Chapter 40 Seeing Him Again Today Is Your Coming of Age…

Chapter 40: Seeing Him Again

Today marks your coming-of-age...

As Yu Kui scrolled through her messages, Sun Shuya’s call came through. "Yu Kui, guess what score I got?"

"How much?"

"Almost six hundred," Sun Shuya exclaimed, her voice tinged with excitement. "I’ve never scored this high before! Now I can apply to all the universities I wanted."

"Congratulations," Yu Kui said, genuinely happy for her. "What major are you thinking of?"

"Haven't decided yet," Sun Shuya chuckled. "But I definitely want to be in the same city as you. We still have to hang out together!"

Yu Kui paused for a moment. "Where are the universities you're considering located?"

"Most are in this city, the rest are in the south," Sun Shuya replied. "I've never been to the south. I heard it doesn't snow there in winter, only rains. I'm quite curious."

Hearing the cities Sun Shuya mentioned, Yu Kui knew these were well-thought-out choices. "You don't have to be in the same city as me. We can always keep in touch."

Sun Shuya immediately caught on. "You don't want to stay in this city?"

"No," Yu Kui said softly. "I want to see the world."

Sun Shuya was quiet for a moment. "That makes sense. Your grades are so good, you can aim for a better university."

"Sorry," Yu Kui said. "I won't be able to be in the same city as you."

"Why are you apologizing to me?" Sun Shuya laughed, amused. "You have your own choices, and of course, I support you."

"Thank you."

"Yu Kui," Sun Shuya's voice hesitated for a few seconds. "I don't know why, but I feel like you're being very formal with me lately. That kind of politeness shouldn't exist between close friends."

"Why?" Yu Kui asked. "Did I do something to upset you?"

Yu Kui froze, recalling the night she had broken down. It took her a long time to regain her voice.

"No, it's just that I need some time to myself."

"Why? Did something happen?"

Yu Kui asked, "Did you know about Qin You and Tao Jiang being together for a long time?"

Yu Kui didn't know what emotions prompted her to ask this. She knew it was inappropriate and could strain her friendship with Sun Shuya, but if she didn't ask, the thought would occasionally resurface.

Those occasional moments felt like a bucket of cold water dousing her, making her tremble.

"Yu Kui, you know about their relationship?" Sun Shuya took a quiet breath.

"That night of the car accident, I saw them leaving the school gate."

Sun Shuya hadn't realized Yu Kui had witnessed that incident. No wonder she looked so pale at the hospital.

"Yu Kui, I wasn't intentionally hiding it from you," she said softly. "At first, I just felt something was off between them and wanted to warn you, but you didn't take it seriously. Later, when you broke ties, I thought you no longer cared. I didn't realize you were still holding onto it..."

"Sorry, Yu Kui," Sun Shuya sighed. "I didn't know they had such a deep impact on you."

"It's okay," Yu Kui said slowly after hearing her explanation. "It's my own weakness."

Sun Shuya had tried to warn her, but Yu Kui had dismissed it. Ultimately, she hadn't fully grasped the meaning, or perhaps, hadn't wanted to delve deeper.

"Thank you for telling me this," Yu Kui said, smiling faintly. "Goodbye."

"Yu Kui, are you mad at me?" Sun Shuya pressed.

"You're my friend," Yu Kui replied. "How could I be mad at you?"

"That's good," Sun Shuya sighed in relief. "I thought you might never speak to me again."

"I won't." Yu Kui couldn't possibly blame Sun Shuya for this. If she were to be angry, it would be at herself for being too foolish and naive.

She had always believed that giving sincerity would be met with sincerity, but in reality, it was merely her own delusion.

From now on, she wouldn't be so foolish.

Yu Kui's birthday fell in the heart of summer, when the sun shone brightest and nature was at its most vibrant.

Yu's father and mother flew in on Friday to celebrate Yu Kui's coming-of-age.

Early that morning, Yu Kui's phone buzzed incessantly.

Sun Shuya sent her birthday wishes and a red envelope, and other classmates also left her messages.

"Eighteen years old—my precious daughter has grown up!" Yu's mother specially applied light makeup for her, braided her hair, and styled it into a beautiful princess coiffure.

