The trajectory of growth
Time flies like an arrow, and the middle of university life has quietly slipped by amidst busyness and fulfillment. The four teenagers are forging ahead on their chosen paths, shedding much of the naivety of high school, their features becoming clearer, and their temperament more uniquely refined.
University A, Physics Department Laboratory.
Late at night, Jiang Qi was usually the only one left in the lab. Blue dots danced on the oscilloscope, and complex formulas filled the whiteboard. His low-temperature condensed matter physics project had entered a crucial data analysis phase. His professor had high hopes for him; this undergraduate student, who had already deeply engaged in cutting-edge research and demonstrated remarkable insight, was undoubtedly a future academic star.
He was more reserved than in high school, but that silence was no longer aloof coldness; instead, it was a focused concentration immersed in thought. Occasionally, younger students would muster the courage to ask him questions, and he would succinctly point out the key issues with remarkable precision. Some people privately remarked that he was unapproachable, but most admired his talent and focus.
His phone's screen saver was still a photo of Su An smiling back under the ginkgo tree at B University. No matter how busy his studies were, their nightly video call remained an unwavering habit. Sometimes he would show Su An the amazing optical phenomena in the lab or explain some profound physics concept. Although Su An didn't understand the technical terms, she would rest her chin on her hand, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him and said, "Even though I don't understand, I think you're amazing." At this moment, Jiang Qi's usually stern lips would slightly curve upwards, and his eyes would light up.
His growth was a relentless descent into the abyss of knowledge, a steady and vigorous expansion of territory in the world of reason.
Lecture hall, School of Humanities, University of B.
Su An stood on the podium, slightly nervous but clearly articulating his viewpoints from a paper analyzing imagery in modern poetry. The audience included not only students but also several faculty members. This was his first public presentation since being selected for the college's "Young Critics" training program.
His articles were no longer limited to the school magazine; one essay on local cultural preservation was even published in a fairly influential magazine, attracting some attention. In the reading club, he was no longer a silent listener; he began to organize discussions and offer his own unique insights. The timidity and uncertainty that once lingered in his eyes had long been replaced by the confidence and composure that came with a scholarly air.
He occasionally recalls his senior year of high school, struggling with physics problems and needing Jiang Qi's notes—it feels like a lifetime ago. Now, he has found his own stage and language. When video chatting with Jiang Qi, he excitedly shares his new insights or academic debates. Jiang Qi is always his most patient listener. Although they are from different fields, Jiang Qi always grasps the core logic in Su An's narrative, and his occasional questions even offer Su An new perspectives.
His growth is the unbridled development of his soul in the fertile soil of literature, and the composure and determination he gained after finding a way to express himself.
D University, Student Activity Center.
Jiang Zhao stood amidst a cluster of tables, chairs, and equipment, holding a walkie-talkie, methodically directing everyone in the final preparations for the upcoming campus music festival. He was no longer the boisterous, reckless teenager he once was. Months of experience organizing large-scale events had taught him coordination, communication, and responsibility. He remained energetic, his laughter still hearty, but behind this energy lay deeper thoughtfulness and a stronger sense of duty.
Several inter-departmental activities he spearheaded were met with enthusiastic responses, even impressing his advisor, who jokingly remarked that he was "the least sports-oriented but most 'management-savvy' talent in the sports management major." He remained the life of the party on the basketball team, but his crucial breakthroughs and passes increasingly displayed the composure of a seasoned leader.
His video calls with Lin Jun gradually evolved from simply sharing his life to discussing more practical issues, such as difficulties in team management or initial thoughts on future career paths. Lin Jun would calmly analyze the pros and cons for him and offer advice. Jiang Zhao would sometimes complain, "Brother Jun, you're more like a life coach than my dad!" But after complaining, he would carefully remember Lin Jun's words.
His growth is the transformation of energy from disordered release to orderly guidance, and the beginning of his reliable and responsible shouldering of duties.
UCL, Library and Project Team.
Lin Jun has just finished a business case defense conducted entirely in English. His fluent presentation, clear logic, and composed demeanor earned him the professor's approving glance. In the multinational business simulation project he participated in, the group achieved excellent results thanks to his data analysis and strategic suggestions. He has already adapted to the pace of learning overseas and is thriving there.
He wore a well-fitting shirt, his posture increasingly upright, exuding a maturity and composure beyond his years. He remained a man of few words, but his opinions, whether in group discussions or social settings, began to carry considerable weight. Occasionally, a blond, blue-eyed classmate would express his interest in him, and he would politely and clearly show his phone's lock screen—a group photo of four—pointing to Jiang Zhao in the middle, his arm around his neck, grinning and revealing a set of white teeth, and frankly declare, "My boyfriend."
His connection with Jiang Zhao was a crucial driving force supporting his relentless pursuit of his goals in a foreign land. Jiang Zhao's seemingly casual banter served as a stress reliever, and every small step Jiang Zhao took forward filled him with pride. He began sharing London's weather with Jiang Zhao via video calls, discussing international news, and even planning vacations together. Their worlds expanded as they grew together.
His growth is a result of the rapid expansion of his vision on the global stage and the tempering and strengthening of his mind through independent experience.
Another night, the video chat windows of their four-person group chat lit up simultaneously. This was their agreed-upon "monthly family meeting."
Jiang Zhao excitedly presented the final version of the music festival plan; Su An shared the good news that her article had been accepted; Lin Jun briefly described the project's progress; and Jiang Qi, unusually, mentioned an "interesting" anomaly in the experimental data, which might indicate a new discovery.
They looked at each other's more mature and confident faces through the screen, and listened to each other's progress in their respective fields, their hearts filled with indescribable pride and warmth.
They were no longer just lovers, but friends, and even more so, the most loyal witnesses and steadfast supporters on each other's journeys of growth. Love did not become a hindrance to their flight; instead, it transformed into the wind that lifted each other's wings, allowing them to soar higher and farther in their own skies. Those intertwined paths, because of their individual brilliance, became even more dazzling.
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