Echoes of a New Year

As the New Year approached, the school organized train ticket bookings. I booked a ticket for the day after my exams. I asked Wen Xicheng where he would spend the New Year, and he replied that he didn't know—maybe going abroad or staying in X City—which caused me a twinge of pain.

On the day the exams ended, I returned to school to pack my belongings. Wen Xicheng had vanished after his exam and didn't call me until after ten at night to say he wouldn't see me but would take me directly to the train station the next day. My train was in the afternoon, and just before noon, I received a call from Wen Xicheng. After having lunch outside and wandering around the school for a while, he asked me to go upstairs to get my luggage while he called a taxi.

When I came downstairs with my suitcase, a taxi was parked below.

Wen Xicheng pushed me into the car before placing my suitcase in the trunk. I sensed something odd about his demeanor but didn't press for details. It wasn't until the taxi stopped at the train station, and I watched him retrieve two suitcases from the trunk, that I was taken aback. After the car drove away, I grabbed his arm and asked, "Where are you going?" He bit his lip, glancing at me cautiously, and said, "Grandpa said I should stay in the country for the New Year. You're not here, and the apartment is empty. Can I go home with you?"

I stared at him in shock, unsure how to respond, while Wen Xicheng's eyes shifted from hopeful to dim. He slowly lowered his head, burying his face in the beige scarf. After a moment, he looked up and smiled, pinching my nose as he said, "You got scared, didn't you? Silly, I was joking. I'm going to a relative's house in another city, and I'm taking this train too. Let's go inside."

That innocent and cheerful smile revealed no trace of sadness or pretense, and his bright eyes radiated carefree joy. But how could I fall for it? I felt a slight warmth in my eyes, tugged on his arm, and said, "Wait for me to call home."

Wen Xicheng didn't look up, his gaze fixed on my fingers as he lightly bit his lip. I held onto his arm and took out my phone to dial home. When the call connected, I said, "Dad, I have a classmate who wants to spend the New Year at our house. Is that okay?"

A low, warm voice came from the receiver, "Male or female?"

"Male."

Then the line switched, and my mother's slightly serious voice came through, "You, a girl, bringing a boy home for the New Year—what will our relatives and friends think?"

Her voice was a bit loud, causing Wen Xicheng to sway slightly, his expression growing tense. I gently held his hand, smiled at him, and said, "Mom, his name is Wen Xicheng. I've mentioned him to you before."

After a moment, my mother replied, "Alright, but when you come back, you two can't stay together; he has to sleep in the same bed as Xia Lei." I blushed and said, "I know." After hanging up, I turned to see Wen Xicheng looking at me with a hint of emotion in his eyes. I smiled and gestured, "My mom is a very lovely, plump lady; you're going to like her." He nodded repeatedly, a sparkle in his beautiful eyes.

As we went through ticket checks, I noticed Wen Xicheng holding two sleeper tickets and asked in surprise, "How did you manage to get sleeper tickets?" He replied, "I spent all day yesterday at the train station just to find two tickets."

"Did you buy them from scalpers?"

He scratched his head, feeling slightly embarrassed. "I'm not doing that next time!" I playfully glared at him as we followed the crowd into the station.

He had bought two lower berth tickets. After organizing our luggage, he leaned on the small table, gazing out the window with a look of wonder. I poured a cup of hot water and handed it to him while sitting beside him. "Is this your first time taking a train?" He nodded, his face glowing with excitement.

I laughed and shook my head, taking off his scarf and placing it on the pillow. He frowned slightly, took it back, and placed it on his lap while continuing to look outside, his expression exceptionally focused. The setting sun cast a soft glow on his profile, making him appear like an angel who had descended to earth. At that moment, I had no idea that this scene would become the last image in my dreams every night after we parted!

As the sun completely dipped below the horizon and the night sky filled with stars, Wen Xicheng finally looked away, appearing somewhat reluctant. People began to eat their dinners, and I made my bed, sitting beside Wen Xicheng to ask, "Do you want eight-treasure porridge or instant noodles?" He rummaged through his bag and shook his head, saying, "I'm not hungry; I don't want to eat."

I pulled out a cup of instant noodles and said, "I'll go make some noodles; please eat a little." He glanced at it and replied, "I don't like beef flavor." I swapped it for a cup of mushroom chicken flavor, and he happily accepted it, saying, "I'll do it; the water's hot." As he stood up, he grabbed his scarf to wrap it around his neck, but I took it from him, saying, "I'll hold it for you." When he released it, he said, "Don't put it on the pillow; it's dirty." I was speechless and smiled as I placed it in my bag.

