Chapter 24: Dreams Come True “Standing beside him as a friend will…
"2018.06.24 The heat is hard to stop"
Feeling sad is the most insignificant emotion I have when it comes to liking you.
——Excerpt from Tao Shuran’s Diary
*
A huge surprise rushed to Tao Shuran's head, and she opened her eyes in a flash, but she didn't expect Liang Yuanjing's face to be so close to her.
He rested his hands on the railing in front of her, holding up his phone with the score checking page in front of her. He leaned forward slightly, allowing people to clearly see every tiny pore on the tip of his nose.
My heart is about to jump out of my chest.
This time Tao Shuran could confirm it because she saw Liang Yuanjing's eyes.
His eyes were so focused and charming, perfectly embracing all of her.
This is a 100% fantasy shot for a secret admirer.
"I passed the exam."
Looking at the blank prompt on the score inquiry page, Tao Shuran's mind was in a mess and he even stumbled when speaking.
She forgot all about the distance between them and Liang Yuanjing, and nervously grabbed his sleeve and asked, "Liang Yuanjing, did the teacher say last time that the top few scores would be blocked?"
“Top 20 in the province in liberal arts and top 50 in science.”
Liang Yuanjing put one hand in his pocket, and even when he was relaxed, his back was very straight. He probably thought she looked silly and cute at that moment.
His usually cold face also showed a little smile. He leaned over and looked into her eyes and said word by word:
"Tao Shuran, you got admitted to Qing University."
"I was admitted to Qingda University."
A dream came true. Tao Shuran began to tremble uncontrollably. Her eyes seemed to be filled with stars, and she stared at him with shining eyes.
Liang Yuanjing turned around and looked ahead, but his mind was still stuck on the previous frame.
He had never seen Tao Shuran's eyes so bright and shining.
At this moment, all her joy and happiness were because of another person she loved.
The power of love is really great.
He sighed again.
After she left, Fu Changpei slowly walked out from the end of the corridor.
"Why don't you check your scores?"
Liang Yuanjing said indifferently: "Not interested."
This is his personality. He is indifferent to everything and even more indifferent to feelings.
"Are you still staying at my house during the summer vacation?"
Fu Changpei put his hand on his shoulder and jokingly said, "Are you really not going to study in the United States? Isn't that good?"
“It’s not bad, I just don’t like it.”
Liang Yuanjing raised his eyebrows and indulged himself, "If I don't like it, no one can force me to do it."
*
The news that Linchuan High School won the top spot in both liberal arts and science spread throughout Fuqing overnight.
Zhou Wu was so happy that his face almost broke. He called early in the morning and asked Tao Shuran, the top student in liberal arts, to come on stage and give a speech to encourage his younger classmates.
Tao Shuran himself hasn't digested this information yet.
He said modestly, "No need, Mr. Zhou, I'm just lucky."
She was so lucky that the knowledge points of the last two math questions happened to be the same ones that Fu Changpei had explained to her the night before the exam.
I heard that this question was more difficult than previous years' college entrance examinations, and almost no one in the province could answer it. It was also because of the full score for this big question that Tao Shuran immediately gained an advantage.
After learning the news, she immediately called to thank Fu Changpei.
Fu Changpei told her honestly, "The questions were sorted out by Liang Yuanjing. He has training tonight, so he asked me to explain them to you."
No matter what, the help Fu Changpei gave her in her studies this year was substantial.
Tao Shuran said "thank you" softly, then turned to ask him, "What about you? Have you decided on your major?"
Fu Changpei did not do badly in the exam this time.
Although Liang Yuanjing won the top spot in science, if the competition points were included, his score would still exceed Liang Yuanjing's.
He can choose any university he wants to attend across the country.
Unexpectedly, Fu Changpei paused for a moment and said reluctantly, "I haven't thought about it yet."
But hasn’t his dream always been to study medicine?
Tao Shuran looked up at the window opposite. At night, the lights in the Fu family were still on, but there was no joy as after the college entrance examination results were released. The whole family fell into a dead silence.
