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In April 2013, the spring breeze in Beijing was already warm. When the last scene of "Under the Zhengyang Gate" was filmed at the entrance of the alley, the crew cheered and jumped for joy the moment the clapperboard fell.

After months of working together day and night, filming from the dead of winter to the beginning of spring, everyone's face showed a mix of relief and reluctance at having their burdens lifted.

The wrap party was held at a time-honored restaurant in Beijing. In the ornately decorated private room, laughter filled the room even before all the dishes were served.

Hao Jinming stood up, holding a wine glass, and said in a loud voice, "Everyone has worked hard! The smooth filming of 'Under the Zhengyang Gate' is all thanks to everyone's dedication. I dare say that this show will definitely be a hit after it airs!"

The director stood up and focused his gaze on Su Ning: "We have to praise Su Ning. From being a newcomer when you first joined the crew to being able to handle every important scene steadily, we've all seen your progress. You've brought the character Taozi to life!"

"Thank you for your recognition! I hope there will be opportunities to cooperate in the future."

When it was Fan Lin's turn to speak, she walked straight to Su Ning, put her arm around his shoulder, and said with a smile, "This is my little brother from Qingdao, and he's a treasure of our crew! If anyone gets a good role in the future, be sure to think of Su Ning!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the whole room burst into laughter, and applause rose and fell.

Su Ning blushed from the joke, but couldn't help laughing along, thinking to herself that this woman was someone she could get along with.

After the banquet, the producer handed Su Ning a thick envelope: "Xiao Su, this is your payment. Although it's your first time playing the second male lead, your performance deserves this recognition."

Su Ning held the envelope tightly, the thickness of it between his fingers warming his heart.

This is not just money, but also an affirmation of his months of hard work; it is the first "report card" he has received as an actor.

"Thank you! I hope we'll have the opportunity to work together again in the future."

"Don't worry! It definitely will."

……

The next morning, the platform at Beijing Railway Station was still cool.

When Su Ning found her seat, dragging her suitcase, she sat down without a care in the world.

As the train slowly started moving, the cityscape of Beijing outside the window gradually receded. He watched as the familiar streets became blurry shadows, and a strange emotion suddenly welled up in his heart.

This city, where I spent almost half a year, was filled with laughter and growth, and I was actually a little reluctant to leave.

Of course, what she felt most was reluctance to part with Fan Lin. Although she knew that the two of them were unlikely to be together, Su Ning still couldn't help but let her mind wander.

Just then, a familiar voice suddenly came from beside me: "Su Ning!"

Su Ning looked up and saw Fan Lin sitting next to her, dragging a pink suitcase, with a playful smile on her face.

"Sister Lin? You're going back to Qingdao too?" He looked at Fan Lin in surprise and asked.

Fan Lin waved the train ticket in her hand: "What? You're allowed to go home, but I'm not?"

She noticed Su Ning's confusion and explained with a smile, "Don't be surprised. I'm not some big shot. Taking the train is comfortable and convenient. Besides, I didn't go home for the New Year, and now I just want to eat my mom's mackerel dumplings as soon as possible."

"..." At this moment, Su Ning felt as refreshed as if she had drunk an iced cola.

Then Fan Lin took out several bags of pastries from her bag and handed them to Su Ning: "These are time-honored pastries from Beijing. Take them back for your uncle and aunt to try. I specially bought two extra bags; they are all non-greasy flavors."

"Thank you! Sister Lin, you're so thoughtful."

During their conversation, Su Ning learned that Fan Lin had specifically inquired about his return date before buying tickets for the same train.

“You’re traveling alone with your luggage, and this is the first time you’ve received such a large sum of money. I’m worried about you,” Fan Lin said in a low voice, half-jokingly. “I have to get you home safely, otherwise your aunt and uncle will blame me for not taking good care of you.”

Su Ning felt a warmth in his heart. He knew that Fan Lin genuinely treated him like a younger brother.

So when faced with the little devil inside him, Suning nipped it in the bud.

From helping him analyze his character when he joined the crew, to giving him hand warmers during filming breaks, and now accompanying him home, this seemingly carefree "older sister" always shows thoughtfulness in the details.

The journey was long, and the two talked about everything from acting to life.

Fan Lin told him about the rules of the entertainment industry, taught him how to identify reliable scripts, and reminded him, "No matter whether you become famous or not in the future, don't lose your original aspirations."

Su Ning listened patiently, occasionally asking about her experiences when she first moved to Beijing.

The two chatted more and more enthusiastically, and the scenery outside the window rushed past, but they didn't find it boring at all.

As the train passed through Jinan, the sky gradually darkened. Fan Lin leaned back in her seat and fell asleep almost immediately, her brows slightly furrowed, as if she was still thinking about her work.