Wen Xicheng was particular about food. Since I didn't know he would be coming home with me, I had only prepared two cups of instant noodles, a bag of cookies, one eight-treasure porridge, and a few bottles of drinks. He only sipped the soup from the instant noodles before giving it all to me; he refused the cookies, complaining that they were too dry. I didn't let him drink the soda because it was cold and carbonated, fearing it would upset his stomach, and insisted he drink half a cup of hot water instead. He muttered unhappily, but there was a smile in his eyes.

When the lights in the train carriage turned off, we both climbed into our beds. After a while, he gently tugged at my arm and passed me an MP3 player. I took it, put the headphones in my ears, and soft, almost hypnotic, English folk music filled the air. I smiled at him, and he buried his face in the pillow. He blinked at me and said, "Good night!" before closing his eyes.

I watched him for a while, then closed my eyes and started to drift off to sleep.

I don't know how long had passed, but through the haze, I heard some noise. I opened my eyes and saw that the bed across from me was empty. I gently got out of bed, and as I put on my shoes and headed toward the aisle, I heard a few muffled coughs. Following the sound, I found Wen Xicheng leaning against the seam of the train compartment, covering his mouth as he coughed, his face reddening.

A wave of compassion washed over me as I approached, taking his cold, lifeless hand. "How did you wake up?" he asked, taking a breath and wrapping his arms around me. I helped him regulate his breathing and placed my hand on his forehead; his temperature seemed normal. "Is the air bad? Do you have a headache?" He shook his head, burying his face in my neck like a wronged child, continuing to cough softly.

I gently patted his back to soothe him. When the train pulled into the station and the door opened, a blast of cold wind rushed in, making us both shiver. He held me tightly, shielding me from the cold, and perhaps the fresh air helped, as he seemed to stop coughing. After standing at the door for a moment, I led him back to our compartment, wrapped a down jacket around him, and poured him some hot water to hold. He looked up at me with a smile, his eyes bright like the moonlight outside, his expression tired yet incredibly gentle.

I settled down next to him, resting my head on his shoulder and gazing out into the dark night. After a moment, his face softly pressed against my forehead. The train moved slowly through the tranquil night, and I kept my hand on his chest, gently caressing him. It wasn't long before his breathing grew steady and slow, and the arm around my shoulders fell away. I took his hand and tucked it into mine to warm it, gently closing my eyes, savoring the warmth of his breath on my skin, reluctant to fall asleep, determined to stay awake all night long!

When the morning sun began to rise, we got off the train. The journey had left visible fatigue etched on our faces. As we exited the station, I spotted my dad and Xia Lei in the distance. Having not seen them for over half a year, my eyes instantly turned red. In the next moment, Wen Xicheng gently grasped my hand. I tightened my grip on his hand as we walked toward my family.

Xia Lei, who is four years younger than me and a particularly understanding and somewhat mature boy, ran toward us. The first thing he said upon seeing me was, "Sis, you've gotten uglier again!" I shot him a glare and tiptoed to ruffle his hair, instantly brightening my mood at his disgruntled expression.

Xia Lei escaped my grasp and turned toward Wen Xicheng with a bright smile. "Hello, I'm Xia Lei, her little brother!" Wen Xicheng responded with a gentle smile, leaning in to give him a brief hug and saying, "I'm Wen Xicheng, her boyfriend!" Xia Lei burst out laughing, and as my dad approached, he took the suitcase from me, nudged me aside, and threw his arm over Wen Xicheng's shoulder, as if they were already close friends.

I rolled my eyes at him and walked over to link arms with my dad. Seeing his cheeks reddened from the cold made me feel a bit guilty. "I told you we would get back by ourselves! How long have you been here? Are you cold?" My dad patted my head affectionately, his kind demeanor shifting to a slightly more serious one when his gaze fell on Wen Xicheng. Wen Xicheng's body visibly tensed. I shook my dad's arm and said, "Dad, this is Wen Xicheng, my classmate." I said "classmate" with little conviction. After I finished speaking, Wen Xicheng respectfully called out, "Uncle!" My dad nodded at him, his expression warm yet somewhat distant. "Let's go, home first." With that, he wrapped his arm around me and led me toward the parking lot. As I turned around, I noticed Wen Xicheng slowly lowering his head, his expression pained.

