Page 16
What happened last week was like a raging storm, turning her life upside down. That day, she was walking home alone, surrounded by emptiness and desert, with only the howling wind making a mournful sound.
Suddenly, a few thugs approached her. Her body instinctively wanted to run away, but fear held her firmly in place. At that critical moment, Xu Li, like a ray of light piercing the darkness, shoved her aside.
Tan Yuqi felt a powerful impact and fell to the ground, still in shock. Xu Li also fell headfirst, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth. In that instant, his frail body burst forth with tremendous strength, like a brave and fearless warrior.
After recovering from her initial panic, Tan Yuqi felt a deep sense of lingering fear and gratitude.
Xu Li's actions not only saved her life, but also planted a warm seed deep in her heart. She pondered repeatedly how to express her gratitude for being saved.
So, Tan Yuqi's fingertips gently slid across the phone screen, each word a heartfelt cry from her heart.
“Ah Li, if it weren’t for you last week, I might not be in this world anymore. I owe you my life. This Tuesday afternoon, I’d like to treat you to a meal to express my gratitude. I hope you can accept.”
After sending the message, her heart pounded wildly, like a fawn raging in her chest, eagerly awaiting Xu Li's reply.
When Xu Li received Tan Yuqi's message, she was writing her thesis at her desk.
She gently put down the black pen beside her, her gaze falling on the screen, her brows furrowing slightly, as if she were caught in a deep struggle. In Xu Li's memory, what happened that day was merely an instinctive act.
She always enjoyed wandering outside of school, feeling the pulse of the city. When she saw Tan Yuqi in danger, her body automatically activated its rescue mode without the slightest hesitation.
She never expected anything in return; she simply felt that life itself possessed an irresistible preciousness, and she had merely done what she was supposed to do. However, Tan Yuqi's sincere invitation made it difficult for her to refuse directly.
She turned around and looked out the window, where sunlight filtered through the sparse leaves, casting dappled shadows.
Deep down, she seemed to sense Tan Yuqi's profound gratitude and an indescribable sense of fate, so she decided to keep the appointment.
Tan Yuqi woke up early on Tuesday and stared blankly at her wardrobe for a while. She wanted to dress up carefully, but she was afraid of being too deliberate.
Ultimately, she chose a light blue dress paired with a simple gold necklace, understated yet elegant. She gently pulled her hair up, revealing her smooth forehead, and applied a touch of light pink lipstick, making her look even more vibrant.
Before leaving, she checked her phone again to confirm the restaurant's location. She had carefully chosen the restaurant; it had an elegant ambiance and exquisite dishes, providing Xu Li with a comfortable dining experience.
On her way to the restaurant, her mind was in turmoil, Xu Li's image and the thrilling scenes from that day kept flashing through her mind. Meanwhile, Xu Li was also preparing for the appointment.
She rummaged through her wardrobe and finally chose a long dress, simple and neat. She didn't wear much makeup, but she was beautiful, as if her beauty was innate. After a quick wash, she went out.
She didn't know what kind of conversation she was about to have, but deep down she longed to have a deep exchange with Tan Yuqi, hoping to resolve some of her doubts.
Tan Yuqi arrived at the restaurant ten minutes early and found a seat by the window. She kept glancing towards the entrance, hoping to catch a glimpse of Xu Li.
Time ticked by, her fingers tapping lightly on the table, a growing anxiety settling in her heart. Finally, Xu Li appeared. She walked briskly into the restaurant, her gaze sweeping around before locking onto Tan Yuqi.
Tan Yuqi quickly stood up, her face beaming with a bright smile as warm as the spring sun. Xu Li strode over, extended her hand, and said softly, "Yuqi, thank you for the invitation."
Tan Yuqi held her hand tightly, slightly excited: "No, Ali, I'm the one who should say thank you. I really don't know how to repay you for what happened last time."
After the two sat down, the waiter handed them the menu. Tan Yuqi skillfully recommended several dishes to Xu Li: "The restaurant's signature dishes are especially delicious; I think you'll definitely like them." Xu Li smiled slightly, nodded, and began to look through the menu.
The atmosphere in the restaurant gradually became lively, filled with people's laughter and chatter, while Tan Yuqi and Xu Li were immersed in their own world.
As the dishes were served one after another, Tan Yuqi could no longer contain her gratitude and began to recount her harrowing experience that day: "Ali, I was really scared that day. When I saw those people walking towards me, I was completely stunned and my mind went blank. At that moment, I had even prepared for the worst, but you appeared like an angel and snatched me back from the clutches of death."
