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A week has passed, but Han Ling's mind is still in turmoil.

On the surface, life seems to have returned to normal.

I went to the dance studio to practice, attend classes, eat, and sleep as usual.

But the knot in my heart has never been untied.

On Friday afternoon, after dance class, Han Ling and Sun Yumei went back to their dormitory together.

"Han Ling, Su Ning didn't come to wait for you today?" Sun Yumei asked as she walked, her eyes darting around as if looking for the black Mercedes.

"No," Han Ling shook her head. "He said he has something to do today and can't come."

"Oh..." Sun Yumei was a little disappointed, but quickly cheered up again, "That's right, he's a very busy person, he can't come every day. By the way, when did he ask you to meet next?"

"He didn't say," Han Ling said in a low voice. "He said he'd wait until I thought it through and there was no rush."

Sun Yumei stopped and turned to look at Han Ling. "Han Ling, what are you thinking about? What's there to think about? You haven't seen Xiao Ran for a week, have you? He hasn't come to see you either. If you ask me, it's pretty obvious."

Han Ling bit her lip. "Yu Mei, you don't understand. Xiao Ran and I... have been together for two years after all."

"What's two years?" Sun Yumei took her arm and said as they walked, "Han Ling, let's be realistic. What's Xiao Ran's situation now? He's burdened with over 20,000 yuan in debt and has a major demerit. His job placement after graduation will be affected, right? His family is poor, how many years will it take to pay off all that money? If you stay with him, how will you live in the future?"

“Money can be earned slowly,” Han Ling said. “Xiao Ran is talented, he…”

"Can talent put food on the table?" Sun Yumei interrupted her. "Han Ling, I'm being blunt, don't take offense. We're about to graduate, we're not kids anymore. Dating and marriage are two different things. Dating can be poor, romantic, and 'love conquers all.' But marriage? Rice, oil, salt, housing, children—all of that costs money."

Han Ling fell silent.

She had considered these thoughts before.

Every time her mother called, she would remind her, "Ling'er, be realistic when looking for a partner. Looks and talent are superficial; character and family background are what truly matter. I'm not materialistic; I'm just worried you'll suffer in the future."

Han Ling used to think her mother was too worldly and too materialistic.

but now……

“And then there’s Su Ning,” Sun Yumei continued. “How good she was to you! She confessed her feelings to you in public, gave you ninety-nine roses, and even forgave Xiao Ran and the others after your car was vandalized. How magnanimous is that? Most people would have sent Xiao Ran and the others to jail by now.”

“I know Su Ning is a good person,” Han Ling said softly, “but Yu Mei, relationships aren’t about who’s nice. Xiao Ran and I have a foundation of love…”

“Emotional foundation?” Sun Yumei laughed, her smile tinged with sarcasm. “Han Ling, do you think you and Xiao Ran can go back to what you were before after this? Think about the way Xiao Ran looked at you that day in the security office. Was that the way he looked at his girlfriend? That was the way he looked at a ‘traitor’!”

Han Ling felt a pang of pain in her heart.

She remembered that look.

Xiao Ran looked at her, his eyes filled with hurt, disappointment, humiliation, and... a trace of resentment.

"Besides," Sun Yumei lowered her voice, "I heard that Xiao Ran has been running around all week, seemingly looking for part-time jobs so he can pay back the money as soon as possible. He's barely even attending classes anymore. Do you think he has the mind to date?"

Han Ling was stunned. "He...he's looking for a part-time job?"

“Yes.” Sun Yumei nodded. “Liu Yuan told me. He said Xiao Ran is acting like a madman, looking for work everywhere. He works on construction sites carrying bricks during the day and sets up a stall at the night market at night, working more than ten hours a day. Isn’t he working so hard just to pay back the money to Suning as soon as possible and not want to owe them any favors?”

Han Ling felt a mix of emotions.

She felt sorry for Xiao Ran working so hard, but she was also angry that he didn't come to her or discuss things with her.

“So,” Sun Yumei concluded, “Xiao Ran is only thinking about paying back the money and salvaging his pitiful self-esteem. You’re no longer his number one priority. And what about Su Ning? He could have taken advantage of your situation and forced you to be his girlfriend, but he didn’t. He said he’d give you time to think it over, which shows he respects you and cares about your feelings. Isn’t that difference obvious enough?”

The two walked down to the dormitory building and ran into Chen Qiming.

Chen Qiming looked a little embarrassed when he saw Han Ling, but he still walked over. "Han Ling, Sun Yumei."

"Chen Qiming." Han Ling nodded. "Looking for Yu Mei?"

"Hmm." Chen Qiming glanced at Sun Yumei, his eyes filled with anticipation. "Yumei, are you free tonight? They're showing a movie, 'Havoc in Heaven,' in the school auditorium. I bought two tickets."

Sun Yumei frowned. "Chen Qiming, I've already told you, we're just ordinary classmates. I won't go to the movie; you can find someone else."

