Lv Shuojie's abnormal behavior makes me feel ridiculous.

Does he really believe that lowering his stance and saying a few nice words can erase his past sins?

Why are there always people who, with a nonchalant demeanor, can say "I'm sorry" and expect that to cover all their wrongdoings? Why do they think that just by saying it, others should forgive them?

I shook my head, not wanting to dwell on it any longer. Whether he has come to his senses or is stuck in a rut doesn't matter.

The Lin Rongrong who once loved him to the depths of her bones has already died in her hospital bed.

We can never intersect again...

Over the weekend, I received a call from a good friend. The name displayed on the screen made me feel dazed for a long time.

Chen Feng. Ever since I became Lv Shuojie's groveler, he quietly exited my world, waving his sleeve without leaving a trace.

Back then, we were still young, and my dad hadn't yet made it big. Our whole family lived in the countryside.

I remember being greedy, often sneaking into neighbors' yards to steal fruit and snacks from their coffee tables.

He was clearly just a little kid too, yet he always lounged maturely on a rocking chair, holding a copy of "Three Hundred Tang Poems," reciting the verses while nodding his head.

Later on, when he discovered what I was doing, he didn't get angry. Instead, he would voluntarily hand me some snacks.

As time went on, we became familiar with each other, and occasionally, he would even teach me to recite poetry.

I thought he was nice, so I visited more frequently.

Loving to read? No, snacks were my true love.

But every time I wanted to eat snacks, he would recite poetry.

Especially Li Shangyin's "Jin Se," which he recited repeatedly, no less than a dozen times.

I nearly grew calluses in my ears from listening.

Back then, squatting in front of Chen Feng, I would look up and ask him.

“What does 'The feelings from that time are now worth remembering, but at that time I was befuddled' mean?”

He thought for a while, then lightly tapped my nose.

“It means that beautiful things exist in our memories, and many ordinary things seen now will be regretted when looking back later.”

I touched my chin, pondering, my hands clasped in a wishful manner. In my naïve age, not understanding the love between men and women, I hoped for a playmate to keep me company always.

“I wish to be with Brother Chen Feng forever.”

Frightened, he jumped off the rocking chair, lost his balance, and fell flat on his face. Seeing his funny appearance, I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Seeing his puzzled eyes, I explained patiently: “Hmm... I feel so happy playing with Brother Chen Feng every day. Why put good things in memories? Wouldn't it be better to live each day well?”

Chen Feng took a deep look at me and extended his pinky finger.

I was startled: “What for?”

“No lying, pinky swear.”

“Sure, pinky swear, hook sealed for a hundred years.”

The warm sunshine was shattered by the swaying leaves, creating many mottled spots of light on the ground.

The girl grinned foolishly, while the boy looked tense, with their childish fingers closely pressed together.

Regaining my senses, I noticed his hand was waving in front of me.

“What are you thinking? Do I have flowers on my face?” Chen Feng asked, puzzled.

“Just thinking about the poems someone taught me when I was little...”

Chen Feng's expression went from confusion to melancholy, his eyes hinting at tears.

“The feelings from that time are now worth remembering, but at that time I was befuddled,” Chen Feng said softly.

Seeing the sad young man before me, my nose suddenly felt sour.

It turned out he always kept it in his heart, never forgetting, while I, like a moth to a flame, never looked back.

In my past life, when Chen Feng learned about Lv Shuojie's affair, he came to teach him a lesson. If I hadn't cried and screamed to stop him, looking at Lv Shuojie's battered appearance, he would have definitely beaten him senseless if he had been a minute late.

In my memory, Chen Feng was always the gentle big brother type. No matter how I teased him before, he always responded with a laugh.

But upon hearing I was hurt, he was willing to turn into a primal beast to fight against the injustice I faced.

“Why, why? What did Rongrong ever do to wrong you!”

“Rongrong gave you her best, and this is how you repay her?”

That was the only time he ever lost control in front of me, and even Lv Shuojie surprisingly did not fight back.

“Promise me, don't go near that Lv anymore. I... I don't want to see you get hurt again.”

Chen Feng suddenly burst out, his face red, awkwardly turning away.

His words made me tremble all over, and I tilted my head back to keep from crying.

“Why is the wind so sandy, making me want to cry.” I could not argue for myself.

Chen Feng's eyes were full of heartache, and he silently handed me a tissue.

I knew very well that Chen Feng actually liked me too, but at that time, I was so madly in love, blind to the world, that I missed the best person.

Reborn now, I finally understand that love is never about self-importance but a mutual journey.

Lv Shuojie grew up in a poor family, his sensitive heart full of thorns, while I was spoiled since childhood, having everything but unable to see through human nature. Our encounter was bound to end in scars.

“Make some time to drink with me in the future, just the two of us.” I wiped away my tears and clinked glasses with Chen Feng.

He was first stunned, then smiled, looking less reserved.

At that moment, I realized he was really handsome too.

With just a spark of grown-up understanding, even Chen Feng, no matter how slow, realized I was giving him a chance.

As we reminisced about our childhood antics, the awkwardness from long separation gradually faded.

We toasted and chatted, laughter never ceasing.

Several times we laughed so hard that many people glanced at us repeatedly.

Suddenly, Chen Feng seemed to have seen something, his face darkening terribly.

“Rongrong, I want to talk to you.” Lv Shuojie slightly hunched over, emotions indescribable flickering in his eyes. I couldn't even grasp what he wanted for a moment.

Chen Feng suddenly stood up, veins bulging on his forehead, his eyes shooting out irrepressible hatred.

“If you don't want to die, get lost now.”

Lv Shuojie glanced coldly at him and did not back down. Worried something might happen, I first walked out of the bar.