Julia Bennett is not the kind of gentle girl who lets others push her around. When she noticed Chris Brooks’s gaze was improper, she immediately put on a stern face, raised her little fist, and warned, “If you keep looking around, I’ll gouge your eyes out. I’ll go tell Aunt Liang in a minute.”

A young girl about to enter university, her body already starting to develop, Chris Brooks took the yearbook with a smile. The words written inside were cliché but full of nostalgia.

There was the girls’ version:

No matter how long the future may be, please be sure to cherish every moment we spent together. No matter how many cycles we go through, I will still be your friend.

There was also the literary version:

Friendship will not disappear just because we go our separate ways; fate will not be cut off by graduation; blessings will not be forgotten even if we are at the ends of the earth.

There was also a simple version:

Wishing Julia Bennett happiness and joy forever in university.

And even a doggerel version:

Green hills, green waters, green youth,

We’ve spent years together.

No other gift to give,

So I write a blessing as a keepsake.

There was even a love poem-like message from David Harris that Chris Brooks flipped to:

If only we were a pair of white birds on the crest of a wave, before the shooting star falls, we are already tired of its brilliance; hanging low on the horizon, the faint blue light in the morning awakens in both our hearts a strand of undying sorrow—written by David Harris.

Damn David Harris is shameless, plagiarizing Yeats’ “The White Birds” and insisting he wrote it himself.

Julia Bennett obviously knew this was a love poem. Her cheeks flushed, then she pretended to be serious and said to Chris Brooks, “Don’t flip through it, find an empty spot and write quickly!”

Chris Brooks immediately handed it to Brian Foster: “Here, you write first.”

Brian Foster was racking his brains to come up with something, wanting to leave a deep impression on Miss Bennett. He hurriedly took the pen, grumbling in dissatisfaction, “I haven’t even thought of anything yet.”

Caught off guard, Brian Foster wasn’t prepared, so he could only write something standard: “Wishing Julia Bennett to become more and more beautiful, and always be happy.”

Next, it was Chris Brooks’s turn. He originally wanted to write, “May you walk through half your life and return still as a youth.”

But that was too literary and not interesting enough. After thinking for a bit, he finally wrote seriously: “You live well in the pond. The loach is ugly but says festive things, the toad is careless but fun, the snail is a gentle introvert, and the little crucian carp is the goddess of you all.”

David Harris had been standing far away at first, but when Chris Brooks started writing, a sense of crisis made him walk over. When he saw Chris Brooks write about a world of amphibians, he sneered, “Elementary school essay.”

Immediately, a girl shook her head and said, “Not necessarily. At first glance it seems boring, but if you read it a couple more times, it’s actually quite meaningful. Isn’t Julia your goddess?”

David Harris may not be great at being a person, but after all, he’s from No.1 High School, so his language skills are decent. After savoring it in his heart, he realized it was spot on, but he was unwilling to admit it and impatiently urged, “It’s getting dark, let’s hurry home.”

Julia Bennett could naturally sense the innocence and liveliness in the words, as well as a touch of subtle personification, but she wasn’t too surprised. Chris Brooks was always quick-witted and very interesting.

The homeroom teacher Old Clark once commented, “If he would settle down and study, he’d definitely be a top student.”

“Not bad. I won’t tell Aunt Liang about the smoking, but you’re not allowed to do it again.”

Julia Bennett said crisply. Growing up in a smooth-sailing environment all these years, her tone inevitably carried a bit of pride.

It wasn’t until this group of soon-to-be college students left that the always-timid Brian Foster bared his teeth at Chris Brooks, “I wasn’t even ready, and you forced me to write first, you bastard.”

Chris Brooks didn’t argue, just retorted, “What’s the use of writing something amazing? Are you planning to pursue Julia Bennett?”

“No way!”

Brian Foster was startled. “I only talk about her behind her back. I don’t even dare look up in front of her.”

This guy does have some self-awareness and is willing to admit it. Chris Brooks grinned and put his arm around his neck, just like seventeen years ago.

“Then stop talking nonsense. Next time, let’s go to Shuangqiao Square, I’ll treat you to that new McDonald’s.”

“Why not tonight?”

Brian Foster asked. McDonald’s was still a novelty in Port City.

“Not tonight.”

Chris Brooks refused directly. “I have to have dinner with my parents.”

Brian Foster was stunned. “Don’t you usually complain they nag too much?”

“You don’t understand.”

Chris Brooks didn’t explain further, just waved goodbye. “I’m heading home.”

Watching his friend’s silhouette under the dim streetlight, Brian Foster suddenly felt as if there were many stories.

……

Chapter 5: My Child Is Growing Up

The street was still the same street, the building still the same building, even the broken streetlight hadn’t changed. Chris Brooks stood at his own door. He originally wanted to knock gently, but when he raised his hand, it made a “dong dong” sound, and he couldn’t help but call out, “Mom, I’m home.”

“Creak.”