"Yeah, I trust you."

"I’ll resign from Shu Cheng Technology soon."

"If you encounter any difficulties resigning, feel free to contact me." Tang Song paused for a moment and then added, "I’ll send you the WeChat contact of my friend from Star Cloud International Group later; she’ll be in Yang City for a while, and you can reach out to her if needed."

"Okay." Zhang Yan clasped her hands in front of her, standing there, still staring steadily at Tang Song, as if there was more she hadn’t said.

The air became quiet.

"What’s wrong?"

Zhang Yan’s lips moved slightly, "I, I have so much I want to say to you. Is now a good time?"

"Wait a moment."

After speaking, Tang Song turned around and strode back to the hotel entrance, carefully handing the "valuable" gift box to the staff who came forward, whispering a few words to them.

Then, he jogged back to her side.

Smiling, he said, "I’ve been in Yang City for so long but haven’t properly explored the Pearl River. Walk with me, Zhang Yan."

Without giving her a chance to refuse, he directly took her hand.

Zhang Yan was led by him like a controlled puppet, passively yet willingly following his steps.

Their shadows lengthened under the light, overlapping.

They crossed the river of lights woven by neon and headlights, turning into a relatively quiet path along the river.

The evening breeze carried the unique water vapor of the Pearl River towards them.

The city’s brilliant lights reflected on the water surface, resembling a shattered flowing oil painting.

Tang Song’s long fingers gently squeezed through hers, intertwining their fingers, pressing palms against each other.

Zhang Yan’s hand suddenly trembled, a strong electric sensation surged from her palm throughout her body.

Goosebumps erupted on her neck.

She turned her head, gazing at Tang Song’s face, even more handsome in the night, her heart pounding.

Their eyes met again.

Tang Song’s hand exerted a little force, the warm fingertips gently stroking her delicate hand.

Zhang Yan’s cheeks uncontrollably flushed; deep-seated timidity made her instinctively want to pull away, but she ultimately restrained herself.

The tingling sensation grew stronger, making her steps somewhat unsteady.

So they strolled along the Pearl River.

Around them were many similarly entwined couples.

After a while.

Zhang Yan’s lips moved slightly, speaking quietly, almost like talking to herself, yet as if confiding in him.

"I remember when we just started junior high, the teacher made us deskmates. My palms were sweaty... But your name is easy to remember... Tang Song..."

She began to recount intermittently the junior high school days she shared with him.

The earnest crease of his brow when he explained topics, the light steps he took while humming a song, the curve at the corner of his eyes when he smiled...

The adolescent Tang Song appeared perfect in her memory.

Outgoing and generous, he studied earnestly, even his notes were tidier than others.

He often brought snacks to school, always saying he bought too many, couldn’t finish them, actually just a pretext so she wouldn’t feel embarrassed accepting them.

He enjoyed talking with her, would play Gobang with her, shared those brand-new extracurricular books she couldn’t afford...

He always rode a somewhat worn-out bicycle to school because their villages were adjacent. Sometimes he saw her on the road and waved for her to ride along.

The bumpy backseat of the bicycle carried the faint soap scent of a youth.

It was her deepest and warmest memory of her entire adolescence.

Her voice was gentle and slow.

Like a meandering brook, washing out those fragmented, warm memories sealed by time, bit by bit.

Flowing into this gentle night belonging to the Southern Country.

...

Tang Song listened in a daze.

Even memories he nearly forgot from junior high were revived through this unique perspective, painted anew.

Scenes from back then seemed to appear before his eyes again.

Never imagined that in those seemingly ordinary times, his unintentional actions, casual jokes, unplanned sharing.

Wielded such importance for the quiet and introverted desk-mate beside him.

"Tang Song."

"Yes..." He turned to look at Zhang Yan.

"Like the poem, ’Linglong dice resting in the heart, knowing not the depth of affection.’ " She met his eyes, using all strength: "I like you. Really like you, very much."

Tang Song looked at her, at her eyes which trembled slightly with nervousness and excitement.

His heart began to race.

He was about to say something.

Zhang Yan suddenly rose on her tiptoes, closing her eyes.

Her cool, soft lips lightly touched his cheek like a feather.

The air seemed to freeze at that moment, only the river wind continued its gentle blow.

In Zhang Yan’s view at this instant.

The entire world was shrouded in dazzling golden light.

She felt as though she really transformed into a "Super Saiyan."

At last, she returned the "strength" he lent her in the most direct, courageous way.

She embraced his essence, as if finally reaching the boy she’d chased for over ten years.

Her lips slowly departed from his cheek, making a barely perceptible sound.

Zhang Yan let out a slight breath, seemingly losing all courage and strength.

She staggered, her face flushed crimson, eyes darting with panic, not daring to look at Tang Song again.

"I-It’s... it’s almost 11 now; I-I have to go back..."