Chương 25: Farewell to My Youth

"You still say you're not interested in her?"

Yang Fan scoffed, quite dissatisfied with Zhao Rui's hypocrisy.

"What a load of nonsense."

Zhao Rui didn't ask any more questions, but he knew that Luo Min's application to Dongqi University was almost certainly true.

Having a classmate to keep you company is not bad.

"How about I apply to your school?"

Zhao Rui poked Sun Tiantian's back with his finger, hitting the back clasp of her bra right on top. It was hard and quite tactile.

"Ugh! Who asked you to report this nonsense?"

Sun Tiantian still had an angry expression on her face, but she was already happy inside.

She was just feeling reluctant to part ways.

After all, we've had a crush on each other for so long, and soon we'll be going our separate ways.

"It has that cloying, unrequited love vibe!"

Yang Fan wrinkled his nose and made a disgusted face, which angered Sun Tiantian so much that she turned around and threw a punch. The two of them countered each other's moves, and a chaotic scene ensued.

Zhao Rui quickly pressed down on the table, thus preventing it from being overturned.

The classroom was already noisy and chaotic, so the occasional scuffle was hardly surprising and no one paid any attention.

"Can you please be quiet!"

An impatient voice rang out sharply from the front row, near the window.

It's the voice of Wang Han, a "good teacher".

This time, however, his voice had no effect; the classroom remained noisy.

I used to listen to him because I didn't want to cause trouble and was afraid it would affect my college entrance exam. Now I don't listen to him because we've graduated and gone our separate ways, so who cares about you!

Wang Han's chest heaved with anger, his face extremely gloomy.

"Why isn't Bai Xuening here?"

After making a fuss for a while, Yang Fan looked at the empty seat not far in front of him with surprise and asked Zhao Rui in confusion.

Just then, a girl wearing a pink and white puff-sleeved dress gracefully arrived.

The girl wore a sailor's scarf tied around her neck, and her skirt billowed in a perfect arc, rippling with layers of lace as she walked.

The ribbon hanging from her waist was adorned with silk threads shaped like lilies of the valley, resembling willow branches swaying in the spring breeze.

Her shapely calves were encased in white stockings that stretched straight down to her beautiful round-toed Mary Jane shoes.

This outfit?

In an instant, the previously noisy classroom fell silent.

Is this Bai Xuening?

Where did that cold, aloof girl with a stern expression go?

After a moment of silence, a clamor erupted.

"Xue Ning, you're so beautiful!"

"You've changed your style so much, I almost didn't recognize you. Xue Ning, so you like the Lolita style too! It looks so good!"

With the arrival of the girl, the classroom immediately became lively again.

While dealing with the chatter of the other girls, the girl inadvertently glanced at where Zhao Rui was.

Upon seeing the surprise in Zhao Rui's eyes, a smug smile immediately appeared in the girl's eyes.

Such a smile naturally did not escape Zhao Rui's notice, and he couldn't help but chuckle.

I reckon if I go to find her later, Bai Xuening will pretend to ignore me.

He's still just a little kid!

In the classroom, the students chatted freely. They seemed to know that after this day, after filling out their college applications, they would really go their separate ways.

Some people may never see each other again in their entire lives.

After another half hour of commotion, the homeroom teacher finally arrived late.

As soon as he stepped onto the podium, he asked the class monitor to distribute a report card and several college application forms to each student.

The students looked at their report cards, each with a different expression. Those who did well had smiles on their faces, their eyes filled with anticipation for a wonderful university life.

Those who did poorly on the exam were dejected and speechless.

Some, however, disagreed and, with a "what's the use" attitude, continued to do as they pleased.

"Wow, Zhao Rui, you got fourth place in the class this time! That's amazing!"

A classmate in the aisle to Zhao Rui's right turned slightly to the side and spoke to Zhao Rui.

"Yeah, with your grades, you're guaranteed a spot in a top-tier university!"

Upon hearing this, another classmate turned around and looked over.

Although everyone knew more or less about the students' grades, they were still quite surprised that Zhao Rui could jump from more than tenth place to fourth in the class.

"Everyone is aware of the results. You need to think carefully about the registration process and discuss it thoroughly with your family..."

After giving some instructions, the homeroom teacher stepped down from the podium and chatted with the students.

After all, we've been teaching for three years, and it's almost time to say goodbye. The teacher is also a little reluctant to part ways.

Zhao Rui had already discussed the matter of filling out college applications with his family, and Zhao Jincheng and his wife had given him a great deal of freedom and respect.

Zhao Rui took into account the past admission scores of Dongqi University. As long as he agreed to be assigned to another major, his score would still be enough to get him admitted.

He didn't care about any particular major; that was just a process to get a diploma. What he cared about more was the martial arts platform.

Only by attending Dongqi University can one be qualified and have the opportunity to access a higher level of martial arts and step into a different future.

Filling out college applications is not complicated; most students have finished in just one class period.

After collecting the forms, the homeroom teacher signaled that the students who had finished filling them out could go home.

Years have passed, and who knows when we will meet again!

Zhao Rui filled out his application early, and Yang Fan had already decided on three universities, so he didn't need to think too much about it. However, Sun Tiantian insisted that the two of them wait for her and Xiaoxue to finish filling out their applications before leaving together.

The two then lingered in the classroom for a while longer.

Throughout his three years of high school, Zhao Rui didn't have many friends, and even fewer girls he knew well.

It was rare for Sun Tiantian to treat him differently, and he wasn't the kind of heartless person to do so. Even if they weren't lovers, he still considered her a friend.

The person who falls in love with you when you are ordinary is the rarest gift in this world.

Around 10 o'clock, Sun Tiantian and her companion finally finished filling out the registration form after much hesitation.

The four of them tidied up their desks—there wasn't much to tidy up—and then left the classroom together.

As they approached the classroom door, Sun Tiantian called out to the three of them, and they took a group photo in front of the classroom sign with her phone.

When the girl came out of the teaching building, her eyes were red and her red lips were slightly pursed. Her delicate appearance was pitiful.

"Alright, it's not like we'll never see each other again. We can still meet during winter and summer vacations!"

Seeing her so moved, Zhao Rui was touched and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of the girl's eyes.

"Yeah, I know you don't like me, but I just...!"

"Okay, okay, you'll look less pretty if you cry!"

Zhao Rui gently patted the girl's head and said, "Let's go, there are so many people watching!"

Sun Tiantian nodded obediently and followed Zhao Rui outside.

Yang Fan, who was watching the scene from the sidelines, was filled with envy and couldn't help but look at Xiao Xue beside him.

"What are you looking at!"

Xiaoxue frowned slightly and glared at him.

"I won't let the girl who likes me shed a tear!"

"..."

Xiaoxue rolled her eyes, leaving him with a slender, girlish silhouette before quickly walking away.

Do you know, in my youthful days, when we first met, the flowers were red and the green were green, and I was ashamed of my shyness?

Today, nothing changes; maidens vie for beauty, if only it could be like first love again.

My temples are old and gray, I yearn for the flowers, my deepest sorrow remains unresolved, and I long for someone to share my pleasures with.

……

(End of this chapter)