The affair between Qi Ji and Chen Ziran made Xiang guess a lot.
In fact, before that, Xiang Gu started to reflect on his relationship with Cen Manchuan.
He always thought there was love between them - they liked each other and tried to fit into each other's world, if it wasn't love, then what was love
But what he couldn't deny was that this love (let's call it love) made Xiang Gu feel very tired.
It's not that Cen Manchuan did not do well enough. A former straight man fell in love with him at first sight, actively pursued him, and even quarreled with his brothers; he also listened to a musical that he didn't understand at all for Xiang Gu; gave him a jersey; even sold his beloved motorcycle...
Xiang Guai thought to himself: If we changed the story, Cen Manchuan would be the male protagonist with a perfect score, and he would be an inexperienced boyfriend.
But Xiang Guess was really tired.
One of them is too young and the other is too mature.
Xiang Gu's life is based on his own feet, he only has himself, so he has to let himself grow rapidly. And Cen Manchuan, like every ordinary and happy male college student in the world, the biggest trouble in life is not being able to get up in the morning class.
Xiang Guai has been working hard to get Cen Manchuan to think in the way of an adult, but he is worried that he is pulling the seedlings and helping him grow. After all, the most lovely thing about Cen Manchuan is his sunshine, liveliness, and innocence.
They are like two mismatched gears. If they continue to run in, they will only lose both.
He's fine, he's fine too.
But two very good people do not necessarily have a happy love that everyone praises.
And now... Xiang Guess, it's time to end this relationship.
Unexpectedly, they still failed to escape the curse of breaking up after graduation.
Xiang Guess wanted to ask Cen Manchuan out, have a good chat about this matter, and draw an end to this relationship.
But unfortunately, both of them are approaching graduation, and there are many things to prepare for.
So, this matter can only be delayed.
※
Xiang Chai is the most dazzling graduate of the Hwaseong Dance Academy this year. Because he came straight up from the affiliated high school, his tragic life was known to everyone from the moment he first stepped into the university gate.
Xiang Chai was looking at all the students in the school, dancing hard, singing hard, getting on the stage... In the end, he turned all those pity into worship.
There is no doubt that Xiang Guai was elected as the representative of outstanding graduates this year. Not only will the principal pick the spikes in person, but he will even speak on the stage on behalf of all the graduates.
Relatives and friends can be invited to attend the graduation ceremony, but Xiang Gu's situation is special. His parents have not heard from him for six years, and he doesn't know whether he is alive or dead, and other relatives have no contact at all.
Xiang Guai originally wanted to invite Cen Manchuan to attend, but in view of the embarrassing emotional state of the two of them, Xiang Guai couldn't speak at all.
That is, when he stood in front of the microphone, no one in the audience was there for him.
Even if you are as strong as Xiang Gu, it is inevitable that you will feel a little lonely at this time.
There are only a few hundred graduates of Huawu each year, plus the graduates' families, only a large gymnasium can be installed.
Xiang Chai was wearing a bachelor's uniform, and the wide cloak had a layer of pink trim, which complemented his fair complexion and handsome features.
As soon as he appeared, he caused a commotion in the audience. Whether it was a student or a parent, everyone raised their mobile phones and took pictures of him.
Someone joked: "Wait a few years, Xiangchai will become popular, and I will release this video, which will definitely make fans scream!"
Xiang Guai couldn't hear the discussions under the stage.
His eyes fell into the distance, his eyes were firm and smiling.
He spoke, and the boy's clear and bright voice drifted out from the stereo and echoed in the gym.
"When I was 12 years old, I stepped into the gate of Huawu High School. At that time, I told myself that I only have one goal in this life, and that is to get on the stage and jump out of my dream with both feet." He stopped. , and continued, "I am now 23 years old. Although there have been some deviations in this journey of chasing dreams, I have never forgotten the spotlight on the stage, let alone my dreams. I would like to thank Hua Wu for participating in these ten I have been cultivated for one year; I would like to thank my teachers and classmates for their encouragement and tolerance; I also want to thank myself for not giving up dancing even though I have suffered setbacks…”
All the audience below the stage listened quietly.