Yu Kui, in a warm orange dress, blinked at her reflection in the mirror, a faint smile gracing her lips.

The family went into the city for a lavish meal, and Yu's mother also took her to the amusement park. "Play whatever you want. Mom will join you."

Yu Kui pursed her lips. "These are all for little kids."

"Aren't you a little kid?"

Yu Kui: "..."

After a full day of fun, the family returned to town and went to Xu Xi's shop to order a two-tier cake.

"Is it your birthday today?" Xu Xi asked Yu Kui with a smile.

"Yes," Yu Kui replied, looking down at the desserts in the display case. "I'd also like a blueberry mille-feuille."

"Happy birthday," Xu Xi said, gesturing for her to sit aside. "The cake will take a while. How about you help me taste some new pastries?"

"No need," Yu Kui said, glancing at her family waiting outside. "I'll head back first and pick up the cake later."

"Wait a moment," Xu Xi said, putting together a bag of pastries. "Birthday girls get a little gift."

Inside the paper bag were not only the blueberry mille-feuille she had just ordered but also some exquisite small cakes and a cute princess figurine.

"Happy birthday," Xu Xi said again.

"Thank you."

Yu Kui's eyes crinkled with a smile. She waved and left with her family.

Her steps were light, her smile bright, and in the blink of an eye, she disappeared around the street corner.

Xu Xi looked away and returned to the kitchen to begin making the cake.

After a sumptuous dinner, Yu Kui made her coming-of-age wish before blowing out the candles on the cake. She wished for her family's health and happiness, free from worries or troubles.

At night, she sat on the swing in the yard, gazing at the stars. The air in the town was fresh, and the stars were far more numerous than in the city.

Her phone suddenly chimed, and when she picked it up, it was a message from Xie Xingzhi.

"Where are you now?"

Yu Kui paused momentarily before replying, "I'm back home."

Xie Xingzhi: "Qingquan Town?"

Yu Kui's pupils contracted slightly, surprised he'd found out her current address.

"Why do you ask?"

"Yu Kui, can we meet?"

"Not now. My parents and I won't be back until tomorrow."

"I'm staying at the Ruyi Hotel in town."

...

Yu Kui stood up, told her parents she was going out, and left the house. The town was safe, everyone knew everyone, and the weather was perfect for a walk.

In less than ten minutes, she arrived at the entrance of the Ruyi Hotel. It was the only chain hotel in town, where most tourists stayed when visiting.

Before she could get closer, a tall figure emerged from inside, walking quickly and stopping just a few steps in front of her. It was Xie Xingzhi, whom she hadn't seen for over a month.

He looked a bit thinner, but his eyes were bright.

"You... what are you doing here?" Yu Kui felt less familiar with him upon seeing him again; the ease between them was gone. "You didn't even mention it to me in advance."

"I'm not here for fun," Xie Xingzhi said. "I came to see you."

Yu Kui widened her eyes, surprised that he had come all this way for her. "You didn't have to go to all this trouble. It's not like we won't see each other again in the future."

"Today is different," Xie Xingzhi said, his eyes never leaving her face. "Today is your eighteenth birthday."

"You came to celebrate my birthday?" Yu Kui was astonished.

"I didn't know your birthday before," Xie Xingzhi said. "Good thing I didn't miss it this time."

Yu Kui felt like she was dreaming. How could Xie Xingzhi travel all this way just to celebrate her birthday?

"Are you stunned?" He waved his hand in front of her face.

"No," Yu Kui came back to herself, looking at his exceptionally handsome features. "Thank you, but this is really too much trouble for you."

"No trouble at all," Xie Xingzhi chuckled lightly. "I just checked with your classmates. I just arrived a bit late."

Yu Kui: "..."

"Have you eaten yet?" she asked.

"Not yet."

"Come with me," Yu Kui turned around. "I'll take you to the best bowl of *wan za mian* in town. You can load it up with toppings."

"Hold on," Xie Xingzhi said, "I got you a cake."

Yu Kui immediately thought of Xu Xi's cake shop and, upon asking, confirmed it was indeed from there. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "I just had a cake from their shop earlier."

