Bei Yao had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of April in spring, counting the days with great anticipation.
She had done extensive research on what items were permitted during "prison visits." Neither Bei Yao nor Fang Minjun knew exactly what the "Seventh Prison" was like, but she was genuinely prepared to wait for Pei Chuan for eight years.
Even if he had nothing when he was released, wasn't she already working?
She firmly believed that life could only get better when two people faced it together.
When spring arrived, Bei Yao received confessions from several people, including a talented scholar from the law school who was said to have been utterly captivated by her beauty the previous year.
Wang Qiankun laughed uproariously while recounting this incident, as the scholar was somewhat awkward, speaking in a rigid and formal manner. To those in the know, it was a confession; to others, it sounded like he was interrogating a criminal.
Wang Qiankun imitated him perfectly, and Bei Yao was also amused.
As for Bei Yao's claim of having a boyfriend who was in prison, Qin Dongni had told their roommates, but none of them believed it.
Wang Qiankun said, "Yao Yao, you're such a beauty. When are you going to start dating? Just looking at you makes me feel sweet. Hahaha, your future boyfriend will definitely spoil you rotten."
Bei Yao replied, "I do have a boyfriend."
Qin Dongni teased, "The one in prison?"
Bei Yao nodded, and her roommates burst into laughter. Wang Qiankun said, "Yao Yao, that's enough. You've been joking for so long; it's time to stop. We're already sophomores, and soon we'll be juniors. If you don't start dating now, you'll only have underclassmen left. Do you like younger, immature guys? As for me, I have no hope. I feel like I'm too tomboyish, but so many people are pursuing you, and you're not considering any of them. What are you thinking?"
Why didn't anyone believe her when she told the truth? Bei Yao put on a serious face and said, "I really do have a boyfriend."
She repeated it with emphasis, and the other three roommates exchanged glances. Qin Dongni forced a laugh and asked, "Is he really in prison?"
Bei Yao nodded, her expression showing no shame or embarrassment, as if she were merely stating a normal fact.
Wang Qiankun covered her face and let out a groan.
Qin Dongni asked, "How much longer until he gets out?"
Bei Yao replied softly, "Eight years."
"..." The entire dorm room fell into silence.
The next day, the girls began to lecture Bei Yao: "Look, we're not putting him down or anything, but Yao Yao, eight years—2,920 days—are the best years of a woman's life, and you're going to spend them waiting for him. That's prison! Not a picnic! Do you think everyone is like Dr. Yu Xueqin, who can become a medical master after being released from prison?"
Bei Yao asked, "Who is Dr. Yu Xueqin?"
"You haven't heard of the big shot in our field? He's in his fifties now. He used to be a surgeon with incredibly steady hands. He accomplished a lot even in prison and saved many people. After he was released, countless wealthy people flocked to him for surgeries. Now he's extremely rich."
Bei Yao nodded.
They realized the conversation had strayed off-topic. After all, not everyone was like Dr. Yu Xueqin. Most people who had been in prison ended up as unemployed older youths, right? Either they became local thugs or gamblers and scoundrels.
Qin Dongni and the others were genuinely worried that Bei Yao was being deceived.
Even Shan Xiaomai couldn't help but say, "My mom says people who have been in prison are really fierce. Yao Yao, you should think this through carefully."Bei Yao simply smiled and shook her head: "Thank you, I know you mean well. But my boyfriend is wonderful, and I won't break up with him."
Seeing her roommates' reactions, Bei Yao also understood Pei Chuan's earlier concerns—people truly held prejudices against those who had been in prison. Even if they didn't know him or understand what mistakes he had made in the past.
By April, spring had fully arrived, and the weather had warmed up completely.
When Bei Yao went shopping with her roommates, while the other girls eagerly browsed women's clothing, she headed to the men's section.
Mall clothing wasn't cheap.
Bei Yao hadn't sold the valuable diamond. With Zhao Zhilan and Bei Licai needing to support young Bei Jun, Bei Yao's living expenses came from scholarships, grants, and part-time work.
Though she was beautiful, she rarely bought new clothes for herself.
She used almost all her savings to buy clothes for Pei Chuan—selecting a smoke-gray shirt and a black thin sweater for him.
Wang Qiankun and the others watched her buying clothes. After a long silence, Qin Dongni whispered, "Why is Yao Yao doing this?"
Yes, why indeed?
The runner-up in the campus belle contest back then was the department beauty from the journalism department, who was now happily dating a rich second-generation heir. The young man had not only gifted her various beautiful clothes but also gave her a car last month.
In terms of beauty, Bei Yao was undoubtedly superior. Even if she casually chose a decent man, she wouldn't have to struggle like this.
Waiting eight years for a man with no future—Wang Qiankun and the others found themselves speechless for the first time.
What could he possibly give Yao Yao after being released from prison? By then, Yao Yao would be twenty-six, and he would likely have no house, no car, no job, carrying only the label of "ex-convict."
Just thinking about it painted a bleak picture of life.
Unaware of their thoughts, Bei Yao carefully packed the clothes. After some consideration, she found a way to contact Jin Ziyang.
Over the past two years, Young Master Jin had been striving hard and was reportedly doing very well. They still hadn't given up searching for Pei Chuan. Thinking of Pei Haobin, Bei Yao frowned slightly—Pei Chuan probably still didn't know he had a half-brother.
In the end, Bei Yao still didn't notify Pei Haobin.
On April 10th, Bei Yao once again rented a bicycle and headed toward the outskirts.
Not long after leaving the campus gate, a car blocked her path.
The window rolled down, revealing Chu Xun's face.
