need
Lu Panji eventually settled on a reputable barbecue restaurant, which he described as "full of smoky atmosphere, perfect for celebrating such a passionate occasion." The place was bustling with activity, the sizzling of barbecue and the clink of glasses intertwined, and the air was filled with the rich aroma of spices and oils. It truly had the lively and direct atmosphere of "the adult world."
The four of them found a quiet booth by the window. Lu Panji ordered a large amount of meat and beer with familiarity. He threw the menu aside, slumped down in his chair, and sighed, "Finally, I'm free! I've lost more hair than I've done in the past three years!"
He Yunling slowly scalded the dishes with hot water. He pushed up his glasses when he heard this: "According to incomplete statistics, your hair loss is mainly due to staying up late playing games."
"Why are you exposing me!" Lu Panji kicked him and turned to Lin Xiyan excitedly, "Xiyan! Come on, tell me, how do you feel now? Does it feel like a dream? You're second in the grade! That's awesome!"
Lin Xiyan felt a little embarrassed by the question, his fingers curled up and resting on his knees. Feeling? It felt like there were so many emotions stuck in his heart, but also like it was blank. He secretly glanced at Jiang Yibai next to him.
Jiang Yibai was holding his phone, seemingly replying to a message, his brows slightly furrowed. Perhaps the inquiries from his family about his chosen major hadn't subsided. But his other hand, resting under the table, never let go of Lin Xiyan's. His fingertips unconsciously and lightly traced circles on his palm, a soothing gesture.
"It's...it's okay." Lin Xiyan answered Lu Panji in a low voice, feeling the slight itch in the palm of his hand, and the confusion in his heart seemed to be dispelled a little.
"What do you mean it's okay? This is a huge victory!" Lu Panji yelled in dissatisfaction. He picked up the ice beer that had just been served and poured a glass in front of everyone. The foam overflowed and soaked the table. "Here! First glass, toast to our glorious escape from suffering! Cheers to the college entrance examination!"
He Yunling picked up the cup and smiled: "Cheers to the future."
Jiang Yibai finally put down his phone, raised his eyelids, glanced at the wine glass in front of Lin Xiyan, and without saying anything, he picked it up himself.
Lin Xiyan looked at the yellow liquid with white foam in front of him and hesitated. He almost never drank alcohol.
"Just try it, it's okay, just a little bit." Lu Panji encouraged.
Lin Xiyan stretched out his hand hesitantly, and just as it touched the cold wall of the cup, a hand reached out from the side, moved his cup to the side, and replaced it with a cup of warm soy milk.
"Drink this." Jiang Yibai said calmly, leaving no room for doubt. "Your stomach is not in good condition."
Lu Panji: "...Brother Jiang, you're such a great dad boyfriend, aren't you?"
He Yunling chuckled.
Lin Xiyan looked at the steaming cup of soy milk, her heart warming. She picked it up obediently and drank it in small sips. It was sweet and very warming to the stomach.
The grilled skewers arrived one after another, glistening with oil and fragrant with aroma. Lu Panji and He Yunling immediately engaged in a frenzy of eating, completely disrespectful of their appearance. Jiang Yibai's manner of eating remained polite, but he barely touched his plate. He spent most of his time slowly peeling the grilled shrimp, and as soon as he finished peeling one, he placed it very naturally on the plate in front of Lin Xiyan.
Lin Xiyan's ears turned red as he watched the plate pile up with cleanly peeled shrimp. He wanted to say no, but he was too attached to this silent care. He could only lower his head and eat in small bites. The emptiness in his heart was gradually filled by these small bits of warmth.
"Hmm, seriously," Lu Panji mumbled as he gnawed on a chicken wing, "from now on, we'll be all over the place. Brother Jiang's going to pursue art, and the three of us will be in medical school poring over thick books. It's kind of... magical when you think about it."
He Yunling nodded: "Well, distance makes beauty. It prevents someone from being forced to watch certain people show affection every day and getting their eyes hurt." He glanced at Jiang Yibai and Lin Xiyan meaningfully.
Lu Panji agreed deeply: "That's right! From now on, Lao He and I will be Xiyan's family! Brother Jiang, you are thousands of miles away and can't reach us!"
Jiang Yibai was placing another piece of shrimp on Lin Xiyan's plate when he heard this. Without even looking up, he simply said, "You wish."
Lu Panji: "...Hey! You!"
Lin Xiyan couldn't help but curl his eyes. He knew what Jiang Yibai meant. Distance was never a problem.
After a few beers, Lu Panji became more talkative and began to imagine the future: "When I become a famous doctor, I will specialize in treating celebrities and internet celebrities and make a lot of money! Then I can open a chain of dental clinics!"
