After some discussion, Lin Jingchu ultimately did not accompany Jiang Yuekai to study abroad.
At the start of the semester in late October, Lin Jing personally saw Jiang Yuekai off to New York. After helping her complete the enrollment procedures, he returned to Nanjiang.
This was the first time they had been separated by such a significant distance since childhood.
Not only Lin Jingchu, but even Jiang Yuekai, who had mentally prepared herself, found it difficult to adjust.
Fortunately, Shen Yujin was also studying in the area, allowing Jiang Yuekai to meet up with her from time to time.
This weekend, Jiang Yuekai had arranged to meet Shen Yujin for hot pot in Chinatown. As they settled into the restaurant, they unexpectedly ran into Gu Jiang.
Jiang Yuekai hadn't seen Gu Jiang since graduating from high school. She occasionally heard news of him from former classmates; he had gone to study in Kyoto, achieved excellent grades, and was reportedly sent to the United States as an exchange student in his third year. Jiang Yuekai hadn't inquired about the specific city or university. He was an ex-boyfriend, and his location was no longer of much concern to her.
Jiang Yuekai had not anticipated running into him here. Their breakup had been quite unpleasant, and she was unsure if she should approach him to say hello.
Shen Yujin also recognized Gu Jiang and whispered to Jiang Yuekai, "Isn't that your ex? What's he doing here?"
Jiang Yuekai replied, "He seems to have been in the US all along."
As they were speaking, Gu Jiang approached them, initiating the conversation, "Yuekai, long time no see."
It was a rather cliché opening.
Jiang Yuekai noticed that Gu Jiang's voice had matured considerably. As he drew closer, his features and demeanor were also different from his student days. They were both twenty-three now, and Gu Jiang had always seemed more mature than his peers.
In truth, Gu Jiang hadn't done anything to wrong her during their breakup. Since he had now initiated contact, Jiang Yuekai responded generously, "Yes, it has been a long time. Are you here for dinner too?"
"Yes," Gu Jiang replied. "A classmate mentioned you were coming to Columbia, and I was hoping to have dinner with you."
"You're at Columbia too?" Jiang Yuekai understood what Gu Jiang was implying.
"Yes," Gu Jiang said. "We're in the same faculty."
Jiang Yuekai found it somewhat coincidental. Gu Jiang had likely stayed on as an exchange student, which was normal given his excellent academic record.
Upon hearing this, Shen Yujin's internal alarm bells began to ring.
After all, he was an ex-boyfriend. Jiang Yuekai exchanged a few pleasantries with Gu Jiang before parting ways.
As soon as Gu Jiang left, Shen Yujin remarked, "I don't think your ex has good intentions."
"He's an exchange student," Jiang Yuekai said, knowing what Shen Yujin was suspecting. "It's ancient history. He's not that vindictive."
"Who knows? Men can be terrifyingly petty," Shen Yujin said with deep conviction. "My dad still brings up old grievances with my mom from time to time."
Shen Yujin's earnest demeanor amused Jiang Yuekai. This young girl, who hadn't even been in a relationship herself, spoke with such authority.
A few days after this incident, Jiang Yuekai did indeed encounter Gu Jiang on campus. They bumped into each other at the school entrance after classes, and Gu Jiang invited her to dinner.
Jiang Yuekai felt it was inappropriate and was about to refuse when Gu Jiang preempted her, saying, "We're old classmates. You won't refuse me this small favor, will you?"
Since he had called them old classmates, Jiang Yuekai couldn't really refuse. She ended up going to a restaurant with him.
During dinner, they chatted about the intervening years. Gu Jiang asked her why she had come to Columbia to study.
Jiang Yuekai replied, "That was the original plan. Columbia's program is quite good, so I came."
Gu Jiang knew what program Jiang Yuekai was enrolled in. "Yes, it's quite good. I almost applied for that one too."
Afterward, Gu Jiang sighed, "I never thought we'd end up at the same university."
This remark brought back memories for both of them. Jiang Yuekai fell silent again. She didn't have a habit of reminiscing with ex-boyfriends.
Fortunately, Gu Jiang didn't dwell on the topic and asked her, "Are you two still together?"
Jiang Yuekai paused for a moment before realizing he was referring to Lin Jingchu. She seemed to have never deleted Gu Jiang from her WeChat, but since Gu Jiang didn't post on Moments and they had no contact, she had forgotten his existence on her WeChat.
If she hadn't deleted him, he must have seen her public announcement of their relationship on WeChat back then.
Jiang Yuekai didn't shy away from the topic and stated frankly, "Yes, we're still together."
Gu Jiang said, "I thought he would have accompanied you here to study."
"He has already graduated with his master's degree and has a good job," Jiang Yuekai's gaze softened as she spoke of Lin Jingchu. "He wanted to come to pursue his doctorate with me, but I felt his current career path was more suitable for him, and I didn't want him to delay it because of me."
Gu Jiang could clearly sense that she was speaking more than before. He smiled, "You're still so rational."
This statement sounded familiar. When he had wanted to attend the same university as her back then, she had said something similar. "Did he agree to that?"
"He agreed," Jiang Yuekai replied. "It's only two years apart. He visits me often, and we'll have plenty of time together in the future."
Gu Jiang stared at Jiang Yuekai for a few minutes and then suddenly laughed.
Jiang Yuekai asked him, "What are you laughing at?"
Gu Jiang truthfully replied, "Nothing. I just suddenly came to terms with some things."
Before, he had thought that Jiang Yuekai's decision not to study in Kyoto with him was because she didn't like him enough. Today, he could finally tell himself that her refusal to go to Kyoto with him back then was because she was inherently a rational person in relationships.
Even if the other person was Lin Jingchu, it was the same.
Jiang Yuekai hadn't yet understood Gu Jiang's meaning. "Came to terms with what?"
Gu Jiang said, "All these years, I always felt that you refused to study in Kyoto with me because you didn't like me enough."
He paused and smiled. "I often wondered if, had it been Lin Jingchu, you might not have been so rational."
Jiang Yuekai finally understood. "Love isn't everything in life."
Gu Jiang replied, "You're right. On this point, I need to learn from you."
He raised his glass. "Let's be good friends from now on."
"Okay," Jiang Yuekai clinked glasses with Gu Jiang.
There was no deep-seated animosity. Once the past issues were cleared up, they were still old classmates.
After dinner, Jiang Yuekai and Gu Jiang walked out of the restaurant chatting and laughing. Mid-conversation, they suddenly bumped into Lin Jingchu.
Lin Jingchu had arrived at some point, and his gaze was fixed intently on Jiang Yuekai and Gu Jiang.
"Why did you come over?" Jiang Yuekai was surprised. Lin Jingchu hadn't mentioned anything about it.
What was originally a casual question felt a bit jarring to Lin Jingchu in the current situation. It sounded as if she were complaining about him interrupting her date with Gu Jiang.
"A surprise for you," Lin Jingchu said meaningfully. "I didn't expect you'd be the one giving me a surprise."
"Long time no see," Gu Jiang proactively greeted Lin Jingchu, his tone no longer as sharp as it once was.