Time flew by in the final year of high school. When students went to check the results of the 136 Joint Exam, some already joked: "Bet a pack of spicy strips, Pei Chuan will still be first this time. Wanna bet?"
"Who wants to bet with you? How about I bet it's him, and you bet on someone else?"
"Get lost!"
The legend of the city's top scorer was quietly established. No one batted an eye anymore when Pei Chuan's name appeared on the Honor Roll.
Pei Chuan hadn't been involved in any rumors for a long time. It seemed like overnight, he had started walking the path of a model student.
The ones most surprised by Pei Chuan's change were Jin Ziyang and Zheng Hang. Pei Chuan now attended classes regularly, submitted assignments on time, and didn't go to Allure World anymore.
Ji Wei was overjoyed. He thought perhaps his own efforts and love for learning had inspired Brother Chuan.
Jin Ziyang: "...Brother Wei, listen to me. You need to fix your waterlogged brain."
Zheng Hang: "..."
Ji Wei asked Pei Chuan: "Brother Chuan, are you planning to seriously prepare for college entrance exams?"
Pei Chuan responded: "Mm." When college was mentioned, a new light appeared in Pei Chuan's eyes that made even Jin Ziyang stare blankly. Then Jin Ziyang thought to himself, damn, why am I getting sentimental! It's not like I can get into college anyway!
The learning atmosphere at Third High School had always been relatively intense, but now many students began quietly putting in even more effort.
Before the holiday break, Bei Yao's homeroom teacher Li Fangqun said: "Be careful on your way home for the break, and remember to keep up with your studies while you're home. Don't fall behind in your progress, understand?"
Everyone responded in unison: "Understood!"
"During this break, students with the means can visit universities they're interested in to motivate themselves to study harder."
Hearing even the teacher say this, Bei Yao suddenly remembered her agreement with Pei Chuan.
This winter in City C, snow came particularly late. When students went on break in January, the weather remained dry and cold without a single snowflake.
Bei Yao told Zhao Zhilan about her plan to visit universities in City B. Zhao Zhilan was very supportive, considering college entrance exams were important, and thought it would be good for her daughter to take a look.
Besides, after the Olympics, the whole family had developed a particularly good impression of the capital.
Zhao Zhlan said: "If only we had visited some universities last time we were in the capital, so you wouldn't have to make a special trip now."
This made Bei Yao feel somewhat guilty.
The summer break during second year high school had already been short, let alone the winter break during the final year.
Zhao Zhlan saw her daughter off on the bus, but kept worrying: "Maybe I should go with you after all!"
Bei Licai found this both amusing and exasperating: "Why are you so worried? When I was Yao Yao's age, I went to Guangdong alone to work."
Zhao Zhlan said: "You're you, Yao Yao's Yao Yao. You're ugly, of course you weren't in any danger."
Bei Licai was furious. This woman! How could she say that!
Bei Yao also laughed: "Mom, I'm going with classmates. Don't worry. Take good care of little brother. I'll call you every night at eight."
Zhao Zhlan wanted to ask which classmates Bei Yao was going with, but was afraid her daughter would find her annoying, so she just saw her off.
Bei Yao carried a light blue backpack made of lightweight fabric, perfect for long-distance travel.
She and Pei Chuan were scheduled to take an afternoon flight together.
When Bei Yao arrived, Pei Chuan was already there. Her large eyes curved into crescents as she spotted him in the crowd: "Pei Chuan!"
Pei Chuan took her backpack and opened his suitcase. It contained only a few of his clothes, with just enough space left to fit her backpack.
The young girl had never flown before and felt quite excited going through security.After passing through security and waiting in the lounge for a while, the two boarded the plane.
He had booked a window seat for Bei Yao.
"If you feel uncomfortable or experience ear pressure later, be sure to tell me."
She nodded, her eyes filled with curiosity about the unknown world.
That was the sky!
Human wisdom was truly remarkable—metal could actually fly through the air.
His dark eyes rested on her. Bei Yao loved this world; she adored the vivid beauty of nature and enjoyed exploring unfamiliar places.
Bei Yao was vibrant and joyful.
But his own world... had always been rather dull. Pei Chuan remained silent. He couldn’t bring her much excitement; the only thing he could do was take good care of her.
"Pei Chuan, you’re so smart. If you become a scientist in the future, you’ll definitely invent things that advance humanity," she suddenly said as the plane took off.
He chuckled wryly.
Why did she think he would pursue such a noble profession?
Having lost her memories beyond high school, she felt a flicker of anticipation for the unknown world of the future. As the plane ascended, Bei Yao showed no signs of discomfort. Afraid of disturbing others, she whispered in his ear, "In a few years, this world might become even more incredible—exploring space, traveling beyond the galaxy, with robots everywhere on the streets.He watched her as the young girl spoke softly, her imagination running wild with innocent and lovely ideas.
Did she really think leaving the galaxy was that easy? Did she believe every scientist was a superhero? Yet, being a superhero in her world was far better than being a villain.
They arrived in City B in just two and a half hours.
It was just dusk in City B.
Pei Chuan had already arranged accommodation near B University. After dinner, he took Bei Yao to explore the campus.
Unlike high school, university students sometimes stayed on campus during winter and summer breaks for various reasons.
