The higher the path, the greater the magic

Finding excuses? I have only known her for four days; I do not understand her past, am unclear about her present, and it is even less likely that I could participate in her future. Once the journey ends, we will go our separate ways. To pursue her now would only render the outcome more futile.

I apologize, it slipped out unintentionally. In fact, you are not wrong. His tone was light and cheerful, and even if she did not look at his expression, she knew he must be smiling happily

I just don't want to be with my indecisive brother!

"Did you just graduate?" he asked with great interest

Her thoughts danced like a fluttering butterfly, and her pupils resembled a kaleidoscope, shimmering with vibrant emotions

Sun Xi let out a light scoff, and then fell silent.

She laughed foolishly, not knowing why she was laughing, but she just wanted to laugh

He paused for a moment, hesitating whether to ask, but ultimately held back and simply said, "Regarding what just happened between my sister and me, I hope you don't mind."

Dai Yimi felt her heart skip a beat. An inexplicable sense of pressure surged towards her.

The implication is that you find it necessary to be so conspicuous in your attempts to cover up

Indeed. Have you become so old-fashioned that you no longer believe even this

She could not bear to disturb his peaceful dreams and could only let out a faint sigh. It seems that this issue can only be swallowed back and kept to herself. Fortunately, they still have time

Oh, I took a stroll and found nothing worth buying, so I left. She lied without a hint of embarrassment or excitement.

He suddenly stopped here, his expression frozen, as if he recalled something he was unwilling to remember

He was somewhat flustered. It was the second time he had heard this question. This time, he could not deny it so decisively.

Well. It was entirely within expectations; it would have been strange if she had waited for him.

Lacking in skill, Dai Yimi chose to make a hasty retreat, "I see. If there's nothing else, I'll head out first; it's really stuffy in here. There's a fruit vendor outside, I'll go buy some, and then I'll wait by the bus." As soon as the words were spoken, she nimbly wove through the crowd and escaped.

"Sir," the sales assistant seemed somewhat apologetic, "your girlfriend has left."

Sun Zhao nodded. Holding the small box in his palm, he turned and left

"Dai Yimi." Two voices called her name, one high-pitched and the other deep.

His heart raced, then suddenly sank down.

He was taken aback, blinking in surprise, and after a moment, he burst into laughter, saying, "I find you a bit silly."

Before she could react, Sun Xi had already seated herself in Sun Zhao's position like an arrow released from a bow, blocking the way.

Wishing you smooth sailing

While he was busy with the invoice, Dai Yimi stared blankly into the air for a while, seriously contemplating whether to have seafood barbecue or durian later

There is nothing much, I just want to ask you, in the future, can I sit next to you in the car?" Sun Xi spoke first, her gaze shifting to the window, seemingly indifferent as she casually twirled her long hair.

She glanced at Sun Zhao with a hint of concern; his head was turned towards the window on the other side, presenting her with a profile view. It was evident that he was tightly pursing his lips, yet she could not fathom what he was thinking.

Sun Xi leaned against the wall, his gaze sweeping over the crowd pouring out of the exit time and again, yet he did not see the figure he was hoping for, and he lowered his head in boredom

Sun Xi laughed inwardly, realizing that he was still inexperienced, as he managed to extract a statement with just one sentence

Sun Xi felt that something was amiss, carefully observing his expression, from his brows and eyes to the corners of his mouth, yet he found no clues whatsoever

The person who sent the message did not leave a note or say anything else. However, this photo is enough to cause a great uproar

No, it is in City G. She spoke of that place where her long-held dreams converged, and in an instant, she radiated brilliance

Everyone has such years, and in everyone's memory, there is a person reminiscent of a fleeting illusion. Yet, it remains uncertain whether it is that person who is liked, or the feeling of a heart racing like a startled deer.

Never mind, she thought to herself, it is better to avoid trouble than to create more. As long as they no longer argue, she is not inclined to delve into their thoughts.

