Chapter 106: Former Lovers

In my youth, innocence and pure love led me to believe that you and I could last forever, witnessing the blooming and withering of flowers side by side.

But now I realize that the promises once made pale and powerless before the passage of time.

The things missed have been discarded into the river of memory, nowhere to be found; and those missed people, their faces long since blurred from recollection. Only a name remains—both strange and familiar—occasionally reminding me that I once loved.

Seeing these two familiar faces, Xiao Lin could no longer contain his joy. "Zheng Hao, Big Mouth, long time no see."

"Well, if it isn't you, kid. I tried calling you a few days ago, but it kept saying your number was disconnected. Had me pretty frustrated," Zhang Zheng Hao said, punching Xiao Lin lightly in the chest.

"Yeah, and it feels like you've vanished from the world, Xiao Lin. You never speak in the QQ group, and I left messages but never got a reply," Jin Hai added, his face full of complaint.

"Heh, I've had some things going on these past two years, so..." Xiao Lin rubbed his nose, feeling a bit embarrassed. Ever since Ma Yunrou disappeared from his life, Xiao Lin had spent more than two years in a slump, avoiding contact with old friends for fear of dredging up the past. Thankfully, Wang Yuqing’s arrival helped him find himself again, giving him the courage to attend this reunion.

"Alright, enough standing around. Everyone’s here. Let’s hurry upstairs. Xiao Lin showing up really is a big surprise," Zhang Zheng Hao remarked with a sigh.

Zhang Zheng Hao had been the student council president in their year. Among the student council’s most talented were three: two boys and one girl—Zhang Zheng Hao, Xiao Lin, and Ma Yunrou. Zhang and Xiao Lin had shared a close bond, a mutual admiration.

The group chatted and laughed as they entered the restaurant. Following Zhang Zheng Hao’s lead, they went to the third floor and found a large private room. Even before entering, the sounds of playful chatter drifted out.

Just as Xiao Lin reached to open the door, Zhang Zheng Hao pulled him aside and gestured for Ye Hao and Jin Hai to go in first.

After they entered, Zhang Zheng Hao turned to Xiao Lin with a serious expression. "Xiao Lin, you need to be prepared. Someone unexpected has come today."

"Someone unexpected? Who?" Xiao Lin was puzzled. He knew everyone from the student council to some extent. Who could possibly surprise him? A name flashed through his mind, but he shook it off. Impossible. She had been gone for so long.

Seeing Xiao Lin’s reaction, Zhang Zheng Hao sighed quietly and patted his shoulder. "You’re right. It’s her—your former lover, Ma Yunrou. I won’t hide it from you. She actually suggested this reunion, and I was just as surprised when she called me."

At Zhang’s words, Xiao Lin’s mind seemed to explode. Ma Yunrou? How could it be? Wasn’t she already gone from Donghai? Wasn’t she lost to them all? His eyes glazed over as he muttered incomprehensibly.

Seeing Xiao Lin like this, Zhang Zheng Hao fell silent. In truth, he didn’t know how to explain. He knew a bit about what had happened between Xiao Lin and Ma Yunrou—that she left because of a wealthy young man. The details, however, eluded him.

After a long moment, Xiao Lin came back to himself and forced a wry smile. What was he so worked up about? It had all happened so long ago. Who was right or wrong no longer mattered, and besides, he now had Wang Yuqing. Her unexpected arrival had been a surprise, but just that—a surprise. Since accepting Wang Yuqing, Ma Yunrou’s name had become history.

"Heh, Zheng Hao, let’s go in," Xiao Lin said, his face calm again.

Zhang Zheng Hao glanced at him in surprise. Xiao Lin had once been utterly devoted to Ma Yunrou, and his current reaction was hard to fathom.

When they pushed open the door, they first saw an opulent dining table beneath a rare chandelier. The soft light bathed the table, creating a comfortable ambiance. The room’s decor was lavish, with several incandescent lamps casting a warm golden glow that filled the space with an air of affluence.

