Chapter 30

As the school anniversary drew near, the preparations were in full swing.

One day near the basketball court, Bian Xuedao encountered his former sociology roommate and a group of five others, who were crossing the basketball court toward the library.

These six boys did not recognize Bian Xuedao, but he was familiar with each of them, including their personalities, habits, and preferences. He knew the development trajectory of each one over the nearly 10 years since graduation. Among them, Feng Dong left the deepest impression on Bian Xuedao.

Feng Dong, from a rural background, was a poor student in college. After graduation, he entered a subordinate unit of the broadcasting and television system and managed to do well by being adept at socializing, giving gifts, and drinking.

Six years after graduation, 13 classmates gathered in Songjiang. In front of a group of old classmates, Feng Dong waved a 100-yuan tip and scolded a young waiter at the restaurant. In Songjiang, there was no custom of tipping, and that was the first time Bian Xuedao had seen someone give a tip in real life.

In 2002, Feng Dong had not yet developed the arrogance he would display 10 years later, boasting at dinner about how a minor car repair cost over 8,000 yuan, his girlfriend's desire for a 2 million yuan apartment, the difficulty of cleaning a 250-square-meter house, and his dinner with a secretary from a provincial ministry.

In 2002, Feng Dong had not yet adopted the catchphrase that would become his trademark 10 years later: "When I handle things, no matter how high the official, I just put a stack of money on his desk."

In 2002, Feng Dong was still trying hard to tell jokes to the wealthier students in the dormitory, hoping to get a few free meals.

Watching the six boys walk away, thinking about the changes and reversals in their relationships over the past 10 years, Bian Xuedao realized with great clarity that the only way to prevent petty people from flaunting their success in front of him was to make money, to do everything possible to become wealthy and powerful, so that he could crush those who became arrogant with success.

Fourth-year students, nearing graduation, were the most restless and prone to causing trouble, and the school was well aware of this. So, even before the World Cup ended, the fourth-year students were forced to leave the school.

The official reason given by the school was to avoid delaying the graduates' reporting to their new jobs, but the rumor among students was that with the school anniversary approaching, the fourth-year students were too difficult to control, and the school was afraid of incidents.

Years after graduation, Bian Xuedao still could not understand the school's logic. In fact, no matter how unruly a student was in school, they would always have feelings for their alma mater after leaving. Many fourth-year students wanted to see the once-in-a-decade school anniversary, but they had no chance.

A week before the fourth-year students left, the internal campus radio station at Dongsen University was unusually busy. Students who were about to leave repeatedly requested "That's It, Then." The lyrics of a particular section repeatedly touched the hearts of the campus lovers who were about to part ways, like a boy who couldn't say goodbye in person, using this method to tell the girl he had walked through the best years with that he would be leaving on a train the next day, and they would be far apart from then on.

In the evening, speakers around the campus first played Xiao Gang's "Twilight," and then, under the background music of "Für Elise," a female announcer read a submission titled "Goodbye":

Goodbye,

My dear campus,

I haven't had the chance to explore your ever-expanding outline,

But I must say goodbye to you.

Goodbye,

My dear brothers,

We still have many promises to fulfill,

But we must board the train south.

Goodbye,

My beloved girl,

I haven't had the chance to tell you I love you,

So I can only hide this love in my heart.

Goodbye, goodbye,

This building, this tree, this song,

Goodbye, goodbye,

This wind, this cloud, this snow,

Goodbye, goodbye...

In the 717 dorm, only Bian Xuedao could fully immerse himself in the farewell mood. The others, still early in their college years and lacking experience, were either busy with the school anniversary or preparing for exams.

In July, the market for game cheats became increasingly competitive. The stability, update speed, and reputation of the cheats determined the income. Bian Xuedao began to invest a fixed amount of time in maintaining the cheats and promoting my123 with more free auxiliary tools.

When Bian Xuedao was too busy, he asked Li Yu to help maintain his woyou forum, review posts, and update the homepage. Bian Xuedao insisted on paying him, but Li Yu didn't take it seriously.

One evening, Li Yu returned a bit late. When asked, he explained that the volunteer group he joined had raised money to visit several elderly people living alone. It was Li Yu's first time participating, and he helped clean the houses and chatted with the elderly for a while. When leaving, he quietly left all the money he had on him with the elderly.

Outgoing, sincere, and kind-hearted, these were the qualities that shone the brightest in Li Yu's character, as seen by Bian Xuedao. This sunny boy, who always wore a carefree smile, had his own set of principles for dealing with the world.

