The teacher carried in a large stack of test papers, distributing the results of the final mock exam before the college entrance exam.
Each student had several thick college application guides stacked in front of their desk.
"Little Butterfly, what major are you planning to apply to?"
"Chinese Literature."
"Are you going to stay in Y City, or go to A City?"
"I'm planning to stay in Y City. After I graduate from university and save up some money, I'll take the postgraduate entrance exam for A City."
Xiao Die still held the top ranking in the entire grade, but Lu Na couldn't figure out why she wanted to stay in Y City.
She remembered this morning when a few uniformed officers had come to see her. They'd asked some strange questions—about the family situation of the class president, Wen Nan.
Lu Na also told her that Wen Nan's grades had dropped from second in the grade to second-to-last in the class. Perhaps it had something to do with his family troubles.
Today was the weekend. After afternoon classes ended, Xiao Die turned down Lu Na's invitation to go see a movie. She returned to the apartment building and knocked on the class president's door.
The class president opened the door. His apartment was spotless. A lot of furniture had been moved out, and even the curtains looked like they'd been washed many times over.
"If you've come to show concern for me, then leave."
"If you've come because you're worried about Su Mosheng, then rest assured—I will make sure he pays."
Xiao Die shot back at the class president: "If hurting yourself is built on hurting others, then no one will pay for your self-destruction."
Wen Nan's eyes turned blood-red. He lunged forward and wrapped his hands around Xiao Die's throat.
"What do you understand? What does Su Mosheng understand either? I don't need sympathy from hypocrites like you!"
"I don't sympathize with you. People like you aren't worth our sympathy."
Wen Nan had no intention of letting Xiao Die go. Just as she was about to suffocate, she felt the warmth of Su Mosheng's embrace.
"Wen Nan, I've warned you many times before. Whatever dealings you have with my mother are none of my business. But Xiao Die is my bottom line. Please do not hurt her."
"So what if you were the vice president of BR Group? Now you've fallen so low you're nothing but a rat in the gutter. Who even remembers you were once BR Group's vice president?"
"Vice president of BR Group???"
"Xiao Die, you still don't know, do you? The Mosheng gege you've been secretly in love with—he's been lying to you all along. He's been deceiving you this whole time."
Su Mosheng did not defend himself. He held Xiao Die tight and carried her away from that place of trouble.
Back in her own apartment, Xiao Die poured Su Mosheng a glass of water. She didn't ask him anything about BR Group.
Su Mosheng felt deeply guilty. He didn't know how to explain any of it.
"Do you remember the first time I saw you?"
"I do. But I couldn't see."
"Whether you're the vice president of BR Group, or the kind neighbor gege, or anyone else you might be in this world—my feelings for you will never change."
"I'm sorry."
"I'm the one who should say sorry. I wasn't firm enough."
Su Mosheng affectionately patted Xiao Die's little head. He actually remembered the first time he met her—the way she had stood up to protect him.
On that night when they first met, a pop song had been playing through her earphones. The lyrics of that song were actually:
The first time I saw you, I was so flustered
I couldn't find the right words to say
You walked up to me and reached out your hand
Held my hand tight and wouldn't let go
Used to having you beside me every day
Taking care of me in your gentle way
This movie opened with a romance so sweet—I want
To stay with you till the break of day
Su Mosheng, that was a beautiful night. Because that was the night I first saw you.
If I ever do anything wrong in the future, please don't leave me. I'll try my best not to make mistakes, because every time I see you—I'm still the same me, seeing you for the first time.