DXXZL - 45

At 8 p.m. on August 12, 2017, at Jiangcheng International Airport, Lin Jiayu and Jiang Lu stood outside waiting. Lin Jiayu carefully scanned the arrivals exit while Jiang Lu, wearing a mask and baseball cap, leaned casually with his arm resting on Lin Jiayu’s shoulder as he watched an esports live stream on his phone. He absentmindedly asked: “Has my brother come out yet?”

“No.”

“Man, he’s so slow.”

Lin Jiayu was annoyed by how glued he was to his phone and shifted away. “Stop leaning on me; I’m not a phone stand.”

Having lost his makeshift phone stand, Jiang Lu sighed dramatically. “Your height is perfect for it.”

At 162 cm, Lin Jiayu wasn’t short, but both brothers in the Jiang family were over 185 cm tall. She glared at him, then suddenly noticed a striking figure walking through the crowd.

She quickly stood on her tiptoes and waved enthusiastically. “Over here!”

Jiang Lu finally looked up and whistled. “I almost didn’t recognize my own brother. Doesn’t he ever take photos or post anything on social media?”

Jiang Tu walked toward the exit, pulling his suitcase behind him. He wore a gray shirt, black pants, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. Glancing in their direction, he strode over. With his long legs and confident gait, he moved quickly. Though he no longer carried the aloof, untouchable air from his student days, his sharp features and calm gaze still made him seem like someone difficult to approach.

Even so, passersby couldn’t help but glance back at him.

Lin Jiayu sniffed, feeling a wave of nostalgia. It had been two or three years since she’d last seen Jiang Tu.

Jiang Lu turned to look at her, exasperated. “Are you going to cry? You’ve been writing too many sappy stories again.”

Two years earlier, Lin Jiayu had quit her stable job in Shenzhen and returned to Jiangcheng to focus on writing full-time. Ignoring Jiang Lu’s comment, she thought bitterly: What does this kid know? All he does all day is train, compete, and watch streams.

Her eyes were red when Jiang Tu approached them. He looked down at Lin Jiayu and said in his usual low, cold voice: “Didn’t I tell you not to come pick me up?”

His tone was deep and magnetic, betraying that he was in a decent mood today—at least, his words were gentle. Lin Jiayu smiled through her tears. “Of course we had to come! If we didn’t, who would?”

Jiang Lu put away his phone and spread his arms wide, intending to give his brother a warm hug.

Jiang Tu glanced at him, lightly patted his shoulder, and sidestepped him, saying indifferently: “Let’s go. Did you take a taxi here?” He remembered that neither Jiang Lu nor Lin Jiayu had gotten their driver’s licenses.

Jiang Lu: “...”

Turning to Lin Jiayu, he muttered: “So heartless.”

Lin Jiayu grinned and ran ahead to catch up with Jiang Tu. “I drove here. I just bought a new car.”

Jiang Tu paused briefly, turning to look at her. “You can drive now?”

Lin Jiayu pouted. “I posted my driver’s license on WeChat Moments last month. Do you even check it?”

“You failed the driving test three times before passing. Don’t brag,” Jiang Lu chimed in, ruthlessly exposing the truth—just like Lin Jiayu once mercilessly told him that no internet cafes would take him after Hexi Lane was demolished.

“Shut up,” Lin Jiayu muttered under her breath. “He used to be such a sweet talker when he was little. How did he grow up to be so sarcastic?”

After WeChat launched in 2011, its Moments feature became a subtle form of social interaction. Many people liked to share photos of meals or walks. Jiang Tu, however, rarely used WeChat beyond work-related contacts. His Moments remained empty. Meanwhile, Lin Jiayu frequently updated hers, posting at least once a day. Last month, he scrolled through her feed and stopped at a photo from early 2017, showing her alongside Zhu Xingyao during the Spring Festival. He hadn’t scrolled further after that.

Lin Jiayu drove cautiously and slowly.

Jiang Lu, sitting in the passenger seat, urged impatiently: “Can you speed up? I’m starving.”

