### Chapter 326: Say Your Goodbyes Before Departure
One last week, huh?
Walking home, Lin Tian kept replaying He Zhi Chen’s words in his head.
Although he was mentally prepared, the reality of the upcoming Dragon Zither Cup felt surreal as it loomed ahead.
Suddenly, he was hit with the “Wait, it’s really happening?” sensation.
Total confusion.
—He hadn’t even had a moment to breathe a sigh of relief after the college entrance exams, and now there was the national competition right around the corner.
Just when he thought he was done with the college exams, here he was again, being thrown straight into the next big event.
No strong man could handle this kind of pressure!
He Zhi Chen had told them, this journey for the Dragon Zither Cup could take quite a while.
Next week they’d head to Bai Jing, preparing to start the competition in mid-July and continue until the end of September.
A whole two months, broken into three parts.
After all, this is the Dragon Zither Cup.
The intensity would absolutely dwarf anything they’d experienced in previous competitions.
During these two months, unless something went awry, Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu would be based in Bai Jing, with all training, eating, and sleeping happening over there.
Of course, there would be long breaks in between each competition phase.
They could technically head back to Qingzhou, but if training turned out to be tough, they probably wouldn’t have the energy for that kind of back-and-forth.
“Ugh…”
Just thinking about it made the pressure rise.
Lin Tian figured it was mostly fear of the unknown.
After all, he’s human too; he thinks and gets tired sometimes.
After the college entrance exams, the uncertainty about the unknown city, unknown opponents, and unknown contests was wearing him out and making him uneasy.
“…”
Lin Tian glanced at Gan Yan Yu.
The worry on her face confirmed that her thoughts mirrored his.
Gan Yan Yu had never been the strongest when it came to handling stress.
After the college exams, she was probably feeling pretty burned out.
Now, to suddenly tell her all this?
At this moment, all she was likely thinking was:
—Xiao Gan wants to sleep!
“I’m going back to sleep,” Gan Yan Yu said softly as they reached the bottom of the apartment building.
“Yeah, rest well,” Lin Tian replied.
The intensive college exam revision had made napping part of her routine.
Once the time hit, she’d be out like a light; if she didn’t take a nap, she’d feel drained for the whole afternoon.
However, today they hadn’t done much—just had a meal with He Zhi Chen. Gan Yan Yu’s current drowsiness seemed more related to the impending Dragon Zither Cup news than anything else.
Speaking of which, Lin Tian was feeling tired too.
Isn’t the human body fascinating?
After a whole day of nothing but gaming and scrolling on the phone, you wouldn’t feel a hint of sleepiness.
But once there’s an “incomplete” task nagging in your head—like thinking about doing some homework or work—boom! You’re suddenly mega sleepy. If you don’t sneak in a nap, you just lose all motivation.
“I’ll head out for dinner this afternoon, you get some good rest. We’ll go visit Grandpa tonight,” Lin Tian said.
That was also what He Zhi Chen had told them.
Since this trip would last two and a half months, and if all went smoothly with their exam results, by the time the competition was over, they’d be right about to start college. They’d come back just to pack up and head out again.
So, He Zhi Chen advised that during this time, they should spend as much time as possible with their families.
But right after he said “family,” He Zhi Chen quickly corrected himself to “friends.”
In any case, they definitely needed to see Grandpa before leaving.
“Yeah, yeah…”
Gan Yan Yu yawned, nodded to Lin Tian, waved her hand, and swayed her way back into the apartment building.
In this state—climbing six floors?
Lin Tian felt a bit terrified. If she was this out of it, the stress must have been pretty intense.
“…”
But at that moment, Lin Tian didn’t have the time to worry about Gan Yan Yu.
Once home, he took a short break, changed clothes, and went out again.
Before heading to Bai Jing, he had people to meet.
“Why this restaurant?” Xu Yong looked around, watching the busy servers, feeling out of place.
This was none other than the tea restaurant named “SWING,” just outside Qingzhou No. 7 High School.
It was the same place Lin Tian and Xu Yong had once worked.
“I’ve worked here so long and never actually eaten their food,” Lin Tian chuckled, handing the menu to Xu Yong.
“Order what you like; I’m treating today.”
“Whoa, big spender Tian Ge!”
The moment he heard that, Xu Yong perked up.
“So this is the guy who’s about to become a bigshot? I better make sure to take advantage of you!”
“…”
This was Lin Tian and Xu Yong’s first meeting after the college exams.
Strange, but without the high school student tag, something felt very different about seeing each other again.
Even though they were still full of banter, it felt warm and welcoming now.
