The rain had passed, leaving Yudu with one of the most pleasant days of the year. The sun shone warm but gentle, white clouds drifted lazily beneath it, and from time to time, a breeze rolled in from the horizon, shaking the dewdrops from the leaves.
At 10:30 in the morning, Ji Yu and Tang Li left the student council meeting room, heading toward the cafeteria. The clouds were thick, but sunlight still managed to slip through the gaps, casting golden light onto the ground, as if to remind everyone that, no matter how much rain had fallen lately, summer still lingered.
Shadows stretched across the pavement, and Ji Yu, as always, walked within them. In his mind, standing in direct sunlight was practically fatal.
When he was a child, every time his mother moved him and his older sister to a new home, the furniture was always the same. But as a kid, he could never help with the heavy lifting. Ji Yu had been mature for his age, but still—he was just a boy. Shy and unsure, he avoided the curious eyes of new neighbors by hiding in the shadows. The habit stuck with him.
A warm breeze lifted the strands of hair over his forehead, revealing eyes with a faint, dreamy haze.
He stopped, climbed a short flight of steps, and stretched out his arms as if crossing a narrow bridge, balancing with each forward step. His messy hair bounced lightly, giving him an almost childlike air.
The steps ended. Ji Yu looked up to see Tang Li four or five meters ahead and waved his notebook at him.
"How old are you again? Still acting like a kid?" Tang Li teased, hands in his pockets, a few stray strands falling across his brow.
Ji Yu glanced around—sure enough, there were quite a few girls nearby. He adjusted his expression into a faint look of disdain and sauntered over.
"Come on, let's get food."
"I'm just saying… you're not planning to move again after a few weeks, are you? You're in college now—try staying put for once."
Ji Yu didn't answer, just smiled. He'd never had many friends. Since elementary school, he'd moved from one district of Yuzhou to another. The only people he could confide in were his mother, his sister, and this big, goofy guy who had somehow become his close friend in just three days.
The number of people who matter only gets smaller. Which makes the ones who stay all the more important.
They walked in the shade along the wall, overhearing bits of conversation from passing students. As they reached the ground floor, Ji Yu suddenly craved yellow braised chicken. He told Tang Li, then went to a particular food stall to order a medium-spicy portion.
Back to Senior Year
They'd met in the final hundred days of high school. At the Hundred-Day Pledge Ceremony, Ji Yu had stood on stage with his head lowered, silent beside the principal.
After the ceremony, the principal brought him into Tang Li's class and seated him right next to him.
Even in the intense atmosphere of senior year, the school allowed a bit of freedom—students could dress as they liked. Tang Li's outfits were bright and bold; Ji Yu's were muted, monochrome. Not because he disliked colors—he just didn't suit them.
By then, friend groups were already set. Few people wanted to befriend a transfer student so late in the game, and Ji Yu was fine with that.
Tang Li, however, began to notice small things: Ji Yu sketching musical staves in his notebook, tapping his index finger in rhythm, humming familiar melodies through his nose. Slowly, the quiet young man overlapped with a memory—of a boy who once rubbed his eyes and shared half a chocolate bar with him.
After the college entrance exam, Tang Li saw him again—by chance—at an amusement park. Ji Yu was just taking off the oversized bear mascot head.
"Ji Yu?"
The same classmate. The same face. Yet strangely unfamiliar.
They hadn't talked much in school, but they knew a little about each other's tastes. Tang Li offered him a freshly opened bottle of soda. Ji Yu brushed back his fringe, smiled, and took a polite sip.
For the first time in over a hundred days, Tang Li saw his eyes—soft, a little hazy—paired with damp hair clinging to his forehead. It made him… memorable.
"Oh, it's you—Tang Li."
His voice matched his whole presence: gentle, light, tinged with laziness.
"You work here?" Tang Li asked stiffly.
"Not exactly," Ji Yu smiled, twisting the bottle cap closed. "If I get used to it, maybe I'll stick around for a while."
