Chapter 18: A Long-Lost Call

The first semester of senior year had come to an end, and Tian You was about to begin his internship. Throughout college, he had always earned scholarships and was both the class monitor of the economics department and the president of the student council—he was deeply admired by teachers and classmates alike.

In order to stay close and continue looking after Sheng Han, Tian You had applied to intern on campus. With his outstanding academic record and leadership skills, he was successfully appointed as a teaching assistant in the economics department. This way, even during their internship semester, he could remain by Sheng Han’s side.

On weekends, Tian You and Sheng Han would sometimes join their friends for small gatherings at rented apartments off campus. Everyone would cook together, then unwind with card games or board games. Sometimes they went out for movies. Life passed gently—lighthearted, comfortable, and full of laughter.

It was on one such weekend—
The group was sitting together, happily playing a board game, when Sheng Han’s phone rang.
It was Xiu Jie.

Three years.
They hadn’t seen each other, hadn’t even spoken once.
And now, out of the blue—he was calling.

Sheng Han froze, unsure of what to do.

Tian You, seated beside her, glanced at her phone.
His smile was still as warm and gentle as ever.
“It’s okay,” he said softly. “Go ahead and take the call.”

Sheng Han bit her lip and got up to leave the room.

“Hello?”
She tried to stay calm, but her heart was pounding wildly.

“Sheng Han, it’s me.
I just wanted to tell you—I’ve been accepted into a global talent exchange program.
I’m going abroad for graduate studies. I’m leaving in a couple of days.
Before I go… I just wanted to hear your voice again.”

Sheng Han’s heart dropped.
A strange, heavy sadness welled up inside her.

“Will you come back after your studies?”

“I don’t know,” he said. “Depends on the circumstances.
I plan to pursue my master’s degree over there—keep going as far as I can.”

“What about winter or summer breaks? Will you visit home then?” she asked quickly.

“The journey’s too long, and tickets are expensive.
During the years I’m studying abroad, I probably won’t be coming back at all.”

“…Safe travels.”

“Mm. That’s all then. Goodbye.”

The call ended.

Sheng Han tilted her head toward the sky.
The sky above Migu was as blue and clear as always,
the sunlight as bright, the air as crisp and gentle.

She stretched lazily, smiled faintly, and walked back into the room.

Inside, everyone was still enjoying the game, laughter filling the space.
Sheng Han quietly returned to Tian You’s side.
He gave her a comforting look and patted her hand.

“I’m fine,” she said with a bright smile.
Tian You smiled back, saying nothing more.

He never pushed, never demanded.

From the very beginning, Tian You had guarded Sheng Han gently and patiently,
always giving her space and freedom.
No matter what happened, no matter how he felt—
if Sheng Han didn’t want to talk, he never asked.

This time was no different.

In truth, from the moment Sheng Han had stepped out to answer that call,
Tian You had already imagined every possible outcome in his mind.
He was prepared—prepared even if the call meant that Xiu Jie wanted her back.
And if Sheng Han wanted that too,
then Tian You would have let her go.

Because all he had ever wanted
was for her to be truly happy.

That was enough.

The chatter and laughter around them soon washed over both of their unspoken thoughts.
But how long could this peace last?

No one knew.
So—cherish the now.

While they still had carefree days to enjoy,
laugh without restraint,
and toss aside all burdens and doubts.

Follow the heart.
Let things flow freely.
And maybe, just maybe—that’s more than enough.