Chapter 1: Things That Burn Too Bright Never Last

Lin Jie only realized later that things too intense are often fleeting.

Just like his feelings for Su Jiamu—blazing like the scorching sun, tender as the spring breeze.

He had devoted his youthful affection to her, and everything about her—every smile, every word, every gesture—seemed to him the most beautiful thing in the world.

He believed she was his entire universe, believed he would love her with such intensity forever.

But just as Lin Jie later came to understand, things that burn too bright never last. Su Jiamu, look at me now; even after you've left, I can still be just fine.

I'm not lost without you.

...

"Everyone, hurry up and get ready, we're about to take the graduation photo. Don't waste time!"

In Class 5, Senior 3 of Tianbei High School, the class monitor called out loudly from the podium, knocking on the desk and counting the students with his fingers.

With graduation approaching, the classroom was filled with a bustling energy. Everyone was caught up in either the joy or melancholy of leaving, though in this moment, joy seemed to outweigh sadness.

Some students, longing to preserve the memory of their high school life, had bought special notebooks for writing farewell messages, passing them around. Others had their uniforms in hand, along with markers, asking classmates to sign their names on them.

"Hey, Jie, you're into this kind of thing too?"

"Shut up and just write."

Lin Jie impatiently shoved the pen into Zhao Yan's hand, urging him. After speaking, he clenched his fist, trying to wipe the sweat from his palm.

"What's the rush, Jie…" Zhao Yan muttered under his breath, writing quickly. When he looked up, he caught sight of Lin Jie, head slightly tilted, his gaze resting on a certain spot in the classroom.

Curious, Zhao Yan followed Lin Jie's line of sight and saw a girl's back.

The girl wore a white t-shirt, her hair in a braided ponytail. Her slender figure, fair skin, and swan-like neck gleamed as if illuminated by the light, her silhouette dreamlike in its beauty.

Zhao Yan smirked and looked away. So that's why Lin Jie, who never cared about such things, was suddenly interested in collecting graduation messages… it was all because of Su Jiamu.

"Go on, Jie, you better hurry. We're about to take the graduation photo," Zhao Yan teased as he handed the pen back to Lin Jie.

Lin Jie shot him a middle finger and, with a nervous grip on his notebook and pen, walked over to Su Jiamu.

Zhao Yan, watching Lin Jie's slightly stumbling steps, couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Mumu, could you write something?" Lin Jie tiptoed over to Su Jiamu, gently placing the notebook in front of her and asking softly.

Su Jiamu lived in the same neighborhood as Lin Jie, and their families were somewhat familiar, so he had taken to calling her by the same nickname his parents used.

She never objected to the nickname, nor did she show any displeasure, but Lin Jie wasn't sure if she tolerated it out of politeness. That's why he seldom called her that… but now, he wanted to show everyone their connection.

Because he liked her.

"You're doing this too?" Su Jiamu looked startled at first, then turned around with a smile, taking the pen from him.

Her back was beautiful, but her face was even more stunning.

She had always been this beautiful, ever since Lin Jie first laid eyes on her in their freshman year.

"Yeah, just write something," Lin Jie said, keeping his expression calm, feigning indifference.

"Alright."

Su Jiamu began writing, her graceful movements captivating Lin Jie. To him, everything about her was perfect. He turned to look out the window… the sunlight was so bright, the sky so blue, and the clouds so lovely.

"Here you go," Su Jiamu said, handing the notebook back to him.

Lin Jie's hand trembled slightly as he took it. He didn't know if it was from nerves or excitement. He casually flipped through the pages. She had only written a simple sentence, which left him a little disappointed but soon filled him with contentment.

"May your future be bright and your journey promising."

As Lin Jie passed the notebook to other classmates for their signatures, his mind wandered. When the class monitor called everyone to gather at the field, he stopped, collecting the notebook.

Zhao Yan came over, and they walked out of the classroom together. Lin Jie deliberately slowed his pace until Su Jiamu and the other girls emerged, laughing and chatting, so that he could linger behind them.

This way, Lin Jie could steal more glances at Su Jiamu.

Zhao Yan, hands behind his head, grinned at Lin Jie. "Jie, you're in Senior 3 now. Graduation's around the corner… got any plans?"

Lin Jie withdrew his gaze, removed his black-framed glasses, and glanced at Zhao Yan without saying a word.

But Zhao Yan knew Lin Jie well. He leaned in, speaking quietly, "Jie, you gonna confess?"

"I will."

Those two simple words left Zhao Yan wide-eyed in disbelief. He glanced around like he'd just discovered the biggest secret, then grinned at Lin Jie.

Oh my god… Lin Jie, who had liked Su Jiamu for three years, was finally going to confess?

Others may not have known about Lin Jie's feelings, but who was Zhao Yan?

He had watched as Lin Jie transformed from a chubby nerd into a handsome man, witnessed him nonchalantly deliver breakfasts and gifts to Su Jiamu, seen him change bit by bit, becoming someone who was no longer quite like Lin Jie.

Whatever Su Jiamu liked, Lin Jie would strive to become.

He became many things, yet he was no longer truly himself.

Zhao Yan didn't believe in high school love stories. He hadn't heard of many couples making it from high school to marriage. At first, he'd mocked Lin Jie for confusing lust with "love at first sight."

But later, Zhao Yan realized that if it wasn't genuine affection, you wouldn't harbor a crush for three whole years.

He thought to himself, if not for the looming graduation, would this timid Lin Jie still lack the courage to confess?

Zhao Yan believed Lin Jie's confession would be successful. After all, after three years of Lin Jie's silent devotion, even an outsider like Zhao Yan had noticed. Surely Su Jiamu had too.

After all, she often sought Lin Jie's help, as if it were only natural.

"If it works out, you better treat me to dinner," Zhao Yan said, patting Lin Jie's shoulder with satisfaction.

Lin Jie said nothing, only gazing at the blue sky and white clouds, a smile playing on his lips.

The weather was so beautiful, it seemed to foretell that everything would go well.

Lin Jie wasn't a coward; he was a clear-headed person. He knew most of the time that his confession would likely fail. If it weren't for the looming separation of graduation, he wouldn't have taken such a leap of faith.

And if he truly knew, he would still pretend he didn't.