Looking at her tired profile, Su Ning suddenly remembered what she had said before, "I only eat apples for a week for the role," and felt a pang of pity.

He quietly took off his coat and carefully covered her with it, afraid of waking her.

But as soon as the blanket was covered, Fan Lin woke up, rubbed her eyes, and said in a hoarse voice, "Thank you, Su Ning. You're always so considerate."

After an unknown amount of time, the train's announcement came over the loudspeaker: "Attention passengers, we are about to arrive at Qingdao Station. Passengers who wish to disembark, please prepare to disembark."

Fan Lin stretched and smiled expectantly: "Finally home! Su Ning, remember, if you encounter anything in the entertainment industry in the future, you can call me. I'll always help you."

"Okay." Su Ning nodded.

Outside the car window, the familiar red tiles and green trees became clearer and clearer, and the scent of the sea breeze seemed to have already drifted into the car.

For him, this journey home was not just about returning to his familiar home, but also about embarking on a brand new life with new growth and new friendships.

He knew that the road ahead was long, but with these warm-hearted people by his side, he was no longer afraid of feeling lost.

……

A faint smell of the sea wafted from the exit of Qingdao Station. As soon as Su Ning stepped out of the carriage, she was enveloped by the sea breeze.

This is a familiar scent etched into my very bones, softer and more welcoming than the winds of Beijing.

He dragged his suitcase toward the exit and saw his parents in the crowd from afar: Wang Xiuying was standing on tiptoe, looking around, her hair disheveled by the wind; Su Daqiang stood beside her, also looking around.

Anyone who has ever picked up their child knows that sometimes it can really make your eyes blurry.

“Suning! Over here!” Wang Xiuying recognized him at a glance, her voice filled with excitement.

Su Ning quickened his pace and walked over. As soon as he stood still, his mother hugged him tightly. Her hands gently stroked his back, and her voice was choked with emotion: "You've lost some weight, but you look much stronger. You haven't suffered any mistreatment outside, have you?"

Su Daqiang took the suitcase, patted him on the shoulder, and said little but with concern: "It's good that you're back. I made you some braised prawns when we got home."

Su Ning stepped aside to make room and introduced Fan Lin behind him with a smile: "Dad, Mom, this is Sister Fan Lin. She's also from Qingdao. I was very grateful to her for taking care of me when I was filming in Beijing."

Fan Lin immediately gave a polite smile and greeted them, "Hello, uncles and aunts, I'm Fan Lin. Su Ning is working very hard on set, so don't worry."

"Good girl, you're so pretty!" Wang Xiuying held onto Fan Lin's hand tightly and asked warmly, "Where in Qingdao are you from? Would you like to come with us and have your uncle take you home?"

"No need! Auntie, my family is already waiting for me outside." Fan Lin waved her hand with a smile, and then said to Su Ning, "Remember to let me know when you get home safely, and keep in touch."

"it is good."

On the way home, Wang Xiuying kept talking, asking about the weather in Beijing, the food on set, and finally, she couldn't help but gossip: "That girl Fan Lin is a really nice person. Are you two particularly close on set?"

"It's alright! But she's four years older than me."

"So what if she's four years old? As long as the two of you get along well, it's not a problem." "She's more famous than me, there's no way she'd be interested in me."

How do you know if you haven't tried?

"Mom, I'm only eighteen this year. You're too eager to have a grandson."

Su Ning smiled helplessly, patiently answering her mother's questions. Her fingertips touched the moisture on the car window, and she felt a sense of peace.

This is what home feels like. No matter how far you go, you'll always feel warm and cared for when you come back.

Everything in the house was the same as before. Su Ning's room was exactly as he left it, but its spotless condition indicated that his parents had been waiting for him all along.

Every morning, Wang Xiuying would bring him sweet porridge and fried dough sticks, and she would only feel at ease after watching him finish eating them; in the evening, Su Daqiang would take him for a walk on the beach, chatting about the trivial matters of the neighborhood, never mentioning his amnesia, and every word he spoke was filled with careful care.

Su Ning often sits alone at his desk, flipping through those "unfamiliar" textbooks.

I can easily understand mathematical formulas and classical Chinese poems even though I have no recollection of them; I can memorize English words after reading them twice; and I can even understand physics problems that I found difficult in high school after reading them once.

“Mom, I don’t remember any of this, but I understand it right away,” he couldn’t help but say one evening at dinner.

Wang Xiuying and Su Daqiang exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with both relief and unconcealed heartache.

The fact that the son has forgotten the past but still retains the ability to learn is a stroke of good fortune amidst misfortune.

