Time in the third year of high school flew by quickly. When classmates went to check the results of the one-three-six joint exam, someone was already joking: “Bet you a pack of spicy strips—the first place this time is still Pei Chuan, believe it or not?”

“Who wants to bet with you? How about I bet it’s him, and you bet someone else.”

“Get lost!”

The legend of the city’s top student was quietly established. When the honor roll was pulled out and everyone saw Pei Chuan’s name, no one found it strange anymore.

Pei Chuan hadn’t had any romantic scandals in a long time. He seemed to have stepped onto the path of being a good student overnight.

No one was more shocked by Pei Chuan’s transformation than Jin Ziyang and Zheng Hang. Pei Chuan now attended class when he should, turned in homework when he should, and no longer went to play at Qingshi.

Ji Wei was extremely happy. He felt it was probably his own efforts and love of learning that had inspired Brother Chuan.

Jin Ziyang: “…” Brother Wei, listen to me—you need to fix that waterlogged brain of yours.

Zheng Hang: “…”

Ji Wei asked Pei Chuan: “Brother Chuan, are you planning to work hard for university entrance exams?”

Pei Chuan responded: “Mm.” Bringing up university exams, Pei Chuan’s eyes showed more vitality, which even left Jin Ziyang staring in a daze. Then Jin Ziyang thought: damn, what am I getting sentimental about? I can’t get in anyway!

The academic atmosphere at Third High had always been quite intense, and many people began silently working even harder.

Before the holiday, Bei Yao’s homeroom teacher, Teacher Li Fangqun, said: “Remember to stay safe during the break, and also remember to keep studying at home. Don’t fall behind in your studies, understand?”

Everyone answered in unison: “Understood!”

“During this break, students who have the opportunity can go visit their dream universities to motivate themselves to study.”

Even the teacher said this. Bei Yao suddenly remembered her agreement with Pei Chuan.

This winter, the snow in C City came especially late. When students went on break in January, it was still dry and cold, without a single snowflake.

Bei Yao told Zhao Zhilan about her plan to go to B City to see the university. Zhao Zhilan was very supportive—the university entrance exam was a big deal, and it would be good for her daughter to go take a look.

Moreover, after the Olympics, the whole family had an especially good impression of the capital.

Zhao Zhilan said: “If only we’d known to go see it when we went to the capital last time, so you wouldn’t have to make another trip.”

This made Bei Yao feel somewhat guilty.

The summer vacation of the second year of high school wasn’t very long, much less the winter vacation of the third year.

Zhao Zhilan sent her daughter to the vehicle. She thought it over and still felt uneasy: “Maybe Mom should go with you!”

Bei Licai didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “What are you worrying about? When I was Yaoyao’s age, I even went to Guangdong to work by myself.”

Zhao Zhilan said: “You’re you, Yaoyao is Yaoyao. You’re ugly, so of course there was no danger.”

Bei Licai was so angry. This woman! How could she talk like 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 evening at eight.”

Zhao Zhilan actually wanted to ask Bei Yao which classmates were going, but she was also afraid her daughter would find her annoying, so she could only see her off.

Bei Yao carried a light blue backpack. The fabric was very light, perfect for long-distance travel.

She was taking an afternoon flight to meet up with Pei Chuan.

When Bei Yao arrived, Pei Chuan was already there. Her big eyes curved into crescents as she spotted him in the crowd at a glance: “Pei Chuan!”

Pei Chuan took her backpack, then opened his suitcase. Inside were only a few of his clothes, and the remaining space was just right to fit her backpack.

The little girl had never been on a plane before and was somewhat excited going through security.

After the two of them passed through security, they waited in the boarding area for a while, then got on the plane.

He had booked her a window seat.

“If you feel uncomfortable or have ear ringing later, you need to tell me.”

She nodded, her eyes full of curiosity about the unknown world.

That was the sky!

Human wisdom was truly great—to be able to make metal fly in the sky.

His jet-black eyes fell on her. Bei Yao loved this world. She loved nature’s vivid beauty and also enjoyed exploring unknown places.

Bei Yao was vibrant and happy.

While his side… was actually always quite dull. Pei Chuan fell silent. He had no way to bring her much joy—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.” As the plane took off, she suddenly said this.

He smiled despite himself.

Why do you think I would pursue such a lofty profession?

Because she couldn’t remember her memories after high school, she felt anticipation for the first time about the unknown world several years later. Bei Yao didn’t feel uncomfortable during takeoff. Afraid of disturbing others, she spoke softly in his ear: “In a few years, maybe this world will be even more amazing—exploring outer space, flying out of the Milky Way, robots everywhere on the streets.”

He looked at her. The girl’s voice was small, her imaginings rich, innocent and adorable.

Flying out of the Milky Way wasn’t that easy. Did she think every scientist was a superhero? However, being a superhero in her world was much better than being a bad person.

It took two and a half hours to reach B City.

B City happened to be at dusk.

Pei Chuan had found a place to stay near B University in advance. After dinner, he took Bei Yao to tour the campus.

University was different from high school. During winter and summer breaks, students sometimes stayed on campus for various reasons.

Bei Yao was good-looking. All along the way, many people couldn’t help turning to look at her. The girl was seventeen now, having grown stunningly beautiful. Pei Chuan had always known she was very pretty—like beautiful peach blossoms swaying flamboyantly in March.