Is that so? He smiled brightly and said, "That is my hometown."

By the time she regained her senses, Sun Zhao had long since vanished without a trace

Dai Yimi finally opened her eyes in confusion and saw that Sun Zhao and Sun Xi were both in the car, their expressions unfriendly, filled with tension and a palpable sense of hostility in the air

"Let's go, let's go! We are getting in the car." She shrugged and had no choice but to give up

... ...

Hi..." Dai Yimi looked at Sun Xi, who was getting closer, feeling a strong sense of resistance throughout her body, and weakly greeted her.

Suddenly, a brilliant idea flashed through her mind

In her mind flashed the stern yet kind homeroom teacher, classmates with diverse personalities, and the boy hidden deep in her heart. She thought she would always like him, but after just a month, his image in her memory had already become blurred. Looking back now, perhaps what she thought was affection was not affection at all, but merely the novelty of a specific time.

Well... what I mean is, I did not see him, so he did not convey the message to me

Dai Yimi watched as the two were about to clash again and quickly pulled him back, "Forget it, forget it, just listen to your sister and come sit over here."

"What did you provoke her for?" Sun Zhao stood up expressionlessly

Sun Zhao's face was marked by displeasure; originally suppressing his anger, he slightly furrowed his brows, but at this moment, his brows were tightly knitted, displaying an appearance on the verge of erupting.

Well, I just want to change my environment, change my life. Although it might be a bit difficult at first, I am already prepared.

Swiping upwards with my finger, everything is filled with similar remarks, it seems that all the diving troops have been blown out.

When Sun Zhao returned with the receipt to collect the necklace, she felt that the sales assistant's gaze was somewhat strange, seemingly filled with compassion and affection

When is the gathering? Did the team leader mention it?

I mentioned it, but by that time you had already left. Did my brother not inform you?

Well, I will soon be entering university

"There is no need," he shook his head, and a hint of helplessness seemed to flash in his eyes covered by sunglasses. "After all, you are my sister. Moreover, gradually, you will realize that some things cannot be forced."

She pretended not to hear and remained silent

He originally intended to settle a score with his good sister, but as he struggled to navigate through the crowd, he saw a family of three walking affectionately together, a couple holding hands tightly, and a group of people who resembled each other laughing and chatting. His anger gradually dissipated, leaving only a faint bitter smile at the corner of his mouth

She glanced at her watch; there were still ten minutes left. It seemed he would not come out until the appointed time. It would be better to wait in the car, as there is air conditioning inside.

I apologize, this is the most sincere blessing I can think of. All I wish for you is smooth sailing.

I see that you are just looking for trouble. He furrowed his brows tightly, his tone harsh, and his expression extremely stern. How long do you intend to intervene?

Sun Zhao's shock lasted only a moment before transforming into a more displeased expression, as he subtly clenched his fist

At that time, the classmates were immersed in their exam papers and books all day long, with the pages turned yellow from repeated handling. The thick black-lined notebooks, filled with white paper and black characters, encapsulated a year of youth and all the efforts made.

The more Sun Xiyue thought about it, the more interesting it became, and she recalled how Sun Zhao had once coldly rejected her involvement, letting out a frustrated sigh

The light in Sun Xi's eyes sparkled. Since it was not possible to gather information from Sun Zhao, this innocent young girl was also a good candidate.

She happily took out her phone, opened WeChat, fiddled with it for a moment, and the smile at the corner of her mouth was exceedingly proud

When will you let us meet your girlfriend, Brother Jie?

Hi, Dai Yimi! However, things did not go as planned, Sun Xi shouted. She deliberately hesitated and looked up, hoping to pretend she did not see her, but she was waving her arms widely, making her very conspicuous

The path from the entrance to the bus is an unshaded stretch, and just as she was about to dash towards the bus to escape the scorching sun, she felt a pair of hands gently resting on her shoulders

In an instant, my thoughts drifted, chaotic and bewildered, so I chose to walk forward in silence.