One evening with a gentle sea breeze, the family of three sat in the living room. Su Ning put down her textbook and said earnestly, "Dad, Mom, I want to go back to school this September."

He paused, then added, "I'm only eighteen. I can't rely on acting forever; I need to have an education. And I've found that learning isn't difficult for me. Even if I don't remember something, I can start over."

Su Daqiang's eyes lit up and he immediately nodded: "Dad supports you! Whatever you want to do, we'll be there for you."

Wang Xiuying was a little worried and reached out to touch his forehead: "But your body... the doctor said your memory hasn't recovered yet, will it affect your studies?"

“The doctor said my body is fine now, it’s just that my memory needs time to recover.” Su Ning held her mother’s hand, her voice gentle but firm. “Mom, I want to try, I don’t want to waste time.”

"Okay! If you feel unwell, remember to tell us."

"Don't worry! I've already filmed two TV series in a row, so my body is absolutely fine."

"By the way! When will your TV series be released?"

"Uh? I don't know, the production team hasn't notified us either."

The next day, Suning began preparations for returning to school.

He contacted his high school homeroom teacher, who, upon hearing that he was returning to school, made a special trip to visit him and brought the latest review materials: "Su Ning, you are much more composed and assertive than before. Prepare well, and you will definitely be able to keep up with the pace."

Su Ning accepted the documents with a smile, feeling grateful.

The people around him are paving the way for his future, and he cannot let them down.

……

A few days later, one afternoon, Suning was doing practice problems at home when the doorbell suddenly rang.

When I opened the door, Fan Lin was standing outside, carrying a bag of fruit: "I heard you were preparing for your exams at home, so I came to see you."

At that time, both parents were busy at the store, and it was just the two of them at home.

Fan Lin walked into the room, looked at the textbooks on the desk, and said with a smile, "I didn't expect you to be such a top student. Your room is much cleaner than I imagined."

She suddenly approached, the scent of her perfume wafting over, her tone carrying a hint of ambiguity: "Su Ning, why did you remain indifferent when I was drunk at the hotel in Beijing last time?"

Su Ning's cheeks flushed, and she felt a little awkward: "Sister Lin, you were drunk at the time, I couldn't take advantage of you."

"Oh? So you were actually tempted back then?" Fan Lin raised an eyebrow, a sly smile in her eyes.

Su Ning remained silent, her silence implicitly confirming her guess.

Fan Lin gently took his hand, her voice even softer: "Then do you like me?"

"Mmm." Su Ning's voice was soft, yet clear enough.

"Then why don't you hug me?" Fan Lin looked up at him, her eyes full of expectation.

Su Ning hesitated for a moment, then reached out and hugged her.

The person in his arms was soft, her breath warm, and he could clearly feel her heartbeat.

After all, no normal man could refuse Fan Lin's request...

The time that followed passed quietly in an ambiguous atmosphere, until Fan Lin leaned against him, her voice carrying a lazy laugh: "Su Ning, am I your first woman?"

"Mmm." Su Ning's voice was a little hoarse.

“But why do I feel like it doesn’t look like it?” Fan Lin teased, her fingers lightly tracing his chest.

"Really, heaven and earth bear witness," Su Ning hurriedly explained, which made Fan Lin laugh out loud.

She leaned back for a while before asking, "Are you planning to focus on preparing for the exams from now on? You're not taking on any new acting roles?"

“I want to go back to school first,” Su Ning said softly. “I’m actually a student at Zhejiang University. I was in a car accident before, which is why I took a leave of absence. Now I want to go back and finish my studies.”

"Wow, so you're a top student from Zhejiang University!" Fan Lin sat up in surprise, her eyes full of admiration. "I've really struck gold."

The two lingered together for a while longer before Fan Lin reluctantly left.

As Su Ning watched her figure disappear into the stairwell, she turned around, and suddenly a strange voice echoed in her mind...

【ding dong】

The severely damaged system is being repaired! Progress: 0.1%

Please continue your efforts, host.

Su Ning was stunned. She stood there repeatedly trying to confirm, but the voice never appeared again.

He frowned, trying to recall the source of the sound, but couldn't remember anything.

Could it be that I've been studying too hard lately and am experiencing auditory hallucinations?
He shook his head, temporarily suppressing his doubts, and turned back to his desk...

The most important thing right now is to prepare for the exam. As for that strange sound, it might just be an illusion.

The sea breeze was still blowing outside the window, and sunlight filtered through the leaves onto the textbook, leaving dappled patterns of light.

Su Ning picked up her pen and continued working on the problems, but a strange sense of anticipation lingered in her heart.

Perhaps his past is not as simple as it seems.

...(End of chapter)