Chapter 590

"Wait a moment."

As Li Heng stepped out from beneath the bridge and was about to climb onto the riverside road, Chen Lijun's voice came again.

Li Heng stopped walking and turned halfway around.

Chen Lijun looked up and said: "Li Heng, don't open the letter if it's still sealed—keep it as a keepsake."

Li Heng sensed a hint of farewell in her words.

This visit to see him, Chen Lijun had truly come to say goodbye.

Just to mark the end of their youth with a symbol.

Five minutes ago, she had been reluctant to let him go.

Even now, five minutes later, she still didn't want him to leave—her heart felt hollow.

Because after this parting, they might not meet again for five years, maybe ten, or perhaps never again.

But she knew it was time to let go.

And since she was letting go, the unopened letter shouldn't be opened—perhaps the hazy memory suited them better.

Receiving her pleading gaze, Li Heng nodded: "Alright."

She leaned closer and asked again: "It might rain soon—won't you come with me?"

This time, Chen Lijun shook her head firmly.

Nothing happens thrice—they both believed in this rule. Li Heng turned his body and strode swiftly toward No. 1 High School.

Watching his figure recede, Chen Lijun had remained calm at first.

But the instant his silhouette vanished completely around the distant corner, her expression changed—she became lost and desolate, tears streaming down at once.

In just a few seconds, her spirit seemed drained; she leaned listlessly against the stone wall, eyes vacant, like a statue stripped of its soul.

As soon as Li Heng entered No. 1 High School, he met Sun Manning, who had been waiting.

The girl kept glancing over his shoulder, anxiously asking: "Where's Lijun? Why isn't she back? Where did you take her?"

Li Heng replied: "Under the bridge."

"Which bridge?"

"The stone arch bridge with smoke rising from it."

Sun Manning stared at the distant plume of smoke, murmured "Oh," returned his luggage bag, and ran off to comfort her friend.

She didn't ask how things turned out between them.

Because she didn't believe in a good outcome herself—this help was merely out of obligation and pity.

After Sun Manning left, Li Heng didn't rush upstairs.

Instead, he found a random corner and sat quietly, recalling every moment he'd shared with Chen Lijun.

To be honest, this girl was quite good—deeply family-oriented, a true treasure to bring home.

But then again, which of the women around her wasn't good?

Think of Song Yu, think of Mai Sui—both were Chen Lijun's close friends.

Close friends… Li Heng shook his head, hastily clearing all thoughts, then turned and entered the stairwell.

During the Spring Festival, perhaps because most teachers had returned to their hometowns, the faculty apartment building felt unusually quiet.

The "tap-tap-tap" of footsteps echoed through the empty corridor; from the first floor to the third, he saw no one and heard no sound.

At the third-floor corridor entrance, turn left.

He stopped in front of the third door and raised his hand to knock:

"Knock-knock-knock!"

"Knock-knock-knock!"

After three knocks, a woman's voice came from inside: "Who is it?"

The voice was soft and drowsy, as if she hadn't woken up yet.

Li Heng answered: "Teacher, it's me."

At once, the door opened, revealing Yu Laoshi's exquisitely beautiful face, steeped in scholarly charm.

Inside and outside the door, they stared at each other, eyes locked, silent.

The air grew strangely still.