Feeling someone before her, Yu Xiaoyao raised her face. Song Chu stood there, illuminated by the sunlight, holding her papers. “I’ll help you handle this. I know these two teachers,” he said.
“No, I want to do this myself,” she replied stubbornly.
Song Chu’s gaze was deep, pulling her in.
“This is for Ji Ran. You don’t need to do me a favor,” she continued, tears welling up again.
“Xiaoyao, no matter who you choose, you’ll never walk out of my world,” he stated.
Unable to respond, she stared blankly at him.
“As long as it’s related to you, even Ji Ran’s matter, I’m willing to do it. Don’t refuse, that would be too cruel!” Song Chu’s amber eyes glimmered in the sunlight as he pointed to his chest, “Here, there’s no illness, but it can still hurt!”
He stood up, turning his back to Yu Xiaoyao. “This is the birthday gift I want – just one word of permission. You won’t refuse, right?”
Yu Xiaoyao closed her eyes, trembling slightly, her heart racing.
No answer. He didn’t want an answer.
Long after, Song Chu had already left.
Can I refuse? A birthday gift is just one word of permission? You’re so silly. How could I not agree…
…
Lin Yichen stood behind a tree, hatefully watching Yu Xiaoyao and thinking about Song Chu. Is everything already settled? No! Everything has just begun…
[First Part: Chapter Twelve – Wind Rises]
Ji Ran coldly flipped through the photos in his hand. The photo was of Yu Xiaoyao crying, with Song Chu standing in front of her, emotions evident on his face.
Ji Ran leaned back in his chair. The classroom was empty, only the ceiling fan spinning and humming.
He gripped the photo tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.
“Hi! What are you thinking about?” Yu Xiaoying suddenly appeared, laughing, with a few playful strands of hair sticking to her cheek.
A long-missed bright smile.
Ji Ran’s eyes shot out a cold light, fleeting. He silently tucked the photo into the book.
He forced a smile, “What’s making you so happy?”
“You don’t know? These procedures were so complicated, but I finally got them sorted!” She presented a few thin pieces of paper like a treasure.
Ji Ran frowned, not reaching out to take them. “Aren’t you happy?”
“Are you happy that I’m leaving?” Yu Xiaoying’s hand dropped weakly, and she bit her lip, looking at him.
Ji Ran looked up at her pale face. Seeing the deep grievance and almost invisible tears in her eyes, he felt her fragility. What right did he have to blame her?
Ji Ran stood up and pulled Yu Xiaoying to his chest. “I’m sorry, I…”
Leaning against him, Yu Xiaoying broke into an almost transparent smile. “Why say sorry? I will never blame you!”
Is this the stubborn Yu Xiaoying? She had been surprisingly gentle during this time! Ji Ran lowered his head to kiss her hair; she had completely changed for him.
Who would care about those boring photos? As long as she was by his side…
Yu Xiaoying looked at the small note in her hand. It was from Song Chu, with Qin Na watching her quietly.
“Go, today… is Song Chu’s birthday!” Yu Xiaoying realized his birthday was today.
Qin Na smiled encouragingly, “It’s just a simple birthday, go.”
She looked outside at the gloomy sky as the wind picked up. In the small garden, someone was waiting for her—not Song Chu, but Lin Yichen.
Lin Yichen stood at the fountain’s corner, sizing up Yu Xiaoying. When Yu Xiaoying saw her, she was slightly surprised but turned to leave.
“Stop!” Lin Yichen called out as Yu Xiaoying ignored her.
Yu Xiaoying turned back, coldly asking, “What is it?”
Lin Yichen approached, radiating hostility, “Disappear from Song Chu’s world.”
Yu Xiaoying smirked mockingly, “You’re boring.”
“What?” Lin Yichen frowned.
“What’s the point of saying this? If you were confident, you wouldn’t need to confront me.” Yu Xiaoying observed Lin Yichen’s appearance, “You have the capital, right?”
“Hehe,” Lin Yichen laughed sinisterly, “I have more capital than you can imagine.”
