Chapter 42 IF Path: Meeting in Youth [The End] I didn't want to be liked either...
As the announcement of international flights rang out in the arrival hall, Chi Chen unconsciously tightened his grip on his phone.
The itinerary, secretly photographed on the screen, was indeed this particular train.
He anxiously checked the time on his phone repeatedly, afraid that he would miss it in the blink of an eye.
A few travelers began to emerge, dragging small suitcases. Chi Chen carefully examined each face.
no.
Neither.
A figure in a long trench coat appeared from behind the door. Chi Chen's breath caught in his throat for a moment, but after just one second, he couldn't look away.
The world became quiet, and all the noise, light, shadow, and crowds blurred and became a backdrop.
The only clearly visible figure was a tall young man, pushing a suitcase with one hand and casually putting the other hand in his trench coat pocket.
Light poured down from the airport's dome, falling on his lowered eyelashes and casting a small shadow.
Xu Yan's skin was still very fair, but unlike the paleness of her childhood, it was now a healthy, lustrous white, like a fine piece of mutton fat jade that had been nurtured for many years.
Among the many tired and hurried travelers, that composed figure stood out.
Chi Chen's feet seemed glued to the spot as he stared greedily at that familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar face.
The once lifeless and empty black eyes, like the bottom of a calm lake, no longer held any trace of weakness or ingratiation; instead, they revealed the confidence that stemmed from the ability to control one's own life.
A few meters apart, the young man seemed to sense something and turned around, their eyes meeting in mid-air.
Chi Chen saw Xu Yan's eyes widen slightly for a moment, and after a very brief moment of surprise, she regained her composure, even becoming somewhat politely distant.
He nodded slightly and then casually looked away, as if he no longer cared about him.
Undoubtedly, Xu Yan is doing well and has no desire to meet him again.
Chi Chen felt a sharp, aching pain in his heart. He looked at his phone screen with a lack of confidence; it was a picture of Xu Yan's profile that he had secretly taken during class.
The afternoon sun tinged his eyelashes with gold, and his cheeks still retained a hint of youthful innocence.
Even though he changed phones many times and the photos became increasingly blurry, Chi Chen kept using this wallpaper.
The words of affection uttered years ago were ultimately just a fleeting act, but because of the abrupt ending, they became Chi Chen's lifelong obsession.
I can never forget it, no matter how many people I meet, the amazement I felt in my youth remains incredibly profound.
He's an adult now, and he's no longer so naive as to let go. Chi Chen wanted to be selfish just this once.
He stopped thinking and chased after the figure that was about to disappear into the crowd.
"Xu Yan!" Chi Chen's voice wasn't loud, but it was urgent and a little breathless.
The figure in front stopped and turned around slowly.
Their eyes met unexpectedly, and Chi Chen's heart tightened for a moment.
"Long time no see." He paused, trying to make his voice sound natural. "Why didn't you tell me you were back in China?"
That seems to be going too far, especially since they lost all contact after Xu Yan left.
Chi Chen had fantasized countless times about seeing new friend notifications when he opened the app, but unfortunately, it never happened.
A faint smile appeared in Xu Yan's calm eyes, and the corners of his lips curved slightly, making him look gentler. "Because I think you can get to know me again."
Chi Chen was stunned; he had imagined countless scenarios of their reunion.
Xu Yan might pretend not to know him, or hate his pestering, or she might happily rush into his arms, just like before.
But what he never expected was that Xu Yan would accept him so calmly, or even start over.
There was a bittersweet feeling in my heart, yet also a thrill of not being rejected or alienated.
Chi Chen's cheeks were slightly flushed, and his voice was a little hoarse. "Then, shall we sit together for a while?"
"OK."
Xu Yan agreed readily, her tone as relaxed as if she were accepting a request from an old friend.
*
When the two sat facing each other in the coffee shop, Chi Chen still felt a little unreal.
Across from him stood Xu Yan, her posture relaxed and upright. After taking off her trench coat, she revealed a smoky gray cashmere sweater that clung to her well-proportioned adult figure.
With long, slender arms and a wrist casually resting on the table, the person exudes an elegant and relaxed demeanor.
After shedding its youthful naiveté, that face revealed high, straight brow bones and a delicate nose, with beautiful eyes that even held a hint of calm scrutiny.
How have you been these past few years?
As soon as he finished speaking, Chi Chen regretted it a little. He felt like a stranger to himself. How could he have asked such a stupid question? Xu Yan was obviously doing very well.
"Not bad." Fortunately, Xu Yan seemed to have become much gentler after growing up. He rested his chin on one hand and looked at Chi Chen with interest. "But you have changed a lot."
"Really?" Chi Chen asked instinctively. He glanced at Xu Yan before hastily looking away, his eyes fixed on the coffee in his cup that had been stirred and cooled down.
Over the years, Chi Chen has grown a lot and seen through many things. How could he not know that Xu Yan had used him back then?
But the time they spent together became increasingly vivid in his dreams, and he realized that he had fallen hopelessly in love with her.
Thinking of Xu Yan, who had appeared in his memories countless times, Chi Chen looked at the person in front of him and knew clearly that Xu Yan had not changed.
Because this might be his true self.
He was inherently proud and indifferent.
“I’m quite surprised you didn’t run away.” Xu Yan interrupted his thoughts, her voice calm but cruelly blunt. “You are my benefactor, so don’t worry that I will pretend not to know you.”
Xu Yan is not afraid to confront his painful past; he has completely moved on and can naturally face it with equanimity.
He even clearly articulated Chi Chen's inner cowardice and original concerns.
This makes it seem like Chi Chen hasn't made much progress.
However, he wasn't embarrassed by being exposed; instead, he felt a sense of relief.
Does this mean that Xu Yan still knows him so well and has never forgotten him?
Thinking of this, Chi Chen's eyes became much more determined. He leaned forward slightly and asked, "Have you arranged a place to stay since you came back? I happen to need a roommate."
After a few seconds of tense silence, Xu Yan asked, as if she already knew the answer, "Does Young Master Chi still need to share an apartment?"
“Of course.” Chi Chen’s eyes sharpened and burned, a sly glint of determination flashing in them. “Being close to the water tower, one gets the moon first.”
"I don't want to be seen as a coward by the person I like."
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Author's note: I wasn't satisfied with any of the several versions I wrote, so the update is a bit late qvq
This "what if" scenario should end here; after their reunion, they can start dating on equal footing. [Applause]
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