Bright future

Qi Shuo resigned from his job at the restaurant.

After being released, he thought about making plans for the future for the first time.

Although Qingran's condition has improved, she still needs to be hospitalized for observation for a long time. Rehabilitation treatment, medication, nursing care... each item costs a fortune.

Now the burden is shared by him and Xiao Jue, but he can't let Xiao Jue pay for everything alone. He is Qing Ran's brother and should shoulder more responsibility.

He needs money.

I need to provide Qingran with better treatment, improve the quality of life for Sister Jin and the others, and free myself from the present and the past.

Qi Shuo stood in front of the job postings in the job market, his eyes scanning the densely packed job information.

Waiter, security guard, deliveryman... the wages for these jobs are far from enough. His eyes finally landed on a job posting—factory worker, two shifts, ten hours a day, meals and accommodation provided, monthly salary 5000+.

The pay is high, but the work is hard.

Qi Shuo did not hesitate and dialed the number above.

Six months later, at an electronics factory in the northern suburbs of the city.

Qi Shuo stood beside the assembly line, mechanically repeating the same action—picking up parts, assembling them, and putting them down. He had repeated this action countless times. His fingers were stiff and sore from working for long periods, his back ached from standing for so long, and his eyes were dry and swollen from staring at the tiny parts.

But he didn't stop.

For the past six months, he has practically turned himself into a machine. He works day and night shifts, ten hours a day, sometimes even longer.

The factory provided room and board, so he rarely went home and saved all the money he could. His life was extremely simple—work, eat, sleep, and occasionally visit Qingran in the hospital.

Qingran's condition is getting better and better. She can walk on her own now, although she can't walk for very long. But it's a huge improvement compared to before.

Every time he visited her, she would throw herself into his arms, calling out "Big Brother" in a muffled voice, and then pester him to tell her stories. Those moments were Qi Shuo's only solace during those six months.

Xiao Jue would occasionally come to see him, his eyes filled with worry and heartache, advising him not to work too hard.

But Qi Shuo just shook his head and said, "I'm fine." He knew that Xiao Jue was also having a hard time right now—Lin Ye had been admitted to university, and although their relationship was stable, Xiao Jue had to take care of the law firm, Qing Ran's medical expenses, and their future together, so he was under a lot of pressure.

Qin Zhou and Song Yungui also went to university, and would bring him food when they came home on weekends. Sister Jin would call him every few days to ask if he was tired and tell him to rest more. But Qi Shuo knew that he couldn't stop.

He needs money.

It requires a lot of money.

The college entrance examination ended in June of the following year.

Qi Shuo was catching up on sleep in the factory dormitory when he received Tan Huaiyu's call. After working night shifts for half a month straight, he was so exhausted he could barely keep his eyes open. The phone rang abruptly, and he groggily answered, "Hello?"

"Brother Qi Shuo." Tan Huaiyu's voice came through the receiver, carrying a hint of barely perceptible tension and anticipation, "I...I've finished my college entrance exam."

Qi Shuo's sleepiness vanished instantly. He sat up, rubbed his eyes, and asked, "Hmm. How did the exam go?"

"It's alright." Tan Huaiyu's voice became lighter. "I should be able to get into a university in Beijing."

"That's good," Qi Shuo said, his voice a little hoarse.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, then Tan Huaiyu asked softly, "Brother Qi Shuo, can we meet? I... I have something I want to tell you."

Qi Shuo was taken aback. In the past six months, he and Tan Huaiyu had barely been in contact. Tan Huaiyu was busy preparing for exams, and he was busy with work; the two were like two parallel lines, each running on their own track.

Now that the college entrance exam is over, Tan Huaiyu is going to Beijing, and it's time for things to come to an end between them...

"Okay," Qi Shuo finally said, "You decide the time and place."

"Tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock, the old library," Tan Huaiyu said. "Is that alright?"

"Can."

Hanging up the phone, Qi Shuo sat on the bed, watching the sky outside the window gradually darken. Tomorrow… after tomorrow, Tan Huaiyu would be going to Beijing. Perhaps their paths would never cross again.

That's fine too.

He told himself that.

The next afternoon, at the old library.

Qi Shuo stood at the library entrance, looking at this familiar place. Half a year had passed since his last visit; it was still quiet, still carrying that comforting, scholarly atmosphere. He took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and went inside.

Tan Huaiyu was already seated in their usual spot—a corner by the window, sunlight streaming through the glass and illuminating him, outlining a gentle silhouette. He wore a simple white T-shirt and jeans, his hair shorter than when they last met, giving him a clean and neat appearance. Hearing footsteps, he looked up, saw Qi Shuo, and his eyes instantly lit up.

"Brother Qi Shuo." He stood up, his voice filled with undisguised joy.

Qi Shuo sat down opposite him, his gaze sweeping over Tan Huaiyu's face. In the six months since he last saw him, Tan Huaiyu had grown taller, his features more defined, and his amber eyes sparkled with a mature light.

He looks... really grown up.

"Have you been waiting long?" Qi Shuo asked.

"No, I just arrived." Tan Huaiyu shook his head, his gaze falling on Qi Shuo's face, his brows furrowing slightly. "Brother Qi Shuo, you... have lost weight."

Qi Shuo forced a smile: "Busy with work."

"Is working in the factory...tiring?"

"It's alright," Qi Shuo said casually. "I'm used to it."