It was not until the next morning that Tao Shuran heard from the neighbors that Teacher Song was so angry that he smashed the TV at home.
Just because Fu Changpei insisted on applying for medical major.
Zhao Yanyun sighed, "This child from the old Fu family has reached his rebellious stage."
After saying that, she glanced at Tao Shuran vaguely.
Tao Shuran pinched the corner of his clothes, said nothing, and walked out the door silently with his schoolbag.
When she went downstairs, she met Fu Changpei taking out the trash. He was wearing a black home suit. He was very reserved, unlike Liang Yuanjing's cold and indifferent attitude.
Tao Shuran had heard of Fu Changpei's name as soon as she entered the school.
She knew that he was an outstanding student in school and a good boy with good moral character praised by his neighbors.
At the same time, she also knew that he was diligent and hardworking, did not participate in any entertainment activities, had no emotion in his clear and cold eyes, and was lonely and silent.
Gentleness is just his appearance. The depressing family atmosphere caused by losing his father has always hung over him.
Tao Shuran sighed softly and stood quietly behind him.
Then, she discovered an incredible scene——
In the narrow alley at the corner of the sycamore tree, Fu Changpei skillfully took out a lighter from his pocket, and the scarlet flame lit up. His cold white, slender fingers, like works of art, held a cigarette.
He raised his head, and his thin, bony collarbone rose and fell slightly in the layers of smoke he exhaled.
Those soft, emotionless eyes froze the moment they looked up at her.
Tao Shuran turned his head thoughtfully.
"Sorry, I'm just passing by."
"It doesn't matter."
It took a while for Fu Changpei to find his voice. Maybe because he had just smoked, his voice was hoarse and gritty. He slowly stood up and brushed away the smoke that filled the surroundings.
"Come back later," he said.
Tao Shuran obediently replied "OK", but he was actually quite nervous. It was embarrassing and difficult to deal with to suddenly discover someone else's secret.
When the smell of smoke had almost dissipated, Fu Changpei slowly walked over.
The sun was shining brightly at eight o'clock in the morning. Half of his face was hidden in the shadows of the alley, and his drooping eyelashes were clearly visible.
Tao Shuran looked at him and said softly, "Aren't you going to attend the graduation ceremony later?"
"I heard from Teacher Zhou that many universities have set up recruitment centers. We can go there to find out the admission scores for various majors."
Fu Changpei said softly, "Can I go and find out?"
"Why not?"
Tao Shuran looked at him steadily: "No matter what choice you make, we will support you."
Fu Changpei's gaze lingered on her face again.
He rarely looked at a girl like this. She was wearing a blue floral skirt that just reached below her knees. Her skin was very white, and the tip of her nose was shining in the sun.
Even without laughing, he still thought she was bright.
Fu Changpei calmed down, went back upstairs to change his clothes, and when he came downstairs and saw her still waiting downstairs, his mind was shaken again.
Tao Shuran walked away beside him, clutching her schoolbag, and asked him in a relaxed tone:
"What does it feel like to smoke?"
“It’s not good for your health.”
Seeing that she was eager to try, Fu Changpei stopped, looked at her seriously and said, "You can't try."
Tao Shuran nodded, turned around and asked him, "Then why do you want to try?"
“It’s too much pressure.”
Fu Changpei said lightly.
Later, seeing her clear eyes was like a bitter winter snow in the north, making people unable to help but express all their feelings.
He laughed at himself and said, "At first, I was worried that I wouldn't do well in the exam and would disappoint others. Later, when I did well, I felt very upset."
"It will pass."
Tao Shuran listened to him quietly, her eyes were slightly moved, and she seemed to be thinking of some past events.
Without any sympathy, just to comfort him.
“There will come a day when you can truly be yourself.”
Fu Changpei smiled and said "OK", his fingers pressing on the lighter hidden in his pocket. He remembered that day when Liang Yuanjing was studying in the evening, she came to borrow a lighter.
The moment the firelight came on, her face became warm and bright.
…
After arriving at school, Tao Shuran and Fu Changpei parted ways.
