Chapter 3199: Chunshu Lane's Bitter Summer 42

Cold comes, heat goes, another summer passes.

After June, Didu entered a long summer.

Under Jin Feng's guidance and leadership, Jin Chen, who already had a certain reputation in the circle, entered Didu University with perfect scores in math and physics; Old Man Jin Feng was happier than if he himself had won an award.

Zhang Yue, after gritting her teeth and studying hard for a year, got into a decent university in the north; although not in Didu, it was much closer than Lofty City.

Zhang Yue contacted Jin Chen, saying she wanted to bring Jin Xiumei to familiarize themselves with the school environment ahead of time, and by the way come to Didu to see him.

Jin Chen originally thought there was no need to meet again. The past was past; he held no grudge and didn't want any further entanglement. But when he left Chunshu Lane, there was something he didn't bring with him, and even after a year he still thought about it.

They were the pair of ceramic figurines made by Chenshu back then.

Although his brother later made many more for him, lining up on the desk in various forms—some solemn, some smiling—but that pair was made by his brother when he was still in Lofty City; it was the first gift he received, a genuine surprise he could truly possess during that summer when he wasn't sure he could ever have happiness.

Therefore, Jin Chen agreed to Zhang Yue's request and urged, insisting that the ceramic figurine must be brought.

On the day Zhang Yue and Jin Xiumei arrived in Didu, Jin Chen happened to be pulled by Senior Brother Bo Xue onto a research project and couldn't leave.

He found a moment to send Zhang Yue a location: a private restaurant outside the school that Old Man Jin Feng often took them to, with light dishes and a quiet environment.

Zhang Yue and Jin Xiumei found the private restaurant according to the address; the wooden sign bore the shop's name. As they pushed the door open, a waiter approached, politely asking whether they had a reservation, which private room, and who had invited them.

Jin Xiumei stood at the doorway, uttering a couple of embarrassed sounds; she wore a washed-out dress that seemed somewhat out of place in the restaurant's atmosphere. Zhang Yue plucked up courage and said, 'Let's go in and wait for him.'

The waiter apologetically smiled, 'Sorry, we operate by invitation only; we need to know the name of the person who made the reservation…'

Before he could finish, the waiter's gaze swept past them to the door outside, 'Mr. Xiao Jin.'

Jin Chen walked in from outside.

He wore a simple short-sleeve shirt, a bit taller and sturdier than a year ago, with broader shoulders, no longer the thin, gloomy youth remembered by Jin Xiumei and Zhang Yue.

Jin Chen: 'Is it my invitation, or the teacher's private room?'

The waiter realized, hurriedly apologizing to Zhang Yue and Jin Xiumei, 'Sorry, you didn't say earlier that Mr. Xiao Jin invited you; this way, please.'

No one responded to her. Zhang Yue and Jin Xiumei stood frozen, their eyes drawn to the energetic young man before them.

Zhang Yue was astonished beyond words, 'Brother…'

Jin Xiumei murmured with her lips, her gaze lingering on Jin Chen's face for a long time.

Jin Chen looked at her and called out, 'Aunt.'

Jin Xiumei stiffened her face for a moment, then let out a low 'uh'.

In the private room, dishes were served one after another.

Jin Chen didn't rush to pick up his chopsticks; instead, he first looked at Zhang Yue, his eyes showing an uncommon urgency, 'My things.'

Zhang Yue rummaged in her backpack for the small item wrapped in soft cloth and handed it over.

Jin Chen opened it layer by layer, revealing the pair of ceramic figurines standing side by side in his palm.

His expression softened at the sight of them; he pressed his lips, gave a happy little smile, then carefully put them away.

During the meal, Zhang Yue asked Jin Chen what he had been up to this year; having not seen each other for so long, she really had a lot she wanted to say to him, but many things were no longer appropriate to bring up.

Jin Chen said, 'I'm re-preparing for the exam.'

Jin Xiumei lifted her head, gave him a complex look, and said, 'Exam… you, what school are you taking the exam for?'

'Didu University.'

Zhang Yue stared wide-eyed in shock, 'Didu University!'

She suddenly didn't know what to say; if not for those matters, her brother wouldn't have dropped out for two years, nor wasted those two years in vain.

The things that had been taken from him, Jin Chen has now reclaimed one by one through his own effort, but that cannot make the past any better.

Jin Chen picked a piece of her favorite dish and placed it in her bowl; Zhang Yue lowered her head, focused on eating, swallowing her unsaid words along with the rice.

As the meal went on, it gradually grew silent, but this silence was different from the suffocating, breathless quiet they used to have in their Chunshu Lane home; everyone felt quite at peace.

After hastily finishing, Jin Xiumei set down her chopsticks, gazed at the seemingly expensive dessert before her, then watched Jin Chen speak calmly with the waiter, her voice a little hoarse, 'You… are much more normal now.'

'Jin Chen, are you really not returning to Chunshu Lane?'

'Mm, no.'

Now that they can sit down and eat a meal in peace, it's already no small feat.

As they left the private room, several people walked toward them down the corridor.

Jin Feng saw Jin Chen, his eyes lighting up as he smiled and introduced him to those nearby, 'This is my student, Jin Chen.'

He took a few steps closer, patted Jin Chen's shoulder, and asked something in a low voice; Jin Chen gave a slight nod in reply.

This scene fell into Jin Xiumei's eyes.

She looked at that old man, who seemed to be someone of status, and suddenly realized that Jin Chen now even had elders who treated him well.

Jin Chen is doing well now, better than at any time during the ten years she spent beside him.

Leaving the private restaurant, Jin Chen booked a hotel for Zhang Yue and Jin Xiumei, telling Zhang Yue she could spend a few days in Didu and contact him if she needed anything.

Jin Xiumei stood to the side and suddenly said, 'You don't need to make time to accompany us.'

Jin Chen gave a brief reply, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

Zhang Yue anxiously tugged at Jin Xiumei's sleeve, 'Mom! What are you doing?!'

Jin Xiumei stood by the roadside, watching Jin Chen's back as he crossed the street; after a long while she whispered, 'Let's just leave it at that—we'll tour for two days and then head back.'

Jin Chen got into the car heading back to his senior brother's place.

Outside the window, the street scenery receded—mottled tree shadows, hurried footsteps of passersby.

Jin Chen took the pair of ceramic figurines out of his pocket, placed them in his palm, snapped a photo with his phone, and sent it to Chenshu.

After a moment, Chenshu sent back a voice message.

'Received~ Xiao Chen Xiao Chen, remember to bring me ice cream when you come back tonight.'

Jin Chen held his phone, watching the tree shadows continuously recede outside the window, couldn't help curling the corners of his mouth, and recalled that summer in Chunshu Lane.

The car continued forward.

The scenery outside the window shifted from an old street to a wide main thoroughfare, from low-rise buildings to towering complexes.

Jin Chen put the ceramic figurine back into the canvas bag, zipped it up, then leaned back in the seat, looking ahead at the road.

The city unfolded before him, a story he and Chenshu had yet to finish.