Chapter One Hundred Eleven

“But I just don’t understand—why would he choose to study in Japan when everything is fine here?”

“I’ve told you, he has his reasons. No one can change his decision,” Lin Zimo replied.

“So he’s leaving in two days?” Xiao Jian asked.

Lin Zimo nodded. “Before he leaves, I have to do something to make sure he doesn’t forget us.”

Hearing this, Xiao Jian grew concerned. “I’m really worried. Once Yu Ge is in Japan, who knows what might happen to him in a foreign country? We can’t even go help him.”

“I’ve already written down some precautions for him to follow when he arrives in Tokyo. After reading them, he’ll be cautious. Now, I’m preparing something special for him.” With that, Lin Zimo abruptly left, a deliberate trick to keep Xiao Jian from knowing that the preparations were already complete. Even if Xiao Jian got hold of it, the item wouldn’t be of any use to him.

If it were Lin Xiaoxin, however, things would be different. Who knew Lin Zimo better than Lin Xiaoxin? Didn’t she see through her sister’s intentions? She knew Lin Zimo was lying but chose not to expose her, understanding that doing so would only sour the relationship with Xiao Jian. Lin Xiaoxin had thought it through carefully.

“We can’t just wait around here all day. I need to prepare something too.”

“What are you preparing?” Lin Xiaoxin asked Xiao Jian.

“Obviously, a surprise for Yu Ge, but not until the day before he leaves.” Saying this, Xiao Jian pushed his wheelchair toward the door.

“And what about my plan to prank my sister?” Lin Xiaoxin was still concerned about that.

Xiao Jian looked back at her. “We’ll put that aside for now. There will be plenty of chances to mess with her later.”

“Alright, I’ll push your wheelchair.” Lin Xiaoxin helped Xiao Jian leave the house. The matter of Yu Xingyue would keep them busy for a while, and in that time, Lin Zimo and Xiao Jian wouldn’t have any conflicts.

At a café, Zhang Yi and Huang Feifan received Lin Zimo’s message and learned about Yu Xingyue’s plans to study abroad. Both sank into thought. Huang Feifan asked, “Is Yu Xingyue really leaving? Why?”

“Who knows?” Zhang Yi took a big sip of his coffee, feeling a pang of sadness knowing that Yu Xingyue would be gone for two years without seeing them. “Lin Zimo said it was Yu Xingyue’s family’s decision to send him abroad. Once decided, it can’t be changed. I guess Yu Xingyue must have agreed to it himself.”

“Let’s hope so. If anyone’s sacrificing Yu Xingyue for some kind of gain, I won’t forgive his mother!” Huang Feifan said fiercely.

“That’s unlikely. Every mother loves her son. Who would hurt their own child for some profit? If I knew it was for some benefit, and if Yu Xingyue’s mother knew the truth, she surely wouldn’t let him go,” Zhang Yi argued confidently.

Huang Feifan shook his head. “I take back what I said earlier. Lin Zimo said Yu Xingyue is going willingly, not for any benefit. That’s what she heard from Yu Xingyue’s mother, though I don’t know if it’s true.”

“That’s easy to check—just call Yu Xingyue,” Zhang Yi said, pulling out his phone.

“What if he doesn’t answer?” Huang Feifan asked.

“Even if he doesn’t pick up, he’ll call back. I know what kind of person Yu Xingyue is. Don’t worry.” Zhang Yi dialed the number and waited.

But Yu Xingyue didn’t answer, making Huang Feifan anxious. “Why isn’t he picking up? I’m freaking out here.” He paced nervously.

“Don’t panic. It’s nothing serious. Yu Xingyue will call back soon,” Zhang Yi said calmly, ordering another coffee.

After a while, the phone rang. Zhang Yi smiled. “See? I told you. I know him well.”

“You two haven’t met that many times, have you?” Huang Feifan remarked. It was true—they barely met, but perhaps Xiao Jian had told Zhang Yi about Yu Xingyue, which explained Zhang Yi’s familiarity.

“Don’t mind the details; just pretend we’re close,” Zhang Yi said but couldn’t stop shaking his leg. Huang Feifan pressed down on Zhang Yi’s leg and said, “Stop shaking—that’s bad luck for men and women.”

“No worries. I’m just cursed with poverty. Don’t mind me.” Zhang Yi answered the call.

“This is Yu Xingyue,” came the voice.

“I know why you’re calling. Lin Zimo told you everything, right?” Yu Xingyue said.

“Not yet. Are you being forced to study abroad by your family?” Zhang Yi asked bluntly. Huang Feifan gave him a nudge for being so direct.

“No. It’s my own decision. None of your business,” Yu Xingyue’s tone was clearly annoyed. Zhang Yi didn’t notice, but Huang Feifan did.

“That’s not what I meant.” Zhang Yi quickly explained after Huang Feifan’s reminder. Yu Xingyue seemed skeptical of his explanation.

“I’ll be honest. I want to study abroad because I want to see the world. I want to learn to be independent, which is what Mom hopes for,” Yu Xingyue said.

“But what if you forget about us after you leave?” Zhang Yi hit a sore spot. They feared being forgotten, possibly not even remembered when Yu Xingyue returned.

“I have a decent memory. I’ll still remember you when I come back,” Yu Xingyue said, though the worry lingered. After all, he often forgot trivial things like whether he’d flushed the toilet when engrossed in his phone.

“Don’t brag. I know you well. Maybe we’ll see each other again… in two years,” Zhang Yi said sadly, unwilling to let go.

Yu Xingyue replied calmly, “When we meet again, we’ll be quite different. I’ve already left something at your doorstep, sent by courier.”

“What did you send?” Zhang Yi asked.

“Go check it out. I have other things to do. Bye.” Yu Xingyue hung up, a mysterious, slightly sorrowful smile on his lips.

“Whether it’s you, Zhang Yi, Lin Zimo, or everyone else—will you remember me then?” Yu Xingyue leaned against the wall, watching three crows fly past outside the window...

Time flew by to the night before departure. Yu Xingyue returned home to check if everything was ready.

“Yu Xingyue, are these your packages? They all have your name on them,” Yang Shuting called from the living room.

“My packages?” Yu Xingyue looked puzzled. He hadn’t ordered anything. Gifts for everyone had been sent by courier since he disliked giving them in person; this way, no one would feel sad receiving them.

In the living room, seven packages piled high on the table. The largest one, by its size, was clearly from Wang Tianqi. Wang Tianqi was generous and always gave big gifts. Recently, Yu Xingyue had heard from Zhang Yi about the complicated relationship between Wang Tianqi and Huang Feifan. Whether Wang Tianqi’s apology counted depended on Huang Feifan. Was Wang Tianqi truly crazy? Only time would tell.

“There are so many! I’ll take them to my room and open them one by one,” Yang Shuting said, helping Yu Xingyue carry all but the largest package, which was too heavy to move from the living room. Yu Xingyue decided to open Wang Tianqi’s massive package first.

Yu Xingyue struggled alone to unwrap Wang Tianqi’s gift. The contents were beyond description. He wondered how Yang Shuting had managed to bring it inside.

Inside was a massage chair. Yu Xingyue couldn’t take it to Japan, but he appreciated Wang Tianqi’s thoughtfulness. His back had been bothering him lately, and Wang Tianqi knew about his condition. This was a special gift, a testament to Wang Tianqi’s care and concern.

Yu Xingyue sighed. The rest of the packages wouldn’t take long to open. He returned to his room and began unpacking.

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