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Psst! We're moving!
July, the height of summer.
Outside the teaching building, greenery surrounded the area. The entire university town was bathed in sunlight. Students with youthful faces rode their bikes through the campus. On a road within Lian University, hydrangeas were in full bloom under the scorching sun, their blue-green clusters vivid against the heat.
As the semester drew to a close, Lin Zhexia was busy preparing for her final exams.
The professor had highlighted many key points for them, and during most of the final exam period, she and Chi Yao spent their time solving problems in the study room.
“It’s so hard to memorize,” she said halfway through, collapsing onto her textbook. “...I don’t want to take the exam anymore.”
After saying that, she asked: “Is your major’s final exam difficult?”
She actually wanted Chi Yao to comfort her: “After all, it’s an elite major, with such a high admission score, the final must be very tough, right?”
However, she forgot that Chi Yao wasn’t from the same world as her: “Just flipping through the book casually will do.”
“...”
“You can’t answer me like that,” Lin Zhexia used her special status. “I’m your girlfriend; you should humor me.”
Chi Yao held a pen between his fingers.
The black ballpoint pen unconsciously spun half a turn between his distinct fingers, then he said: “It’s very difficult.”
Lin Zhexia: “How difficult?”
Chi Yao leaned back: “I’m even afraid I won’t pass.”
Lin Zhexia said: “Don’t worry. Although you’re not as smart as me, passing shouldn’t be too much of a problem for you.”
Chi Yao slightly raised his chin: “Thank you for your encouragement.”
Lin Zhexia: “You’re welcome.”
“Finished acting?” Chi Yao let go of the pen, reached out in front of her, and lightly flipped over the page that had been lingering in front of her for nearly half an hour. “If the act is done, then continue memorizing.”
“...”
Something else happened this semester.
After Chi Hanshan recouped his funds, he planned to buy back the house on Nanxiang Street.
“Your mom and I thought about it. Since you still plan to stay in Lianyun for development, you’ll need a place to live.”
One day, while on the phone, Chi Hanshan discussed with Chi Yao: “Since your mom and I are staying in Jing City, we’ll feel more at ease if you live alone in Lianyun.”
“It hasn’t even been two years since the transaction cycle ended, so they might not be willing to sell. But your mom and I have already looked at other properties in the same neighborhood...”
Chi Yao just said: “Don’t force it. I can figure out housing matters myself later.”
Chi Hanshan said over the phone: “No pressure, no pressure. Your mom and I currently have decent cash flow.”
Coincidentally, the male owner of that household had a job change, and the family was planning to move to another city, so the procedures were completed quickly.
After Chi Yao told Lin Zhexia about this, she was happier than he was.
She never expected that house could be bought back, and she and Chi Yao could visit each other again like before: “Really? Then when my mom nags me, I can hide at your place again.”
“Not mine.”
Chi Yao corrected her, “That’s also your home now.”
Lin Zhexia made an “oh” sound, then belatedly asked: “What did you mean earlier when you said you’d find a way yourself? Did you originally think about buying the house back?”
“I initially planned to save money after starting work,” Chi Yao casually said, “but that way, my girlfriend would have to wait a few more years.”
Lin Zhexia’s impression was too deep.
In the past, she and Chi Yao lived in their respective homes, so it was hard to associate needing her to wait several more years.
Although she didn’t ask, given Chi Yao’s understanding of her, he knew she hadn’t figured it out without thinking: “Do you know what a synonym for girlfriend is?”
“Huh?”
“It’s future wife.”
They were still walking forward. This road extended endlessly beyond the campus, appearing long and boundless. However, the green shade on both sides provided cover, and the passionate summer sunlight filtered through the gaps. Holding her hand, Chi Yao continued: “We’ll likely stay in Lianyun for work in the future. Aunt He probably wouldn’t want you to move too far away either, so we need to consider wedding housing.”
Lin Zhexia was stunned for a long time.
She didn’t know Chi Yao had such plans.
Turns out, she had already been treasured and placed into his future.
When she came to her senses, she felt a bit embarrassed and softly said: “You haven’t proposed yet, and I haven’t said I’d marry you, so how can we talk about wedding housing?”
Chi Yao’s eyes moved slightly: “Are you planning to abandon me after leading me on?”
Lin Zhexia: “...That’s not what I meant.”
On the day summer vacation started, she, Chi Yao, and He Yang took a car back to Nanxiang Street together.
They agreed to meet at the university town station.
He Yang initially hummed on the phone, deliberately saying: “I don’t want to be the third wheel. I’ll go back by myself.”
