“Is it inconvenient at your friend’s place?” After waiting for quite a while, Xu You said to Li Xiaoqiang beside her.

Although she didn’t usually pay much attention to cars, those sports cars casually placed on low stands were obviously not cheap goods that ordinary people could afford.

And this place didn’t look like a simple repair shop at all.

Not far away, several men sat on car hoods smoking and chatting. The remaining few, either standing or sitting, didn’t look like ordinary laborers at all.

Because a while ago there was an accident where a top-tier supercar crashed into a barrier somewhere, a colleague of Xu You’s went to the scene for follow-up coverage. Later, when researching materials to write the news article, that colleague had mentioned it to Xu You once or twice, casually lamenting.

Some rich second-generation kids spent lavishly on cars—if something major happened, casual repairs started at a million.

Xu You recalled some pictures and finally understood that work staff member’s shocked expression when she said she came to repair an Audi.

She glanced at this old classmate she hadn’t seen in ages. “Let’s not trouble your friend. I’ll have my colleague come pick me up later.”

After saying goodbye to Li Xiaoqiang, Xu You sensibly prepared to leave.

“What’s wrong? You’re not fixing your car?”

Li Xiaoqiang thought she was worried about the price and explained, “It’s fine, don’t leave yet. Don’t worry about the price. I’m acquaintances with the owner here. I’ll get you the lowest discount—guaranteed satisfaction.”

“It’s not about the price. I’m a bit pressed for time right now.”

Just as she lifted her foot to leave, someone from not far away rushed over anxiously to stop her.

“—Miss, wait!”

A’Li wiped away imaginary sweat and handed Xu You a form. “Miss, fill this out and we can fix it for you right now. You can tell us any performance requirements you have for the car. We guarantee your satisfaction.”

“Ah? No need to trouble yourselves. I’m not here to modify my car.” Xu You quickly waved her hand. “I have something to do later. Let’s talk about it next time.”

Li Xiaoqiang glanced at A’Li and gave him a look.

A’Li persisted enthusiastically. “No, the main thing is, since you’re already here, we can’t let you make a wasted trip, right?”

“Really, it’s fine. I came by on the way.”

Xu You smiled helplessly. Seeing he wasn’t very old, she asked casually, “Are you still in school?”

“Me? I haven’t been in school for ages, hehe.”

“Why not? You’re still so young. What about your family?”

“My parents passed away long ago. I only have my older sister at home—she’s in university.” A’Li scratched his head.

A’Li’s full name was Xu Li.

He used to be a small-time punk. His parents died early and his relatives were poor. To support his sister through school, he’d even fought in underground boxing matches—did everything, been to both hospitals and police stations. Until later he met Xie Ci, who was like a benefactor in his life.

Who taught him a skill to make a living.

Xu You realized her occupational hazard was acting up again. She quickly stopped and apologized. “Sorry, because of work I asked a few extra questions. Don’t mind it.”

“Work?” A’Li blinked and saw the work badge hanging on Xu You’s neck, immediately reacting. “So you’re a reporter!”

“Mm.”

“Your name is Xu You?” A’Li raised his voice. “What a coincidence—I’m also surnamed Xu! Our boss says he’s especially fated with people surnamed Xu. If you get your car fixed today, a discount is guaranteed!”

His sweet talk made Xu You laugh. “Really?”

What a strange fate.

“Yeah, yeah! How about this?” A’Li caught up, saying earnestly, “I’ll get you a yearly membership card. The price is negotiable.”

“…..”

“Does twenty percent off work for you? Or fifty percent? It’s all fine—whatever makes you happy.”

“……”

Li Xiaoqiang looked at A’Li speechlessly, thinking when had people here ever begged to repair cars for others…

“A’Li, don’t you know better? Why are you even talking about money? The young lady in front of you is your boss’s old classmate. Back then—” Li Xiaoqiang didn’t know what he thought of and immediately shut his mouth.

He secretly regretted… Oh no… he’d let it slip.

But fortunately, Xu You hadn’t heard clearly. She only caught the word “classmate.”

Li Xiaoqiang had just breathed a sigh of relief.

When A’Li beside him loudly said, “So you’re Brother Ci’s former classmate! No wonder!”

Xu You froze, turned her face to ask, “…Who?”

“—Me.”

