We ordinary people also need to fall in love.

"And then what happened? Were those who bullied you severely punished?" Li Mubai's voice was filled with barely concealed urgency. He couldn't imagine that this aloof girl in front of him had experienced such a dark time.

"Hmm." Xie Shu nodded slightly, his tone still calm, as if he were narrating someone else's story, without anger, grievance, or happiness.

"My parents put pressure on the school, and the boy who spread the rumors was expelled. The girls in my dormitory who bullied me were also severely punished. They were forced to change dorms and classes, and we never had any contact again."

"My psychiatrist diagnosed me with depression and prescribed antidepressants. My therapist suggested I do more things I enjoy and gradually adjust my mindset." She gently touched the scars on her wrist.

"So later, my mother didn't dare to pressure me too much and gave me some freedom, which is why I was able to choose to come to No. 6 Middle School and Class 3."

The noisy evening breeze rustled through the trees in the mountains, making a soft sobbing sound. Why were the chirping insects so quiet just now? Silence, silence—it was Li Mubai's heart that was silent.

Xie Shu gently moved her wrist, trying to remove the shocking scar, but Li Mubai gently grabbed it. She was stunned for a moment, just as she had grabbed his wrist before, telling him not to feel inferior...

"Does it hurt?" he asked in a low voice.

"It doesn't hurt anymore." Xie Shu smiled gently, her eyes softening.

Li Mubai slowly released his hand, the warmth of her wrist still lingering on his fingertips.

He was too clumsy with words, not knowing what comforting words to say or how to soothe the wounds in her heart. He could only rely on instinct, using the action of holding her tightly to convey his awkward pity and concern.

"Then why are your parents letting you go abroad again?"

This was Li Mubai's biggest question: since they had compromised and given her freedom because of her depression, weren't they afraid that she would repeat the same mistake when she went abroad and faced an unfamiliar environment alone?

"Maybe they think I've become stronger." Xie Shu's lips curled into a self-deprecating smile, a smile that concealed too much helplessness.

"They think that I am now capable of facing everything on my own, of meeting their expectations, and of following the path they have planned step by step."

"Xie Shu..." Li Mubai called her softly. He looked up at the person in front of him, his eyes no longer darting away as before.

"I hope you live well, I hope you can live happily." He said each word with utmost sincerity.

Even if you're going abroad again, even if we're going to part ways, I hope you can look forward to every today and every tomorrow. I hope you can eventually live the life you want.

Faced with a bleak future, we can do our best to make the process of reaching that future better, but if the future really cannot be changed, then we will choose our own way to "live on in misery".

After all, high school politics teaches us that the future of things is bright, but the road is tortuous. So let's wait and see; only after the clouds clear will we see the moon.

"If you're feeling down, feel free to contact me anytime. I'm happy to be your 'dumping ground,' and I'm willing to... stay by your side forever."

After he finished speaking, in the dim light from the foot of the mountain, he saw a drop of "rain" slide down Xie Shu's cheek.

"it is good."

She wouldn't. She still has people she cares about in this world. Once a person has someone they care about, they won't easily give up their life.

She took half a step forward, getting a little closer to Li Mubai. The distance between them was so close that he could smell the faint scent of jasmine on her.

In the darkness, she gently raised her arm, but a gust of evening wind blew a tear from the corner of her eye, and she slowly lowered her hand again.

"I also hope you're happy, Li Mubai."

Xie Shu turned her gaze to the city below the mountain, her fingertips twirling a strand of her hair:

"Actually, my father named me Xie Shu, which means 'knowledgeable and reasonable.' However, when I was a child, the police officer changed it to 'Shu' when I was registered. My mother thought it was fine, so she accepted it. Xie Shu, Xie Shu."

She murmured her two names as if in a trance.

No matter what, it sounds great, because it's her.

But Li Mubai still had a question buried deep in his heart for a long time. He took a deep breath and asked it aloud:

"Xie Shu... Yan Shu, is that you?"

Without affirmation or denial, she simply gazed at the scenery, letting the wind gently caress her cheeks.

Default is also a form of acceptance.

They went down the mountain. It was getting late, and he wanted to see her off. She wanted to walk with him a little longer, so they walked side by side.

From ten meters away, you can see that the villa's lights are already on.

"Xie Shu, you can go back now. I'll stay here and prepare to go home."

Li Mubai stopped. There were people at Xie Shu's house, most likely her parents. He didn't want her parents to misunderstand and cause Xie Shu to get hurt.

Xie Shu glanced at him sideways, as if trying to memorize his appearance, and spoke after a long while:

"it is good."

After he finished speaking, neither of them moved and remained standing quietly in place.

"Hmm—you go back first, I'll watch you." Li Mubai broke the silence first; he wanted to watch her leave.

Xie Shu gave a soft "hmm," then slowly turned around and walked towards the villa.

Her figure gradually disappeared into the darkness between the streetlights and the villa. Just when Li Mubai thought she would keep walking, she stopped and slowly turned her head to look at him.

In the dim light, her lips moved, but no sound came out.

What?

Just as Li Mubai was about to ask, Xie Shu turned around, strode into the villa, and gently closed the door, separating the two worlds.

What did Xie Shu just say? Goodbye? Take care? Li Mubai stood there, his mind filled with questions.

But the vibrating phone in his pocket interrupted his thoughts. It was a call from his mother, with the word "Mom" flashing on the screen. Li Mubai quickly answered and lowered his voice.

"Where did you go, Xiaobai? I went home to get something and didn't see you at home." Li's mother's voice was tinged with doubt.

"I went to the supermarket to buy stationery, I'll be right back."

"Oh, then be careful. Let us know if you need more money." Li's mother, unsuspecting, gave a simple instruction and then hung up the phone.

He couldn't let his parents down...

At 8:20, taking the subway won't take long; it's mainly walking that takes some time.

He took one last look at the villa before turning and leaving.

Before he even left the villa area, the surroundings gradually brightened. A blinding headlight pierced the night, followed by two crisp car horns behind him: Beep! Beep!

Li Mubai quickly walked to the side of the road, seemingly blocking the car passage.

Contrary to Li Mubai's expectations, the car did not speed past him. Instead, it slowly approached him at a parallel position, honked its horn once, and the car window gradually rolled down.

Li Mubai glanced over instinctively. Whose taxi is this?