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Yin Mengxi knew that at that moment, Xiao Zhi had recalled some scenes from before their breakup.
The regretful past was like a strict warning line—approaching it triggered clear alarms. Once bitten, twice shy—he feared overstepping in her work and life, worried that she might feel uncomfortable and bring up breaking up again. He even hesitated to propose directly, always skirting around the topic, retreating as soon as he sensed any hint of refusal.
She could feel his efforts and was deeply grateful. But marriage was something she still wanted to delay, at least until her career stabilized. The A University project had been revamped; Teacher Luo had approved her proposal and offered excellent suggestions. If the final product received positive feedback, she’d have the chance to apply for a new documentary project. The theme would focus on museums, tying in with her college “Challenge Cup” project—not entirely unfamiliar territory.
The small team sprang back into action. This time, more than just Yao Ankai was willing to put in the effort. Only now did Yin Mengxi realize how outstanding Teacher Yin’s professional abilities were. Whether creating promotional videos or combining political and cultural history, her narrative threads were steadier than others’. She built the story around He Jiwen, the founding principal during the Republic of China era, using old photographs to model historical figures, allowing viewers to experience the century-long development of the Faculty of Arts through the principal’s perspective—history’s depth perfectly captured. They also incorporated footage from a decade-old student theater production of Embers , promoting A University’s art education. One angle hit multiple points.
Yao Ankai’s admiration for Teacher Yin grew daily. She followed her around, asking endless questions. Teacher Yin didn’t hold back, sharing everything and occasionally gazing at her with nostalgia, saying she reminded her of her younger self.
“Me?” Yao Ankai shyly scratched her head, blushing. “I’m so inexperienced… I can’t compare to Teacher Yin…”
Teacher Yin just smiled, not saying much more, but occasionally reminded her to take care of her health and balance work-life when she stayed late. When Yao felt momentarily down, Yin encouraged her, saying that if she did her best, what was meant to come would come.
In mid-April, they visited A University’s Publicity Department again.
Minister Chen reviewed their revised proposal and finally beamed with satisfaction. His attitude toward Yin Mengxi was warm, praising her as an A University alumna whose heartfelt project truly stood out. His only concern was the timeline, fearing it wouldn’t be ready by June’s faculty celebration.
“We’ll ensure progress; please rest assured,” Yin Mengxi promised with a smile. Her strength as a top producer lay not only in content mastery but also in client relations. “We’ll submit the first draft by mid-May, and we’ll rely on your feedback then.”
Exiting the administration building, a bright spring day greeted them.
They still needed to film some campus sculptures. Yin Mengxi sent Xiao Yao and Wei Chi together while she relaxed on campus. Late-night rushes were tough on someone nearing 30; after this project, she planned to sleep for two or three days. Walking among familiar paths, passing couples filled her with joy, and suddenly, she missed Xiao Zhi intensely.
—Wasn’t he supposed to be at school?
He had mentioned having class last night during their call.
Suppressing a sly grin, she decided to play a little trick. Instead of messaging him, she logged onto the university’s academic website and downloaded the semester’s schedule. A quick search revealed his name—
“History of Ancient Chinese Literature (Mid) Associate Professor Xiao Zhi, Wednesday 3-4, Teaching Building 2, Room 107.”
—Found him.
Hmm.
If he suddenly saw her outside the classroom while teaching… what expression would he make?
Excitedly heading to Building 2, the 29-year-old teacher became childishly mischievous. The renovated building felt both familiar and slightly foreign—a mix of adventure and pilgrimage.
Finding Room 107 easily, she peeked through the window at him teaching inside. His simple black suit jacket accentuated his striking presence. Handsome Professor Xiao was more mature and charming than the Senior Xiao from years ago. Her heart raced just as it always had for him.
Listening closely, she heard him teach about the prosody techniques of Guange-style poetry. No matter how obscure the knowledge, he explained it clearly and accessibly. She loved being his student but cherished being his lover even more. No poem, no matter how brilliant, compared to his nighttime “Goodnight.” Right now, she wanted to pull him off the podium for a warm hug.
Debating whether to wave at him through the window, she suddenly heard the clacking of heels behind her. Turning instinctively, she saw the radiant Tang Fei. Her expression was a mix of surprise and hostility—hard to read.