At this time, Xiang guess didn't know that on the other side of the network, there was a person "coming for him" who was watching his every move.
A few days ago, Tan Yiming learned that Hua Wu was going to hold a graduation ceremony. He even asked someone to ask if he could get admission to the graduation ceremony. Unfortunately, the number of places was limited, and he could only return without success.
Thanks again for the development of the online world now - the small Internet celebrity on Douyin in Xiang Guai's class, who broadcasted the graduation ceremony live on the app as usual.
Tan Yiming turned off all his work, stood in front of the phone, and looked at the little figure on the screen almost greedily.
He tipped off several yachts for the small internet celebrity and asked them to zoom in on the camera. The small net red looked at the red envelope, and was crazy with joy. He quickly zoomed in and zoomed in again, so that the slender and tall figure filled the entire screen.
"How's it going, isn't our squad leader very fanciful?" Xiao Wanghong's voice was filled with admiration that could not be hidden, "Sing well, dance well, and look handsome. I'll let him talk to everyone after he's gone. Say hello!"
Xiang Chai's speech was very short, only ten minutes, but Tan Yiming listened very seriously, wishing to record every word and sentence in his heart.
After the speech, Xiang Guai took the diploma from the principal, straightened his back, and shook hands with the principal for a photo.
The photographer in charge of taking pictures was hired from outside. Standing under the stage, he shouted enthusiastically: "Little classmate, where is your family? You can call your family up to take a photo together."
"..." Xiang Guai didn't change his smile and replied calmly, "I don't have any family."
And this scene was also broadcast verbatim by Xiaowanghong's mobile phone.
Tan Yiming's heart was tense, and he hurriedly typed a question: [Xiang Gu doesn't have any family? 】
There are not many fans of Xiaowanghong, and even fewer people watch the live broadcast. Tan Yiming's question was very conspicuous, and immediately floated to the top of the barrage.
Xiao Wanghong hesitated for a moment: "Are you a fan of Xiang Guess?"
Tan Yiming input: [Well, I'm a fan of his musical]
Xiao Wanghong didn't get smashed by the yachts, and said politely: "This is the private matter of our squad leader and can't be said."
Others are also asking: [Are the parents of that handsome guy dead? 】
Xiao Wanghong pouted: "Some parents, it's better to burp as soon as possible to live!"
No matter how much, the little internet celebrity would not say it.
But these alone are enough to make people who watch the live broadcast make up their minds.
Tan Yiming's heart sank. Once again, he was blocked by the invisible wall. He knew too little about Xiang Gu, he desperately wanted to know what happened to that boy, he wanted to enter his life, he wanted to enter his world.
Because he knew deeply that if he couldn't know Xiang Guai's past, he couldn't accompany him in the future.
Of course... it's too early to say that.
Xiang Chai was accompanied by Cen Manchuan. Tan Yiming's sense of morality prevented him from being a third party who intervened in other people's feelings, but he - for which he was really sorry - he also couldn't sincerely send blessings to the young couple.
All he can do is to isolate himself on the other side of the network and watch his beloved boy from a distance.
Don't approach, don't touch, don't do anything within the ambiguous range... But he will always watch.
…
When Xiang Guai finished his speech and returned to the seating area of the class, one of his classmates came over with a mobile phone.
"Guess to Guess!" the classmate said cheerfully, "I'm live streaming, can you say hello to the audience in my live broadcast room?"
Xiang Chai readily agreed, and said hi to the camera generously.
"By the way!" said the internet celebrity classmate, "I also have a fan of your musical in the live broadcast room, who has rewarded a lot of yachts." He looked at the screen, "Is that local tyrant fan there? Your idol is here. , quickly post a barrage!"
But no matter how he urged, the screen was quiet, and the local tyrant fan who had spent a lot of money just now disappeared.
