Li Baolong and Wang Yumei walked into the wholesale supermarket full of anticipation. Among the shelves piled high with goods and the busy crowd, they finally found Ajun. Ajun was carrying a heavy box of goods, his clothes soaked with sweat. When he saw Li Baolong and Wang Yumei, a look of surprise and complicated emotions flashed in his eyes.

"Ah Jun, what are you doing here? Why aren't you in school anymore?" Li Baolong strode forward, his tone filled with concern and confusion. Ah Jun put down the goods and scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly: "My family's financial situation isn't good. My brother is struggling to support us all by himself. I wanted to start earning money as soon as possible to help support the family."

Wang Yumei looked at Ajun with pity in her heart: "Ajun, it's such a pity to give up high school like this." Ajun shook his head with a bitter smile: "There's no other way. Life forces me to give up, and my parents have agreed to let me stop going to school. But I'm doing quite well here. I can learn a lot."

Li Baolong frowned and said seriously, "Ajun, I receive a stipend for university now, I can help you. You should still go back to school, knowledge changes destiny, you have such great potential, you can't let it go to waste." Hearing this, Ajun's heart stirred, and a hint of wavering appeared in his eyes: "Baolong, I want to, but..."

Li Baolong told Ajun, "Let's have lunch together after you get off work, and we can talk more later." Afterwards, Li Baolong and Wang Yumei took Ajun to a specialty roasted lamb restaurant in the county town for a delicious meal. At the table, they reminisced about the good old days and dreamed about the future. Watching Li Baolong busily cutting meat and pouring beer for Ajun, Wang Yumei thought he was a loyal and devoted person, someone worth befriending and spending time with. Wang Yumei's feelings for Li Baolong quietly deepened through these experiences, as if an invisible force was drawing their hearts closer.

After a satisfying meal, Ah Jun's gaze drifted into the distance as he slowly recounted the past: "Bao Long, do you remember the days we used to go fishing together? We were so carefree back then, always hoping to catch as many fish as possible and then lie by the river basking in the sun." Li Bao Long nodded slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips, his thoughts drifting away as well.

Ah Jun sighed and continued, "After you left, I barely managed to attend school for one semester before dropping out. If all my brothers in the family had to go to school, the burden would be too heavy. Going to university felt like an unattainable dream." He paused, then leaned closer to Li Baolong and lowered his voice, saying, "However, my uncle plans to have me join the army this winter. I'm already eighteen, and it's time for me to contribute to the family. This might be the best way out for me." Li Baolong listened silently. He understood Ah Jun's helplessness; given their family circumstances, joining the army might truly be the best option at the moment.

Ah Jun changed the subject and brought up Yuan Yuan: "Yuan Yuan went back to Shanghai with her parents last year. Before she left, she specifically came to me and asked me to pass on a message to you, saying that her hometown is Xinchang Ancient Town in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, and that she will be going to university in Shanghai. She hopes you can visit her in the future." As he spoke, Ah Jun looked at Li Baolong apologetically: "She also left you a letter, but it's not with me. I'll send it to you next time I go back."

A ripple of emotion stirred in Li Baolong's heart. He responded softly and then told Ajun, "I've been accepted into Western Jiaotong University, in Sichuan." Ajun's eyes lit up, and he happily raised his glass, "That's wonderful, Baolong! This is something to celebrate!" With that, the two clinked glasses three times, the liquid swirling in their glasses, reflecting their sincere friendship.

In the midst of their drinking and revelry, Ah Jun patted his chest and announced that he would be taking a day off tomorrow to spend a good day with Li Baolong and Wang Yumei in the neighborhood.

After the three parted, Wang Yumei walked beside Li Baolong and said softly, "I really envy your pure friendship. No matter how far apart you are or how much time has passed, you always remember each other." Li Baolong turned to look at her, his gaze tender, "We've been through so much together, and these feelings are hard to sever. But you're also a very important person to me now, and I won't forget this trip we took. We'll have many unforgettable memories together in the future." Hearing this, Wang Yumei's cheeks flushed slightly, and a sweet feeling welled up in her heart.