The journey from the bus station back to my home takes over an hour. My dad is driving while I sit in the passenger seat, and Xia Lei and Wen Xicheng are in the back. Along the way, Xia Lei enthusiastically introduces my hometown to Wen Xicheng, who responds softly, wearing his usual gentle smile but with a hint of melancholy in his eyes. I feel heartbroken but can do nothing.

When we return home, Xia Lei takes Wen Xicheng's suitcase into his bedroom. My mom is much more enthusiastic toward Wen Xicheng than my dad, repeatedly asking him if he feels cold or hungry. Seeing the warmth growing in Wen Xicheng's eyes, my heart relaxes a little.

After breakfast and a short rest, I go shopping with my mom. I ask her what she thinks of Wen Xicheng, and she replies, "He seems like a well-behaved child. He lost his parents at a young age, which is quite pitiful."

I hug her neck and say, "Mom, he's a very sensitive person, so please be a bit nicer to him. Otherwise, I'll be sad." My mom scolds me for being an ungrateful little white-eyed wolf, and I just laugh and act cute.

When we return before dinner, Wen Xicheng has already become close with Xia Lei. I must say, Xia Lei is very sociable; in just half a day's time, the unease and awkwardness on Wen Xicheng's face have faded. The two are sitting on the bed, deeply engrossed in playing video games and having a great time.

As we walk in, Wen Xicheng hurriedly jumps off the bed, a faint blush appearing on his fair face. I smile at him, but before I can say anything, Xia Lei pulls me into my bedroom. After shutting the door, he mysteriously takes out a box to show me.

I haven't seen it before and curiously ask, "What is it?"

"PSP, Sony's latest product. It hasn't come to the country yet. It was $300 when it launched in North America. Sister, you're doing great! Even in your senior year, you've found such a wealthy benefactor. I'll just follow you from now on!"

I give him a playful knock on his forehead, snatching the PSP from his hands, and say, "Who told you to take other people's stuff? Give it back!" Xia Lei snatches the box back from me, scoffing, "Do you really have to be so old-fashioned? It's a new age, and you're lecturing me about this! If I were to give it back now, he would definitely get depressed; do you believe it?"

After saying that, he whistles and coolly turns away, adding, "Anyway, I like this brother-in-law! You handle it however you want!" before dashing off.

I stare at the ceiling and sigh; why is there such a large difference among those born to the same parents?

At dinner, my dad is on my left, and Wen Xicheng is on my right. My dad keeps serving me food while my mom and Xia Lei keep piling food onto Wen Xicheng's plate, creating quite an odd scene.

I see Wen Xicheng rubbing his hands on his pants while nervously biting his chopsticks, telling my mom, "Mom, Xicheng can't eat this much. You're so enthusiastic that you might scare him."

My mom glares at me and says, "Look how thin he is! He's taller than Xia Lei yet weighs less." After saying this, she taps Xia Lei's hand with her chopsticks. "Stop eating so much meat! Eat some vegetables; you can't wear the clothes you bought last year anymore! You need to lose weight!"

I stifle a laugh and don't dare say anything further. Xia Lei, feeling aggrieved, puts his ribs onto Wen Xicheng's plate. Wen Xicheng lowers his head, chuckling softly, and says with a trembling voice, "Thank you!" I turn my head to see my dad's gaze shift from me to Wen Xicheng, wearing a loving expression. I smile contentedly and lower my head to eat.

I have long said that Wen Xicheng is a child who evokes pity. His endearing charm is simply universally appealing!

The days leading up to the New Year are busy and chaotic. A week later, Wen Xicheng has completely integrated into my family. Every morning, you can hear conversations like this:

My mom: "Xia Lei, Xicheng, get up!"

Then comes Xia Lei's voice: "Call my sister first!"

"She stayed up late last night, so let her sleep a bit longer. Xicheng, go wash your face first. What do you want for breakfast? Noodles or wontons?"

Wen Xicheng's warm and smiling voice responds: "Auntie, let's have noodles. Xia Tian doesn't like wontons."

"Mom, I want wontons!" Xia Lei protests loudly.

"Okay, noodles it is," responds our family's plump lady.

"Oh heavens, what kind of world is this? Mom, I'm the mainstay of the Xia family!"

And thus, Xia Lei's pig-like wailing kicks off a new day!

On New Year's Eve during the day, we're busy putting up couplets and cleaning the corridor. The household is bustling, and with an extra helper, everything is ready by lunchtime.

Xia Lei and my dad are hanging lanterns while my mom is in the kitchen making dumplings. I'm in the living room watching TV when Wen Xicheng comes out of his bedroom, glancing around before heading towards the kitchen.

