SSB – Chapter 27.2

　A few days after the Spring Festival, the winter vacation came to an end. The exam at the beginning of the school year resulted in Sang Zhi ranking third in her grade, and she surprisingly scored ninety points in physics. She took a photo of her grades and sent a multimedia message to Duan Jiaxu.

　　The next morning, she received a reply from him.

　　— Little Sang Zhi, you’re really amazing. Brother will reward you in a couple of days.

　　Because of this message, Sang Zhi looked forward to it for two days. However, when she received the reward, she found out that it wasn’t personally given by Duan Jiaxu, but was sent by him through Sang Yan.

　　There were three items.

　　A reward, a belated New Year’s gift, and an early birthday gift.

　　A box of colored pencils, a pack of candy, and a pink bunny plush toy.

　　It seemed like he truly regarded her as a younger sister.

　　In the following long period, Sang Zhi rarely saw him again.

　　Sang Zhi secretly found a photo studio. She didn’t even have the courage to let strangers know her intention. She specifically told the owner that she wanted to print some photos from her phone, and she only asked for the one photo she had taken of Duan Jiaxu during the winter vacation.

　　She discreetly placed the photo inside her treasure box.

　　Occasionally, she would hear from Sang Yan that Duan Jiaxu had finished all his classes in the second semester of his junior year and returned to Yihe in April, seemingly finding a job there.

　　A distance of nearly two thousand kilometers separated them.

　　She had never been to a place that far away in her lifetime.

　　One day in May, the Chinese teacher assigned a composition in class with the topic: “My Dream.”

　　After some contemplation, Sang Zhi slowly wrote a few lines on the composition paper, quickly tore them off, and stuffed them into a drawer. In the cluttered drawer, the young girl’s handwriting was awkward but clear:

　　My Dream:

　　1. Get admitted to Yihe University.

　　2. Duan Jiaxu 

　　Due to various procedures and graduation thesis matters, Duan Jiaxu returned to the university a few times during the semester break, but his visits were always brief. During these times, Sang Zhi caught a glimpse of him a few times, but the encounters were rushed.

　　He seemed unchanged.

　　Still wearing that somewhat unserious expression, his speech had the same drawl and intonation, and he continued to playfully tease her, his attitude as consistent as ever.

　　The two of them had very few interactions throughout the year.

　　During some major holidays, Sang Zhi would receive messages and gifts from him. In his free time, he would send messages to ask about her studies. This made her feel that she hadn’t been forgotten.

　　Their next substantial meeting didn’t happen until June of the following year when he returned to the university to take graduation photos.

　　Sang Zhi had been brought there by her parents.

　　As soon as she arrived, she saw Sang Yan in his graduation gown and Duan Jiaxu, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time. He stood in the sunlight, tall and upright, listening to Chen Junwen’s chatter, a faint smile on his face.

　　Other than having slightly shorter hair, he seemed largely unchanged from before.

　　Seeing him, Sang Zhi inexplicably felt a bit nervous.

　　She held a bouquet of flowers meant for Sang Yan, quietly following behind Sang Rong and Li Ping. She didn’t take the initiative to approach him and strike up a conversation.

　　The scene was bustling, with not only the graduating students but also many relatives and friends who had come to attend the graduation ceremony. The noise from hundreds of people mixed together made it hard for Sang Zhi to hear what her parents were saying to Sang Yan. The heat was making her head feel a bit dizzy.

　　 Yet her attention kept shifting towards Duan Jiaxu’s direction, her heart racing, thumping loudly in her chest.

　　Soon, Sang Zhi caught a glimpse of him approaching them, greeting Sang Rong and Li Ping. They talked for quite a while, but she couldn’t make out much of what they were saying.

　　Not long after, Duan Jiaxu turned his head to look at her, raising an eyebrow and the corner of his mouth slightly. “Little Sang Zhi.”

　　Sang Zhi then looked up: “Brother.”

　　”Do you have a conscience?” Duan Jiaxu chuckled. “After not seeing me for so long, you didn’t even come over to say hello?”

　　Sang Zhi didn’t know what to say and muttered, “I thought you forgot about me.”

　　”Huh?  How could you say that?” Duan Jiaxu was amused and incredulous, “Didn’t I give you a birthday gift? Didn’t I give you a Children’s Day gift? Did you think they just fell from the sky?”

　　”…” Sang Zhi glanced at him, “Weren’t they given to me by my brother?”

　　”I had your brother give them to you,” Duan Jiaxu wanted to say something more but then suddenly noticed her height. “It seems like Little Sang Zhi has grown taller again?”

　　Sang Zhi made a sound of agreement.

　　Duan Jiaxu:  “So do we not need to give you a Children’s Day gift next year?”

　　Sang Zhi frowned: “You should.”

　　”Alright, if I have money, I’ll give you one.” Duan Jiaxu pondered for a moment and then asked, “Is it time for your high school entrance exam?”

　　”Hmm.”

　　”Can you get into No. 1 High School?”

　　”Most likely.”

　　A classmate nearby wanted to take a photo with Duan Jiaxu, so Sang Zhi tactfully moved away a bit. Taking a photo was quick. Within a few seconds, she was called over by Duan Jiaxu again.

　　Sang Zhi hesitated: “What’s up?”

　　He pointed in the direction of the camera, “How about taking a photo with this Brother?”

　　Sang Zhi looked over and then silently walked over to stand beside him. She glanced at the distance and stopped about a meter away from him.

　　”…,” Duan Jiaxu puzzled, “Did I do something to upset you again?”

　　Sang Zhi was baffled. “No.”

　　”Then why are you standing so far away?” Duan Jiaxu waved at her. “Come a bit closer. Why do you look like we’re enemies?”

　　Sang Zhi had no choice but to take two steps closer, looking somewhat uncomfortable.

　　After the photo was taken, Duan Jiaxu told the classmate who helped take the picture, “Send me the photo after you go back.”

　　Sang Zhi stood by his side. After a while, she hesitated and asked, “Brother, are you not going to come to Nanwu again in the future?”

　　Duan Jiaxu looked up, chuckled softly, and said, “Hmm? Can’t bear to be away from me?” 

　　Sang Zhi pursed her lips and nodded.

　　Seemingly surprised that she gave an affirmative answer, Duan Jiaxu paused. He lowered his head and noticed Sang Zhi’s expression. Then, he tugged at the corner of his lips and slightly leaned down to meet her gaze: “I will come back to play with Little Sang Zhi whenever I have the chance, alright?” 

　　Sang Zhi: “When is ‘whenever you have the chance’?”

　　”Well, I’m not sure,” Duan Jiaxu pinched her cheek gently and said in a gentle tone, “If I come back, I will let you know in advance.”

　　Sang Zhi didn’t fully believe his words; she thought it might just be a lie that adults tell to placate children. But she didn’t mind too much. Even if he didn’t come, she could go see him. As long as they wanted to meet, they would definitely be able to.

　　That’s what she thought.

　　But at that time, it never could have occurred to Sang Zhi.

　　The next time they would meet would be the last time she saw Duan Jiaxu before she came of age.