Chapter 25 A Second Chance
I left on an ordinary afternoon.
I walked away from the place I both hated and loved.
I should have been ecstatic. I should have been filled with anticipation.
But when everything I had dreamed of finally came true, I felt nothing but sadness.
Let all the past stay in the past. From today onward, I would start a brand new life.
The following days flew by in a blur. Two years passed.
I threw myself completely into my studies and refused to think about anything else.
Every day I learned new things and made many new friends. This was the life I had always longed for.
Just like any other weekend, I took my books and headed to the corner coffee shop.
The owner greeted me warmly. I ordered a latte and walked toward my usual spot.
But today, someone was already sitting there.
I froze in place, staring at that all-too-familiar back without blinking.
Without any hesitation, I turned to leave.
"Xuxu."
The man's familiar voice came from behind me. I froze. I could no longer take another step.
He walked in front of me, bent down, and looked at me carefully, as though he didn't want to miss even the smallest detail.
"You've gotten thinner."
My tears burst out. These were tears that had been two years late.
Song Chengyuan grabbed a tissue and gently wiped my tears.
"I'm sorry. Did I scare you? I didn't mean anything else. I just... missed you so much. I just wanted to see you."
With a sob, I asked, "You found me?"
"Even though you don't want to hear it, you already know. The day after you left without a word, I found you."
Song Chengyuan let out a soft sigh, his expression tense.
"Xuxu, I like you. That's why I wanted you to chase your dreams without any burdens. But now... can we give ourselves a chance?"
I blinked uneasily, wanting the clearest answer. "What chance?"
Song Chengyuan rubbed my head and smiled.
"A chance to start over."
"Okay."
I nodded.
I had been waiting for it too.