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Time flies, like the waters of the Green River, flowing silently yet steadfastly forward.

In the blink of an eye, the children of yesteryear have shed their naivety and entered the vibrant and restless high school years.

Suning, Agan, and Jenny are all young and promising teenagers.

But when Forrest Gump entered high school, an unexpected change occurred.

Despite his still questionable intelligence, his exceptionally strong lower limbs and core strength, as well as his single-minded and headlong charging once he set his sights on something, actually caught the eye of the school's rugby coach!
During a chance physical fitness test, Forrest Gump's explosive power and endurance surprised his coach.

The coach, with a try-it-out mentality, recruited him into the team and assigned him to a special attacking position.

The result was beyond everyone's expectations. When Forrest Gump, holding the football, charged forward like a mad bull along the route indicated by the coach, his unstoppable momentum was hard to resist!

So he became a "secret weapon" and a unique sight on the Greentown High School rugby team.

Although he is still the same simple Forrest Gump, he has found his own value and outlet on the court.

Jenny, on the other hand, has grown into a beautiful young woman.

She was no longer that timid little girl. Her long golden hair flowed like waves, her blue eyes were as deep as a lake, and she had a slender figure, making her the object of admiration for many boys in high school.

However, along with the transformation of her appearance and the arrival of puberty, subtle changes also occurred in her heart.

She began to feel that being with Forrest Gump was "a bit childish" and "not cool enough".

Forrest Gump, just like when he was a child, treated Jenny with unconditional kindness, always showing her a silly smile and wanting to share everything with her.

But Jenny gradually grew impatient with this purity.

She longed for a more exciting, freer, and "cool" life that matched her imagination.

She started hanging out with some older students who seemed more "trendy" and "rebellious," listening to rock music, going to parties, and occasionally even secretly trying out smoking.

What troubled Suning even more was that Jenny seemed to project some of her longing for "freedom" and "maturity" onto him.

She began to distance herself from Agan intentionally or unintentionally, but would occasionally find opportunities to get close to Su Ning.

"Hey, Suning!" Jenny quickly caught up with Suning, who was heading to the library, with a bright smile on her face, a stark contrast to her perfunctory attitude towards Agan earlier. "Are you free this weekend? I know a great new record store that just opened in town, with a really complete collection of rock records. I think you might be interested."

Su Ning stopped and looked at the familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar girl in front of her. "Thank you, Jenny. But I have to help my mom manage the guesthouse this weekend, and I don't know much about rock music."

A hint of disappointment flashed in Jenny's eyes, but she quickly cheered up. "It's okay, maybe next time! Oh, by the way, can I borrow your math notes? There were some parts that Mr. White didn't quite understand."

She deliberately moved closer, and a faint scent of perfume emanated from her.

Just then, Forrest Gump, clutching a football, came running clumsily but excitedly from a short distance away, his forehead still glistening with sweat from training. "Jenny! Sue! The coach said I did a great job with the tackles today! We..."

Jenny's smile faded slightly, a hint of perfunctoriness creeping into her expression. "Oh, really? Forrest Gump. Congratulations. Suning and I are discussing our studies."

She didn't even look at the football Forrest Gump handed her.

Forrest Gump's hand, holding the ball, froze in mid-air. The excitement on his face slowly faded, and he looked at Jenny with some confusion and helplessness, then at his brother.

Su Ning saw all of this and sighed inwardly.

He took the ball from Forrest Gump and patted him on the shoulder: "Great job, Forrest. Mom will make your favorite apple pie tonight to celebrate."

Then he turned to Jenny, his tone polite but distant: “I’ll give you the notes after school. Now, Forrest and I are going to the library.”

Watching Su Ning casually put his arm around Agan's shoulder and leave, Jenny stood there, biting her lip, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

She didn't understand why Suning was always so close to Agan.
Why can't you show her more enthusiasm and attention like other boys do?

The troubles of growing up, like the rumbling thunder in the south, were quietly brewing among these three once inseparable friends.

Forrest Gump was still oblivious, but he instinctively sensed Jenny's growing distance from him, which made him somewhat sad.

Jenny seems to have lost her way in her pursuit of so-called freedom and maturity, and even tries to prove something by getting close to Suning.

Suning, on the other hand, clearly saw the trajectory behind these changes.

I understand Jenny's budding youth and struggles, and I also feel sorry for Forrest Gump's naivety.

