Chapter 5

Later, under his influence, I also began to focus on my studies.

Having a top student as my deskmate really improved my grades a lot.

That year, at the post-Gaokao graduation party, a few of us played a game. I lost at Truth or Dare and had to kiss someone present.

I was embarrassed and at a loss for what to do.

Many people started to egg me on, and Jiang Cheng said carelessly, “I guess my handsome face will have to suffer and let you take a bite.”

Amid the teasing, I walked over to Xie Chuan, who was sitting in the farthest corner, and gently kissed his cheek.

That day, blushing, I asked him, “Xie Chuan, which university are you applying to?”

The warmth hadn’t faded from his face as he replied softly, “Beijing.”

I smiled, “Great, then I’ll go to Beijing too.”

We walked side by side down the little path behind the school. The June breeze was gentle, the night sky dotted with stars, and the bright moon hung overhead.

I spoke quietly, “Xie Chuan, actually, you can hold my hand now.”

He hesitated, “C-can I?”

I smiled, “Of course, we’re not considered to be in a premature relationship anymore.”

He carefully reached out and wrapped my hand in his, his palm slightly sweaty and trembling a little.

That year, we both got into universities in Beijing as we wished, while Jiang Cheng stayed at a local school, and I finally got rid of that annoying guy.

Xie Chuan’s university was only two streets away from mine, so we could see each other every day.

In college, we could openly hold hands and walk through every corner together.

He was always so cautious. After dating for a long time, he held my hand and stammered:

“Gu Qiao, c-can I kiss you?”

I couldn’t help but laugh, “Sure.”

He gently kissed my forehead, his ears turning red.

A little innocent, a little cute.

I can’t say exactly what I liked about Xie Chuan, just that he was different from all the boys I’d met before.

He wasn’t like Jiang Cheng-careless, hot-tempered, sharp-tongued, and talkative.

He was warm and attentive, always reminding me of every little thing.

At that time, he often tutored part-time after class.

His parents were both farmers. In those years, his grandmother’s illness had cost the family most of their savings, and he couldn’t bear to add to their burden.

My family wasn’t wealthy, but we were comfortable, and my parents had always spoiled me.

When two people are together, conflicts are inevitable.

I liked being glued together, but apart from studying, he was always working.

Even when we ate together, his strong sense of pride wouldn’t let me pay.

Whenever I gave him something, he would always calculate the price and insist on giving me something of equal value in return.

Back then, I always had to take care of his pride and emotions.

I knew there was a gap between us, and many people didn’t think our relationship would last.

But I was determined to prove to everyone that we would make it to the end.

People can’t choose their origins, but they can change. Xie Chuan wouldn’t always be a poor boy.

We argued, threatened to break up, but maybe we were both addicted to each other’s gentleness-neither of us let go.

Before graduation, Xie Chuan was accepted into graduate school, but I didn’t pass the exam.

I turned down a stable job back home and decided to stay in Beijing for Xie Chuan.

Later, we met each other’s parents.

Actually, I’d met Xie Chuan’s parents once while we were still in school. In our junior year, his parents came to our city to work on a construction site.

When I saw them, they were sweating and working hard. I was embarrassed and didn’t know how to act.

I foolishly went to help them carry bricks, but his parents quickly stopped me: “Oh dear girl, you can’t do this, this isn’t work for you.”

Xie Chuan laughed and rubbed my head, “Are you silly?”

His parents were honest farmers. When they heard I liked strawberries, they planted a lot every year, and every time Xie Chuan went home, he’d bring back plenty for me.

When Xie Chuan visited my home, my parents received him politely. My dad said he was a good kid.

Before he left, my dad told him, “Xiao Xie, your relationship with Qiaoqiao is fine with me and your Aunt. But we have two requirements. First, if you get married, the bride price on our side is 200,000 yuan. Second, you can’t live together before marriage.”

At the time, I didn’t understand why Dad made those demands. Honestly, our family didn’t need that 200,000, but for Xie Chuan, it was a real hardship.

Dad said, love without material foundation is like a pile of loose sand-it scatters with the wind.

I didn’t believe it, until that wind came, and it really did scatter just like that.