When Wu Mo came in, Chen Feifei immediately shut her mouth.

Wu Mo sneered inwardly and glanced at Bei Yao. She’d heard what they were saying. What was this? Accepting Han Zhen’s love letter but not going to his appointment, yet now planning to give him her first kiss?

Just thinking about it made her feel stifled. She’d given her first kiss to that scammer Ding Wenxiang.

At the start of the second semester of sophomore year, Wu Mo could feel that the several people in the dorm had all become cold toward her. Last semester Yang Jia would occasionally eat with her, but now they didn’t eat together anymore.

She guessed it was mostly because Chen Feifei had been saying bad things about her behind her back.

Wu Mo remained composed. Why did some people have vivid and innocent youth while others were deceived by scammers and lived in constant anxiety?

For Wu Mo, only Pei Chuan who had saved her could give her a sense of security.

But Pei Chuan… just happened to feel that way toward Bei Yao…

Interestingly, did that cold and indifferent young man know his goddess was going to kiss someone else?

Chen Feifei wasn’t sure if Wu Mo had heard her speaking, but her thoughts were simple too. Sixteen or seventeen-year-old girls—although Wu Mo’s personality wasn’t likable, how bad could she really be?

Chen Feifei was more interested in the gossip about Han Zhen’s birthday.

Han Zhen had a very good reputation at Sixth High. He had good grades, was motivated and polite, and his character was also quite good.

Most importantly, such a good person also maintained a certain distance from girls. So far, the only person he’d shown favorable feelings toward was Bei Yao.

For “new author” Chen Feifei, this kind of person was standard male lead material in novels. She was particularly optimistic about Han Zhen.

Han Zhen was also the secret crush of many girls.

However, turning eighteen was like a signal, indicating that brave people could get an opportunity.

As Chen Feifei said, many girls were preparing gifts for Han Zhen. Han Zhen’s birthday was May 16th, early summer—with summer’s warmth but without midsummer’s scorching heat.

Bei Yao thought it was quite coincidental—Pei Chuan’s birthday was May 17th.

However, though born in equally beautiful seasons, their fates and families were worlds apart. Even without understanding Han Zhen well, Bei Yao could tell he must be a child from a happy family. His behavior and speech were proper and comfortable.

On May 14th, Sixth High suddenly exploded with shocking gossip—

Have you heard! On sophomore Class 1’s Han Zhen’s birthday, the school beauty Bei Yao is going to give him a kiss!

Countless people thought it impossible. Han Zhen and Bei Yao were usually romance-immune types. Both had early-dating faces but no early-dating behavior—how could this be! How could this be!

However, then someone revealed: Han Zhen had written Bei Yao a love letter.

Han Zhen’s good friend immediately believed it. He knew Han Zhen had originally planned to confess during the marathon competition.

When Han Zhen himself heard about this, he was also stunned, then his handsome face flushed completely red.

His friend couldn’t help teasing, “Excited?”

Han Zhen’s heart raced. He thought about it and frowned. “Don’t spread this around—it’ll ruin her reputation.”

Moreover, even though Sixth High had loose rules, they couldn’t tolerate students dating. Even Han Zhen himself blushed upon hearing this gossip, which only further confirmed the rumor of Bei Yao’s kiss.

Good news doesn’t leave the house, bad news travels a thousand miles.

Honestly, Han Zhen was somewhat expectant, but his rationality told him it was impossible. If Bei Yao really liked him, she wouldn’t have sent Wu Mo that night, and later Bei Yao hadn’t appeared at the marathon either. This matter was most likely just a rumor.

But even if it was a rumor, it was now spreading like wildfire.

Chen Feifei had one thing right—the girl was Bei Yao, the young girl half the school had open or secret crushes on. This rumor flew around with wings. Everyone was anticipating May 16th’s arrival, waiting so anxiously their hearts itched.

Several troublemakers had also opened threads about this on the forum.

When Bei Yao found out, her expression changed.

Chen Feifei was also dumbfounded. She’d originally just been joking. Both she and Bei Yao knew it was a joke, but when everyone believed something, the fake seemed more credible than the truth.

Chen Feifei knew her loose tongue had caused trouble. “I’m sorry, Yao Yao. I’ll go clarify on the forum. This is all my fault. If the teachers find out, I’ll testify.”

She was almost crying with anxiety. Bei Yao said, “Don’t panic. It’s a rumor anyway. Rumors collapse on their own. I’m not going anyway, so everyone will understand then.”

Chen Feifei still went to clarify on the forum, though no one believed her.

That night when they returned, Chen Feifei and Wu Mo nearly got into a fight. Chen Feifei was certain Wu Mo had spread it around. Wu Mo said, “You have no evidence. How can you wrongly accuse me like this!”

“Only you were nearby then. If not you, who?”

“Heh, you’re the one who talks carelessly. Maybe you spread it yourself!”

Chen Feifei’s eyes immediately turned red with anger. No one knew how much she treasured Bei Yao as a friend. Now being misunderstood as having malicious intentions, she was so angry she wanted to hit someone. Yang Jia quickly stopped her.