On July 8th, two days before the school anniversary, Chen Jian, being in the student council and a handsome guy, was assigned to a designated hotel outside the school to receive alumni attending the anniversary.

Ai Feng's group dance project had its final rehearsal, and everyone else had their own tasks. Even Bian Xuedao was given a volunteer badge.

On July 9th, the day before the school anniversary, security posts were set up at all entrances and exits, and the number of luxury cars on campus suddenly increased. The school band played repeatedly to welcome the guests.

Chen Jian, who had been absent for a day and a night, called to say that he had seen many beautiful and fit senior sisters at the hotel, and a few of them were very interested in him. If it weren't for Su Yi, he would have definitely lost control.

Bian Xuedao warned Chen Jian over the phone to remain chaste, as the enthusiastic second-generation officials had not completely given up.

Finally, the day of the school anniversary arrived.

It was as unremarkable as he remembered.

From the dormitory building, the stadium was surrounded by hydrogen balloons with banners. Bian Xuedao thought that with a bit more effort, it could match the setup in "Up."

In the morning, there was the school anniversary conference, and in the evening, the school anniversary gala. As a volunteer, Bian Xuedao was busy all day guiding the audience and alumni in and out of the stadium, sweating profusely. When the gala started and the host's voice came through, seeing that other students were still on duty, Bian Xuedao slipped back to the Red Building.

The landlord couple, who had feelings for the school, went to watch the performance, and after locking the door, Bian Xuedao took a shower in the bathroom and lay in bed listening to music to relax.

Just as he was about to fall asleep, his phone rang. Li Yu asked where he was, and Bian Xuedao said he was at home. Li Yu said he would come over later.

After a while, the phone rang again. It was Yu Jin, asking if he had watched the performance. They chatted for a bit, and then he hung up. Bian Xuedao set his phone to vibrate.

After a while, the phone started vibrating. The first vibration lasted a long time, and Bian Xuedao didn't answer. A few seconds later, it started vibrating again...

He couldn't sleep anymore.

He answered the call, and it was Li Youcheng.

Li Youcheng asked where Bian Xuedao was watching the show. Bian Xuedao said he had twisted his ankle in the crowd and was resting in the dormitory. Li Youcheng immediately asked if it was serious and if he had applied any medicine. Bian Xuedao said it was fine and he could walk.

The fireworks show began.

Bian Xuedao's bedroom was in the perfect spot. He knew the fireworks were set up on the basketball court in front of the Red Building. Standing by the window, he watched the dazzling fireworks explode in the sky and the crowd outside the police line, who were pointing and marveling at the fireworks.

The phone vibrated again, and the number was Li Youcheng.

"Can you walk? I'm downstairs at your dormitory. I bought some medicine for your sprain. Can you come down to get it?"

"Wait for me a bit."

Saying that, Bian Xuedao went downstairs and ran toward the dormitory building. As he got closer, he changed his posture to make it look like his left foot was a bit unsteady.

Li Youcheng was holding a plastic bag and occasionally looking up at the 7th-floor window.

When Bian Xuedao called out to her from behind, Li Youcheng was clearly surprised. Bian Xuedao explained, "They called to say the fireworks show was starting. The buildings here block the view, so I went to check it out. After all, it only happens once every 10 years!"

Li Youcheng handed the bag to Bian Xuedao and asked, "Want to take a walk?"

"Sure, it'll be good to move around a bit," Bian Xuedao agreed.

Most people were gathered around the stadium, and there were few people on the campus roads.

The fireworks show was still ongoing, with different colored fireworks exploding overhead, casting various hues on the glass of the teaching buildings. The programs on the stadium stage were reaching their climax, and waves of collective cheers were like a tide.

The two walked slowly, in an environment that was both noisy and quiet. They sat on a bench by the fountain, watching the colored lights illuminate the fountain. Li Youcheng spoke up.

"I like you. Do you like me?" Today, Li Youcheng was unusually direct.

Bian Xuedao honestly said, "I have someone in my heart."

As if she had anticipated this answer, Li Youcheng sighed in relief and then asked, "Have you met her?"

"You haven't," Bian Xuedao said.

Li Youcheng didn't ask any more questions, but Bian Xuedao's thoughts drifted to Xu Shangxiu, wherever she might be, recalling her every smile and frown after their marriage.

Li Youcheng stood up and smiled at Bian Xuedao, "I said it, so there's no regret. Take me back."

The fireworks faded, and the crowd dispersed. The empty stage was left to savor the colorful and noisy moments of just a moment ago.

On the night of the school anniversary, Chen Jian didn't return, and the seven people in the dormitory were all tired, and the night passed without a word.