A pampered young lady from a prestigious family, pampered by her childhood sweetheart, a CEO.

She is indeed very unlike a counselor; she is more like a smart, thoughtful, and energetic neighbor.

She was two years older than him, but more mature and composed, like his older sister.

"Teacher, don't be nervous, take your time."

After a long pause, Xu Qiluo couldn't help but remind her again. He concealed the deep storm raging in his eyes and spoke again with his usual calm.

"Sorry for the delay, I was busy with something." Zhu Ping'an calmed her breathing and heartbeat. She wore a light purple knit sweater and a white skirt, and to avoid affecting her class, she had tied her hair into a high ponytail.

She is gentle yet confident, and even possesses a subtle strength.

"Did Teacher Zhu want to see me about something?"

Zhu Pingan opened the counselor's office door, turned on the lights, and turned on the air conditioner.

At her desk, all the lesson plans and stationery had been cleared away, leaving only two boxes.

Xu Qiluo's eyes narrowed, as if she realized what kind of choice she had made, and she was somewhat incredulous.

"You are…"

“I have already submitted my resignation to the school, and I have asked them not to tell him about this. You will be the first person to know that I am leaving this school.”

Zhu Ping'an tidied the table and pushed a chair in front of him, saying, "Sit down."

Are you sure about it?

Mingming had just chatted with his sister, and she told him that sometimes people's ideals are defeated by facing their reality.

Why so suddenly? In just a few weeks, she had a new idea and even put it into action.

Do you think I shouldn't leave?

Zhu Pingan moved the two boxes to the ground. She didn't have many things; most of them were lesson plans and stationery used at school. During this time, she also handed over the affairs of each class to another counselor.

Zhu Pingan looked at the two books he had set aside and didn't know how to start the conversation.

She didn't know why she had come back specifically for this reason, nor why she had left him her two favorite books. It was as if something in the dark was drawing her back, compelling her to see him one more time.

Perhaps they will never cross paths again.

"These two books are for you, as an apology for the harassment and influence I've caused you during this time. After I leave, there probably won't be anyone following you around like I was, urging you to become my dad's graduate student. But maybe the old man will find someone else to persuade you..."

Zhu Ping'an parted her lips, her smile faint, revealing a sense of relief and joy. "For the first 20 years of my life, I was imprisoned, like a marionette, following wherever others pointed. Now I finally have the courage to choose the life I want."

Xu Qiluo remained silent, her gaze fixed quietly on her as she listened to what she had to say.

"These two books are the spiritual pillars that have supported me through many times when I was confused. I don't know many people at this school. In other words, you are one of my most outstanding students. Because of you, every one of my open classes is always packed, and the benefits the school gives me have also increased a lot."

Zhu Pingan chuckled and teased, "If you don't mind, these two can be kept as a keepsake for you, a gift for our acquaintance."

He didn't reach out to take them for a long time. Zhu Ping'an thought he didn't like her two books. Her outstretched hand and the books paused in mid-air. She felt a little embarrassed and wanted to return them.

"I'm sorry, if you don't like this, I'll buy you something else if I find something better later."

"Do not…"

Just as she was about to take it back, Xu Qiluo took the book from her. He didn't know what he was silently doing, as if someone had unconsciously carved a small hole in his heart, and a biting wind was slowly blowing into it.

He was a little selfish; he suddenly wanted Zhu Pingan to stay.

"Zhu Ping'an, are you really sure you want to leave here?"

No longer a counselor, but a wish for peace.

"what…"

Zhu Pingan listened to his words and looked up along his hand. He raised his arm, and the muscle lines of his arm under his short sleeve flowed smoothly down to his neck. With each swallow, his Adam's apple slid up and down, exuding a strong aura of hormones.

How did this person even grow up? Every part of her is exactly what her aesthetic standards are.

Zhu Ping'an even murmured a sentence to herself, and after hearing his words, she asked herself the same question again.

Are you really sure you want to leave here?

Of course she had thought it through. She had been thinking about this wish for four whole years since she was 18. Thinking back on her past life, she wanted to live a free life, without anyone controlling, restricting, or manipulating her, instead of the way things are now, where she has to ask her father in advance what clothes to wear and what food to eat every day.

She even had to fulfill every one of her aspirations right under her father's nose: to get into Kyoto Affiliated High School, to get first place, to participate in competitions, to practice the piano, and not to eat candy, not to drink milk tea, and not to eat junk food from outside.

She had to strictly follow his planned route to and from school, and the time she spent completing practice problems each day could not exceed the 30 minutes he stipulated. In addition to the homework assigned by the school teachers, she also had to complete the test papers and practice problems specially made for her by her father after returning home.

She grew up in an extreme sea of ​​questions during junior high and high school. Seeing those questions reminded her of when she was locked in a small room and couldn't come out until she finished the test.

Zhu Ping'an felt a pang of pain in her heart. That kind of high-intensity training made her feel like a robot, without her own soul or emotions. After several years, she wasn't even familiar with her classmates.

When Zhu Ping'an's name is mentioned, they only think of him as a learning machine, cold-hearted, and obsessed with studying.

Zhu Ping'an turned her head to the side and looked up at the little bird perched on the outside railing, as if trying to stop something from falling out of her eyes. Her profile was particularly thin, revealing a sickly weariness.

After a long pause, she finally spoke, saying, "I've really thought it through. I really don't want to go back to the old days. I don't want to spend every day with problems, and I don't want to struggle every day to be number one. I'm so happy to have made this decision, really happy."

Her eyes were moist, as if she was suppressing her emotions. When she met Qi Luo's deep eyes, she suddenly turned her head away in a flustered manner.

"Xu Qiluo, to put it bluntly, you are the first student and the first good friend I have made in all these years. I am very grateful to you."

She had always been alone. The moment she woke up in the hospital, she saw Xu Qiluo standing by the window. At that moment, she felt sad and moved to tears.

"Wishing you peace...you..."

Xu Qiluo looked at the person in front of her. She was so thin and small, with a face the size of a palm full of features but no flesh. She remembered when she carried her to the hospital, she was so light and airy, as if she had no weight at all.

She is remarkable; she possesses a powerful mind, armor covered in spikes, and a heart that is both soft and strong.

"I wish you peace. Since you consider me a friend, I hope you will live the life you desire from now on, and that you will face all challenges with an open and honest heart."

"Thank you."