Her voice trembled slightly, and tears welled up in her eyes. "Do you know? Since that day, I've thought every day that I'm still alive, still able to see the sunrise and sunset, and still able to appreciate the beauty of this world, all because of you."
Xu Li gently held her hand, his eyes full of tenderness: "Yuqi, you don't need to blame yourself so much. I just did what any person with a conscience would do. I believe that if I were in danger, you would save me without hesitation. The value of life lies in giving and contributing, not just in taking."
Her words, like a gentle stream, slowly washed away Tan Yuqi's guilt and unease. Tan Yuqi was deeply moved by her words, and her gratitude grew even stronger.
She began to share her past experiences, the setbacks and difficulties she had faced, and the days she struggled in despair. She opened her heart to Xu Li, who listened patiently and offered comfort and encouragement from time to time.
Time slipped by unnoticed as the two chatted, and the setting sun cast its golden rays through the window onto the dining table, adding a touch of romance to the beautiful moment. Tan Yuqi looked at Xu Li, her eyes now filled with determination.
"Ah Li, no matter what happens in the future, you will always be my most precious friend. I will always be by your side, just like you saved me back then. I will do everything I can to protect you." Xu Li smiled slightly, a hint of emotion flashing in her eyes.
"Yuqi, I also cherish this bond between us. I believe that in the future, we will support each other and face the ups and downs of life together."
As night fell, Tan Yuqi and Xu Li walked out of the restaurant. A cool night breeze swept by, but their hearts were filled with warmth. They promised to meet again next time and enjoy the beauty of life.
A few days later was the school's poetry recitation competition. With Mu Mu absent, Xu Li really didn't want to participate.
Encouraged by Tan Yuqi, Xu Li decided to give it a try.
Encouraged by Tan Yuqi, Xu Li finally agreed. In the days that followed, the two prepared meticulously together.
Xu Li selected her most satisfying works and revised and polished them repeatedly; Tan Yuqi was responsible for on-site setup, sound system testing, and other tasks.
They worked hard for the recitation event, and their teamwork improved as a result.
The day of the recitation finally arrived, and the venue was packed. Everyone was deeply captivated by Xu Li's words.
She stood on the stage, wearing a long blue dress, and smiled slightly, like a fairy who had stepped out of a painting.
As she softly recited her work, her gentle yet powerful voice resonated in the air, each word like a leaping musical note, touching the heartstrings of everyone present.
Tan Yuqi sat in the audience, gazing at the dazzling Xu Li on stage, her heart filled with pride. She knew she had done the right thing, allowing Xu Li's brilliance to shine.
After the recital, Xu Li received much affirmation and encouragement, and her writing began to attract more attention. The friendship between Tan Yuqi and Xu Li deepened as a result, and they became the most important people in each other's lives.
As time went by, they went through many ups and downs together. Whether it was small setbacks in life or pressure in their studies, they supported each other and faced them together.
They had watched countless sunrises and sunsets together, walked countless streets and alleys together, and shared countless laughs and tears. They knew that this friendship would continue and become the most precious treasure in each other's lives.
All of this stemmed from that Tuesday afternoon dinner, from a life-saving grace, and even more so from the mutual cherishing and protection that two souls developed after they met.
Countless stories await them in the future, and they will walk hand in hand, leaving behind a series of warm and steadfast footprints on the road of life.
Without much thought, Xu Li took first place.
The moment the judges announced that Xu Li had won first place in the poetry recitation competition, the entire venue erupted in cheers and applause that surged forth and lasted for a long time.
The students stood up, waving their arms and cheering for her success. Among the crowd, Tan Yuqi's face beamed with a smile even brighter than when she won the award, her eyes sparkling with immense pride and joy.
She knew all too well the hardships and difficulties Xu Li had gone through, from countless days and nights of hard work to bravely and perfectly showcasing himself in front of everyone. This honor was the most powerful response to his countless efforts and perseverance.
In her eyes, Xu Li is not only an excellent reciter, but also a role model for her, a warrior who bravely forges ahead and overcomes all obstacles on the road to her dreams.
She still remembers the time Xu Li gave up playing with his friends for rehearsals, and how he studied repeatedly to overcome a difficult point in the recitation, almost to the point of collapse but never giving up.
At this moment, all of this turned into tears of joy, pride for my friend's success, and a sense of privilege for witnessing this remarkable transformation.
After the competition, students flocked to Xu Li to hug and congratulate him. Tan Yuqi was among them. She held Xu Li's hand tightly, her eyes full of admiration and encouragement.
This moment became a beautiful story on campus, witnessing the brilliance of youthful dreams, and the pride in Tan Yuqi's heart will continue to burn like a spark.
----------
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