But Suning knows even better that some paths must be walked by each individual, and some stumbles must be taken by oneself.

All I can do is continue to stay by Forrest Gump's side, and if necessary, leave a light on for Jenny, who might get lost, that could guide her back.

The once inseparable friendship is now undergoing an inevitable test in the whirlwinds of youth.

……

Time flies, and my high school career is about to come to an end.

For the Gan family, this graduation season was destined to be filled with indescribable joy and immense pride, its brilliance even illuminating the entire town of Greenfield.

First, there's Forrest Gump.

Who would have thought that this child, who was once diagnosed by doctors as needing leg braces to walk and whose IQ was only 75, has not only successfully removed the leg braces, but has also become a legend at Greentown High School due to his outstanding performance on the rugby field.

His single-minded, unstoppable momentum, like an armored vehicle, once he started, earned him the nickname "Greentown Bullet".

He led the school team to win several important regional competitions, and his unique playing style even attracted the attention of some college scouts.

What's even more surprising is that, thanks to Suning's patient guidance over the years and his own hard work, Agan's academic performance, while not top-notch, has remained at a stable above-average level, fully meeting the graduation requirements.

Then came news that Mrs. Fowles Gan considered a miracle...

Alabama State University has officially offered Agan an admission letter, along with a guaranteed admission spot for a football player and an athletic scholarship!
This means Forrest Gump can continue running on the field he loves while also receiving a college education.

"Mom! Brother! I got accepted to university!" Forrest Gump held up the precious acceptance letter.

Just like when I was a child, I rushed into the house with a pure and bright smile on my face.

Although he still didn't fully understand what this meant, he knew it was a good thing, and his mother and brother would be happy for him.

Mrs. Fowles Gan took the letter, her hands trembling slightly as she repeatedly checked the words on it, tears instantly welling up in her eyes.

She hugged Forrest tightly, sobbing uncontrollably: "My good Forrest! My precious son! Mommy knew it! Mommy knew you could do it!"

She recalled the doctor's cold diagnosis from years ago, the way Forrest Gump toddled around with leg braces, and the countless days and nights of worry and dedication...

All the hardships at this moment transformed into indescribable joy and pride.

However, before this immense joy could be fully digested, another, even more dazzling and shocking piece of news arrived in Greenfield Town: Suning's university application results were in. When he received that heavy letter from the East Coast, bearing the emblem of a famous university...

Even the usually composed Suning's breathing quickened slightly for a moment.

He opened the envelope, quickly glanced at the contents, then looked up at Mrs. Gan and Forrest Gump, whose faces were full of expectation, and calmly announced the result, but his eyes gleamed with confidence.
"Mom, Forrest Gump, I received an acceptance letter from MIT, and a full scholarship."

Massachusetts Institute of Technology!

The name resounded like a thunderclap in the small living room.

That's one of the top science and engineering universities in the US and world-renowned!
It is an academic hall that countless geniuses and top students dream of!
In the history of Greenfield Town, no one has ever been able to study at such a prestigious institution!
Mrs. Fowles Gan was stunned at first, as if she couldn't believe her ears.

She took the well-made admission letter, her fingers gently tracing the embossed school emblem. Looking at the words of praise affirming Su Ning's academic abilities, an immense, indescribable joy swept over her like a tsunami!
"Oh my God! Oh my Suning!" She suddenly hugged Suning tightly, her voice becoming shrill with excitement, tears welling up again, but this time they were tears of immense joy and pride. "MIT! A full scholarship! I knew it! I knew my son was a genius! A true genius!"

She looked at her two sons: one was about to enter a state university and continue to shine on the sports field; the other was about to enter a world-class university and spread his wings in the academic field.

An unprecedented sense of pride and happiness almost overwhelmed her.

She, an ordinary single mother, raised two outstanding sons by running a bed and breakfast!

This is simply the greatest miracle God has ever given her!
"I am the luckiest and happiest mother in the world!" Mrs. Forrest kissed Forrest and Suning's foreheads in turn, so excited that she was incoherent. "Forrest, my warrior! Suning, my genius! Our Forrest family... our Forrest family is truly... a source of pride for our ancestors!"

Even the clueless Forrest Gump felt this extreme joy. Although he didn't quite understand how amazing MIT was, he knew that his brother was going to study in a very far and wonderful place.

He clapped his hands vigorously, grinned foolishly, and shouted, "Brother is the best! Mom is happy!"

The news spread like wildfire throughout Greentown.