Time had passed so quickly. This casually spoken sentence, the familiar yet distant voice, almost made her unable to recognize it.

But only almost.

Xu You’s back stiffened. Hearing the voice, she quickly turned her head and suddenly met a pair of pitch-black eyes.

The overhead light, half-open window, a bit of wind.

And him, who seemed to have never changed.

Xie Ci stood by a car not far away, hands in his pockets, still tall and thin. He wore a blue crew-neck T-shirt, exposing most of his collarbones. She didn’t know how long he’d been standing behind her.

To say her heart wasn’t stirred at all would be a lie. Xu You’s mind went blank. In that moment, she seemed to return to many years ago, the first time she saw him in Class 9.

Golden sunlight falling on the desk edge, white draft paper and ballpoint pen. Him holding his school uniform, stopped at her side, carelessly picking up the draft paper.

Her reaction was slow.

For an instant, she couldn’t tell if this was reality or a dream.

“Xu You…?” When he called out this name, he was even nervous enough to swallow, his Adam’s apple rolling slightly.

Then the two fell into silent silence. Under the oppressive, stifling atmosphere, it was as if the next second would erupt in shocking waves.

Sensing this off atmosphere, A’Li’s gaze shifted back and forth between the two, not daring to breathe heavily.

Before long, Xie Ci was the first to break. He pressed his lips tightly, his gaze flustered. Out of habit, he pulled out another cigarette to hold in his hand, only to discover his fingers were shaking—he couldn’t hold it at all.

There were people all around. The guys glanced back and forth at Xie Ci and Xu You, laughing. “So you know each other? No wonder A’Ci stared at her for so long just now. I fucking thought he’d seen a beauty and couldn’t walk, love at first sight and all.”

“Hahahahaha fucking love at first sight.”

“Pretty capable, huh?”

There’s a phrase for it.

Oh right… like a lifetime had passed.

“Xie Ci, long time no see.” Xu You finally came back to her senses, as if she’d remembered him. Her fingers dug hard into her palm, but her face wore a smile, shallow dimples at the corners of her lips. “Your hair is still black.”

Hearing this, Xie Ci didn’t dare move. Even his eye sockets were forced red by these words.

Has anyone said this before?

Only when you meet that person you haven’t seen in so long face-to-face do you realize how deep your longing is, how real the suffering from missing them has been.

Xu You pretended not to see his expression and withdrew the look on her face. Her eyes moved away as she nodded at Xie Ci. “I’ll go first then. We can talk more when there’s time later.”

She stepped back half a step, turned around, and prepared to leave.

Yes, that’s it.

She couldn’t say even one more word to him.

She also couldn’t smile and exchange pleasantries with him casually like an ordinary friend.

Afraid of saying too much and making mistakes, and afraid she couldn’t control her emotions, so she instinctively just wanted to escape.

“Tsk tsk.”

A man in a leather jacket slowly poured some water into his cup and stubbed out his cigarette in it. “Finally got to see it.”

Someone beside him asked quietly, “See what?”

“What else?” The leather-jacketed man lifted one corner of his lips. “That person Song Yifan always mentioned to me—the one you can’t bring up with Xie Ci.”

“What did he say again?” He recalled the phrasing in his mind. “As long as he’s drunk, if you mention it, he’s guaranteed to go crazy. No one can hold him back.”

“…..”

With words having reached this point, the others all understood.

“When was this? So deeply engraved in his bones.”

“Sophomore year? Seems like it. I heard about it.”

“Fuck, A’Ci’s so young, can’t tell he fell so early. No wonder.”

“It’s a good thing.” Someone laughed. “Thought he was going to be single for life. Hasn’t his beloved girl appeared now?”

—

Walking several dozen meters outside the repair shop, Xu You looked up at the sky. Dark clouds pressed down. Near the highway entrance here, there weren’t many buildings, making it seem somewhat desolate. The tree branches beside her were blown sideways by the wind. She took a deep breath. Her feet felt like they were filled with lead.

Xu You took out her phone, head lowered, standing by the roadside. She called Zhang Lili and sent her location on WeChat.

The surroundings were utterly quiet, the sound of wind whistling darkly. Gradually, raindrops fell from the leaves into the mud. Drip drop drip drop.

