concession

561.

Before 2010, many provinces still used estimated scores to fill out applications, with applications submitted between April and May and the national entrance exam in June. Around 2014, the system shifted to releasing scores first and then applying. An Jin scored just over 600, chose a relatively conservative application, and was ultimately accepted into a medical school in a neighboring province, majoring in nursing. I asked him if this was his childhood dream, and he said no, it was his parents' wish.

It is said that dreams can give way to reality.

I asked him what his dream was, but he didn't tell me. He just said that school would start in September, so he could continue working throughout August.

"I booked my ticket in advance. It's cheaper to take the train."

"Okay, why not add me as a friend? Many phones can connect to the internet these days."

“My phone can’t.”

"Change to one that can."

"I don't want to change."

"So, texting?"

"Contact me by phone. Senior year is very busy. You'll know when the time comes."

"Um."

562.

I said a few hundred kilometers wasn't far, and he said he could find time to call me every Saturday, so I shouldn't waste money on train or plane tickets. When August was almost at its bottom, one day he said he didn't need to work part-time and asked if I was free. I said yes.

That day we went to the aquarium first, then watched the movie that was about to be released, and finally returned to the island to watch the sea and wait for the sunset.

As more and more shops opened, local residents moved to the city when they made enough money, and most of those who stayed to do business were from outside the area. I also gradually forgot what those attractions looked like before they became attractions.

"Where do you want to go to college in the future?" He was walking a little ahead of me and suddenly turned around to ask me.

If he hadn't appeared, I wouldn't have thought about this problem. I said,

"How about going to where you are?"

"No, go wherever you want to go most and don't think about me."

"Why?" I'm not sure if I'll meet someone like you somewhere else.

“We are not affiliated with anyone else.”

"Then, we'll talk about it when the time comes." I'm not sure whether we can go to the same university, or whether you will still like me as much as you do now in a year.

563.

The sea was shimmering, and walking along the shore was still very hot. I felt like we arrived too early. I had so much to say to him, but I also felt it was best to say nothing and just look at him. These past two months have made me realize that seeing each other is actually a luxury. We sat in silence for a long time, and when he lowered his head, I lowered my head with him. He called me the day he found out the admissions results, and he sounded very happy. Now his brow furrowed, and I felt like he was waiting for me to speak, not for the sunset.

"I don't like Xu Jiaheng anymore. Do you understand what I mean?" I said.

He stopped moving forward and just looked at me without saying anything.

564.

......

"When did you dislike Xu Jiaheng?"

"have no idea."

"I know."

"You know again? You know everything?"

"Know."

"Then tell me, when did I dislike Xu Jiaheng?"

"When you like me."

.....

Now is the time he said. I hope he hasn't forgotten this part, otherwise it will be incoherent and sound too euphemistic.

565.

"I understand."

"That's good."

"So what do you mean?"

Why do I need to explain?

"I thought we were on a date today." That explained it, but it still didn't seem good enough. It wasn't accurate enough.

"Well, I didn't know you thought that." He looked up.

"Do you still like me? The same as before." This question is very important to me.

Like the choice you mentioned, it's firm; like the words you wrote, they're sincere; like every time someone gets close to you, you become overly wary and anxious. I admit I expect too much, expecting you to care about me first, expecting you to nod and tell me you're the same as before, exactly the same.

Then we give this relationship a clear definition, and the distance will no longer fluctuate.

"no the same."

Did I admit it too late? Or did you think I wasn't worth it after you calmed down?

"I like you very much, much more than before. It's not an exaggeration to say I love you."

"So shall we be together? Starting today."

"Okay, you decide." He walked closer to me.

"I decided to be together today."

"Then I decided to go on a date tomorrow."

"How can you tell whether you are dating or not? Have you ever been in a relationship before?" I looked at him and smiled.

"I don't know, I've never had the conversation, but I think we should at least hold hands when we're on a date."

566.

We didn't wait for sunset, just chatting away. Suddenly, he tripped and seemed about to fall. Seeing nothing on the beach, I suspected he was doing it on purpose, but I hugged him anyway. His cheek was so close to mine, his breath so real. And then...

How do I present this moment to you?

The blue sky has white clouds, the flying birds have wings, and we have a kiss.