Jiang Cheng's decision puzzled Old Xu. He repeatedly confirmed with him: "With your score you could go to B University. You really don't want to?"

"No." Jiang Cheng said.

"B University is ranked first for liberal arts," Old Xu said. "You really won't consider it?"

"R University is ranked first in the major," Jiang Cheng said. "Teacher Xu, really, I won't consider B University anymore. My score is enough for R University so that's where I'll apply."

"Alright, alright, the top major is indeed very important," Old Xu thought for a moment, "You're a kid who knows what you want. Teacher Xu supports you! No matter where you go, you're still my most outstanding student."

"Teacher Xu," Jiang Cheng smiled, "I'll be turning off my phone for now. Help me tell other schools if they ask."

"Okay, good, alright," Old Xu responded, then added, "Jiang Cheng, you and Gu Fei get along well, right?"

"Mm," Jiang Cheng glanced at Gu Fei next to him, "Why?"

"I checked his score," Old Xu said. "No issues getting into a third-tier university, but...the tuition at third-tier schools is high. I'm afraid his family circumstances... If it's difficult for him, Teacher Lu and I can think of ways to help. We'd say it directly and he'd surely refuse, so I thought I'd have you bring it up first to see his thoughts."

After hanging up Old Xu's call, Jiang Cheng turned off his phone and put it on the table, letting out a breath: "Peace at last."

"What did Old Xu want you to ask me?" Gu Fei asked.

"He said third-tier tuition is high, if you feel it'd be difficult...he and Old Lu can think of ways to help." Jiang Cheng looked at him.  

"He's afraid I'd refuse if he asked directly, so had you ask first?" Gu Fei laughed.

"Mm," Jiang Cheng sighed. He had considered this issue himself before but never asked about it. Gu Fei had his own ideas. His life, all these years, he handled things himself. He knew best how and what to do. His thinking was clearer than anyone's. "I don't think it matters whether I bring it up or not."

"Brother Cheng," Gu Fei pinched his chin, "Do you trust me?"

"I trust you." Jiang Cheng answered without thinking.

"No matter where I am, if I want to prove myself, I definitely can." Gu Fei said.

"Mm." Jiang Cheng looked at him and nodded.

Jiang Cheng did not ask again about Gu Fei's decision. He also did not know if Old Xu spoke with Gu Fei again after that.

But he could guess Gu Fei's decision already. Given Gu Fei's personality, he would not accept any "help". The past decade or so, he only had himself. Things he could resolve himself, he resolved himself. This was already habit.

If the tuition was too expensive for him to bear, then he would find an affordable school.

Jiang Cheng felt that no matter what decision Gu Fei made, he would not interfere or feel regret or sigh about it.

Gu Fei was this kind of person. Once he was willing to open his eyes, he could overcome anything.

Jiang Cheng felt he could brag nonstop about his boyfriend without even needing to blink. Just staring and gabbling would be a full-credit composition.

Jiang Cheng's phone remained off until submitting university preferences.  

Every day was like before with Gu Fei again - taking odd jobs, shooting photos, eating meals, taking Gu Miao for walks.

The days felt uneventful, and tranquil days should pass slowly, yet this time, time flew by like the wind. He just blinked and it was over.

Jiang Cheng's university preferences held no surprises. He submitted based on what he wanted. Old Xu felt some regret over Gu Fei's choices. He gave up third-tier universities and applied to a teachers college instead.

Jiang Cheng thought his boyfriend's choice was fine. The tuition was low, with subsidies, and the job would be stable after graduation. Most importantly, the school was not far from Gu Fei's home. They had even passed by it twice while wandering around. It was quite a big school.

"What did you tell Old Xu?" Jiang Cheng asked. "He must feel you're losing out, and wouldn't give up after a hundred and eighty tries at persuading you."

"I said I want to be a good teacher like him," Gu Fei leaned on the window sill with a cigarette, "he immediately couldn't continue."

Jiang Cheng laughed loudly at that: "You really are something."

"True words from the heart," Gu Fei said. "With the college diploma I can teach middle school here..."

"Old Gu, specializing in discipline." Jiang Cheng kept laughing.

The two laughed together for a while. After the laughter died down, both fell silent.  

Gu Fei's words drew out two parallel lines.

Jiang Cheng leaned back on the sofa, legs propped up on the coffee table, staring blankly at the TV, with nothing going through his mind, just spacing out, not even knowing what was happening on the TV.  

He could sense Gu Fei's movements though.

After smoking three cigarettes, drinking half a cup of water, and going to the bathroom once, Gu Fei sat down next to him.

"Brother Cheng." Gu Fei said.

"I don't want to talk right now," Jiang Cheng stared at the TV, "Don't mind me, I'm just going to zone out for a bit."

"Okay." Gu Fei didn't say anything more, just leaned against him, staring at the TV with him.

They stared until Jiang Cheng's eyes started to feel sore, and his stomach was so empty he was starting to feel nauseous. He picked up the remote control and turned off the TV, then turned to look at Gu Fei.  

"Hmm?" Gu Fei also turned his head, "Hungry?"

"There will be a way." Jiang Cheng said.  

"Okay." Gu Fei nodded.

"I can't think of one now, but there will be a way in the future," Jiang Cheng said, "Even if there's no way, even if we have to go back and forth like this for the rest of our lives, it's no big deal."

"Okay." Gu Fei looked at him.

"Just think of it as me being stubborn," Jiang Cheng frowned, "No one can let go."

"Okay." Gu Fei nodded.

Jiang Cheng knew that just this childish insistence alone was far from enough, but for now, childish insistence was all they could manage, so they might as well stick to it.

Neither he nor Gu Fei discussed the issue further. After all, there was no resolution from discussion, and time passed so quickly that they only managed to celebrate a birthday together before the days went by.  

The admission letter arrived.

Old Xu called Gu Fei's phone: "That Jiang Cheng brat! Did he turn off his phone just to be annoying? He doesn't want the admission letter anymore?"

"Let's go," Gu Fei said, "Silly brat, go get your admission letter."

This was the first time Jiang Cheng had returned to No.4 High School since finishing the gaokao.

On both sides of the school gate, red banners were hung, announcing the city's top scorer, top ten in the province, Jiang Cheng's achievements that would certainly go down in No. 4 High's history, of course it had to be celebrated grandly.