Is he looking for me?

This thought kept echoing in Zhou Yuting’s mind. The long duration of the fourth year of high school was oppressive and painful.

It makes one keep recalling the smooth memories of the past.

The sunlight fell on the shoulders, slightly warm.

On the other side of the flower bed, students strolling in pairs. Or those hurrying by, buying snacks.

Behind Zhou Yuting, the sunlight was blocked by the review building, creating a distinct dividing line of light and shadow.

In the large area of shade.

Jiang Nian was blending into the crowd with one hand in his pocket, preparing to catch up with Lan Lan. At the same time, he thought to himself.

Did Tingzi score over six hundred?

Behind him.

Zhou Yuting stood by the edge of the flower bed where people came and went, her vision slightly blurry, then shook her head vigorously.

Then, she turned and walked back.

Upstairs to the second floor, Jiang Nian’s figure disappeared around the corner, heading into the studio along the corridor.

Click clack.

On the second floor, he found Lan Lan who was resting. On Sundays, students could rest, but Lan Lan couldn’t.

On Mondays and Tuesdays, she could still take a break. Usually, at this time, the classes for all three grades were quite tight.

"Why are you here?"

Lan Lan had just finished advising a student and was planning to have a cup of coffee but saw a familiar face standing at the door.

"Cough cough cough, seeing ghosts in broad daylight!"

Jiang Nian: "???"

"You really came?" Lan Lan reached out and touched Jiang Nian’s face, "Alive, you got expelled?"

What the heck?

"Why does everyone think I would get expelled from Beijing University?" Jiang Nian couldn’t hold it anymore.

"Because I know you well."

Lan Lan put down the coffee cup and turned to make Jiang Nian a cup of hot tea, "You can’t stay idle and love to stir things up."

"Got a class tomorrow yet you ran back to Zhenan?"

"No big deal, I have a flight at around eight in the evening." Jiang Nian waved and found a place to sit.

Lan Lan: "...."

"You’ve made it big, using planes like ride-sharing cars. I heard you started a company making clothes?"

"Yeah, want to support the business a little?"

"What’s it called?"

"Banyu."

"Ah?" Lan Lan was stunned; she was browsing that shop just a few days ago, "I actually bought two pieces of clothing."

To this, Jiang Nian wasn’t surprised.

Lan Lan is quite idle, and she’s wealthy. It’s normal for her to buy clothes online, whether she wears them or not.

"Don’t return those items." Jiang Nian pointed at her, "I designed those clothes myself, founder’s handmade pieces."

"Pssh." Lan Lan rolled her eyes, "Wearing clothes designed by a student feels weird."

Especially since Jiang Nian...

Well.....

Hard to say.

"By the way, how’s Zhou Haifei doing?" Jiang Nian switched topics as he spoke.

"Why don’t you ask her yourself?"

"Don’t have her WeChat."

"Her number hasn’t changed." Lan Lan glared at him in surprise, "You haven’t contacted her for a whole year?"

"No, not according to you." Jiang Nian paused, looked at the old woman, "You told me not to mess with her."

Lan Lan: "That’s right."

"She’s quite sensitive and very strong-willed. If you’re single it might be fine, but alas, you don’t seem like one."

Jiang Nian: "???"

What the heck, what does it mean... not like a person, did this old woman just slyly curse me a bit?

"Right." He coughed, took a sip of tea, "How’s she been recently?"

"Not bad, went to Northwest A&F University. There’s a targeted training program over there, tuition-free."

"Whoa?"

"So awesome?" Jiang Nian was startled, vaguely remembered Fangfang seemed to want to go to that university too.

It was a national special program, with tuition reduction.

"What kind of program?"

"You need to sign an agreement upon enrollment, work in the Snowfield Plateau area after graduation, stay at the grassroots level for five years."

"That’s good." Jiang Nian nodded in agreement.

No wonder Lan Lan urged him not to mess with Zhou Haifei, indeed, this path suits her.

...

In a blink, it was noon.