Oh, I see. Then I will just wait for him, after all, he will come out when it's time to gather

Oh, what a coincidence! Where do you go to school?

I ... ...

The fellow travelers boarded the vehicle one after another. After walking for two hours, everyone felt a bit fatigued

Dai Yimi, wearing headphones, lazily closed her eyes, savoring the delicious and affordable fresh juice, her face radiating a satisfied smile. How can this juice be so tasty and inexpensive? It truly is a blessing for a budget-conscious foodie

What girlfriend? This matter hasn't even started yet! When did she take the photo, and why did she post it in the group?

"Well, thank you for your kind words," she said hesitantly

Yet he has closed his eyes and fallen into a deep sleep. His sleeping face is calm and serene, with a lingering smile at the corners of his mouth. His relaxed brows and eyes convey a sense of leisure and tranquility, and one can faintly hear his gentle breathing

"Haha, really? After all, blood is thicker than water. You two will definitely be able to reconcile." She chuckled a few times, but her reasoning sounded quite hollow.

Sun Zhao navigated through the crowd, gazing at the seemingly endless line, feeling a bit of a headache

What are you thinking about

Simply appearing and disappearing, treating her as a model who can be summoned and dismissed at will. However, this means she no longer has to accompany him, right? Hahaha, finally, I can indulge my appetite!

However, some matters cannot be forced

Dai Yimi had just exited the exhibition hall when she saw Sun Xi standing at the entrance

No

She waited silently for what would come next, but all she heard was the surrounding silence; he did not speak again. Unable to withstand her intense curiosity, she turned her head, wanting to ask him why he had posed such a question

Alright, alright! Dai Yimi, with a face ashen like death, covered her face with her hands, saying, "Please stop arguing, after all, you are siblings."

The leader unusually remained silent, resting with closed eyes throughout the journey. The restless crowd gradually calmed in the cool atmosphere. The carriage fell silent, with only the faint sound of the air conditioning's cool breeze remaining.

She darkened her expression, quickly withdrawing the hand that was resting on his shoulder, feeling deeply hurt inside. If a reserved and introverted person bluntly calls her foolish, just how foolish could she be

She turned around to look, and her expression instantly became very complex. As expected, Sun Zhao had indeed come to find her, but unexpectedly, his demeanor was calm, as if nothing had happened.

Dai Yimina adopted an attitude of being unafraid of boiling water like a dead pig, and instead became even more assertive.

Your words remind me of my high school homeroom teacher. He suddenly laughed and said, "In the past, I used to..."

The phone vibrated, and he struggled to reach into his pocket, pulling out the phone. He discovered that the long-dormant alumni group on WeChat had suddenly become active, with over a hundred messages received in just a few minutes

She let out a cold snort, seemingly full of disdain, "Is this your reason? Don't you know that since you have this encounter, you can strive for a reunion next time? When you have no idea of the outcome, without even a single attempt, the conclusion will only be more futile than the futility itself"

Do you believe that a person's will can reverse fate

She ran away with a beaming smile, quickly disappearing into the crowd. The sales assistant was left dumbfounded; he had never seen such a remarkable woman who, in the blink of an eye, was brought by her boyfriend to buy a gift and then left him just as swiftly. That well-dressed customer turned out to be a person of misfortune as well, the sales assistant sighed deeply.

Are you tired of waiting?

I am not with him, nor have I seen him. She calmly avoided Sun Xi's sharp gaze, while her heart was in turmoil, only hoping that she would not be suspicious

Another person approached, their footsteps echoing loudly, causing the entire carriage to seem as if it were vibrating

Sad?" He frowned, "She won't run far."

She hurriedly lowered her head, wanting to slip away quickly. After all, she had just escaped from Sun Zhao's clutches, and she certainly did not want to be caught by Sun Xi, who had a tongue as venomous as his.

