Going home for the New Year during the winter break, I encountered a cool school girl on the high-sp

Time slipped by unnoticed. Lü Zihan glanced at the time, frowned slightly, and said:
"It's getting late, we should head back now, otherwise the dorms will close soon, and that would be a real problem."

"That's right. Chen Ergou and Mu Xi just got back today. They must be exhausted from their journey. Let's not disturb them too late."

As Xu Xiaoli spoke, she stood up, her gaze sweeping over the messy table, and said quite naturally and proactively:
"Okay, then we'll help you pack your things before we go back."

Jiang Tao's lips curled up slightly, his face full of smiles, and he joked:
"That's right, that's right. We have to clean it up and make it neat and tidy, otherwise, Chen Ergou might not let us come next time."

Upon hearing this, everyone smiled knowingly, then stood up and began packing their things.

Everyone busied themselves with their own hands. Xu Xiaoli and Zhong Jiaqi were responsible for sorting and packing the remaining food on the table, and they did so very quickly.

Lin Muxi wanted to help, but Xu Xiaoli gently held her down, saying, "Muxi, you're tired today, so just rest. Leave this little thing to us."

Lin Muxi was deeply moved and stopped insisting.

Lu Zihan and Jiang Tao then tacitly gathered the trash together and put it in bags.

As Jiang Tao tidied up, he didn't forget to continue his teasing:

"Chen Ergou, this meal today has filled me up to the brim. Next time you have something like this, remember your brother!"

Chen Chen replied with a smile, "I know, as long as you're not afraid of getting fat."

Amidst laughter and conversation, the house was quickly tidied up.

Chen Chen packed up the food he had left for Zhou Yuyang and handed it to Lü Zihan:
"You're not allowed to eat on the way."

Lu Zihan smiled and accepted it, then gently patted Chen Chen's shoulder and said:
"Don't worry, my stomach is already completely full tonight, there's no room left for anything else."

"Then we'll head out now. You and Muxi should get some rest too. See you at school tomorrow."

Chen Chen nodded. "Okay, be careful on the road."

Xu Xiaoli and Zhong Jiaqi waved goodbye to Lin Muxi.
"Muxi, see you at school tomorrow."

Lin Muxi smiled and waved to them, "See you at school tomorrow."

One by one, the people walked out of the room, and the sound of their footsteps gradually faded away.

As soon as everyone left, the once lively house instantly became quiet.

"I'm really happy today."

Lin Muxi said softly, her tone full of satisfaction.

Chen Chen tilted his head slightly, looked at her, and smiled gently in his eyes, "Me too, it's so nice to have such a group of friends."

The two then went back inside and closed the door.

While gathering with other friends, Lin Muxi did not forget her best friend.

Sitting down on the sofa, she took out her phone and said to the person next to her:
"I'll call Yao Yao."

Chen Chen smiled and nodded, replying gently, "Okay, then I'll go take a shower first."

After a long and busy day, and a lively gathering with friends, he was feeling quite tired and really wanted to take a good shower.

Chen Chen returned to his room, grabbed a set of pajamas, and went into the bathroom.

……

Meanwhile, after returning home, Qin Yao sat quietly on the sofa.

From the moment she stepped into her home, her emotions were like a turbulent lake, unable to find peace for a long time. Memories of her past with Zhou Yuyang flashed through her mind like a movie.

The happy times they spent together, the occasional arguments and bickering, and all sorts of subtle emotions and details intertwined, leaving her with a mix of feelings and emotions.

However, Qin Yao took a deep breath and quickly managed to compose herself.

She slowly got up and walked steadily toward the wardrobe.

She reached out and gently pulled open the cabinet door, took out a suitcase, placed it on the floor, and then began to pack her things in an orderly manner.

She did all this silently, without telling Lin Muxi that she would be taking a plane abroad that night.

The suitcase wheels rolled on the floor with a dull thud, as if tolling a countdown to the end of this life.

Qin Yao neatly folded the clothes one by one and put them into the box, her movements mechanical and numb.

While tidying up the drawer, she found a photo album containing pictures of her, Zhou Yuyang, and their friends.

Flipping through the photo album, the first picture was taken when they went to see a movie together. Zhou Yuyang was smiling brightly in the photo, with dim lighting shining on him, while she stood to the side, her face beaming with happiness.

Qin Yao's fingers gently traced the portrait in the photo, her lips curving slightly upward, but the smile quickly vanished.

She continued flipping through the photo album, memories flooding back like a tide.

Once, the two had a big fight because of a misunderstanding. In the photo, the two turned their heads away and ignored each other, while their friends next to them looked helpless and tried to mediate.

Thinking of this, Qin Yao couldn't help but chuckle. How naive they were back then, arguing so fiercely over such trivial matters.

But now, those conflicts that were once thought to be enormous seem so insignificant.

She closed the photo album, sighed softly, and put it into a compartment in her suitcase.

Time passed by, and the suitcase gradually filled up.

Qin Yao checked the time; there wasn't much time left before the plane took off.

She took one last look around her familiar home, every corner bearing traces of life, yet at this moment she felt a deep sense of estrangement.

She picked up her suitcase, walked out of the house, and gently closed the door.

The hallway was dimly lit and quiet. She walked down the stairs step by step, each step heavy.

When she came downstairs, the night air was a bit chilly. Qin Yao took a deep breath of this familiar yet soon-to-be-gone air, and the driver was already waiting.

Upon seeing her, he immediately got out of the car and put her suitcase in the trunk.

He then opened the car door for her, and Qin Yao got in. Soon after, the engine started, and the car slowly drove towards the airport.

Sitting in the car, she watched the familiar street scenes flash by outside the window, her heart not stirred much, she simply waited silently to arrive at that place that leads to another world.

Upon arriving at the airport, Lin Muxi's phone rang in Qin Yao's bag.

Qin Yao paused slightly upon hearing the ringtone, her gaze falling on her bag. After a moment of silence, she slowly took out her phone.

She held her phone like that, staring at the constantly changing caller ID on the screen for a very long time.

My mind was churning with a mix of complex emotions. My finger hovered over the answer button several times, but I never pressed it.

Finally, Qin Yao sighed softly and muttered to herself:
"Just pretend I was asleep and didn't hear it. I'll call her back when I get there." (End of Chapter)