Ignoring him, Lin Jiayu asked Jiang Tu: “What do you want to eat?”

Jiang Tu leaned back against the rear seat, idly watching the scenery outside. As he thought about how even Lin Jiayu could drive now, he wondered if Zhu Xingyao had gotten her license—or if she even needed one, given that she likely had a chauffeur. He replied: “I ate on the plane.”

Lin Jiayu: “...”

Jiang Lu, expressionless, remarked: “So heartless.”

Over the years, they had all grown up, and their personalities had changed somewhat. Jiang Lu had matured significantly, thankfully without turning bad. Thanks to his good looks and talent, he had become one of the hottest esports players. In recent years, he had earned substantial prize money and secured lucrative commercial endorsements.

He had started competing professionally at the age of 17. Initially, unsure how to spend or invest his earnings, he handed all his winnings to Jiang Tu. After Hexi Lane was demolished and property prices in Jiangcheng soared, Jiang Tu used the profits from his investments to buy Jiang Lu an apartment. Jiang Lu purchased a 150-square-meter unit in Lin Jiayu’s neighborhood and moved in with Shu Xian. They finally had a home again.

On the way, Lin Jiayu stopped at Cao’s Duck Blood Vermicelli Shop near Hexi Gymnasium—a place they had frequented since childhood. Lin Jiayu and Jiang Lu ordered duck blood noodles and potstickers. Both were famished and dug into their food eagerly.

Jiang Tu leaned back in his chair, observing Lin Jiayu and Jiang Lu across the table. Memories flooded back—Zhu Xingyao sitting opposite him years ago, asking if she was the prettiest. He remembered her spilling duck blood soup all over herself and tossing her expensive coat into the trash. He recalled her running up to him wearing his jacket...

After they finished eating, the trio stepped outside and stood by the car. Jiang Tu turned to Jiang Lu: “Go back on your own. Tell Mom I’ll have dinner with you tomorrow night.”

Back when everything happened, Jiang Lu was still young and hadn’t fully grasped how much the college entrance exam meant to Jiang Tu. Later, Jiang Lu pursued esports instead of taking the exam, charting a different path. But he would never forget that day—the moment Jiang Jinhui tried negotiating with Chen Yi, the hesitation in Shu Xian’s eyes as she signed the papers, and the look of despair and pain in Jiang Tu’s eyes.

Over the years, Jiang Tu’s relationship with Shu Xian had remained distant. It was understandable that he didn’t want to return home.

Jiang Lu scratched his head. “Alright.”

Lin Jiayu turned to Jiang Tu: “Where will you stay? I’ll drop you off.”

Though his new company had arranged an apartment for him, Jiang Tu had returned earlier than planned, and the furniture hadn’t been moved in yet. Without explanation, he opened the car door. “Find a hotel.”

…

Shu Xian had been waiting at home until 10 p.m., when the door finally opened.

She hurriedly stood up, wiping her hands on her pants. To her disappointment, only Jiang Lu came in.

Jiang Lu changed his shoes at the entrance and looked up. “Don’t bother waiting; my brother isn’t staying here.”

Shu Xian sighed, looking at Jiang Lu. He went over and hugged her shoulders, smiling. “It’s okay. My brother’s coming for dinner tomorrow night.”

Shu Xian relaxed slightly. Looking up, she asked: “Did my son lose weight? Does he look much different?”

Jiang Lu replied casually: “Same as always. Looks like me, but not as handsome.”

If Lin Jiayu had heard that, she would have accused him of being narcissistic and clueless.

Lin Jiayu parked the car outside the hotel. Jiang Tu retrieved his luggage from the trunk while she got out to stretch. Standing beside her, Jiang Tu blocked the light, his face cast in shadow. Softly, he said: “Send me her WeChat ID and phone number.”