I feel a bit dejected as I see him walk away. Ever since returning home, he hasn't been as clingy with me and seems to prefer spending time with Xia Lei or our family's plump lady. I follow him into the kitchen, holding a half-eaten apple, and overhear a conversation that brings tears to my eyes.

"Auntie, Xia Tian doesn't like wontons; how could she possibly like dumplings?" 

"She's just difficult to please. Both wontons and dumplings are made with similar dough and meat filling; she's just spoiled by me." 

"In the future, I will also spoil her. Look, is this how you make dumplings?" 

"Yes, yes, that's right. I've been clumsy with my hands for over 20 years; I still haven't learned how to make dumplings. Actually, she just doesn't pay attention; see, you learn it immediately." 

Wen Xicheng chuckles softly and replies, "It's enough that I know how to do it." 

My mom sighs, "He's been smarter than Lei Lei since childhood; he's well-behaved and sensible, hardly any worries for me. But I care more for her than for Lei Lei. You may think she's carefree all day, but her thoughts are more delicate than anyone else's. You both are good kids; if you're together, you'll inevitably have some friction. She has a stubborn temper, so be more accommodating. If you're kind to her, she will remember it."

After graduation, if possible, let's find jobs together and take care of each other; that way, we'll feel at ease. Just make sure to get along well, and if any difficulties arise, please let us know. After all, we're already concerned about two people; adding one more will be the same. Whenever you want to come home...

I wipe my tears and return to the living room. Soon after, Wen Xicheng comes out of the kitchen, avoiding my gaze and heading straight to the bathroom. I can clearly see that his eyes are red as well.

Later, I wonder if there was a moment when Wen Xicheng decided to get engaged to someone else, when he thought of my family's kind and hefty lady, feeling a shred of hesitation.

I only told my mom about our breakup two years later. She simply sighed and said nothing. Little did she know that the decision made by Wen Xicheng had hurt more than just my heart.

On New Year's Eve, after dinner, we sat together to watch the Spring Festival Gala. In reality, the Gala had ceased to be merely a pre-dinner event; it was a tradition we had maintained for many years, one we weren't eager to change. I sat beside my mom on the large sofa while Xia Lei sat next to me. The three of us watched intently as Wen Xicheng knelt before the coffee table, skillfully preparing tea.

They say that tea brewing is an art, but observing the focused and serious expression on the young boy's face, I felt that making tea was a profound and elusive craft! I had never known that this child, who usually joked and acted spoiled, had actually studied tea culture. From his enthusiastic discussions and the admiration in my dad's eyes, it was clear that he was not just trying to show off at the last minute. 

As the clock struck midnight, the sound of firecrackers rang out, and the fireworks illuminated the sky in an instant. My mom got up to prepare the New Year's dinner, while my dad and Xia Lei went to the balcony to fetch the firecrackers.

I turned to look at Wen Xicheng; his face was turned toward the window, devoid of expression, just staring blankly. When I approached and saw the sadness in his eyes, my heart ached a little. On a day meant for family reunion, who wouldn't miss their loved ones? I thought he must be thinking of his grandfather.

"Xicheng, put on your jacket. We're going to set off fireworks." I gently ruffled his hair, trying to smile casually. He turned to look at me, and for a fleeting moment, an unreadable emotion flickered in his deep black eyes. Then he smiled, and the earlier gloom vanished, replaced by a bright, cheerful demeanor! He nodded slightly, rubbed his cheek against mine, took the jacket from my hand, put it on, and walked toward the balcony. Watching his slender silhouette, I bit my lip, feeling a lump in my throat.

Once downstairs, Dad and Xia Lei played with the firecrackers while Mom chatted with the neighbor. Wen Xicheng, bundled up in a thick down jacket, stood beside me. The ladies on both floors continuously sized him up, and a few not-so-quiet whispers drifted into my ears amidst the sound of the firecrackers. 

"Is that boy your summer boyfriend? He's really good-looking!" 

"Yes, and his demeanor is especially nice. They make a great match!" 

"He's tall too; I prefer sons-in-law taller than six feet!" 

... and so on.

My mom humbly deflected their praise, but her eyes betrayed an undeniable pride as she looked at us. I felt a bit flushed and turned to see a pink hue creeping up on the ears of the person beside me. I tugged at his arm with a smile, saying, "You're really good-looking!" Wen Xicheng buried his face deeper into his scarf, bent down, and whispered in my ear, "Did I save face for you?" I chuckled and nodded, "Yes, you did!"

