2

Si Nian's assistant deserved the high salary he received. When he handed me the agreement, he respectfully called me, "CEO Lin."

"Mm."

Everyone in the company knew about the feud between Si Nian and me. Qiao Xin was brazen about delivering lunch filled with love to him. Si Nian, to spite me, even arranged for Qiao Xin to work in the company as my assistant.

However, she didn't stay long before Si Nian began discussing divorce with me.

I had stopped going to the company, and very few people still called me CEO Lin. The young man in front of me was one of the few.

I opened the agreement and signed it, "CEO Lin, you can take another look."

"No need, there's nothing to look at."

I laughed and handed the agreement back to him, "Tell CEO Si that one month from now, we're meeting at the civil affairs bureau for the divorce. He better not be late."

I didn't want to waste my remaining time.

"Yes." The young man politely took his leave. We exited, him ahead of me.

Si Nian didn't want me to stay in C City, and I didn't want to either. I wanted to return to my hometown.

Arriving smoothly at my destination, I found myself standing on the land of Qingcheng.

I hadn't been back for almost five years.

I first visited the cemetery, "Dad, Mom, Grandma, Grandpa, I'm here to see you."

Si Nian was right. I was incredibly lonely.

I sat in front of their tombstones. My parents died in a car accident when I was young. Shortly after my graduation from university, my grandparents passed away. I buried them close together, thinking it would make worship more convenient.

"I bought a plot for myself nearby. Firstly, because I missed you guys. Secondly... I think the Feng Shui here is pretty good, haha."

I didn't sit for long as the early winter weather had begun to turn cold. Small flakes of snow started falling, making me feel chilly.

"Alright, I'll go now. We'll see each other soon. Then, we can have a proper talk. I need to tell you about what that bastard Si Nian has been up to all these years."

Muttering, I patted off my clothes and left the cemetery.

It was time for school to end as I walked past Qingcheng High School. I stopped there.

Children in school uniforms had smiles on their faces. The happiest thing during school days was having a break, even if it was just a small weekend break.

I stood at the gate for a long time, then I stepped into the school.

"Hey, who are you?" An old man at the gate stopped me. I said in a hurry, "A teacher asked for a parent. I'm in a rush; otherwise, the teacher will get mad."

Maybe it was my reddening eyes, or maybe my acting was just too good, the gatekeeper let me in.

I heaved a sigh of relief and leisurely strolled around the school.

Some students were sweeping, naughty boys stuffing a snowball into a girl's arms, and then the girl chasing him with a broom.

I watched them with a smile, as if in a blink of an eye, I could see my younger self... and the young Si Nian.

I shook my head and walked towards the teaching building. Following my memory, I found Class 5, Senior Year 3. There was no one in the classroom. I gently pulled the door lock, and with a "click," it opened.

I walked into the classroom step by step, as if I could capture old memories through the worn-out air.

Counting, I sat at my old spot, burying my head in my arm.

"One, two, three." This was my trick during my school days. As long as I counted to three, Si Nian would appear before my eyes.

I lifted my head, and a bright-faced boy was standing by my desk, reaching out his hand, "Xiao Xin, let's go home."

The most dazzling sunset of the day shone on him, as if casting a golden light on him.

"One, two, three." I opened my eyes, and the dream shattered before me.

I exhaled to dispel the fantasies that shouldn't have been there, and stood up to leave.

Before I left, I looked back one last time. In the quiet room, a girl lifted her head, laughing and grabbing the boy's hand in agreement.

In the blink of an eye, it all vanished like bubbles.

None of it could be taken back.