"The first gold medal... now, it's yours..."

The boy's voice seemed to come from near and then fade away.

A bright light flashed before Lin Zhenzhen's eyes.

The scene gradually changed from blurry to clear.

Her gaze slowly shifted from the lingering drizzle under the eaves of a nearby house to the person in front of her.

When the boy leaned down and lowered his eyes, a thin crease appeared under his lower eyelids.

Lin Zhenzhen stared blankly at the small mole on the tip of his nose, momentarily forgetting to breathe.

"You came all this way just to stand here and stand there in a daze?"

His tone was as usual, with a hint of nonchalant amusement.

Lin Zhenzhen's eyes suddenly welled up with tears.

"Gong Yao".

Her voice carried a faint hint of sobbing.

Gong Yao paused for half a second, his expression immediately turning tense: "What's wrong? Did someone bully you?"

Lin Zhenzhen closed her eyes and gently shook her head: "No."

Gong Yao's expression remained unchanged: "What happened? Can you tell me?"

Lin Zhenzhen slowly exhaled, her body swaying slightly along with her surging emotions.

"Gong Yao, I'm so happy to see you." I really, really am.

"Really?" Gong Yao couldn't help but touch her head, saying with concern, "You don't look happy at all."

As they were talking, Lin Zhenzhen suddenly leaped into his arms. She held onto his back tightly with both hands, as if afraid he would run away, and used all her strength to keep him there.

Is this a dream?

"..." Gong Yao stood there stiffly for a long time before raising his hand and gently patting her back, saying softly, "It's not a dream, I'm here."

The two huddled under a small roof, birds flew by, knocking water off the branches and patting it onto Lin Zhenzhen's shoulder.

Water droplets splashed and clung to Gong Yao's trembling eyelashes.

When Lin Zhenzhen couldn't see him, he seemed unable to maintain his outward composure and calmness any longer. The mask on his face gradually cracked, revealing the struggling and tormented soul within.

A melodious school bell rang from not far away.

Lin Zhenzhen suddenly realized that the two of them were standing at the school gate, and this school was not Kangzhong.

Looking at Gong Yao again, he had a buzz cut and was wearing an unfamiliar red and white school uniform, looking as if he had just walked out of the classroom.

Lin Zhenzhen was stunned.

Gong Yao suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her outside.

"you......"

"Don't worry, I've already asked for leave." Gong Yao walked directly in front of her, his broad shoulders completely shielding her from the slanting raindrops.

Lin Zhenzhen belatedly opened the umbrella in her hand and held it high above his head.

Gong Yao stopped and turned his head to look at her.

His gaze was somewhat strange, so Lin Zhenzhen explained, "It's raining."

Gong Yao lowered his eyes, and after a while, he reached out and grasped the handle of the miniature umbrella.

"I'll do it."

"Mmm." Lin Zhenzhen let go of his hand and naturally moved closer to him.

As she turned around, her shoulder accidentally brushed against Gong Yao's forearm.

It's very hard and tight.

Gong Yao deliberately tilted his head, and after several seconds, he caught a glimpse of her out of the corner of his eye, who was still staring intently at him.

Gong Yao coughed lightly: "Why are you staring at me like that?"

"Can't I look?" Lin Zhenzhen opened her eyes wide, her expression innocent.

"......no."

"It feels like we haven't seen each other in ages."

When she said this, Lin Zhenzhen softened her voice, making it sound like she was being coquettish.

Gong Yao's foot slipped, and he almost walked with his hand and foot moving in unison.

"well enough."

Lin Zhenzhen stared at his profile, feeling something warm slowly filling her heart.

"Gong Yao, how long has it been since we last saw each other?"

“67 days,” he blurted out without thinking.

"I see." Lin Zhenzhen smiled brightly. "You have a really good memory."

"Hmm." Gong Yao's Adam's apple bobbed, and he mumbled, "Not bad."

Her gaze slowly moved down and landed on his school uniform jacket. The words she wanted to say stuck in her throat, and she couldn't bring herself to ask them.

Gong Yao noticed her gaze and curled his lips into a smile: "Not used to it?"

Lin Zhenzhen nodded gently: "It is a little uncomfortable."

Gong Yao handed the umbrella to her: "Take this."

Lin Zhenzhen took the umbrella and watched him unzip his jacket, deftly take off his school uniform jacket, and drape it over his arm.

"And now?"

Lin Zhenzhen looked up and said sincerely, "You look good, you look good no matter what."

Gong Yao was both amused and exasperated: "Who asked you to comment on this? I was asking you if it looks any better this way."

Lin Zhenzhen smiled and said, "You do look pleasing to the eye, but aren't you cold like this?"

One autumn rain brings a chill, and some pedestrians on the street are already wearing thick sweatshirts. People like Gong Yao, who are only wearing a white t-shirt, do look a bit cold.

With one hand in his pocket and eyes fixed straight ahead, he said with a touch of arrogance, "I'm not cold. I'm naturally hot-tempered."

"Aren't you cold?"

"Really, I don't believe you..."

Lin Zhenzhen suddenly touched his wrist, which was gripping the umbrella handle.

Gong Yao felt a soft, slightly cool object gently brush against his skin. By the time he realized what it was, Lin Zhenzhen had already withdrawn her hand.