Chapter 22: Flower’s Fragrance
The restaurant across from the school had greasy plastic fans constantly whirring, circulating the oily fumes from the open kitchen. A shirtless chef tossed a heavy wok with one hand, the flames reflecting off his bald head.
Su Yu had thought that turning in his gaokao papers marked the end. But the day before the scores were released, he was invited to a class reunion, supposedly to make up for the party that was canceled due to the downpour.
This was another deviation from his previous life. This sudden gathering seemed to foreshadow something, making Su Yu uneasy. However, since Chen Kai said that… Xia Qian Ge wouldn’t be there, he agreed to attend.
Su Yu pushed open the door to the private room, the noisy chatter audible even from outside. He was a bit late, and as soon as he entered, he became the center of attention.
“Sorry I’m late.”
“Su Yu, sit here. Three cups for being late.”
Chen Kai held a glass of alcohol, an empty seat beside him, specifically reserved for Su Yu.
“Mo Yufei isn’t coming either?” Su Yu didn’t see her and asked.
“She said she went back to her hometown. Xia Qian Ge isn’t coming either. Don’t laugh at me, everyone’s waiting to interrogate you.”
“Interrogate me about what?”
Su Yu could feel the intense gazes on him. He shrugged, feigning ignorance.
“Which university did you apply to? Chen Kai insists it’s Qingchuan, but we don’t believe him. Aren’t you going to Jiangnan?”
A classmate finally asked. Whether it was true or not, they all wanted an answer regarding the whereabouts of Yangming High’s three-year reigning school beauty.
“It’s really Qingchuan University. I wasn’t confident about… Jiangnan.”
“But… but Xia Qian Ge is definitely going to Jiangnan. What about you then?”
“Xia Qian Ge and I…”
Su Yu held the glass of alcohol he was given as a penalty for being late and drank it in one gulp. He frowned, unsure whether it was the alcohol or the truth that was bitter, and gave them his answer.
“You might have misunderstood. We shared an umbrella that day only because we were going the same way. Xia Qian Ge and I… are just friends.”
Many people at the table exchanged glances, confusion and regret flashing in their eyes. Some sighed in relief, as if this was the answer they had been hoping for.
“Well, now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s continue drinking…”
Chen Kai raised his voice, holding up his bottle, but before he could finish speaking, the door opened again, and a familiar figure walked in. Su Yu stared at the face, his heart skipping a beat.
“Sorry I’m late.”
Xia Qian Ge’s breathing was slightly rapid. Her sudden appearance silenced the room.
“Is there… still a seat for me?”
“Yes, yes, there’s one here.”
Chen Kai was the first to react, pulling up a chair next to Su Yu. It wasn’t to tease Su Yu; it was genuinely the only remaining seat.
“Thanks. Long time no see.”
Xia Qian Ge sat down next to Su Yu, looking at him and Chen Kai, politely greeting them.
“Long time no see.” Su Yu noticed the light sheen of sweat on Xia Qian Ge’s forehead and handed her a tissue. “Wipe your sweat.”
“Oh, thanks.”
“Qian Ge, why did you suddenly come? I messaged you, and you said you had a part-time job today.” The girl who had invited Xia Qian Ge asked, puzzled.
“I was supposed to be working, but I found someone to cover my shift, so I rushed over.”
“Penalty drink, penalty drink! Even Su Yu had one. We’ve been waiting so long, she has to drink.”
Someone suddenly started chanting, raising their glass and urging her to drink. But Xia Qian Ge seemed hesitant, forcing a smile. “I… I don’t really drink. How about a different penalty?”
“I’ll drink for Xia Qian Ge.”
Su Yu swirled the alcohol in his glass and drank it all in one gulp, the bitter liquid burning his throat. He didn’t hesitate. Xia Qian Ge never drank in his previous life either. He knew he was being impulsive, but since this was their last meeting before parting ways… he didn’t need to hold back.
“Aren’t you afraid…” Chen Kai trailed off, sending Su Yu a message. “Aren’t you afraid of being misunderstood?”
“It’s fine. We’re graduating, it doesn’t matter.”
Su Yu’s sudden chivalry seemed to liven up the party. After this gathering, they would go their separate ways. The atmosphere of farewell became the perfect accompaniment to the alcohol. Glasses were filled, toasts were made, and as evening fell, many faces were flushed.
“Su Yu… have you and Chen Kai had too much to drink?”
Xia Qian Ge stared at the faint blush on Su Yu’s face. She hadn’t had a single drop of alcohol, yet her fair skin was also flushed. The clinking of glasses filled the air, everyone lost in the intoxicating haze, secrets spilling out.
“It’s fine, Su Yu and I can handle it.”
Chen Kai swayed slightly, putting his arm around Su Yu to steady himself. “Last time, I was the only one drinking. This time, you have to drink too, Su Yu.”
“I’ll drink! Why wouldn’t I?”
Su Yu downed another glass. His vision was blurring. He had been wanting to get drunk, to let loose for a while, and only alcohol could do that. Actually… he had already confirmed it. The moment he entered the classroom, he had recognized the girl as Xia Qian Ge, not the madwoman. He should have been at ease.
But looking at her face, he couldn’t relax. He was always afraid, his nerves stretched taut, his head aching, yet he couldn’t do anything about it.
“When… are you going to Jiangnan?”
Su Yu’s eyes were red and slightly watery. The alcohol seemed to be taking full effect. He suddenly wanted to talk to someone, and not the drunken Chen Kai beside him. His gaze drifted towards Xia Qian Ge, as if he had returned to the past.
“A week early.”
“A week… that’s soon, soon…”
“What about you?”
“About the same. I have to go early too. Qingchuan is quite far.”
“Yes, so far. I’m going to Jiangnan, and you’re going all the way to Qingchuan.”
Xia Qian Ge asked abruptly, a coldness swirling in her eyes, yet a smile remained on her face. She looked no different from the other drunken people at the table, except her smile was somewhat forced. She was like a doll, the stuffing inside worn and tattered, yet her exterior remained beautiful, a stark contrast.
“Why do you have to go to Qingchuan?”
“Why? Because… I…”
Su Yu’s eyes were unfocused. He couldn’t see Xia Qian Ge’s face clearly, only smelled the familiar fragrance of gardenias. His body, unaccustomed to alcohol, could barely handle the dizziness.
He slumped on the table, his breathing ragged and heavy with the smell of alcohol, murmuring incoherently.
“Because I like you, and I love you.”
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