Tan Huaiyu fell silent. He looked at Qi Shuo, at the dark circles under his eyes, at his thin cheeks, at his rough hands covered with tiny scars... a wave of bitterness welled up in his heart.

Qi Shuo must have had a very tough time these past six months.

"Brother Qi Shuo," Tan Huaiyu said softly, "I...I got into Peking University."

"Congratulations." Qi Shuo nodded, his voice calm. "When are you leaving?"

"Early September," Tan Huaiyu said. "Brother Qi Shuo, what...what are your plans?"

"Plans?" Qi Shuo paused for a moment, then shook his head. "No. Let's leave it at that."

Tan Huaiyu looked at him, a hint of heartache flashing in her amber eyes: "Brother Qi Shuo, you can't go on like this. You... you should have your own life."

"My life?" Qi Shuo smiled bitterly. "Tan Huaiyu, my life was ruined long ago. Now, all I want to do is take good care of Qingran and Sister Jin. Everything else... doesn't matter."

"Important!" Tan Huaiyu suddenly raised his voice, drawing disapproving glances from several people reading nearby. He quickly lowered his voice, but his eyes remained firm. "Brother Qi Shuo, you deserve a better life. You... you can start over."

"Start over?" Qi Shuo looked at him, his eyes filled with complex emotions. "How can I start over? Tan Huaiyu, I have a criminal record, no education, and no connections. I'm already lucky to have found this job."

“No, that’s not it.” Tan Huaiyu shook her head. “Brother Qi Shuo, you’re very smart and capable. You could…you could learn a skill, or…or…”

"Tan Huaiyu." Qi Shuo interrupted him, his voice soft but firm, "I know you mean well. But... that's just how reality is. I can't ask for too much."

Tan Huaiyu fell silent. He looked at Qi Shuo, at the weariness and resignation in his eyes, and felt an even stronger pang of bitterness in his heart.

He wanted to say, "I can help you," he wanted to say, "After I graduate, we'll figure something out together," he wanted to say, "Don't give up"...

But he swallowed the words back down his throat.

Because he knew that Qi Shuo would not accept his help. Qi Shuo's inherent pride and stubbornness would not allow him to depend on anyone.

"Brother Qi Shuo," Tan Huaiyu finally spoke, her voice very soft, "Will...will you come to Beijing in the future?"

Qi Shuo paused for a moment, then shook his head: "No."

"Then...can I come back to see you?"

Qi Shuo looked at him without saying a word. Tan Huaiyu was going to the capital, where there was a better future and a wider horizon.

He shouldn't... he shouldn't let himself be bound anymore.

"Tan Huaiyu," Qi Shuo said softly, "After you go to the capital, live a good life. Forget Beicheng, forget... everything from the past."

Also...including me.

Tan Huaiyu's pupils contracted sharply, and a look of disbelief flashed in his amber eyes: "Brother Qi Shuo, what... what do you mean?"

“What I mean is,” Qi Shuo took a deep breath, his voice calm, “Let’s… end this here.”

"Is this the end?" Tan Huaiyu's voice trembled slightly. "Brother Qi Shuo, you...you want to cut off all contact with me?"

“It’s not about cutting off contact.” Qi Shuo shook his head. “It’s just… our life paths have diverged. You have your future, and I have my responsibilities. We… shouldn’t entangle ourselves anymore.”

“Besides,” Qi Shuo pursed his lips and continued, “we have no relationship whatsoever.”

Tan Huaiyu stared intently at him, her eyes gradually reddening. He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but in the end he just lowered his head, his voice so low it was almost inaudible: "I understand."

Silence fell between them again. The library was quiet, save for the rustling of pages and the occasional footsteps. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a bright band of light on the table between them.

After an unknown amount of time, Tan Huaiyu suddenly stood up, walked to Qi Shuo, and bent down to hug him.

Qi Shuo was stunned. Tan Huaiyu's embrace was very tight, as if he wanted to meld Qi Shuo into his body.

He could feel Tan Huaiyu's body trembling slightly, smell the faint, familiar scent of laundry detergent on him, and hear his rapid breathing.

"Brother Qi Shuo." Tan Huaiyu's voice rang in his ears, tinged with a sob, "Thank you, and... I'm sorry."

Qi Shuo stood there, his hand hanging in mid-air, unsure whether he should hug him back.

“I will live a good life,” Tan Huaiyu continued, her voice soft but firm. “I will get into a good university, I will find a good job, I will… I will become better. But, Qi Shuo, I will never forget you. Never.”

After saying that, he released Qi Shuo, turned around, and strode away. His back view was resolute and lonely, like a lone goose separated from its flock.

Qi Shuo sat there, watching Tan Huaiyu's figure disappear into the library entrance, and the complex emotions in his heart surged up again. He raised his hand and touched the spot where Tan Huaiyu had hugged him; it still seemed to retain warmth.

Goodbye, Tan Huaiyu.

I wish you... a bright future.

As I walked out of the library, the sun was setting.

Qi Shuo stood on the steps, gazing at the distant sky. The setting sun dyed the clouds orange-red, like a magnificent oil painting. He took a deep breath, turned, and walked towards the bus stop.

Perhaps this is the last time they will cross paths.

As he thought this, a strange and heavy sense of loss welled up inside him.

But this is for the best.

Tan Huaiyu deserves a better future, but he... can only continue to carry on with his burdens.