"What are you looking at? Don't you remember your younger brother?" he asked calmly

She deliberately ignored Sun Zhao's furrowed brows and advised, "Isn't this good enough? Harmony is precious, harmony is precious"

It felt as if a fire was raging fiercely in his heart, and he gripped his phone tightly in anger, pressing his forehead, striving to think of a way to calm this matter down

Do you really think so

I can only grit my teeth and say, "I cannot answer this question well. However, I believe it is certainly possible. Perhaps a person's fate is already predetermined in the dark, but I simply refuse to believe that a person's precious life would be constrained by forces other than themselves.

After a moment of hesitation, he replied, "I don't know how to explain my feelings for her. Perhaps it is affection. But what does it matter? The emotions of travel are ultimately like a dream."

The summer light at that time was also very long, and when I looked down, I could not feel the movement of the sunlight; the classroom at that time was also very quiet, with only the sound of pages turning; what were the people like at that time

Sun Xi chuckled and said, "I have no doubt about what you mean. I believe in you."

Although I do not know what conflicts exist between you, I am very willing to help if I can. So, who among you would like to come over

Oh, it's nothing, I ... ...

Well, go ahead and ask

But you never asked at all, how would you know that you cannot obtain it

You have no right to interfere with me? I want to do as I please

What other meanings could there be? She pondered for a long time over his intentions, yet could not comprehend them. Why is he so roundabout and entangled? Could it be that he is truly tsundere?

Her memories were suddenly interrupted, and as she came back to her senses in confusion, she discovered that Sun Zhao had turned his head at some point and was looking at her intently

She looked out the window in a sulky manner

Suddenly, he understood and smiled knowingly, "I think you misunderstood; she is not my girlfriend. She is just in the same group as me"

Unreasonable disturbance! Why must you ... ...

The sun seemed to scorch the skin, with the blazing sun overhead, and even sunglasses could not block the dazzling light. Sun Xi felt a more intense flame rolling within his heart.

She found a comfortable position, resting her head against the back of the chair, and closed her eyes

Dai Yimi widened her eyes and stared at him, feeling that the tone had shifted too quickly. Why did she find this statement somewhat sentimental? Could it be that he had become this repressed to such an extent?

She suddenly sat up straight with a serious demeanor, gazing at him with an inscrutable expression. She reached out and patted his shoulder, speaking in the tone of someone with experience, "Young man, life is beautiful. Do not be so negative; you must hold onto hope. When you are young, you should strive; only those who work hard will succeed."

Family is family after all; he cannot maintain his anger towards them for long. Does he not also understand that she only wishes him well?

"Sir, may I ask, do you like her?" The sales assistant seemed to be influenced by his smile and casually inquired

"How is that possible?" Sun Xi became agitated, her voice suddenly rising an octave. "How can something like feelings be described as a dream? If you have ever experienced it, you will never forget it; it will leave a permanent mark on you, like a brand. If you think this way, you are merely making excuses for your hesitation!"

"Sir, this is your necklace," the sales assistant wisely refrained from asking further. "Inside, there is a warranty card and a quality guarantee. We welcome you to visit us again!" He bowed respectfully.

"Why are you walking so fast?" Sun Xi called out anxiously, "Aren't you always rational? Is this how you solve problems, by just walking away? You need to confront your own heart, do not always live in repression, distorting yourself and letting others down!"

The sales assistant widened her eyes and said, "You have brought her here to buy jewelry; I thought you were already at the stage of discussing marriage."

I am reminded of a saying, "Traveling is going from a place you are tired of to a place others are tired of as well," which is also quite applicable to attending school

He has an impulse to helplessly support his forehead. It must be admitted that his sister's way of thinking is quite peculiar

As the sunlight in the car dimmed, a figure flashed before her eyes and heavily settled into the front seat. She was too lazy to lift her eyes to look.

In fact, there is more to it.

He nodded, his eyes flickering for a moment, appearing somewhat hesitant, and said in a low voice, "I have a question to ask you"

You go

He did not respond, but merely maintained a smile, quietly watching the sales assistant

Both individuals simultaneously exclaimed, "He and she!"

