Xu Xing and Zheng Yang had arranged to meet at a café near Star City Normal University.
To ensure control over their seating, and to have Kang Chen nearby without being noticed, Xu Xing arrived early.
Barely two minutes after she sat down, Zheng Yang appeared.
"You got here so quickly, do you live nearby?" he asked without formalities, skipping the usual pleasantries as if they were old friends.
He had changed his outfit—a gray t-shirt, far more casual than the white shirt he had worn during the lecture earlier that day. The relaxed look made him seem much younger.
Xu Xing studied him but didn't answer directly. "You're quick yourself," she responded instead.
Zheng Yang chuckled. "My parents live nearby. Jiao Jiao went shopping with my mom, so I had some free time and thought I'd ask you out." He clasped his hands together, tightening them slightly. "After all... who knows when I'll next be in Star City."
After a brief pause, he asked, "You're based in Star City now, right?"
"I wouldn't say based," Xu Xing replied as the coffee arrived. She circled her hands around the cup, gently caressing its edge. "Just making a living." She shifted the conversation, trying to sound as natural as possible. "By the way, how did you and Jiao Jiao meet? Were you two together when I was in grad school?"
She awkwardly scratched the back of her neck. "I've forgotten so much from back then. Seeing you together today was quite a surprise."
Zheng Yang's smile faded slightly. "No, we met through a family introduction a couple of years ago. Funny story—she recognized you from an old graduation photo. That's when I found out you were high school classmates."
After a moment of thought, he added, "And you don't have to call me 'teacher'—it feels too distant. Back then, you always called me 'Old Zheng.' Just stick with that."
Hearing the word "graduation photo," a thought flickered through Xu Xing's mind. "I see... Actually, I wanted to ask if you have any contact information for our classmates. I've lost touch with everyone and would love to reconnect if I get the chance."
"No problem." Zheng Yang agreed readily. "When your incident happened, you were just about to graduate. Most of our classmates had no idea what you went through, but those who did—like Fang Luo—were really worried about you."
His gaze lowered slightly, his voice tinged with regret. "To be honest, Xu Xing, I owe you an apology. Back then, I argued with the school for a long time, trying to keep your student status, but they wouldn't budge. It was… beyond my control."
Xu Xing was stunned.
So, Zheng Yang had actually fought to keep her enrolled?
Was it because of that, as Jiao Jiao had mentioned, that his promotion had been delayed?
"Oh!" A soft exclamation came from the table behind them. "I'm so sorry! Let me get you a wet wipe. Please wait a moment."
The interruption snapped Xu Xing back to reality. She quickly shook her head, "No, this isn't your fault. It was my issue, and the school... didn't do anything wrong."
Zheng Yang sighed softly, his gaze complex as he looked at Xu Xing—regretful, sympathetic, and with emotions that were harder to define.
"In the end, it was my failure as a mentor. If I had paid more attention to you and offered more guidance, maybe things wouldn't have turned out the way they did.
"After you were imprisoned, the school tried to make amends by offering me an exchange program in the U.S., so that year... I didn't get the chance to visit you. When you were released, I felt too guilty to reach out. I didn't expect… it would be you who came to find me."
He lowered his gaze, giving a self-deprecating laugh.
"..."
Xu Xing didn't know what to say, so she awkwardly sipped her coffee.
"Let's not dwell on this. Let's talk about something happier."
Zheng Yang cleared his throat, sensing the heavy atmosphere, and shifted the conversation to some amusing stories from her grad school days.
Xu Xing exhaled in relief.
In truth, as she faced Zheng Yang, she could feel his sincerity. His emotions were genuine, unguarded—nothing like an act. He wasn't at all the scheming type she had once imagined him to be.
Listening to him speak, she found herself unconsciously letting down her guard, no longer so distant and polite.
***
Zheng Yang had a lot to say. From his words, Xu Xing could roughly piece together that his relationship with his students was more like friendship than the traditional teacher-student hierarchy. They got along well, with little pretense.
He was quite humorous too, and Xu Xing found herself laughing out loud more than once. She couldn't believe it. "Was I really that amusing back then?"
Zheng Yang smiled warmly. "You've always been funny. Everyone liked you."
"Really?" Xu Xing was surprised, almost flattered.
Zheng Yang nodded, speaking more earnestly to emphasize his point.
As she listened, Xu Xing nodded along. She tried to piece together the fragments in her mind, but no matter how vivid the stories were, none of it felt familiar to her. It was as if she were listening to someone else's life.
They chatted until 10:30, during which time Kang Chen had sent her three messages and made one call.
But she had accidentally silenced her phone and didn't hear a thing.
It wasn't until Jiao Jiao called Zheng Yang to urge him home that he apologized, "I'm sorry, but I have to go now."
"It's already 10:30?" Xu Xing checked the time, surprised.
But what surprised her more was that she had completely missed the messages and calls from Kang Chen, who had been sitting behind her the whole time...
***
Zheng Yang stood to pay the bill, pulling out his wallet, only to be told the bill had already been settled.
He looked back at Xu Xing, a little surprised.
Unaware, Xu Xing was still replying to Kang Chen's message under the table.
Zheng Yang returned to the table and suggested, "Let me walk you home. It's late, and it's not safe for you to go back alone."
Xu Xing, mindful of the benefactor sitting behind her, quickly waved her hand. "No need. My friend is picking me up. You should head off, I'll just wait here."
"How about I wait with you?"
"Really, there's no need. You should go ahead."
Seeing Xu Xing insist, Zheng Yang relented. "Alright, I'll send you the contact details of our classmates. By the way, are you still interested in pursuing scriptwriting?"