Before she even reached the classroom, Zhou Wu took her to his office to show off.
"Not bad, Teacher Zhou. You have two top scorers under your tutelage."
Zhou Wu pretended to be modest: "The other one is not mine, it belongs to Mr. Sun in the flight class."
Because of this opportunity, her name was listed alongside Liang Yuanjing.
Tao Shuran walked across the school's glory wall, slowly moving forward from the last one, as if he could see himself trying hard to catch up in every exam.
March 13, 2018
After one mock test, I touched the tail end of the Glory Wall.
April 12, 2018
There are 18 more, getting closer and closer to you.
May 28, 2018
Just a little bit more and I can stand shoulder to shoulder with you.
…
I finally did it.
Tao Shuran's eyes were slightly moist. Thinking of those days and nights when she couldn't hold on, she secretly recited his name.
Today, Liang Yuanjing and her photo are finally hung on this wall of glory.
The two of them were only a few feet apart.
But she came here after going through many unspeakable hardships.
"You must be very proud of getting first place in the liberal arts exam."
Wen Fangfang had appeared behind him at some point, and her voice almost jumped out of her throat.
Her eyes reddened as she said, "I like Liang Yuanjing so much. I never missed a single one of his basketball games, but in the end you still came out on top."
On the day of the exam, Wen Fangfang burst into tears in the classroom because she was too nervous. Several teachers came to comfort her.
Later, when the results came out, she didn't do very well, just a few points away from the first-tier line. It was definitely impossible for her to study for an undergraduate degree in Fuqing.
I heard that she broke down several times at home and refused to come out to see anyone.
Tao Shuran sighed: "Why do you always treat me as a competitor?"
"Wen Fangfang, liking someone is about making yourself better."
"The power of liking him motivates you to move forward, rather than keeping you in constant fear of loss."
Tao Shuran sincerely suggested: "If you are not willing to give up, try repeating the grade."
As long as you don't give up, there will always be a chance to start over.
Wen Fangfang stood there in a daze, tears welling up in her eyes. Perhaps she had not expected that Tao Shuran would still be kind to her after the college entrance examination.
She choked out a sob and said, "I'm sorry."
Tao Shuran said: "It doesn't matter."
His tone was gentle, his emotions as calm as ever, but he told her seriously, "But we won't be friends. You slandered me at school and threatened me with my old photos. These are all very bad things."
Wen Fangfang lowered her eyes: "I won't tell anyone the secret that you like him."
"Tao Shuran, will you be sad to stand by him as a friend?"
Tao Shuran paused slightly as she was about to leave. Her heart felt like it was pricked by a needle, and an unknown emotion spread out.
"It will be sad."
She smiled: "But I'm also very happy."
*
Zhao Zhengnian organized a party at the weekend to celebrate his successful stay in Fuqing after the college entrance examination.
Last time, no one knew it was Tao Shuran’s birthday, and they were clamoring to make it up to her.
It turned out that last time was her birthday.
Sitting on the sofa, Liang Yuanjing stretched his arms lazily and asked in a lazy tone, "How old is it?"
Tao Shuran whispered, "Eighteen years old."
It's a coming-of-age ceremony, that's worth a big celebration.
He chuckled and said casually, "Younger than me."
Zhao Zhengnian interrupted with a threatening tone: "What's wrong, Jing? You still want people to call you brother?"
Liang Yuanjing pulled out the pillow from under his waist and threw it over, scolding with a smile, "If you keep talking nonsense, I'll make you pay tonight."
"Where's the gift? Take it out."
Zhao Zhengnian scratched his head and suddenly felt embarrassed about giving the gift.
"I don't have much experience in giving gifts to girls, so I just picked one for you at the mall."
There was a pair of boxes. He casually threw the one closest to his palm into Fang Qingyi's arms without looking at her.
"Fang Qingyi, this is yours."
Fang Qingyi cried out in pain, her shoulder hurting slightly from being hit, and she glared at him angrily.
"Why are you giving me a birthday present?"