Chen Qiming's face darkened. "Yu Mei, I..."

"I have something to do, I'm going upstairs first." Sun Yumei interrupted him and pulled Han Ling into the building.

As they went upstairs, Han Ling asked softly, "Yu Mei, Chen Qiming is actually quite good to you, why..."

“What good is it?” Sun Yumei said coldly. “What are his family’s circumstances? His parents are just ordinary workers, and he himself has no skills. What future can you expect if you stay with him?”

Han Ling fell silent.

Suddenly I realized that although Sun Yumei appeared lively and cheerful on the surface, she was actually very realistic and clear-headed.

Knowing what you want and knowing how to choose.

I used to look down on Sun Yumei to some extent, but now that I've experienced what happened, I have a different opinion of her.

When I got back to the dorm, my other two roommates hadn't returned yet.

Sun Yumei poured herself a glass of water, sat on the bed, and looked at Han Ling. "Han Ling, we're sisters, so let me tell you something from the bottom of my heart."

"You said."

"Han Ling, actually, in my opinion, this choice isn't too difficult," Sun Yumei asked. "On one side is Xiao Ran, poor, with a strong sense of pride, currently burdened with debt, and his future uncertain. On the other side is Su Ning, rich, handsome, well-mannered, and deeply in love with you. Even a fool knows who to choose, right?"

Han Ling sat on her bed, hugging her knees. "Yu Mei, relationships aren't business; you can't just calculate profits."

“What does that count as?” Sun Yumei retorted. “Does it count as feelings? You and Xiao Ran have feelings for each other, but can those feelings withstand the test of reality? Han Ling, don’t forget that your parents worked hard to send you to university so that you could have a good life, not so that you could suffer with a poor boy.”

These words struck a nerve with Han Ling.

She remembered her father's busy figure in the machine factory workshop, her mother's hoarse voice on the podium, and how they scrimped and saved to support her dance lessons, buy her practice clothes, and pay her tuition...

“And another thing,” Sun Yumei continued, “Didn’t Su Ning say he’s going to Shenzhen after graduation? Shenzhen! It’s a special economic zone, the forefront of reform and opening up. If you go to Shenzhen with him, you can see a bigger world and have better opportunities. But if you stay here? At most you can go to a performing arts troupe or become a dance teacher, earning a fixed salary each month, with no future in sight.”

Han Ling looked up. "Yu Mei, how do you know so much? Did Su Ning even tell you about going to Shenzhen?"

Sun Yumei blushed, but quickly recovered. "Didn't he say it in public? I heard him say it to you that day. He said, 'If you want to see the outside world, I can take you.' What does that mean? Doesn't it mean he wants to take you to Shenzhen?"

Han Ling thought about it and realized that there might be such a thing.

“Han Ling,” Sun Yumei sat down beside Han Ling’s bed and took her hand, “I’m doing this for your own good. We women only have a few years of youth. If you choose the right person, you’ll be happy for a lifetime. If you choose the wrong person, you’ll regret it for a lifetime. Think about it carefully, what can Xiao Ran give you? Besides so-called 'love,' he can’t give you anything. But what about Su Ning? He can give you a stable life, a platform for development, respect, and care. Isn’t that enough?”

Looking into Sun Yumei's sincere eyes, Han Ling's defenses began to crumble little by little.

Yes! What can Xiao Ran give me?
Aside from those vows of eternal love, aside from that youthful romance, aside from that promise with no future in sight…

And what about Suning?

He could have taken advantage of the situation, but he chose to forgive.

He could have forced her to make a decision, but he gave her time.

He could have easily flaunted his wealth, but he was always so humble and low-key.

Isn't a man like that worth cherishing?
"Yu Mei," Han Ling said softly, "I'll think about it some more."

"Okay, think it over carefully." Sun Yumei patted her hand. "But don't think about it for too long. Opportunities don't wait for anyone. If you miss it, you may never have another chance."

Just then, there was a knock on the dormitory door.

"Who is it?" Sun Yumei asked.

"It's me, Wang Qian." It was her roommate's voice from outside the door.

Sun Yumei went to open the door, and Wang Qian and another roommate, Li Fang, walked in, both with excited expressions on their faces.

"Han Ling, Sun Yumei, guess who we just saw?" Wang Qian said mysteriously.

"Who?"

"Su Ning!" Li Fang blurted out, "He was right at the school gate with a very elegant middle-aged woman, I think... his mother!" Han Ling's heart skipped a beat, "Are you sure?"

“I’m sure!” Wang Qian said. “We heard Su Ning call her ‘Mom.’ And did you know? Su Ning’s mom drives an Audi! A black Audi, and the license plate has five 8s!”

Sun Yumei's eyes lit up. "Five 8s? What level of leader must that be?"

“I don’t know,” Li Fang shook her head, “but she’s definitely not an ordinary person. And Su Ning’s mother has a very refined air about her; she looks like an intellectual or a cadre.”

