Li Wu's school transfer went smoothly, and on the afternoon of National Day, the two returned home.
The holiday passed in the blink of an eye. On the morning of the third, Li Wu left home to return to school, plunging back into the sea of studies.
Cen Jin's company strictly adhered to the statutory requirement of a full week off, but with the peak seasons of September and October, businesses across all industries were scrambling for opportunities. Even at home, Cen Jin was on call 24/7.
They were like two star tracks in the universe, moving within their respective domains, shining brightly, yet occasionally intersecting.
By mid-October, Teddy had stepped back to a supporting role, strongly recommending Cen Jin to lead the proposal for a certain automotive brand's G-series new off-road model.
This was her first time as the main presenter for the creative portion, requiring her to accurately showcase and describe the team's ideas during the pitch.
For the opening remarks alone, Cen Jin had rehearsed over a dozen times at home in advance.
Li Wu, who returned home for the weekend, became her primary rehearsal partner. The young man's logical thinking was sharp; after listening attentively, he would point out instances where her delivery confused priorities or had disordered progression.
After completing a round of presentation, Cen Jin would ask Li Wu to try and come up with tricky questions about the content.
At first, Li Wu struggled to grasp the concept well.
Cen Jin gave several examples of sharp questions clients had raised during past pitches. He quickly grasped the idea and began "challenging" her, with some queries even leaving Cen Jin momentarily speechless.
Cen Jin noted down the questions that stumped her and discussed them with colleagues to find the best response strategies.
On the day of the actual presentation, despite thorough preparation, Cen Jin was still too nervous to feel completely at ease.
She stood in front of the display screen, striving to maintain a poised smile and appear professional and calm. During her presentation, she emphasized one key creative idea involving a public-service microfilm set in mountainous regions.
Cen Jin's proposal was relatively successful; at least when she returned to her seat, the expressions of several clients present were amiable.
During the Q&A session, the regional manager asked, "The concept in the film—'making all rugged paths as smooth as flat ground'—seems decent to me. It's relevant and has some emotional appeal. But I noticed Ms. Cen mentioned a specific place, Yunfeng Village. With so many remote mountainous areas in the country, why choose this one? I've never even heard of it before."
Cen Jin smiled gently. "I've been there for field research."
The regional manager raised an eyebrow slightly. "For our product?"
Cen Jin replied, "Not entirely. I've sponsored students there. Yunfeng Village's environment and way of life are very original and ecological, very authentic. The road conditions are also highly suitable for promoting the G-series' multi-terrain adaptation system."
The regional manager asked, "What off-road vehicle did you drive?"
Cen Jin answered, "I don't own an off-road vehicle. I was driving a Maserati Ghibli at the time—it nearly did me in."
The room erupted in laughter.
Cen Jin looked at him, speaking unhurriedly, "Due to transportation limitations, I've rarely been able to visit the student I sponsor there. But if I had a G-series, I think the situation might be different. What's the purpose of driving an off-road vehicle? Just for coolness? For cross-country road trips over mountains to see the scenery? To challenge limits and seek thrills? I believe it's more than that. It can also encompass humanity, sentiment, self-actualization, and something deeper that touches hearts."
The regional manager leaned back in his chair. "Actually, you don't need to repeatedly emphasize what's already in the PPT; this isn't a speech. Have you considered the possibility that after this film is released to the public, it might be perceived as a tourism promotion video, focusing on poverty alleviation rather than our vehicle?"Cen Jin smiled faintly: "You can rest assured about this. While not all, 90% of the clips in our video will be related to the G-series, aiming to showcase its full performance from inside out. A more public welfare and humanistic presentation style makes it easier to break through conventional boundaries, allowing these features to reach more potential consumers."
The regional manager nodded in understanding.
...
After the Double Eleven shopping festival, the latest promotional video for the G-series began rolling out across major platforms.
The film told the story of a disheartened man who embarks on a road trip and accidentally stumbles upon a picturesque mountain village. Through his interactions with and assistance to the local children, he finds self-redemption and rediscovers his original aspirations.
Shots of the car were seamlessly woven into every part of the storyline—some delightfully humorous, others deeply moving.
Before parting, the man took a group photo with the children, promising to print and mail it to them after returning, then drove away.
As if suddenly remembering something, the children raced desperately after the car across the mountain terrain.