Zhao Zhengnian said helplessly, "What can I do? This bracelet only comes in a pair, and you can't buy it individually. It's up to you whether you want it or not. Don't give it to Fu Changpei."
“Yes, yes, yes.”
"There's a call for a cake delivery. I'll go out and get it."
Fang Qingyi casually put the bracelet into her pocket. She caught a glimpse of Fu Changpei, who had been sitting quietly since he came in, and without thinking, she picked him up.
"You come with me."
Zhao Zhengnian hurriedly followed him out: "I'm going too."
"Please, I only ordered an 8-inch cake. I won't bother you two."
The box suddenly became empty, and she and Liang Yuanjing were left alone in the enclosed space.
Tao Shuran lowered her eyes, unable to stay alone in the same space with Liang Yuanjing.
She was afraid that her heartbeat would reveal her fear, so she quickly followed Fang Qingyi's footsteps.
"I'll go with you guys, so I can see what the cake looks like."
Zhao Zhengnian tutted, "Ajing, our classmate Tao doesn't seem to want to be alone with you at all."
"Yeah?"
Liang Yuanjing raised his chin as if to confirm what he said. His expression became indifferent and he walked towards the box next to him.
"Some friends are here, I'm going to say hello."
Coincidentally, students from the flight class next door pushed the door open and the leader, Xu Yanyang, saw Liang Yuanjing and greeted him calmly.
"Liang Yuanjing?"
"What a coincidence."
"Do you want to play together?" Xu Yanyang opened the door. There were not many people inside. There were about ten people from the flight class, all looking forward to it.
"I heard you scored higher than Fu Xueshen. That's amazing. There aren't many of you here. Why don't you come in and play with us?"
There are not many people in the flight class, but the three years of military training have enabled them to develop a different kind of relationship from others.
Liang Yuanjing is the backbone here. When it comes to flying, he is undoubtedly a talented and outstanding person.
Outstanding people shine wherever they go.
Tao Shuran lowered her head slightly, feeling depressed, afraid that the words she had just said would cause him to feel resentful.
It wasn't that she really didn't want to be alone with him.
But I really don’t know how to get along with him.
Xu Yanyang took the initiative to come over and ask the girls if they were interested in playing together, as it was a good opportunity for them to get to know each other after graduation.
Fang Qingyi shrugged: "I'm fine with anything. It's up to me."
Zhao Zhengnian excitedly leaned over and asked, "Are you Xu Yanyang? The one who's really good at gaming?"
The focus of everyone's excitement shifted once again. Amidst the hustle and bustle, Fu Changpei still remembered to get her the cake.
As we were leaving, he asked softly, "Do you want to go?"
Tao Shuran was stunned. She didn't expect that he would still remember to ask her what she thought.
She thought for a moment and said, "If everyone wants to go, then let's go."
She felt embarrassed to dampen everyone's excitement, so she turned her head and asked Fu Changpei, "What about you? Do you want to go?"
Fu Changpei said: "If everyone wants to go, I will go too."
His moon-like face tilted upwards slightly, and he tilted his head to look at her with a look filled with tenderness. He spoke in a tone that made her feel close:
"Tao Shuran, we are actually very similar."
…
The shape of the birthday cake was chosen by Fang Qingyi. The double-layer 8-inch cake was placed in the center of the round table in the private room.
Tao Shuran was surrounded and came to the center position.
Not used to being the center of attention, she subconsciously wanted to step back.
In the crowd pushing forward, Liang Yuanjing clenched his fists and placed his straight arms slightly against her waist, but not touching, as if he was just afraid that she would fall.
His refreshing breath instantly filled her entire body, and the crowded space became heart-pounding.
Amidst loud cheers, Tao Shuran lowered his head and blew out the birthday candles for his eighteenth birthday.
"Happy birthday!"
"Who is this?"
"You don't know him? He's ranked first in liberal arts this year."
"Oh, that Tao Shuran, right? He's first in both liberal arts and science. He's a good match for our Captain Liang."
They were all seventeen or eighteen years old, full of vigor and vitality. When they talked about this, Xu Yanyang became obviously excited.
