Chapter 7: Falling in Love

Yu Xiangsi spent a great deal of time practicing to break Ji Jing’s three records, but billiards was the one thing she never practiced.

When Qin Lang was sixteen, he helped the owner of a billiard hall identify counterfeit liquor. Grateful, the owner allowed him to stay and assist at the hall. Since the pay for playing was higher, Qin Lang began practicing billiards. After school, Yu Xiangsi would bring him meals at the billiard hall, then stay behind to do homework with him and keep him company during work.

For children like them, leisure was a luxury. Qin Lang made use of what was around and took Yu Xiangsi to play billiards together. It was during this time that Yu Xiangsi honed her skills.

Qin Lang’s days were grueling; he attended school during the day, then rushed to the billiard hall right after. He worked until the early hours, only leaving when the last customers had gone. He squeezed in practice and schoolwork whenever he could, with Yu Xiangsi always by his side.

Often, Qin Lang couldn’t finish his homework, but the teachers, understanding his hardships, turned a blind eye out of sympathy.

Yu Xiangsi was about to enter high school, and Qin Lang needed to earn more to cover expenses, including medical bills for Qin Shuyue. Though Yu Xiangsi’s mother sent some money, it was merely a drop in the bucket.

For a long time, Qin Lang could only sleep four or five hours a day. At such a young age, he had already shouldered the burden of life.

Yu Xiangsi never understood how, despite living such a harsh life filled mostly with hardship, Qin Lang remained so open and kind-hearted.

He faced life with optimism, always cheerful, a smile constantly lighting his face.

When customers at the billiard hall treated him poorly or insulted him, he merely smiled indifferently; when unable to pay medical bills and looked down upon by hospital cashiers, he apologized with a smile, saying sorry for the trouble.

He had endured so much suffering, yet aspired to become a doctor to heal and save lives.

He was admitted to medical school and won the Qiao Family Scholarship.

On the day he received the scholarship, Qin Lang was ecstatic. He ran home to tell Yu Xiangsi and Qin Shuyue, saying, “From now on, things will get better. Tuition and textbooks are all covered, plus a living stipend. I’ll keep working part-time, Xiangsi; you won’t have to worry about your college tuition anymore.”

Yu Xiangsi replied earnestly, “I want to earn a scholarship too, just like you, brother.”

Those days were hard, yet they were the happiest and most unforgettable times of Yu Xiangsi’s life.

Young boys and girls, sharing hardships in such a tough environment, their budding feelings quietly blossomed.

But no one spoke openly about it; they still called each other brother and sister until after Yu Xiangsi finished her college entrance exams.

Graduating high school was a farewell that brought boundless courage.

One of Yu Xiangsi’s male classmates couldn’t hold back and confessed: “Xiangsi, I… I really like you. I know we might never see each other again, but I want you to know I’ve liked you all through these three years of high school.”

The boy’s sincere, clear gaze was the purest form of youthful love.

He simply wanted to tell the girl he liked just how much he liked her.

Qin Lang, who had come back to celebrate with Yu Xiangsi, happened to witness the scene. With a cold expression, he sent the boy away, then took Yu Xiangsi home.

Watching him remain silent, Yu Xiangsi’s heart bubbled with happiness.

Always precocious, she had long been aware of her own feelings for him. His reaction now showed that he cared for her as well.

Gently tugging his sleeve, just like when they were children, she asked, “Brother, are you angry?”

Qin Lang calmed himself, took a deep breath, and said, “No, Xiangsi, I’m sorry... I just feel that you…”

They were still young and shouldn’t be in love. But she was already eighteen, finished with college entrance exams, and students were allowed a little indulgence after the exams.

Even he felt his reasoning was weak.

Yet he dared not speak his true feelings aloud.

Yu Xiangsi seemed to sense his hesitation. The young girl, emboldened by first love, stood on tiptoe and placed a kiss on his cheek.

Her cheeks flushed, dimples appearing at the corners of her lips as she said, “Brother, I don’t like anyone else. I only like you.”

The usually mature and steady boy immediately blushed, but his eyes sparkled like stars.

He took her hand and gently held her close.

He had nothing, yet possessed the most precious treasure.

Yu Xiangsi also studied medicine, but not at the same school as Qin Lang. Her grades were slightly better, so she went to B University. Qin Lang’s grades were good too, but years of working had delayed his studies somewhat, so he only got into Z University.

Just as they began their relationship, a long-distance romance commenced. At least their schools were in the same province. But they didn’t mind, nor did they ever doubt their love.

Both were busy with their own lives. Yu Xiangsi began working part-time and studying hard, all to create more opportunities for their future.

But all of this abruptly came to an end five years ago.