Not to mention, in this world, the only person who could spar with Lin Tian like this was Xu Yong.
It must be said, Xu Yong now belonged to a different world compared to Lin Tian.
Despite the deep friendship they’d built over three years of being desk buddies, that would lose its meaning once high school graduation pulled them onto different paths.
Lin Tian still cherished his memories with this desk buddy.
Back when Lin Tian lived alone, Xu Yong, aware of his family situation, helped him out more than once.
Despite his sharp tongue, this guy often talked trash while slipping Lin Tian cash when they’d go out and encounter hefty bills, proudly calling himself Lin Tian’s “foster father.”
When Lin Tian first wanted to borrow money to buy a piano, Xu Yong didn’t hesitate long before he was ready to hand over the eight thousand he’d intended to use to buy a game console.
Although that didn’t end up happening, it demonstrated Xu Yong was a solid friend.
That’s why, even though Lin Tian’s circle had drifted away from Xu Yong’s, they still kept in touch.
Lin Tian was quite sentimental.
Grandpa Gan was just a neighbor to him, but since he treated Lin Tian so well, his feelings for the old man ran deep, even without Gan Yan Yu in the picture.
In fact, if it weren’t for his affection for Grandpa Gan, Lin Tian wouldn’t have stormed onto that rooftop that night to save his granddaughter, even though he generally disliked interfering in others’ “life or d*ath” matters.
“…”
Now, after this goodbye, with Lin Tian heading to Bai Jing and them going their separate ways, it seemed highly unlikely he’d have much contact with Xu Yong again.
It looked like he was going to be left without anyone to trade banter with.
From now on, he’d have to act like a “graceful and dashing musician” in everyone else’s eyes!
Just thinking about it made him feel a bit regretful!
Lin Tian looked at Xu Yong and sighed:
“Xu Yong, I could just strangle you.”
“?????”
Xu Yong’s eyes nearly popped out.
“What’s with the craziness? Why are you suddenly cursing me out?”
“It’s nothing, just felt like cursing a bit.”
“You’re such a…”
Xu Yong was about to hurl his own insult but glanced at the menu in his hand.
“Fine, I’ll let it slide this time because you’re buying me a meal.”
“????”
Now it was Lin Tian’s turn to be confused.
Soon enough, the dishes started arriving one by one.
Lin Tian ordered the pork chop rice, the best-selling dish he’d served when he worked there, priced at thirty-eight bucks a bowl.
Back then, he’d always been curious about how a dish in this hole-in-the-wall tea restaurant could sell for thirty-eight.
Finally, he had the chance to taste it himself.
Lin Tian scooped up a spoonful of curry-coated pork chop and popped it into his mouth.
With a crunch, the fried pork chop burst with flavor, crispy on the outside and tender within, the curry aroma filling his mouth.
“It really is delicious,” Lin Tian exclaimed, his eyes widening in astonishment.
If this pork chop rice were selling for sixteen bucks a bowl, Lin Tian would wholeheartedly praise it as “heavenly.”
But at thirty-eight?
“Not worthy of today’s Crazy Thursday,” he could only conclude.
Sitting across from him, Xu Yong, who’d ordered the same combo, didn’t really savor it as much.
He mixed the curry with rice and stuffed it in his mouth, looking more and more satisfied. It was a shame “SWING” didn’t recruit him for ads, and instead had him as a server.
At that moment, as if he suddenly remembered something, Lin Tian asked:
“What about Su Ran?”
“You’re asking me? I’m not her dad,” Xu Yong pouted.
“Aren’t you guys pretty close?”
“Who’s close with her?” Xu Yong scoffed, “I only know she was making some handcrafted jewelry the last few days as a farewell gift for Gan Yan Yu.”
“Nice.”
Lin Tian remembered that Su Ran was doing fine as a Douyin second dimension influencer.
He had learned in his previous life that those into the second dimension might not have other advantages, but their crafting skills were often top-notch.
Things like wig styling, prop making, and altering clothes were pretty standard skills in the community.
Lin Tian had seen her videos, and the quality of her costumes and props was high; it seemed her creations were quite likely handmade.
For a high school student to have such craftsmanship was quite rare, and Su Ran seemed to be on the talented side.
She could definitely pursue that direction in college.
With such deft hands, it would be a shame to just minor in something like civil engineering.
“Speaking of which, didn’t you two study together during the last few days before the exams?”
“Yeah.”
“Hmm? Didn’t she say she was going to study with someone from the next class?”
Although Lin Tian had been focusing on cramming at that time, he still had a strong impression of their loud banter.
“She didn’t.”