She deliberately moved closer to Liang Yuanjing and asked, "Ajing, when you rejected those girls before, you said you wouldn't fall in love before the end of high school. What about now?"
He asked curiously, "Do you have a girl you like?"
There are many different opinions about Liang Yuanjing's ideal type.
He is cold to all girls and makes it impossible for anyone to guess what he likes.
At the age of youth, is there really no emotion at all?
None of the boys in the flight class believed it. They all privately felt that Liang Yuanjing must have a girl in his heart whom he loved very much, so much so that no other girl in the world could catch his eye.
Liang Yuanjing was sitting on a high stool, studying the various drinks displayed on the bar.
Hearing this, she didn't even raise her head and responded to him perfunctorily.
Later, Xu Yanyang asked impatiently and directly, "Is anyone here?"
Liang Yuanjing was holding a square-mouthed glass and putting ice cubes into it. Hearing this, he sneered and seemed to find it very funny.
He tilted his head slightly and smiled nonchalantly.
"No."
Xu Yanyang couldn't stand it: "Your handsome face is so charming that it makes people want to commit a crime, you know that?"
Liang Yuanjing couldn't help laughing, he tilted his head lazily to look at him and said jokingly, "Really? I only smile like this at you."
At this moment, Fang Qingyi exclaimed and said to Tao Shuran in a coquettish manner, "Ranran, I said I don't like mangoes, why did you cut a piece of mango for me?"
Tao Shuran paused while cutting the cake, slowly withdrew his gaze, and lowered his head to look at the crooked cake that he had cut unconsciously.
She whispered, "I'm sorry."
He gave the piece next to it back to Fang Qingyi.
She was a little absent-minded in everything she did afterwards, and the piece of cake she had cut with the most care was left on the table.
Everyone gathered together to sing, and the place soon became lively. As they toasted each other, even Tao Shuran was persuaded by Fang Qingyi to try a few glasses of mixed fruit wine.
In the middle of the meeting, she ran to the balcony to get some fresh air while no one was paying attention.
The air in the box was not circulating, and Liang Yuanjing's words "no" lingered in her mind for a long time.
Although I know this is an established fact, it is still extremely sad to hear him say it.
Tao Shuran raised his head slightly, squinted his eyes to look at the hazy moon, and waited quietly for the evening breeze to wash away all the sadness.
Fang Qingyi stopped singing in the room and threw the microphone to Zhao Zhengnian. She leaned close to Fu Changpei's ear and whispered:
"Why are you suddenly unhappy?"
"Why do I feel like I've been heartbroken?"
Fu Changpei said softly: "Maybe he is just not used to this kind of occasion and wants to be alone for a while."
Liang Yuanjing raised his eyebrows, turned his head and looked at the little person on the balcony.
With his waist slightly bent, his whole body was pressed against the railing. Even though only his back was visible, his sad and lonely temperament was obvious.
She was in high spirits when she blew out the candles just now. Who made her so sad?
Could it be the person she likes?
Liang Yuanjing had no interest in exploring other people's feelings, but he just happened to meet her and couldn't help but think too much.
He took a sip of water, and out of the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of Xu Yanyang holding the microphone and singing a love song.
Flight class.
Could it be that the person she likes is Xu Yanyang?
Everything seemed to be falling into place, so the piece of cake with her name on it on the table was left for Xu Yanyang?
When cutting the cake, Xu Yanyang waved his hands and said, "No need to share with me. I don't like cake."
She didn't say anything, but her mood became depressed from then on.
I see.
Liang Yuanjing withdrew his gaze indifferently, supported his chin with his hand and looked into the distance.
Tao Shuran stayed on the balcony for a while and felt much better.
It’s nothing, at least that’s what he meant by “nothing”, which also means that he doesn’t have anyone he likes.
She still had a chance to get close to him.
Perhaps the talent of a secret admirer is to relieve himself. The pale moon outside the window gradually sinks to the west, and the sky gradually becomes darker.
Tao Shuran knocked his aching forehead and walked back slowly holding the railing.
"Where are the people?"
