that time, I truly felt utterly despondent, yet I managed to get through it. However, three years of separation could not erase the memories; upon meeting again, the wounds that had been deliberately concealed were instantly exposed, so quickly that she had no time to even adjust a little.

Who is it? I don't know... Xu Yan stubbornly refused to admit it, maintaining a stiff expression and pretending to be calm.

Tang Yifan. Hello, Yan Yan, I hope you don't mind me calling you that?" Tang Yifan introduced himself in a gentlemanly manner, his voice deep and resonant. Although it was their first meeting, he was already familiar with this name from Ruoning, so there was no sense of unfamiliarity. The impression Xu Yan gave him was almost identical to Ruoning's description; she indeed appeared to be a straightforward girl who did not hold back her words. However, the sadness that was deliberately concealed between her brows left him somewhat perplexed.

Xi Yan stared blankly as he placed her luggage, opened the car door for her, and took his seat in the driver's seat to drive her away. Just like three years ago, he embraced her, and they brushed past each other.

Without further ado, this person is the soon-to-be bride: Ji Ruoning

Ji Ruo gazed at the two people who had unexpectedly met, the color drained from her face in an instant. Unconsciously, she moved a little closer to her, gripping her hand tightly, at a loss for how to offer comfort

"Why don't you introduce me to your fiancé?" Qi Yan glanced at the handsome man standing beside her, raising an eyebrow.

The fog is somewhat thick, and the quiet campus is deeply locked in the mist, while he still stands under that tree, smiling as he waits for her

Han Nuo is a standout figure on campus, often referred to by his classmates as the "Prince Charming." Not only is he handsome, but he also excels academically in every subject and is renowned for his good temper. Qi Yan met Han Nuo in her freshman year; although he is not particularly romantic, he still surprises her from time to time with unexpected gestures, and he dotes on her immensely. Qi Yan feels happy, yet she is somewhat puzzled and often playfully asks Han Nuo, "Why me?"

Upon hearing this, Qi Yan and Ji Ruoning exchanged a tacit glance, and they smiled in unison and began to sketch.

After three years of evasion, she ultimately still lacked the courage to face him. She did not even dare to look into his eyes, not out of fear that he would see her, but rather out of fear of seeing... the shadow of someone else in his gaze

"Why does it feel like I'm about to go to the gallows? My mother isn't going to eat me, so what is there to be afraid of?" Han Nuo chuckled softly and hugged her tightly.

What should I do, I am so nervous right now..." Without giving a direct answer, she leaned lightly against his embrace, sighing softly as Qi Yan whispered.

The warmth of his breath still seems to linger in my ears, and the embrace feels as real as ever; however, they have already become like strangers.

Xi Yan smiled as she released the suitcase she was holding, extending her arms to embrace her friend tightly.

Xi Yan took a deep breath and nodded slightly. It was not that she lacked confidence; rather, she was particularly nervous because she cared too much.

"There is no need to be nervous, I am here!" He kissed her long hair and tightened his strong arms around her. "My mother has seen your photo and likes you very much. She just wants to get to know you this time, so don't worry!"

Ji Ruoning was pushed into the passenger seat, while I sat alone in the back, rolled down the car window, and let the gentle breeze brush against my face, seeking a moment of clarity

Everything seems to remain the same; they are together, while she is all alone. In fact, everything has already changed. When they pass by each other again, he may no longer find her shadow in his eyes. Yet she ultimately holds back her tears and does not cry again, even though it is very difficult; she can face it in the end.

The beauty of Ji Ruoning is beyond doubt; she is not a flamboyant fashion beauty, but rather embodies a graceful and understated classical beauty. Even her temperament is as gentle as that of a cat. Every time these two are together, Qi Yan most enjoys half-jokingly complaining: "Heaven has eyes that see differently; why did you have a face that everyone loves, while I have a face that looks so ordinary"

She giggled, revealing her neat and white teeth, but did not respond.

"I am not beautiful either," Qi Yan pouted and muttered a sentence to the book.

"Why not you?" Han Nuo raised his thick eyebrows and smiled with infinite tenderness

The hollow gaze is cast far away, yet nothing is seen clearly, only some vague shadows continuously retreating, retreating further.