Xu Yong chuckled at that, “Turns out she said she didn’t want to study with anyone too good-looking because it’d distract her; she’d rather study with someone like me for the extra comfort.”
“Man, I can’t believe this guy sometimes; it’s like he asks for criticism,” Xu Yong huffed.
“Yong Ge,” Lin Tian interrupted.
“Do you really not notice, or are you just pretending?”
Even someone as emotionally oblivious as Lin Tian couldn’t look away now.
From their first conversation in class, to the flower-delivering confession at the hot pot restaurant, and finally, the college exam cramming.
Honestly,
Even a fool should notice something was off.
Sure, they bickered non-stop and exchanged some blunt insults.
But most of the time, weren’t they just concerned about each other’s performance?
Even Lin Tian could see it!
On the surface, they were just rivals.
But really, if it wasn’t about liking someone, who would willingly put up with someone they quarrel with all the time?
In terms of romantic progress, they actually moved much faster than Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu.
They were just a push away from breaking through that thin veil.
In fact, right now,
If Lin Tian had any regrets about leaving his desk buddy behind, it was probably wanting to see Xu Yong end up winning Su Ran’s heart.
“Really, are you completely clueless?” Lin Tian couldn’t help but ask.
“…”
The moment Lin Tian said that, the air suddenly went tense.
Xu Yong put down his spoon.
“Maybe.”
A flat voice came through.
Lin Tian looked up, surprised to see Xu Yong—the laid-back, mocking guy—suddenly serious, with an almost imperceptible hint of gloom in his eyes.
“You know me,” Xu Yong laughed bitterly.
At that point, Lin Tian felt stunned.
Remembering what Xu Yong was referring to.
In fact,
Despite Xu Yong’s carefree, often frivolous demeanor, always throwing witty remarks around, and passionately debating with women online, Lin Tian knew better.
Deep down, he yearned for a pure and kind girl who would genuinely care about him, someone who didn’t throw punches, didn’t act out, someone who could simply provide comfort, become his pillar when he felt lost.
In reality, there were girls who liked him.
It happened during the second semester of their sophomore year when a junior from the same school confessed to Xu Yong.
However, Xu Yong remained silent for a long time before ultimately saying:
“Sure, it feels great to be liked, but someone like me, who doesn’t even like myself, you need some serious blind faith to like me.”
“I’m inherently insecure, sensitive, and theatrical; spending time with me is a chore. If we were together, you’d end up getting fed up and leaving. So, it’s better to cut it off before it starts; I should just be alone for life.”
In the end, that matter fizzled out.
After Xu Yong emo’d for a week, he was back to crackin’ trash talk with Lin Tian and engaging in his usual online antics.
That’s Xu Yong.
Just a self-conscious, timid little guy navigating the chaos of adolescence.
“…”
“I have considered whether Su Ran really has feelings for me. I mean, she’s sharp-tongued, but she’s always been good to me.”
“During the winter break, she’d find all sorts of excuses to hang out, and on New Year’s Eve, she even gave me a gift. She also put in a lot of effort while we were prepping for the exams.”
“Honestly, I get it. But, you know how I am—I’m just not the kind of person who can meet others’ expectations.”
Xu Yong looked up, giving Lin Tian a bittersweet smile.
“Guys like me should retreat to the sewers, living in our own little worlds, playing games and browsing forums. I’m actually content with that.”
“Whether Su Ran has feelings for me or not, it doesn’t matter because I could never have a story with her. Our time together was just a small memory two playful high schoolers made before graduation.”
“.”
Lin Tian fell silent.
He rarely saw Xu Yong so serious; the last time was during the confession from that junior.
He wanted to say something, but it felt unnecessary.
Lin Tian was unsure whether comforting Xu Yong at this moment would be beneficial or not.
“The better she treats me, the more I want to protect her from potential hurt. In the end, it’ll just turn out like that, so why not end it before we start?”
Xu Yong went on slowly.
The air went quiet for ten seconds.
Then, Xu Yong raised his head, returning to his smile.
He stood up and playfully punched Lin Tian on the shoulder.
“So, it’s you who should really be dead!”
“Guys like you deserve stories during your student days; someone like me? I’m fine playing a supporting role in someone else’s youth!”
“Dramatic much?” Lin Tian finally couldn’t help but speak up.
“Don’t worry about me; I’m just going to keep living like this. Chances are, we won’t get to see each other much from here on out.”
Xu Yong continued.
“You should focus on yourself instead, okay? Are you really planning to win that world champion thing just to get with Gan Yan Yu?”
(End of Chapter)