Earlier in the car, Lin Jiayu had waited for Jiang Tu to bring up the topic. Their contact had always been infrequent, and she avoided mentioning Zhu Xingyao around him. Since Zhu Xingyao spent most of her time abroad, their communication was sparse. Or perhaps more accurately, Lin Jiayu dared not contact her too often, fearing she might accidentally spill Jiang Tu’s secrets.

Zhu Xingyao never asked.

Neither did Jiang Tu.

Lin Jiayu had been guarding the secret alone, nearly suffocating under its weight. On second thought, Lu Ji also knew—and imagining his position, he must feel worse than she did.

Jiang Tu’s feelings for Zhu Xingyao were like a lamp covered in dust. Only they two could touch that layer of dust; outsiders shouldn’t meddle. Besides, Lin Jiayu privately believed they belonged together, hoping for a happy ending in her novel Waiting for Stars .

Suddenly, Lin Jiayu smiled mischievously. “Whose contact info are you talking about?”

Jiang Tu glanced down at her, offering no explanation. “Send it to me when you get home,” he said curtly before heading toward the hotel with his luggage.

Lin Jiayu glared at his retreating figure but happily sent him all of Zhu Xingyao’s contact details as soon as she got back into the car.

After checking into the hotel, Jiang Tu went downstairs to buy a pack of cigarettes. Standing by the glass window in the lobby, he tore open the cigarette box, lit one, and took a slow drag. Gazing at the night sky, he pulled out his phone and opened Lin Jiayu’s WeChat messages. Just minutes earlier, she had sent Zhu Xingyao’s private phone number and WeChat ID. Her most recent message read: “Zhu Xingyao still doesn’t have a boyfriend. Hurry back! If you don’t, your wife will fly away!”

This was a recurring message Lin Jiayu sent periodically. Given their infrequent contact, scrolling up revealed several similar entries—it felt like copy-pasting.

Jiang Tu’s lips curved slightly as he scrolled upward.

A minute later, he extinguished the cigarette, took a deep breath, and opened WeChat to search for the account.

He hesitated momentarily on the friend request screen, typed his name, then deleted it after a few seconds.

The request was sent successfully.

Lowering his gaze, he checked the time: 11:45 p.m.

He thought, “She’s probably asleep by now.”

In reality, Zhu Xingyao had been struggling with insomnia since late evening. Unable to sleep, she got up, went to the kitchen for a glass of water, and returned to her room. From the cabinet, she retrieved a pill bottle and swallowed one.

After taking the pill, she placed the glass on her bedside table. Suddenly, her phone flashed with a notification.

A new friend request on WeChat.

Few people added her private account, so she picked up her phone curiously and opened the request.

The sender’s profile picture was a clean, grayscale image of a starry sky. Even the username was simple—a single symbol.

Her heartbeat skipped a beat. Staring at the profile picture, her lips quivered downward, and without warning, her eyes reddened.

2009 — Star in the Distant Sky: “Brother Tu, you haven’t given me your phone number yet.”

2010 — Star in the Distant Sky: “Brother Tu, was that starlit installation a gift from you?”

2011 — Star in the Distant Sky: “Brother Tu, Xixi is participating in the XX Female Voice competition. If you have time, please vote for her.”

February 2013 — Star in the Distant Sky: “Brother Tu...”

Her final message, sent in August 2013: “Brother Tu, can you please respond to me?”

All of Zhu Xingyao’s messages had gone unanswered. Staring at the profile picture, tears suddenly splashed onto her phone screen. There was no need to guess—it was undoubtedly Jiang Tu. After a long while, she exited WeChat, set the phone aside, turned off the lights, and crawled under the thin blanket.

She wouldn’t respond to him either.

________________________________________

That evening, the Jiang family gathered for dinner at their home. Lin Jiayu’s family joined them, and Shu Xian and Lin’s mother prepared a lavish feast to welcome Jiang Tu back. Lin’s father gazed at Jiang Tu, deeply moved. “Just a few years ago, we were living in poverty in Hexi Lane. Your family had it even harder than us. But now, everything has passed. All hardships have been overcome. Both brothers have succeeded, and we won’t have to endure tough times anymore. It hasn’t been easy.”

