I gestured awkwardly with my hands, unable to express what I was trying to say.

I want to say, since you've been paying attention to me all this time, why haven't I seen you all these years, and now you've suddenly appeared—

Su Shenglin understood what I meant and looked at me, saying, "I only stayed in Xuzhen for three years. Later, my grandfather's troops were relocated, and I went with them. Actually, I never thought we would have the chance to meet again."

Confused and curious, I asked, "When...will we meet again?"

"The year you went to university."

"What?" I was surprised again, and after thinking for a moment, I asked, "I studied at the University of Washington, so you also graduated from the University of Washington?"

"Yes."

Wow—I'm stunned! It turns out we're alumni!

Huada University is located in Jiangcheng and is a top-tier university, ranking among the top five in China in terms of overall strength—but its fashion design program is not particularly strong.

The reason I chose this university is because Gu Yanqing was a junior there at the time.

At that time, I had a crush on him for a long time.

We started dating a year after we enrolled in school.

"When you enrolled, I was a second-year graduate student. On the first day of school, I went to the university to discuss my research with my advisor. A classmate dragged me to help out at the welcome area. I overheard someone calling Jiang Wan's name, and I instinctively turned around and saw you. You've changed a lot since you were a child. Your hair is longer, and your features have matured, making you even more beautiful. I was quite excited and was about to go up and introduce myself when I saw you with a guy, and the two of you were chatting and laughing..."

His smile paused slightly as he spoke.

I recalled that scene and explained, "On the first day of school, Gu Yanqing accompanied me to register. He was a junior at the Law School of Huazhong University of Science and Technology at that time."

Su Shenglin didn't respond to this, probably because he didn't like Gu Yanqing, and said to himself, "I had someone check your situation and found out that you are studying fashion design."

"Yes." I nodded repeatedly, still in awe that the two were alumni and had brushed past each other many times.

This is truly amazing!

"Then why didn't you come looking for me later?" Talking about the past, the distance between us obviously closed, and I spoke much more frankly, "You said I was your savior, haha."

Su Shenglin also laughed, lowered his head and touched the bridge of his nose, his tone slow and deliberate: "I was a second-year graduate student at the time, and I was very busy. Not long after the start of the semester, I went to the Northwest Desert with my supervisor and stayed there for about half a year."

I was amazed, thinking of Su Shenglin's current workplace—a military factory.

So his major must have been highly classified, requiring him to conduct research and experiments in the Northwest desert.

I wisely refrained from asking him what he was going to do in the Northwest desert, but instead recalled another important point: "You're only a little over two years older than me, how come you were already a second-year graduate student when I was a freshman? Did you skip a grade?"

"Well, I only studied for four years in elementary school, and I didn't go to junior high or high school properly. I learned three years' worth of knowledge in one year of junior high, then spent two years in the army, and learned three years' worth of knowledge in two years of high school, and then I got into Huada University."

I was stunned and gave him a thumbs up, saying, "The legendary academic genius."

He smiled shyly: "It's just that I was lucky to be born into the right family."

"You're too modest."

It is truly rare to find a third-generation revolutionary like him who comes from a good family, is hardworking, diligent, and willing to delve into things.

No matter how much he achieves, no one will be envious; they will only admire him!

I later learned that he actually only studied at the University of Washington for two years out of his four years of university, and spent the remaining two years pursuing further studies at prestigious universities abroad.

Then the graduate student stayed in the country, doing research with his supervisor and developing a series of secret weapons.

It was precisely because of his exceptional talent and impeccable political background that he was able to take up a high-ranking position in the military factory at a young age.

After talking for so long, we were both filled with emotion and fell silent for a moment.

I rested my hands on the railing, gazing at the night outside, recalling the past in my mind, and countless regrets welled up in my heart.

If we hadn't missed each other in college, would things be different now?

No, probably not.

I was young and naive back then, completely head over heels in love. I don't know what kind of spell Gu Yanqing cast on me, but I was completely devoted to him.

We started dating right when he found out he was sick.

A bright and intelligent girl like that would probably just leave after weighing the pros and cons.

But at that time, I was full of sincerity and enthusiasm, which strengthened my determination to fight the disease with him.

Especially when I learned that we had the same blood type, I felt even more strongly that it was fate, a destiny bestowed by heaven, and my love became even more selfless and great.

Thus began my long journey of blood donation, which I devoted to Gu Yanqing for more than six years without complaint.

"What are you thinking about?" After a moment of silence, Su Shenglin tried to start a conversation again.

I turned my head and saw that he, like me, had his arms draped over the railing. We were both relaxed and at ease, so I couldn't help but smile.

“I was thinking… the time you were in danger in the river, I felt like you were a little boy back then? But judging by your age, you must have been eleven or twelve years old.” Of course, I couldn’t say that I regretted falling in love with Gu Yanqing, so I blurted out something else.

However, this is indeed a question that has been bothering me.

Su Shenglin looked a little uncomfortable and sighed, "I was skinny and small back then, but I was quite good at causing trouble. The old man took me in for two reasons: first, to discipline me and temper my character; and second, because I was developing slowly, so it would be easier for me to train my physical fitness scientifically in the army."

"Oh, I see..." I suddenly realized, looking at his now tall and straight figure of 1.9 meters, and praised, "The old man has put in a lot of effort, but the results are remarkable."

"Indeed, my height increased rapidly during those years. Every time my mother saw me, she said I looked like a completely different person."

I laughed when I heard that. "Luckily you were small and thin back then, while I was a big, clumsy guy, otherwise I definitely wouldn't have been able to hold you back."

I was already 1.63 meters tall when I was in sixth grade, but I only grew to 1.7 meters as an adult. I am a typical example of someone who develops first and then loses strength.

However, this height is quite good for a girl, and I'm very satisfied.

"Indeed, I always thought you were older than me when I was a child. It wasn't until I met you at the University of Washington that I realized you were actually younger than me."

I couldn't help but laugh, laughing so hard I almost fell over. "Were you still planning to call me 'sister'?"

Su Shenglin looked at me, his expression a little... awkward.

I realized the joke had gone too far, and quickly waved my hand to explain, "Don't misunderstand, don't misunderstand, I just said it casually."

He laughed, "It's okay, I did think that way back then."

Ha ha ha ha--

I couldn't help but continue laughing.

"I can't believe how mischievous you were as a child; you're completely different from who you are now."

Su Shenglin said embarrassedly, "Little boys aren't usually well-behaved. I was spoiled at home since I was little, with a bunch of people waiting on me around, so my temper is indeed not good. My grandfather was afraid that if he continued to spoil me, I would be ruined, so he took me to the army for several years. Those years were tough, but they also really toughened me up."