Li Mo
On the eve of the release of the college entrance examination results, the nerves that had been suppressed for three years could finally be completely relaxed.
The class booked the largest private room in the restaurant, and the air was filled with the aroma of food, the sound of carbonated drinks, and the unrestrained noise of the teenagers.
The least surprising news this summer was probably that Liang Xinchong and Li Mo got back together.
They sat side by side in the corner. Liang Xinchong was naturally peeling shrimp for Li Mo, while Li Mo looked down at his movements with a faint smile on her lips.
The classmates around them mostly cast friendly glances and teasing "I knew it" looks. Lin Shusen sat diagonally opposite them, silently drinking his beverage. His gaze occasionally swept over the couple before quickly looking down, hiding all his emotions beneath the noise.
Besides them, several other couples quietly formed in the class.
Perhaps spurred by the graduation atmosphere, or perhaps inspired by a couple who reconciled after a breakup, a group of people who usually sit together without warning suddenly found themselves sitting together, drawing cheers and jeers.
Qin Yue sat on the edge of the bustling scene, appearing rather quiet.
The last message she sent to Song Feiran, which she had mustered the courage to send, went unanswered; or rather, the silence itself was a clear rejection.
Looking at the couples around her, she couldn't help but feel a little lonely as she silently drank the orange juice in her glass.
Zhang Shan and Chen You's gazes, across the noisy crowd, both fell on her simultaneously.
Chen You's change is obvious.
With Li Mo's help, his acne cleared up, he got a fresh new hairstyle, wore a clean T-shirt, his back straightened considerably, and his eyes held a newfound composure. He looked at Qin Yue's lonely profile, seemingly contemplating something.
This inter-class get-together also included Tian Naiyan from the next class. This once bright and proud girl was acting strangely tonight.
She drank quite a bit of alcohol, her cheeks flushed, and finally couldn't hold back any longer. She leaned on her best friend's shoulder and began to sob softly.
The suppressed sobs were not noticeable in the lively private room; her gaze, however, could not be completely taken off that dazzling figure.
Qi Anxin and Tang Keqing, on the other hand, presented a completely different picture.
The two of them huddled together, chattering away at the university guides on their phone screens, discussing which city had the most attractions and which school had the most handsome guys. They were completely oblivious to the undercurrents around them and their girlish thoughts, their hearts and eyes filled with anticipation for the unknown university life. They ate and drank as they pleased, carefree and happy.
As the gathering drew to a close, the crowd began to disperse in twos and threes.
Chen You took a deep breath and finally walked towards Qin Yue, who was about to leave. "Qin Yue," he called out to her, his voice much calmer than usual, "I have something I want to say to you."
In the quiet corridor outside the restaurant, Chen You frankly expressed his feelings.
His eyes were sincere, and his words were well thought out.
Qin Yue was somewhat surprised, but she listened attentively, then shook her head apologetically: "I'm sorry, Chen You. Thank you, but I... don't have those thoughts yet."
A hint of disappointment flashed in Chen You's eyes, but he quickly smiled and said, "It's okay. I wish you a smooth university life." His confession was more like a farewell to his own youth.
On the other side, Song Feiran walked through the crowd and stood in front of Jiang Yixuan, who was about to leave with several girls. "Jiang Yixuan," he said in a clear voice, "can you wait for me for a moment? I have something I want to tell you."
Jiang Yixuan raised her eyes, her cool gaze lingering on his face for a second. Without any expression, she simply nodded and said to her companions, "You guys go first."
Liang Xinchong and Li Mo were the last to leave.
He took her hand and walked in the cool summer night breeze.
I glanced back at the still brightly lit restaurant, a place where countless unspoken crushes, shattered expectations, and the courage to start anew were buried.
"That's nice." Liang Xinchong suddenly said out of the blue, tightening his grip on her fingers and interlocking them.
Li Mo turned her head to look at him and understood what he meant.
It's not just them, but also all the brave, relieved, and quietly cherished youth of this night.
"Mmm." She gently squeezed his hand back, her gaze fixed on the flashing neon lights in the distance.
The gathering ends, and people go their separate ways, some of whom may never meet again.
They will still have that time by their side.
The long summer vacation after the college entrance examination feels like a stolen moment of leisure.
Shen Peixian already knew about their situation, and Liang Xinchong also told his parents about Li Mo's existence after the college entrance examination results were released.
