Chapter 107: The Past

After that school anniversary celebration, it was only natural that Xiao Lin and Ma Yunrou became a couple. No one objected; they were regarded as the perfect pair. Although dating was officially forbidden in middle school, both of them were among the most well-known students. As long as they kept it low-key, the teachers would turn a blind eye.

Ma Yunrou’s favorite game back then was to deliberately disappear, making Xiao Lin unable to find her. When he was anxious beyond measure, she would suddenly appear with a proud smile and say, “Xiao Lin, I love seeing you worry about me the most. If I ever disappear again, don’t look for me—you never know when I might just show up.”

They played and teased each other like this, happily advancing into their third year of middle school. Entering the final year meant the high school entrance exams were imminent. The teachers separately pulled them aside to talk, urging them to concentrate more on their studies. But the two paid no heed; after school, they would still go out skating, watch movies, and stroll along the beach.

One day, while skating, they ran into someone—Liu Zhibo, a person Xiao Lin once despised deeply.

Liu Zhibo was the son of a high-ranking official. Though his family wasn’t as illustrious as Gao Zheng’s, he was still a recognized figure in Donghai City. Coincidentally, he was also at the skating rink that day. Upon seeing Ma Yunrou, he was stunned by her beauty and sighed, thinking, “Such a beautiful girl, and I’ve only just met her—she’s mine now.”

At that time, Liu Zhibo was a high school freshman at Donghai No.1 High School. Though his grades were poor, his father’s influence got him admitted. From then on, Liu Zhibo visited the affiliated middle school every day to see Ma Yunrou. The most sensational moment was when he drove a BMW to school to present her with roses during class, kneeling beside her desk and proclaiming, “Beautiful goddess, only the most exquisite roses befit your status.” Although Ma Yunrou didn’t accept the roses, she was secretly delighted. Which girl doesn’t love romance? Especially someone like Liu Zhibo—wealthy and young—he was every girl’s prince charming.

This caused a fierce quarrel between Xiao Lin and Ma Yunrou. In a fit of anger, Ma Yunrou proposed breaking up. Xiao Lin refused, and they bickered and sulked for quite some time. The final straw that broke their relationship was a guaranteed admission spot to the Kyoto Film Academy.

Unlike Xiao Lin, Ma Yunrou’s grades were average, and her family lacked connections. Though talented, there was only one spot available, and it wasn’t hers.

Xiao Lin wanted to attend the same high school as her in Donghai City, even willing to give up his guaranteed place at the innovative high school to stay by her side. Any other girl would have been moved to tears, but Ma Yunrou was no ordinary girl—she had dreams and ambitions of her own. Coincidentally, Liu Zhibo invited her to dinner that day, and she mentioned the situation. Liu Zhibo waved it off, saying it was a minor issue and that he would handle it—on the condition that she became his girlfriend, so he could have a reason to ask his family.

After pondering for several days, Ma Yunrou chose her dreams and broke up with Xiao Lin.

Naturally, Xiao Lin refused to accept it. But this time, Ma Yunrou was resolute. She disappeared from Xiao Lin’s life, and it wasn’t until now that she reappeared.

Ma Yunrou’s eyes immediately found Xiao Lin standing at the door. After years apart, he looked far more mature and less arrogant, with a deeper, more compelling aura. Seeing him again stirred memories of the boy who once adored her—but only for a moment. Now, she had more important things to attend to.

“Hi, Xiao Lin. Long time no see,” Ma Yunrou said softly, approaching him with a seductive glance at the boy he once was.

“Long time no see,” Xiao Lin replied coolly, then bypassed her to chat with old friends.

His reaction left Ma Yunrou speechless. She had expected excitement from him—after all, he had loved her so deeply before. Even though she had made mistakes, he shouldn’t treat her like this. Could it be because of that other girl? Ma Yunrou recalled what Lin Yuemei had told her: “Xiao Lin is in a deep relationship with another girl. If necessary, you might have to betray him.” It seemed she had no choice but to change her plan.

“Hi, Ma Yunrou,” Zhang Zhenghao greeted her, noticing Xiao Lin’s indifference and fearing she might feel awkward.

“Heh, Chairman Zhang,” Ma Yunrou replied with her signature smile.