Chu Xun had pursued Bei Yao passionately during their freshman year, and his subsequent rejection was widely known. With a forced smile, Chu Xun said, "Where are you going? Riding a bike sucks. Let me give you a ride."
Looking at Bei Yao's captivating face, Chu Xun felt bitter resentment. It was because he had seen her that he wanted the best, and though he couldn't have her, everyone else seemed dull in comparison.
Bei Yao was annoyed by him. Frowning, she tried to bypass him.
It was hard for her to see Pei Chuan, and she really didn't want to waste time with Chu Xun here.
Frustrated, Chu Xun got out of the car and stopped her: "Haven't I treated you well? Huh? You don't even have a boyfriend—what's wrong with being with me? What do you want? A house? A car?"
Chu Xun's voice was loud, as if he wanted to announce it to the world. Bei Yao laughed in exasperation: "I don't want anything. Since you're so good to me, why don't you go to prison for me?"
Chu Xun was stunned for a moment: "Wh-what?"
Pursing her lips, Bei Yao tried to walk around him. Chu Xun persisted, grabbing her arm to demand an explanation, when a hand reached over and slapped his away.
Seeing the man, Chu Xun cursed directly: "Fuck your mother, who the hell are you to meddle?"The man frowned. Dressed in a suit, his voice was clear and resonant: "Young man, it's not appropriate to harass a female student like this at your school gate, is it?"
Chu Xun sneered, "Get lost." As he moved to strike, the man blocked him and shoved his hand away.
With a faint, mocking smile, the man handed Chu Xun a business card. "Young Master Chu, try using your brain more."
Chu Xun looked down and saw two bold characters on the card: "Huo Xu."
"Huo Xu!"
Hearing the name from Chu Xun's lips, Bei Yao turned around just in time to see the man's clear, gentle eyes. He stood at the school gate, tall trees lining the sidewalk beside him.
Meeting her bright, clear almond-shaped eyes, Huo Xu smiled.
The next moment, Bei Yao mounted her bicycle and pedaled away without a backward glance.
The two men left behind fell into an awkward silence.
Why was it that in this classic hero-saves-the-beauty scenario, the beauty ignored both the bully and the hero?
~
Although Bei Yao had no memories from after her senior year of high school, she had spent years carefully studying every word in that notebook, pondering their meanings.
She was all too familiar with the name "Huo Xu"—the one who had harmed her with ill intentions.
Pursing her lips, she pushed aside thoughts of what Huo Xu might be plotting.
Her memory was sharp, and the moment she saw him, she recalled the youth she had saved years ago at Bei Jun's kindergarten gate.
Seeing him again after all these years, she had to admit he had his charms. Yet, she couldn't shake the instant aversion and repulsion she felt upon laying eyes on him.
As she cycled toward the outskirts of the city, the spring breeze gradually dispersed her gloomy mood.
Several cars were already parked at the entrance of "Seventh Prison."
When Bei Yao arrived, Zheng Hang was unusually distracted.
She had grown up, shedding her youthful innocence for a more striking beauty. Bei Yao was surprised to see them; she had only notified Jin Ziyang, who had been searching for information all these years.
Yet Zheng Hang and Ji Wei had come too.
Ji Wei even carried his backpack, clutching his "Five Years of College Entrance Exams, Three Years of Simulated Tests."
Warmth and gratitude filled her heart—they had never forgotten Pei Chuan. After all, Pei Chuan had very few friends along the way. As a child, he had been a solitary boy, and no one in the neighborhood wanted to play with him.
The group walked inside together, just as visiting hours began.
Surveying the surroundings, Zheng Hang raised an eyebrow, sensing something amiss. This... this didn't seem like an ordinary prison.
In regular prisons, "visiting days" were open to all, with meetings held in a large common room. But at "Seventh Prison," each person was given a separate, small room.
However, when they went through the procedures and explained their situation, the prison guard frowned. "Pei Chuan... got into a fight last night. He's in solitary confinement today."
The men exchanged looks of disbelief.
Bei Yao was also stunned.
Everyone knew that fighting during a prison sentence was strictly forbidden, with severe consequences. Had Pei Chuan lost his mind?
Just then, Cheng Zhenghai, an elder who also had a visitor, passed by and spotted the young people outside the door. Smiling, he said, "Old Chen, why not cut them some slack? Start the confinement tomorrow—locking that kid up for half a month won't hurt."
Cheng Zhenghai had always been highly respected, and his family was wealthy. However, after his daughter was violated and humiliated, the enraged Cheng had used biochemical weapons to kill the perpetrators, landing him in this place. Years ago, everyone would have addressed him respectfully as "Elder Cheng."
In the end, Pei Chuan was eventually brought out to them.The young man's dark eyes were indifferent, yet when he saw Jin Ziyang and the others, a flicker of astonishment crossed his gaze. He had thought... that three years of halfway friendship had long since scattered to the winds, and they would never meet again in this lifetime.
Jin Ziyang was deeply agitated. Over the past two years, he had indeed been using all his connections to search for someone, and now he was nearly tongue-tied: "Brother Chuan, finally found you."
It was their first time seeing Pei Chuan in a wheelchair. Rehabilitation was no vacation—it inevitably carried a sense of disarray. Yet the cold detachment on Pei Chuan's face did not deter them.
That rascal Jin Ziyang even reached out to touch the wheelchair: "Brother Chuan, this thing's kinda cool."
"..."
Pei Chuan's gaze swept over them before finally settling on the girl standing deepest inside. She called out softly, "Pei Chuan."
His expression softened, as if afraid of startling her, and he responded in a low voice, "Mm."
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