After setting off all the firecrackers and returning upstairs, we enjoyed the New Year's dinner. Xia Lei went out to play through the night, and after we finished washing up, we headed back to our room to sleep.

The lights glowed on the balcony, while the sounds of firecrackers echoed outside. Lying in bed, I struggled to sleep, staring blankly at the bright red lanterns reflected on the curtains.

I don't know how long it had been, but as my eyelids grew heavier, I heard a faint sound. Rubbing my eyes, I got out of bed. The bathroom light was off, the living room was dark, and the balcony door was slightly ajar. I slipped on a coat and stepped outside.

On the balcony, Wen Xicheng stood quietly, gazing at the starry sky. His hands rested on the railing, and he tilted his head slightly, looking into the distance, seemingly lost in thought. He didn't even notice me approaching. "Xicheng," I called softly. He responded with a low "Hmm," acknowledging my presence without turning around. Standing beside him, I tightened my coat and observed him. His gaze was distant, filled with longing and sorrow.

After a long silence, he turned to me and extended his hand, saying, "It's cold; warm me up." I took his hands and tucked them inside my coat, holding them to my chest. The icy cold seeped through my pajamas, and I frowned at him, catching a glimmer of moisture in his eyes. I paused, and just as I was about to speak, he stepped closer, pressed my head into his arms, and then tucked my hands back into my coat.

I said nothing more, simply holding onto his hands, which remained cold for a long time. As everything around us grew exceedingly quiet, devoid of the sounds and lights of the festivities, Wen Xicheng asked softly, "Do you like ice cream?" I looked up, glanced at his chin, and nodded. He smiled faintly, a subtle curve of his lips that was almost imperceptible, yet I could sense he was smiling. "I used to love it too, but I haven't had any since I was six. To be precise, I haven't had any since my parents left." He rested his chin on my shoulder, speaking in a calm tone.

I tightened my grip on his hand slightly, my heart constricting as well.

Wen Xicheng had never mentioned his family to me, and on this New Year's Eve, without any warning, he laid it all bare in such a flat tone. I didn't know how to react. My heart ached more and more as he slowly clenched his fist.

"When they left that night, the sky was drifting with goose feather-like snow, and I still vividly remember the helpless and indulgent expressions on their faces as they went out."

Grandpa held me at the door while Dad and Mom kissed me on the cheek before leaving. I watched them get into the car; the headlights pierced through the darkness, and the engine roared to life in the cold, eventually fading away around the corner. Wen Xicheng's voice began to tremble, and his body started to shake as well.

I reached out to hug his waist tightly, but it was of no use; he shook even more violently. Just as I wanted to pull him back inside the house, he gently called out to me, "Xiatian?"

"Hmm?" I responded, my voice beginning to waver.

"You've definitely never seen snow like this. The snowflakes are falling in heavy clusters, and the TV is broadcasting red alerts urging everyone to stay indoors as much as possible. In such weather, even if you need to go out, you shouldn't drive. But they had no choice because their only precious son was crying and demanding ice cream. Xiatian, they must have committed many wrongs in their past lives; otherwise, why would they have such a son?"

Tears streamed down my face instantly. I covered his trembling lips with my hand, unable to utter a single word through my sobs, not even knowing what to say. The back of my hand gradually became wet as ice-cold tears dripped onto it, flowing into my heart and making it hard to breathe. After a long time, his hand pulled mine away, and Wen Xicheng buried his face in my neck. After brushing his lips against my skin, he gently whispered, "That day was New Year's Eve, Xiatian, that day was New Year's Eve!"

Even when Wen Xicheng later told me he was getting engaged to someone else, I never felt such heartache; at that moment, it felt like a thousand arrows were piercing my heart, and the pain was all too clear.

That night, I took him back to Xia Lei's bedroom, and we held each other while we slept. Wen Xicheng buried his face in my arms and shared many stories from his childhood.

Before he turned six, he was the happiest child in the world. After that age, his grandfather moved to America, and before he turned eighteen, he spent every Lunar New Year at his relatives' homes. But after eighteen, he found himself all alone. He often said he couldn't forgive himself, that he loved his grandfather very much.

Two years after we parted ways, I suddenly thought of that night. If he had ever explained anything to me about getting engaged to someone else, I believe it would have been just one sentence: he loved his grandfather very much, so he couldn't go against his grandfather's wishes.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, just as dawn broke, I quietly got out of bed and tiptoed back to my own room. Lying in bed, my mind was a jumble, and I had no desire to sleep. I watched the faint white light appearing at the edge of the sky, fervently anticipating the arrival of a new day and a new year! Around nine in the morning, Xia Lei burst into my bedroom, sporting panda eyes.

