Chapter 22 — Return to Eighteen

He walked out absent-mindedly, his mind blank, his steps unsteady as if stepping on cotton. The glass door automatically opened in front of him, he stepped out, the bright sunlight made him squint his eyes. He didn't bother looking at the road. The harsh sound of car brakes rang out. Lac Tu Hanh felt his body being hit by a strong force, his whole body was thrown away, and he fell painfully to the ground. Sharp pain from the right leg spread throughout the whole body, in the ears there was the sound of people screaming, the call "quickly call an ambulance". He lay flat on the ground, face up looking at the dazzling blue sky. In the last moment before his consciousness blurred, only my words remained in his mind. "Let's never meet again in this life." When the plane took off, I leaned against the window, watching Giang Thanh's shape gradually shrink, finally disappearing into the air. I never looked back. Dung Diec Lam sat next to me, his eyes fixed on my face, as quiet as looking at a painting. Three hours later, the plane landed at the Capital's international airport. The moment the compartment door opened, the Beijing air rushed into my face, and I took a deep breath. As soon as the phone connected to the signal, it vibrated. It's a message from Lac's mother: [Tu Hanh had a car accident at the airport, broke his right leg, and before going into a coma, he kept calling my name. I beg you, please go to the hospital to visit him.] There was another message below: [You two have been together for so long, are you really that cruel?] I stared at the screen, my fingertips were a bit cold. Dung Diec Lam stopped by to take a look, didn't say anything, just looked at me quietly. I shook my head, deleted the message, then put Lac's mother's number on the blacklist. "Let's go." I spoke up. Dung Diec Lam took my hand and pulled my suitcase, two people walked out of the station. The school's bus welcoming new students was parked on the side of the road, with a red banner hanging on the side of the bus - "Peking University welcomes new students". I got in the car and chose a seat next to the window. Dung Diec Lam packed his suitcase into the luggage compartment, then got in the car and sat down next to me. The bus entered the airport expressway, the scene outside the window receding behind. The skyscrapers, overpasses, and rows of birch trees all have a completely different look from Giang Thanh. I opened the chat box with my grandmother and sent a message: "Grandma, I'm here. Someone from the school is coming to pick me up." Grandma replied immediately by voice message, clicked to listen, the voice had a strong hometown accent: "It's good to arrive, it's good to arrive. Ninh Ninh, remember to eat well, don't save money." I listened once, then listened again. Dung Diec Lam gave me a bottle of water without asking anything else. The car drove for forty minutes, entering Yen Vien campus. The car stopped in front of Khuu Duc Bat Gymnasium, everywhere were crowds welcoming new students. The upperclassmen held signs, the freshmen pulled suitcases, banners, balloons, and tinsel, decorating the university campus in the fall as beautiful and bustling as a festival. I got out of the car, stood in the sunlight, looked up at the four words "Peking University" above my head, the corners of my eyes suddenly stinging. Dung Diec Lam put the suitcase down at my feet, smiled and said: "Uc Nhue Ninh, we've arrived." I turned around, looked at his clear, delicate face, a smile rose from the bottom of my heart. Like a window that had been closed for a long time, it was finally opened. "Yes, we're here." The two of them pulled their suitcases and walked side by side on the tree-lined path in the school yard. Sunlight penetrates the canopy of corn leaves, scattering dappled streaks of light onto the ground. Ahead is the direction to Vi Danh Lake, the sparkling lake surface reflects the light from afar. I

Walk slowly, each step is extremely steady. I thought to myself, my previous life self would never have imagined that one day I would be able to stand in this place again. Those who have hurt me are all left behind in the dust and smoke of Giang Thanh, their pain and tears have also flown away with the wind. And I'm still alive. This time, not for anyone, just for myself. Dung Diec Lam walked to my left, unintentionally shielding me from the street. "Dung Diec Lam." I suddenly spoke. "Hmm?" "Thank you." Dung Diec Lam paused, then smiled. He didn't say anything polite, just held out his hand, spreading his palm under the bright sunlight. I looked at that hand, the joints were clear and clean, as if they had been waiting for me for a long time. Without hesitation, I placed my hand on it. The wind blows from Vi Danh Lake, bringing with it the chilly mist of autumn. I turned my head and looked at the road I had just passed. Everything that belongs to the past has passed away. As for the road right in front of me, I will continue firmly.——End of the series——