Xue Jiao naturally didn't know that Lin Zhihua was still following her. Chen Yan called a car to take her to the school gate.
When Yi Tianyu sent the message, he said he was already at the school gate. Xue Jiao didn't know how long he had waited before sending her that message, but from the time she received it until now, he had waited another half hour.
Xue Jiao got out of the car and looked up, immediately meeting the gaze of the boy standing at the school gate.
He was still as striking as ever, making it impossible not to spot him in a crowd at first glance.
A year had passed since she last saw him, shortly after starting university.
Yi Tianyu looked somewhat different from Xue Jiao's memory of her deskmate, yet upon closer inspection, it seemed everything had changed while nothing had changed at all.
His face was still clean and handsome, full of youthful energy, with his hair cut short and bangs slightly messy. Even though the weather hadn't warmed up yet, seeing him still gave her the feeling of the sun rising.
Xue Jiao froze for a moment, but Yi Tianyu had already stuffed his hands in his pockets and slowly walked over.
For an instant, time seemed to overlap—a boy in black and red basketball gear, a basketball tucked under his arm, his hair messy with sweat. The boy walked against the light, his eyes like two blazing little suns, grinning widely.
Behind him were rows of neatly arranged desks, stacks of thick books, and... those unforgettable youthful days.
"Bookworm, long time no see."
The boy and the hurried figures in blue-and-white school uniforms all vanished. Before her eyes was still the gate of Tsinghua University, the overlapping timelines instantly returning to the present.
The boy before her now was much more mature than in her memories, dressed in a white jacket as he approached.
Xue Jiao snapped out of her reverie and slowly smiled. "Long time no see, Yi Yu."
Yi Tianyu looked at her, the corners of his lips curling up into the same bright smile from her memories, though his eyes were much deeper now. The stubbornness and two little suns in his gaze had been replaced by something more complex.
The girl before him wasn't the same as in his memories either—she had grown into her features more, her once-childish face now more mature. She wore a black down jacket that made her delicate face appear even more refined and fair.
But when she slightly narrowed her eyes and smiled, she still looked the same as before.
"I heard there's a good little restaurant near your school. Will you take me there?"
"Okay," Xue Jiao nodded.
——
"Thanks." The food arrived quickly. Yi Tianyu naturally washed Xue Jiao's chopsticks, wiped them dry, and handed them to her.
Xue Jiao paused for a moment before reaching out to take them. "Thank you..."
He gave a bitter smile, his eyes filled with an indescribable complexity. "Are you this polite with me now?"
Xue Jiao pressed her lips together, unsure how to respond.
Yi Tianyu picked up his chopsticks and tried a few dishes. "Mmm, it's delicious."
As if remembering something, he suddenly blinked. "Remember that noodle place I took you to?"
"I remember..." Xue Jiao was slightly puzzled. It was the one owned by his family's Auntie.
That year during the annual event, he sneaked her out to eat there.
Yi Tianyu's eyes reddened slightly. "Can't eat there anymore. The person who made the noodles is gone."
"What?" Xue Jiao's eyes widened slightly.
"Cancer. Late stage. She passed peacefully. I went back a few days ago to attend her funeral. My parents adopted her grandson. Since I'm away most of the time, it's good for them to have company." Yi Tianyu's voice was calm.Xue Jiao looked at him with worried eyes. This young man was actually the most sentimental and loyal, and she couldn't imagine how grief-stricken he must have been at that time.
"Tianyu... don't be sad anymore..."
Yi Tianyu raised his head, meeting Xue Jiao's concerned gaze.
How long had it been since he'd last seen this person before him? How long since he'd seen such care in these eyes?
For some reason, something welled up in his eyes.
Xue Jiao quickly reached into her pocket, pulling out a handkerchief and handing it to him: "Don't cry... we... need to look forward..."
Yi Tianyu stared blankly at the handkerchief. Look forward? But what if he couldn't forget the past?
He slowly raised his head, took it, and remained silent.
After eating a few more bites, Xue Jiao asked softly: "You... wanted to tell me something..."
She could sense that what Yi Tianyu wanted to say wasn't just about Auntie's passing.
Sure enough, Yi Tianyu looked up at Xue Jiao: "I'm going abroad."
"Ah?" Xue Jiao was startled. "Abroad? Why?"
Yi Tianyu stared intently at her eyes, not missing a single emotion—there was surprise, curiosity, but not a trace of reluctance.
A bitter taste filled his mouth as he forced a smile: "To study. I got accepted into Stanford's finance program."
Xue Jiao was taken aback. "I remember you saying your dream was to keep playing basketball... how..."
"Dreams are dreams, reality is reality. Some things... aren't meant to be mine. Like you." Yi Tianyu looked straight at Xue Jiao, his gaze piercing deep into her eyes.
Xue Jiao's heart skipped a beat. She never imagined Yi Tianyu's obsession still ran this deep!
"Yi Tianyu..." Xue Jiao took a deep breath. "I came today to tell you that I'm very happy now, and I hope you can find someone suitable for you soon too. Since you've decided on finance, do your best abroad. Don't let your current choices down."