I called out softly, pulling the blanket higher, "You didn't knock before coming in?"

Xia Lei climbed onto my bed, tucked his feet under my blanket, and rubbed his hands together, saying, "What's with your haggard look? Did you have a restricted program after I left yesterday?"

I kicked him playfully, "Did Wen Xicheng get up?"

"Yeah, he's been up for a while, chatting with Mom." Xia Lei got off the bed and ruffled his hair.

I followed him out of the bedroom. I heard voices coming from the kitchen and walked over. Wen Xicheng turned his head when he heard the noise.

His face was somewhat pale, and his eyes appeared slightly swollen, but he wore a gentle, happy expression, showing no signs of sadness or distress. He held up the dumplings in his hand, smiling at me. "Go wash your face and brush your teeth; breakfast is almost ready."

Sometimes, we mask our sadness for the sake of those around us, so they can live happily. Wen Xicheng has always been this way.

After breakfast, we set out to pay New Year's visits to relatives, leaving Wen Xicheng at home alone. I felt reluctant but knew I had no choice; bringing a boy home to meet Grandma unexpectedly could potentially cause her distress. Before leaving, Mom prepared lunch in the thermal cooker and gave me careful instructions. As the last to depart, I descended the stairs with a heavy heart.

Lunch was enjoyed at Grandma's house, but my thoughts were consumed by Wen Xicheng, making it difficult to focus on my meal. After we ate, several cousins wanted to play cards. Since we were short on players, I was drawn into the game and finally escaped around four o'clock. Xia Lei had also made plans with friends, and he drove me home.

As we approached our apartment building, I spotted a familiar figure standing on the balcony from a distance. Once out of the car, I looked up at the boy on the upper floor. He was dressed in a thick down jacket with a beige scarf wrapped around his neck, leaning against the railing and smiling at me.

That afternoon, the sun shone brightly, warm and gentle, much like the smile on his face.

From that day on, every time I returned home on a sunny afternoon, I would stand on the balcony and look down, filled with longing and nostalgia, trying to decipher Wen Xicheng's thoughts. Yet, no matter how hard I pondered, I could never grasp why he wore that satisfied expression back then!

The entire Lunar New Year was spent visiting relatives, and eventually, everyone discovered that I had brought a boyfriend home.

With his handsome face, Wen Xicheng won the approval of my entire family.

When Liu Ni Yi came to find me, she was so shocked to see Wen Xicheng that her mouth hung open for an extended moment. She pulled me into the bedroom, shut the door, climbed onto the bed, and sat cross-legged before exclaiming, "You actually brought him home? Are you planning to get married after graduation?"

I laughed at her and replied, "You're asking the same thing as my grandma."

"He just has nowhere to go, and I took him in out of kindness."

Liu Ni Yi scoffed, "You really see yourself as his maid. Xiatian, let me tell you, you can't spoil men too much, or they won't appreciate it. Learn to say NO to them, understand?"

I held her face and patted it, saying, "I know, baby! But I learned all this from you. Aren't you also spoiling your Huang Xiaoshuai to death?"

Liu Ni Yi hooked her arms around my neck and lay back on the bed, gazing at the ceiling. "So, it's all because of first love!" she said.

Liu Ni Yi is a year older than me and was my deskmate for three years in high school. If I had to confide in someone without secrets, it would only be her. Her first boyfriend is two years younger, but he is quite mature. To be honest, I don't really like him; I always feel he has a bit of a small-time mentality. Of course, I never told Liu Ni Yi this, but when she asked my opinion about Huang Xiaoshuai, I chose to remain silent. I felt they wouldn't last long, but little did I expect that my relationship with Wen Xicheng would be even shorter!

After returning to school, classes had already ended, with only the graduation project remaining. Jiang Yang had been accepted into graduate school, and He Zifei signed on with an engineering company in Shenzhen, while the resumes I sent out had yet to receive a response. Wen Xicheng still maintained a low profile and mysterious demeanor, only saying to wait until I settled down before making plans.

At the end of March, everything began to awaken; people finally took off their winter coats and donned lighter clothing. Just as everyone was excitedly preparing for a spring outing, He Zifei and Yan Zi broke up, or more precisely, Yan Zi reconciled with her boyfriend, leaving He Zifei heartbroken. Thus, the originally planned trip to Jiangnan transformed into nights filled with karaoke and drowning sorrows in alcohol.