"knew."
"Song Zigan, now that you've chosen the political science major, think things through carefully. Be mindful of your words, and even if you don't like it, maintain a good relationship with your family. I'm waiting for you to come back and protect me."
"Hongmei, you're married, right?" Song Zigan asked softly.
Zhang Hongmei was taken aback for a moment, then said, "I got my marriage certificate." But she didn't ask him how he knew.
Song Zigan felt as if his heart had stopped beating; the pain was so intense it made him numb. After a long while, he managed an awkward smile, but the words of congratulations that were on the tip of his tongue just wouldn't come out.
Song Zigan felt a stinging pain in his eyes as he had to hold back his tears. He lowered his head and steadied himself for a while before saying, "I will. I'll protect you from now on."
"Song Zigan, if you want to go into politics in the future, then you must be clean in terms of finances. So I think it's best for you to join the Study Group."
"Let's go to the study, I have something for you." Zhang Hongmei said, then stood up.
Song Zigan felt as if he had used all his strength to stand up, and numbly followed Zhang Hongmei to the study.
Zhang Hongmei took out a few sheets of paper and handed them to Song Zigan. "This is a simple workbook plan I made. I'm not looking down on you, I'm just giving you some ideas. I hope you can do this project. Can you accept it?"
Song Zigan looked up and smiled bitterly. "If it were anyone else, I would think that the other person was giving me charity or looking down on me. But this is you. I won't think that way. Instead, I will feel that this is the friendship between us, and that's how it should be."
Zhang Hongmei smiled. Actually, she had already understood Song Zigan's behavior earlier. This man had feelings for her, but she really only regarded him as a younger brother. This was for the best. If she didn't say anything, the feelings would gradually fade away, and it would be best if the two of them could go back to how they were before.
He accepted his kindness, which made him feel better.
“Song Zigan, this is the plan for the workbook. It’s not very detailed, so you’ll need to add more details yourself. We both know each other well, so when the book is published, this will be a joint effort.”
"Thank you, Hongmei, thank you for everything you've done for me. You've paved a smooth road for me. Without you, I might have taken many detours and not know when I would have gotten there. But with you, I'm like a toddler learning to walk, with someone to hold me up instead of me struggling on my own. Thank you, Hongmei, thank you for letting me meet you, thank you for letting me know you, thank you for having me as a friend in your heart."
"Alright, stop being so poetic, okay? Our friendship doesn't need words."
"Yes, our friendship is in my heart. I will work hard to perfect this plan, so I won't eat dinner."
"Song Zigan, do you have enough money?"
"Don't worry, it's enough. I'll ask you if it's not enough." Song Zigan said, then stood up and put the plan into his bag. "Hongmei, I'm going back now. You don't need to see me off."
"Okay, if possible, I will write to you. Also, remember, if you have any difficulties, just come and leave a letter, and Zhang Shouyi will be able to contact me."
"Given our friendship, even if I lack the ability, Zhang Shouyi will still lend a hand. Don't feel embarrassed; if you treat me like a stranger, we're no longer friends."
Song Zigan turned around and looked at Zhang Hongmei, who was staring at him seriously.
"I will. I will write to you every two months. Our friendship will last a lifetime."
"Yes, friends for life."
"Then I'll head out now, maybe I can still make it to the second class."
"Go ahead, I hope to come back and see the cheerful and optimistic Song Zigan of the past."
Song Zi chuckled dryly, turned around, and resolutely left. He was afraid he wouldn't be able to maintain his composure if he didn't leave soon.
Zhang Hongmei still saw Song Zigan to the door, and Aunt Li even packed a small bag of candy for him.
After seeing Song Zigan off, Zhang Hongmei finally sat down to drink some water. Gu Chuanming leisurely walked over and sat down next to her. "Saw him off?"
"Yes, we've known each other for several years, but he's become less cheerful because of his family situation."
Gu Chuanming thought to himself, "She'll be even less cheerful from now on. How many young men has this girl broken their hearts? They're all outstanding talents. Now I can understand why Zhang Shouyi is so eager to settle down."
What do you want to do this afternoon?
"Grandpa, I want to go back to Shuren Hutong. It hasn't been renovated yet. I want to cook a meal myself, just the three of us, Brother Zhang." Zhang Hongmei choked up a little after saying this, reluctant to leave. At this moment, all the feelings of reluctance and difficulty in parting suddenly surged up.
Gu Chuanming patted Zhang Hongmei's hand. "Okay, let's go to Shuren Hutong. Just the two of us will go first."
Zhang Hongmei held back the tears that were about to fall, nodded, then shook her head. "Grandpa, you wait for Brother Zhang at home, I'll go and prepare myself."
Gu Chuanming thought for a moment and decided to let the girl be by herself for a while. Just now he thought she was very easygoing, but it turns out she had been holding it in all along. He decided to let her have a good cry.
"Okay, you go ahead. We'll go over when Shouyi gets back."
Zhang Hongmei nodded without saying anything and went straight out of the house.
As for Song Zigan, he entered the school in a daze. He didn't go to the classroom but went straight back to his dormitory. Everyone else was in class at that time, and he was alone in the dormitory. He locked the door and then burst into tears. Even his father's remarriage hadn't made him this sad.
When I arrived in the capital and met Zhang Hongmei, I had a premonition, but I deceived myself into thinking that I still had a chance.
This time, the final result was finally obtained. When he heard the confirmed news from Zhang Hongmei, he felt that there was no point in living anymore.
I don't want to lose Zhang Hongmei, so I'd rather suffer myself than lose her as a friend. Friends it is, at least I'll have a place in her life. I'll protect her as a friend.
Thinking back to when she cautiously asked if she would resent her help, her numb limbs felt slightly better.
How could I mind? I wish my name could be associated with hers. Maybe this wish is humble, but I'm willing to do anything that's even remotely related to her.
After crying enough and figuring things out, I wiped away my tears, but I had no energy at all. Lying in bed, I felt incredibly cold, a cold that came from deep within my heart. I pulled the quilt over myself, but I still felt cold, so I covered my head with it too. Lying in the dark, I opened my eyes and recalled everything that had happened since I met Zhang Hongmei.
They were all joyful memories, memories worth keeping for a lifetime, so beautiful, so captivating.
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