Yu Xiaoying laughed coldly, “What can you do? I’m not interested in your capital.”
Lin Yichen lowered her head before raising it, “I didn’t want to declare war with you… but you!”
Yu Xiaoying laughed disdainfully at the idea of war.
Lin Yichen said hatefully: “This is what you asked for!”
Slap! A loud sound echoed as Lin Yichen’s slap landed across Yu Xiaoying’s face, her flaxen curls flying in the wind.
How dare she!!
Lin Yichen wore an innocent smile.
“Didn’t anyone tell you that I’m untouchable?” Yu Xiaoying’s anger rose.
Lin Yichen quickly shifted to a pitiful expression, filling her eyes with tears.
Damn! Her face changed so quickly! Yu Xiaoying cursed internally and raised her arm…
Lin Yichen’s tears fell…
A strong arm caught Yu Xiaoying’s hand before it could hit Lin Yichen.
Yu Xiaoying turned angrily to look. It was Song Chu, looking down at her furious face.
“Song Chu!” A petite figure ran past her and threw herself into Song Chu’s arms, crying, “I didn’t do anything, I just said I love you, I can’t agree to leave you…”
Yu Xiaoying turned, her narrowed eyes shooting out a cold light.
Song Chu, focused on Yu Xiaoying, asked, “What happened?”
“Didn’t you see everything?” Yu Xiaoying laughed coldly, refusing to explain. Maybe letting him completely give up on her was the best way.
“Don’t blame Xiaoying! Maybe she loves you too much…”
“Hmph!” Yu Xiaoying scoffed, “What joke? I have zero interest in your boyfriend!” Her heart ached, wishing for everything to end.
Yu Xiaoying’s words deeply hurt Song Chu. “Really?” His voice was hoarse. Was she telling the truth? His heart hurt!
Her eyes locked with his, they stared at each other in the wind, glacial sadness and reluctance flashing in her expression.
“Yes,” she answered coldly.
Lin Yichen laughed triumphantly in Song Chu’s arms, while he stood frozen.
Yu Xiaoying turned away, thinking this damage should be fatal. Let everything end. You should be happy, Song Chu!
Song Chu stared blankly at her slowly disappearing figure, his heart shattered.
With teary eyes, Lin Yichen asked, “Chu! Do you still like Yu Xiaoying?”
He looked at her, noting how her eyes eerily resembled Yu Xiaoying’s, yet hers were gentle and clear.
“No!” he thought. Tears streamed down Lin Yichen’s face, promising, “I will definitely love you well.”
Song Chu’s heart filled with complex emotions, almost suffocating him.
The wind suddenly rose, fine raindrops hitting his face.
He gathered his spirits to return.
Was everything over? Despite loving her, waiting felt futile, and what he received was disinterest. He was guarding a piece of ice that would never melt…
The rain wet his face, the water flowing down, salty…
…
After the storm, scorching summer arrived at the airport.
Jun Feng and Nana stood quietly in the distance.
Ji Ran and Yu Xiaoying exchanged a look filled with deep emotions.
“If… can you forget me?”
Yu Xiaoying tilted her head, thin gauze covering her eyes. “How do you want me to answer?”
Ji Ran smiled, “I hope my love will be happy. Remembering me is not a good thing!”
“Bad guy!” Clear tears fell. “I promised not to cry. How can I forget you?”
Ji Ran lowered his head, kissing her pale lips. “You are my gift. You’ve given me so much…”
“Promise me, Ji Ran!” Yu Xiaoying buried her face in his chest. “Don’t give up on me, and don’t give up on yourself. I’ll wait for you…”
Ji Ran’s eyes moistened as he gently stroked her hair. “I promise you…”
Yu Xiaoying watched Ji Ran walk into security without looking back, unable to bear seeing her. Tears spread across her face, her body trembling slightly. Don’t look back, or she’d desperately try to stop him…
“Why is it like this!” Nana cried.
Jun Feng gently hugged her shoulders.
