HLJ Chapter 4

Throughout their three years of high school, Lin Chun and Song Ya were almost inseparable, sharing an exceptionally close bond. Song Ya got married two years ago and this year welcomed a lovely son, living a happy and fulfilling life.

After putting her son to sleep, Song Ya finally had a moment to pour Lin Chun a cup of tea. “Sorry for the delay, Miss Lin, please don’t mind,” she said.

Lin Chun, sitting on the sofa, noticed how much more haggard Song Ya looked. “I came to see you empty-handed; I should be the one apologizing.”

“Let’s not stand on ceremony between us. By the way, I noticed something was off in your tone over the phone earlier. What’s wrong?”

Lin Chun hesitated for a moment before speaking up. “Do you remember He Lanjin?”

“Huh? Why… why bring her up all of a sudden?” Song Ya visibly stiffened, her eyes darting away.

Song Ya’s reaction was expected. Lin Chun looked at her earnestly. “About He Lanjin, is there something you’ve been hiding from me?”

Song Ya stood up abruptly, visibly agitated. “She… she came to see you, didn’t she? Did she tell you everything?”

Lin Chun looked up at Song Ya, her expression tense. “Song Ya, in high school, we shared everything, and our relationship has remained strong over the years. Regarding He Lanjin, I hope you can be honest with me.”

Song Ya slumped back onto the sofa, her head bowed, her hands buried in her hair, looking utterly distressed. “Lin Chun… I’ve never told anyone about He Lanjin because… because I feel guilty…”

“From the first year of high school, I felt that He Lanjin harbored some animosity towards me. I never provoked her, so I thought I was just overthinking it. Remember that big fight we had in our senior year? I lost control and kicked your desk, even breaking your favorite glass.”

“I remember,” Lin Chun replied. “I cut my hand while picking up the pieces.”

Lin Chun looked down at the scars on her index and middle fingers, clenching her fist.

“Yes…” Song Ya sniffled. “That day, He Lanjin stopped me after school, demanding to know why I did that. It was then I realized that all her animosity towards me stemmed from her concern for you. She liked you… she had liked you since the first year.”

Song Ya continued, “I was in a bad mood that day and ended up arguing with her. I asked her if she liked you, and I even said… said she wasn’t worthy of liking you. Later, I accidentally fell down the stairs. At that time, I lied and said He Lanjin pushed me. My mom was relentless, demanding an explanation and even threatening to have He Lanjin expelled. When I saw her grandmother almost kneel before my mom and the teacher, I, I—”

Song Ya stammered, her voice choked with sobs. Lin Chun bit her lower lip, tasting blood. “You still didn’t tell the truth, did you?”

“No, I didn’t…” Song Ya covered her face with her hands. “I heard He Lanjin’s grandmother sold their house, not only compensating my family but also giving some money to the homeroom teacher. But my mom… my mom used some connections to not only have He Lanjin receive a disciplinary record but also repeat a grade.”

No wonder Lin Chun never saw He Lanjin again after that.

Lin Chun rubbed her sore eyes, suddenly standing up, only to be pulled back by Song Ya. “Lin Chun, do you know how He Lanjin is doing now?”

Lin Chun didn’t know how to answer Song Ya’s question.

How was He Lanjin doing?

Lin Chun didn’t know either.

During the three months they were together, Lin Chun only saw the most beautiful and gentle side of He Lanjin.

Lin Chun couldn’t even imagine how He Lanjin had endured all of this. She had lost her only family and was left alone in the world.

What had she been doing during those lonely, desolate days? How had she gotten through them?

Lin Chun felt she had never truly understood He Lanjin.

At that moment, Lin Chun felt as if she were in an ice cellar, her hands icy cold, her legs numb. She staggered to her feet, her temples throbbing, a wave of dizziness hitting her, causing her to collapse back onto the sofa.

Lin Chun wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, trying to calm herself. “Song Ya, I know your family has many connections in X City. If you still feel guilty about He Lanjin, I hope you can do me a favor. Help me find He Lanjin’s later address.”

“Okay, I’ll help you,” Song Ya cried bitterly. “But Lin Chun, it’s been so many years. What do you plan to do?”

“You don’t need to worry about that. Just help me find it, as soon as possible,” Lin Chun stood up again. “I’ll leave now.”

This incident had almost ruined He Lanjin’s entire life.

