With resolve, she opened the door and went out.
Yu Xiaoyo walked downstairs, her head down, blinded by the sunlight.
Unexpectedly, a tall, solid figure stood before her.
He smiled slightly, his mouth curving like a prince’s. “You’re crying again, Alice.”
Yu Xiaoyo wiped away her tears. “I’m Ruan Zheng. You called me Ji Ran last time.”
She stared blankly at that familiar yet strange face and nodded.
“I’m willing to listen to your story,” Ruan Zheng said as he turned and started the motorcycle. Yu Xiaoyo sat on it. Song Chu stood at the fountain square, sunlight falling on him. She had once waited for him here all afternoon.
Under the tree, the early yellowed leaves drifted in the air. Yu Xiaoyo’s heart swayed like these leaves as she looked at his haunting face, gradually a thin mist covering her dazed eyes.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Ruan Zheng said, feeling uncomfortable. “I’m not Ji Ran.” She suddenly averted her gaze.
“You know? You’re too much,” he continued. “That day, you grabbed my clothes, making Nini think I was unfaithful.” A gentle smile curved his lips as he remembered the high-pitched scream and the suddenly pale faces of the remaining few.
Yu Xiaoyo gave a bitter smile. “You must compensate me!”
“…?”
“Tell me your story.”
…
Song Chu sat for a long time. He had always known she was waiting for him, often from afar. Yet, when had his courage to approach her gradually disappeared?
Lin Yichen sat beside him at some point.
“I’m sorry.”
“…?”
“I couldn’t stop her,” she said, lowering her head. “I couldn’t prevent her from finding that person.”
Lin Yichen nervously looked at him.
After a long pause…
“Is she happy?”
“If finding that person makes her happy, don’t stop her,” Song Chu’s eyes suddenly blazed. “Let her do whatever she likes.”
“Even if it’s wrong?”
“Yes!”
“You’re unreasonable!” Lin Yichen exclaimed.
Song Chu stood up. “I am unreasonable!” He gazed at the fountain. “Indulging her is the only thing I can do for her now.”
“Even if it means getting hurt? You’re crazy.”
“Yes!”
Lin Yichen bit her lip and turned to leave.
…
Yu Xiaoyo finally finished speaking. She hadn’t talked so much in a long time, but Ruan Zheng made her feel at ease.
Ruan Zheng found it unbelievable. He expected her to cry uncontrollably, yet she narrated calmly, occasionally smiling at sweet memories.
“You’re so stupid!” he finally said.
“Yes, I’m stupid!”
“Am I Ji Ran?”
Yu Xiaoyo looked at him with bright eyes. “No.”
“That’s why you’re a fool. For someone who isn’t Ji Ran, you hurt everyone who loves you.”
“Yes!” she said glumly. She knew she was indeed very stupid.
Ruan Zheng smiled, his gaze filled with gentle love. He reached out and patted her lowered head. “You’re strong, aren’t you? You should know how to make up for those you’ve hurt.”
“I’m afraid…” she replied, afraid of seeing Chu’s desperate eyes and pale face.
“Are you really afraid? If you were, you wouldn’t have come to find me,” he said, looking deeply at her. “Are you afraid of love? Afraid of losing?”
“You’re scary!”
Ruan Zheng stood up. Sunlight illuminated his features, and a slight smile touched his eyes. “We’ll never meet again, right?”
“Yes,” she said, a glint in her eyes. Though the city was small, they would never have the chance to meet again.
Ruan Zheng felt her gaze, greedy and decisive, lingering on his face—a burning heat that scorched him.
He remained still.
After a long pause…
“Ruan Zheng…”
“Hmm?”
“Can I hug you?” She took a step forward.
Ruan Zheng looked down at her, remembering when he first saw her—the girl who grabbed his clothes and cried, calling out a strange name.
This would be their last moment. In the future, they would avoid each other.
Yu Xiaoyo’s gentle gaze touched the soft part of his heart.
Ruan Zheng nodded.
She hugged him without hesitation.
Closed her eyes.