"But I only like you, I only want you!" Yi Tianyu stubbornly stared at her. "I regret so much that day after graduation... when I blamed you out of ignorance. If not for that day..."
Xue Jiao interrupted him, her gaze equally firm: "Tianyu, we're not right for each other. I have someone I love, who will be my lifelong partner. I'm very happy now, and I want you to be happy too."
Yi Tianyu hadn't mentioned Lin Zhihua all day, as if by not speaking the name, the man wouldn't exist.
But reality doesn't disappear just because we don't mention or think about it. That person had always been there, staying by Jiao Jiao's side when he had missed his chance.
He slowly opened his mouth, his voice hoarse: "Really... no chance at all?"
Xue Jiao looked at him, her eyes steady and serious: "None. Not the slightest. There never was, and never will be."
She stood up, opened a bottle of baijiu nearby, and poured herself a glass: "Yi Tianyu, live well abroad. Take care of yourself. Life isn't just about love—there are many other things. I wish you safe travels."
Xue Jiao downed the drink in one gulp—this was her apology to Yi Tianyu.
To help him forget her sooner, Xue Jiao would never reveal the tiny sprout of feelings she once had.
Let him believe there was never any possibility.
This was Xue Jiao's first time drinking baijiu, and it burned all the way from her throat to her heart.
She put down the glass, picked up her bag: "Goodbye."Xue Jiao had just stepped out the door when Yi Tianyu caught up from behind and embraced her, wrapping his arms tightly around her from the back.
"Give me one more chance, okay? I can give you everything, even my life. Jiao Jiao, just say the word, and I'll stay."
As she tried to struggle free, a warm, despairing teardrop fell onto her head from above.
Not far away, Lin Zhihua could barely stand steady.
His fingers dug deeply into his palms, veins bulging on his forehead as he barely restrained his emotions.
That pair of young people—one in black, one in white—looked heartbreakingly well-matched!
This might be the last time he could hold his beloved close, her head resting against his chest yet failing to fill the emptiness within.
"Jiao Jiao... I love you. Give me another chance... That immature Yi Tianyu has learned his lesson. Can't we go back to how we were before?"
His voice was pleading and ingratiating. Xue Jiao raised her hand to remove his arms from her waist, turned around, and looked up at him.
"Yi Tianyu, you've always been that vibrant young man in my memories. You can't lose yourself because of love. You can't let affection become an obsession. When something is impossible, you must learn to let go gradually. Then when you look at the world again, you'll find new hope. The person most suited for you, the one who truly loves you, is still waiting ahead."
Xue Jiao smiled. "Forget the past. Never lose yourself for someone else. Stanford's finance program is excellent. Since you've been accepted, you should go. There's no need to stay for anyone—your life belongs to you."
Looking into those earnest eyes, Yi Tianyu felt himself drowning in bitterness.
Even now, she was still thinking of him—from the past until this very moment.
But this was merely the concern between friends.
Yi Tianyu finally lowered his hands, closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again with gradually clearing resolve.
"Bookworm, if he ever mistreats you, tell me. If he's ever unkind to you, come back to me," Yi Tianyu said hoarsely.
Xue Jiao gazed up at him, amusement rising in her eyes. "Tianyu, don't wait for me. He treats me well and won't mistreat me. Move forward—your road ahead is still long."
Yi Tianyu opened his mouth, but after a long pause, could only whisper soundlessly: "Okay..."
Neither wanted to continue with the meal. After settling the bill, Yi Tianyu appeared to have recovered, wearing his familiar smile as he chattered cheerfully about his two years in university.
When the taxi arrived, he was still smiling. "Well then, I'm off, Bookworm."
"Mm, have a safe journey. May your future be bright." Xue Jiao smiled too, just like in the old days.
"You too... Don't let anyone bully you..."
"I know!"
"Then I'll go. No need to see me off. Goodbye." With that, Yi Tianyu turned, raised his hand, and waved behind him without looking back.
His retreating figure was free and unrestrained, still bearing the marks of youth.
Yet the moment he entered the car, his smile vanished. Clutching a handkerchief to his chest, he broke into heartrending sobs.
For the rest of his life, Gu Xue Jiao—may you find happiness, peace, and longevity.
Meanwhile, Xue Jiao exhaled deeply. She truly no longer had feelings for Yi Tianyu, yet her eyes still stung slightly.
She could only hope he would truly let go of the past and live a happy life.
"Planning to stare much longer?" came Lin Zhihua's sour voice.
Xue Jiao started in surprise and turned her head. "What are you doing here?""What? Can't I be here? Am I interrupting your trip down memory lane with your first love?" Lin Zhihua's voice still carried a hint of sourness, though his eyes showed ease.
Xue Jiao glared at him. "I haven't even brought up the fact that you were following me yet!"
As she walked ahead, Lin Zhihua quickly caught up—
"Well, I haven't mentioned him hugging you either!"
"You followed me! You don't trust me!"
"...No, it's that I trust him..."
"Hmph."
"Hmm? Is that alcohol? Gu Xue Jiao!! Didn't I tell you?! You're not allowed to drink!"
"Uh... just a little..."
"Nonsense! Come here, let me see if it's really just a little!"
"How can you even tell that? You're still... mmm—"
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