Hearing Teacher Yang's words, Qin Chuan subconsciously said, "Yeah, this tree has really grown bigger. Two years passed so quickly..."
The walnut tree, only as thick as an arm two years ago, was now strong and leafy, able to withstand wind and rain on its own, bearing heavy fruit.
"Xiao Chuan, let's go, we'll head to the next stop!"
Yang Zimo gently caressed the walnut tree for a long time before reluctantly letting go and getting into the car.
This seemingly normal act of reminiscence cast a dark cloud over Qin Chuan's heart, a cloud that thickened with each passing moment, bringing with it a strong sense of foreboding.
The car started and, when it stopped again, they were already in Nanyang Village, Qin Chuan's birthplace.
It was past eight or nine o'clock, and the village was very quiet. Almost every household was tucked away at home watching television, while those without one were likely preparing for bed.
Qin Chuan drove the car directly to the outside of his family's courtyard. Just as he was about to open the door, he was stunned.
He realized a major problem: he hadn't brought his keys.
Looking at the heavy iron lock on the gate, Qin Chuan had no choice but to slowly turn his head and say to Teacher Yang, who had just gotten out of the car, "I... I forgot my keys..."
Although it was dark, the car's headlights illuminated Yang Zimo's exquisite, picturesque face, showing a momentary flicker of surprise.
Indeed, they had arrived so suddenly, without even stopping by Qin Chuan's parents' place, that it was easy to forget things...
"It's alright, I actually came here tonight just to reminisce about the past. I wasn't planning to stay."
Yang Zimo spoke.
Qin Chuan shook his head, "Then I'll pry open the lock!"
As he spoke, his eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for suitable tools.
"Really, no need!"
Yang Zimo quickly stopped him, "Since you don't have the key, let's not go in. Come with me to the school."
With that, she took Qin Chuan's hand.
"Do you have a flashlight in the car?"
"No, let's just walk there in the dark."
They turned off the car and, holding hands, walked towards the school in the dark. After a short distance, they gradually adapted to the darkness.
The school was not far from Qin Chuan's house, only a few hundred meters away.
Since Teacher Yang stopped teaching in Nanyang Village, new teachers had, of course, come.
This was an elderly teacher, wearing glasses, with a kind and benevolent expression. Upon hearing the knock, she opened the door, looking surprised at the young man and woman standing outside.
"Auntie, hello. I'm so sorry to bother you so late at night."
"It's like this, I'm from this village and used to study at this school. My girlfriend used to teach here. We've just returned from outside and wanted to come in and have a look, is that okay?"
Qin Chuan said.
"Because we're very short on time, we might have to leave soon..."
Upon hearing this, the elderly teacher warmly invited Qin Chuan and Yang Zimo inside.
Stepping back onto the school grounds, both Qin Chuan and Yang Zimo's eyes shone with a deep nostalgia and emotion.
The grass and trees here had changed little in the past two years. The arrangement in the classrooms was identical: heavy solid wood desks and a blackboard made of cement.
The walls still bore various marks, carved with small knives or sharp tools – the imprints left by generations of students. One large character, "忍" (endurance), was still faintly visible after many years.
Both Qin Chuan and Teacher Yang looked on with deep emotion. Time truly flew by; two years were almost over in the blink of an eye.
The elderly teacher invited them to her dormitory, which was also where Teacher Yang had once lived.
Although some new items had been added, many of the furniture and decorations remained the same. The two looked at each other, their expressions lost in thought.
After sitting for about a few minutes, they bid farewell to the kind elderly teacher and left the school.
Standing outside the school gate, Yang Zimo stopped.
"Xiao Chuan, do you remember how you shamelessly pestered me, how you wouldn't leave no matter how much I tried to drive you away, insisting on showing me attention, fixing my tires, carrying water, and cleaning?"
Yang Zimo's expression held a hint of teasing.
"I couldn't help it. I didn't want to be rude to you, so I let you do all that. Afterwards, to repay you, I invited you to eat the meal I cooked."
Qin Chuan chuckled, "How could I forget? The noodles that night were the best meal I've ever eaten in my life!"
"It's a shame I didn't even get enough to eat..."
*Slap!*
Before he could finish, he felt a tap on his shoulder. Yang Zimo said playfully, "How dare you mention it! I didn't get enough to eat that night either."
The two looked at each other and then burst into laughter.
But then Qin Chuan suddenly felt something was wrong. Yang Zimo's laughter was tinged with suppressed sobs.
"Xiao Mo, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"
Qin Chuan fumbled to wipe the tears from Yang Zimo's face.
Yang Zimo suddenly hugged Qin Chuan's waist tightly, resting her head on his chest. "I'm fine... I just suddenly feel like crying."
Qin Chuan's heart felt heavy, and that premonition grew stronger.
Just then, Yang Zimo continued, "Qin Chuan, do you know when I fell for you?"
"When?"
"It was during that time we went hunting. We encountered a ferocious leopard, only a few dozen meters away from us. I still can't bear to think about those emerald eyes."
Yang Zimo's face showed a look of recollection.
"You know, I've always been terrified of these large wild animals since I was a child. My legs turned to jelly from fear then."
"But you directly stood in front of me. Although I could see you were also scared, you didn't run."
"In that moment, your tall figure left a deep impression on my heart."
Yang Zimo shifted into a more comfortable position, continuing to rest in Qin Chuan's arms, softly recounting her long-held feelings.
Qin Chuan listened quietly, his hands tightly embracing her delicate waist.
"And later, as we interacted more, I realized that apart from being a bit thick-skinned, you were incredibly knowledgeable."
"You had foresight on many matters and were very capable in business. It didn't seem like someone with only a junior high school education..."
Qin Chuan felt a pang of shame upon hearing this.
"Xiao Chuan, do you know?"
"I've imagined our future life many times. For you, I've rejected my family's proposals countless times, and turned down many talented young men with good backgrounds."
"I know you've learned about my family background, which is why I'm willing to stay in the company, become an invisible presence, an insignificant employee with no prospects, just for you to get rich quickly and then come to my house to propose."
"As long as you propose, no matter how much my family objects, I would rush into your arms without hesitation, devoted to you forever..."
Yang Zimo, her head resting on his chest, spoke softly, pouring out all her inner emotions.
Qin Chuan felt his nose sting, and tears welled up in his eyes.
"You still can! All this effort I put into making money and starting businesses, isn't it all for our future?"
Yang Zimo lifted her head from his chest. In the dim night, her tear-streaked, pretty face was revealed.
"No, you might truly like me, but the love you give me is not exclusive."
Her words were now very clear. Teacher Yang truly knew about the scumbag fact that someone was playing a double game.
Qin Chuan's face was full of guilt. "I'm sorry..."
All the words in the world couldn't change the fact that he had made a mistake. A scumbag is a scumbag, and no amount of sophistry could help.
"Qin Chuan, after tonight, we will have no relationship!"
"Our feelings started in this small mountain village, so let them end here. It will be a perfect conclusion."
Teacher Yang straightened up, wiping the tears from her face.
Qin Chuan's body stiffened. The words he feared most had finally been spoken. At this moment, a mountain-like tearing sensation ripped through the depths of his heart.
Pain engulfed his entire body, including his consciousness. Even though he had prepared himself, the reality of it struck him down.
By the time he came to his senses, Yang Zimo was already striding away into the distance.
"Xiao Mo, let me explain..."
Yang Zimo, however, forcefully shook off his arm, her retreating figure resolute.