“Goodbye, Ruan Zheng! Goodbye, Ji Ran.”
In just a few seconds, she turned and ran away.
Tears welled up. Goodbye Ji Ran, this is the last time I’ll cry for you… May you be happy in heaven.
Back at the apartment, Yu Xiaoying mustered a bright smile, “Everything will be fine!”
It had only been three days, but a thin layer of dust had settled in the room. She carefully picked up the crystal photo frame, wiped it clean, and stared at it for a long time. Then she wrapped it up and placed it in the drawer, pulling out the key.
The wind lifted the curtains, tousling her curly hair. She raised her hand, and a silver light flew from her palm, drawing a beautiful arc.
“Ah! Ah!”
Qin Na shouted from the doorway! Yu Xiaoying was startled and put her hand to her heart. “Sister-in-law, please keep it down.”
Qin Na cursed in her heart. “Tell me! Where have you been these past two days!”
“I… hehe, just taking a break…” her voice trailed off under Qin Na’s angry glare.
“Taking a break!” Qin Na trembled with anger. “We’re all going crazy with worry. Song Chu hasn’t closed his eyes for two days, and you’re taking a break!!!”
Two days without sleep?
What a sin… Yu Xiaoying shifted to the side.
“You, you, you! You’re so annoying!” Qin Na lunged over, hitting Yu Xiaoying’s shoulder.
Wow! That hurts! I’ll endure it…
“You’re so annoying! Do you know how worried we’ve been? We’re going crazy?” Qin Na’s tears began to fall.
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” Yu Xiaoying panicked and wiped her tears. Her heart felt sour.
“You’re selfish, using Ji Ran to punish everyone!”
“I’m sorry!” Yu Xiaoying hugged Qin Na, burying her head in her shoulder. “It’s all my fault, please forgive me.”
Forgive? Did Yu Xiaoying just say that? Qin Na blinked through her tears.
“Something’s wrong!”
“Someone jumped off the building…”
A large crowd rushed out from the doorway.
Jump?
“Ah!” Qin Na shouted again.
What now! Yu Xiaoying glared at her.
“What if…”
“What if what!” Her voice trembled. No, it can’t be!
“It might be Song Chu…”
Song Chu!? Yu Xiaoying almost fainted.
“I’m going to take a look!” Qin Na turned and ran out.
“Hey!!!”
[Volume One: Chapter Thirty-Three – Jumping Incident]
Qin Na ran ahead.
Yu Xiaoying was pushed along by the crowd behind her, feeling dizzy.
“I heard it’s from the Information Engineering Department…”
Her head felt even dizzier.
“Seems he was quite handsome, called something Chu…”
Sweat dripped down.
Her heart pounded violently.
The crowd rushed towards the teaching building. Yu Xiaoying could walk no further, looking fearfully towards the rooftop.
“What are you doing!” Qin Na suddenly appeared. “Don’t you care about Song Chu at all?” She reproached her with her eyes.
How could it be Song Chu! Yu Xiaoying wanted to shout, but instead weakly said, “It can’t be…”
“You heartless woman!” Qin Na wailed.
Pulled by Qin Na, Yu Xiaoying stumbled forward, her mind a blank.
Miraculously guided through the crowd, they reached the most advantageous position.
On the rooftop, the wind was strong.
Qin Na’s eyes darted excitedly, while Yu Xiaoying’s face went pale.
A tall, slender figure faced away from her, looking lonely, hair blown messy by the wind. Those were Song Chu’s clothes…
“Don’t jump!” people below started shouting.
“Come on, there are plenty of fish in the sea!”
The crowd began to discuss, buzzing made Yu Xiaoying’s head hurt. This can’t be real. Chu wouldn’t…
The tall figure slowly swayed towards the edge of the rooftop.
“Ah! No!” Qin Na shouted.
A collective gasp from the crowd.
Yu Xiaoying’s mind went completely blank—
“Chu! Don’t!” Yu Xiaoying rushed forward, silencing the crowd.
Qin Na stared in shock. Was Yu Xiaoying crazy?
