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It was 3 p.m. at the coffee shop near the school gate.

Han Ling arrived ten minutes early and chose a seat by the window.

She was dressed very simply today, in a white shirt and light blue long skirt, with her hair tied in a simple ponytail and almost no makeup on her face.

Outside the window, the streets were bustling with activity.

Students walked by in small groups, occasionally a bicycle bell would ring.

Everything was so wonderful, and I was looking forward to the society I was about to enter.

Little did they know that society is the cruelest battlefield of life, and from the moment they graduated, they were no longer protected children.

"Ten Years of Love" tells the story of the lives of four people: Xiao Ran, Liu Yuan, Chen Qiming, and Han Ling. But isn't it also about the lives of ordinary people?

There are those like Xiao Ran who strive to be the best but ultimately lose what is most precious; there are those like Liu Yuan who use any means to succeed but end up with nothing and be abandoned by everyone; there are also those like Chen Qiming who are muddle-headed and lose themselves; and Han Ling who always cherishes the beauty of the past but eventually discovers that "beauty" is just a gradually melting block of ice.

Han Ling looked down at her hands, her heart pounding with anxiety. At this moment, she had no idea what kind of life this would lead her to.

My mind was only focused on my decision, and this time I felt especially pure.

Soon, the coffee shop door was pushed open, and Su Ning walked in.

He was dressed simply today, in a white T-shirt and jeans, looking like an ordinary college student.

But his calm and confident demeanor still made him stand out from the crowd.

"Have you been waiting long?" Su Ning sat down opposite him.

"No, I just arrived too," Han Ling said softly.

The waiter came over to take orders. Suning ordered an Americano, and Hanling ordered a lemonade.

Once the coffee was served, Su Ning finally spoke, "Go ahead and say it! I think you should have your answer by now."

Han Ling took a deep breath, looked up at Su Ning, and said, "Su Ning, thank you for everything you've done for me. Thank you for helping me, and thank you for forgiving Xiao Ran and the others."

"You're welcome," Su Ning said. "I'm helping you because I want to pursue you, not so you can thank me."

"I know." Han Ling bit her lip. "That's why I want to make things clear to you today."

She paused, as if gathering a great deal of courage, and said, "Su Ning, I'm sorry. I can't accept you."

The café was quiet, with only soft background music playing.

Su Ning's expression remained unchanged; she simply looked at her quietly. "Because of Xiao Ran?"

"Yes." Han Ling nodded. "Xiao Ran and I have been together for two years, and we have a solid emotional foundation. Although he's not doing well right now, he genuinely likes me. And I... I genuinely like him too."

Even if he might not be able to give you the life you want in the future?

“Life can be built up through hard work,” Han Ling said. “Xiao Ran is talented and hardworking, and I believe he will be successful in the future.”

Su Ning picked up her coffee, took a sip, and put the cup down. "Han Ling, I'm not trying to belittle Xiao Ran. But I have to tell you the truth. Given Xiao Ran's current situation—he's got a disciplinary record, is in debt, and his family is poor… After graduation, the best outcome for him is being assigned to an ordinary company with a fixed salary. How many years will it take to pay off his debts? How many years will it take to save up for a house? Have you thought about that?"

“We can work together,” Han Ling said.

"Effort?" Su Ning laughed, a hint of helplessness in his smile. "Han Ling, you're too naive. Do you know what the situation is like in Shenzhen right now? Do you know how difficult it is for an outsider to establish themselves in a big city?"

Han Ling was stunned. "Big city?"

“Yes, a big city.” Su Ning looked at her. “Do you think Xiao Ran would be content to stay in this small city? He will find a way to stay in Beijing, or go to Shenzhen, he definitely will. Because he wants to prove himself, to turn his life around, and to give you a good life. That’s his obsession.”

Han Ling fell silent. She remembered what Xiao Ran had said, "Ling'er, when I have money, I'll definitely take you to Shenzhen, live in a big house, and drive a car..."

“Shenzhen isn’t an easy place to make it,” Su Ning continued. “There are many opportunities there, but the competition is fierce. After all, everywhere you go, you need connections and resources. Do you know what price a rural kid with no background or resources has to pay to make a name for himself in Shenzhen?”

"What price?"