At that time, Lin Zhexia had already packed her luggage and was waiting for him in the apartment Chi Yao rented, dragging her suitcase around.
Her phone was on speaker.
So He Yang heard their merciless voices.
Chi Yao and Lin Zhexia simultaneously said: “Oh.”
He Yang: “Wait—shouldn’t you try to persuade me? Comfort me, tell me I still have an important place in your hearts, and you still need a friend like me—”
Lin Zhexia thought for a moment: “To be honest, we don’t really need you that much.”
Chi Yao didn’t even think: “Are you that important?”
He Yang: “...”
Lin Zhexia: “Then you take a taxi. We’ve already packed our things and will leave directly from the apartment. We won’t go to the station.”
He Yang dragged his suitcase and rushed off campus: “Wait for me! I was joking! You really called a car? Are we not brothers anymore? If you won’t comfort me, fine! But you have to wait for me!!!”
In the end, Chi Yao called a taxi.
He Yang sat grumpily in the front seat, while Lin Zhexia and Chi Yao sat in the back.
Lin Zhexia tried to smooth things over: “Dazhuang, don’t be mad.”
He Yang: “Don’t talk to me. I’m just an outsider anyway.”
“...”
But given their lifelong friendship, within ten minutes, He Yang had already recovered: “Did you buy the house back? Is everything cleaned up? Then I can stay there during the vacation.”
Chi Yao only threw three words at him: “Not convenient.”
He Yang: “What’s inconvenient about it?”
Chi Yao: “I have a girlfriend now. Not convenient.”
“...”
The driver pulled over.
He wanted to get out of the car.
In the backseat, Lin Zhexia listened to their childish bickering while texting her mother.
-Mom, I got in the car.
Lin He replied quickly: Did you bring your keys?
-Yes.
-Are you and Uncle Wei not home?
Lin He: Forgot to tell you, we’re traveling and haven’t returned yet.
-Zhe Xia, I think you forgot about your daughter.
Lin He: You’re not home.
Lin He: I indeed kind of forgot.
Lin Zhexia: ...
Lin He: You know, when you first went to Lian University, I really couldn’t sleep at night and wasn’t used to you not being home. But people adapt quickly. Now I think it’s peaceful without you here.
Chi Yao noticed her expression changing and asked: “What’s wrong?”
“My mom and Uncle Wei aren’t home,” Lin Zhexia relayed. “They’ve forgotten about me.”
Chi Yao patted the top of her head: “I’ll keep you company.”
Initially, Lin Zhexia didn’t find anything strange.
After all, “I’ll keep you company” were simple love words.
However, when they got out of the car and went back to their respective homes, Lin Zhexia tidied up the room. With Lin He not at home, she had to change the bed sheets herself. After a busy while, she took a shower and was about to turn off the light to sleep when the doorbell rang.
Wearing her pajamas, Lin Zhexia went to open the door: “Why are you here?”
Chi Yao: “To keep you company.”
Lin Zhexia’s pajamas were very thin, white, and made of cotton. Chi Yao remembered this piece well; she often wore it in summer in the past.
“I’m about to sleep.” She let him in and said.
Chi Yao walked confidently towards her room: “Keeping you company while you sleep is the same.”
The originally quiet atmosphere became incredibly ambiguous because of this sentence.
Chi Yao had just showered at home, and his bangs were not yet completely dry. The young man towered over her, so Lin Zhexia had to slightly tilt her head up to look at him. She clearly saw Chi Yao’s darkened gaze and the silver gleam of his earrings.
The young man’s overly pale skin was even more striking against his black T-shirt. Perhaps because they had been intimate before, Lin Zhexia’s eyes drifted downward. When she reached his waist, though she saw clothing, her mind automatically pictured the familiar outline of his abs.
At this moment, they were facing each other, standing in her bedroom.
This place was more private to her than anywhere else.
Because this bedroom was where she had lived since childhood, a place most familiar to her.
It held countless memories of her growing up.
The desk was one she used every day in the past. In the bookshelf, there were wish cards hidden away, as well as that “couple photo” from high school. In the wardrobe nearby, neatly stored was the scarf he knitted for her in high school.
But perhaps precisely because of this, when Chi Yao’s kiss fell, her heartbeat was more intense than ever before.
Outside the window, the sound of cicadas filtered through.
The touch on her lips was as strong as the scorching sun during the day. Her lips were occasionally nibbled by him, sending waves of fine tremors. Lin Zhexia’s whole body lightly shivered; unable to support herself, she let the kiss deepen further.