At first, Zhou Man disagreed: "You're dating right after graduating from high school? You're too young!"
But upon hearing that Liang Xinchong's girlfriend was Li Mo, the top student in the grade, his attitude instantly changed 180 degrees.
Both sets of parents have agreed to the other's existence.
With both sets of parents urging them to "take advantage of the free time and get your driver's licenses," Liang Xinchong and Li Mo enrolled in the same driving school.
The driving school's training ground was exposed to the blazing sun, and the air was distorted by the heat.
But for the two who had just escaped the sea of exam questions, even the tension of holding the steering wheel had a touch of sweetness.
Liang Xinchong got into the car to practice first, while Li Mo sat on a bench under the shade of a tree, watching him frantically trying to steer while being scolded by the instructor, "Turn the steering wheel all the way!"
"Look in the rearview mirror!" she said, unable to suppress a smile as she looked down.
When it was her turn, Liang Xinchong leaned out of the car window and watched her tense little face as she carefully controlled the clutch. She seemed even more nervous than when he was driving, silently muttering, "Slow down, slow down."
During a break, the two shared the same bottle of ice water, sat under the shade of a tree, and watched the other trainees clumsily back into the parking space.
"Coach Li, how did I drive just now?" Liang Xinchong leaned closer, grinning and asking for praise.
Li Mo glanced at him and gave an objective assessment: "Your clutch control is a little better than yesterday, but you still turn the steering wheel a bit too sharply."
"Received, I promise to improve." Liang Xinchong immediately sat up straight and made a non-standard salute, which finally made Li Mo burst into laughter.
He looked at her and smiled, finding even the sweltering summer day incredibly lovely.
A few days later, one afternoon, after finishing their driving lessons, the two had just stepped out of the driving school when a familiar black sedan slowly pulled up in front of them.
The car window rolled down, revealing Zhou Man's smiling face.
"Chongchong, Momo!" she called out naturally, her gaze shifting between the two before finally settling eagerly on Li Mo. "Get in the car quickly, Auntie will take you home."
Liang Xinchong was a little surprised: "Mom, what brings you here?" "I just stopped by to see how your studies are going."
As Zhou Man spoke, her gaze remained fixed on Li Mo, growing more and more satisfied with her. "Mo Mo, come on, sit in the front and chat with Auntie."
Li Mo looked a little embarrassed and glanced at Liang Xinchong. Liang Xinchong shrugged helplessly, mouthed "My mom likes you," and then opened the back door, letting Li Mo into the passenger seat.
The car smoothly entered the traffic.
As Zhou Man drove, she chatted with Li Mo in a friendly and natural tone: "I heard from Chong Chong that you got into a university in the next city? That's great, you can look out for each other."
Li Mo nodded obediently: "Yes, thank you, Auntie."
"No need to thank me," Zhou Man's smile deepened. Taking advantage of the moment while waiting at the red light, she turned her head, lowered her voice, and said to Li Mo in an intimate tone as if sharing a secret, "Auntie wants to tell you, you two really should date properly. Don't feel pressured. Auntie supports you!"
Her words were direct and frank, and Li Mo's cheeks instantly flushed red. She lowered her head somewhat helplessly, but her heart felt warm.
Sitting in the back seat, Liang Xinchong couldn't help but protest, "Mom! Why are you saying this?"
"What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?" Zhou Man glared at her son in the rearview mirror, then smiled at Li Mo and said, "Chongchong is a little silly sometimes, but he's honest and sincere towards you. If he dares to bully you, tell Auntie, and Auntie will teach him a lesson for you!"
Liang Xinchong, sitting in the back seat, held his forehead, unable to bear the sight, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up in a smile.
Li Mo was also amused by Zhou Man's enthusiasm and straightforwardness, but she felt more warmth from being recognized and accepted.
She gave a soft "hmm," her voice low but clear enough.
Summer sunlight streamed through the car windows, filling the cabin with the cool air from the air conditioner and a warm, harmonious atmosphere.
Zhou Man rambled on about Liang Xinchong's embarrassing childhood stories, while Li Mo listened quietly, occasionally chuckling softly. Liang Xinchong, meanwhile, would sometimes protest and sometimes add to the story from behind.
On this ordinary summer evening, everything seemed sweet.
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