Chapter 19: Tomorrow, Leaping the Dragon Gate

Gradually, the once noisy classmates around fell silent, turning their gazes toward the sound.

Chen Fan paid no attention to the change in atmosphere and continued singing softly.

“La la la... la la la

I don’t want to, don’t want to grow up too fast

The dreams we once promised

How are you all now? I miss you

Can we go back again

Back to that summer after the rain

We stood shoulder to shoulder, sharing our wishes

Sitting by the seaside, with the breeze blowing gently

Cherishing the past and the present

Unwilling to say goodbye to youth...”

Chen Fan’s voice was low and slightly hoarse, filled with emotion that matched the heartfelt lyrics.

Soon, many classmates were moved by the song; some girls even wiped away tears secretly.

Su Ruochu stood quietly there, with a shower of test papers falling softly behind her.

In front of her, Chen Fan, dressed in jeans and a white T-shirt, gently strummed his guitar.

Clean, sunny, yet radiating a unique charm.

Listening to him sing tenderly, “That summer after the rain, we stood shoulder to shoulder, sharing our wishes...”

Su Ruochu naturally recalled that rainy night a few days ago.

It was that very night she agreed to Chen Fan’s pursuit.

As she listened, her eyes reddened.

“I don’t want to, don’t want to grow up too fast

The dream has already come true

But you’re not by my side

I miss you...”

Chen Fan repeated the last line twice, then handed the guitar back to a classmate.

Applause broke out all around.

Chen Fan paid no mind and instead smiled brightly at Su Ruochu.

“Was it good?”

“Very good!” Su Ruochu blushed and nodded repeatedly.

“What’s the name of this song?”

“Missing You.”

“Hm?”

“I said... this song is called ‘Missing You.’”

Su Ruochu looked puzzled. “Who sang this? I’ve never heard it before.”

Chen Fan chuckled boldly.

“I wrote it.”

“Just for one special girl.”

Silently repeating to himself, “Sorry, Brother Qi. You have so many classic songs; I guess you wouldn’t mind if I borrowed one.”

Hearing Chen Fan’s words, Su Ruochu’s cheeks flushed again, but her heart was filled with sweetness.

“It’s really beautiful.”

“I like it a lot.”

Chen Fan leaned close to Su Ruochu’s ear and whispered,

“If you like it, then I’ll sing it for you from now on, only for you, okay?”

Su Ruochu’s face burned red, and her heart pounded fiercely.

After hesitating, she nodded softly.

“Okay.”

After nearly an hour, the gathering finally came to an end.

Everyone began packing their things, preparing to leave school.

Chen Fan didn’t have much—just a backpack and his exam textbooks. The rest of the books and test papers he sold to the recycling lady downstairs.

Three years of knowledge earned him thirty-two yuan and six jiao.

With that money, he bought two bottles of cola and dashed back to the classroom.

But Su Ruochu’s seat was already empty.

Chen Fan froze for a moment, then hurried toward the school gate.

Finally reaching the gate, he saw Su Ruochu standing by the roadside, holding her backpack.

A black Mercedes was parked nearby.

A stylishly dressed young woman was helping load books into the trunk.

Chen Fan stopped in his tracks, watching from afar.

As Su Ruochu was about to get in the car, she seemed to glance toward the school gate instinctively.

She saw Chen Fan and her eyes lit up with joy.

“Mom, I suddenly remembered I forgot something; wait for me a moment.”

“What did you forget? If it’s not important, just leave it.”

“No, it’s very important.”

Su Ruochu ran out in a hurry.

Panting, she rushed back into the school and stood before Chen Fan.

Chen Fan smiled and said, “I thought you’d just leave without saying goodbye.”

Su Ruochu glanced secretly behind her.

After confirming her mother couldn’t see, she suddenly stepped forward and hugged Chen Fan gently.

After a firm embrace, Su Ruochu quickly pulled back two steps.

“Chen Fan, don’t forget what you promised me.”

“Tomorrow is the college entrance exam; you have to do your best.”

“No matter if you can get into the same school as me or not, as long as you promise to do your best, I... I’m willing to be your girlfriend.”

Blushing, she said this and, before Chen Fan could respond, turned and ran back outside.

“I will get in,” Chen Fan shouted after her.

Watching her get into the car and drive away, Chen Fan felt a twinge of melancholy as he returned to the classroom.

To his surprise, Guo Shuai was back.

Chen Fan walked over and handed him a bottle of cola.

“How did it go?”

Guo Shuai nodded and then shook his head.

“What do you mean?”

Guo Shuai looked up.

“I told her, but she...”

“Rejected you?”

Guo Shuai shook his head.

“She didn’t say yes, but it seemed like she didn’t reject me either.”

“What does that mean?” Chen Fan asked, puzzled.

“She said she wouldn’t give me the answer today and would wait until after the college entrance exam.”

Guo Shuai scratched his head.

“Do you think that counts as a rejection?”

“Did Li Na really say that to you?”

Guo Shuai nodded.

“What do you think she means?”

Chen Fan laughed and scolded gently, “Of course, she’s afraid it would affect your exam.”

“So, does that mean she rejected you?”

“Not necessarily.”

“Anyway, I think Li Na doesn’t dislike you. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have eaten with you these past few days.”

Seeing Guo Shuai still looking gloomy, Chen Fan patted his shoulder.

“Alright, pack up and go.”

“Focus on preparing for the exam now.”

“Like you said before, if she gets in and you fail, then even if she wants to say yes, there won’t be a chance.”

Guo Shuai suddenly stood up.

“Right. You’re right.”

“I have to do well. I want to be like you and try to get into the same school as Li Na.”

Chen Fan smiled.

“That’s the spirit.”

After that encouragement, Guo Shuai seemed to come alive again.

“Let’s go, I have to check out the exam venue this afternoon.”

...

That night.

Chen Fan sat alone at his desk, carefully reviewing all the notes and key points from the exam questions again.

A knock sounded at the door.

His mother, Li Jinqiu, pushed it open and entered.

“Son, don’t stay up too late. You have an exam tomorrow.”

Chen Fan smiled. “I know, Mom. You go to bed early. I’ll read a little longer then sleep.”

Li Jinqiu came over and placed a cup of warm milk on the desk.

“Drink this before bed; it will help you sleep.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

She affectionately ruffled his hair.

“Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”

“Your father hopes you can get into a university and bring honor to the family, but he secretly told me to tell you it’s okay if you don’t. You can still go to a college for a diploma, and after graduating, work in a factory.”

Chen Fan couldn’t help but laugh and cry.

“Mom, I know.”

“That’s enough. Go to bed early. Don’t forget to drink the milk.”

Li Jinqiu gently closed the door and left. Chen Fan sat in his chair, no longer in the mood to study.

Staring at the warm milk on the desk, his eyes grew determined.

Since he had to live this life again, he might as well live it well.

For his parents, for Ruochu...

He would make something of himself.

Starting tomorrow’s college entrance exam, the first step to changing his life.

Clenching his fist slightly, Chen Fan murmured softly,

“Tomorrow, I’ll leap over the dragon gate!”