“Hey, Xiao Lin, you’re not even a little excited to see Ma Yunrou? That’s unusual,” Ye Hao whispered beside Xiao Lin.

“There’s nothing to be excited about. Let the past be,” Xiao Lin said lightly.

“Heh, fair enough,” Ye Hao wisely dropped the subject and changed the topic.

“Come on, everyone, take your seats. It’s about time. I’m sure you’re all hungry. Shall we start eating?” Zhang Zhenghao glanced at his watch and said.

“Yeah, I haven’t eaten since breakfast; I’ve been looking forward to this meal,” a girl with bright eyes chimed in, prompting laughter.

Twenty-one people had gathered for this reunion—thirteen boys and eight girls. Zhang Zhenghao, the organizer, took the head seat. Everyone else sat with familiar friends. Xiao Lin intended to sit with Ye Hao and Jin Hai, but just as he did, Ma Yunrou came over and sat beside him. Xiao Lin frowned slightly. He did not wish to be near her but, for appearances, couldn’t switch seats. Ye Hao, Jin Hai, and the others knew about the delicate situation between Xiao Lin and Ma Yunrou, so no one teased them—they all pretended not to notice.

Zhang Zhenghao then signaled the waiters to bring the dishes, ordering several cases of beer and some juice.

“Come on, fill your cups. Guys, drink beer; ladies who can drink, drink beer; if you can’t, have juice. One rule: whatever you drink, finish your first glass clean,” Zhang Zhenghao announced as everyone settled.

“To our friendship three years ago, to those happy times,” Zhang Zhenghao raised his glass.

“To friendship!” the group echoed, tilting their heads back to drink. Xiao Lin was surprised to see Ma Yunrou drinking beer—he remembered she used to abstain from alcohol.

“Hey, Chairman Zhang, I heard you’re doing well at No.1 High School and even managed to date a sophomore beauty,” a slender boy said after putting down his cup.

“You rat, who told you that? We’re just like brother and sister,” Zhang Zhenghao quickly denied.

“Shh...” a chorus of shushing followed.

“Rat, I often see you holding hands with a chubby girl out to eat,” Zhang Zhenghao cleverly steered the topic back.

Embarrassed, the boy named Rat chuckled awkwardly and fell silent, while Zhang Zhenghao smiled triumphantly.

Laughter and teasing erupted as everyone began revealing each other’s embarrassing moments—confessions rejected and scorned, meals interrupted by cockroaches, dates where zippers were undone, encounters with naked boys in dorm rooms, phones dropped into toilets...

Xiao Lin and Ma Yunrou stayed out of the gossip—not because they didn’t want to join, but because Xiao Lin had moved on to Kyoto Innovative High School after middle school, and no one else present attended the same school, so no embarrassing stories about him surfaced. Ma Yunrou had been drifting aimlessly after being expelled, losing touch with everyone, so no one knew much about her either.

“Hey, Xiao Lin, let’s have a drink,” Ma Yunrou raised her glass and gestured to him.

“Uh... sure,” Xiao Lin politely raised his glass. They lightly clinked and each took a sip.

“Um, sorry about the past. I had no choice. You don’t blame me, do you?” Ma Yunrou ventured cautiously, testing his feelings.

“The past? I’ve long forgotten,” Xiao Lin smiled softly.

Her heart sank. Such a casual remark—did he not care about her at all? Ma Yunrou was deeply unsettled.

“Hey, Xiao Lin, do you know Wang Yuqing?” a cute girl suddenly asked.

“Ah? Yes,” Xiao Lin was caught off guard.

“Xu Qing, who’s Wang Yuqing?” a boy asked.

“She was my desk mate in sophomore year and transferred to Innovative High School in senior year. I thought Xiao Lin was at Innovative High School too—I didn’t expect him to actually know her. Xiao Lin, please look after her. She’s a good friend of mine, and I don’t want her to be bullied there. Think of it as helping me out,” the adorable girl said to Xiao Lin.

Xiao Lin wiped the sweat from his brow and nodded, “Of course, definitely.” Of course, he would take care of his girlfriend. However, it was clear Wang Yuqing hadn’t yet told Xu Qing about their relationship. Xiao Lin wondered how Wang Yuqing would react upon learning that he and Xu Qing had known each other long ago.