I've experienced what it's like to be the top scorer.

My phone has been ringing off the hook these past two days, forcing me to silence it. Only after agreeing to the conditions of one of the schools could I finally relax at home.

There's still some time before I leave.

After spending some time with Lianbao, the day after the results were released, Qin Zhou and Xiang Xiaonan called at the same time.

The purpose was simple: to have a farewell dinner.

In the summer after the college entrance examination, the cicadas chirped noisily, and the bright sunlight shone on the streets, gilding everything with a golden edge.

The barbecue stall was filled with the aroma of cumin and smoke, and the sounds of diners chatting and laughing filled the air.

"Let's make it clear first, we'll be paying the bill later." Xiang Xiaonan poked Qin Zhou's cheek with her index finger and continued very seriously, "They've helped us so much, so you'd better speak nicely later."

"Okay, okay, I'll definitely speak properly."

Qin Zhou rolled his eyes. He had just finished ordering and looked outside when he saw Wen Mo walking lazily into the store.

Upon seeing Wen Mo enter, he immediately shouted at the top of his lungs, "Hey, Wen the Great, over here!"

Xiang Xiaonan waved along, her neat short hair swaying playfully with the movement.

"Why did you cut your hair again? It looks just like when we first met in the first year of high school."

Her long, flowing hair had returned to the chin-length bob she had in her first year of high school, with the ends curling as she smiled brightly.

When we first met, I really thought she was a boy. But after listening to her speak, I realized that she was just a girl with short hair, but her face was so pretty that it was hard to tell if she was male or female.

But it doesn't matter, even if she were a man, there would probably be quite a few people who like Xiao Nan's face.

Wen Mo smiled and walked over to sit down. Before he could speak, Qin Zhou leaned over with a mysterious look on his face: "Son, the results are out. How did it go for you? Xiao Nan and I have checked. As long as you can get into the same university, that's fine. But you're such a top student, you're practically defying the heavens!"

Xiang Xiaonan rolled her eyes at Qin Zhou and said casually, "Don't make wild guesses. Wen Mo is definitely a sure thing. As for the two of us, we need to fill out our college applications carefully so that nothing goes wrong."

As she spoke, she picked up a skewer of grilled chicken wings, took a big bite, and squinted her eyes in satisfaction.

Wen Mo was amused by the two of them and smiled helplessly: "I just performed normally, it wasn't as exaggerated as you guys said."

"But you said in the video that you were the top scorer in the province."

"...That was something I blurted out in a moment of passion."

Given the circumstances, and also wanting to make my parents proud, I felt that I would be letting down the reporters if I didn't release some sensational news.

"Then you weren't the top scorer in the province?" Qin Zhou's eyes widened.

Wen Mo waved his hand, casually peeled off the cap of the cola bottle, took a sip, and after the bubbles diluted the high temperature in his body, he slowly said, "No, I was just being modest. I've already checked my score."

"..."

"But what about you guys? Have you decided which university to apply to?"

Qin Zhou scratched his head and grinned mischievously, "Xiao Nan and I just want to apply to universities within the province, preferably in the same one so we can see each other every day. As for you, you're definitely going to Tsinghua or Peking University, right?"

Just then, the owner brought over a plate of roasted potato slices, golden and crispy, still steaming hot.

Xiang Xiaonan's eyes lit up, and she quickly reached for it, saying indistinctly as she ate, "If Wen Mo goes to Tsinghua or Peking University, he'll really make us proud. When he comes back, we can say we know the top scholar, how prestigious that will be!"

Wen Mo picked up a slice of potato, chewed it slowly, and said calmly, "I have to go up north. There are more opportunities there, and I've been getting a lot of phone calls these past few days."

Upon hearing this, Qin Zhou immediately sat up straight, adopting the demeanor of an older brother, "Alright, son! You'd better take good care of yourself when you go up north. If you encounter any difficulties, tell me. Although my grades aren't as good as yours, you still have to learn from me when it comes to experience in the world."

As he spoke, he patted Wenmo on the shoulder in a serious manner.

Xiang Xiaonan couldn't help but laugh out loud: "You're just bragging. 'Experience in the martial arts world,' I think you've been reading too many novels. But Wen Mo, now that you're in the north, we'll have fewer opportunities to meet."

"Yes, that means we see each other less often."

Looking out at the scorching asphalt road, Wenmo felt a pang of melancholy.

The group chatted for a while longer, gradually shifting their conversation from grades and university to the details of their three years of high school.

When we talked about staying up all night to do practice problems, secretly eating snacks during breaks, and practicing long-distance running after class for the sports meet, those ordinary and trivial days have become incredibly precious now.

Before we knew it, it was getting dark, and the lights at the barbecue stalls came on one by one.

Qin Zhou got up to pay the bill, while Xiang Xiaonan put her arm around Wen Mo's shoulder and said with a grin, "We won't see each other as often in the future, but don't forget about us."

"Okay, but is it really okay for you guys to treat us?"

"What are you saying! If it weren't for your tutoring, we might not even have gotten into university," Xiang Xiaonan pouted.

After paying the bill, the three of them walked out of the barbecue stall and stood at the intersection. A gentle breeze blew by, carrying the unique warmth of summer.

"When are we leaving?" Qin Zhou asked suddenly, looking at a group of children playing in the distance.

With his hands in his pockets, seemingly lost in thought, Wen Mo simply replied, "Mid-August, I think. Tsinghua and Peking University reported quite early, I believe."

"August."

"What's wrong?" Wen Mo turned his head.

"It's nothing." Qin Zhou squatted down by the curb, watching the traffic light in front of him gradually count down. "I'm just worried that your cousin won't see you for so long... will she miss you a lot?"

"..."

Wen Mo fell silent, his eyes seeming to be tinged with gray, but they returned to normal after a moment. His bangs, damp with sweat, stuck to his forehead, making him feel a little itchy.

Even though Xiang Xiaonan is usually the most carefree, she is the most sensitive when it comes to matters of the heart. She understands that it's not good to say anything at this time, so she just pats Wen Mo on the back to encourage him.

"There's not much we can say. It was a decision they made together, and they considered it carefully before making this choice."

She was a girl herself, and could best understand Xia Lian's feelings as a fellow girl.

For someone you love, it's naturally best to always be by their side. But if being by their side becomes an obstacle to their future development, then you should learn to let go when it's time, so that at least you can still be together in the future.

"You're much more observant now. You could have just played dumb at this point." Wen Mo smiled, looking at the last second of the red light countdown across the street, and took the first step.

"They've left?" Qin Zhou asked.

"Okay, I'm leaving."

As if he had made a decision, he waved to the two people behind him, smiled faintly, and said goodbye, "Goodbye."

"Okay, see you tomorrow!" Qin Zhou waved with a smile.

"It's not 'See you tomorrow' anymore." Xiang Xiaonan shook her head, punched him lightly, and replied to Wen Mo's smiling face, "See you later."

"Okay, see you later."