Yet He Lanjin never mentioned it, even giving Lin Chun a memorable relationship.

Why did she do that?

As Lin Chun went downstairs, she accidentally tripped and fell. Sitting on the stairs, her mind buzzed.

He Lanjin had broken up with Lin Chun just as she was about to fall in love with her. Was this her way of—getting revenge?

Revenge—

But even if it was revenge, Lin Chun would accept it!

Lin Chun took a taxi home, rushing inside, gasping for breath. Her mother, seeing her red and swollen eyes, asked with concern, “Chun Chun, what’s wrong?”

“He Lanjin! He Lanjin!” Lin Chun frantically called out He Lanjin’s name, searching every room but finding no trace of her. “Mom, where’s He Lanjin?”

“Isn’t she here? Maybe she went out? I saw the door open earlier—Hey! Chun Chun, where are you going?”

Ignoring her mother’s calls, Lin Chun grabbed her car keys and rushed out of the house.

As she got into the car, Lin Chun suddenly felt helpless and powerless. Where could she find He Lanjin? X city was so big. Finding He Lanjin would be like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Lin Chun forced herself to calm down, thinking carefully. She started the car and searched around her home first, but He Lanjin wasn’t there. Then she drove to He Lanjin’s old address—

Still nothing.

Lin Chun gripped the steering wheel, her heart racing. She had never felt so panicked before. At that moment, it felt as if someone had torn a hole in her chest, and bright red blood was gushing out, almost suffocating her.

Lin Chun started the car again, this time heading to their high school.

Sure enough, at the entrance of the alley next to the school, He Lanjin was crouched on the ground, hugging her knees pitifully.

“He Lanjin!” Lin Chun rushed towards her, pulling her up and holding her tightly.

He Lanjin was startled, then gently embraced Lin Chun.

“He Lanjin! Didn’t I tell you to wait for me at home? You don’t remember anything, what if something happened to you?”

He Lanjin took a step back, cupping Lin Chun’s dirty face, her thumb wiping away the tears at the corners of Lin Chun’s eyes. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have gone out on my own. But I called you and you didn’t answer, so I was worried.”

“When did you call me?” Lin Chun felt her pockets but didn’t find her phone. “I didn’t mean to not answer, I didn’t bring my phone.”

“Okay, I understand. Don’t cry.” He Lanjin’s gaze was soft, like a deep pool that one couldn’t help but sink into. Her voice was low and soothing, gradually calming Lin Chun’s emotions.

Lin Chun looked around, then up at He Lanjin. “Why did you come here? Did you remember something?”

He Lanjin shook her head. “I just vaguely remember this road, but nothing else.”

The alley was still the same, narrow and cramped, with uneven gray stone pavement.

This alley—

Lin Chun’s pupils contracted.

In their first year of high school, Lin Chun lived far away and would wait at the alley entrance every day for her father to pick her up. At some point, He Lanjin started waiting there too.

Back then, Lin Chun thought He Lanjin was also waiting for her family. Lin Chun always left first.

Lin Chun laughed at herself. He Lanjin lived so close, there was no need for anyone to pick her up.

She had been keeping Lin Chun company.

Even without saying a word, without any response, He Lanjin had silently watched over Lin Chun in her own way.

Lin Chun reached up, hooking her arm around He Lanjin’s neck. He Lanjin leaned down, and Lin Chun kissed her lips.

This kiss, devoid of any lust, was filled with more complex emotions—heartache, guilt, unease, remorse—

Lin Chun felt unworthy, yet incredibly lucky to have met someone as wonderful as He Lanjin.

In the back seat, Lin Chun held He Lanjin tightly, as if she might disappear at any moment.

“Xiao Jin,” Lin Chun called He Lanjin as she did when they were together. “There must be a way to restore your memory. Let’s go to the hospital tomorrow, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Then, let’s get back together, okay?”

“Okay.”

Lin Chun smiled. “He Lanjin, you liar, you never really lost your memory, did you? You agreed so quickly, could it be that you’ve fallen for me in just these two days?”

He Lanjin held Lin Chun’s hand, pressing it tightly against her chest. “Mouths can lie, but heartbeats can’t.”

Thump, thump, thump.

Such a strong and passionate heartbeat couldn’t lie.

He Lanjin kissed Lin Chun’s forehead, her breath hot. “Lin Chun, even if I don’t remember anything, loving you is deeply engraved in my heart.”