Let me win you over, and you'll become a heartthrob before I even begin?

He packed a thousand handwritten letters he had written into a box and handed it to her, saying, "Open them when you're feeling down, but you're only allowed to open one at a time."

"Even though I won't be by your side anymore, I'll always remember you! When I come back, I'll treat you to your favorite food every day and take you out to play every day!"

When you're feeling down, try to think about happy things!

He said a lot of comforting words, as if he wanted to use this as a preventative measure so that Yan Weixi would have enough hope to resist the despair of the future.

Even though he knew it was difficult.

Even though he knew that he wasn't by her side, every word he said now was futile and useless.

But this is the only thing he can do right now.

So, he frantically poured out all the promises he could make, begging her not to give up on him and to wait for him to come back.

Yan Weixi hugged the box full of envelopes and nodded solemnly: "Okay!"

Seeing how carefully Yan Weixi cherished the box, Shen Yunchi felt a pang of sadness in his heart.

It was the only thing he could do.

Shen Yunchi prayed silently in his heart—

Hopefully, these few words can help her overcome despair before he takes the initiative to contact her.

Even if there is only a sliver of hope.

At least, it would be helpful in some way.

We're about to board.

He involuntarily grasped Yan Weixi's hand, and said awkwardly, almost pleadingly:

"If...if I can't come to you...could you come to me? I'll reimburse your airfare, hotel, and travel expenses..."

His voice grew softer and softer, almost inaudible.

He knew that what he was saying was asking too much.

Just as he was frantically trying to explain why he had said that, Yan Weixi suddenly smiled sweetly at him:

"Okay."

She answered almost instantly, leaving Shen Yun stunned for a long time.

Yan Weixi held up her little finger to him, "If you don't come to find me, I will definitely come to find you, pinky promise."

"Okay," Shen Yunchi said gently with a smile.

Their little fingers intertwined, and with a gentle pull, it was as if they were freezing something important in this wondrous moment, waiting for a future instant to arrive.

*

Once Shen Yunchi arrived abroad, he inevitably developed a liking for the transfer student.

They strolled along the relaxed, less crowded streets, chatting and laughing as they gradually made their way to the center of the square.

In the center of the square, more and more people gathered.

A street band was playing a beautiful love song. Pigeons landed and frolicked on the ground, occasionally flapping their wings and curiously peering at the pedestrians.

The crowd was bustling.

The girl walking beside Shen Yunchi smiled and pointed ahead, "Shall we go take a look?"

Shen Yunchi: "Okay."

As they walked toward the square, just a step away from the flock of pigeons, Shen Yunchi suddenly saw a girl standing alone in the bustling crowd.

The girl wore a white dress with a blue bow tied at the waist, paired with a sheer jacket, and her long, ink-black hair cascaded over her shoulders.

The girl kept looking in their direction, and her eyes lit up the moment she saw Shen Yunchi look up and see her.

She ran over with small steps, her eyes brightening like stars. Seeing her long-lost friend, her face lit up with excitement and joy, and her light and cheerful voice seemed ready to burst forth:

"Achi!"

next moment.

The girl suddenly stopped: "Eh...?"

She watched as Shen Yunchi calmly and gently chatted with the girl beside him, seemingly ignoring her as if no one else was around, brushing past her and walking forward.

"Shen Yunchi?"

Yan Weixi turned around, took a step towards him, reached out in his direction, and tentatively called out to him.

But he didn't look back.

Yan Weixi watched him walk further and further away, as if he were treating her as a stranger, simply passing by.

The light in Yan Weixi's eyes slowly dimmed, and her raised hand slowly fell...

She picked up her phone to call him, standing there watching his receding figure, unwilling to leave, hoping he would turn back.

The anticipated phone call didn't happen as expected; before we arrived, the communication was constantly interrupted by ringing beeps.

Finally, she put away her phone and walked back the way she came, feeling dejected.

The gift in hand, together with her, brings us back to where we started.

Back home, Shen Yunchi felt as if he had been given a moment's respite. But the thought of what had happened during the day made his heart feel like it was suffocating.

I can hardly breathe.

The thought of Yan Weixi's eyes made him gasp for breath in pain, his eyes filled with unbearable agony, as if an immense pain was about to engulf him.

He was wrong.

He shouldn't have let her come to him.

He shouldn't hurt her because of his own selfish desires.

He hated himself for being like this.

Even though I know perfectly well that I can't do anything about it.

Starting over only dragged her down with him, causing her pain.

He hated himself for hurting her like that.

Taking advantage of the fact that no one was home, Shen Yunchi cried all night, until her eyes were sore and swollen, wanting to cry out all her resentment, pain, despair, and emotions.

If he could do it all over again, he would stay away from her.

I will not let her get caught up in this kind of friendship that never ends.

The third rebirth.

He didn't go to that cake shop.

She even deliberately stayed away from the cake shop, only letting her housekeeper help her.

But he never expected that they would meet again.

He had been secretly watching her, investigating the cause of her death in the hopes of averting it.

But perhaps he wasn't hiding it well enough, because she found him.

Hello, classmate.

The girl's eyes held a hint of shyness, and her smile appeared relaxed and cheerful, but upon closer inspection, one could see her hands nervously tucked behind her back.

Shen Yunchi just wanted to leave as quickly as possible, but the girl grabbed him. She looked up at him and said, "Could you help me get the book up there? I can't reach it..."

It seemed that it would be more convenient to ask him for help, so Yan Weixi didn't ask the librarian for help to get the book.

Upon hearing Yan Weixi's request, Shen Yunchi reluctantly agreed, "Okay."

He never refused her.