Chapter 17

It made sense—if Shen Yan went to the reunion, the scene would be something no one could even imagine.

Xu Zhou pictured a few scenarios in his mind.

Shen Yan sitting on the sofa exuding a chill aura, everyone hesitating before approaching him, and some colleagues from work hurriedly trying to curry favor…

“Then… why don’t you just wait for me at home?” Xu Zhou asked cautiously.

Shen Yan’s handsome face darkened as he spun him around. “You want to leave me alone to meet someone who used to have a crush on you?”

Xu Zhou: “What crush?”

Shen Yan pointed at Xu Zhou’s phone screen, his expression stern.

Xu Zhou couldn’t help but smile a little. “Maybe they’re married by now.”

Seeing him stay silent, Xu Zhou leaned in and kissed the corner of his lips. “Don’t worry, I won’t like anyone else.”

Looking at Xu Zhou’s eager expression, Shen Yan sighed in resignation.

He pulled him closer and pressed a deep kiss to his lips.

“I’ll come pick you up tonight…”

“Mm.”

—

Lanfeng High School.

It’s a combined junior and senior high school and the top-ranked high school in Xincheng.

Shen Yan drove slowly, the two of them searching for the familiar fried rice noodle shop from years ago.

“Could it be closed?” Xu Zhou sounded disappointed.

“Let’s see.”

“Or should we get out and walk?”

“Sure.”

Shen Yan parked in a spot near the school gate.

The security guard peeked out and nearly got blinded by the silver Lamborghini backing up.

“Whoa! What’s going on!”

He hurried forward to investigate, only to see two young men stepping out of the car, both dressed and looking exceptionally extraordinary. The guard was startled, thinking they must be high-ranking officials coming to inspect the school.

“Uncle, do you know where the fried rice noodle shop went?” Xu Zhou pointed to the building across the street, which had been turned into a supermarket.

The guard relaxed. “It moved inside the school. That shop was always popular with students, so the school allowed them to relocate. It’s been over two years. Were you students here?”

“Yes. Can we go inside and have a look?” Xu Zhou asked eagerly.

The guard hesitated. “Students are on vacation now, and the canteens and stores are closed. Normally, people aren’t allowed in at this time.”

But the two standing before him were extraordinary in both presence and appearance. The guard thought for a moment. “Do you remember any of your old teachers’ names? I’ll confirm before letting you in.”

Xu Zhou gave a name, and the guard made a call.

“You think Song Zhiping would remember us? Mm… he’ll remember you well, you were top of the grade every exam, actually, top of the city every time. Me? Not so much.”

Shen Yan’s eyes flickered, voice low. “He remembers you.”

Xu Zhou found it strange, then remembered:

“Of course. I was always late or daydreaming in class, punished to stand, scolded in the office when I flunked exams…”

Shen Yan chuckled softly, pinching his palm while the guard’s back was turned making the call.

Memories from the past came flooding back…

Every semester, when seats were assigned, Shen Yan would seek out Song Zhiping.

Scene One:

“I want Xu Zhou to be my deskmate.”

Due to his exceptional grades, Shen Yan was the focus of all teachers’ attention but also their most trusted student.

“Xu Zhou often daydreams in class; I’m worried he’ll affect you…”

“I won’t.”

“Alright then…”

Scene Two:

“I want Xu Zhou to be my deskmate.”

“I know you two are close, but sophomore year is important. I think you should sit with someone with better grades, like Wang Anran, who got second in the grade and studies diligently. You could improve together…”

“I don’t need to improve.”

…Alright.

Scene Three:

Song Zhiping looked at the boy now a head taller than him, feeling conflicted.

“This is senior year, the most important. I think…”

“I think classmates should help each other. I want to help Xu Zhou.”

“…”

—

The guard turned around, smiling.

“You may go in. I didn’t expect you were the student who ranked first every exam. Mr. Song just said on the phone that you’re the smartest and most accomplished student he’s ever taught.”

Xu Zhou smiled at Shen Yan. “See? I told you he’d remember you best.”

Shen Yan gently took his hand. “Let’s go.”

The guard watched them, smiling. Two brothers in spirit, hand in hand.

The two youths strolled through the campus, passing the basketball court—Xu Zhou’s favorite spot, and Shen Yan’s as well.

Back then, as the sun set, Xu Zhou and a group of students who didn’t want to go home ran across the court, holding basketballs. Shen Yan sat on a nearby bench, his gaze fixed on the lively figure in the white shirt, the fabric fluttering in the wind, vibrant and untamed. He stayed there, watching him, captivated.

Shen Yan tightened his grip on Xu Zhou’s hand when he turned toward him in confusion, grounding himself in reality.

“Let’s go see the classroom. I wonder if it’s changed.”

“Mm.”

“After basketball, my favorite spot was under that tree. So relaxing.”

“I know.”

Xu Zhou tilted his head curiously. “How do you know? Did you see me here?”

Didn’t Shen Yan always go home after school?

“Because…”

Shen Yan pointed to a row of nearby seats. “I liked to sit there and read.”

“Oh,” Xu Zhou nodded. Shen Yan, a bookworm genius, wasn’t unusual.

“And…” Shen Yan deliberately paused.

Xu Zhou tilted his head. “Stop teasing me.”

Shen Yan’s lips curled, his deep black eyes gleaming with a captivating light.

“Watching the person I like play basketball.”

Xu Zhou’s calm expression faltered, his pale cheeks tinged with pink. His adorable reaction made Shen Yan smile.

Xu Zhou’s heart felt like a feather had brushed against it, leaving a subtle, indescribable tickle.

“Let’s go see the classroom…” Xu Zhou turned, lips curling faintly.

Shen Yan spun him back, cupping his face, and kissed him on the lips while Xu Zhou froze.

“Let’s go.”

Young love was like the wind—unseen, yet felt…

Reaching the familiar senior high building, they held hands tightly. After senior year ended, six years had passed between them.

The classroom door was unlocked. Xu Zhou pushed it open. Now two months after the college entrance exam, the classroom was empty, the building without power, and the cameras off.

Xu Zhou led him to their old seats.

Sitting there, past memories played vividly in their minds.

Xu Zhou chuckled.

“You really liked me back then?”

“Mm.”

“Don’t ‘Mm.’”

“I did.”

“Why?”

Shen Yan hesitated, about to speak.

“Never mind. We’ll talk later. We can trade then.”

Shen Yan playfully pinched his face. “Then now, it’s my turn.”

Here, in this place, he had once cherished a boy within reach yet unattainable. Each time his hand almost touched Xu Zhou’s, he had to withdraw.

“What?”

Before Xu Zhou could react, Shen Yan turned his face to his and pressed his lips against him, gently brushing over every part of his mouth.

The boy surrendered to his feelings again and again, wanting to claim him. Years later, his dream came true.

He had once thought it was his own secret longing, guarding his youthful desire. Only much later did he realize—they had always been each other’s scenery, admiring one another.