Over the years, Shu Xian had visibly aged, though traces of her youthful beauty remained. She had held back tears when she first saw Jiang Tu but now couldn’t resist wiping her eyes. “Yes, it’s all in the past.”

It wasn’t merely a tough life—it was a disaster in retrospect.

When reminiscing about the past, Jiang Tu’s expression remained composed, but Jiang Lu interrupted irritably: “It’s been so long! Can you stop bringing up my dark childhood? Are you trying to give me psychological issues?”

Lin Jiayu rolled her eyes. “You ate, slept, and played at internet cafes without missing a beat. What issues could you possibly have?”

The biggest victim, Jiang Tu, didn’t develop any psychological problems.

Jiang Lu smirked. “That just proves I’m resilient.”

Lin Jiayu shot back: “Are you a cockroach?”

The elders couldn’t help but laugh. Shu Xian placed several dishes Jiang Tu liked in front of him. Without a word, he quietly continued eating. Watching him, Lin’s father turned to ask: “Jiang Tu, when do you start work?”

Jiang Tu replied: “In a few days.”

Having just returned, his company had granted him some time off to rest. Over the years, he had worked tirelessly, rarely knowing what a vacation was.

“What exactly does artificial intelligence research involve? Jiayu mentioned you’re working in this field,” Lin’s father asked curiously.

Without worrying whether they’d understand, Jiang Tu explained as simply as possible, using examples like robotic vacuum cleaners—he knew Lin Jiayu had bought one for her parents.

After dinner, Jiang Lu was sent to wash the dishes while the three elders sat on the sofa chatting. Jiang Tu’s phone rang once, and he walked out to the balcony to take a 20-minute call. Lin’s mother couldn’t help but glance over repeatedly, asking curiously, “Jiang Tu doesn’t have a girlfriend, does he?”

Shu Xian sighed helplessly. “I don’t like to pry, but it seems like he doesn’t. Look at how many times his phone has rung tonight—all work-related calls.”

Lin’s mother glanced at Lin Jiayu, who was eating grapes, and lamented, “Even our Jiayu doesn’t have a boyfriend, and she’s already 26. It’s driving me crazy!”

Lin Jiayu: “...”

She could easily guess her mother’s intentions. Smiling brightly, she said, “Mom, let me tell you something—you can stop dreaming about Jiang Tu. There’s absolutely no chance between us. Just give up already!”

Lin’s mother regretted deeply. Who would’ve thought Jiang Tu would turn out so successful? Even if his father wasn’t much of a success, that didn’t matter now. After all, finding a handsome and promising son-in-law like him was rare. She whispered, “If only I had let you two date back in high school.”

Lin Jiayu: “...”

Even if Jiang Tu had dated someone in high school, it wouldn’t have been her!

Shu Xian glanced at Lin Jiayu. The girl had grown into a beautiful young woman with delicate features and a gentle demeanor. Shu Xian couldn’t help but smile. “Why is it impossible? Wouldn’t it be great if she married into our family?”

Lin Jiayu glanced toward the balcony and smiled faintly. “It’s just not going to happen. You can stop thinking about it.”

On the balcony, Jiang Tu ended the call and opened WeChat. His work group chats were set to mute, and his contact list rarely saw any activity. He had linked his QQ email to a few forums, but after graduation, he stopped using it in favor of his work email. At this moment, a notification popped up in the bottom right corner of his screen.

Jiang Tu clicked on the email to clear it out. As his eyes scanned through the messages, he suddenly paused. Two months ago, Ding Xiang had sent an electronic wedding invitation. The wedding was set for August 20th at 7 p.m.—a Sunday, just two days away.

Jiang Tu replied: “Congratulations. I’ll be there on time.”

Almost immediately, his QQ lit up with messages from Ding Xiang, who was beyond thrilled.

Ding Xiang: “Brother Tu?????” Ding Xiang: “You’re alive??!!” Ding Xiang: “No, wait—I mean, your QQ is alive?? Did it get hacked? Is this really you?”