“Dignity, bottom line, even conscience.” Su Ning said bluntly, “Xiao Ran is still a naive student now, but once he enters society, especially in a place like Shenzhen, he will stop at nothing to succeed. At that time, will he still be the Xiao Ran you know?”

Han Ling shook her head, "Xiao Ran isn't that kind of person."

“People change,” Su Ning said. “Faced with immense pressure to survive and a strong desire for success, few people can maintain their original aspirations. Han Ling, you want pure love and the romance of two people struggling together. But the reality is that when you live in a basement, eat instant noodles every day, and argue over a few dollars, love will quickly fade away.”

"And what about you?" Han Ling suddenly retorted, "Su Ning, are you sure you're sincere towards me? Did you pursue me because you genuinely like me, or because... you feel a sense of accomplishment in winning me over? Or, do you just think I'm pretty and want to have me?"

Su Ning looked at Han Ling and noticed that her eyes were very serious.

"Which type do you think I am?" he asked.

"I don't know," Han Ling said. "But I can feel that you're good to me, sending me flowers, taking me out to dinner and movies, helping me with my problems... all of that is great. But I don't know if one day I'm not so pretty anymore, or if you meet a prettier girl, will you still be this good to me?"

She paused, her voice lowering, "Besides, Su Ning, you're too good for me. So good that it feels unreal. Being with you would put me under pressure, and I'd feel like I'm not good enough for you. I don't want to live with that inferiority complex forever."

Suning remained silent for a moment.

"So your choice is that you'd rather suffer with Xiao Ran than be with me?"

“It’s not that I’m unwilling,” Han Ling shook her head. “It’s just that I feel Xiao Ran and I are more suitable. We have similar backgrounds and experiences, and we can understand each other. Being with you… I might lose myself.”

The café fell silent again.

After a long silence, Su Ning finally spoke, “Han Ling, you are a good girl. You are innocent, kind, and sentimental. But these qualities may not be good things in society.”

"What do you mean?"

“It means you’re too idealistic,” Su Ning said. “You think that choosing love and purity will bring you happiness. But reality will tell you that love without a material foundation is like a sandcastle on the beach, it will collapse with a single wave.”

He paused, then continued, "I respect your choice to reject me today. But I must remind you, Shenzhen is not a fairy tale. If Xiao Ran goes to Shenzhen, he will definitely work desperately to climb the ladder. He will work overtime, socialize, and do whatever it takes to make money. And you, you might be ignored, neglected, and left alone in an empty house waiting for him to come home."

"By then, how much of your feelings will be left?" Su Ning asked. "When you find that he has changed, and that reality has worn down your love, will you regret your choice today?"

Han Ling bit her lip, her eyes a little red, "Su Ning, why do you have to say it so cruelly?"

“Because this is reality,” Su Ning said. “I pursued you because I didn’t want to see you jump into a fire pit. Xiao Ran is a good person, but he’s not right for you. If you two are together, you’ll only torment each other. He wants to strive for the top and pursue the greatest value in his life; while you only want to protect the beautiful memories of the past. It’s like trying to find a sword by marking the boat or trying to catch fish by climbing a tree. Sooner or later, you will become the most tragic one.”

"And what if I'm with you?" Han Ling looked at him. "Would I be happy?"

Su Ning thought for a moment and said honestly, "I can't guarantee it. But at least I can give you a stable life so you don't have to worry about money, so you can continue dancing, do what you love, and pursue your own career. As for feelings... we can cultivate them slowly, and I value feelings too, and I will also arrange your life well."

“But I don’t want feelings that have been cultivated,” Han Ling said. “What I want is a natural attraction, a mutual attraction between two people, not just me accepting you because you’re nice to me. Besides, I should be in charge of my own life.”

That's very clear. Su Ning nodded. "I understand. Han Ling, I'll ask you one last time, are you really decided? Will you choose Xiao Ran and not me?"

"I've made up my mind," Han Ling said firmly. "I'm sorry, Su Ning."

"No need to apologize." Su Ning smiled, a smile tinged with helplessness and relief. "When it comes to feelings, there's no right or wrong. Since you've chosen the path you believe is right, I respect that."

He picked up his coffee cup and raised it towards Han Ling, "Then I wish you and Xiao Ran happiness. I hope you can be happy."

Han Ling looked at Su Ning and suddenly felt a pang of sadness.

She knew that Su Ning was genuinely good to her.

