CHAPTER 19: When Memories Hold Us Back

The next day, Nian and Xuanye woke up at 6 a.m., their hearts heavy as they quietly packed their things. The dorm room that had once been filled with laughter now felt unbearably silent.

As they stepped into the living room, their minds were overwhelmed by memories—DK's smile, Hoshi's antics, Minghao's quiet gaze.

Nian looked around one last time and whispered, "Xuanye… do you think we'll ever have the chance to come back?"

Xuanye's eyes welled with tears. "I don't know, Nian. But I was really happy here. This was the best project of my life."

Both girls walked out quietly, each step feeling like goodbye. They booked a cab and headed back to college.

---

Meanwhile, at 9 a.m., the members began waking up one by one and made their way to the living room. Boo stretched and noticed that the girls' room door was slightly ajar. Curious, he crept forward to peek.

Before he could take a step in, Woozi tapped him from behind.

Boo clutched his chest. "Hyung! You scared me!"

Woozi raised an eyebrow. "Why are you sneaking into their room?"

"I just saw the door open! I was checking what they're up to!" Boo defended.

Soon, Scoups, Jeonghan, Vernon, Wonwoo, DK, Minghao, Joshua, Jun, and Hoshi joined them on the couch. Mingyu emerged from his room, rubbing his eyes.

"What are you guys doing outside the girls' room?" he asked groggily.

"They're not responding. The door's open," Boo replied.

Without hesitation, Mingyu pushed the door open fully—and froze.

The room was empty. Every trace of Nian and Xuanye… gone.

Mingyu ran back to the living room. "Guys… they're not here. Their stuff is gone."

DK shot up immediately and ran to check for himself. Minghao followed closely. DK rushed to the main door, flung it open, and called out desperately, "Nian!!"

No answer.

Minghao just stood there, frozen. His hands trembled.

Woozi and Boo approached him carefully. But before they could speak, a tear slipped down Minghao's cheek. Then another. He hadn't even realized he was crying.

Boo silently stepped back, stunned.

He called the members over. Everyone gathered. DK sat on the couch, staring blankly. Minghao beside him, equally lost.

Vernon tried to comfort them. "Maybe they just went to submit their project. They'll come back."

Jeonghan nodded, though his voice was uncertain. Mingyu patted both DK and Minghao on the back. "Don't worry too much. They didn't even say goodbye. That means they'll return."

---

Meanwhile, at the college, Nian, Xuanye, and Yichen were waiting for Professor Xi.

He walked in and gestured for them to submit their projects.

They handed over their files quietly, their hearts too heavy to speak.

Professor Xi reviewed the papers carefully. Yichen kept glancing at Nian, worried—she hadn't said a single word since morning.

After a few minutes, Professor Xi stood up and approached the two girls.

"You've done a very good job," he said sincerely. "You'll be awarded bonus credits for this."

Yichen smiled.

But Nian and Xuanye didn't react. Their expressions were blank.

The professor studied their faces, then asked gently, "You don't look happy. Do you miss your group that much?"

Both girls remained silent.

He sighed—and then offered, "If it's hard for you to leave them, you can stay at their dorm till the end of this week. That's two more days. What do you think?"

Their faces lit up instantly, as if someone had switched on the sun.

They gave a deep bow. "Thank you, Professor!! Can we leave now?!"

He smiled and nodded.

The girls bolted out the door, their joy uncontrollable.

A few seconds later, Xuanye burst back into the room, beaming.

"Thank you for your favor, Professor Xi!!"

He laughed. "Go on, you two. You're still such kids."

As the door shut behind her, he shook his head fondly.

"They'll make good journalists… once they grow up."