Jiang Tu looked at the chat window and chuckled.

He replied: “It’s me.”

Overwhelmed with excitement, Ding Xiang sent a voice message: “Am I dreaming?! I heard you went abroad. When did you come back? Can you give me your phone number and WeChat? It’s been so long since we last met!”

Jiang Tu sent his contact information, then hesitated before asking, “Do you want to grab a drink or something?”

Ding Xiang jumped at the opportunity!

They agreed to meet at a barbecue place on the nearby food street. Jiang Tu arrived a bit earlier and sat at a table in the dimly lit corner of the restaurant.

The summer night’s food street buzzed with activity, and the barbecue shop was almost full. Ding Xiang, still in his police uniform, walked in, causing everyone to glance over, thinking something might be wrong. Ding Xiang waved and reassured them with a smile: “Don’t worry, I’m here for some barbecue too.”

Jiang Tu was still wearing the same white shirt and black pants he’d worn earlier that day. Leaning back in his chair, he stood out amidst the lively atmosphere of the barbecue joint. Back in the day, he had worked at a grill as a poor student. Ding Xiang spotted him, momentarily stunned, scratched his head, and walked over with long strides.

Jiang Tu stood up.

During their three years of high school, Ding Xiang had been the closest male friend Jiang Tu had. Looking at Ding Xiang in his uniform, now free of teenage acne, Jiang Tu smiled slightly. “The uniform suits you.”

Ding Xiang grinned but suddenly didn’t know what to say. “Brother Tu, you’ve changed a lot.”

Jiang Tu sat down and asked calmly, “A lot?”

Ding Xiang took the seat across from him, studying him for a moment. “Actually, your appearance hasn’t changed much—it’s just... you feel different. Maybe it’s because we haven’t seen each other in so long. My impression of you is still stuck in high school, but look at us now—we’re in our late twenties, real men.”

“What do you want to eat?” Jiang Tu handed him the menu. “I’ve already ordered a few things. See if you want anything else.”

“Let’s get some beer then.”

As the beer and barbecue arrived, Ding Xiang took a sip to calm his nerves and began talking. “Are you settling down this time after coming back?”

People didn’t know much about Jiang Tu’s life, but rumors spread easily. For instance, during college, there were whispers that he quickly got a girlfriend who always paid when they stayed in hotels together. There were also stories about him winning awards in tech competitions and studying abroad...

But no one had heard about his recent return.

“Mm,” Jiang Tu said simply.

“What are you doing now?”

“Artificial intelligence.”

“That’s great. The field is booming, and it pays well.” Ding Xiang ate as he spoke. Back in school, he knew Jiang Tu was destined for success. If not for the mishap during the college entrance exam, he might have achieved even more. Ding Xiang hadn’t studied particularly hard either, ending up at a second-tier police academy, but he was content with his life now. He mentioned his upcoming wedding. “Both Li Xixi and Zhu Xingyao are coming. You haven’t seen them in a long time, right?”

Jiang Tu’s gaze lowered, his voice slightly husky. “Yeah, not since graduation.”

Unaware of Jiang Tu’s inner turmoil, Ding Xiang continued. “Then this is the perfect chance to catch up! Li Xixi is a big star now—it’s hard to even get a glimpse of her! And Zhu Xingyao... she didn’t hold concerts for a couple of years, only touring with orchestras, but she’s been more active lately. Have you seen the news about her online?”

From 2013 to 2015, Zhu Xingyao announced she would focus on honing her craft. At first, paparazzi occasionally captured photos of her, but those appearances dwindled until she could only be seen performing with touring orchestras. By early 2016, Zhu Xingyao reappeared at one of Li Xixi’s performances, supporting her with her beloved cello. She even opened a Weibo account, occasionally posting updates in a carefree manner.

Jiang Tu didn’t eat much barbecue, drinking half a can of beer instead. He lit a cigarette, leaning back in his chair with a calm expression. Though he appeared indifferent, he listened attentively as Ding Xiang talked about Zhu Xingyao.

