The event was held in a large park. Even before stepping inside the fenced area, Leng Shuang caught a distant whiff of cumin spice. His empty stomach stirred awake and began to growl softly.
Inside, groups led by homeroom teachers sat around tables, chatting and enjoying grilled meat served by barbecue chefs. Leng Shuang and his three friends verified their IDs at the gate and walked in.
“Hahaha, lemme tell you—my boss is something! Owns six apartments but keeps telling us she’s broke. Oh my…”
“Old Li, found a boyfriend yet? See anyone you like? They’re all fresh grads, y’know~”
“This meat’s amazing! Gotta thank the senior sisters for treating us Yinghua No.1 High School students!”
A lively buzz washed over them—just like high school cafeteria days, Yinghua students chatting and boasting animatedly. Pushing past a few groups, Leng Shuang searched for their teacher.
“Where’s Teacher? Spot her by that belly—it’s so round it looks like she’s pregnant!”
Yu Mo grinned, spotted her first, and bounded over.
“Hello, everyone!”
No shyness at all—he hopped like a joyful little rabbit, face beaming.
“Yu Mo’s here!”
“Not just him—look! Leng Shuang, Xiao Qian, Xiao Hua too!”
“Hurry! This meat’s saved for you!”
Classmates welcomed them warmly, like long-lost friends. Around the table sat not only their grade-mates but alumni from past years taught by Teacher—seniors who greeted the quartet with genuine delight.
“Teacher.”
Leng Shuang and the other two smiled, greeted her, and took seats.
“Teacher, sitting in the office all day isn’t good. I’d recognize you by that belly alone!” Yu Mo teased the moment he sat. Laughter erupted—just like old times, the mischievous boy causing playful chaos.
“You rascal! Half a year out in society and still so blunt?” Teacher puffed her cheeks, feigning scolding.
The playful exchange lifted the mood.
“I’m just genuine! C’mon, classmates—aren’t sincere boys the best?”
“Yeah!”
“Only Yu Mo!”
Cheers rose. Teacher sighed, rubbing her forehead.
“By the way—jobs sorted? Pay okay?”
“Pretty good. Waiter at a high-end restaurant.”
“As for me…”
Just as Leng Shuang opened his mouth, Teacher raised a hand. “Let me guess…” She paused playfully. “Working part-time at Liuluo Xiang?”
“Hehe, Teacher knew too?”
“Who didn’t? You blew up in Shanghai! TikTok was flooded with your Pinghe Bridge videos.”
“Strongest dorm in Yinghua! With your looks, you could debut as idols easy.”
“Right? Leng Shuang leading? Piece of cake! Hahaha!”
Outgoing girls teased relentlessly. Leng Shuang flushed slightly.
At reunions, the most handsome always drew eyes. When Leng Shuang appeared, not just classmates but senior alumnae turned, watching intently.
“Junior Leng Shuang—got a girlfriend?” A bold senior sister sipped wine, voicing what many wondered. Cheers rose like wolves howling under moonlight. Nearby groups glanced over, keenly interested.
“I do.”
Calm, clear, no hesitation.
Clad in a white long sweater, his balanced frame looked effortlessly clean and pure. Paired with that ethereal, serene face, he held every gaze.
Alas—learning he was taken, girls sighed in regret. *Off the market… Whoever she is, so lucky.* Some drank quietly, bidding farewell to youthful crushes on the school flower.
“Toast to Teacher!”
Regret melted into clinking glasses. Old friends chatted, laughter bubbling warmly.
Leng Shuang scanned the crowd. Familiar faces everywhere—but no cherry-pink silhouette. Relief flickered… then a quiet melancholy. *If no destiny remains, friendship is enough.*
But…
Could they still be friends?
Soon, cheerful chatter and drinks softened his mood.
“Xiao Qian, Xiao Hua—let’s take a walk.”
He hadn’t forgotten: visit Teacher, help the girls find someone nice. True enough—once apart from the group, contacts were exchanged. Smoothly.
The event ended joyfully. Naturally charming, Xiao Qian and Xiao Hua received confessions and found one or two promising matches.
“Chat later—see if you click.”
Seeing their shy smiles, Leng Shuang felt a quiet pride.
Silvery moonlight spilled down. The four strolled slowly. Mild winter air, warm memories—a perfectly cozy night.
“Huh? That car…”
At Xiao Qian’s whisper, Leng Shuang turned. The window rolled up—he glimpsed a flash of cherry-pink hair.
“Could it be Ri Chuan Baihezi?”
The other three shot subtle glances at him.
Leng Shuang fell silent, staring at the sealed window.
Amid the noise, an odd hush settled around him.
After a long moment, the car glided closer. The window lowered.
There she was.
Signature oval face. Fox-like eyes, tender yet alluring. A coat barely concealing her curvier figure. And that flowing cherry-pink hair—unmistakable.
Over half a year apart. Her bust fuller, yes—but Baihezi now carried a gentle maturity, like a neighborly older sister who’d shed youthful shyness for calm grace. Even more radiant.
“Need a ride home?”
Her voice, still laced with that soothing, melodic charm, held only him in her gaze.
Yu Mo and the others stood frozen behind Leng Shuang—silent, orderly, waiting for his cue like background NPCs.
Leng Shuang met her eyes. A pause.
Then, the faintest upward curve of his lips—the same quiet smile from high school, whenever she’d asked if he needed help.
“Thanks.”
