The boy remained indifferent:
“Do I need your approval?”
Pei Chen turned and walked away, completely shattering Wen Songyue’s pride. She bit her lip, feeling humiliated and frustrated.
The news of Pei Chen publicly admitting his feelings for Liang Zhiyi spread like wildfire across the campus. That very night, the school forum exploded with discussions. Who would have thought that the aloof Pei Chen, who no girl could get close to, would make such a statement?
Many girls who had a crush on Pei Chen were heartbroken, and some refused to believe it until numerous students from Class 9 confirmed they had heard it firsthand. The forum buzzed with excitement:
“Ahhhh, can you imagine Pei Chen, someone so cold and distant, admitting he likes Liang Zhiyi in front of everyone? I’m swooning!”
“I always thought they were a great match, especially during the basketball games. Liang Zhiyi was always by his side.”
“Did Liang Zhiyi really succeed in pursuing Pei Chen back then?? As expected, who can resist a beautiful girl’s pursuit!”
“To those who said Liang Zhiyi was desperate, how does your face feel now?”
The news spread quickly throughout the school, even reaching the teachers.
The class teacher understood that this was typical teenage behavior, but it still needed to be addressed. The next day, when they came to class, they couldn’t help but give a brief lecture: “You all can fool around, but you still need to focus on your studies.”
Someone below couldn’t help but stifle a laugh and said, “Don’t worry, teacher, the person involved will definitely have no problem with their studies.”
Everyone burst into laughter.
The class teacher shook their head helplessly at this group of mischievous students.
That afternoon, as they headed downstairs for PE class, Xuan Xia walked alongside Pei Chen, draping an arm over his shoulder and raising an eyebrow at him:
“What’s up with certain people suddenly changing their tune? So, does this mean you’re now firmly set on liking Liang Zhiyi?”
Pei Chen didn’t hide anything:
“Yes.”
Over the past few months, he realized he couldn’t suppress his feelings for her. Even though he tried to use reason to suppress them, he couldn’t convince himself to give up the desire to be with her.
He had always felt that the gap between their family backgrounds was too large. He feared he couldn’t provide her with the best of everything, and his fears and concerns had repeatedly hurt Liang Zhiyi, nearly causing him to miss out on her.
The girl had been willing to set everything aside to love him.
And now, even in the face of more gossip and rumors, he was ready to do whatever it took to fight for their future together.
At the same time, the news of Wen Songyue confessing her feelings to Pei Chen and being rejected spread as well.
The once proud princess couldn’t bear such humiliation. She no longer had the face to stay at this school, so she threw a fit at home and eventually transferred to another school.
In May, a representative from a prestigious university visited Pei Chen at his school.
This university was one of the top institutions in the country. During the finals of the interschool basketball tournament, a scout from the university had been present and was extremely impressed by Pei Chen’s performance.
After returning, the scout and the university had discussions and learned more about Pei Chen’s background. They decided to offer him a special admission to their university. Due to some delays, they were only now able to approach him.
This time, they offered generous conditions: Pei Chen wouldn’t need to take the college entrance exam and could enroll directly. After enrolling, he would participate in the university’s basketball league. Additionally, knowing about Pei Chen’s financial difficulties, they offered financial assistance and were willing to cover the costs of his meniscus surgery without requiring him to pay a cent.
During the meeting, the representative spoke at length about the benefits of attending their university and gave Pei Chen a few days to consider their offer.
After leaving the meeting room, the accompanying class teacher also advised Pei Chen, “Pei Chen, this is a rare opportunity. Plus, your leg injury has been a significant burden for you. You should discuss it with your father.”
Pei Chen agreed.
Back in the classroom, he gazed at the clouds in the sky and recalled a moment earlier in the semester when Liang Zhiyi had leaned over to him during class and asked:
“Pei Chen, which university do you want to attend in the future?”
“C University.”
C University, a top-tier institution in the country, had always been Pei Chen’s goal.
The girl’s eyes curved into a smile, “I want to go to C University too. That way, after we graduate, we won’t have to be apart.”
He looked out the window, remaining silent.
Many classmates, upon hearing about the offer, believed that Pei Chen would surely accept this golden opportunity. After all, who wouldn’t want to secure a bright future?
However, to everyone’s surprise, Pei Chen ultimately declined the university’s special admission offer.
On one hand, C University was a better school and the place he truly wanted to go. On the other hand, he considered basketball just a hobby and wanted to pursue a different path in the future.
But most importantly, it was because of Liang Zhiyi.
Even if his leg couldn’t be fully healed for now, even if he wouldn’t receive financial assistance, he was still willing to be with her and work hard toward their shared goals on his own.
Thus, Pei Chen, like everyone else, continued to prepare for the college entrance exam.
Time flew by quickly.
June passed, and they only had a twenty-day summer break before diving into the intense schedule of their final year.
Everyone threw themselves fully into their studies, focusing on this last sprint.
As summer turned into autumn, the weather in Lincheng gradually cooled.
In the classroom, the teacher was enthusiastically explaining key points at the front, while outside, the leaves of the plane trees slowly fell.
After jotting down the key points, Pei Chen put down his pen and glanced at the corner of his desk where a newly placed schedule featuring a drawing of StellaLou was posted. He stared at it for a few seconds before turning his attention back to the lecture.
Although his grades were still excellent, he remained diligent and serious. After entering his final year, he occasionally visited Liang Tongzhou to get updates on Liang Zhiyi.
Liang Zhiyi was also doing well at her new school, studying with even more focus and dedication.
Pei Chen continued to work part-time jobs. He spent part of the money on study materials and saved the rest to buy snacks and gifts, which he would send to Liang Tongzhou, who would then pass them on to Liang Zhiyi in his name.