Xu Xing hadn't given that much thought yet, so she shook her head honestly. "I need to work for a living now. But I'm writing novels, trying to see if I can earn some extra money."
"Novels?" Zheng Yang raised an eyebrow. "If you're writing novels, I might be able to help. I know a few cultural companies in Yong City. Jiao Jiao works at Bi Yu Culture, a company specializing in romance publications. If you need help with publishing, I could recommend you."
A soft cough sounded from behind, but Xu Xing didn't notice. "Really? Thank you in advance, then."
"No need to thank me. I'll be in touch."
"Goodbye."
After Zheng Yang left, Xu Xing remained in place.
Kang Chen, still seated behind her, was waiting for her to make a move, but Xu Xing stayed motionless.
After about a minute of silent tension, Kang Chen finally lost patience. He stood up and approached her. His voice was low, tinged with a hint of mockery, as if rusty from sitting too long. "What's this? Can't bear to see him go?"
Xu Xing didn't respond. She was too taken aback by a sudden realization.
Bi Yu Culture.
The name was all too familiar.
Last time, Yao Keke had told her that after Zhuo Xiaoqing returned to Yong City, she started working in a marketing role for a cultural company.
Yao Keke didn't know the exact company at the time, but later found out it was Bi Yu Culture.
Xu Xing had also asked Li Yuanjun about it.
Li Yuanjun had explained, "Bi Yu is a major company, headquartered in the capital. They handled the special edition of my book *The Wind Passed Through the Hall*. The royalties they offer are quite generous, but the editor I worked with has left, so I can't get you any inside info."
Hearing the name again from Zheng Yang now, Xu Xing couldn't help but connect the dots.
Zhuo Xiaoqing works at Bi Yu, and so does Wang Jiao Jiao.
Wang Jiao Jiao clearly knew about Xu Xing's time in prison from Zheng Yang. So, did Zhuo Xiaoqing learn it from Wang Jiao Jiao?
Based on Zhuo Xiaoqing's recent actions, it seemed she had organized that class reunion with the intention of exposing and humiliating Xu Xing.
But considering Zhuo Xiaoqing's impulsive and explosive nature, could she really have waited a full one or two weeks to publicly humiliate her? Such a calculated and vindictive approach didn't seem to fit Zhuo Xiaoqing's personality. And how could she be sure Xu Xing would even attend the reunion?
Could there have been someone else advising her from behind the scenes?
But if that "someone" was Wang Jiao Jiao, it didn't quite add up either.
Wang Jiao Jiao had a sharp tongue, but at heart, she was a soft and kind girl—she would even get tricked into giving money to beggars.
Xu Xing was getting lost in her thoughts as she walked out, recounting everything to Kang Chen.
Kang Chen, who had initially thought her silence was due to Zheng Yang, was slightly taken aback when she suddenly began pouring out her confusion.
He responded directly, "So, why did you attend that class reunion? If Zhuo Xiaoqing's goal was to humiliate you, she had to ensure that you'd show up.
"There are two basic factors that would guarantee your attendance: one, you were already in Yong City or nearby; and two, you had a compelling reason to go."
Xu Xing was momentarily speechless.
By Kang Chen's logic, Zhuo Xiaoqing must have known in advance that she could attend the reunion that weekend. Moreover, Zhuo Xiaoqing had to provide a reason that would make her want to attend.
But Xu Xing had only decided to go because Kang Chen had said he would be there.
She glanced at Kang Chen, puzzled: Could he have hidden things this deeply? But then, his presence wasn't exactly a compelling reason; it was just a passing whim on her part.
And if she hadn't had that whim, if she'd chosen not to attend, would Zhuo Xiaoqing have found another reason that would have made her feel compelled to go?
The more she thought about it, the more complicated it seemed.
She shook her head, trying to clear her mind.
The two of them stopped by the roadside. Kang Chen opened the car door for her, then walked around to the other side and took his seat behind the wheel.
Before starting the engine, he glanced casually across the street.
Zheng Yang, sitting in his car, caught Kang Chen's look and his hand froze slightly on the steering wheel.
So, she was with him after all.
Watching the Porsche speed off, Zheng Yang seemed to feel a sense of loss.
***
The city was still ablaze with lights after 10:30, though the bustling energy was now indoors, leaving the streets comparatively quiet.
Xu Xing gazed out the window, her eyes reflecting rare fatigue and confusion.
At a red light, she suddenly asked softly, "Kang Chen, do you think I might never recover my memory?"
The red light flickered sharply, with ten seconds remaining.
Kang Chen turned his head abruptly and gently patted her head.
"You will."
His voice was calm and firm, carrying an unusual conviction that made it easy to believe him.
Xu Xing didn't reply, but she noticed that her weariness and confusion had suddenly lifted.
The rest of the drive was silent.
Perhaps feeling that she had made things too somber, Xu Xing suddenly spoke again. "Can I connect my phone to your car's Bluetooth and play some music?"
Kang Chen hummed in agreement, offering directions as he drove.
As soon as the Bluetooth connected, a "ding" from WeChat filled the car.
Seeing a message from Li Yuanjun, Xu Xing opened it.
The next second, the car was filled with Li Yuanjun's wailing voice.
"My poor Xing Xing! I have some news for you, so brace yourself!
"The demolition notice has been officially issued. The compensation is decent, but we have to move out in two weeks!
"Xu Xiao Xing, during this time, make sure you hold on tightly to your sugar daddy's thigh, okay? If he says west, you head to the Atlantic. If he says east, you go to the Pacific. Don't you dare argue! Move into that big fancy house and you'll be living the dream, got it?"