Reunion
Chapter 18: Reunion
The end of the sophomore year arrived as expected, accompanied by the chirping of cicadas in July.
Bai Ke stood by her dorm window, gazing at the lush sycamore trees outside. Over the past year, she had devoted all her energy to her studies. From the love-struck girl of her freshman year, she had transformed into a top student currently ranked in the top three of her major.
"Bai Ke, have you submitted your scholarship application form?" roommate Zhou Jin asked.
"I handed it in yesterday." Bai Ke turned around and smiled slightly.
Over the past year, her grades haven't the only thing that's changed. She's cut her hair short, looking more capable. The once easily blushing and indecisive Bai Ke has, with the passage of time, become calmer and more resolute.
"Chairman Lu sent you flowers again." Zhou Jin pointed to the bouquet at the door. "How many times has this happened? Everyone says he's really changed. He's simply infatuated."
Bai Ke glanced at the bouquet of bright roses and said calmly, "Return it back. I won't accept it."
After Lu Zihan was admitted to graduate school, his pursuit of her intensified. Almost everyone in the school knew that the once dashing student union president had, for the sake of a junior from the psychology department, completely surrendered all his attention and pursued her for an entire year.
To others, this was such a romantic infatuation. But Bai Ke understood that Lu Zihan wasn't obsessed with her, but with the person who always rejected his challenge. The more he couldn't get her, the more he wanted to conquer her.
"You really don't consider him?" Zhou Jin couldn't help asking, "He changed so much for you."
"I don't have any feelings for him." Bai Ke said softly, "He's just temporarily blinded by frustration."
She packed her backpack and prepared to go out. She had an appointment with Lin Xiaoyu to go shopping today. This was their last gathering before summer vacation.
The commercial street was bustling with people, and the summer sun shone through the leaves of the sycamore trees, casting mottled shadows.
"So you really decided to go to Taiwan for exchange in your junior year?" Lin Xiaoyu asked in surprise, biting the milk tea straw.
Bai Ke nodded: "The application has been approved. Changing the environment may help me think things through."
They walked into a boutique, and Bai Ke's eyes were drawn to a dark blue silk scarf. The color reminded her of the umbrella and that rainy day.
"This one suits you very well." Lin Xiaoyu picked up the scarf and measured it against her neck.
At this moment, the wind chimes at the door rang crisply. Bai Ke subconsciously looked up, and his whole body froze in place.
Chen Yiyu stood at the doorway, his arm around Qiu Luodi. He was taller than a year ago, his chiseled face radiating a sense of maturity. Qiu Luodi, wearing an elegant dress and a bright smile, looked like a perfect match with Chen Yiyu.
The moment their eyes met, time seemed to stand still. Those eyes she had thought she had long forgotten could still easily disturb her at this moment.
"What a coincidence, Bai Ke." Qiu Luodi spoke first, holding Chen Yiyu's arm tighter. "Yiyu's project in Germany ended early. His advisor really appreciated him and asked him to come back and work directly in the lab."
Bai Ke forced a smile: "Congratulations."
Chen Yiyu's eyes never left her, his Adam's apple rolled slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just nodded.
"We still have something to go shopping, so we're leaving first." Qiu Luodi pulled Chen Yiyu away. Before leaving, he turned back and smiled at Bai Ke, "By the way, I heard you and Lu Zihan are together? Congratulations."
Bai Ke wanted to explain, but found that he had no position.
The door closed again, and the wind chimes jingled. Lin Xiaoyu looked at her: "Are you okay?"
Bai Ke shook her head, her hands unconsciously clenching the dark blue scarf.
Walking out of the boutique, the summer sun stung her eyes. Bai Ke raised her head and forced herself not to look back.
"Bai Ke."
The familiar voice sounded behind her, with a hoarseness that she had never remembered having.
She turned around and saw Chen Yiyu standing alone across the street. Qiu Luodi was not with him.
The red light counted down for ninety seconds, which seemed like a long century. They stared at each other across the traffic, neither of them looking away.
The green light came on, and Chen Yiyu quickly crossed the road and came in front of her.
"I asked her to go back first." He said, his eyes tracing her outline longingly, "You...cut your hair."
"Yeah." Bai Ke answered softly.
A year of separation had created an invisible distance between them. Those unexplained explanations and the misunderstood past had become an insurmountable chasm.
"How is everything in Germany?" she asked.
"Not bad." He paused, "I received your text message."
A trace of pain flashed in Chen Yiyu's eyes: "That night, I had a lot to say to you. But..."
He paused and shook his head: "It's meaningless to say this now. I heard that you and Lu Zihan are together. Do you really like him?"
Bai Ke looked at the forbearance and loss in his eyes.
"I..."
"Xiaoyu!" Qiu Luodi's voice came from not far away. She walked over quickly and naturally took Chen Yiyu's arm. "Didn't you agree to accompany me to look at wedding dresses?"
Wedding dress? Bai Ke's heart sank.
Chen Yiyu's expression instantly became complicated. He looked at Bai Ke deeply and whispered, "Let's go."
Looking at their backs as they walked away together, Bai Ke felt as if all the strength in her body had been drained away. Lin Xiaoyu supported her and asked worriedly, "Are you okay?"
The summer sun was still shining brightly, but Bai Ke felt cold all over. The dark blue silk scarf was still clutched in her hand, but the soft fabric hurt her palm.
It turns out that some reunions are meant to be a final farewell. She raised her head, looked at the blue sky, and let out a gentle breath.
"Xiaoyu, come with me to buy a suitcase," she said, her voice so calm that it surprised even herself. "It's time to start packing for our trip to Taiwan."
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