※
After the graduation ceremony, as if overnight, the entire dormitory building was empty.
Of Xiangchai's three roommates, two have already found jobs and are preparing to be teachers in extracurricular classes, and one is preparing for the postgraduate entrance examination for World War II.
The only one left in the local area is Xiang Guess.
The close friends who had been close to each other during the four years of college were scattered everywhere in the blink of an eye. Their luggage has been packed, and after their last meal, they will embark on a new path of life the next morning.
Only Xiang Guess, daily necessities, books, and clothes were not packed.
Someone asked Xiang Guai why he didn't pack his luggage.
Xiang Chai shook his head: "I'm not in a hurry. Didn't the school give a notice before that graduates don't have to move out of the dormitory so quickly, they can extend their stay until August, as long as they move out before freshmen enroll."
This is a perk for the school. The school is well aware that graduates are not easy to work, their money is tight, and renting a house is expensive, so they are allowed to live in the dormitory for an extra period of time at a low price to get through the first difficult days.
Xiang Guguo has always been careful in his life, and he submitted an application for extension of stay early.
He originally planned that this summer, he could live alone in the school dormitory, and when Cen Manchuan worked and earned money, they would look for a house to move out together.
But now it seems that this plan will never be realized.
After the dormitory was empty, Xiang Gu had more time to think about his relationship with Cen Manchuan.
Before he made up his mind to break up, he asked himself countless times, "Is there any way to save this relationship?"
But he racked his brains, but couldn't think of a way to change it.
This is Xiang Gu's first love affair. He has read countless literary and artistic works and played countless men trapped in love on the stage. He thought he understood the countless appearances of love.
But it wasn't until he really experienced love that he understood what a love meant.
—It represents a period of happy and painful growth.
Xiang Gu didn't know how to speak to Cen Manchuan, after thinking about it, he decided to write a letter and give it to him personally.
…
The letter was written very quickly, and there was no scribbling and correction as expected. Xiang Gu wrote all the things he wanted to say but couldn't say on the paper.
At the same time, he washed the basketball jersey that the boy gave him, neatly folded it, and put it in the bag together.
Xiang Guess waited for Cen Manchuan to ask him out to meet after his graduation ceremony, but he didn't expect that, before he spoke, it was Cen Manchuan who called him first.
"Guess!" On the phone, the boy was elated, "You must come to our school gym at two o'clock in the afternoon the day after tomorrow, I have a game!!"
"..." Xiang Guai was a little embarrassed, and just as he was about to refuse, Cen Manchuan spoke again.
"This game is different. Our school invited the seniors of the provincial team to play a friendly game with our graduates! Everyone in the basketball department will come to watch the game, as well as teachers and parents!!" Cen Manchuan acted coquettishly on the phone Come, like the golden retriever who is very concerned about the owner, "Guess, you must come! This is the last game in our university, and this game is of great significance!!"
The boy's voice was full of invitations. Hearing what he said so solemnly, Xiang Guai couldn't express his refusal at all.
… never mind.
Xiang Guess, let's cheer him on for the last time.
"I will go." Xiang Gu promised, "But I have something to tell you after the game."
※
In a blink of an eye, it was the day of the basketball game.
It is also the graduation season, and the atmosphere of the graduation season of the University is completely different from that of Chinese dance. The theme of Huawu is sadness and parting, while Tifa is more like a giant carnival. Walking on the campus, you can see funny slogans hanging from graduates everywhere, such as "Congratulations to xxx for winning four years of singleness", what " Run the wildest steps and jump the highest heights."
Xiang Guai followed the crowd to the gym. In fact, he was not short, but compared with the women's basketball players next to him, he was as miniature as a schoolbag pendant.
Xiang Guai: "..." He was so frightened that he quickly slipped away from the group of tall girls.
The gym had not yet opened, so Xiang Guai was stopped at the door.
