Chen Lu thought for a moment, "I haven't decided yet, I'm a little confused."

He glanced at Liang Zhirou and said with a wry smile, "I wasted too much time before and never thought about my future."

Although Xiao Xunfang looked haggard, her smile was very gentle. "It's alright, you're still young."

Chen Lu's lips curled up slightly, neither confirming nor denying.

My classmates are either taking the postgraduate entrance exam, looking for jobs, or starting their own businesses.

He couldn't wait any longer.

They may be young, but if they want to continue playing carefree, they've already passed that age.

Thinking about these things, a sense of melancholy inexplicably rose in his heart.

The tide of life had already swept over him, but he seemed unprepared.

......

After finishing dinner, washing the dishes, and chatting for a while, it was almost nine o'clock in the evening.

Chen Lu didn't know why he had dawdled for so long, so he quickly got up to say goodbye before his mother called.

Liang Zhirou followed her out to see her off, but she wouldn't leave no matter how hard she tried to shoo her away.

The alley, which was still pitch black at dusk, was now lit up by streetlights.

The white light shone on the uneven road, casting long shadows on the two of them.

The two walked side by side, very slowly.

There was silence for a moment.

"Are you unhappy?" Liang Zhirou pursed her lips and asked after making up her mind.

At the same time, she tried to recall if she had done anything to upset Chen Lu.

Chen Lu feigned surprise as he looked at the girl beside him, "You noticed that?"

"Would you like some candy?" the girl continued to ask.

"want."

Chen Lu unwrapped the fruit candy and put it in his mouth, savoring its sweetness.

He pressed the fruit candy under his tongue and, mimicking a child's tone, said, "I'm not unhappy, I'm just not ready to grow up yet."

This time, Liang Zhirou understood. "Don't worry, you're so capable. Besides..."

"And what?" Chen Lu turned to look at her.

"And I will stay with you."

Another silence fell.

Liang Zhirou found it a bit strange. Chen Lu was taller than her, so why did she never need to chase after him?

So she slowly slowed her pace.

Chen Lu continued walking alongside her.

Slow down a little bit more.

Chen Lu still hadn't moved to the front; he remained a little behind her.

Why do you always walk a little slower than me?

Liang Zhirou liked to ask Chen Lu all sorts of random questions because he seemed to know everything and was willing to tell her.

She even found it amusing to hear Chen Lu's nonsensical and deceptive attempts to lie to her.

“This way you’re always in my sight, it’ll be easier to handle any unexpected situations,” Chen Lu said softly, standing still. “I’ll leave you here, go back now.”

Liang Zhirou only turned away reluctantly after the boy's figure under the streetlight had completely disappeared from sight.