Although they knew this day would come, Jiang Zhixu still found it hard to accept. She quit her job.
On her last day, everyone asked: “Why are you suddenly resigning when everything’s going well?” “Because I came to City A for one person, and now I need to spend the remaining time with her.”
Hearing this, Yao Jinghe glanced at her. Si Hai thought she meant a boyfriend: “When did Little Jiang get a boyfriend? How did I not know?”
Jiang Zhixu stayed silent, her eyes turning red. Yao Jinghe guessed it might be related to that young girl who often visited before: “When you want to come back, you’re always welcome.”
Jiang Zhixu looked at him: “Thank you.”
After packing her things, she went to the hospital. Jiang Rang on the hospital bed was incredibly thin, her face only the size of a palm, her once bright eyes now dull, her complexion frighteningly pale.
Jiang Zhixu held back tears, calling softly: “Qiao Qiao.”
Jiang Rang gave her a weak smile. Jiang Zhixu stayed at the hospital, watching over her every day. Jiang Rang’s spirit grew weaker, sleeping more and more each day. She often woke up from pain, curling into a ball.
Jiang Zhixu’s heart ached, but she was helpless. There’s nothing more powerless than watching someone you care about suffer before your eyes.
Tian Ling and Jiang Zhien finally understood the meaning of companionship. But it was too late.
Each day seemed like a countdown for Jiang Rang, one less day with each passing day. Something kept her holding on, keeping that last breath of life.
On the evening of June 4th, Jiang Rang felt increasingly difficult to breathe, as if something was pressing on her chest. Her body was full of medical equipment.
Jiang Rang’s lips moved. Jiang Zhixu leaned closer: “What do you want to say? Qiao Qiao, don’t rush, say it slowly.”
“There’s still someone very very important I haven’t seen.” “I can’t leave.” “I haven’t fulfilled my promise to him.”
Jiang Zhixu listened to her broken sentences, understanding who she meant. Tian Ling asked: “What did Qiao Qiao say?”
Jiang Zhixu repeated word by word: “I’ve met that boy, he’s very very good, and very good to Qiao Qiao.”
Her foolish Qiao Qiao was also very good. But fate was cruel.
Jiang Rang struggled to make it through that night. Even the doctors were shocked, as her physical condition suggested she shouldn’t have survived the night. But there are no absolutes in medicine. Perhaps something was compelling her to live.
On June 6th, two pieces of clothing lay on the white blanket – a pure white shirt and a black pleated skirt. Very youthful clothes.
Jiang Rang was helped out of bed to change into her school uniform. Looking at herself in the mirror, her face was terrifyingly pale. She asked Jiang Zhixu: “A-Xu, do I look ugly like this?”
“Not ugly. You’ll always be the most beautiful, forever and ever.”
Jiang Rang smiled at her. Jiang Zhixu took out lipstick from her pocket and applied some to her lips.
Jiang Rang told the three: “I’m going back to school today for graduation photos.”
Tian Ling and Jiang Zhien nodded repeatedly: “Okay.”
That day was extremely hot, seemingly hotter than any summer day before. Cicadas were buzzing loudly, the air filled with restlessness.
Just as Jiang Rang entered the school gates, she saw Class 17 students waving at her from afar. Xu Si ran straight towards her.
She watched the young man running towards her – white shirt, black pants, phoenix eyes, distinguished features, high nose bridge, dark eyes, thin lips. When he looked at people, he always lazily lifted those thin eyelids, as if nothing was worthy of his attention, but whenever he looked at Jiang Rang, his eyes were always filled with smiles, that trace of indifference disappearing.
The young man’s smile was particularly captivating. The boy in the white shirt, forever radiant. Forever pure and beautiful.
Xu Si called out to her: “Little Teacher, come quick, the sun is strong.”
He pulled Jiang Rang into the shade where Class 17 was gathering, frowning: “Why have you gotten thinner again?”
Jiang Rang was already thin, now she was almost skin and bones. She found an excuse: “Haven’t had much appetite lately.”
Xu Si looked at her: “It’s hot lately, affects appetite, but you still need to eat something.” “Okay.”
Xu Si was planning to take her to see a traditional Chinese medicine doctor after the college entrance exam, to treat her stomach and help her gain some weight.
Soon it was Class 17’s turn for photos. With the photographer’s “cheese,” the moment was frozen in time.
In the photo were 62 people, each the unique protagonist of their own youth. In the photo, the girl smiled very sweetly, behind her was the free-spirited young man in a white shirt. She was looking at the camera, while he was looking at her.
After the graduation photos, many people took out their phones for individual photos. That day, Jiang Rang took photos with many people she hadn’t been close with before.
Shen Mo ran over from her class to take photos with Jiang Rang. Xu Si stood beside them, his gaze never leaving Jiang Rang.
After Shen Mo finished taking photos with Jiang Rang, she said to him: “Done, returning her to you.” “Thanks.”
He couldn’t help saying: “Should be my turn now, right? Little Teacher.”
Just as he finished speaking, Yang Shikun excitedly ran over from behind: “Student Jiang, photo photo!”
Xu Si watched dissatisfied as Jiang Rang took photos with him and Hao Ming.
After the graduation photos that day, everyone could go home. Xu Si walked with Jiang Rang on a tree-lined path outside school. Jiang Rang saw the young man in front stop walking.
He hugged Jiang Rang tightly, his voice hoarse: “I’m here to claim my reward, Little Teacher.”
The young man’s scent was clean and fresh, with a faint smell of laundry detergent.
Noticing she hadn’t moved, Xu Si asked her: “Nothing you want to tell me?” “Good luck on the college entrance exam, Xu Si.” “What else?”
Xu Si released Jiang Rang, seeing she remained silent, he spoke: “Then I’ll say it – Little Teacher will wait for me at Q University.”
Jiang Rang didn’t speak. She couldn’t promise him anything because she couldn’t fulfill it.
Xu Si saw her staring at him and asked: “Does Little Teacher have confidence in me?” “Yes.” She just didn’t have confidence in herself.
…
Xu Si walked Jiang Rang to her building. He watched as she turned to walk back.
After a few steps, Jiang Rang turned back, seeing Xu Si hadn’t left, she called his name: “Xu Si.” “I’m here.” As if he would always respond, no matter how many times she called.
“Good luck on the exam, Xu Si. After graduation, do what you want to do, don’t be constrained by anyone.” “Okay.” “Bye bye.” “Bye bye, Little Teacher.”
Xu Si watched that slender figure disappear from his sight.
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