Much later, Lin Jie would often wonder, what did he look like that day?
In today's popular parlance, it would be like someone walking up to him with a smile, patting him on the shoulder, and saying, "Hey man, you dropped your dignity, along with a photocopy of it."
Yes, Lin Jie was the clown.
A complete and utter fool.
He was usually composed, able to keep his emotions in check, but when he saw that boy's hand gently resting on Su Jiamei's head, something snapped. For the first time in all these years, he lost control in front of her.
Lin Jie strode over, not even knowing how much strength he used to shove the boy aside. With barely contained fury, he said, "Who do you think you are? Get your hands off her and show some respect!"
This wasn't something Lin Jie would ever do... it was so unlike him.
But the coward who had gathered his courage just before graduation deserved a small moment to let loose, to act recklessly for once.
The boy looked surprised, as did the two people still inside the taxi. Under their stunned gaze, Lin Jie suddenly felt a shove from behind. And then, from someone he knew too well, a voice rang out, dripping with anger, cutting through him like a blade to his back.
Wounds dealt from behind always hurt the most.
Lin Jie thought, he was in so much pain, so overwhelmed, he had forgotten the simplest truth: when the boy had touched Su Jiamei's head... she hadn't pulled away.
"Lin Jie, what do you think you're doing? I think you're the one who should show some respect."
Her voice, though slurred with the remnants of alcohol, carried a truth that only drunken words could reveal.
A summer breeze swept past, but Lin Jie, who had just moments before been sweltering in the heat, now felt an icy chill seep into his bones. His legs trembled slightly, and he no longer dared meet the eyes of those inside the car, nor those outside.
Embarrassment, shame, and a growing sense of despair surged through him as he turned to look at Su Jiamei, his eyes filled with disbelief, his face ashen.
He said nothing. The words stuck in his throat, choking him with their weight.
Su Jiamei was still Su Jiamei, but Lin Jie could no longer bring himself to call her "Mei Mei."
She gave him an irritated glance, muttering under her breath, "What are you even doing here...?"
As she passed by him, Lin Jie caught a faint whiff of alcohol, and then heard her gentle, concerned voice as she spoke to the boy.
When exactly did Lin Jie's heart die completely for Su Jiamei?
At this moment, there was still a flicker of hope in his heart. But then, the final blow came from the person inside the car, who in a mocking tone asked that damning question, sealing the fate of this tragic farce.
"Oh, so this is the guy you said was your pathetic little admirer?"
They laughed softly, perhaps emboldened by the alcohol, completely indifferent to Lin Jie's feelings.
He didn't blame them, not at all.
In the quiet of the night, their laughter cut through the air, sharp and piercing.
But Su Jiamei's laughter—hers was the sharpest of all, slicing through his heart like a blade.
She didn't deny it.
No, of course not. This had always been the truth in her heart.
A heavy weight pressed down on Lin Jie's chest, the pain so intense he could hardly breathe. He took a few steps back, trying to distance himself from the mockery closing in from all sides. But as he moved, he realized just how weak and powerless he truly was.
He wanted to run, to escape this place of unbearable humiliation.
But Lin Jie didn't. Instead, he raised his hands slightly to chest height, took a long moment to compose himself, then, with a faint, bitter smile, whispered, "I'm sorry... yes, I'm sorry."
He suddenly spoke, startling Su Jiamei and her companions, who had been engaged in conversation. They exchanged confused glances, unsure of whom Lin Jie was apologizing to.
Once Su Jiamei had bid farewell to her friends, her gaze returned to Lin Jie, who stood still in place.
Lin Jie remained there, silent, his posture rigid and upright as he silently observed Su Jiamei.
He appeared calm… yet the sorrow and pain buried deep within his eyes were impossible to conceal.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm sorry."
"Hmm?"
"I'm sorry…"
The evening breeze blew from behind Su Jiamei, lifting her long hair. She seemed to regain some clarity and suddenly remembered that Lin Jie was indeed supposed to meet her…
And what had she just said to her friends?
She had mentioned him…
The words trailed off abruptly, and Su Jiamei felt a pang of guilt and unease. She studied Lin Jie's expression subtly, and asked softly, "Um, did you need something from me today?"
Lin Jie regarded her calmly and replied, "No, it's nothing."
"You must have something to say. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. My friends invited me out… and I accidentally forgot."
"Friends?"
"Yes, just friends. Nothing more than that!"