Chapter 112: Fate Lacking Me?

  After the school team's training ended, Chen Yan and Xi Xi walked side by side out of the campus, maintaining a subtle distance between them. Xi Xi was both afraid of Chen Yan getting too close and slightly resentful in her heart, thinking that he wasn't being proactive enough.

  Chen Yan, on the other hand, had been trying to find opportunities to get closer to Xi Xi throughout their walk. Previously, his interactions with other girls were often ambiguous due to the face-saving issues typical of high school boys. However, this time was different.

  "Where are we going?" Xi Xi asked, breaking the silence.

  "I don't know," Chen Yan replied, "I just wanted to spend more time with you."

  Xi Xi's heart skipped a beat at his words, but she tried to maintain her composure. As they continued walking, Chen Yan suddenly stopped and turned to face her.

  "Xi Xi, can I ask you something?" he said, looking into her eyes.

  "What is it?" Xi Xi replied, trying to sound calm.

  "Do you believe in fate?" Chen Yan asked, his voice filled with sincerity.

  Xi Xi was taken aback by the question. "I...I don't know," she stammered.

  Chen Yan smiled wistfully. "I think I do. I feel like we were meant to meet, like our lives are connected somehow."

  Xi Xi's heart fluttered at his words, but before she could respond, her phone rang, breaking the spell.

  "Sorry, I need to answer this," Xi Xi said, hesitantly pulling out her phone.

  As she answered the call, Chen Yan's face fell, and he looked away, trying to hide his disappointment. The caller was none other than Xing Nian, a friend of Xi Xi's who had been absent from school due to illness.

  "Xi Xi, I'm going abroad," Xing Nian said over the phone. "My dad got me an American green card through business immigration, and I'll be leaving soon."

  Xi Xi was taken aback by the sudden news. "So soon?" she asked, trying to process her emotions.

  As she continued talking to Xing Nian, Chen Yan's eyes narrowed, feeling a pang of jealousy. He didn't like being ignored, especially not when he had been trying to get closer to Xi Xi.

  After Xi Xi hung up the phone, she looked pale and shaken. "What's wrong?" Chen Yan asked, concern etched on his face.

  Xi Xi took a deep breath before speaking. "Xing Nian is going abroad, and I...I don't want her to go."

  Chen Yan's expression softened. "Why not?"

  Xi Xi's eyes welled up with tears. "Because I'm afraid of losing her, just like I lost Dong Qiang."

  Chen Yan's face fell at the mention of Dong Qiang's name. He knew that Xi Xi still harbored guilt and regret over his death.

  Without thinking, Chen Yan pulled Xi Xi into a hug, trying to comfort her. "You're not alone, Xi Xi," he whispered. "I'm here for you."

  As they hugged, Xi Xi felt a sense of security wash over her. Maybe, just maybe, she could find solace in Chen Yan's arms and learn to let go of her past mistakes.