Spotting their small figures in the rearview mirror, the man steadily braked on the slope. Tears streaming down his face, he turned and shouted: "Stop seeing me off! Don't be so reluctant to let me go!"
The children yelled back: "We forgot to take a photo with the car—!"
...
The video, blending tears and laughter, touched many hearts. Led by Cen Jin, the creative team won this year's Dragon Seal Award for this work.
Coinciding with company restructuring, Cen Jin was officially promoted from SCW to GH, becoming the copy team leader in the creative department, with her professional value doubling.
The cold wave this year arrived fiercely, prematurely driving away autumn's charm.
Golden leaves seemed to vanish overnight, as countless trees cloaked themselves in white snow.
Near year's end, Cen Jin specifically visited a Montblanc counter to purchase a fountain pen as Li Wu's coming-of-age gift.
Chun Chang accompanied her shopping and asked puzzled: "You're buying something this expensive—do you think he even knows this brand?"
"Why does he need to understand brands? He just needs to know it's a fountain pen," Cen Jin's eyes scanned the pen styles in the display case: "The price merely represents the recipient's importance in the gift-giver's heart. Of course, the more expensive the better within one's means."
Chun Chang raised her eyebrows teasingly: "Seems he holds considerable weight in your heart."
"He's my brother," Cen Jin replied matter-of-factly.
"You consider him a brother, but does he see you as a sister?"
Cen Jin signaled the clerk to take out a specific pen for closer inspection, then turned back curiously: "If not a sister, then what?"
Returning home, Cen Jin slipped stealthily into her bedroom and retrieved the dark-colored cards she'd purchased online earlier. Using a pearlescent pen, she carefully wrote birthday wishes stroke by stroke.
After signing, she carefully put it away. On New Year's Eve, while Li Wu was showering, Cen Jin took out the gift box and card, placing them solemnly at the center of the study desk.
When Li Wu emerged, she pretended nonchalance, sitting in the living room munching an apple and playing with her phone without even glancing up.
Li Wu glanced at her, paused silently for a moment, then announced: "My birthday is tomorrow."
He rarely shared such things proactively. Cen Jin looked at him slightly surprised: "I know."
He coughed, appearing somewhat uncomfortable: "I'm becoming an adult." Finally, he would share an intersecting identity with her.
Cen Jin crunched a small piece of apple, indifferent: "So? What changes for adults?"
"Nothing," his hair still damp, shimmering with dark luster. He seemed more excited than during last year's birthday, laughter sparkling in his eyes: "Just wanted to tell you."
Never one to spare feelings, Cen Jin studied him skeptically: "What are you so happy about?""I didn't," Li Wu said.
Cen Jin let out an ambiguous hum and didn't respond further.
The tips of Li Wu's ears grew warm as he walked back to the study.
Before he could sit down, he noticed the gift on the desk.
The corners of his lips lifted instantly. He walked over, sat up straight, and carefully unfolded the sapphire-blue card that had been folded once. Neat, elegant handwriting leaped from the page:
"Your new chapter in life begins now—write it yourself. Be bold with your pen. Your sister will always believe in you."
"Happy 18th birthday, little brother Li Wu."
―
As seasons changed, paulownia blossoms bowed the branches, and spring tides filled the city with moisture, Li Wu faced his second mock exam.
His scores had been steadily climbing, now breaking the 700-point threshold and placing him among the top students in his class.
Cen Jin had long grown accustomed to this. Every time she received his report card, her most frequent tease was: "Tsinghua or Peking? Give me a straight answer."
Subtle changes were also occurring around him.
Outstanding alumni from prestigious universities reached out through his classmates, gathering top students like him into WeChat groups where they warmly described their schools' advantages.
Teacher Qi also spoke with Li Wu privately, probing whether he had any preferences for his college applications and conveying interest from certain university admissions offices. Li Wu merely shook his head, saying he was still considering.
He truly was still considering.
There were many reasons, but one was crucial—he didn't want to be too far from Cen Jin.
He had checked flights and high-speed trains from the capital to Yicheng: two and a half hours by air, six hours by rail, both quite expensive.
If he studied in Beijing, even with financial aid, their life paths would run parallel for years, intersecting only during long holidays, with little chance for deeper connection.
