Rebirth: Illuminating a Brilliant Life

Su Xuan asked everyone in the group where they wanted to go to university. Dong Haoying quickly replied: "I want to stay in Changsha. It has my favorite rice noodles and the four seasons of Yuelu Mountain. The familiar streets and the friendly local accent make me very attached to it. Moreover, there are quite a few universities in Changsha. I believe that I can have a fulfilling university life here and contribute to the development of my hometown in the future."

Meng Jiawei continued, "I definitely want to go to Chengdu! It's the Land of Abundance, with hot pot, skewers, rabbit heads... just thinking about it makes my mouth water. Plus, the universities in Chengdu are all unique, and the city's relaxed pace of life suits my taste perfectly. Studying there would be such a treat, and I could also get together with my old classmates from Sichuan all the time."

Cheng Ran also shared her thoughts: "I yearn for Shanghai, an international metropolis full of endless possibilities and opportunities. The night view of the Bund and the bustling Lujiazui exude a captivating charm. Shanghai's universities have achieved outstanding results in cutting-edge academic fields, and I want to go there to experience the most advanced educational concepts and grow amidst the collision of diverse cultures."

Looking at everyone's replies, Su Xuan's heart was filled with anticipation and dreams for the future. She smiled and said, "That's great! Everyone has clear goals. No matter how far apart we are, our friendship will never change. Maybe we can even be each other's tour guides in our respective cities someday!" The group chat was filled with laughter and chatter as everyone talked about their expectations for university life, as if they could already see a vibrant and colorful future unfolding before their eyes. They were striding confidently onto that unknown and fascinating new journey, full of youthful dreams and enthusiasm.

Meng Jiawei asked Su Xuan where she wanted to go, and Su Xuan replied that she wanted to go to Beijing. After the message was sent, there was a moment of silence in the group chat. Looking at Su Xuan's reply on the screen, Meng Jiawei felt a ripple of emotion; his resolve to go to Chengdu wavered slightly. In his heart, Su Xuan's presence was becoming increasingly important, and the thought of being in the same city as her was an indescribable temptation.

Cheng Ran also saw Su Xuan's reply. He was originally full of thoughts about the prosperity and opportunities in Shanghai, but at this moment, his thoughts were also in disarray.

He was well aware of his feelings for Su Xuan, feelings that had slowly grown during his high school years. It seemed like a wonderful thing to be able to study with Su Xuan in Beijing.

Meng Jiawei broke the silence first, saying in the group chat, "Beijing, ah, that's a great place, with a rich cultural heritage." Cheng Ran echoed, "Yeah, Beijing's university resources are indeed amazing." The two seemed to be having a normal discussion, but they were both conflicted inside.

A few days later, Meng Jiawei sat alone in his room, his mind constantly alternating between the leisurely life in Chengdu and the scenes of spending time with Su Xuan in Beijing.

He thought of the food streets in Chengdu, a place he had always longed to visit, but Su Xuan's smile kept appearing before his eyes.

In the end, he decided to talk to Su Xuan first. He sent Su Xuan a private message: "Xuan, I'm thinking that Beijing is really suitable for you, and I'm also a little tempted. Why do you want to go to Beijing?"

Su Xuan replied, "I've always longed to visit the Forbidden City and the Great Wall in Beijing. Those ancient buildings carry so much history. And I really like the atmosphere at Beijing's universities; I feel like I can become a better person there." Meng Jiawei looked at the message and fell into deep thought.

Meanwhile, Cheng Ran talked to his father about his thoughts. His father had initially supported his decision to go to Shanghai, but was worried when he heard that Cheng Ran was wavering because of a girl. Cheng Ran was conflicted. He paced back and forth in his room, torn between his long-held dream and his parents' expectations, and his feelings for Su Xuan.

He didn't know what to choose: to follow his heart or to stick to his original ideals. At the end of this summer, he was caught in an unprecedented state of confusion, while Meng Jiawei was also struggling in a vortex of hesitation. The future had become blurry and full of variables for them.

Meng Jiawei and Cheng Ran's wavering plunged them into a difficult internal struggle. Meng Jiawei repeatedly recalled his time in Chengdu—the joy of searching for delicious food with friends in the streets and alleys, and his dreams of a carefree youth in Chengdu's universities. But all of this gradually lost its clarity in the face of his feelings for Su Xuan. He knew that if he followed Su Xuan to Beijing, he would not only have to give up his familiar environment but also face many unknown challenges. Yet, he was also afraid of missing the opportunity to be with her.