Her only support was the desk behind her, her lower back pressed tightly against the edge of the desk.
Chi Yao seemed to notice she couldn’t hold on much longer, so with one hand, he wrapped around her waist and effortlessly pulled her closer.
This kiss lasted a long time. From the desk, it continued all the way to the bed she knew so well.
“Quite coincidental.”
Chi Yao supported himself with one hand on the bed, slightly raising his head as he spoke, creating a faint distance between them.
Lin Zhexia’s mind was dizzy, like she was oxygen-deprived, and could only blankly ask him: “...What’s coincidental?”
“The bedsheets and quilt,” Chi Yao said, “are the same as the ones when I secretly kissed you that day.”
Lin Zhexia lowered her eyes.
She only had those two sets of summer bedding, and the set she had put on today was indeed the one she used most often in the past.
As he mentioned this, lying on the bed, she seemed to recall how she felt when she lay here with a fever on the day Chi Yao left.
Strangely enough.
They were really kissing here now.
But kisses easily escalate, and things gradually spiraled out of control. Lin Zhexia couldn’t help but push him with her hands, reminding him: “We don’t have... that at home.”
Chi Yao naturally understood.
He hadn’t planned to go all the way from the start, so he stopped moving and held her for a while.
Finally, the young man pulled her into his arms and placed a kiss on her forehead.
Lin Zhexia felt a feather-like sensation in the darkness and asked: “Was it like this when you kissed me that day? The day you left.”
After saying this, she felt the person holding her vibrate slightly in the chest and hummed an “Mm.”
Then Chi Yao lowered his head and whispered in her ear:
“Good night.”
Chi Yao only stayed overnight at her place for one night during this vacation.
The next day, Lin He and Wei Ping returned from their trip and arrived home in the evening.
Wei Ping wore a colorful beach hat, clearly returning from a seaside vacation: “Xia Xia, do you want some coconut juice? Uncle will open one for you.”
“Did you go to the beach?” Lin Zhexia greeted them at the door. “...Coconuts are so heavy, why bring back three?”
Wei Ping opened the suitcase, which was filled with three coconuts.
He took them out one by one and said: “One for you, one for Chi Yao, and one for He Yang.”
“...”
Lin He came in after Wei Ping, wearing a resort-style long dress. Upon returning home, she couldn’t help but criticize: “Look at what you’ve done to the living room. It was neat when I left, and now look at these snacks scattered everywhere.”
As she spoke, she inspected all the way to the kitchen: “You didn’t wash the pot after cooking noodles. How many times do I have to tell you?”
If it were in the past, Lin Zhexia would definitely find Lin He annoying.
But after being away from home for so long, even these nagging and criticisms felt warm.
The college student who tried to be independent at school became the little “kid” she once was when she returned home.
Lin Zhexia held the freshly opened coconut and explained: “I was about to clean up, but you guys just happened to come back.”
Lin He glanced at the time, understanding her as usual: “It’s already 7:30 now.”
“Comrade Lin Zhexia, tell me, how long have you been ‘preparing’?”
Lin Zhexia honestly replied: “Over an hour.”
“...”
After Lin He returned, life at home became tougher for her.
The weather outside also grew increasingly hot. In August, the sun scorched so intensely that people dared not venture out.
Like countless vacations before, she sprawled on Chi Yao’s sofa, hugging a chilled watermelon, scooping it with a spoon while binge-watching summer TV dramas.
Chi Yao sat beside her.
Other childhood friends gathered on another sofa—some playing video games, others chatting. The entire living room looked chaotic.
“Brother Yao, Sister Xia—do you want to play poker?” someone shouted.
Lin Zhexia scooped a piece of watermelon without turning her head: “No.”
Chi Yao: “Husband follows wife.”
“...”
The TV drama was still cliché and melodramatic. As Lin Zhexia complained about the plot with him, she stuffed watermelon into her mouth.
Chi Yao asked her: “Is it sweet?”
Lin Zhexia nodded and casually fed him a piece.
The TV quickly went into a commercial break.
During this ad break, Chi Yao was forcibly dragged by other friends to play two rounds of poker.
Lin Zhexia lifted her head from the TV, looking around. Chi Yao’s house furnishings had returned to their original state. A group of youths sat together, the one in the middle casually playing cards. Occasionally, when others said something, he lightly tugged at the corner of his mouth and laughed along.
From the TV, the noisy sounds of advertisements mingled with their chatter—
The watermelon in her hand was very cold, dispelling the summer’s restlessness and heat, bringing a cool, healing sensation.