After a while, Ding Xiang suddenly said, “By the way, she broke up with Lu Ji a long time ago.”

Jiang Tu paused briefly, offering a faint smile. “I heard.”

Ding Xiang sighed. “Long-distance relationships are tough to maintain. Such a pity—they seemed so well-matched. Lu Ji put in a lot of effort chasing Zhu Xingyao. Their story back in high school made such a huge impact that even now, students at No. 1 High School still talk about those starry lights. Photos of them are still pinned on forum threads, setting the standard for teenage romance. People keep trying to copy it, but no one’s succeeded yet.” He laughed, recalling something. “At the last reunion, I heard about a guy last year who tried to win over the school beauty by imitating that move. He ended up falling out of a tree and breaking his leg. Principal Liu was furious, using Lu Ji and Zhu Xingyao as cautionary tales. Zhu Xingyao hasn’t dared to visit her alma mater much these past few years...”

Jiang Tu took a drag of his cigarette, flicking the ash off the tip. He remained silent.

By midnight, Ding Xiang’s wife called to urge him home. As they walked to the street, Ding Xiang scrolled through his WeChat and turned to ask, “Can I post something on my Moments? Just a heads-up so people won’t be too shocked at the wedding on Sunday.”

“Do what you want,” Jiang Tu said, looking ahead.

He didn’t realize Ding Xiang posted a photo along with the announcement.

The next morning, the class group chat for Senior Three Class One exploded with over 99 unread messages. Everyone was buzzing about Jiang Tu. Zhu Xingyao didn’t check her phone, but Li Xixi messaged her.

Li Xixi: “Holy crap! I just saw Jiang Tu on Ding Xiang’s WeChat Moments!” Li Xixi: “[Photo] Did you see it? He’s back! I almost didn’t recognize him! Looks like he’s doing really well. We all knew he was good-looking in high school, but damn, he’s even better-looking now!”

Zhu Xingyao stood under the camphor tree in her yard, preparing to leave. The morning sunlight filtered through the branches, casting golden patches on her. She opened the photo. It was casually taken, the lighting dim. The man in the picture had fair skin, sharp features, and wore gold-rimmed glasses. His gaze was lowered, exuding a cold yet mature charm that differed from her memories. She stared at it for a moment, then glanced at her reflection in the car window. Compared to high school, they had both grown up.

She replied to Li Xixi: “I already knew he was back.”

Li Xixi, likely busy, didn’t respond for a long time.

On the day of the wedding, Zhu Xingyao left early at 5:30 a.m., fearing traffic delays. Lao Liu dropped her off at the hotel’s underground parking elevator entrance. Carrying her cello and a large bag, she promised Ding Xiang she would perform two pieces at his wedding to entertain the guests. Li Xixi and Xu Xiangyang spent most of their time in Beijing, but Li Xixi and Xu were flying back that afternoon and would arrive shortly.

Lao Liu said, “I’ll park the car and bring your things up for you.”

Zhu Xingyao smiled. “No need—it’s not heavy. Go ahead and have dinner. I might finish late tonight, so don’t bother picking me up.”

As Lao Liu reversed the car, a black Mercedes-Benz parked beside them, having entered the garage at the same time.

Zhu Xingyao turned toward the elevator. She heard a click—the sound of the Mercedes door opening. Standing by the elevator, waiting, she let others board first. Just as she stepped forward, she felt the bag in her left hand suddenly lift. Someone behind her had picked it up.

Startled, Zhu Xingyao quickly turned around.

Her movement was swift, her long hair swishing and brushing against the man’s arm, a strand lingering there. She looked up, her fair and lovely face frozen in astonishment, staring at the man behind her.

Jiang Tu lowered his gaze, seeing his reflection in her clear eyes. They were very close—closer than they had been in years—for the first time in so long.

“Are you getting on?”

Someone inside the elevator asked nervously. Neither of them responded as the doors slowly began to close.

