Pokémon: Master System.

He suddenly felt out of place in this world, with a deep sense of alienation.

I am not a person of this world. Even though I have lived in this world for decades, I still feel uneasy and fearful when I think of my past life.

The more Xia Yu thought about it, the more depressed he felt. He took out a cigarette from his bag, put it in his mouth, lit it with a lighter, took a deep drag, exhaled a cloud of smoke, sat on a bench at school, and looked up at the sky.

The sky was overcast, and the snow fell heavier and heavier.

Snowflakes landed on his face, carrying a faint chill that stimulated Xia Yu's senses.

What's wrong with me? Why am I suddenly so sentimental?

Xia Yu smiled bitterly and shook his head gently. The older people get, the more sentimental they become.

…………

"What's wrong, Xia Yu? Is something on your mind? Why are you smoking alone here?" Long Yan Ning's gentle voice rang out, showing concern as always.

"Xia Yu? When did you learn to smoke? Smoking is bad for your lungs!" Su Muzi's playful voice rang out, carrying a hint of coquetry that made it impossible to refuse.

"Xia Yu, when did you sneak back? Why aren't you in class? Why are you smoking here?" Chi Hanqing's cold voice seemed to carry a hint of schadenfreude.

The familiar voice that came from beside him made Xia Yu feel slightly dazed.

It seems I've been too tired lately, and I'm even having auditory hallucinations. How come I can hear the voices of Long Yanning, Su Muzi, and Chi Hanqing all at the same time?

"Ugh."

Xia Yu thought he should take a good rest for a while. He took a deep breath, then closed his eyes and sat on a bench by the roadside. He raised his head and used his face to feel the snowflakes falling from the sky.

Seeing Xia Yu sitting on the bench with his eyes closed, completely ignoring them, Long Yanning, Su Muzi, and Chi Hanqing stood there dumbfounded.

"Xia Yu?"

"Xia Yu?"

"Ok?"

The voice that came to his ears again woke Xia Yu up, making him suddenly realize that he might not be dreaming. He opened his eyes and turned his head to look, where the three people stood together like a painting.

Long Yanning wore a long, dark trench coat, which made her look like a walking clothes hanger, highlighting her tall and slender figure. She wore tight jeans, which made her long, slender legs particularly eye-catching. Her long neck looked a little cold in the snow. She wore light makeup and her long hair was tied up with a hairpin.

A hint of worry flashed in Long Yanning's eyes. The haggard look on Xia Yu's face just now made her feel a little sorry for him. This was the first time she had seen Xia Yu look like that.

Standing next to Long Yanning was Su Muzi, who was a head shorter than her. She was wearing a beige short down jacket, fleece-lined socks, a snow-white scarf around her neck, an adorable white Patchwork hat on her head, and matching white snow boots on her feet. She looked quite cute.

Su Muzi frowned, pouting as she looked at the cigarette Xia Yu had just stubbed out. She thought to herself, "When did Xia Yu go astray? He's even started smoking. I'll have to keep a close eye on him from now on and not let him go astray."

As for the last person, it was Long Yanning's best friend, Chi Hanqing. She was dressed simply, and her loose, thick down jacket made her look like a caterpillar, but it was definitely the best at keeping her warm. She wore a pair of large black-rimmed glasses on her nose, and her face was without makeup, with a half-smile on her face.

The sight of the three of them standing together made Xia Yu feel a little dazed, as if she were dreaming.

"What... are you doing here?" Xia Yu asked, looking at the three of them.

How could he have been caught red-handed by the three men just because he had dozed off for a moment?

Long Yanning looked at Xia Yu and said softly, "get out of class just ended. Su Muzi has some questions to ask us, so let's go to the office together."

"Xia Yu, you should... stop smoking. Smoking is bad for your health. You can tell me if you have anything on your mind." Su Muzi ignored the two people beside her, looked at Xia Yu, and pouted, saying, "Also, when did you come back? If Xia Jie hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known you were back."

Hearing their strange conversation, Chi Hanqing glanced at her best friend, Long Yanning, beside her. Long Yanning wasn't Xia Yu's official girlfriend, so why was Su Muzi…?

Chi Hanqing's gaze swept back and forth between Long Yanning and Su Muzi's faces. Looking at the calm expression on Long Yanning's face, she suddenly understood something, and then a faint smile appeared on her lips.

The carnage before him was going to be a nightmare for Xia Yu.

…………

Chapter 500 Xia Yu's Confession

The chaotic scene that Chi Hanqing wanted to see did not happen.

Long Yanning was so sensible that it was almost heartbreaking. She stood silently to the side, not interrupting Su Muzi, and quietly watched Su Muzi whisper her concern and longing as if she were Xia Yu's girlfriend.

Long Yanning watched the scene unfold calmly, as if she were a complete stranger, not wanting to cause Xia Yu any trouble.

The young and beautiful Su Muzi, brimming with youthful energy, was undoubtedly a better match for Xia Yu. They were of similar age, one being the champion of the university cup and the other the runner-up, and were considered a golden couple by many.

The phrase "a perfect match" seems tailor-made for them.