"I have never heard that time flows like water, and the years pass like a shuttle. In the blink of an eye, I don't know where my youth went during school, not studying diligently." Xia Yan feigned anger in a light reprimand, her eyes slightly moist.

Yan Yan? Ji Ruoning faintly sensed that Qi Yan's palm was damp with sweat. She tentatively called out to her, deliberating on how to begin, but saw that her gaze was fixed unwaveringly on that figure, not leaving for a moment.

My thoughts involuntarily drift back to that sweet time

Seeing her gaze fall upon herself, Ji Ruoning instinctively tugged at Tang Yifan's hand, pulling Qi Yan towards the exit

With a gentle call, Qiyan was embraced in a soft hug

Dressed in a white silk qipao, her shoulder-length hair is casually styled and secured with a vintage hairpin. On her feet are a pair of low-heeled, intricately designed shoes, and her fair, slender calves are well-proportioned. With a light touch of makeup on her face, she exudes an enchanting femininity that inevitably draws exclamations of admiration from Qi Yan, who remarks, "If we were to freeze this moment, it would truly be an angel fallen to earth"

Time flows like water, such a poetic expression... The sudden reunion after a long separation filled Ji Ruoning with deep sorrow. She thought of her being all alone in a foreign land, unable to hold back her tears. In an instant, she embraced her and choked out, "You silly girl, it's been three years already..."

I really don't know, the magnetic voice carried a hint of temptation as he asked softly

"Why aren't you even wearing a coat?" He gently scolded her, furrowing his brow as he took her hand.

"If only we could just eat people..." she muttered softly. Seeing Han Nuo about to respond, she quickly put on a serious face and said, "Who says I'm afraid? An ugly daughter-in-law must meet her in-laws. I..." Suddenly realizing something, she immediately stopped speaking and turned her head to look at Han Nuo, who was trying hard to suppress his laughter. "Don't laugh!" She forcefully pulled her hand away from his, threatening him in a stern voice, but there was no conviction in her tone, and her small face instantly turned completely red.

"In a few days, my mother will be back; she wants to meet you," he suddenly said after a moment of silence

"There is never a serious moment." Ji Ruoning shot her a glare and awkwardly wiped away her tears

"Without a sound, you are about to get married. You truly are one who remains silent until the moment of surprise." Qi Yan chuckled as she pushed her away, looking at the gentle Ji Ruoning in front of her, unable to help but complain

"If I don't eat it, then who will? I am indeed a notorious thief of flowers. When the flowers bloom, one must pluck them; if not, I would be a fool..." With a mischievous grin on his face, Xi Yan leered at Ji Ruoning, and then, taking advantage of her unguarded moment, he pounced on her, and the two of them became a bundle of laughter and playfulness.

Indeed, some have said that my vision is limited. Han Nuo sighed lightly with a serious demeanor, pinching her nose.

Happy times flowed by like water, and the four years of university life passed in the blink of an eye. Xi Yan seemed to be living in a dream, cherished and cared for by Han Nuo, accompanied and supported by him, blissful and carefree. At that time, she firmly believed that Han Nuo was the one who would stand at the end of the red carpet waiting for her, the one who would grow old with her. However, dreams ultimately must come to an end. At that time, she firmly believed that Han Nuo was the one who would stand at the end of the red carpet waiting for her, the one who would grow old with her. However, dreams ultimately must come to an end

Xi Yan turned around and looked helplessly at Tang Yifan, who was pulling her suitcase. "After you get married, she will belong to you entirely, but until then, she belongs to me. This request is not excessive, is it, Mr. Tang?"

The two chatted and laughed all the way to the parking lot, when a figure that she had deliberately tried to forget suddenly intruded into her line of sight, causing Xi Yan's smile to freeze instantly on her face, standing petrified in place

Tang Yifan shrugged and smiled, "It is rare for you to meet, even if you are married, I can still step aside and let others take the lead"

He smiled as well, with a hint of affection, then took off his beige trench coat and wrapped it around her, embracing her slender shoulders, "Let's go for a walk!"