Bei Yao came in carrying hot water. She was calmer than Chen Feifei. “Wu Mo, I also know it was you.”

“Hmph, you just like ganging up to wrongly accuse me, right?”

Bei Yao said, “I won’t argue with you. It’s meaningless. You’re right, we have no evidence. After all, with words, once they spread, they spread everywhere.”

Wu Mo’s eyes had just shown a shallow hint of smugness when Bei Yao, bending to pour hot water, said, “The matter with you and Ding Wenxiang was the same way.”

Wu Mo’s face showed disbelief. “What are you saying?” She finally got anxious. “Bei Yao, it wasn’t me, it really wasn’t me. You clearly promised not to tell anyone!”

“When you were doing bad things, why didn’t you think about how embarrassing it would be for others?” Bei Yao said. “Should Han Zhen and I just deserve to be slandered by you forever?”

Wu Mo grabbed Bei Yao. “I know you’re the kindest. You won’t say anything, right?”

Bei Yao told her, “Kindness is armor that lets me have a clear conscience. It doesn’t mean being a doormat.”

Bei Yao was truly angry this time. This matter didn’t just involve herself—Han Zhen was also implicated. She felt she’d wronged Han Zhen.

The law and school rules couldn’t punish people like Wu Mo, which made Wu Mo unscrupulous, but they could.

After getting Yang Jia and Chen Feifei’s agreement, the matter with Ding Wenxiang also spread.

Wu Mo was furious. Now whenever she went out, she felt people looked at her strangely.

Chen Feifei said, “It’s good it spread. At least it makes classmates wary of people like Ding Wenxiang.”

Wu Mo didn’t dare report Ding Wenxiang to the police—there might be even more victims. Making everyone more alert was good.

Bei Yao thought the same way.

They’d kept quiet before because Wu Mo was a victim, and victims should be protected. Even though Wu Mo had given up the opportunity to punish the bad person.

However, being a victim wasn’t a reason for her to harm others.

After handling this matter, Bei Yao also hurriedly went home over the weekend and brought the gift she’d prepared for Pei Chuan along with his scarf and gloves to school, planning to ask for leave this Tuesday, the 17th, to go out and celebrate his birthday.

~

Jin Ziyang was scrolling through posts when he saw big news.

“Holy crap, no way! Sixth High’s school beauty giving a kiss—that’s so awesome. Why not give it to me? Although my birthday already passed, I can forcibly be eighteen tomorrow too.” He exclaimed. The post even had Bei Yao’s daily photos—even a side profile of her squatting to roll up her school uniform pants in the sunlight was very pretty.

Below, someone had also posted Han Zhen’s photos. Han Zhen had the aura of a school TV drama male lead.

Hearing the words “Sixth High school beauty,” Pei Chuan, who was working on problems, looked up.

His voice was very low. “What did you say?”

Ji Wei was immersed in the world of studying. He turned around at this moment, using worshipful eyes to say quietly, “Bro Chuan, explain this function problem to me!”

Although Pei Chuan’s personality was aloof, he was actually quite generous. His problem-solving explanations were very clear and benefited people greatly.

As a result, when Ji Wei turned around, he saw Pei Chuan’s expression had darkened.

He looked at the post on his phone, eyes lowered for a long time without moving. Only his knuckles had turned white, his lips pressed tight.

They were still in biology class self-study then.

Pei Chuan suddenly stood up. The chair and desk made harsh scraping sounds. The teacher preparing lessons on the podium and the classmates all turned to look.

As if unable to bear it any longer, he opened the back classroom door about to go out.

The biology teacher was startled, then reacted. “Pei Chuan, what are you doing? Class is still in session!”

Pei Chuan pushed the door and left without looking back.

The classroom was terrifyingly quiet. The atmosphere was somewhat awkward. Jin Ziyang laughed. “Teacher, Bro Chuan really needed to pee, didn’t have time to say. Haha, don’t mind him.”

The teacher’s face turned iron blue.

Zheng Hang stood up. “Report, teacher, I also really need to pee.” He also went out the back door.

Jin Ziyang: “Report, teacher, I also…”

The teacher slapped the podium, furious. Jin Ziyang touched his nose. “Okay, I’m fine.”

Zheng Hang ran out. “Bro Chuan!”

Pei Chuan’s dark eyes looked at him. Pei Chuan didn’t look any different, but only he himself knew all his muscles were tensed to the point of pain.

Zheng Hang said, “You can’t go now. You like her, right?”

Pei Chuan gritted his teeth without speaking.

Zheng Hang smiled bitterly inwardly. Back then on the restaurant’s second floor, when the paper airplane flew into Bei Yao’s arms and the young girl looked up, he’d also felt a moment of amazement and attraction. But later knowing it was impossible, he’d let go of that thought. Today when he saw that post, he’d felt uncomfortable—let alone Pei Chuan.

Zheng Hang said, “They’re in class now. Today is Monday—the principal and teachers will all be inspecting.”

So, this matter couldn’t blow up any bigger.