Bei Yao was strikingly beautiful, and as they walked, many couldn’t help but glance back at her. At seventeen, she had blossomed into a stunning young woman. Pei Chuan had always known she was lovely, like the flamboyant peach blossoms of March.
Watching her, Pei Chuan lowered his gaze.
Wherever she went in the future, Bei Yao would be popular and live happily.
He observed the university more intently than she did.
From geography to humanities, Pei Chuan had researched it all.
B University was famous for its scenic lake. Unlike City C, where snow hadn’t fallen yet this year, light snow began to drift down at dusk on the campus.
Bei Yao had loved watching snow since childhood.
She adored how the world was blanketed in ice and snow, only for everything to come alive again in spring, with plants pushing bravely through the soil.
Pei Chuan opened an umbrella for her. "Girls shouldn’t stay out in the snow for too long."
He unwound his scarf with one hand and wrapped it around her. "Remember that?"
Bei Yao nodded.
He explained, "If your body temperature melts the snow, you’ll get cold."
Bei Yao marveled at the frozen lake, where several people were walking on the ice.
In her little boots, she stepped gingerly onto the surface. "Pei Chuan, hold my hand! The ice is solid—we won’t fall!"
She reached out both hands to him.
Pei Chuan stepped onto the ice and grasped her slightly chilled hands.
As dusk deepened, he looked at her small face and said, "I’ve heard from teachers that university life is very free. You can have afternoon tea in your spare time, read in the library, or learn to swim at the pool."
Bei Yao listened, tilting her head up.
"Bei Yao, life is full of wonders."He suddenly spoke like this, in a way that seemed utterly unlike him. She almost wanted to laugh. "Pei Chuan, life is truly wonderful."
His dark pupils reflected her image, filled with immense tenderness.
Bei Yao, life is wonderful. You shouldn't spend it with a cripple.
"Our teacher said," she looked at him seriously, her cheeks slightly flushed, "once we enter university, it won't be considered puppy love anymore. Parents and teachers won't interfere with relationships. So we..."
Her almond-shaped eyes glistened with moisture as she gazed at his handsome face, mustering all her courage: "If we wait just five more months, we can... we can..."
We can... She couldn't bring herself to finish, her cheeks burning.
A surge of warmth rose in his eyes.
Mixed with sorrow and heaviness.
Snow fell heavily, blanketing the surface of his umbrella.
Though the night lights were dim, he could clearly see the brightness in her eyes.
His knuckles turned white where he gripped the umbrella handle. The next moment, he released it, cupped her face in his hands, and leaned down to kiss her.
The January wind blew cold and desolate.
The umbrella fell onto the icy ground at their feet. He closed his eyes, tasting her young lips.
In his entire life, this was the only time Pei Chuan had actively let himself be reckless.
This was her future university, the place where he had originally wanted to accompany her through four years.
But just as she said, five months later, no one knew what would actually happen.
Perhaps if more time passed, it wouldn't be him watching the snow with her anymore.
He breathed heavily.
Bei Yao reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist.
His muscles were firm and unyielding. She let out a soft, coquettish hum through her nose.
He smiled, released her, and gently stroked her cheek.
This was enough.
"Yao Yao, let me carry you back."
Bei Yao was taken aback.
Pei Chuan said: "It's fine, come on up."
She bit her lip: "I'm very heavy. I want to walk by myself."
He said: "I won't feel any pain."
Bei Yao lowered her head: "That's not what I'm worried about."
"Then come up, be good."
He bent slightly in front of her. Bei Yao hesitated intensely, but he waited quietly.
Gritting her teeth, Bei Yao wrapped her arms around his neck: "Pei Chuan, I'm very, very heavy. I look thin but I'm actually quite fat." So don't force yourself like this.
For the first time, he understood that she knew everything.
Pei Chuan didn't speak. With effort, he lifted her onto his back. His tall frame trembled slightly. Bei Yao bit her lip and resisted speaking.
Pei Chuan began walking toward the school gate, carrying her.
"Yao Yao, that's the library, look."
Lying against the boy's broad back, she turned her head to look.
"Further to the right is the College of Liberal Arts," he said calmly. She couldn't see the tenderness in his eyes. "To the west, there's a bridge. Under the bridge is a lake. When the leaves turn yellow in autumn, the view from the bridge is beautiful."
His severed limb throbbed with pain, but his spine remained straight.
Like any normal man, he endured the pain along the way, walking very, very slowly. Yet he had only managed a few meters before his severed limb screamed in protest.
Pei Chuan wanted to walk with her through the reviving spring, watch autumn leaves with her, gaze at the bright moon at night. He wanted to hold her, carry her, kiss her. But what he could actually do was so little.
In the bitter winter, his legs trembled slightly, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
Bei Yao was so anxious she nearly cried. Why did Pei Chuan insist on carrying her? She didn't need to be carried. She tightened her arms around his neck: "I don't want you to carry me. I want to hold your hand and walk together."
His body shuddered, and he nearly stumbled.Pei Chuan steadied himself. With the added weight of another person, he struggled to find his balance.
He closed his eyes briefly, frustrated that he couldn’t even manage something as simple as carrying her on his back.
Bei Yao grew a little afraid. The young girl, unusually sensitive, asked, “Pei Chuan, do you not want to go to the same university as me anymore?”
He replied softly, “No, I promise you—I’ll definitely get into this university, okay?”
“Mm.”
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