Pei Chuan looked at her figure and lowered his eyes.

Bei Yao would be very popular and happy wherever she went in the future.

Visiting this university, he looked even more carefully than she did.

From geography to humanities and culture, Pei Chuan understood it all.

The B University campus had a famous lake. Unlike C City, which hadn’t seen snow this year, B University began having light snow fall at evening.

Bei Yao had loved watching snow since she was little.

She loved when the world was covered in ice and snow, and then in the next spring when all things grew and plants struggled to poke their heads out from the soil.

Pei Chuan opened an umbrella for her: “Girls can’t keep standing in the snow.”

He removed his own scarf with one hand and wrapped it around her: “Remember that?”

Bei Yao nodded.

He said: “A person’s body temperature is too high. When the snow melts, you’ll be cold.”

Bei Yao looked in amazement at the frozen lake, where several people were stepping on it.

Wearing small boots, she lightly stepped onto it: “Pei Chuan, I’ll hold onto you. The ice is very solid, we won’t fall!”

She extended both hands toward him.

Pei Chuan stepped on and grasped her slightly cool small hands.

The sky had already darkened. Pei Chuan looked at her small face and said: “I heard from teachers that university is very free. You can have afternoon tea in your leisure time, usually go to the library to read books, and learn to swim at the swimming pool.”

Bei Yao raised her head to listen.

“Bei Yao, life is very wonderful.”

He suddenly said this—words that didn’t sound at all like something he would say. She felt like laughing: “Pei Chuan, life is indeed very wonderful.”

In his jet-black pupils, her reflection appeared, extremely gentle.

Bei Yao, life is very wonderful. You shouldn’t spend your whole life with a cripple.

“Our teacher said,” she looked at him seriously, her face slightly flushed, “once we’re in university, it won’t be puppy love anymore. Parents and teachers won’t interfere with dating. So we…”

Her almond eyes were dewy as she looked at his handsome appearance, pushing through in one breath: “If we wait five more months, then we can… we can…”

We can… she really couldn’t continue. Her cheeks were burning.

A surge of heat rose in his eyes.

It seemed both mournful and heavy.

The heavy snow accumulated on his umbrella surface.

The nighttime lights were dim, yet he could still clearly see her bright eyes.

His knuckles gripping the umbrella handle turned white. The next moment, he released the umbrella, cupped her face, and lowered his head to kiss her.

The winter wind of January blew, cold and desolate.

The umbrella fell on the ice surface at their feet. He closed his eyes, kissing the girl’s lips.

In Pei Chuan’s entire life, he only indulged himself this once of his own initiative.

This was her future university, the place he had originally wanted to accompany her through for four years.

But just as she said, after five months, who knew what the situation would actually be?

Perhaps with a bit more time, the person accompanying her to watch the snow would no longer be himself.

He was breathing heavily.

Bei Yao reached out to embrace his waist.

His muscles were rock hard. She let out a soft whimper from her nose.

He smiled, released her, and gently caressed her face.

This was enough.

“Yaoyao, let me carry you on my back.”

Bei Yao was stunned.

Pei Chuan said: “It’s okay, come on.”

She bit her lip: “I’m very heavy. I’ll walk by myself.”

He said: “I won’t feel pain.”

Bei Yao lowered her head: “That’s not what I’m worried about.”

“Then come on, be good.”

He bent slightly before her. Bei Yao hesitated greatly, but he waited quietly.

Bei Yao gritted her teeth and wrapped her arms around his neck: “Pei Chuan, I’m very, very heavy. I look thin but I’m actually especially fat.” So don’t force yourself like this.

For the first time, he understood that she actually knew everything.

Pei Chuan said nothing. With a forceful movement of his arms, he lifted her onto his back. His tall frame trembled. Bei Yao bit her lip and held back from saying anything.

Pei Chuan carried her toward the school gate.

“Yaoyao, that’s the library, look.”

She lay on the young man’s broad back and turned her eyes to look.

“Further 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 with a lake underneath. In autumn when the leaves turn yellow, standing on the bridge to view the scenery is very beautiful.”

His residual limb ached terribly, yet his spine didn’t bend.

Like a normal man, enduring pain all along the way, he walked very, very slowly. But he had only walked a few short meters before his residual limb was clamoring that it couldn’t take it.

Pei Chuan wanted to accompany her through the spring when all things revived, to watch autumn leaves with her, to see the bright moon at night. He wanted to embrace her, carry her, kiss her. But what he could do was so very little.

In the bitter winter, his leg trembled slightly, cold sweat seeping from his forehead.

Bei Yao was so anxious tears were about to come out. Why did Pei Chuan insist on carrying her? She didn’t need to be carried. She hugged his neck tightly: “I don’t want you to carry me. I want to hold your hand and walk together.”

His body trembled and he nearly fell.

Immediately after, Pei Chuan steadied himself. With the added weight of another person, finding his center of gravity was very difficult.

Pei Chuan closed his eyes. He couldn’t even do something as simple as carrying her on his back.

Bei Yao was somewhat afraid. The girl was rarely this sensitive: “Pei Chuan, do you not want to attend university with me anymore?”

He said in a low voice: “No, I promise you. I’ll definitely get into this school, okay?”

“Mm.”