Chapter 2, Just Goodbye

Cheng Yun and Cheng Lan, the twin sisters with lofty aspirations, possess a keen ability to read the room. Upon witnessing Tang Wu's transformation, they couldn't help but glance at Su Can with increased astonishment.

Su Can, whose academic performance was considered a burden in the class, found his life swept downstream in the face of the first watershed.

Looking at the group of girls in front of the grocery store who are laughing at themselves, they somehow seem familiar no matter how I look at them

As this group of people chuckled lightly upon hearing someone refer to him as a "top student," two girls among them cast a fleeting glance in his direction before quickly shifting their gaze to some stationery items nearby. These two girls, named Cheng Yun and Cheng Lan, were a pair of twins and were the center of attention in the entire grade, not only because of their stunning beauty but also due to their strikingly similar appearances, making it difficult to distinguish who was the older twin and who was the younger one. Their admirers even included some boys from the high school department.

Another girl, named Tang Wu, did not display the mocking expression that others did. At that time, she was the class monitor, now still the class monitor, with top-notch academic performance and a beautiful appearance. However, she was usually very indifferent towards others. As the monitor responsible for the daily random checks of each group's assignments, she commanded a certain level of respect among her classmates. Unbeknownst to her, she had already become the idealized perfect partner in the dreams of adolescent boys.

After eleven years, I have had very little contact with my middle school classmates. I have only heard that the two girls who were once so popular are now living ordinary and mundane lives; one seems to be working at a telecommunications service center, while the other has married a young professional in the IT industry.

Tang Wu's heart was in a different state. Su Can's gaze was steady and tranquil, resembling a deep, clear pool of water, devoid of any youthful naivety. A faint glow brushed over his brown eyes, surprisingly beautiful, which evoked an unusual feeling within Tang Wu. There was a hint of sourness, and her heart involuntarily began to race, causing her face to flush, and for the first time, she turned her head away.

Gradually, those memories that were slightly familiar yet too youthful began to resurface in his mind. Before him were his classmates from the initial ninth grade, who were also among the most prominent group within the female circle of the class.

However, this is entirely nonsense. Back then, in the class, who could guarantee that the boys did not have improper thoughts about Tang Wu? Yet everyone knew the difference between a bird in flight and a fish in water, especially during the entrance examination for high school. Without a doubt, Tang Wu achieved excellent results and was admitted to the top first high school in the city. It is said that even the homeroom teacher deeply regretted the departure of such an outstanding student from their class and school. Moreover, the top students of their cohort all flocked to the city's first high school, while the third high school became a cradle for nurturing talent for others. In no time, many veteran teachers felt disheartened, and the subsequent third high school saw a decline in quality, with the high school division collapsing completely. Before long, it had fallen to the level of a third-rate school in the city's educational community.

Although she is only sixteen years old, Tang Wu, who stands before him, is already strikingly beautiful and ethereal, making it difficult for one to look directly at her. Su Can seems to recall something very important, but the overwhelming impact and volume of information he is currently experiencing is too great; his heart is still racing, and for the moment, he cannot remember what it is.

What surprised her the most was that Su Can was gazing at her with a fixed expression. It is important to note that in class, due to her status and striking appearance, boys in their adolescence during that era would hardly dare to meet her gaze without hesitation. Often, when faced with Tang Wu's eyes, many would immediately look away, unable to withstand the intensity, while some, feeling embarrassed, would turn red in the face. Accustomed to others avoiding her gaze, Tang Wu found herself somewhat at a loss when confronted for the first time by such calm and steady eyes as Su Can's.

Reflecting on the past, Su Can could not help but admit that he had a certain degree of unspoken affection for Tang Wu at that time

At the age of sixteen, Xiao Tangwu rarely expresses a sense of life's unpredictability, let alone mock others.

Returning to the present from 2009, Su Can, despite appearing as a sixteen-year-old with youthful innocence, has nonetheless gained the intellectual maturity equivalent to eleven additional years. Moreover, this eleven-year span coincides with an era of information explosion, where knowledge and information from around the world can be accessed through search engines, including some military secrets that have been sealed away for many years.

Of course, I forgot to mention in the end that Su Can's academic performance is at a below-average level in the entire class, and even in the whole school. At this level in the current Summer Sea Third Middle School, it is simply not noteworthy in the entire city

Moreover, she recalled that the high school entrance examination was approaching, and all students in the city would face a pivotal assessment. With her grades, she would undoubtedly be admitted to the city's top high school, which is also a key provincial school. In contrast to the third high school of Xiahai City, which is considered a second-tier school in the city, the difference is like heaven and earth

With such experiences, Su Can, who is psychologically an adult, had no possibility of being coy in front of Xiao Tangwu

Tang Wu did not wish to join the surrounding people in mocking the current situation with Su Can, and there were reasons for this. Firstly, her status in the class was already elevated, and she looked down upon such ridicule from those around her. Secondly, although Su Can was generally a low-key person in class, he performed consistently well in all aspects. His slightly disheveled yet soft hair and appearance were precisely the type favored by well-behaved girls, which did not exempt Tang Wu from this norm. Over the three years of middle school, she had developed a certain fondness for the inconspicuous Su Can, at least she did not harbor any dislike towards him.

Especially, the owner of such a gaze surprisingly comes from Su Can, who usually lacks confidence in class

Just a moment ago, it was still the winter of 2009. Summer Sea City is located in the inland western basin, characterized by a temperate continental climate with distinct seasons and significant temperature differences between day and night. It now appears to be around six o'clock in the evening after school. In the winter of 2009, a cold front had passed, causing it to get dark early. At this time, the moon and stars are faintly visible, and in conjunction with my mood at that time, everything seems to be filled with melancholy.

Su Can found himself unable to share his recent experiences with those around him. Could it be that, after eleven years, he nostalgically walked down this street, reflecting on how things have changed? The timeline overlapped with his self from 1998, and in that moment, the thoughts or, one might say, the essence of his soul, instantly traversed to his present self. In other words, he was reborn in his own body in such a unique manner. The timeline overlapped with his self from 1998, and in that moment, the thoughts or, one might say, the essence of his soul, instantly traversed to his present self. In other words, he was reborn in his own body in such a unique manner

Of course, Tang Wu was unaware that in the future world characterized by explosive information development, the pressure of employment would become so severe that academic qualifications would gradually become secondary, while work experience would become the focal point for employers

A man with short, tousled hair, carrying a "Li Ning" crossbody bag, appeared at the entrance of the convenience store, looking at Tang Wu with a face full of surprise

At this moment in the summer of 1998, six o'clock seems to herald the beginning of a new day for these middle school students who have just finished their classes. In the inland western region, summer typically does not see darkness until around eight o'clock, but at that time, it could almost be considered dusk, shrouded in the glow of the evening sun. At this moment, a red sun hangs at a slanting angle of thirty-five degrees in the sky, casting a golden light that bathes the buildings in a warm hue. These structures are familiar from my memories, yet they no longer exist. Now, they appear vividly and intimately in my brown eyes.

Ah, Xiaowu, so you are here! You left in the blink of an eye right after school, and I thought I wouldn't have time to find you! I am having difficulty solving this problem and was just thinking of asking you for help. How about I treat you to a drink? A new Taiwanese bubble tea shop has opened nearby, and it tastes great!