Like countless summers before.
It seemed everything should naturally be this way, never changing.
Midway through the vacation, Lin Zhexia met up with old friends.
Chen Lin and Tang Shuxuan changed their hairstyles, looking more youthful and lively.
Talking about past events, they could now joke about them, teasing each other: “I actually once asked you for Chi Yao’s contact information. That night I was harshly rejected, and my mood was particularly complicated.”
“You used to have a crush on that senior.”
“You used to charge into battles on forums; students from neighboring schools came to block you.”
“...”
On the day she dined with Chen Lin and the others, Chi Yao also met up with Xu Ting. Xu Ting studied forensic science in university, but he was still the same as before, appearing “unreliable.”
Lin Zhexia sat in the restaurant, chatting with them, when her phone vibrated.
It was a photo sent by Chi Yao.
Boyfriend: [Photo]
In the photo, Xu Ting exaggeratedly made a “V” sign.
Boyfriend: He says hi to you.
Lin Zhexia smiled and replied: Thanks. Received.
That evening at home, Lin He asked her about the dinner gathering. Lin Zhexia said: “It was great. Tang Shuxuan is working a summer job, and Chen Lin is tutoring. By the way, Tang Shuxuan is also dating. Her boyfriend is a guy from the same major, and their relationship is good.”
Lin He: “Look at them, then look at you.”
Lin Zhexia knew she meant that others were actively working and earning money during the summer. She admitted she had been a bit lazy this vacation and said: “I did try to find a job, but I didn’t find a suitable one. I’ll look again.”
“And,” she slowly added, “I have a boyfriend, so at least I’m not losing in the dating game.”
Lin He: “...”
Lin Zhexia, who talked about finding a “summer job,” searched for a few days. Though she didn’t find work, the group chat organized a new activity.
[South Lane Street Squad]
Dazhuang: Are we going to the market to shoot guns tomorrow?
Dazhuang: First prize is a gaming console, second prize is a pair of Bluetooth headphones, third prize isn’t useful—a doll, but this useless doll can be played with by Sister Xia.
Lin Zhexia: ...?
What does he mean by giving her something useless.
They often organized various activities in the group chat.
A boring and childish suggestion, once posted, immediately received enthusiastic responses.
-111
-Count me in
-I’m going too
-Let me show you what a sharpshooter looks like
So everyone agreed to go to the market to shoot guns the next afternoon.
Dazhuang: @Lin Zhexia, is Sister Xia going?
Lin Zhexia typed: Isn’t shooting guns a bit too childish?
The next second, she eagerly sent two words: What time?
The next afternoon, after eating, Lin Zhexia wanted to secretly grab an ice pop from the fridge but was sternly forbidden by Lin He: “You ate too much yesterday, no more today.”
Lin Zhexia reluctantly closed the fridge door: “Okay.”
But she didn’t give up. While waiting for the elevator at the entrance, she messaged Chi Yao.
-Do you have any ice pops at home?
-If you do, sneak one out for me when you come down.
-Never mind, I’ll buy one from the convenience store. Don’t tell my mom, do you want anything?
Chi Yao must have been busy and briefly replied with one word: Water.
Approaching 1 PM.
Lin Zhexia sat at the entrance of Chi Yao’s apartment building, waiting for him to come down and meet her.
The weather was really hot.
Dry winds carried heat, hitting her face.
Just like the first day she came to South Lane Street, she sat at the entrance of his building, holding a cold soda bottle and biting on an old-fashioned ice pop.
After waiting for about five or six minutes, the unit door behind her suddenly emitted a “click.”
For a moment, Lin Zhexia almost thought this familiar “click” sounded like it came from years ago.
The same sound traveled through silent and long years, overlapping with the present.
She turned her head slightly delayed.
Against the strong light, the young man’s deep brows and eyes were extremely striking, his jawline sharp, exuding an arrogant and unrestrained aura that seemed to seep from his bones. He burst into her vision in a nearly blinding manner.
He took the cold soda bottle, casually twisted it open, and said: “Let’s go, girlfriend.”
Lin Zhexia paused before following him.
The ice pop in her mouth was very cold, and the sun above was scorching.
The street sign of South Lane Street stood not far away.
Fragments of summer memories flashed through Lin Zhexia’s mind. Stories always seemed to happen easily in this season. Finally, she thought of their once-secret crushes and heartbeats known only to themselves.
In every moment he chased her, she also chased that summer.
The summer where they existed together.
Forever vibrant, never ending.
[End of Main Text]
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