On a rainy night, the school beauty knocked on my door and asked for shelter
Chapter Summary
The boy I remember, who always slouched and tried to make himself less noticeable, is gone; in his place stands tall and straight like a pine tree. The eyes that used to always be lowered and avoid others' gaze, now, although still carrying a reserved and scholarly air, no longer flicker or evade, but instead peacefully meet everyone's gaze, with even a gentle smile in their depths. He smiled and stopped thinking about it, then looked at everyone and said, "Alright, it's not easy for everyone to...
With Zhou Hao's witty remark, everyone instantly felt as if they had returned to their high school days.
The six-month separation did not cause much estrangement in their relationship.
Just then, a slightly gentle voice came from the corner: "Chen Mo, Su Yuqing, long time no see.
"The speaker was Lin Yu'an.
Chen Mo glanced at him and saw that he had changed a lot.
The Lin Yu'an in front of him had almost lost all traces of his former self.
The boy I remember, who always slouched and tried to make himself less noticeable, is gone; in his place stands tall and straight like a pine tree.
He was wearing a well-tailored light gray casual suit with a simple white T-shirt underneath, looking fresh and energetic.
The eyes that used to always be lowered and avoid others' gaze, now, although still carrying a reserved and scholarly air, no longer flicker or evade, but instead peacefully meet everyone's gaze, with even a gentle smile in their depths.
It was a power that grew from within, washing away past inferiority and gloom, making him radiate a calm glow.
He was holding a beautifully packaged rectangular gift box as he steadily walked forward.
"Yu'an!
" Chen Mo's eyes flashed with genuine surprise, his tone filled with admiration, "You've changed so much!
I almost didn't recognize you just now!
"Lin Yu'an's transformation is not just in appearance, but also in the aura she exudes from within.
Hearing Chen Mo's praise, Lin Yu'an smiled somewhat shyly.
His smile still held a trace of familiar embarrassment, but no longer contained any bitterness.
He handed the gift box to Chen Mo and Su Yuqing: "It's just a small token of my congratulations on getting into your ideal universities, and I wish you all the best in the future.
"Chen Mo took it and opened the box.
Inside were two custom-made fountain pens placed side by side.
The pens had a deep navy blue body, with the abbreviations "CM" and "SYQ" engraved on them in elegant silver lettering.
Below them was a line of neat small print: "[A bright future awaits, let's walk hand in hand]".
This gift is more meaningful than the item itself.
"Thank you, Yu'an.
" Chen Mo closed the box, patted his shoulder solemnly, and said sincerely, "This gift is so precious, I like it very much.
""Me too.
" Su Yuqing nodded quickly, her eyes filled with relief and gratitude.
"Thank you, Yu'an!
"She was genuinely happy that this once gloomy boy could shine so brightly.
"Hey, Yu'an, you don't even have a future sister or brother-in-law yet, why are you giving gifts to 'outsiders' first?
" Huang Mao teased from the side.
Upon hearing this, Chen Mo and Su Yuqing were taken aback, only then noticing that there was another girl sitting next to where Lin Yu'an had been.
It was Zhao Yueyue's younger sister, Zhao Yuanyuan.
"When did you two start dating?
" Chen Mo asked Lin Yu'an in surprise.
This made Lin Yu'an and Zhao Yuanyuan blush a little.
Compared to the other three couples, Chen Mo & Su Yuqing, Zhou Hao & Qu Danwan, and Huang Mao & Zhao Yueyue, these two have only just started dating.
Moreover, it was Zhao Yuanyuan who actively pursued Lin Yu'an.
At first, Lin Yu'an even refused in fear.
Deep-seated inferiority made him feel that with his ordinary family background and abilities, he was simply incapable of bringing happiness to a bright girl like Zhao Yuanyuan, and he was afraid of holding her back.
But Zhao Yuanyuan possessed a similar persistence and insight as her sister; she did not give up, but instead used her actions and words to gradually melt away his defenses.
She told him that liking someone doesn't require so much prior consideration of whether you're a good match; what matters is whether two sincere hearts are willing to get closer and whether you can work together on the road ahead.
She was drawn to his core kindness, resilience, and rare gentleness and sensitivity.
“The key is not that I’m afraid I can’t do it now, but that I’m afraid I don’t even have the courage to try.
” Zhao Yuanyuan’s words deeply moved Lin Yu’an.
He suddenly realized that he had been trapped in the shadow of the past, building a high wall with his inferiority complex, but ignoring that there was always sunshine willing to shine in from outside the wall.
Lin Yu'an was deeply moved by Zhao Yuanyuan's ideas and gradually changed his self-pitying personality, becoming more positive and optimistic.
Beautiful and pure love can indeed change a person's life!
"I mainly want to thank Chen Mo for protecting me and taking care of me during high school.
Without his willingness to play with me, I wouldn't have been able to become friends with everyone, let alone meet Yuanyuan.
You could say that without Chen Mo, I wouldn't be where I am today.
I can never repay this kindness in my lifetime.
I'm even afraid that my gift is too meager.
" Lin Yu'an explained the reason in response to Huang Mao's teasing.
As he spoke, his eyes were filled with sincere gratitude as he looked at Chen Mo.
His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.
Sometimes, a simple act of kindness can change a person's life.
After Lin Yu'an finished speaking, everyone fell silent.
Su Yuqing couldn't help but look at Chen Mo with emotion.
Because she felt the same way.
Wasn't she the same?
On that stormy night, if he hadn't opened the door, her life would have been frozen in the cold rain.
How could she have felt the warmth in his palm and the fulfillment before her eyes now?
It was his gentle treatment and care that changed his destiny.
"Yu'an, please don't say that.
From now on, we'll be good friends.
It's only right for good friends to help each other when they're in trouble.
If I can help you today, maybe you can help me tomorrow.
There's no question of owing each other anything.
" Chen Mo smiled and patted Lin Yu'an on the shoulder, feeling quite touched himself.
My return this time has changed the fate of too many people.
Su Yuqing, Lin Yu'an, Zhou Hao, Qu Danwan, and even Huang Mao and Zhao Yueyue.
Without him, the lives of the first four would have inevitably ended in tragedy.
The latter would mean far fewer interactions and moments of excitement for them, making it much more difficult for them to be together than it is now.
Thanks to his involvement, all of his high school friends are moving towards a happier future, a change that makes Chen Mo very gratified.
I'm glad I didn't come back for nothing this time.
He not only saved Su Yuqing's life, but also restored everyone's happiness!
But suddenly, for no apparent reason, he felt a tightness in his chest, a little scared.
I fear that I have created so much happiness that I shouldn't have had, and that I might suffer the wrath of fate for it.
Just as he was lost in thought, his hand was suddenly grasped by a warm and delicate palm.
In that instant, all his wild thoughts vanished.
He turned his head and saw Su Yuqing's loving and grateful expression.
He smiled and stopped thinking about it, then looked at everyone and said, "Alright, it's not easy for everyone to come home and get together, so let's not get too sentimental.
Come on, everyone, take your seats and let's have a good meal.
"Hearing this, Lin Yu'an smiled and sat back down next to Zhao Yuanyuan.
The others also took their seats one after another.
(End of Chapter)