She initially did not want to meddle in their affairs, but the increasingly intense argument between the two made her feel anxious and fearful. Since both intervening and not intervening posed dangers, she decided to intervene after all

She reluctantly pretended to have just woken up, slightly furrowing her brows, "What’s wrong?" Yet inside, she felt utterly devastated. Two towering figures stood before her, tension palpable, as if on the brink of war. This mere mortal truly felt afraid

Fine, I will no longer speak with you, as my good intentions have been mistaken for foolishness

There are still twenty minutes until the gathering, and she has already anticipated his furious expression. It is indeed quite amusing to think about.

Hey, why ask such profound questions? She pondered for a long time, drawing upon various disciplines of knowledge in her mind, yet still could not provide an equally profound answer

Did you see my younger brother? Sun Xi pressed on relentlessly, He was walking and then suddenly disappeared, I thought he was with you.

He was about to continue arguing, but suddenly recalled something and fell into silence

In this tranquil environment, she found herself momentarily transported back to the time of her high school graduation. The classroom was bathed in a bright white light for an extended period, and the blackboard was perpetually filled with chalk writings. The numbers on the countdown board against the beige walls diminished day by day, as if they were a measurable passage of time, flowing slowly before her eyes

He came to a halt, recalling the time when he entered university and had added Sun Xi to the group. In retrospect, this message must have been sent by her

At this moment, Dai Yimi just wants to find a crack in the ground to hide in, as the heat on her face continues to spread to the roots of her ears

Does this count as an admission that you indeed like that young girl

"No, no, absolutely not," she waved her hand, displaying remarkable generosity. "What does it matter? It's just a change of seat, isn't it?"

Haha, this blessing is so unoriginal. Hearing such a clichéd remark from him feels quite strange

He hesitantly clicked in and immediately saw several large characters announcing the latest news

Without further ado, she moved one seat inward and forcefully pulled him to sit on the outer side

She still suspected that a certain conspiracy was brewing beneath the calm and continued to watch him intently without any slackening of her gaze

Then you need not involve her either

He flipped to the very top in one breath and saw a photograph. The photo clearly showed him and a girl closely leaning against each other from behind. At the moment the shutter was pressed, he had turned his head slightly, revealing half of his profile. He recognized the girl's back at a glance; it was Dai Yimi.

She ultimately could not hold back, hesitantly asking, "Aren't you angry? I sent those..."

He quickened his pace and hurriedly ran to the car

She quickly changed the subject, "My high school homeroom teacher was also very good, but unfortunately, after I graduated, I can no longer see him every day. Thinking about it makes me a little sad."

"No, we have only just met for four days." He managed to suppress his smile with great difficulty, yet he still couldn't help but slightly curl his lips.

Sun Zhao furrowed her brows and asked, "Are you going to leave or not? Isn't it hot here?"

One minute later, regardless of the already flooded group chat, she contentedly put away her phone

An awkward silence pervades the air

Where is it? Is it local?

Your hometown. However, graduation is approaching soon

Alright, I can avoid involving her, so how about you leave and sit with her instead

Oh? The sales assistant was puzzled, "Aren't you sad?"

I was once troubled by this issue, but from now on, I want to believe in my own strength, just like you do

It was as if a firework had exploded in his heart with a bang. In that moment, it was incredibly brilliant and dazzling, a sense of happiness flowing through his entire being, causing him to involuntarily break into a smile, which only grew wider with joy

... ...

The time is close to noon, and the sun has risen to the zenith of the sky. The fields outside the car window shimmer with golden light. Occasionally, country villas intrude into the view, their tropical decor and vibrant colors invigorating the spirit. From the sway of the grass and trees, one can almost hear the singing of the wind and the chirping of the birds

She quickly pretended not to see and closed her eyes again

Oh, it's nothing, just something from the past, it's all over now she replied dismissively

"How did you come out?" Sun Xi patted her shoulder