Xue Jiao naturally didn’t know that Lin Zhihua was following behind her. Chen Yan called a car to take her to the school gate.

Yi Tianyu had already said in his message that he was at the school gate. Xue Jiao didn’t know how long he had waited before sending her the message, but from the time she received it until now, he had waited another half hour.

Xue Jiao got out of the car, looked up, and immediately met the gaze of the young man standing at the school gate.

He was still so outstanding that it was difficult not to notice him instantly in a crowd.

It had been a year. The last time she saw him was shortly after starting university.

Yi Tianyu’s appearance had changed somewhat from the deskmate in Xue Jiao’s memory, but looking carefully, it seemed like everything had changed, yet nothing had changed.

He still had that handsome face, full of vitality. His hair was cut short, with messy bangs across his forehead. Even though the weather hadn’t warmed up yet, seeing him still gave one the feeling of the sun rising.

Xue Jiao was stunned for a moment as Yi Tianyu, with his hands in his pockets, slowly walked over.

In that instant, time seemed to overlap—the young man in the black and red basketball uniform, a basketball tucked under his arm, his hair messy and damp with sweat. The young man walked toward her against the light, with two small fiery suns in his eyes, grinning broadly.

Behind him were neatly arranged desks piled high with books, and… that unforgettable time of youth.

“Bookworm, long time no see.”

The young man and those hurried figures in blue and white school uniforms all disappeared. The scene returned to the gate of Tsinghua University, the overlapping time instantly returning to the present.

The boy before her had matured much more than she remembered, wearing a white coat as he approached.

Xue Jiao pulled herself from her memories and slowly revealed a smile: “Long time no see, Yiyu.”

Yi Tianyu looked at her, the corners of his mouth lifting into the brilliant smile from her memories. His gaze had deepened considerably, with the stubbornness and two small suns in his eyes now replaced by a complex emotion.

The girl before him was no longer as she appeared in his memory. She had grown a bit, and her once childish face had matured somewhat. She wore a black down jacket that made her delicate, fair face appear even more refined.

But when she slightly narrowed her eyes and smiled, she was still the same as before.

“I heard there’s a good small restaurant near your school. Will you take me there to try it?”

“Sure.” Xue Jiao nodded.

——

“Thank you.” The dishes were quickly served. Yi Tianyu naturally washed the chopsticks clean for Xue Jiao, wiped them, and then handed them to her.

Xue Jiao was taken aback for a moment, raised her hand, and accepted them: “Thanks…”

He revealed a bitter smile, his eyes showing an indescribable complexity: “Are you always this polite now?”

Xue Jiao pressed her lips together, not knowing how to respond.

Yi Tianyu raised his chopsticks and tasted the dishes before him: “Mm, very delicious.”

As if remembering something, he suddenly blinked: “Do you remember the noodle shop I took you to?”

“I remember…” Xue Jiao was slightly puzzled. It was run by his family’s housekeeper.

That year at the annual meeting, he had taken her to sneak out and eat there.

Yi Tianyu’s eyes reddened a bit: “We can never eat there again. The noodle maker has passed away.”

“What?” Xue Jiao’s eyes widened slightly.

“Cancer, late stage. She passed away peacefully. I just went back a few days ago to attend her funeral. Her young grandson has been adopted by my parents. Since I’m away most of the time, it’s good for them to have someone to keep them company.” Yi Tianyu’s voice was calm.

Xue Jiao looked at him with concern. This young man valued relationships and loyalty the most. She didn’t know how sad he must have been at the time.

“Yiyu… don’t be sad anymore…”

Yi Tianyu looked up and met Xue Jiao’s concerned gaze.

How long had it been since he had seen this person? And how long since he had seen concern in those eyes…

For some reason, something welled up in his eyes.

Xue Jiao quickly reached into her pocket, took out a handkerchief, and handed it to him: “Don’t cry. We… need to look forward…”

Yi Tianyu stared at the handkerchief in a daze. Look forward. But what if you can’t forget the past?

He slowly raised his head, accepted it, and said nothing more.

After eating a few more bites, Xue Jiao softly asked: “The thing you wanted to tell me is…”

She could sense that what Yi Tianyu wanted to say probably wasn’t about his housekeeper’s passing.

Sure enough, Yi Tianyu looked up at Xue Jiao: “I’m going abroad.”

“Huh?” Xue Jiao was stunned. “Abroad? Why?”

Yi Tianyu stared intently at her eyes, not missing the slightest emotion. There was surprise and curiosity in them, but no reluctance.

A bitter taste filled his mouth as he forced a smile: “To study. I’ve applied to Stanford’s finance program.”

Xue Jiao was stunned, somewhat surprised: “I remember you said your dream was to keep playing basketball… how did you…”

“Dreams are dreams, reality is reality. I’ve come to realize I can’t have everything I want, like you.” Yi Tianyu looked directly at Xue Jiao, his eyes peering deep into hers.

Xue Jiao’s heart skipped a beat. She never expected Yi Tianyu’s obsession to remain so strong!

“Yi Tianyu…” Xue Jiao took a deep breath. “I came today also to tell you that I’m very happy now, and I hope you can soon find someone suitable for you too. Since you’ve already decided to study finance, going abroad is a good opportunity. Work hard and don’t let down the choice you’ve made today.”