"Stick around? You're not planning to do this forever, are you?" The words slipped out, and Tang Li regretted them immediately.
Ji Yu dipped his head slightly. Tang Li fumbled for an explanation, but Ji Yu didn't seem bothered. Looking up at the bright blue sky, he said quietly, "Just for now. I'm saving up for something."
He pulled out his phone, opened an app, and handed it over.
"…A guitar?"
"Mm. My old one broke. I'm hoping to buy a new one with my summer job earnings."
Tang Li memorized the seller's details before handing it back. "That's a good goal. I hope you get it."
Even Ji Yu chuckled at his stiffness. "You're so outgoing in class. Why so awkward with me?"
They didn't chat for long. Ji Yu picked up the mascot head and smiled. "You didn't come here alone, right? Go—don't keep your friends waiting."
Tang Li nodded, walked away… then stopped.
Watching the clumsy little bear rejoin the crowd, he hesitated. Then he pulled out his phone, bought the guitar at full price, and relisted it at a lower one.
Later, in the cafeteria, Tang Li slid a mild yellow braised chicken toward Ji Yu.
"This isn't spicy. You switched it?"
Tang Li leaned lazily on his elbow. "Forgot the summer after graduation? You nearly killed your stomach eating spicy food for breakfast."
"It was just a bit of spice. Hardly a big deal."
Yes, just a breakfast months ago. But they both remembered.
After eating, they left the cafeteria. Ji Yu noticed the campus's beauty for the first time—gardens full of flowers, birds hopping in the branches, unafraid of the passing students.
Breathing in the fresh air, Ji Yu felt like the most carefree person in the world—no troubles, no sadness, just a pleasant mood and a stomach that was seventy percent full.
Tang Li glanced at the crown of Ji Yu's head. Something about him felt different today.
"Where are you going?"
"The student council just created a new department—the Off-Campus Homing Department."
Tang Li grinned at the mischievous glint in his eyes. Striding up beside him, he asked, "Why do I feel like you're acting weird today?"
Ji Yu ignored the question. "What about you? You're free too."
"Where to?" Tang Li scratched his head, glancing at the gym. "How about we go to your place?"
"My place? And then?"
"Then we hang out until we're bored and head back."
"And after that?" Ji Yu pressed.
"After that, we sleep. Seriously, what's wrong with you today?"
"You're not going to play basketball?" Ji Yu asked, tilting his head. At 187 cm, Tang Li was a natural for the basketball team, but he didn't seem interested anymore. Silence covered his eyes.
"Fine. My place is big enough—you can crash there if you get tired."
"Thanks, Jieee-ge."
The small apartment welcomed its first guest. It wasn't even as big as Tang Li's living room—three rooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen, all close together.
But every piece of furniture had been arranged carefully, reflecting Ji Yu's mother's and sister's tastes, along with his own. Wooden floors creaked softly underfoot, the walls and furniture leaned toward warm, pale yellow tones, filling the space with a cozy glow.
It was Ji Yu's pride—and the home he wouldn't leave again.
From his room, he brought out a new pair of slippers for Tang Li, setting them at his feet before padding into the kitchen to pour two glasses of milk.
The TV flickered to life, the announcer's voice brimming with energy as they pitched one commercial after another.
The rug before the sofa was a bit messy—he'd napped there yesterday. Ji Yu crouched down to straighten it, but when he turned, he found Tang Li staring.
"What… what are you looking at?"
"You're good at this domestic stuff. You'll make someone a fine wife someday." Tang Li smirked.
There was something almost homely about the scene—the practiced movements, the way his messy hair shifted with each gesture—adding warmth to the little apartment.
"Please. A guy who can cook and clean is a catch. If I ever like someone, I'll wow them with my cooking—that's bonus points for sure."
"Yeah, yeah, I'll give you all the bonus points you want…"
Their banter ended with Ji Yu picking up the cheap guitar he'd bought after two months of part-time work, setting his charging phone on the table, and beginning to warm up with a few gentle strums.