Sun Yumei became even more excited: "Did you hear that, Han Ling? Su Ning's family is so well-off. If you go with him, your life will take off!"

Wang Qian and Li Fang also gathered around: "Han Ling, you're so lucky! You've met such a good man. If it were me, I would have said yes long ago."

"That's right, Xiao Ran is far inferior to Su Ning."

"Han Ling, don't be foolish. Our whole dorm is counting on you to marry into a wealthy family and take care of us!"

Everyone was talking at once, and Han Ling was left feeling dizzy and confused.

She made an excuse to go get water and left the dormitory with a thermos.

Walking to the water room, Han Ling's mind was in turmoil.

Xiao Ran is working hard to pay off his debts, which shows that he doesn't want to owe Suning a favor, but it also shows that... he may have already given up on himself.

On one hand, there is a bright future, a stable future, and the approval of family.

On one side is a hopeless wait, debts that may never be repaid, and a person who has drifted further and further away.

This choice seems to be getting clearer and clearer.

……

At the same time, in the boys' dormitory.

Xiao Ran dragged his tired body back to his dormitory.

He worked all day at the construction site, carrying bricks and cement. He developed several blisters on his hands and his shoulders were red and swollen.

Seeing him like this, Liu Yuan couldn't help but say, "Old Xiao, don't push yourself so hard. You can pay back the money slowly, but what if you ruin your health?"

"..."

"Also, this is my share of the compensation, seven thousand yuan."

Xiao Ran didn't say anything, but simply took the money, put it in his pocket, and then silently went to the washroom to wash up.

The cold water splashed on my face, which made me feel a little more awake.

He looked at himself in the mirror. His skin was tanned, his eyes were bloodshot, his lips were chapped, and he looked ten years older and haggard.

This is who I am now.

A poor student burdened with debt, disciplinary action, and a bleak future.

What right does he have to demand that Han Ling wait for him? What right does he have to give Han Ling happiness?

"Xiao Ran," Chen Qiming said softly as he entered the washroom, "I just... saw Han Ling."

Xiao Ran paused, "How...is she?"

“It’s fine,” Chen Qiming said. “She was chatting and laughing with Sun Yumei. But it seems like Sun Yumei is trying to persuade her to choose Su Ning again. I heard Sun Yumei say, ‘Su Ning can give you a stable life, but what can Xiao Ran give you?’”

Xiao Ran felt as if he had been pricked by a needle.

Yes! What can I give Han Ling?
He could offer nothing but promises and vague "futures".

“Xiao Ran,” Chen Qiming hesitated for a moment, “Actually, I think… if you really love Han Ling, you should let go and let her pursue a better life.”

Xiao Ran suddenly turned her head and stared at Chen Qiming, "Even you say that?"

“I’m doing this for your own good, and for Han Ling’s good too,” Chen Qiming said in a low voice. “You’re in such a state that you can’t even take care of yourself, how can you take care of Han Ling? Besides… I heard that Su Ning is going to take Han Ling to Shenzhen after graduation. Shenzhen! That’s a place that so many people dream of. If Han Ling stays with you, she might never be able to go there in her entire life.”

Shenzhen……

Xiao Ran had heard of this name before.

The forefront of reform and opening up, the special economic zone, a place where gold is everywhere.

He once dreamed of going to Shenzhen to make a name for himself, and then marrying Han Ling in style.

But now?

He himself is having trouble even finding a job after graduation, going to Shenzhen? Dream on.

"I understand," Xiao Ran said in a hoarse voice. "Thank you."

Chen Qiming patted Xiao Ran on the shoulder, sighed, and turned to leave.

Xiao Ran stood in the washroom, watching the sky outside the window gradually darken, feeling a chill in his heart.

Maybe I really should let go.

Perhaps, Han Ling would really be better off with Su Ning.

But... Xiao Ran was still somewhat unwilling!
Two years of relationship, so many memories, so many promises...

Is that all?

……

At 8 p.m., Han Ling hesitated for a long time before finally dialing the phone number for Suning's dormitory.

Suning's roommate answered the phone, "Hello, who is it?"

"I'm looking for Suning."

"Wait a minute," came a voice from the other end. "Su Ning, it's on the phone! It's a woman!"

A few seconds later, Suning's voice came through, "Hello, this is Suning."

“Su Ning, it’s me, Han Ling.”

There was a pause on the other end of the phone, followed by a gentle voice, "Han Ling, what's wrong? Is something the matter?"

"I...I wanted to ask if you're free tomorrow?" Han Ling said, mustering her courage. "I...I wanted to talk to you."

"I'm free," Su Ning said readily. "Tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock, at the coffee shop near the school gate, is that alright?"

"can."

"Okay, see you tomorrow then."

"See you tomorrow."

After hanging up the phone, Han Ling let out a long sigh of relief.

She has decided that she will give Suning an answer tomorrow.

This also brings an end to this complicated relationship.

Whatever the outcome, she has to face it.

Because life must go on.

Choices must always be made.

...(End of chapter)