"It hasn't started yet?" Xiang Gu glanced at his watch, "But the friend who asked me to come said that it will start at two o'clock in the afternoon."
It's half past one, and it stands to reason that it's time to start letting the audience in.
The red armband in charge of checking tickets at the gate asked, "Your friend invited you here? Is he a member of the basketball team? What's his name?"
Xiang Gu replied, "It's called Cen Manchuan."
"Oh... it's Team Cen." The red armband exchanged glances with another classmate next to him and opened the door, "If it's a friend of Team Cen, then you can enter."
Xiang Gu felt that their eyes were a bit strange, but he didn't think much about it and walked in under the guidance of the red armband.
The stadium is extremely empty, except for the cleaning staff who are cleaning the floor, there are only twos and threes sitting in the stands.
On the edge of the basketball court, stood two rows of tall and long-legged boys. Xiang Guai recognized Cen Manchuan who was leading the team at a glance—he had a towel around his neck and was listening to the coach's instructions.
The coach was full of anger: "This time, I have seniors from the provincial team to guide me! You all cheer me up, don't lose our face! Now - start warming up!!"
After the coach gave an order, Cen Manchuan shouted and ran around the field with the tails behind him.
As the boy ran, he looked left and right, as if looking for something.
When he looked up and noticed Xiang Guai who was standing in the audience, his eyes lit up.
It was only after Xiang Guai realized that he was looking for him.
"Guess, what are you doing standing so far away? Come down quickly!!" Cen Manchuan left the team and ran to the railing to call him.
When he stopped, the tall basketball players behind him also looked in the direction of Xiang Gu.
I don't know what's going on... Xiang Gu felt that their eyes were quite meaningful, as if they were curious, as if they were interesting, as if... they were looking at a western landscape.
Xiang Gu suppressed the feeling that something was wrong in his heart, and slowly walked down from the stand until he reached the first row of the stand.
He carried it on his shoulders, and there were only two things in it, one was a parting letter, and the other was a basketball uniform he washed and planned to return. The backpack is very light, but at the same time very heavy.
Xiang Guai stood in the first row of the stand and asked in a low voice, "My shoes are dirty, isn't it bad to go to the sidelines?"
Playing indoor basketball requires a lot of attention. Even basketball shoes must be dedicated. If you step on outdoor dust, you will run and slip. Therefore, before the regular indoor basketball game, outsiders are not allowed to step into the court.
"It doesn't matter." Cen Manchuan laughed, his eyebrows and eyes were dancing, and he put his hands on the railing, like Romeo was looking at Juliet, "Look at them too—"
Xiang Guai looked in the direction of his fingers, and saw seven or eight girls standing in the rest area next to the basketball court!
And those girls were definitely not the women's basketball players he had just met, but a group of petite and cute girls dressed up sweetly.
What surprised Xiang Gu the most was that the girls were all wearing the same basketball uniforms as the players on the court, because the basketball uniforms were long and large, and they fit over them like a loose dress.
Xiang Guess: "… "
He understood that those girls must be the girlfriends of the men's basketball players on the court. They were invited by their lovers to come here to watch their games.
To be able to witness her boyfriend sweating on the court with his own eyes is a matter of honor and happiness.
But Xiang Guess had an indescribable embarrassment.
Xiang Gu knew that his identity was the same as these lovely girls.
He was invited by Cen Manchuan and stood on the sidelines, as if he was using his actions to come out to all the guests in the arena.
At that time, all parents, teachers, classmates, seniors of the provincial team... will know the relationship between them.
Cen Manchuan single-handedly planned this surprise. It should have been a very romantic thing for Xiang Guai to be deceived without knowing it, but now he just feels powerless.
He wanted to ask Cen Manchuan - have you really thought about it? Do you know what coming out means? Can you handle the upheaval that comes with coming out of the closet
"Come down quickly!" Cen Manchuan did not see the struggle in Xiang Guai's heart, and was still urging, "We are going to play a warm-up match later, you must be louder when you cheer for me!"