Zhu Xingyao snapped out of her daze, blinked, and realizing the doors were closing, hastily reached out to stop them. Jiang Tu caught her hand from behind and murmured softly above her head, “It’s dangerous. Let’s wait for the next one.”

Her lips pressed tightly together, she lowered her head, saying nothing.

Jiang Tu’s palms bore calluses from his various part-time jobs in his youth—a testament to the hardships he endured. Holding her delicate hand in his rough, dry palm, Zhu Xingyao felt a surge of emotion. She gently pulled her hand back and pressed the button to call the elevator.

Behind them, a group of people arrived, standing near them. Jiang Tu glanced down at Zhu Xingyao. She wore a pale pink dress, with a braid woven into the right side of her hair, revealing her ear adorned with a star-shaped earring. As she lowered her head, the earring swayed gently, catching the light beautifully.

When the elevator doors opened, Zhu Xingyao stepped in, and Jiang Tu followed, pressing the button for the first floor. He stood beside her.

As they turned, the crowd’s eyes widened in surprise, darting between them before settling on Zhu Xingyao. A teenager around seventeen or eighteen stared at her. “Are you Zhu Xingyao?”

Zhu Xingyao smiled. “Yes.”

Jiang Tu looked down at her smiling face. As a semi-public figure with striking beauty, being recognized in public was nothing unusual. He glanced at the boy, who likely wanted a photo or autograph. But Jiang Tu’s gaze was cold, causing the boy to hesitate. Before he could speak, the elevator doors opened.

Jiang Tu said, “Let’s go greet them first.”

Zhu Xingyao looked at him, her lips parting as if to say something, but ultimately remaining silent. She nodded lightly and followed him out of the elevator.

At the hotel entrance, Ding Xiang, dressed in a white shirt with a red flower pinned to his chest, greeted guests with his radiant bride. Spotting them, he waved enthusiastically. “Brother Tu, Zhu Xingyao, why are you arriving together?”

Zhu Xingyao wondered the same thing.

Jiang Tu explained, “We bumped into each other in the underground parking lot.”

Their striking appearances naturally drew attention. Ding Xiang’s cute bride stared openly at Jiang Tu and whispered, “Is this the cool desk mate you always talked about in high school? He looks much better than in his high school photos.”

Ding Xiang, ever serious, responded, “I also look much better than in high school!”

The bride giggled, calling him shameless, and turned to greet Jiang Tu and Zhu Xingyao, handing them a few pieces of wedding candy. Both Jiang Tu and Zhu Xingyao simultaneously handed over thick red envelopes containing their gifts.

Ding Xiang lit a cigarette and leaned over to light Jiang Tu’s. Smiling, he said, “Bask in the joy of the occasion. Hopefully, we’ll soon celebrate your wedding too.”

Jiang Tu hadn’t intended to smoke in front of Zhu Xingyao, but hearing those words, he accepted the cigarette, placing it between his lips. He bent down to light it, took a slow drag, and smiled faintly. “Hopefully.”

Zhu Xingyao turned to look at him. Occasionally, when they sat close as desk mates, she would catch a faint whiff of tobacco on him. This was the first time she’d seen him smoke. Jiang Tu looked down at her. “Let’s go upstairs.”

She stood there, her cello slung over her shoulder, drawing attention.

Zhu Xingyao nodded slightly. As they walked to the elevator, Jiang Tu extinguished his cigarette in a nearby trash bin and tossed it in. While waiting for the elevator, he raised his hand as if to take her cello case but paused mid-air. She probably didn’t want him touching her precious instrument right now.

The banquet hall was on the third floor. As Zhu Xingyao and Jiang Tu approached the entrance, someone suddenly leapt out and hugged Zhu Xingyao tightly. Li Xixi grinned, tilting her head upward. “Didn’t you get here early? Why are you slower than me? I...” Her words abruptly cut off as she noticed Jiang Tu behind Zhu Xingyao. Straightening up, she greeted him with a smile. “Jiang Tu, long time no see.”

