Chapter 6: Handwritten Memories of the Past

There was an artificial lake on the campus of Jiangda University.

The small grove by the lake was jokingly called the “Lovers’ Paradise” by the students.
Single people didn’t even dare to walk through it.

The breeze from the lake lifted Lin Ximeng’s long hair, carrying with it a light fragrance.

Li Huangxuan walked beside her, hands in his pockets, matching her pace as he shared interesting campus stories and gossip.

Lin Ximeng listened casually, a gentle smile at the corner of her lips.

Gradually, the sound of music drifted from ahead.

In front of a flowerbed, a crowd of students had gathered around a good-looking guy playing guitar and singing:

I look at your face, gently strumming the chords.
First love was written all over the pages—
Handwritten memories of the past.
I still remember that autumn,
When we said goodbye.
As the love faded away,
I buried you deep in my heart…

A guy who can play guitar is practically invincible on campus.

The girls in the crowd had stars in their eyes, screaming and swooning.

Lin Ximeng stood still, listening to the song, and tears suddenly streamed down her cheeks.

Perhaps it’s true—brokenhearted people are the most vulnerable to love songs. A single lyric can shatter the defenses they’ve built around their heart.

Li Huangxuan froze for a moment, then frantically searched his pockets.

He vaguely remembered from an online dating guide: Always bring tissues when you’re out with a girl.

“Here, Mengmeng,” he said, pulling the tissue out as neatly as possible and handing it over.

Lin Ximeng looked up at him through tear-filled eyes—then suddenly threw herself into his arms, sobbing loudly.

Li Huangxuan’s body went stiff like a board. He didn’t dare move.

His arms hovered awkwardly in the air, unsure where to place them.

His mind went completely blank. Not a single comforting word came to him.

After a while, Lin Ximeng calmed down. Li Huangxuan wiped the tears and snot off his shirt with a tissue.

“Sorry… I’ll wash your shirt when we get home,” Lin Ximeng said apologetically.

“It’s fine. I drool on my shirt all the time during office naps,” he replied with a shrug.

Lin Ximeng burst out laughing through her tears.

Li Huangxuan’s heart raced.

He cursed himself inwardly for trying to act noble—he should’ve hugged her back.

This morning, when Lin Ximeng was arranging flowers, she had been humming Jay Chou’s “Rosemary.” And now, this song, “Handwritten Memories of the Past,” had stirred her emotions so deeply.

Li Huangxuan asked, “Are you a Jay Chou fan too?”

Lin Ximeng thought for a moment. “I wasn’t before… but I guess I am now.”

“Which song’s your favorite?”

“There are too many. It’s hard to pick just one.”

They strolled along the lakeside.

Lin Ximeng had cheered up and started singing softly.

Her voice was sweet and clear. Every song she sang was beautiful, blending the original artist’s flavor with her own unique charm.

Long ago, someone loved you for a long time,
But gradually, the wind
Blew us farther apart.
After all that, we only gained one more day of love—
And in the end,
You still said goodbye.

Li Huangxuan was a Jay Chou fan too, but he was completely tone-deaf—not cut out for singing.

Still, the mood called for it. It’d be awkward not to try.

He sang a clumsy version of “Track,” making Lin Ximeng burst into laughter.

“You’re so off-key, your voice sounds like it swam to the Pacific Ocean.”

“Hey now, I was just trying to cheer you up. Don’t be ungrateful.”

They left the campus and headed to the local food street.

Hot oden and sweet caramel milk tea—a combination of pure, high-calorie indulgence.

The joy of junk food was unbeatable.

Unfortunately, Li Huangxuan didn’t eat fish, and most of the oden items were fish-based.

His bowl ended up looking rather sad and plain.

Lin Ximeng picked up a beef ball and dropped it into his bowl. “Thanks for singing for me. Here’s your reward.”

Li Huangxuan offered her a chunk of white radish in return. “Thanks for singing my idol’s songs so beautifully.”

“I give you meat and you give me vegetables? That doesn’t seem fair.” Lin Ximeng smirked and poked around in his bowl, finally stealing a piece of tofu.

Not to be outdone, Li Huangxuan reached over and started picking food from her bowl too.

Before they knew it, their two bowls had merged into one.

Sharing food always made it taste better.

“You’ve been here for four years. Bet you’ve brought a lot of girls here to eat?” Lin Ximeng suddenly asked in a quiet tone.

“Nope, just came with roommates,” Li Huangxuan answered without hesitation.

“Not even once with a girl?” she pressed.

He paused. The question hit a nerve.

He thought back—five years including a break from school, and he’d been to this food street easily over a hundred times.

Had he really never come here with a girl?

Better not think about it. The more he did, the more it felt like a personal failure.

They continued wandering and snacking until night fell and the city lights came on. Then they finally returned to the rented apartment.

As soon as they opened the door, the scent of flowers greeted them.

The living room was spotless, clean, and organized.

Back when he was living with Zhang Chuan, the place was always a mess—smelling like dirty socks.

The contrast was staggering.

Li Huangxuan sighed emotionally. For once, life actually felt like living.

Lin Ximeng changed into pajamas, tied up her hair into a bun, and started doing his laundry with the washing machine.

Watching her bustle around the living room, full of energy, Li Huangxuan felt like he’d suddenly gotten himself a wife.

His parents probably lived this kind of life every day too.

“You have work tomorrow. Don’t stay up writing too late. Get some rest,” she said gently.

“Alright. You too, Mengmeng.”

Li Huangxuan closed his bedroom door, leaned against the wall, and tears welled in his eyes.

So this is what it feels like to be cared for.

A home really needs a woman to feel complete.

He wrote until 11 p.m., then turned off the lights and went to bed.

Around 2 or 3 a.m., he woke up needing to pee—probably from too much milk tea earlier.

When he came out of the bathroom, he noticed Lin Ximeng’s door was half open.

He remembered the doors in this old rental couldn’t be locked from inside, but a half-open door… that was different from just closed.

Men and women living together—was she really this trusting?

Or maybe… the half-open door was a signal.

If he didn’t take the hint, would she be disappointed?

A bit of moonlight streamed in through the window, outlining Lin Ximeng’s silhouette.

The faint fragrance of a woman lingered in the air.

As a healthy 23-year-old guy, it was perfectly natural for Li Huangxuan to have… thoughts.

A reckless impulse surged inside him—he wanted to burst into her room, pull her up into his arms, and kiss her passionately.

But of course, that remained pure fantasy.

Otherwise, he’d likely end up in a holding cell tonight, accused of being a pervert.

Lust is the root of all evil. Judge actions, not thoughts.

Li Huangxuan tore his gaze away, returned to his room, and slipped under the covers. His heart was pounding.

But sleep wouldn’t come.

His mind kept replaying the image of Lin Ximeng throwing herself into his arms by the lake.

He scolded himself—Li Huangxuan, get a grip.

You’ve only known her two days and you’re already this lovestruck?

You look like a hopeless creep who’s never seen a girl in his life.