"It's different," Xie Xingzhi followed her. "This one is from me."

Yu Kui was speechless for a moment.

At nine o'clock in the evening, Xu Xi's cake shop was still open. Yu Kui waited outside for a few minutes before Xie Xingzhi emerged carrying a paper box. "Let's go get noodles."

He had bought a mixed fruit cake that looked absolutely delicious.

Yu Kui took him to a noodle shop, ordering him the signature pea and minced pork noodles along with a few small dishes.

Xie Xingzhi took out the cake, put in the candles, and lit them with a lighter.

"Although it's quite late now, I still wanted to spend today with you. Wishing you a happy birthday, peace, and smooth sailing."

Under the bright candlelight, his eyes reflected the flames, looking incredibly warm.

Yu Kui found it hard to connect this version of him with the carefree guy she had first met.

This past year, both of them had grown so much.

"Thank you," Yu Kui closed her eyes and made her second wish.

Xie Xingzhi watched her quietly. Her fair skin and long eyelashes made her look like she had stepped out of a comic book, with an almost dreamlike quality.

When she opened her eyes, her pupils were as clear as lake water, making people instantly like her.

Yu Kui blew out the candles, then smiled at Xie Xingzhi. "Guess what I wished for?"

"I won't guess," Xie Xingzhi shrugged. "If I guess it, it might not come true."

"You're right," Yu Kui said. "What flavor do you want? I'll cut a piece for you."

"Strawberry," Xie Xingzhi said lazily.

Yu Kui cut him a nice, neat slice of strawberry cake. "Have some."

"Okay."

Seeing that it was Yu Kui's birthday, the shop owner kindly brought over a complimentary longevity noodle dish, smiling warmly at the two. "Wishing you a long and happy life together, till old age."

Yu Kui's face turned red. "We're not a couple."

"Sorry, sorry! May your friendship last forever then."

Yu Kui laughed softly and looked at Xie Xingzhi. "You really didn't have to make the trip. All that traveling back and forth is too much trouble."

"It's no hassle," Xie Xingzhi looked up, with a slight smile. "Your coming-of-age is no small matter to me."

Yu Kui knew he was thanking her for helping him with his studies and asked, "How were your college entrance exam results?"

"Not bad, good enough for the school I wanted."

Yu Kui let out a quiet sigh of relief. "That's good."

"Are you planning to stay in this city?"

Yu Kui shook her head. "I'm planning to go to City B."

"Changed your mind?" Xie Xingzhi raised an eyebrow.

"Yes," Yu Kui said. "Sorry I can't stay in the same city as you guys."

"What's the big deal?" Xie Xingzhi shook his head. "It's your freedom to go wherever you want. You don't need to apologize to anyone."

Yu Kui chuckled softly and didn't say anything more.

By the time they finished eating, it was already getting late.

The two walked back along the streets of the small town, under the bright streetlights and the cool summer night air.

When they reached the hotel entrance, Xie Xingzhi turned to look at Yu Kui's face and sighed softly, "Will we still see each other after this?"

"What?"

"I feel like I've seen you at your most vulnerable."

Yu Kui instantly understood and replied, both amused and exasperated, "You're overthinking it. I'm not that bothered by it. I'm really happy you came to celebrate my birthday with me."

"Then why are you so distant?" Xie Xingzhi asked, his voice so low only Yu Kui could hear.

She hadn't expected Xie Xingzhi to be so childish and shot back instinctively, "How am I distant? I even took you to eat my favorite noodles."

"Lately, when I text you, you rarely reply. When I call, you don't often answer. It's been really getting to me."

Yu Kui didn't know what to say. She hadn't realized she'd made Xie Xingzhi feel this way and repeated, "Thank you for celebrating my birthday. I truly am happy. Please don't overthink it."

"I should be the one thanking you. If it weren't for you, I'd probably still be a mess," Xie Xingzhi said, looking her in the eyes. "You don't know how lucky I feel to be your friend."

"Even without me, you would still be outstanding," Yu Kui knew he was smart and had seen how hard he'd worked for the college entrance exams. She corrected him earnestly, "You should thank yourself and believe in yourself."

Instead of constantly putting yourself down because of me.