“But I only like you, I only want you!” Yi Tianyu looked at her stubbornly. “I regret so much that graduation year when I foolishly blamed you. If it hadn’t been for that day…”

Xue Jiao interrupted him, her eyes equally determined and serious: “Yiyu, we’re not right for each other. I have someone I like; he will be the one I love for the rest of my life. I’m very happy now, and I want you to be happy too.”

Yi Tianyu hadn’t mentioned Lin Zhihua all day, as if not mentioning this person meant he didn’t exist.

But reality isn’t about what we don’t mention or don’t think about; that person has always been there, accompanying Jiao Jiao when he missed his chance.

He slowly opened his mouth, his voice bitter: “Really… there’s not even a slight chance?”

Xue Jiao looked at him, her gaze firm and serious: “No, not even a slight chance. There wasn’t before, and there won’t be in the future.”

She stood up, opened a bottle of baijiu next to her, 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 well and safe travels.”

Xue Jiao drank it in one gulp. This was her apology to Yi Tianyu.

To help him forget her more quickly, Xue Jiao would never reveal the small budding feelings she once had for him.

Let him believe there was never any possibility.

This was Xue Jiao’s first time drinking baijiu, and it burned fiercely from her throat to her chest.

She put down the glass and picked up her bag: “Goodbye.”

Just as Xue Jiao walked out the door, Yi Tianyu caught up and embraced her from behind, holding her tightly in his arms.

“Give me one chance, please? I can give you everything. Even my life if you want it. Jiao Jiao, just say the word, and I’ll stay.”

She was about to struggle when a drop of water fell on her head—warm and desperate.

Not far away, Lin Zhihua could barely stand.

His fingers were tightly clenched in his palm, veins bulging on his forehead, and his emotions were nearly out of control.

The two young people, one in black and one in white, actually looked extremely well-matched!

This might be the last time he could hold his beloved in his arms. Her head rested against his chest, yet it couldn’t fill the emptiness inside.

“Jiao Jiao… I love you. Give me one more chance… That immature Yi Tianyu has learned his lesson. Can we go back to how things were?”

His voice was humble and pleading. Xue Jiao raised her hand, removed his arm from around her waist, turned around, and looked up at him.

“Yi Tianyu, you’ve always been that vibrant young man in my memory. You can’t lose yourself because of love. You can’t let liking someone become an obsession. You need to learn to let go of impossible things, and then when you look at the world again, you’ll find new hope. The person most suitable for you, the person who loves you, is still waiting for you somewhere ahead.”

Xue Jiao smiled: “Forget the past. Never lose yourself for someone else. Stanford’s finance program is good. Since you’ve been accepted, you should go. There’s no need to stay for anyone. Your life is your own.”

Looking at the earnest eyes before him, bitterness overwhelmed Yi Tianyu’s heart.

Even now, she was still thinking of his welfare, from the past until now, always.

But this was merely the concern of a friend.

Yi Tianyu completely dropped his hands, closed his eyes briefly, then slowly opened them, clarity gradually returning to his gaze.

“Bookworm, if he bullies you, tell me. If he doesn’t treat you well, come back to me.” Yi Tianyu’s voice was hoarse.

Xue Jiao looked up at him, a smile rising in her eyes: “Yiyu, don’t wait for me. He treats me very well and won’t bully me. You should move forward; there’s still a long road ahead.”

Yi Tianyu opened his mouth, and after a long while, croaked soundlessly: “Okay…”

Neither wanted to continue the meal. After paying the bill, Yi Tianyu appeared to be in good spirits, wearing his familiar smile and chatting animatedly with Xue Jiao about his two years at university.

When the taxi arrived, he was still smiling: “I’m going now, bookworm.”

“Mm, smooth journey, bright future.” Xue Jiao also smiled, just like her smile from years ago.

“You too… don’t let anyone bully you…”

“I know!”

“Then I’m off. Don’t see me out. Goodbye.” After saying this, Yi Tianyu turned around, raised his hand, and waved without looking back.

His figure was carefree and natural, still like a young man.

However, as soon as he climbed into the car, the smile disappeared from his face. He tightly gripped the handkerchief, covered his chest, and sobbed loudly.

For the rest of his life, Gu Xue Jiao, Yi Tianyu wishes you happiness, peace, and a long life.

Meanwhile, Xue Jiao exhaled deeply. She truly no longer had feelings for Yi Tianyu, but her eyes still felt a little sore.

She only wished that he would truly let go of the past and find happiness for the rest of his life.

“How long are you going to watch?” Lin Zhihua’s voice was tinged with jealousy.

Xue Jiao was startled and turned her head: “Why are you here?”

“What? Am I not allowed to be here? Am I interfering with you and your first love reminiscing?” Lin Zhihua’s voice was still sour, but his eyes held relief.

Xue Jiao glared at him: “I haven’t even complained about you following me yet!”

She started walking forward, and Lin Zhihua quickly caught up—

“Well, I haven’t complained about him hugging you either!”

“You followed me! You don’t trust me!”

“…No, it’s that I don’t trust him…”

“Hmph.”

“Hmm? Is that alcohol I smell? Gu Xue Jiao!! Didn’t I tell you?! No drinking!”

“Uh… just a little bit…”

“Nonsense! Come here and let me see if it’s just a little bit!”

“How can you tell by looking? You’re still… mmph—”