Chapter 702: Youth, Unleashed

unbridled terror, flitting back and forth down the corridor, her legs turned to jelly.Zhuo Yu settled at the door, hearing her voice, turned back to look at her.“Tinglan, I told you before, I'm not a...Zhang He also turned to glance at Wen Lan and her daughter, then after putting some distance between them, she whispered to Ting Lan, "Your Aunt Wen has taken good care of Xiao Jian."

“Do you remember when your mom threw away that bear you had in high school”

Ting Lan was taken aback and replied, "Is that so"

It's been over two years, already. So much has happened, many things have become blurry in my memory.

"Yes, that's just what your mother bought you later. Your mother doesn't regret being so strict with you back then, but now that you've finished the college entrance examination, you can make an appointment to see a movie with that boy, and your mother will support you."

"Mom, there's nothing between me and that boy." Tinglan explained again.

The flutter of that time, the turmoil and chaos of those days, had long since been buried under the weight of heavy studies. Besides, Mom didn't know that the boy was the same one who Wen Jian followed along with.

"You could always make plans to watch a movie together. After you all go to college, you'll be going your separate ways and it'll be hard to see each other." Zhang He was someone who had been through this before and remembered her own unhappiness back in high school. So after the college entrance exam, she encouraged her to take action and not leave any regrets.

Tinglan had no regrets, and she even felt grateful to her mother for her strict upbringing. She was fortunate that she had stopped short of the precipice. That tiny feeling she had before, never grew or blossomed; it simply came to an abrupt end and disappeared without a trace.

Listening Lan never paid attention to the grades of the science class herself, but that doesn't mean she wouldn't know.

Because Zhuo Yu'an and Wen Jian are the stars of the school, they are a hot topic among students and even teachers. Even Cheng Chen said that Zhuo Yu'an and Wen Jian are like the "Divine Couple" of the science class, consistently ranking first and second place year after year.

And the rumor that they are going to study abroad together after graduation has long been common knowledge.

Actually, before the first exam, the college entrance exam, this time, she saw them while waiting outside the school. Zuo Yu'an and Wen Jian were standing side by side, chatting about something. Wen Jian seemed very happy, with no trace of nervousness that other examinees had on their faces. Zuo Yu'an also looked relaxed, bowing his head slightly as if he was listening intently to what Wen Jian was saying.

They should have been in the same exam room, and after the school gates opened, they walked side-by-side the whole time.

Tinglan had been particularly nervous about the college entrance exam, but as she watched their backs, her thoughts drifted away, and her nervousness eased slightly. As a result, she did well on the first test, Chinese Language.

After the college entrance exam, she slept for two whole days at home. When she woke up, she truly realized that the college entrance exam was over, and her mood was incredibly relaxed. There was a message from Cheng Chen on her phone saying that Lu Kuo had organized a party after the college entrance exam and she must go. Tinglan agreed.

Right before I left the house, I saw my dad who had just returned from a business trip.

Mom said with some sarcasm, "Well, you still know how to come home."

Zhang He knew Shu Minghai had been under a lot of work pressure lately. She felt sorry for him, but her daughter's college entrance exam was such an important matter, and he was busy working outside, not even calling once, which made her resentful. Besides, her daughter had finished the exam too, so she wasn't afraid of affecting her mood, so she didn't hold back.

Shuminghai ignored her, only looking up when he saw Tinglan standing at the door. "Are you going out" he asked.

"Yes, a school reunion," she said.

"Okay, go."

Listening Lan bent down to put on her shoes, just about to go out, when her father suddenly called her name again: Listening Lan.

"Daddy, give me a hug."

Shu Minghai came over and hugged her.

Tinglan rarely got this close to her father. The sudden hug made her a little stiff.

After a while, Dad let go of her and said, “Go on, have fun with your classmates and be careful.”

Listening heard nothing outside the door after coming out, so she left.

It was an ordinary day, of course she didn't know that the great wheel of fate was turning, its cogs about to derail.

At this moment, as she watched her classmates' revelry, she too felt a lift in her spirits. She even secretly shared a sip of alcohol with Cheng Chen. Earlier, she had called her mother and received permission to stay out tonight.

The room was filled with over a dozen classmates who were close to Lu Kuo. The atmosphere was both lively and melancholic, as everyone knew that Lu Kuo would be returning to Beijing for university and they would have few chances to see each other again in the future.

Prompted by his classmates, Cheng Chen and Lu Kuo sang a rendition of Jay Chou's "Blue and White Porcelain."

Cyan is the color of waiting for smoke and rain, while I'm waiting for you.

Cooking smoke rises and disappears into the distance across thousands of miles.

Treat this as a setup for meeting you.

....

Lu Kuo's voice was good, with all five tones complete, and coupled with his sincere emotions, the entire room was filled with a melancholy of parting. Cheng Chen softly hummed along, singing until he put down the microphone.

Her heart suddenly felt a pang of bitterness. Her college entrance exam scores were only enough to apply to local key universities, while Lu Kuo had already decided to return to Beijing for university.

From the first day of their freshman year to the graduation ceremony at the end of senior year, for three whole years, Lu Kuo had been by her side, always buzzing around and making a fuss. Thinking that she wouldn't be able to see him like this anymore, that no one would be there to banter and argue with her, made her feel a little sad.

Lu Kuo finished singing, and for once sat quietly beside her, without joining in the teasing and playfulness with other students.

In the lively private room, he asked Cheng Chen, “Want to try applying to universities in Beijing”

Cheng Chen asked him, "Would you like to apply to Qining University"

The two fell silent.

After a while, Lu Kuo said again, "It's okay. I'll come back to see you every week from now on."

Cheng Chen didn't believe it when she heard it. At that time, she was very clear-headed and knew that the feelings of youth would eventually disappear with time. Beijing to Qining is so far, how could they possibly meet once a week Besides, he was such an unstable person.

Cheng Chen whispered to Tinglan, "It's so troublesome. It seems like after graduating high school and turning 18, you become an adult. To be an adult means having to shoulder all the joys, sorrows, and hardships that come with it."

Tinglan didn't know the true taste of sorrow at that time, she just said, "Oh, it's so annoying."

Zhuo Yu'an remained seated in the corner, not joining in their revelry. He seemed distant and uninterested. His gaze was fixed on Ting Lan as if he were glued to her, unable to tear his eyes away.

For the past two months, he had been avoiding her, and the wild beast in his heart gradually calmed down, or perhaps became controllable, no longer charging headfirst.

There were several students between them, and he didn't seem to have the courage to sit beside her right away. So he slowly changed seats, slowly changing, until he reached the spot next to her.

By then, it was past midnight. Some were still singing passionately, others had gathered in small groups to play cards, and the tired students were dozing off on the couches.omplemented each other perfectly, and countless flashes accompanied the clicking of cameras.She was born to be a shining star.After leaving the red carpet, she went into the venue. Her smile relaxed a...