She rubbed her eyes. She didn't know when the lively scene ended, and the box was empty, with only scattered drink bottles left.
It's like being forgotten by the world.
A feeling of loss and emptiness swept over his body, and uncomfortable emotions surged. Tao Shuran stumbled back and half-knelt down to look for his mobile phone.
Maybe it accidentally fell into the gap when it was placed on the sofa.
As soon as she lowered her head, she felt dizzy, as if the whole world was spinning.
So much so that when Liang Yuanjing appeared in front of her, she thought she was traveling through time and space.
Tao Shuran shook her head and ignored him, still bending over and struggling to find her cell phone.
The cell phone started to ring, and Liang Yuanjing stood against the wall with his arms folded, looking at her.
Later, I couldn't bear it anymore and handed her the phone.
Tao Shuran asked softly, "Where are they?"
"Everyone left. Xu Yanyang went to pay the bill. Fang Qingyi drank too much, so Fu Changpei and Zhao Zhengnian sent her back."
"What about you?"
"I?"
Liang Yuanjing put one hand in his pocket, walked to the sofa, bent down, took out the mobile phone she had been trying to reach, and waved it in front of her.
"Just like you, I forgot my phone."
"Let's go, I'll take you back."
Liang Yuanjing picked up his coat, suddenly paused, leaned over and sniffed, and caught a glimpse of the empty wine bottle in her hand out of the corner of his eye.
He asked casually, "How much did you drink?"
"550ml." Tao Shuran blinked and told him honestly, "This is a low alcohol content. It won't make you drunk."
Liang Yuanjing said: "People have different tolerance levels for alcohol."
Tao Shuran said "Oh" and stood there without moving.
She looked dazed, as if her head was really overwhelmed by alcohol.
Liang Yuanjing felt that she was a little special like this. He stood there and smiled, then reached out his hand, easily lifted the collar of her neck and led her forward.
"Tao Shuran, you are really naughty. You even drank to drown your sorrows for a man."
From the box next door came the sound of ghostly and howling singing. It was obviously a tender song, but it was sung in a heart-wrenching way.
Liang Yuanjing recognized the song as "Mercury".
He sneered and couldn't help but complain, "This brother must have been heartbroken, his singing is so bad."
As soon as he finished speaking, he thought of what happened between Tao Shuran and Xu Yanyang, and suddenly felt that something was wrong.
Liang Yuanjing looked away and stopped talking.
In the quiet atmosphere, Tao Shuran looked at his eyes and eyebrows under the dazzling light.
She smiled softly, but her eyes didn't show much happiness.
Just ask him: "Do you think I like someone else?"
It's more than just liking someone.
He also knew who she liked.
Liang Yuanjing responded without saying yes or no. He always had a cold attitude when it came to relationships.
Tao Shuran raised her head and looked at him quietly.
After a while, she lowered her head and followed him silently.
"I'm drunk."
Liang Yuanjing has been living in Fu Changpei's house recently, and they take the same route home.
Hearing this, he paused in his steps.
From a friend's perspective, he really wanted to turn around and give the girl a good scolding.
After all, she was the top scorer in the college entrance examination, but she was so sad for a boy she liked.
When I turned around, I saw her sad and tearful eyes.
Tao Shuran raised his head, and behind him was the hazy moonlight and the lights intertwined with each other.
The boy she loved was standing right before her.
But she had to pretend to see another person through him and express all her sadness.
"I'm very sad, but I also like you very much."
-----------------------
Author's Note: I updated 7,000 words today! That barely counts as a double update, right?! Give me some praise! Ahhh, I've been typing away on the serial and the next chapter lately, and my keyboard is practically smoking. But then I think, no matter what, I can't let it affect the daily updates of "You Don't See Me," so I'm staying up late every night.
I wanted to try to make this story about a sour secret love, so the plot may not be a completely sweet love story, because in my understanding of secret love, many of them are just a fleeting moment for one person, and in the process of liking someone, one is often overwhelmed by a feeling of loss.
"I'm very sad, but I also like you very much."
Probably the best way to express secret love.
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