Near the table sat a large sofa, occupied by seven or eight young men and women. A cluster of people, including Ye Hao and Jin Hai, stood nearby, chatting animatedly about the latest trends. Among them was a strikingly beautiful girl, wearing a fitted scarlet wool coat that reached her knees, paired with knee-high black boots and a pure white scarf around her neck. Her figure was alluring, each smile and glance captivating. Her delicate features framed by long light brown hair that cascaded to her waist, she spoke with a coquettish charm that naturally drew attention. Many of the young men clustered around her.

That girl was none other than Ma Yunrou, Xiao Lin’s first love. She had arrived early and effortlessly became the center of attention.

At the sound of the door opening, heads turned toward the entrance, followed by a chorus of surprised exclamations. "Zhang Zheng Hao! And that’s Xiao Lin!"

"My goodness, am I seeing things?"

The arrival of Xiao Lin and Zhang Zheng Hao caused a stir. Back in their days at Donghai High School, they were legendary. Zhang Zheng Hao was the student council president—capable, tall, handsome, and captain of the basketball team. Xiao Lin was the top student, the school’s valedictorian and a paragon of talent, the prince charming in the eyes of many girls.

Seeing these familiar faces stirred deep emotion in Xiao Lin. His old classmates were like a window into his own youth. But when his gaze landed on one particularly familiar face, his eyes froze. It was truly her—Ma Yunrou, etched in the depths of his memory. Though years had passed and her appearance had changed little, the feelings Xiao Lin once had no longer stirred within him. Time had worn them away, and some emotions could never be reclaimed.

Yet Xiao Lin vividly remembered their first meeting—he had been full of youthful ambition, rightly proud as Donghai High’s top student. Ma Yunrou was a stunning beauty, admired by many boys. They first crossed paths during rehearsals for a school anniversary event, where Ma Yunrou was the female host. The male host was originally a handsome rich kid, but due to family issues, Xiao Lin was asked to replace him.

When Ma Yunrou saw him, her first words were, "Xiao Lin, I’ve heard so much about you. I’m Ma Yunrou, but you can just call me Rou Rou. I hope we can work well together and make this hosting great!"

Xiao Lin had already heard about the beautiful and capable female class president of Class 2, Grade 8, and he replied, "Rou Rou, that’s right, I’m Xiao Lin." He had a bit of pride back then, feeling a little pleased that such a beautiful girl liked him.

"Heh, you actually called me Rou Rou? Do you think you’re my parents or my boyfriend?" Ma Yunrou’s next words shattered his little pride.

Embarrassed, Xiao Lin scratched his head and laughed awkwardly. "Weren’t you the one who told me to call you that?"

"Haha, you’re so cute. You listen to me so well!" Ma Yunrou smiled like a blossoming flower, her almond-shaped eyes watching him with apparent interest.

Xiao Lin muttered softly, "Who says boys can be cute?"

"Ahaha, just teasing you. We’re partners now, and I heard you wrote the hosting script. Looking forward to working with you," Ma Yunrou said, extending her delicate hand confidently.

Xiao Lin smiled foolishly as he took her hand, feeling its smoothness. For a moment, he forgot to let go. Ma Yunrou was the one who finally released the grip. For Xiao Lin, it was his first time shaking a girl’s hand—a moment as thrilling as his first top exam score. He was so happy he didn’t even want to wash his hands all day.

From then on, Xiao Lin often visited Class 2 under the pretense of discussing rehearsal matters, though his real intent was to chat with Ma Yunrou. He felt especially comfortable talking with her; she knew so much about things he didn’t. Conversations with her never ran dry. Their joint hosting of that year’s school anniversary became the most memorable event Donghai High had ever seen. The scene was so lively that even the teachers struggled to maintain order. Ma Yunrou wore a purple dress, her hair elegantly pinned up, white high heels completing the look. Like a fairy descended to earth, she was breathtaking, causing the boys in the audience to cheer loudly, "Ma Yunrou, we love you!" Their voices rose in waves.

Xiao Lin wore a black suit, black leather shoes, and had his hair styled specially outside school. Coupled with his naturally handsome face, the girls in the crowd screamed incessantly.

Back then, Wang Yuqing was a true homebody—studying, sleeping, and rarely venturing out. For a time, she harbored a strong dislike for Xiao Lin, as he always topped the school while no matter how hard she studied, she was stuck in second place. This frustration simmered within her.