Though she seemed fully immersed in her work now, showing no signs of pursuing new romance, he still feared that in some unguarded moment, Cen Jin might turn onto a path where he could no longer see her. He had been holding his breath yet chasing with all his might behind her for so long.
For Li Wu, the college entrance exam wasn't just the reward for years of hard study—he already knew his capabilities well.
It felt more like a self-judgment determining his future. He sat balanced on the scale's center, love on one side, reason on the other, drawing his sword only to gaze around in confusion.
Each day before the exam repeated the last—monotonous and agonizing, yet fleeting all the same.
The night before the test, Li Wu lay awake.
He had stayed at school instead of going home. Alone in his dark dorm room, he replayed the past two years in his mind and realized that memories of Cen Jin far outnumbered those of himself. Their time together hadn't been extensive, yet she occupied nearly all his thoughts—like a persistent shadow, an unwavering devotion.
The struggle of his dilemma twisted sharply inside him, his heart aching. He climbed down from his bunk, retrieved his pencil case, and took out Cen Jin's two-inch photo.
Spreading it on the desk, he gazed at her warm smile—a balm that slowly eased all his anxieties and restlessness.
He opened WeChat. At the top was a message from Cen Jin sent an hour earlier: 【I don't know why you insisted on staying at school instead of coming home before the exam, or why you didn't want me to accompany you, but I'm sure you have your reasons. I also know you must be very nervous right now, but don't forget what I told you on your 18th birthday: Be bold with your pen. Your sister will always believe in you.】He read the words silently several times, his chest rising and falling slowly as he tucked the photo back into the drawer.
Early the next morning, after checking his stationery and documents, Li Wu took out his phone to read that sentence once more.
If he didn’t strive to be his best self, how could he ever be worthy of her faith in him?
The young man suddenly felt enlightened, his spirits lifting. In the mildly intoxicating breeze, he strode briskly toward the examination hall, ready to give his all and leave the rest to fate.
On the evening of the 8th, all senior high school students surged out of the school gates in a frantic rush. Like caged beasts set free, they ran wildly, venting their emotions with either sharp cries or soft sobs.
Li Wu was one of the few who remained composed.
The tall, slender young man in a white T-shirt walked out expressionlessly, silent yet conspicuous.
A reporter with a microphone stopped him, attempting to get an interview.
He glanced at the camera shoved in his face, frowned, and uttered a few words—likely a polite refusal—before quickening his pace and walking away.
The media persisted, chasing after him. He lowered his head further to avoid them and broke into a run.
Cen Jin stood in the shade not far away, watching him with a smile. For some reason, she had no desire to rescue him.
Finally breaking free, the young man lowered his head and took out his phone.
Cen Jin raised an eyebrow slightly and pulled out her own phone.
Her screen lit up a moment later.
Cen Jin answered the call. The summer breeze flowed between them, amid the bustling crowd.
Li Wu looked up and said, "I’m done with the exams." He paused, then asked, "Are you here?"
"I’ve been here for a while. Hmm—" Cen Jin assessed her position. "To your right front."
The young man’s eyes focused instantly. "I see you."
Cen Jin ended the call and waved her hand at him a couple of times.
Li Wu’s steps quickened, shifting from a walk to a run.
Countless Saturday evenings in the past, amid bustling crowds, he had run toward her just as resolutely, as if charging toward the light.
The young man stopped under the same patch of tree shade, right in front of her. Breathing heavily, he looked at her and broke into an inexplicable smile. It was the first time he had smiled so broadly, radiating youthful energy like the blazing sun.
Why did her clever boy seem as if the exams had addled his brain, grinning so foolishly? Cen Jin frowned in confusion. "Did you do that well? Smiling like this."
Li Wu pressed his lips together, turned his head mysteriously, and gave her only a slightly proud and aloof view of the back of his head.
"How did it really go? Do you have an idea?" Cen Jin hadn’t intended to pressure him right after the exams, but his smug little expression had piqued her curiosity, and she couldn’t resist pressing for details.
Li Wu walked slowly, still saying nothing.
"If you don’t tell me, don’t speak to me for the rest of the summer," Cen Jin resorted to threats.
Finally, he turned his head and replied as usual, "Not bad."
"Here we go again. Can’t you give me a straight answer?"
He looked at her steadily for two seconds, a hint of smugness curling his lips. "You’re going to be very busy once the scores come out."
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