Pei Chuan said hoarsely, “I know.”

After a long while he continued, “I just… came out to calm down.”

He should have thought about what he’d been doing this whole time. Why would he dare hope for Bei Yao’s affection? Why didn’t he listen to Auntie Zhao and proactively stay away from their daughter? He’d abandoned his principles, routed in defeat, yet returned to the original starting point prophecy—

Watching her like someone else, completely helpless.

He leaned against the ginkgo tree, looking down at his white sneakers. In summer the ginkgo tree had sprouted tender green branches and leaves again. Sometimes silent plants, like people who talked little, were always quietly waiting for time to change.

Zheng Hang said, “Want a cigarette?”

Pei Chuan took it. He bit it between his lips, as if to vent his despair. But just when Zheng Hang’s lighter was about to light it, he turned his head away and took out the cigarette.

She said, don’t smoke—it doesn’t smell good.

One sentence from her—should he remember it his whole damned life!

Pei Chuan’s brows showed forbearance. He took the lighter, lit that cigarette, brought it to his lips, then fiercely threw it on the ground and stomped it out.

Zheng Hang’s mouth twitched slightly. He didn’t speak.

Good thing no one saw during class, otherwise he’d look like a lunatic.

Zheng Hang accompanied him to calm down.

Who knows how many class periods he calmed down—anyway, afternoon school let out.

Zheng Hang said, “In this life, there’s no obstacle you can’t overcome. Bro Chuan, take it lightly.”

Pei Chuan said lowly, “Mm.”

He used the entire day of May 16th to calm down, making himself not think about what happened, what would happen. The marathon competition was already his despicable act—he had no right to deprive her of liking and happiness. If he hadn’t stopped it, maybe she would have already…

On the evening of May 16th, Pei Chuan went drinking with Zheng Hang and the others.

Halfway through, Jin Ziyang said, “Bro Chuan, it’s your birthday tomorrow, right?”

Only then did Pei Chuan remember this. He curved his lips in a smile without mirth. “Is it?”

See, even a carefree friend like Jin Ziyang knew tomorrow counted as a special day for him. Why did she have to choose today? Why… did it have to be like this?

Pei Chuan suddenly stood up. Zheng Hang exclaimed, “Bro Chuan!”

Pei Chuan panted, like a drowning person suddenly reaching air, breathing hard. He said hoarsely, “I’ll just… look from afar. One glance.”

Ji Wei couldn’t focus on homework anymore. He felt Bro Chuan was quite pitiful.

He said quietly, “There are obstacles you can’t overcome.”

Pei Chuan left. No one stopped him.

Jin Ziyang and the others exchanged glances and clicked their tongues softly.

No one believed he’d really just look once. His heart must be breaking.

~

Sixth High’s night still carried a bit of chill.

Han Zhen waited all day but didn’t receive the so-called school beauty’s fragrant kiss. Well, he smiled bitterly. As a party who should refute the rumor, he should have proactively refuted it. What was he doing being expectant?

It was just that the “gift” in this rumor was too tempting.

If it could come true, even being punished or disciplined, the air would seem sweet.

But the “little gift” seemed very rule-abiding, earnestly refuting the rumor.

After Sixth High’s evening self-study, Han Zhen sighed with disappointment. Knowing the time limit had arrived and the rumor couldn’t be more false, he could only go out with his brothers to eat and cut a cake.

On Bei Yao’s way back to the dorm after evening self-study, she was quite excited, calculating that in just over an hour it would be Pei Chuan’s birthday.

On Pei Chuan’s eighteenth birthday, neither mom nor dad would be by his side—he seemed so pitiful. The gift she’d prepared was an air plant, a plant that could survive on just air—incredibly easy to care for.

Pei Chuan’s home was so empty and cold—adding a little vitality would be good.

No helping it—as a poor student, she could only afford small gifts.

However, on the way back to the dorm, she saw a familiar shadow.

Pei Chuan? How did he come here?

Bei Yao told her roommates, “Feifei, Yang Jia, you go back first. I have something to do.”

Chen Feifei thought: Oh my! Could Yao Yao really be going to Han Zhen…

She trembled with gravity and said seriously, “Go, go! If Auntie checks on us, we’ll say you went to the bathroom! We’ll definitely keep it secret.”

“…” Thank you.

Bei Yao walked toward the dark shadow. She was a bit troubled—he came too early. It wasn’t tomorrow yet, and she hadn’t brought the gift.

The camphor forest’s faint fragrance, the dim yellow lamplight on the campus path—Bei Yao immediately met his eyes.

Pei Chuan looked away.

Bei Yao smelled the faint scent of alcohol in the air. She sniffed. “Did you drink? Pei Chuan, what’s wrong?” Why aren’t you happy when your birthday’s coming?

Pei Chuan clenched his fists and closed his eyes.

What was wrong with him? He didn’t know either. He clearly shouldn’t have come. Clearly… wasn’t qualified to come.

But just as Ji Wei said, there was an obstacle he couldn’t overcome. He hated to death, loved to death.