Cheng Ran tossed and turned at night. The dazzling lights and international stage of Shanghai had once been his dream, a place where he craved cutting-edge knowledge and extensive connections. However, every time he closed his eyes, Su Xuan's image would appear in his mind. He imagined strolling with Su Xuan under the ancient ginkgo trees on the Beijing campus, striving for their dreams together in the library. This tangled mess of emotions tightly bound his thoughts, leaving him unable to find peace.

Meanwhile, Su Xuan was unaware of the turmoil in Meng Jiawei and Cheng Ran's hearts. She was happily planning her trip to Beijing, researching the specialties and campus culture of various universities in Beijing, and even joining some online exchange groups for new students from Beijing universities, actively preparing for her upcoming university life.

During a three-person offline gathering, the atmosphere was slightly awkward and subtle. Meng Jiawei and Cheng Ran hesitated to speak, while Su Xuan excitedly shared her new discoveries in Beijing. Finally, Meng Jiawei mustered up the courage to say, "Su Xuan, actually, Cheng Ran and I are both thinking about reconsidering our university plans. Your idea of ​​going to Beijing makes us feel that maybe there's a future for us there too." Su Xuan was stunned. Looking at her two familiar friends, a complex emotion welled up inside her. She was touched by their concern for her, but she didn't want to influence their original dreams and plans because of her.

Su Xuan said earnestly, "Don't change your choices easily because of me. Your dreams are precious, and I don't want to be a burden to you." Meng Jiawei and Cheng Ran fell into deeper thought after hearing this. After this gathering, the relationship between the three of them seemed to be shrouded in an invisible veil. They were all re-examining their inner selves and future directions, and their youthful story, amidst this entanglement and anticipation, slowly began to write a new chapter.

After the party, Meng Jiawei walked home alone, the streetlights casting long shadows. He pondered Su Xuan's words, moved by her understanding yet unable to relinquish his special feelings for her. Back home, he sat at his desk and opened the materials about universities in Chengdu.

The campus activity introductions and featured program details that once ignited his passion now seemed to have lost their appeal. His gaze kept drifting to the pages of Beijing universities on the computer screen; those lines of text and pictures seemed to possess a magical power, beckoning him.

Cheng Ran, on the other hand, tried to refocus on his research on Shanghai. He dug out the notes he had previously collected about various universities in Shanghai and tried to immerse himself in the descriptions of their internationalized curriculum and abundant internship opportunities.

However, his thoughts kept wandering, and the longing look in Su Xuan's eyes when she described Beijing kept replaying in his mind. He began to list the pros and cons of going to Beijing versus Shanghai on paper, but the dense handwriting could not help him sort out the chaos in his heart.

A few days later, Meng Jiawei arranged to meet Cheng Ran again. They sat on a park bench, surrounded by children playing and elderly people strolling leisurely. Meng Jiawei broke the silence first: "Cheng Ran, I've thought a lot these past few days. I still can't let go of Su Xuan. I want to go to Beijing to try, even if it's just to be closer to her. What about you?"

Cheng Ran looked at the ground and slowly said, "I'm just as conflicted. Shanghai has always been my goal, but Su Xuan is also very important to me. But if we both give up our original ideals because of our feelings, won't we regret it later?" The two fell into a long silence, with only the rustling of leaves in the breeze.

Meanwhile, Su Xuan gained a deeper understanding of the pressure and challenges of studying at a university in Beijing after talking with a senior student from a Beijing university.

She began to worry about whether she could really adapt to the environment there. At the same time, she realized that Meng Jiawei and Cheng Ran's unusual behavior might have a huge impact on their future. So, she decided to have a serious talk with each of them separately.

Su Xuan found Meng Jiawei first, and looking at his slightly tired eyes, she said, "Jiawei, I've thought about it seriously. I don't want you to make an impulsive decision because of me. Beijing may not be right for you. You have so many wonderful dreams in Chengdu. Don't give up easily." Meng Jiawei looked at her, his eyes filled with determination: "Xuan, I know what I'm doing. I want to try my best for this relationship. Even if I fail, I don't want to have any regrets."

Su Xuan met Cheng Ran again. As soon as Cheng Ran saw her, he said with a wry smile, "Su Xuan, you've really messed up our lives." Su Xuan said with some guilt, "Cheng Ran, I didn't want it to be like this. I hope we can both follow our hearts and not interfere with each other because of me." Cheng Ran sighed, "My heart is a mess right now. I don't want to give up the opportunity to go to Shanghai, but I don't want to lose you either."

At the end of this summer filled with youthful confusion and emotional entanglements, the three of them stand at a crossroads in their lives. Each choice is like a door leading to a different future, and they are still trying to find out which door truly belongs to them. Their story continues, and amidst the unknown and anticipation, they await the final guidance of fate.