Guo Ziming froze.

He hadn't expected his senior brother to ask so directly, catching him off guard.

Guo Ziming feigned ignorance and asked, "I have so many junior sisters, which one are you referring to?"

Xie Jin sneered, "You know which junior sister you are. If you're a man, just admit it. Dragging it out only makes me look down on you."

Guo Ziming clenched his fist, paused for a moment, and then said, "Yes, I like her. I know it's impossible for us, so I'll be careful not to overstep my bounds. Senior Brother, you don't need to remind me."

Even without Jiang Jingxing standing between them, he knew very well that Su Yan only had the feelings of a senior brother and junior sister for him.

Seeing his sullen expression, Xie Jin couldn't laugh anymore. He asked with a complicated expression, "You said... when was this?"

When did this happen?

The first scene that flashed through Guo Ziming's mind was the one where he first met Su Yan.

She called him "senior brother" with a sweet smile. Her smile was dazzling, bright, and well-behaved, making her unforgettable at first glance.

Perhaps at that time, a crack had already appeared in his heart.

"I don't know." He vaguely tried to change the subject, "Senior Brother, I know the answer, so please don't ask."

Xie Jin sighed, "Ziming, I hope you can let go of this relationship as soon as possible, stop torturing yourself, or try to meet some new people."

Although Guo Ziming usually acted carefree and irresponsible, Xie Jin knew better than anyone that this kid was very stubborn. He would rather keep it all bottled up inside than show it and cause trouble for others.

Guo Ziming was a little disappointed. "I understand, Senior Brother."

After realizing his feelings for Su Yan, he tried to forget her, but the more he tried, the clearer her image became in his mind. Sometimes he missed her terribly and often tossed and turned at night, unable to sleep.

However, since Su Yan came to Guangzhou, he only calls her on his own initiative in special circumstances. Usually, she calls him more often. He doesn't want to answer, but he's afraid that she might encounter some emergency.

He never crossed the line.

"Alright, you can go back and rest if you want," Xie Jin said. "I'll go back after I finish eating."

Guo Ziming responded and got up to leave, his back slumped, looking utterly dejected.

Xie Jin shook his head helplessly.

Love is inherently unsolvable, which is why he dares not touch it.

He really couldn't understand why Guo Ziming, who didn't like so many girls, would fall for someone he couldn't possibly like.

...

The next day.

After having breakfast, Guo Ziming, Jue Lao, and Tao Jin prepared to return to Beijing.

As they left the restaurant, Su Yan said reluctantly, "Master, please take care of yourself."

Master Jue patted her shoulder, "I know what I'm doing. If you need anything in Guangzhou, just ask your senior brother. Don't be polite with him."

Every time they talked on the phone, Jue Lao would say the last two sentences, as if he was afraid that Su Yan might trouble Xie Jin.

Su Yan nodded. "I know."

After saying that, she looked at the unusually silent Guo Ziming, raised an eyebrow and asked with a smile, "Third Senior Brother, did you go out to steal last night? Why are your eyes so dark?"

Guo Ziming glared at her, his expression turning serious, and complained, "You're only bullying me now, it's outrageous!"

"No way! Haven't you heard the saying, 'Spare the rod and spoil the child'?" Su Yan said seriously, "If I tease you, it proves I love you more!"

Guo Ziming was not happy to hear this.

After a few seconds of silence, he said calmly, "Don't say things like that in the future."

Su Yan frowned, thinking he was in a bad mood, and was about to ask something when Xie Jin spoke first: "Alright, if we don't leave now, we won't make it back to Beijing today."

Old Jue gave Guo Ziming a strange look, then stepped forward and got into the car. "Let's go."

Guo Ziming regretted his words when he saw Su Yan's depressed expression. If he were to explain anything now, it would seem a bit strange.

In the end, he said nothing and drove away.

Once the car was out of sight, Xie Jin turned his gaze to Su Yan. "Third brother isn't in a good mood today and was a bit harsh with his words. Don't take it to heart."

Su Yan looked up, puzzled, and asked, "Is it because of me?"

Guo Ziming has been acting a bit strange ever since she fell down yesterday with chest pain.

It's too quiet, so quiet it's unlike him.

"No, it's about work. Don't overthink it."

Hearing this, Li Juan, who had been anxiously waiting, breathed a sigh of relief and playfully slapped Su Yan, "You little brat, tone it down in the future. Don't just blurt things out. Is 'love' something you can just say so casually?"

Su Yan felt extremely wronged. "Mother, you didn't stay just to lecture me, did you?"

Li Juan scolded, "Nonsense, I just feel sorry for you and want to stay and help you for a while. You should focus on your studies and take care of your health."

"You're abandoning your shops in Beijing?"

Tao Yue said, "The three shops have settled down, and last month my godmother and I didn't have to keep an eye on them every day."

"If it weren't for Xiaoyue helping me, I'd probably be too busy to even have time to help you," Li Juan said.

Su Yan took Tao Yue's arm and said with a smile, "Then as a token of my gratitude, you can eat whatever you want at the dessert shop, okay?"

Tao Yue widened her eyes and deliberately said, "If that's not a way to express gratitude, then you won't let me eat whatever I want?"

"Go ahead! Eat whatever you want, and you'd better get super fat before you go back to Beijing!"

...

The days passed peacefully and fulfillingly.

With Li Juan and Tao Yue sharing the burden, Su Yan was finally able to rest for a while. Every day, besides studying, she ate and slept. Without any pressure, she gained five or six pounds in a week.

December 31st, the last day of 1980.

Guangzhou was bustling with activity on New Year's Eve, with a large-scale fireworks display in the city center of Yuexiu District at 8 p.m.

Su Yan and her roommates planned to take Li Juan and Tao Yue to see the movie that night and celebrate the New Year together.

In the afternoon, Su Yan woke up from her nap to find herself alone in the dormitory.

Bai Meng and the others went to class.

She sat at the table writing in her diary.

Since Jiang Jingxing started his mission, she has been writing a diary entry every day, planning to let him read it when he returns and share her life these past few days.

She wrote very carefully.

Dear Jingxing:

My life hasn't changed much lately, but I've been feeling very uneasy. I'm worried about your safety and don't know if you're alright. Remember the promise you made to me before you left: you must come back safe and sound to see me. Otherwise, you're a big liar, and I'll never trust you again!

Today is the last day of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. I plan to take my mother and Tao Yue to see the fireworks display tonight. I have a wish for New Year's Eve: "I hope you can come back today, because I want to watch the fireworks display and ring in the new year with you."

Su Yan put down her pen and picked up the photo beside her. The photo was a red-background picture taken with Jiang Jingxing the day before he went on his mission.

Her fingertips, carrying her longing, traced the man's outline, outlining his features.

It took her a while to finally put it down.

I picked up my pen again and wrote the last sentence in my diary.

I miss you so much, how about you?