Suddenly, a thunderously roaring sports car swept past her. Xu You’s head hung extremely low, the hair on both sides of her cheeks even lifted by the wind.

She walked along the deserted road, not knowing what she was thinking in her mind, aimlessly walking and waiting for a passing taxi.

However, dark clouds pressing down were a precursor to a storm. Once it began, the rain势 couldn’t be stopped anymore, pouring down in a clatter, catching people off guard.

Not far ahead was a platform where she could temporarily shelter from the rain. Xu You walked faster. When she turned around, Xie Ci was already only ten steps away from her.

A few strands of Xu You’s hair stuck to her cheeks. Her frame was slender—the consequence of being soaked through was that her half-cotton-linen clothes clung completely to her skin.

Semi-transparent color, her body’s curves faintly visible.

She stamped her feet, arms hugging herself, hiding under the glass eave only one meter long.

Not far away, Xie Ci just stood quietly like that in the pouring rain.

In fact, meeting again after so long apart wasn’t earth-shattering at all.

It was just not knowing what to do, what could be done.

The storm grew heavier and heavier until rainwater slid down her eyelids and her vision nearly blurred. Xu You asked a question. “Do you want to come over and shelter from the rain?”

Her voice was very small, almost drowned in the rainwater.

Xie Ci remained silent the whole time. After a while, he shook his head. “No need.”

He called out her name.

Xu You didn’t know where she was looking, or perhaps wasn’t looking anywhere. “Xie Ci, you don’t seem to have changed much these past few years.”

“Really?” Xie Ci hesitated. “I’m still pretty handsome, right?”

Seeing she didn’t speak, Xie Ci asked again, feigning ease, “You haven’t changed either. How have you been?”

The two conversed like reunited friends—calm and ordinary.

He’d finally learned that set of adult pleasantries too, treating her like a long-unseen old classmate.

The past was completely without resentment.

Xu You’s heart suddenly felt somewhat sour, but she said nothing.

On such an empty road, why weren’t any taxis passing by? The wind was strong, blowing rain onto her body. Xu You’s fingers were ice-cold.

She tightly gripped the phone in her pocket.

Suddenly, a loud crash startled both of them. The standing metal advertising board beside them was swept up by the strong wind and, in the blink of an eye, violently slapped down just meters from Xu You.

She reflexively dodged to the side. Fortunately, she reacted quickly—it only hit her shoulder. Before she could stand steady, Xie Ci pulled her over in one motion, and she stumbled several steps.

His tone was anxious as he gripped her shoulders, asking several times, “Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?”

Such an intimate action made her feel uncomfortable.

Xu You felt a bit awkward and stepped back two paces, maintaining some distance from him. “I’m fine. I’m okay.”

Xie Ci immediately realized and let go. “Sorry.”

The way people interacted was strange. Even without feelings, they still retained their habitual way of getting along.

“It’s fine.” She shook her head.

“Xu You, I’m sorry.” Xie Ci’s voice was hoarse as he repeated it once more.

His apology’s meaning was unclear, so this time Xu You didn’t respond.

But her heart couldn’t help but feel a cowardly sadness welling up. So dealing with feelings was really too troublesome.

A sour bitterness surged in Xu You’s throat. She said while breathing deeply, “It’s fine.”

Having been separated for so long, he really seemed not to have changed at all—he still didn’t know how to control his emotions. Happy, he smiled; angry, he frowned. Even his unhappy appearance was identical.

But Xu You was no longer the Xu You of before. She was no longer that girl who only knew how to study back then. She had grown up too, encountered society, and worked hard to adapt. Even every day, she had to spend a lot of time socializing with others.

Time had been lenient with him but hadn’t spared her.

This rain suddenly fell so heavily, sweeping across the entire world, as if only they remained.

Suddenly she remembered student days, when Xu You had just transferred to the neighboring city. It was summer, right at dismissal time, when the sky suddenly dropped a heavy rainstorm, trapping her in the corridor, hugging her books waiting for the rain to stop.

Xie Ci had sat on the window ledge not far from her, also accompanying her like this.

Except back then he had talked a lot, much more than now.

Thinking of the past, her heart suddenly pulled. It wasn’t obvious pain, but what sudden sadness was there? It had actually always been in her heart.

Collecting her emotions, she forced out a reluctant smile, responding perfunctorily, “You should go back. I still have something to do later. When there’s time in the future… I’ll treat you to a meal.”