At this moment, Ji, often without hesitation, would slap away her unruly claws from her chin and jokingly scold, "Dead Yan Yan, don't take advantage of me"

Hanno chuckled softly, his warm breath drawing near, a gentle kiss landing on her forehead, and then he pulled her into his embrace

She knew that as long as she returned, those memories that had been intentionally buried would be instantly awakened

It had been three years since they last met, and the originally slender Qi Yan had lost even more weight. Yi Yi's demeanor was clearly one of reassurance, but how could she not see the strain behind it? That was just how she was, stubborn to the core, stubborn enough to evoke sympathy.

Is the world really still this small? Xu Yan has just disembarked, and she is already faced with such a cruel reality? Is the pain from three years ago not thorough enough, not deep enough?

"Who wants to meet the in-laws?" Han Nuo ignored her struggles, reaching out to pull her into his embrace, a charming smile appearing on his handsome face

Ah? Your mother? Qi Yan was taken aback, and it took her a while to regain her composure. She gritted her teeth and said, "Alright!"

They are the best of friends, the closest confidants. She has a gentle disposition, and Qi Yan helps her navigate the persistent pursuits of various boys. When she falls ill, Qi Yan skips class to sneak back to the dormitory to take care of her. Even when she has a boyfriend, he still does not abandon her for dates; they often go out as a trio, fearing that she might feel lonely. However, when she has her own troubles, she distances herself, choosing to heal alone. She is unable to offer any help, not even a word of comfort.

The gentle actions and stern tone formed a stark contrast, as Ji Ruoning broke into laughter through her tears: "How can your mouth still be so wicked? It's been three years, alright? Just a few more days? Silly."

Xi Yan regained her composure and saw that Ji Ruoning's tears were falling. She reached out to wipe the tears from her face and scolded her without courtesy: "Have you lost your mind after not seeing me for a few days? I'm back now, so why are you crying?"

With a barely audible sigh, she lifted her head, restrainedly closed her eyes, tightly sealing the pain within her gaze, erasing the pale helplessness from her face, and carefully... gathered the sudden surge of sadness and sorrow.

Early in the morning, she got up and tidied herself up, waiting for his call. When the familiar ringtone sounded, a smile blossomed on her lips as she joyfully pushed open the dormitory door

What a wonderful time in university, a nostalgic period of youth, and the people from those memories remain so vivid.

"What? Who said that? I'll make him lose his martial arts skills." Qi Yan was instantly enraged; how dare he indirectly insult her, he must be tired of living. If she didn't make him lose his skills, how could she maintain her standing in front of Han Nuo? Although she was not an exceptionally beautiful woman, she was still the unique Qi Yan. Such mockery was intolerable.

In her initial experience of love, she viewed everything too simply and became too invested. In the end, it turned into a sorrowful memory, quietly submerged in the long river of recollection. It seemed as if in just one night, her world collapsed, and before she could regain her senses from the shock, the boy who once vowed to marry her upon graduation had already made his choice, betraying their four-year-long love. It seemed as if in just one night, her world collapsed, and before she could regain her senses from the shock, the boy who once vowed to marry her upon graduation had already made his choice, betraying their four-year-long love.

When she opened her eyes again, Qi Yan looked at the azure sky and smiled faintly, "Let's go, I should go home now!" Her delicate cheeks regained their color, but upon closer listening, her feigned strong voice faintly carried a hint of sorrow.

The beautiful and gentle Ji Ruoning, and the handsome and dashing Tang Yifan, truly make a perfect match, a pair of celestial lovers, resembling a prince and princess from a fairy tale. Seeing Tang Yifan naturally and affectionately wrap his arm around her, Qi Yan sincerely felt happy for her friend

Han Nuo saw her angry yet adorable appearance, took her hand, and chuckled softly, causing Qi Yan to blush instantly. She raised her delicate fist and struck at his chest. Of course, her flowery punches and embroidered kicks could not last more than three moves against Han Nuo, who easily countered them.

"Alright, alright, crying as if I just returned, but it seems more like I am about to leave, as if we will never see each other again in this lifetime. It doesn't matter if your image is ruined from crying; after all, someone has accepted it, but it makes it even harder for me to get married." Xi Yan pulled her away, wiped her eyes, and teased her with a smile.

"No need to be polite, you can call me whatever you like." Xi Yan smiled and politely nodded at him