The results were out, some were happy, and some were sad,


    Laughter and tears apanied each other.


    But whether it was repeating the year or applying for schools, everyone had already started...


    This midsummer didn''t seem too hard to endure.


    What Xie Xiao looked forward to the most was his birthday.


    Lin Yu and Li Hua, who used to y basketball together, were all calling for a birthday gathering with Xie Xiao.


    Xie Xiao, without a second thought, rejected it, "Busy that day, how about another day? I''ll treat you guys to dinner?"


    Then Li Hua took the lead in howling in the group chat, asking why he didn''t even have time for a meal.


    Xie Xiao thought that it wasn''t just about having a meal, he didn''t even have time to see them at all.


    His time from morning till night was reserved for his girlfriend.


    Especially since his girlfriend, the real-life Ms. Luo, was dancing!


    Damn, she was his pir of support these days!


    Xie Xiao finally managed to get these howling brats out for a meal a day earlier.


    All of them were young guys, and they filled a private room.


    They didn''t pick a very expensive ce, since everyone ate a lot and needed to be full.


    The ce they chose was still the one behind their school.


    They used to eat there often after ying basketball.


    The owner eximed when he saw them, "School hasn''t started yet, are you guys back to y basketball?"


    "Boss, we''ve graduated!" Li Hua said with augh, "Starting school doesn''t concern us anymore, we just missed the food here, so we came back for a taste."


    Starting school doesn''t concern us anymore.


    After that statement, one boy suddenly cursed, "It''s a bit sentimental."


    The owner was also stunned for a moment, then sighed, "You guys are seniors now. That''s good, college is fun! Every year I watch familiar kids like you graduate, it''s quite upsetting, alright, today''s drinks are on me."


    The group cheered, "Thanks, boss!"


    Xie Xiao and Lin Yu watched as the group actually went to get drinks.


    Xie Xiao definitely wouldn''t actually let the owner treat them, he''d still pay up in a bit.


    It took a while for everyone to order and settle down.


    One of the boys sighed, "I''m repeating the year, you guys don''t have to start school, but I have to continue."


    "No worries, Da Xiong, just hang in there, a year will pass quickly," Li Hua patted him, "but probably no time for basketball."


    Da Xiong looked at them, "It''s not fun ying without you guys, and I''d need to practice coordination again? I''m a senior now."


    "Hey, why are your eyes red? We''lle back and y with you during vacation..."


    "Exactly, during National Day, summer, and winter breaks, we all have toe back and y basketball together..."


    Xie Xiao looked at the excited crowd, everyone was still nning how they''d y basketball together in the future, but only when the timees will they realize that gathering everyone like now isn''t easy.


    They were about to go to different universities, then meet new friends, and start new lives.


    The lives that ovepped every day would gradually separate and eventually evenpletely part.


    This is the cost of growing up.


    As people grow up, the pure joy of gathering over a shared interest bes exceedingly rare.


    Even the pure joy of liking something is in decline.


    Xie Xiao took a sip of his Coke.


    But for now, there''s no need to be downhearted.


    Lin Yu clinked his Coke against Xie Xiao''s, speaking softly, "No matter what, we can''t lose touch."


    Lin Yu''s scores weren''t phenomenal like theirs, one ranked third, another fifth, and even Liu Ou scored 23.


    These were all provincial rankings.


    Lin Yu was ranked 98th.


    This score wasn''tparable to theirs, but it was definitely enough to go to a neighboring city to study medicine.


    Ultimately, he still applied to that school.


    Meanwhile, Liu Ou applied to a coastal city.


    Xie Xiao thought Lin Yu would have a follow up with her, but it seemed like that wasn''t going to happen.


    At that moment, Xie Xiao nced at Lin Yu and smiled, "Of course, how could I cut ties with you."


    Grandma and Lin Yu were going to the neighboring city together for university.


    They would probably move over there by the time the admission letters arrived, needing to find a house and a spot nearby to set up a stall.


    This pair, young and old, seemed to continue their journey without an end.


    The night Lin Yu submitted his choices, he suddenly ran to below Xie Xiao''s apartment building.


    The two fed mosquitoes all night in the neighborhood.


    Lin Yu''s voice, mingled with the smoke from the cigarettes he couldn''t resist, was somewhat muffled.


    "Xie Xiao, I was thinking, grandma is so tired, how long will it be until I graduate if I study medicine? I''m having regrets..."


    The olddy was getting on in years, and Lin Yu was scared.


    Fearful that she was too worn out. If he chose another major, he could be working and earning money in just three or four years.


    "I had actually considered studyingputer science or something like that. If I pushed myself a bit more while studying, maybe I could even earn some extra money..."


    But Xie Xiao just scolded him for thinking off track, "You''re already making money, don''t think about anything else. Since you''re going to study, just focus on studying, otherwise it wouldn''t be fair to Grandma."


    Xie Xiao said while opening his stock ount, pointing at the bright red on the screen, "See? No worries."


    Lin Yu, thinking about the proud look Xie Xiao wore before, felt like hitting someone,


    but his eyes clearly reflected a calm, gentle smile.


    The kind that was very reassuring.


    Xie Xiao picked up the Coke he had nudged and took a sip, "Don''t overthink it. How are you more sensitive than a little girl, even Yanran isn''t as sensitive as you."


    Mentioning Luo Yanran softened his tone a lot.


    Lin Yu chuckled twice, knowing this guy was about to start again, but still couldn''t help but tease, "You two are at the same university, what''s there to be so emotional about?"


    Speaking, he also rolled his eyes.


    Li Hua, hearing this, also said sourly, "Xie brother, you guys are amazing, a couple of academic masters, right? Awesome!"


    Academic couple, those words Xie Xiao loved to hear.


    Laughing, he said, "Keep theplimentsing."


    The other boys eximed, "This guy, how can he be so lovey-dovey!"


    Several of them also had girlfriends, but the best scenario was being in one ce.


    Most were basically ready to start a long-distance rtionship.


    One of the more pessimistic ones said, "It feels like a long-distance rtionship is basically the same as breaking up, our life circles are going to be different."


    Li Hua disagreed, "Not necessarily. What if we get marriedter?"


    "Then I''ll definitely give you a big red envelope!"


    "Hahaha, Hua, you have to stay together for this red envelope!"


    "Starting at ten thousand!"


    Xie Xiao joined in theirughter, then noticed Lin Yu just curling the corner of his mouth, drinking his Coke like it was liquor.


    Xie Xiao thought about his own fruitless rtionship with Liu Ou.


    He really wanted to ask, but didn''t know if he should.


    Until they finished dinner and everyone dispersed, Lin Yu and Xie Xiao walked together to the bus station.


    Xie Xiao broke the silence, "How are things with Liu Ou?"