Chapter 40: Dreaming

Chapter 40: Dreaming

She had no idea what he had been through during this time, or why he had acquired new injuries.

It wasn't until the man’s footsteps drew closer that He Suisui’s sharp little mind finally realized: he hadn't overheard her inner thoughts, nor was he just passing by—he was heading straight for them!

He Suisui whipped her head around to look at Bai Li and asked eagerly, "Pear, do you know him?"

Bai Li nodded, her eyes stinging slightly. "Yes, he’s the brother I told you about."

!!!

He Suisui was shocked. She stared at Fang Ye for a long moment before reaching a conclusion: "Your brother is shockingly handsome. If I could be with a guy like that, I’d be happy to live in a mansion and drive a luxury car."

Bai Li, who had been feeling quite nervous, was amused by her friend's comment. She exhaled softly and laughed, "You really are a gluttonous one, wanting it all."

No sooner had she said this than Fang Ye arrived before them.

His footsteps halted instantly.

The twilight glow illuminated half his face, soft and diffused. His dark gaze remained fixed on Bai Li, with the gentlest hint of a smile at the corners of his narrow eyes.

After her playful remark, He Suisui took the initiative to greet him. "Hello, Bai Li’s brother, I’m her classmate."

Fang Ye gave her a slight nod. "Hello, little classmate."

Immediately after, He Suisui turned to point at a milk tea shop by the street and said to Bai Li, "Pear, I’m going to go buy two milk teas. You wait here for me."

Buying milk tea was just an excuse; she simply wanted to give the two of them a chance to talk properly. He Suisui considered herself a good friend to Bai Li and could tell they likely had things to discuss. So, very politely, she made her excuse and slipped away to wait.

Once her friend was gone, Bai Li’s heart began to race again, as if stifled by the atmosphere of their reunion. She looked at Fang Ye and couldn't help asking softly, "Brother, what are you doing in Jiangcheng?"

The light and shadows shifted by the second, and the faint sunset glow on the horizon deepened.

Fang Ye looked her over and said with a smile, "There was an opportunity for an exchange program, so I came. I intended to tell you, but you were still in class, so I thought I’d wait until the holidays. I didn’t expect to run into you first. Little Bai Li, it’s only been a month—why have you gotten even thinner?"

"..."

Bai Li stood motionless. She had a premonition: she suspected Fang Ye had come specifically to be an exchange student. Linking this to his promise that he would return to see her soon—which she had doubted—it seemed it had actually come true.

Seeing Fang Ye in her familiar city made her feel a bit flustered. She was terrified that Mrs. Hu might suddenly pop out from some corner and couldn't help glancing around.

Noticing her tense state, Fang Ye stared at her and smiled. "Is it the weekend? When are you going home?"

"I’m heading back in a bit." Bai Li regained her composure and asked impatiently, "Brother, how long are you staying in Jiangcheng?"

"A month."

"And you’ll be at Jiangcheng University for the whole month, right?"

"Yes." Fang Ye took the heavy backpack from her, his gaze dropping slightly to meet her eyes. "You mentioned on WeChat that you were living on campus? Living at school by yourself is hard work. Is there anything you’re lacking?"

It was that same question again; Fang Ye was exceptionally concerned about Bai Li’s well-being.

Bai Li watched as her backpack naturally shifted into his hands. She felt quite embarrassed, as the bag was indeed heavy—she had brought many textbooks home to study.

Her voice lowered. "I’m not lacking anything. School life is simple; a quilt and a pillow are enough."

Fang Ye let out a long, drawn-out "Ah," then said with a smile, "So, aside from a pillow and a quilt, you’re lacking everything else?"

"..."

?

That sounded as if she were asking for things.

Bai Li blinked, wanting to explain that she didn't mean that at all, that she wasn't lacking anything. But she didn't have the confidence to lie in front of Fang Ye.

Because the situation was, in fact, exactly as he suggested.

When she first reported to the dormitory, she was all by herself; being able to bring her bedding set was already quite an achievement. She had intended to bring her things over slowly every Sunday, but after returning the first week, she found that Mrs. Hu had cleared out all her belongings, and everything had been restored to the look of a guest room.

Thus, she had to save money and buy things little by little. She had only just reached the point of buying a washbasin.

Not knowing how to answer, Bai Li simply opted to change the subject. She took the bank card Fang Ye had given her out of her bag and said softly, "Brother, take this back. I haven't started university yet; I don't need this much money."

"Is that so?"

Fang Ye didn't take the card. He looked at her for two seconds, then reached out to pat her head. "You’ll go to university eventually. Keep it. It’s getting dark; I’ll send you home in a bit."

Bai Li’s breath hitched. Her gaze swept over the spot where he had been standing before, where a group of people seemed to be waiting for him.

Thinking of Mrs. Hu at home, Bai Li refused. "I’m going back with my classmate soon. Brother, you go ahead and take care of your business. I’ll come find you when I have time."

Thinking of something, Fang Ye replied with an "Mm," and asked, "Which school are you at now?"

"Jiangcheng Private High School No. 1."

Fang Ye nodded. Once He Suisui returned with the milk tea, they hailed a taxi.

Fang Ye paid the fare in advance and placed the backpack beside Bai Li before saying softly, "Go on then."

As their eyes met, Bai Li felt a sting in her nose and her heart rate accelerated. Clenching her hands behind her backpack, she couldn't help but ask, "Brother, you won't leave immediately, right?"

Fang Ye said, "I promised to come, so I specifically applied for the exchange program to see you. I’m not leaving."

His gaze was faint, like the mist of July—partly gentle, partly aloof.

Bai Li nodded silently, and the feeling she had worked so hard to suppress began to surface once more.

It grew relentlessly.

The autumn wind blew bleakly as the car pulled away.

Only then did Fang Ye turn to leave.

Remembering the girl’s attempt to return the card earlier, he chuckled. His brows and eyes, usually filled with a sharp edge, softened incredibly.

It was quite subtle.

The little girl had spent a month working a part-time job during her vacation, secretly saving her hard-earned money, yet she refused to accept the money he offered her.

She was quite generous, and quite a fool.

...

In the taxi, He Suisui’s parents kept calling to urge her home, so there was no time to gossip about Fang Ye along the way.

Bai Li’s home was the first stop. After saying their goodbyes, she walked into the residential complex with her backpack.

The weather that night was far from ideal; the moon was hidden in the dark, with only a few streetlights providing light. The temperature was chilly, and distant rumbles of thunder echoed from time to time.

In the dim light, Bai Li wore her short-sleeved summer school uniform, yet she felt a warmth in her heart.

She found it miraculous.

Since they had parted, she had known that returning to Lingjiang would be harder than reaching the heavens, and she hadn't held any expectations of seeing him soon.

Yet now, someone from far-away Lingjiang had suddenly appeared in Jiangcheng as an exchange student at a prestigious school. Beyond her shock, she was happy for him; it meant Fang Ye’s university must be excellent.

Did that also mean... he finally wouldn't have to return to the life he had before?

Thinking of this, the corners of the girl’s eyes curved up, as beautiful as the crescent moon in the sky.

A flash of lightning and a low rumble of thunder streaked across the sky.

A woman’s voice rang out, sharp and piercing, shattering her daydreams.

"Dream on!"