For now, he didn’t dare to disturb her. He had to suppress his feelings and longing, striving to become even better so that he could stand confidently by her side in the future.
Under the pressure of intense study and the anticipation of the future, the days of their final year flew by quickly.
November, December, January…
Half of the school year passed in no time.
In mid-January, after completing the provincial mock exams, the students didn’t get a break and continued with their classes, only getting a ten-day vacation starting on the twenty-eighth day of the lunar month. Even during this brief break, they were burdened with mountains of homework.
After the break began, Pei Chen spoke with Liang Tongzhou over the phone. He mentioned that their school’s winter break was also short, and they would likely spend some time at their grandmother’s house in Lincheng before quickly returning to W Province.
After hanging up the phone, Pei Chen’s eyes darkened, unable to hide his disappointment.
It had been exactly 362 days since he last spoke to Liang Zhiyi, and it had been 373 days since he last heard her voice.
During this time, every day spent missing her felt like torture.
Two days later, it was New Year’s Eve.
This year, Gong Qinxin did not return home. Because of the events in the past, she felt deeply guilty towards Pei Chen, fearing that seeing her would only cause her son more pain. Instead, she sent some goods and a birthday gift.
On the morning of New Year’s Eve, Pei Chen went out to buy ingredients for the evening meal. In the afternoon, he returned home and prepared dinner with Pei Yongxia.
With no one else around, the father and son enjoyed a rare, comfortable time together. Pei Chen was noticeably more outgoing than before.
This change made Pei Yongxia feel that Pei Chen was becoming more accustomed to expressing his emotions, no longer keeping everything bottled up inside.
During dinner, Pei Yongxia, his temples streaked with gray, raised a glass of juice and smiled at Pei Chen, “Son, Happy New Year. I hope you always stay healthy and happy. You are my pride.”
Pei Chen’s lips curved into a slight smile, and he replied earnestly, “Dad, I hope you’ll stop thinking that you’re a burden to me. In my heart, you are the most important person.”
Though the world might be harsh, he would always stay by his father’s side.
Pei Yongxia’s eyes glistened with tears as he smiled, “Alright.”
After dinner, the father and son watched the Spring Festival Gala together in the living room. In the class group chat, everyone was chatting lively and sending red envelopes.
Outside, the sound of fireworks and firecrackers could be heard from time to time, filling the night with a festive atmosphere of reunion in every household.
Around nine o’clock, Pei Chen suddenly received a call from Liang Tongzhou. After answering, he heard his friend’s carefree voice on the other end:
“Pei Chen, I’m in Lincheng right now.”
Pei Chen was slightly taken aback. “Weren’t you supposed to stay away this year?”
“We made a last-minute trip back, but we’re leaving tomorrow.”
Liang Tongzhou teased him, “Do you want to see Liang Zhiyi?”
Pei Chen was stunned as he listened to Liang Tongzhou continue, “She just went out to Xingyang Square to have some fun. She’ll probably be back in a little while. You should decide if you want to go.”
After hanging up the phone, the emotions Pei Chen had been suppressing for so long were completely stirred up. His mind went blank for two seconds before he quickly got up, grabbed his coat, and finally wrapped the brown scarf around his neck.
As he walked back into the living room, Pei Yongxia asked, “Where are you going this late at night?”
Pei Chen’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he replied in a hoarse voice:
“Dad, I want to go see Zhiyi.”
Pei Yongxia smiled and said, “Go ahead.”
Pei Chen rushed out of the building, a gust of cold wind hitting him as he stepped outside, carrying a chill that bit into his skin.
His bicycle had broken down two days ago, and he hadn’t had time to repair it yet. As he left the residential area, he found that there were no buses running on the road anymore.
Without any hesitation, he began sprinting towards Xingyang Square.
Along the way, he ran forward against the biting cold wind, illuminated by the light from the rows of street lamps.
In his mind, various images of the girl kept flashing before his eyes.
She was the one in the sea-blue dress, noble and radiant like a rose; the one sitting in the office, humming a tune from In the Night Garden with her chin resting on her hand; the one smiling warmly at him as she leaned on her desk, bathed in sunlight; the one who tiptoed to kiss his cheek; the one who gently squatted in front of him to touch his wound; the one who looked up at him with those determined eyes, confessing her love.
Every single moment, every single image, made him fall for her even more, down to his very bones.
That day, she had come to find him.
Now, it was his turn to run determinedly towards her.
Fifteen minutes later, he finally arrived at Xingyang Square.
The square was packed with people, buzzing with activity. Fireworks filled the sky above, casting a brilliant light on the scene. Pei Chen entered the square, his eyes scanning the crowd, searching desperately for the girl.
His gaze swept over every person, but he couldn’t find Liang Zhiyi.
In such a crowded place, how could he find her so easily?
He weaved through the throngs of people, searching everywhere, but after ten whole minutes, he still hadn’t seen her.
After a while, his phone vibrated.
He looked down to see a message from Liang Tongzhou: My sister said she might be heading home. Did you find her?
Pei Chen stared at the message, his expression gradually dimming, feeling as if his heart was being slowly drained.
His eyes stung as he lifted his gaze, walking aimlessly forward.
Suddenly, a light, playful voice called out from behind him:
“Excuse me, I bought some fireworks. Would you like to set them off with me?”
Hearing that familiar voice, Pei Chen quickly turned around to see Liang Zhiyi standing there, dressed in a pale yellow sweater, her dark hair cascading down, and her warm face half-buried in a beige scarf.
Under the brilliant fireworks that lit up the sky, she smiled softly at him, her lips curving gently.