—

**[Extra 1]**

Summer vacation.

Xu You was lazy by nature and stayed home the whole time doing homework, refusing anyone’s invitations to go out. After several days like this, she got sick from the air conditioning—both coughing and with a sore throat.

It happened that in two days was the class reunion. She wore long sleeves and long pants, receiving a huge wave of shocked looks.

“Xu You, did you come from the Arctic? My god.” Song Yifan pointed at her and cried out in shock. Immediately the private room filled with his hahahahaha and goose-like cackling laughter until finally he lost his voice.

Because of this, a large portion of the gazes in the private room swished over, instantly concentrating on her.

What was so funny…

After standing stiffly in place for two seconds, Xu You was embarrassed and didn’t know what to do when the door beside her was suddenly pulled open.

Inside, some boys were playing poker and had also heard the commotion, craning their necks to look outside.

Xie Ci had just withdrawn from the card game, one hand on the doorknob, the other propped on the doorframe. He first lazily looked Xu You over for two seconds, then his gaze shifted as he asked with a half-smile, “Yo, bullying my wife?”

No one spoke.

Xie Ci suddenly shouted at Song Yifan, “Song Yifan!”

“Present!” A resounding response.

“Strike a pose and get out of my sight!” As Xie Ci spoke, he released the doorknob, walked forward, and pulled Xu You over.

She resisted a bit and dodged.

The remaining people clapped loudly, whistling and laughing, “Fuck, Xie Ci protecting his wife.”

Song Yifan shouted, “A’Ci, have you no humanity…”

It wasn’t mealtime yet, so few people sat at the dining table. Xu You pulled over a chair and sat down, then someone took a seat beside her.

She was too lazy to care and directly unloaded her backpack.

“Teacher Xu, are you here to lecture or eat? You even brought a backpack?”

When he called her, she propped her elbow on the table and covered her ears.

Damn.

Xie Ci propped his chin with one hand, his long legs brazenly stretched toward her, head tilted as he inquired, “You’re not still mad at me, are you?”

Xu You ignored him.

“I just, last time I kissed you a bit too long—”

He deliberately raised his voice.

“Shut up!” Xu You quickly covered his mouth with her hand, palm against lips. After making eye contact with Xie Ci for two seconds, she reacted first and hurriedly withdrew her hand.

“Don’t talk nonsense.” With so many people here, she didn’t dare speak too loudly to attract others’ attention, so she could only scold him quietly.

He didn’t respond. For a moment, it became quiet.

Xie Ci just looked at her like that, body not moving, not knowing what he wanted to do. It was just that his roguish manner, whether smiling or not, made people feel he was bad.

Just when she was being stared at uncomfortably, Fu Xueli appeared from somewhere.

Xu You secretly breathed a sigh of relief in her heart.

Fu Xueli came to get summer homework—it was in Xu You’s backpack, a huge pile of test papers.

While Xu You was looking down searching, Fu Xueli chatted idly with Xie Ci on the side.

“Xie Ci, what did you do to get so dark?”

Summer vacation hadn’t been long, but Xie Ci’s originally fair skin had already tanned to almost only one shade lighter than Song Yifan, close to dark wheat color.

Her voice carried a hint of disbelief. “I thought you couldn’t tan no matter what!”

Xie Ci kept his head down, playing with the teacup lid in his hand, saying carelessly, “Playing basketball.”

“Playing basketball can make you this dark?”

He curled one corner of his lips, noncommittal.

Xu You found the papers and handed them to her. Fu Xueli took them. Before leaving, she teased again, “You didn’t go play basketball in the sky, did you?”

“…….”

Her words made Xu You unable to hold back—she laughed with a poof.

Xie Ci kept his head turned looking at her.

Having just walked for ages in the scorching heat while wearing long sleeves, her entire neck was covered in fine beads of sweat.

He reached out his hand. His fingertips had just touched when she sensitively flinched and turned to glare angrily.

Xie Ci absentmindedly withdrew his hand, then suddenly grabbed the decorative bunny ear on her clothes and pulled it toward himself.

“What are you doing?” Xu You was a bit angry.

They had argued a few days ago, and she’d been ignoring him since. Now here, he was starting to get handsy again.