During this time, Su Ning helped her so much, but never forced her to do anything.

Even though they were rejected, Suning is still so gentlemanly and magnanimous.

At this moment, Han Ling thought that if she had met Su Ning earlier, she would definitely have fallen in love with him.

Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs" in this world, and she still chose Xiao Ran, who had nothing.

"Su Ning, you will meet a better girl," Han Ling said softly.

“Maybe.” Su Ning put down her cup. “But Han Ling, I still have to remind you. Shenzhen is a mixed bag. If Xiao Ran really wants to go, you must be careful. Don’t trust people too much, and don’t be too naive. You must have your own career.”

He paused, then added, "If you ever encounter difficulties in Shenzhen, you can come to me. My promise still stands, and I will help you whenever you need it."

At this moment, Han Ling couldn't hold back her tears and asked, "Su Ning, why are you so good to me?"

"Because I like you!" Su Ning said matter-of-factly. "Even though you don't accept me now, it doesn't mean I have to hate you. Doesn't liking someone mean wanting them to be happy?"

Han Ling cried even harder.

She suddenly realized that she might have really missed something.

But there's no turning back now that the arrow has been released; she's made her choice and can't hesitate any longer.

"Thank you, Su Ning." Han Ling wiped away her tears. "Really, thank you."

"Don't cry." Su Ning handed over a tissue. "I'm the one who got rejected. I'm the one who should be crying."

Han Ling burst into laughter through her tears, "You won't cry."

"That's true." Su Ning smiled as well. "Then let's call it a day! Will you go first or should I?"

"I'll go first." Han Ling stood up. "Goodbye, Su Ning."

"Goodbye."

Han Ling picked up her bag, turned around, and left the coffee shop.

As she reached the door, she glanced back and saw Su Ning still sitting there, waving at her.

Stepping out of the coffee shop, the sunlight was a bit too bright.

Han Ling took a deep breath, feeling as if a huge weight had been lifted from her heart, or as if a piece of her heart had been emptied.

She knew that from this day forward, she and Su Ning would be on two parallel lines.

Suning will no longer wait for her after class, will no longer give her flowers, and will no longer invite her to the movies.

She herself wanted to return to Xiao Ran's side, to fight alongside him, and to face the unknown future together.

Whether this choice was right or wrong, only time will tell.

Perhaps the future will really be as cruel as Su Ning said, but Han Ling still wants to give it a try.

Suning sat alone in the coffee shop for a long time.

The waiter came over to refill your cup. "Sir, would you like some more coffee?"

"No need, thank you," Su Ning said.

Looking out the window, I saw Han Ling's figure disappear around the street corner, but I didn't feel anything in my heart.

Being rejected was expected.

With Han Ling's personality—she's sentimental and nostalgic—it's impossible for her to let go of Xiao Ran so quickly.

Otherwise, it's impossible that after Xiao Ran became a billionaire, she herself would have developed a liking for the thrill of stealing.

Therefore, Han Ling is stuck in the same place, an idealist who always yearns for love; while Xiao Ran will definitely bring his life to its peak, although the thorns along the way will also cause him to lose a lot.

But Suning isn't in a hurry, because they know that Shenzhen will teach Han Ling a lot.

This city is a city of miracles, where anything can happen, and it's also where people grow the fastest.

The harshness of reality, the importance of money, the complexity of human nature...

These are things that cannot be learned in the classroom, but she will be taught little by little in Shenzhen, this huge melting pot.

When Han Ling was battered and bruised, when she realized that love couldn't put food on the table, when she understood that Xiao Ran couldn't give her the life she wanted...

As for now...

Su Ning thought of Sun Yumei, and a smile appeared on her lips.

At least in this instance world, I'm not too lonely, nor could I possibly be.

Moreover, the game has only just begun, and the main battlefield will remain in Shenzhen.

What will happen if Xiao Ran goes to Shenzhen? Will he succeed again? Will things change again? Will Han Ling be able to protect the love she desires?
These unknowns make this instance world interesting.

Moreover, I will create a completely different storyline...

Suning finished the last sip of his coffee and got up to pay the bill.

The sun was shining brightly as I stepped out of the coffee shop.

Looking up at the sky, Su Ning suddenly felt that this summer of 1992 was quite interesting.

...(End of chapter)