Jiang Tu looked at Li Xixi and smiled. “Long time no see. Though I’ve seen you often.”

Li Xixi had been thriving in the entertainment industry, releasing albums, winning awards, attending events, and appearing on variety shows. Her endorsements were occasionally spotted on billboards. Glancing at Zhu Xingyao, Li Xixi suddenly asked, “Then you must see stars often too, right?”

Zhu Xingyao tugged at her, signaling her to stop talking. Her mind was still chaotic, unsure of how to address him.

Jiang Tu gazed at Zhu Xingyao and gave a soft “Mm.”

Xu Xiangyang approached, looking at Jiang Tu with a smile. “Long time no see. I heard recently that WeiChuang Technology poached a CTO from abroad. That’s you, isn’t it?” In truth, he had simply confirmed Jiang Tu’s return through inquiries.

Zhu Xingyao overheard and took the bag from Jiang Tu’s hand, handing it to a nearby staff member.

Jiang Tu moved his fingers slightly and looked at Xu Xiangyang, replying indifferently, “Yes, it’s me.”

“Brother Ding arranged for us to sit at the same table. Let’s go over and chat,” Xu Xiangyang suggested.

Jiang Tu nodded. “Let’s go.”

The two walked toward their seats.

Zhu Xingyao and Li Xixi trailed behind. Li Xixi whispered, “Now I believe it—Jiang Tu’s looks can make women fall head over heels. If his family hadn’t been in such dire straits back then, and he had pursued you directly, he might not have lost to Lu Ji.”

If Jiang Tu had pursued her back then... they wouldn’t be where they were now.

Zhu Xingyao had thought the same, but there was no use dwelling on “what ifs.” She looked at Li Xixi. “Xixi, don’t tell Jiang Tu about Chen Yi’s incident.”

Li Xixi paused, sighing. “Don’t worry—I haven’t even told Xu Xiangyang. Sometimes I can’t understand it. Even if those starry lights were truly a gift from him, he never pursued you back then, never confessed his feelings. You were moved by those starry lights and ended up with Lu Ji, and he didn’t say a word. He practically pushed you into Lu Ji’s arms. Not to mention, eight years without contact... Those early years, you suffered so much because of him. Was it worth it?”

Whether it was worth it or not, she had borne the consequences.

Zhu Xingyao avoided answering, lowering her head. “He did say it.”

In German, at least—if that counted.

Li Xixi pouted. “I know he had it tough. Sometimes when I think back to high school, about you, Jiang Tu, and Lu Ji, I don’t know who to pity more.”

Zhu Xingyao felt a pang of sadness. Not wanting to continue the conversation, she pulled Li Xixi along. “Let’s hurry. It’s almost seven.”

Guests arrived one after another. Many classmates from high school, now scattered across the country, managed to attend. Seeing Jiang Tu chatting with Xu Xiangyang, everyone gathered around out of curiosity. Truthfully, only a handful of people were close to Jiang Tu back then. Some classmates barely even spoke to him—they were just curious.

Cao Shujun and Xie Ya arrived with their six-year-old daughter, and Ding Xiang seated them at Jiang Tu’s table. Cao Shujun was thrilled to see Jiang Tu and quickly patted his shoulder. “You rascal, no news from you all these years!” Recalling Jiang Tu’s mishap during the college entrance exam, he smiled warmly at how well he seemed to be doing now. “Looks like you’re doing great.”

Jiang Tu smiled faintly. “Pretty good, thank you.”

Zhu Xingyao and Li Xixi approached. Seeing Zhu Xingyao, Cao Shujun smiled again. “Zhu Xingyao, even Li Xixi and Xu Xiangyang have gone back to visit the old school, but you haven’t. Come on, sit here and chat.”

Zhu Xingyao was ushered to sit beside Jiang Tu. Cao Shujun began asking Jiang Tu about his studies in the U.S. Jiang Tu glanced at her briefly before turning his attention back. Zhu Xingyao picked up a cookie from the plate and nibbled on it. After a while, he placed a glass of water in front of her.