Before Yin could decide whether to greet her, Tang approached, glancing at her and then at Xiao Zhi teaching inside. Her expression carried a trace of bitterness, but she soon asked, “Do you have time to sit and talk?”
Not far from Building 2, the rooftop student-run café was still there, now upgraded with umbrellas on the terrace. It was quiet during class hours. Yin Mengxi and Tang Fei sat there, each ordering a coffee.
“Are you getting married?”
Tang Fei spoke first, her tone calm.
It wasn’t set yet, but feeling defensive, Yin Mengxi blurted, “Soon. We’ve already met each other’s parents.”
Tang nodded, unsurprised, sipping her coffee with a mix of nostalgia and bitterness. “Going round and round… in the end, it’s still you two together.”
How ironic. Yin Mengxi had made the same reflection last month, thinking Xiao Zhi and Tang Fei were together, secretly envious of their childhood connection.
“When’s the wedding? Don’t forget to invite me,” Tang said, flipping her beautiful long hair. “After all, I played a part in bringing you two together. Yet no one ever thanked me.”
Her nonchalance surprised Yin Mengxi, who assumed Tang still harbored feelings for Xiao Zhi.
“You think I still like him?”
Tang laughed knowingly, as if reading her thoughts. Yin remained guarded, silent.
Tang didn’t press further, lost in thought with her coffee cup. Perhaps recalling the past, her tone turned wistful.
“What does it matter if I still like him? In the end, he’s too stubborn.”
“That man… everyone says he’s mild-mannered, gentle, considerate, accommodating. But deep down, he’s incredibly stubborn. He lets others have their way on things he doesn’t care about, but on what matters, he stands firm.”
“For every day I liked him, he thought of you twice. For every year I pursued him, he missed you twice… like competing with someone else—it was pointless.”
These words seemed like a monologue. Yin couldn’t interrupt or gauge whether Tang sought feedback. In silence, she noticed Tang smile faintly, shifting topics.
“But I did get my revenge once. Remember that C you got?”
Ah?
Yin Mengxi froze, memories resurfacing. That C on the academic system had crushed her last bit of courage to reconcile, making her believe he had given up on her completely.
“…What do you mean?” Yin Mengxi’s brows furrowed.
Tang shrugged, unfazed. “Don’t look at me like that. I just nudged the waves a little. Blame him if you must.”
“After you broke up, he was despondent for a year—you know how passionate he is about academics, yet that year he produced nothing, angering Professor Jia.”
“Later, when you took his course the next semester, his state worsened. Didn’t you notice? He was waiting for you to change your mind.”
“At first, Professor Jia didn’t know what was wrong, thinking he was just distracted. Later, I told him the real reason—that he couldn’t move on from your breakup. As his favorite student, Jia ended up resenting you too.”
“So…” Yin Mengxi was stunned. “That C…”
“It was Professor Jia who gave it,” Tang said with a trace of vindictive satisfaction. “He specifically checked your paper. Seeing Xiao Zhi gave you a B+, he thought Xiao Zhi was biased and wanted to help him let go, so he gave you a C.”
So…
He never thought poorly of her?
And never rejected reconciliation that way?
Then…
“He even went to the TV station to see you, about a year after your graduation,” Tang continued, watching as Yin Mengxi’s face paled further, her tone turning sarcastic. “Guo Yue said he saw you cozying up to a young star, looking like you’d forgotten him and moved on to a glamorous new life.”
A young star?
She didn’t know who it was, but she didn’t doubt Tang’s words—the industry’s atmosphere was like that… societal norms far more complex than school life…
He…
“But he still liked you.”
At this, Tang smiled again, both regretful and helpless.
“He couldn’t see anyone else’s goodness or sincerity. At first, I thought he was waiting for you. Later, maybe not.”
“Maybe he didn’t need closure… just never fell in love with anyone else.”
…”Just.”
Those light words struck her heart heavily. What she believed to be reality was merely an illusion. His springtime for her had never known a single cold moment, yet she fled barrenness and hurt herself—and him—in the process.
She…
“So don’t drag things out,” Tang’s voice interrupted her thoughts. Looking up, she saw Tang had set down her coffee and stood. “If you’re getting married, hurry up. Delaying wastes your time and others’.”
She turned and walked away, perhaps a little choked up, but her farewell was beautiful, proud, and graceful.
“He loves you very much.”
“…Don’t disappoint him.”
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