Chapter 387: Don't (Grand Finale Part One)

  I saw, I saw that familiar playground, no plastic running track for future generations, only relatively flat sandy soil and two basketball hoops standing opposite each other. The playground was surrounded by a circle of trees in various postures, some tall and upright like mighty soldiers, some slender and elegant like shy girls, or leaning and slanting like mischievous children.

  That familiar classroom, without the high-rise buildings of many years later, only a one-story red-brick and green-tiled building, standing there silently, as if waiting for students to push open the door of knowledge. A sense of familiarity with old friends that has been absent for a long time rushes up to my heart, and my heart slowly calms down.

  Getting closer and closer. Students in groups of three or four walked towards the side wall of a classroom, where many people had already gathered, probably to look at the notice about class assignments.

  "Cloud, let's go! Don't be distracted! I saw the notice over there on the wall, let's go!" Cui Hua pulled me forward and ran. Actually, it didn't matter whether I looked or not, I knew we were in the same class, but I didn't know which class Xiao Yang was in? There was no memory of this person, a bit of anticipation, if he was in our class that would be great.

  When I arrived at the notice, I only saw two big red papers on the wall with black characters written in brush. However, there were too many people and it was too far away, so I couldn't see clearly. I simply didn't bother to look and loudly said to Qiu: "Qiu, there are too many people, I'm afraid of being squeezed, let's take a look later! Anyway, we can't run away, let's talk about it after others leave. You rest assured, we must be in the same class."

  "Alright, alright, I'm scared of you, let's wait then!" Cui Wei stopped in her tracks with a hint of helplessness, "Actually, I'm also afraid of the crowds." Hmm, where did that handsome guy go? How come he vanished into thin air? I looked around but didn't see anyone. Ah, forget about him for now, let's go find some old classmates from childhood! Although it's been many years since we last saw each other, I should still remember what they look like back then!

  Hard work pays off for those who are diligent, and I really found an acquaintance. The red-clothed girl walking from afar isn't Yang Hongyan? She should be my best friend from middle school, and also a standard beauty, either the school belle or class belle. I waved at her: "Hongyan, Hongyan!" She looked at me with a puzzled face: "Are you calling me?"

  "Hey, it's me. How...?" But she looked puzzled, as if she really didn't recognize me. Could it be that we only became classmates in the third year of high school? Qiao Wei stared at me silently from the side, with an expression that said "don't misrecognize people".

  I awkwardly rubbed my head: "Oh, is that so? You're Hong Yan, right? I saw you in the same class as me, I'm so excited." She smiled sweetly, her eyebrows curved and her eyes sparkled, what a lovely young beauty!

  "I'm Yin Ruoyun, I know you're Yang Hongyan, the 'yan' in your name means beautiful smile, right?" I extended my right hand. "Nice to meet you, beautiful classmate." She blushed and shook hands with me: "Nice to meet you too, classmate."

  I pulled Qiao Hui over: "Let me introduce you, this is my dearest cousin, the clever and skilled classmate Yin Qiao Hui." As soon as I said that, the two of them hit it off immediately and started chatting away.

  "What's with the excitement?" Xiao Yang's voice sounded from beside me. This ear is really useful, it actually remembered his voice. I turned my head to look, and indeed it was him.

  "What were you doing? You disappeared in the blink of an eye. I thought..." I felt a little joyful, "Don't say anything yet, let me guess, did you go to see the class assignment notice?" "You know me, Little Sleepy Fairy!" He slightly curled up his lips, with a playful face.

  I raised my fist as if to hit him: "What's that? Who is Xiaoshuxian? Tell me, which class are you in?" "Why don't you ask which class you're in? You care so much about me?" He had a pleased expression on his face. "Well, but you'll be disappointed, I'm in Class 1 and you're in Class 2." Indeed, no wonder he wasn't in my memory, I was a bit disappointed.

  Although we were childhood playmates, it wasn't until today that I truly got to know him. In such a short time, it feels like we've been old friends for many years already. "Don't worry, we're just two houses apart, so we can still see each other every day." He seemed to have noticed my disappointment.

  I shook my head, clapped my hands and said: "Okay, now let me proudly introduce our top-notch handsome guy Xiao Yang! On this side is our lovely beauty Yang Hongyan. Wow, the golden boy and jade girl are really a feast for the eyes!" I pushed the two of them together and pulled Qiaohui back with me.

  My voice attracted the attention of many classmates, and for a while, the playground was lively. "Hey, isn't that our former class beauty? Who's next to her?" "It's really a golden boy and jade girl!"...

  Chuāi pulled me over, touching my forehead: "You're not feverish, are you? What's wrong with you? This isn't good at all! What if others gossip about it? What if the teacher finds out? And someone will get angry too!"

  I chuckled: "What's there to be afraid of, it's just a joke. Don't worry about it, they won't be so petty." Cui Hui looked at me seriously: "Yun Er, I feel like you're somehow different now? Sometimes you're as silly as before, but sometimes you're so bold..."

  I gently stroked her face: "Good sister Hui, take a closer look, am I not still your clever and lovely, wise but foolish Yunmei?" Qiao Hui burst out laughing: "You little rascal!"

  "Is that so? Clever and lovely, wise yet foolish?" A cold voice came from behind me, I couldn't help but shiver. I slowly turned around, wow, it scared the daylights out of me, a magnified face, a pair of enlarged eyes staring at me fiercely.

  I hastily pulled Xue towards me and hid behind her. "What? Now you know fear? Where's your courage from just now?" Xiao Yang stared at me tightly. "I was just joking with you guys! Don't be so petty, okay?" I said while retreating, "Besides, you two standing together really is a great sight. Don't believe me? Ask Xue." I quickly pushed Xue forward and kept gesturing for her to help speak up.

  "Hey, Xiao Yang, don't be mad at Yun'er. She didn't mean to." Qiao Hui said helplessly. Her lips closed, and she turned around, walking away with big strides. "Wow, just like that? Qiao Hui, you're so cool!" I exclaimed, pulling on Qiao Hui's arm and jumping up.

  "Forgot again, what's it called?" "Oh, dear Wei Jie" Isn't she just two months older than me, but really looks like an elder sister, I thought to myself. Ah, darn it, I forgot about Hong Yan. Hurriedly searching, hmm, how come in such a short time, the playground is empty. Never mind, anyway we have school tomorrow, let's talk about it then!

  "Alright, let's stop looking and head back. We still need to prepare for tomorrow's school stuff." Xue Hui pulled me as we walked back. As we reached the edge of the playground, I stopped: "Hui, do you think Xiao Yang is really mad at me? Will he ignore me from now on? That would be a pity. I was thinking..."

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  "Re-walking the Youth Road: Related Works of Crossing Over"