Sometimes, Long Yanning wondered why Xia Yu would fall in love with her so unconditionally.

Sometimes she felt fear and unease, wondering if she and Xia Yu could really make it to the end.

…………

Chi Hanqing looked at Long Yanning, who was standing silently to the side, and felt a little sorry for her. She and Long Yanning had grown up in the same courtyard since they were little, and their relationship was closer than that of sisters.

She understood Long Yanning better than Long Fan did. She knew that Long Yanning, who lost her mother at a young age, had an incredibly fragile heart hidden beneath her strong exterior.

Chi Hanqing also knew that Long Yanning valued relationships extremely much. She was like an iceberg, blocking other people's feelings and keeping a distance from others. But once a relationship was established, it would burn as hotly as a raging fire.

Even if it means burning one's life, one should still ignite a flame full of love.

She also knew how deeply Long Yanning had invested in this relationship. She often saw Long Yanning leaning against the window, staring blankly at the training ground outside.

Every time I received a call from Xia Yu, the smile on my lips was so happy.

But when it comes to feelings, all that comes to mind is happiness and pain.

Either grow old happily together, or suffer to the point of hatred.

…………

Su Muzi and Xia Yu talked a lot, as if she wanted to express all the longing she had felt for each other after so long apart.

Young people's love is so passionate, undisguised, and unashamed.

Or perhaps Su Muzi's personality has always been like this: she either likes what she likes or dislikes what she dislikes. If she likes someone, she will strive to win them over and never let them slip away.

"Xia Yu, Xia Jie told me that Wu Yaozu is treating us to dinner tonight." Su Muzi waved to Xia Yu and said, "I'm leaving now, I'll contact you by phone later."

Seeing that Su Muzi and Xia Yu had finished speaking, Long Yanning raised the corners of her mouth with a faint smile on her face, looked at Xia Yu, and said softly, "Xia Yu, you just got back today, there's no need to rush to class. Go and rest first, and come to class tomorrow."

"Hmm." Xia Yu nodded, looking at Long Yanning, his guilt intensified: "Teacher Long... I just happened to need to talk to you. I was just about to go to your office to find you. Are you free now?"

“I don’t have any classes now, come to my office with me.” Long Yanning nodded, her face expressionless, just like an ordinary teacher and student, deliberately keeping a certain distance from Xia Yu: “Han Qing, you take Su Muzi to class first.”

"it is good."

…………

Xia Yu and Long Yanning walked one after the other toward the teachers' office.

Long Yanning's gaze fell on Xia Yu. Seeing that no one was around, she slowly slowed her pace. Looking at Xia Yu, who looked slightly haggard, she couldn't help but say softly, "Xia Yu, although you are usually very busy, you should also take care of your health and smoke less, okay?"

"Yeah." Xia Yu nodded slightly.

…………

Inside the teachers' office, Long Yanning opened the door, then took off her trench coat, revealing a knitted sweater underneath.

She hung the trench coat on the wall, then got up, boiled a kettle of water, took out a teacup, and brewed a pot of hot tea for Xia Yu.

"Have a cup of tea. Don't overwork yourself." Long Yanning handed the teacup to Xia Yu, her voice gentle. "Be careful, it's hot. Xia Yu, you must take care of yourself and get more rest when you have time."

"Yes. Thank you, Yan Ning."

Hearing Long Yanning's caring words, Xia Yu felt even more uneasy and guilty. He held the teacup with both hands, and the warmth emanating from the cup dispelled the winter chill and warmed his heart.

"Why are you sitting alone on the bench smoking today?" Long Yanning leaned back on the sofa, her gaze falling on Xia Yu with concern and a hint of worry: "Is something on your mind?"

As she spoke, Long Yanning got up and walked behind Xia Yu, gently massaging his shoulders and saying softly, "Xia Yu... you can tell me what's on your mind. Don't try to bear it all alone."

"I hope I can share this burden with you, okay?"

Listening to Long Yanning's words and looking at the gentle and tender Long Yanning in front of him, Xia Yu felt even more pressured.

Humans are complex beings, driven by greed.

At this moment, he really wanted to slap himself. He had a girlfriend as perfect as Long Yanning, yet he was still not satisfied and had to go and provoke Xiao Wanyu.

Thinking of Xiao Wanyu, Xia Yu's mind grew heavier.

Xiao Wanyu is undoubtedly a good woman.

Xia Yu sighed softly, inwardly lamenting the terrible things he had done, deserving to die a thousand deaths.

What should I do if Long Yanning really finds out about Xiao Wanyu one day?

Xia Yu couldn't imagine it.

He had no other choice but to take things one step at a time, like walking a tightrope, where one wrong step would mean utter ruin.

…………

“Teacher Long…” Xia Yu took a deep breath, turned to look at Long Yanning, and slowly said, “Actually, there’s something I’ve been keeping from you.”

"Hmm." Hearing Xia Yu's words, Long Yan Ning remained calm, showing no sign of panic or surprise: "Go ahead and say it."

"It's not convenient to talk here, let's find a safe place to talk."

“Okay.” Long Yan Ning nodded.

…………

Xia Yu and Long Yanning returned to the apartment together and sat on the sofa.