The neighbors, the town's merchants, the school's teachers and principals—everyone was shocked and amazed.

The Gan family suddenly became the focus of the entire town.

People came to offer their congratulations, their voices filled with envy and admiration.

Mrs. Fowles Gann tirelessly showed the two acceptance letters to each congratulatory guest, her face radiating an undisguised, supreme pride as a mother.

She was incredibly grateful for her decision back then. The Eastern boy she brought back from the orphanage not only changed Forrest Gump's fate, but is now about to soar to great heights.

This summer was filled with the anticipation of parting and boundless hope for the future for the Gan family.

A family that is about to raise two sons who will go down different paths to glory—the pride and joy of this is enough to illuminate Mrs. Fowles Gan's future years.

……

The echoes of high school graduation bells lingered, and the atmosphere of parting mingled with the restlessness of summer in the air of Greentown.

Just as Suning and Agan were immersed in the joy and busyness of about to enter university, Jenny found an opportunity and took the initiative to contact Suning.

It was a lazy afternoon, with sunlight filtering through the leaves and casting dappled shadows.

While her grandmother was visiting friends, Jenny called Suning's house.

"Hello, is this Suning?" Jenny's voice on the other end of the phone carried a hint of deliberate ease and barely perceptible tension. "This is Jenny."

“It’s me, Jenny. What’s up?” Suning replied calmly.

“Um… my grandmother isn’t home today. She went to Hartsville to visit my aunt and won’t be back until tonight.” Jenny paused, hinting at something. “I’m home alone… it’s quite quiet. Would you… like to come over and sit for a bit? We can listen to some records; I recently found some great rock albums.”

Suning, on the other end of the phone, clearly understood Jenny's intentions.

In this cultural context, the subtext of a girl inviting a boy to her home when her family is not around is almost self-evident.

A flood of images of Jenny flashed through his mind in an instant…

Her pursuit of so-called "freedom" and "maturity" in recent years, her contact with those "rebellious" groups, and all the signs that she is trying to get rid of the shadows of the past and fill the emptiness in her heart with stimulation.

Girls who yearn for freedom and are eager to prove themselves as adults tend to have somewhat unstable mental states and may exhibit more outrageous behavior.

Jenny may not actually have deep feelings for him; it's more likely an imitation of a 'mature' relationship or a hasty outburst in anticipation of the impending separation.

Thinking of this, a faint, indifferent smile appeared on Su Ning's lips.

He was not a hypocritical moralist, nor did he intend to judge Jenny's lifestyle.

In this country, in this era, especially at their age, intimate relationships between men and women are often seen as natural and casual as eating and drinking, a way of exploring oneself and the world, without needing to bear too many heavy commitments and moral shackles.

Since Jenny had extended the invitation, and he himself...

As a young man who is both physically and mentally normal, there seems to be no need for him to deliberately refuse this "gift delivered to his door".

Each gets what they need, and they part amicably – this aligns perfectly with the "rules of the game" here.

He didn't feel he needed to bear any psychological burden for it.

After a brief silence, Su Ning answered into the microphone in a voice devoid of emotion, "Okay! I'll be there in a bit."

"Really? That's great!" Jenny's voice immediately lit up on the other end of the phone, filled with triumphant joy. "I'll wait for you!"

After hanging up the phone, Su Ning put down the course manual in her hand, her eyes calm and expressionless.

He simply greeted Mrs. Gan, who was busy in the kitchen, "Mom, I'm going out for a bit. Jenny needs to talk to me about something."

"Oh, okay, come back for dinner soon," Mrs. Gan replied casually, without suspecting anything.

Suning stepped out of his house, the warm summer breeze caressing his face.

She walked steadily toward Jenny's grandmother's house, her heart undisturbed.

There was neither expectation nor guilt; it was as if I were just going to an ordinary date.

He knew perfectly well that this was just a brief encounter driven by youthful hormones, a way for Jenny to seek recognition and stimulation, and also a casual experience for himself under the rules of this world, where he didn't need to invest his true feelings.

As for Forrest Gump... he never regarded Jenny as an appendage of Forrest Gump, so there was no question of "betrayal".

In this summer when we are about to go our separate ways, many things seem to become simple and straightforward.

Moreover, in the original series, Jenny only truly returned to Forrest Gump's side at the very last moment of her life.

So rather than letting someone else benefit, it's better to have a childhood sweetheart romance.

...(End of chapter)