He Yunling was more pragmatic: "I'll graduate successfully first, and then get into a tertiary hospital, which would be great."
"You're useless!" Lu Panji looked down on him and then looked at Lin Xiyan, "Xiyan, what about you? What do you want to do in the future? Open a psychological counseling clinic?"
Lin Xiyan held the warm cup of soy milk, thought for a moment, and said softly, "I want to... help those who feel that life is too tiring." Just like he used to do. He wanted to tell them that no matter how long the night is, the day will always dawn.
He spoke simply and quietly, but under the table, Jiang Yibai held his hand and tightened it slightly.
Lu Panji and He Yunling were also silent for a moment. They both knew something about Lin Xiyan's past.
"Very good." He Yunling spoke first, his tone serious, "It's very meaningful."
Lu Panji also put away his playful smile and patted Lin Xiyan on the shoulder: "Brother, I support you! If you need help to calm the situation in the future, call me anytime!"
What the hell is going on? Lin Xiyan felt warm in her heart.
"But then again," Lu Panji looked at Jiang Yibai, who hadn't really been participating in the conversation, "Brother Jiang, since you're into photography, do you have to travel around the world in the future? Taking pictures of things like... the sunrise over Mount Everest, lions on the African savannah, and so on?"
Jiang Yibai finally finished peeling the last shrimp, picked up a wet towel and wiped his hands, saying calmly, "It depends."
"What are you looking at?" Lu Panji asked.
Jiang Yibai raised his eyes and fixed them on Lin Xiyan, who was sipping soy milk beside him. He paused for two seconds before turning to Lu Panji and uttered two words:
"Feeling."
Lu Panji & He Yunling: "..."
Yes, it's useless to ask. This gentleman's action guide always takes Lin Xiyan as the center.
Lin Xiyan naturally understood what he meant. His cheeks began to heat up again, but his heart felt like a piece of candy had been thrown into it, slowly melting. He knew that Jiang Yibai's camera would probably capture more than just magnificent scenery in the future.
The celebratory meal lasted a long time. Lu Panji did most of the talking, He Yunling occasionally added a few more blows, Jiang Yibai was responsible for pouring cold water and feeding Lin Xiyan, while Lin Xiyan listened quietly, ate, and felt the noisy yet real warmth.
By the time they left the barbecue restaurant, it was already dark. The summer night breeze brought a hint of coolness, blowing away the smell of fireworks. Lu Panji and He Yunling walked away, arm in arm, saying they would meet again tomorrow.
Only Jiang Yibai and Lin Xiyan were left, walking slowly home along the dimly lit street.
After the hustle and bustle, the silence becomes particularly clear. But this silence does not make people feel anxious, because they are accompanied by people around them.
Lin Xiyan looked at the shadows of the two people on the ground, which were stretched and shortened by the street lights, and suddenly said softly: "Thank you."
Jiang Yibai turned his head to look at him: "What are you thanking me for?"
"A lot." Lin Xiyan lowered her head and looked at her toes, "Thank you... for always being by my side." Thank you for your company, your encouragement, your silent care, and... you chose a path that would allow you to look after me.
Jiang Yibai walked in silence for a while. Just when Lin Xiyan thought he would not respond, he heard a low voice from beside him:
"You're welcome."
After a pause, he added, his voice clear in the night wind:
"It's me who needs you."
Lin Xiyan's steps suddenly stopped, his heart as if struck hard by these words, bitter and hot. He raised his head and stared blankly at Jiang Yibai's profile, which was a little hazy under the streetlight.
Jiang Yibai didn't look at him, still staring straight ahead, as if the words that were almost a confession just now hadn't come from him. But his hand, hanging by his side, grasped Lin Xiyan's again without error, his fingertips firmly embedded in his fingers, their fingers interlocked.
The warmth from the palm of my hand continued to flow.
Lin Xiyan looked at the two people's clasped hands, then looked at Jiang Yibai's expressionless but extremely serious profile. All the emotions that were stuck in her chest and could not be expressed in words suddenly found an outlet.
It’s not that he depends on Jiang Yibai.
They need each other.
They are two lonely planets that finally found their own orbits, attracting and illuminating each other.
He didn't say anything else, but just shook Jiang Yibai's hand tightly.
The street lights stretched their shadows very long and blended them tightly together, as if they could no longer be separated.
The road ahead is unknown, each university has its own unique major.
But they held hands, had each other in their hearts, and had noisy but sincere friends behind them.
That's enough.
Enough for them to be brave enough to move towards any unknown tomorrow.
Above the night sky, stars are dotted, quietly gazing at the lights of the city and the young people walking hand in hand under the lights.
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