Colorful years

That day, Li Hua happened to be working both the morning and afternoon shifts.

As you slowly step into the supply and marketing hall, a vibrant and unique scene unfolds before your eyes.

Everywhere you look, you can see the beautiful and charming Li Hua standing gracefully inside the counter, attentively and enthusiastically welcoming every customer who comes to visit.

At this moment, Li Hua was wearing a simple yet elegant work uniform that perfectly accentuated her graceful figure.

She wore a smile that was as warm and gentle as the spring sun, captivating all who beheld her; every gesture she made exuded a mesmerizing charm, as if the entire space shone brightly because of her presence.

Upon closer inspection, her skin was as white as snow and as delicate as silk, like a finely sculpted piece of jade. Her long, glossy black hair fell smoothly over her shoulders, gently brushing against her fair neck, adding to her feminine charm.

Her bright, large eyes, like twinkling stars in the night sky, shone with endless gentleness and intelligence; beneath her high, straight nose, her cherry-like lips were slightly upturned, and when she spoke, her voice was clear and melodious, as sweet as a nightingale's song.

Especially captivating was the alluring and lively charm she exuded with every smile and gesture. Whether answering a customer's question with a gentle sip of her lips or exchanging a casual glance, she possessed an indescribable allure that drew the attention of everyone around her.

Time flies, and Li Hua is now nineteen years old, about to enter her twentieth year. Compared to the slightly naive and immature girl she was four years ago, she now exudes a more mature and composed aura, as well as a cool and mysterious air.

However, this change did not diminish her original dignified, beautiful, gentle and charming temperament; on the contrary, it made her even more attractive and more able to deeply touch people's hearts.

Upon seeing the familiar figure approaching, Li Hua was first taken aback, then an unnatural smile appeared on her face, and a hint of resentment flashed in her eyes, as if to say to Zhang Cong, "Why did you only show up at this time?"

Her heart was filled with contradictions and pain; she longed to see Zhang Cong, yet she was also afraid to face him.

Li Hua quickly regained her composure and said to her colleague, "My classmate is looking for me. You can cover for me for a bit, I'll be right back." With that, she slowly walked out from behind the counter and gestured for Hai Tian to follow her.

They arrived at the basketball hoop of the town's middle school, and the two faced each other, staring at each other for a long time without saying a word.

The atmosphere was a bit suffocating.

Li Hua leaned against the racket, a hint of sorrow flickering in her expressive eyes. Her lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but hesitated to speak.

Her eyes revealed a sense of helplessness and disappointment, as if questioning Zhang Cong why it had taken him more than four years to come looking for her.

Her heart was filled with contradictions and entanglements; she didn't know how to face Zhang Cong's arrival.

Deep down, she might be contemplating whether she should let go of past feelings and start her life anew.

Zhang Cong looked embarrassed, his eyes revealing a hint of guilt and unease, as if he regretted his actions.

His lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to explain something, but he didn't know where to begin.

A wry smile appeared on his face as he tried to ease Li Hua's dissatisfaction.

He was filled with self-blame and guilt. He realized the harm he had caused Li Hua and was thinking about how to make amends for his mistakes.

Their eyes met, and an indescribable emotion was revealed in their gazes.

It was as if, at that moment, their hearts were experiencing a storm.

Half an hour passed, and the surroundings were completely silent, as if time had frozen. Finally, Li Hua took a deep breath and broke the suffocating silence.

Her voice was as soft as a breeze across a lake, but it contained a deep sorrow: "I have waited for you for three whole years... Every day I hoped to receive a letter from you, even if it was just a few words."

However, day after day, year after year, my mailbox remained empty, without a single message from you. At that time, I truly believed you had fallen in love with someone else…

As she spoke, Li Hua's eyes gradually reddened, and tears glistened in the corners of her eyes, like glistening pearls about to roll down.

Li Hua's gaze was fixed on the distance, her eyes revealing an undisguised sorrow. Her once rosy lips trembled slightly, like petals swaying in the wind, fragile and helpless.

She subconsciously reached out her right hand and gently pinched the hem of her clothes, as if this could give her some comfort and strength, helping her to control the surging emotions in her heart.

Faced with Li Hua's questioning and lament, Zhang Cong's face instantly turned as pale as paper.

His lips trembled, as if he wanted to say something to salvage the situation, but in the end, it only turned into a weak and feeble explanation: "Over the years, I have devoted all my energy to the ocean of knowledge. I have studied desperately and made continuous progress, all so that one day I can stand before you again in a better position..."

Although Zhang Cong's voice was deep and firm, trying to make his words sound more convincing, they sounded hollow and fake to Li Hua.

"Hmph, only a fool would believe your lies!" Li Hua sneered, her resolute words piercing Zhang Cong's heart like a sharp sword. "I've already given up on you. Not long ago, I started a new relationship. He's my colleague; we work in the same company."

He was incredibly caring and considerate towards me, a thousand times better than you were back then! So please stop bothering me and stay away from me! After saying that, Li Hua turned around abruptly, leaving Zhang Cong with a resolute back view.

Li Hua's eyes were filled with determination, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, revealing a bitter smile. Her voice carried a hint of indifference, as if she was trying to make her words sound more resolute.

Zhang Cong was extremely adept at capturing key information. Observing his expressions and demeanor, he realized his self-esteem had been severely damaged and decided to completely sever ties with the past.

Admittedly, others might say: You have a chance to fight for it before you're even married, so why give up so easily?