Zhenan Middle School ushered in the afternoon’s golden six-hour vacation, students everywhere leaving the school.

Jiang Nian simply waited until it was less crowded before heading out.

Just as he descended the stairs, not far away.

"Jiang Nian?"

A familiar voice sounded, he turned to find it was Tingzi, looking slimmer, still the same figure.

Like frozen in time, without much change.

"Is that really you?"

Zhou Yuting was stunned, a warm sentiment surged in her heart. Tremendous joy engulfing every corner of her body.

"During the last class break, I saw you upstairs. Then then, I went downstairs to look for you but couldn’t find you."

Jiang Nian hadn’t expected to see Tingzi either. Seeing her somewhat excited, assuming it was due to the long separation.

"Yes, long time no see."

He smiled, waved at Zhou Yuting, standing in the sunlight, seemingly glowing entirely.

"How’s your performance lately, is it enough to get into Lu University?"

Upon hearing, Zhou Yuting froze. In the next second, under Jiang Nian’s surprised gaze, she sprinted towards him.

With a bang, tightly hugged Jiang Nian.

"Enough!"

"It was enough."

"Thank you for coming to see me."

Jiang Nian: "???"

He wasn’t specifically coming to see Tingzi, just returning home to pick up a car for Old Jiang, incidentally checking on...

Forget it, let’s say it was special.

Zhou Yuting hugged so tightly that he could almost outline Tingzi’s shape, recently she’s gotten slimmer, even her bosom reduced.

And?

Oh, before last year’s college entrance exam. During a ten-minute break in a night study session, hugged once on the sports field.

This time it’s reduced, really a pity.

"I don’t have much time later, just happened to come back home. By the way, see you, all the best for the entrance exam."

"Mm." Zhou Yuting cried till her face was a mess.

Right under the review building, it was kind of embarrassing socially. Gladly, Jiang Nian had thick skin, withstanding the gaze.

Tingzi cried, maybe it’s due to stress.

"Cough cough, that’s enough." He prepared to leave, "Let me treat you to lunch."

"No... no need." Zhou Yuting wiped her tears, "I still have problems to solve in the afternoon, seeing you is already good."

After all, a nerd.

Sure enough, that answer is befitting of Tingzi.

Jiang Nian didn’t particularly want to treat, mainly unsure what to talk about, plus too many things happened this year.

Not many could be shared, moral integrity slipped significantly.

If stayed too long, might even take her first kiss. That’s not his goal, nor good for Tingzi.

Examinees should stay in school, cannot depart from the environment too long, would risk psychological impact.

Over time, discomfort arises.

Damn!

Spending much time with Lan Lan, almost a psychologist. No food, could collaborate with her in the future.

No, become her boss.

Xiao Lan, where’s your little fairy’s transformation wand?

"Okay." Jiang Nian triggered muscle memory, reached out to wipe her tears, "Then I’m off."

"Mm!!"

Zhou Yuting watched Jiang Nian leave, turning she saw classmates staring straight at her.

"What’s up?"

"Just now... he..." The boy was shocked, "Didn’t you say no romance during the review year?"

Zhou Yuting didn’t explain but her expression cooled.

"What’s it got to do with you?"

After saying, turned and left.

On the other side, Jiang Nian already drove his new car home. Called Old Jiang down, handed him the keys.

"Dad, how’s the car?" 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Old Jiang hesitated for a few seconds, couldn’t believe this was real, "You really bought a car, how much was it?"

"Gift for you, not much."

"This..." Old Jiang instinctively waved his hand, "My car can still run, keep it for yourself."

"Left at home would rust." Jiang Nian refused to argue, handed the keys directly.

"Remember to register it."

Old Jiang: "...."

He wanted to say something but saw his son heading upstairs for a meal. Smiled slightly, thinking this kid.

In a blink, truly grown up.

Receiving Jiang Nian’s new car, Old Jiang felt touched besides grateful. More were emotions, seeing the courtyard’s every plant.

These were places Jiang Nian bounced around in childhood.

A child’s youth like fleeting hooves, holding hems recalling yesterday.