June arrived, bringing warmth to the air. Cicadas buzzed noisily, and the phoenix trees along the school paths stretched out their branches and leaves, radiating vitality in a sea of green. Without realizing it, Jiang Rong had been at this school for almost a year. The two of them worked on problems together every day.…

With Xu Yan’s help, the ingredients were quickly prepared. She drove and dropped off the four of them at their destination. “Auntie, come join us,” Xu Yan looked at Xu Si and smiled, “You young people have fun together. I won’t join in or you won’t be able to relax. I’ll come pick you up…

“Little teacher, I’d like to request something from you in advance,” Jiang Rong looked up at him. “What is it?” “Do you remember those people from the abandoned building?” Jiang Rong nodded. “I remember.” After speaking, she added, “If you want to deal with them, just go ahead, but don’t get hurt.” Xu Si smiled.…

“Dumplings, hot ones.” “Little Teacher still remembers?” “I remember.” ‘I’ve always remembered,’ Jiang Rang added in her heart. Xu Si sat in the park downstairs, eating a dumpling from the thermal container: “Indeed, they taste better hot.” Jiang Rang didn’t speak, just smiled and watched him continue eating. Xu Si finished every last dumpling, then…

Jiang Qiang’s heart raced as she nodded slightly at him. With her permission, he gently wrapped his arm around her shoulders, holding her loosely. Jiang Qiang felt his heartbeat, like a drum, beating steadily. Mouths could lie, but heartbeats couldn’t. Her eyes inexplicably grew moist. It was April 9th. She would always remember that day.…

Xu Si’s hair was messy from struggling with problems he couldn’t solve, with a few strands sticking up rebelliously. The pink bandage was still on his face. The more Jiang Qiao looked at him, the more adorable she found him and smiled: “Nothing, just think you’re cute.” “Whatever little teacher says.” Jiang Qiao looked at…

The trees along both sides of the road had sprouted new buds, quite different from their previous bare branches, now full of vibrant life. The street was busy with traffic. Xu Si leaned half his body against Jiang Rong, but didn’t dare put his full weight on her. She was too thin – he worried…

“Ouch, it hurts.” “I know, I’ll be gentler.” Hao Ming carefully poured the medicinal wine into his palm, then rubbed it on his injured area. Yang Shikun grimaced in pain but dared not open his mouth too wide as it would pull at his injured lip. Hao Ming sighed in relief after finishing applying the…

“Xu Si.” Xu Si lay on the ground, not daring to look at her, wishing he could bury himself in the soil. Jiang Qiang crouched in front of him, her fair fingers brushing aside his hair to reveal his forehead wound. Her gaze fell on the injuries on his face and neck, and her eyes…

Another week passed. March 19th, Saturday, at the abandoned building. The young man sat on a broken wooden board, holding his cat. He wore a black jacket over a beige hoodie and straight-leg gray jeans. He stared absently at where the snow had long since melted. He remembered how before New Year’s, the three of…