Xiang Guai slowly walked down the stairs and stood on the sidelines.
He was one meter away from those girls, but he couldn't separate them from their fiery eyes.
They got together and chatted about something, even though they tried hard not to look in Gu's direction, Xiang Gu knew that they must be discussing themselves.
Xiang Gues smiled kindly at them, then turned back and stood up straight.
…
After a 20-minute warm-up, the basketball team is automatically divided into two groups and begins the warm-up game.
Cen Manchuan on the field is always the most dazzling one.
He was sharp, decisive, and seemed to have inexhaustible energy all over him. He can pass and smash with the fastest speed; he can also jump high and intercept others' offense; he can even shoot three-pointers from long distances...
The first time Xiang Chai met him, it was on the side of the basketball court. Under the sun, the boy's sweat swayed, reflecting a beautiful light.
That is the light that Xiang guess has never met in his life.
So, when the light fell in front of Xiang Gu, Xiang Gu reached out and held the light.
The light warmed him slightly, but also burned him.
… Memories came to an abrupt end, and the situation changed suddenly on the field!
Cen Manchuan took off for a slam dunk, but when he landed, he was squeezed by a classmate. He landed unsteadily, twisted his knee, and fell directly to the ground, making a loud noise! !
"what!!"
Cen Manchuan cried out in pain, hugging his ankles and curling up on the ground, his body arching into an arc in pain.
His teammates were also terrified. They never expected that a simple warm-up match would actually cause the captain to be injured!
They quickly gathered around, and someone shouted, "Where's the team doctor? Go and call the team doctor!!"
Through the gap in the crowd, Xiang Gu could see Cen Manchuan's painful appearance as he couldn't stop rolling.
Xiang Chai's brain suddenly became a mess, and he couldn't care about anything, and immediately rushed into the basketball court.
"Manchuan! How are you, Manchuan?!" Xiang Cai squeezed over, knelt beside Cen Manchuan, took his hand, and asked anxiously, "Do you need to call an ambulance?"
Cen Manchuan injured his ankle! It's the ankle! !
What a delicate and delicate place the ankle is, it carries all the weight of a person.
Xiang Guai only felt cold all over his body, especially his injured feet, which were so cold that he lost consciousness.
He seemed to have returned to many years ago... That dark night without a trace of light, his feet were all crippled, he just leaned on his hands, dragged his heavy body, and crawled down to the side of the road like that. Long bloodstains spread from his feet, and he wept dry, thinking he would never be able to stand up again...
Tears welled up in Xiang Guai's eyes, he couldn't imagine what would happen if Cen Manchuan really hurt his ankle
However, at this moment—the basketball players who had been surrounding Xiang Chai suddenly dispersed.
The next second, Cen Manchuan, who was lying on the ground, suddenly turned over, took Xiang Gu's hand, and knelt on one knee on the ground.
Xiang Guess: "… "
He looked up and saw that the basketball players had smiles mixed with embarrassment and blessings, while their girlfriends on the sidelines pulled out their mobile phones one after another, screaming while recording videos.
Xiang Gu seemed to have been hit with a sap.
He felt that his brain was buzzing, he felt that his eyes were blank, and he felt that there were thousands of words in his mouth, but there was something unspeakable.
Cen Manchuan smiled shyly and happily, helping him wipe the tears from his face.
And then—this sly and jerk basketball boy conjured a little red box out of nowhere.
Xiang Guai stared at the box, thinking, no, no.
Please do not.
…Fortunately, the one in the box is not a ring.
But its meaning is more important than the ring.
That's two keys.
Silver, leaning against each other in a flannel box.
It was the house that Cen Manchuan rented after selling his beloved motorcycle.
"Guess," Cen Manchuan's eyes were bright, and he held a sincere heart in front of Xiang Gu, "Are you willing to accept this key?"
Looking into his eyes, Xiang Gu was speechless.
Because the answer... is too cruel.