“Xu You…” After Xie Ci called her name in a low voice, he tilted his head and suddenly leaned in to kiss her without warning.

Xu You’s eyes and hands were quick—her hand blocked against her lips.

He directly kissed her palm and even smiled.

The exhaled hot breath scalded her with a tremor. Xu You pushed away the person in front of her, bit her lip to hide her face. “I have a cold.”

“It’s fine, together then.”

“……”

Seeing Xu You rendered speechless, Xie Ci laughed again.

Damn.

How is my girlfriend so cute?

A million times cuter than pink cotton candy and white little bunnies.

**[Extra 2]**

These past years, Xu You followed Xie Ci back to the neighboring city for New Year.

The day before New Year’s Eve. In the evening, light snow was still falling, red lanterns hung everywhere on the streets.

After eating dinner with family, Xie Ci drove, taking Xu You to the riverside where they’d watched fireworks for the first time.

The buildings in that area had almost all been demolished, leaving only one love bridge.

The car randomly found a place to stop.

Xu You pushed open the car door first and got out. Clear, cold air rushed in head-on, cold enough to make her shoulders hunch. She pulled up her wool scarf to cover the lower half of her face and stamped her feet in place.

Xie Ci turned off the engine and got out, keys in hand. Just then a bone-chilling cold wind blew. He shivered from the cold and exhaled a puff of white mist. “Fuck, why is it so cold by the river?”

Xu You stood not far away, only her pair of moist black eyes exposed, looking at him lightly. “Serves you right. Who told you to wear so little?”

A habit he’d never changed since childhood—stubborn as hell. No matter how cold the winter, he wouldn’t wear down jackets. Wouldn’t wear long underwear even if you killed him.

He’d been like this in high school. Back then Xu You would sit in her seat hugging a hot water bottle, and every time she saw him wandering around in front of her in a black jacket, she felt cold for him.

Xie Ci wore a blue sweater and black jacket. He grinned and spread his arms. “Wife, come quick and hug me.”

Xu You didn’t move. After staring at each other for a while, she still compromised and walked over. She unwound the scarf from around her neck circle by circle, preparing to wrap it around him.

Xie Ci suddenly leaned close without warning, tilted his head, kissed Xu You’s ice-cold cheek once, then suddenly hugged her tight.

After walking against the cold wind on the bridge for a while, once accustomed to it, they didn’t feel that cold anymore.

Leaning against the love bridge railing, gazing at the distant night scene, voices and lights floating. Xu You remembered something from before.

“Xie Ci, do you remember when we came here before? We also hung a lock on this bridge.”

This love bridge had a legend—blessed by the Matchmaker God for thousands of years. As long as lovers in love came here to hang a lock, they would never separate. Even if they separated, this lifetime they were destined to be entangled together, never apart, until they personally unlocked that lock.

Xie Ci turned his head to look at her. “I remember.” The cold wind blew his soft black hair.

She looked at the lake water and lights, sighing, “In a blink, so many years have passed.”

She just felt that the days together with him, morning and evening, all passed very quickly.

“Xie Ci.” She called his name.

Xie Ci looked into the distance, responding casually, “Mm.”

“I gave you the key to the lock. Are you still keeping it?”

He had a moment of hesitation. “The key?”

“You lost it.” Xu You wasn’t surprised, her tone consistently calm.

Xie Ci immediately retorted, “No I didn’t!”

So they didn’t continue this topic. She didn’t ask again either.

Walking down from the bridge, several wintersweet trees were planted by the riverside. On the bitterly cold winter night, some small yellow flowers still remained on the branches.

Xu You stopped walking, randomly chose one, and leaned close to smell its fragrance.

Xie Ci stood behind her, reached out his arms, and extremely naturally encircled her in his embrace, getting clingy inch by inch.

“There are many people. Let go of me.” Xu You wanted to remove his hand from her waist, but he反握住her wrist instead.

Xie Ci’s fingertips were ice-cold. He kissed her earlobe with his lips and asked lightly, “Xu You, are you angry?”

“No.”

“The key didn’t get lost.”

“…….”

He’d thrown it away deliberately. After carving their names, the instant Xu You turned around, Xie Ci had tossed the key into the river.

He’d known even then that he would probably never like another girl for the rest of his life.

Later it really was for a lifetime.