Chapter Ten: The Day of Farewell

In early June, as summer began to take hold, the temperature steadily rose, and a languid atmosphere hung in the air. The campus was shaded by verdant trees, the birdsong weaving together with the laughter and chatter of students, yet within Lin Ke’er’s heart, there was only hollow echoing silence. She no longer laughed and chatted with her classmates as before; instead, she wandered alone through the familiar corners of the campus, as if bidding farewell to the land she knew so well.

The days until Shen Haoran’s departure were few. Every time she passed the corridors of the teaching building, Lin Ke’er instinctively searched for that familiar figure. She knew his leaving was not just a physical separation but marked the end of a vibrant and beautiful chapter of their shared feelings.

Each day, Shen Haoran seemed increasingly busy, packing his belongings, bidding farewell to teachers, attending to preparations for his departure. Though he maintained his usual gentleness and thoughtfulness, Lin Ke’er sensed a deepening sorrow in his eyes. She understood that his emotions were no easier than hers—perhaps even more complex.

That day, the school held a farewell gathering. The classmates gathered to see Shen Haoran off. Their laughter was lively as always, as if everything were normal, but Lin Ke’er knew behind those smiles lay an infinite reluctance and sorrow.

She sat quietly in a corner, watching Shen Haoran greet his friends, an inexplicable ache rising in her chest. She understood that this farewell was far from simple; for her, it carried far greater significance. Shen Haoran had always been one of her closest confidants. Their past friendship and tacit understanding had deeply anchored her heart to him. Now, she had to face the end of it all.

After the gathering dispersed, Shen Haoran came to her and sat down beside her with a smile. “Ke’er, why aren’t you playing with everyone today?”

Lin Ke’er looked up at him, a nameless bitterness stirring within. “I’m just a little tired.” She lowered her head, forcing herself to appear less burdened.

Shen Haoran smiled softly but did not respond immediately. Instead, he quietly gazed at her. Time seemed to freeze in that moment; the surrounding noise gradually faded until only the silence between them remained.

“Are you… really going?” Lin Ke’er whispered, her voice trembling, as if making one last plea to herself.

Shen Haoran looked deeply into her eyes, as if seeing through every tangled emotion within her. His lips curved faintly, tinged with sorrow. “Yes. I can’t change this. I know it’s hard for you to accept, but this is the path I must take.”

Lin Ke’er lowered her head in silence, a sharp pain surging in her heart. She had thought she could face it with reason, but now she realized that emotions could not be easily controlled by logic alone.

“Will we… still see each other afterward?” she asked, nearly choking, tears welling yet held back with all her might.

Shen Haoran paused, then sighed softly. “I don’t know. Maybe, maybe not. But no matter what, I will remember you, and the time we spent together.”

A fierce ache tore through Lin Ke’er’s heart as tears finally spilled down her cheeks. She lifted her head, staring into Shen Haoran’s eyes, seeking answers, but all she found there was profound helplessness and silence.

Her tears fell quietly, dripping onto the back of her hand—cold and clear. She spoke no more, only looking down at her trembling fingertips.

Shen Haoran gently took her hand, his voice tender but resolute. “Ke’er, no matter what the future holds, the time we shared will never disappear. I will remember you, and I hope you will remember me.”

Lin Ke’er’s tears flowed even more fiercely. Though she tried to hold them back, the deep sorrow and longing within her could no longer be restrained.

“Haoran… you don’t understand… I like you too…” she murmured, her voice so faint it seemed to be carried away by the breeze.

Shen Haoran’s body trembled slightly, then he gripped her hand tightly, his eyes flashing with shock and disbelief. “You… what did you say?”

At last, Lin Ke’er lifted her head, meeting his astonished gaze with a bittersweet smile. “I said, I like you. I have for a long time.”

Shen Haoran was stunned; his heart raced. The Lin Ke’er before him, compared to before, seemed transformed. Her eyes no longer hid conflict or evasion, but revealed naked truth and emotion.

He took a deep breath and gently held her shoulder, his gaze growing softer. “Ke’er, I’ve been waiting for you to say that. You know what? I like you too. I’ve always liked you.”

Hearing this, a rush of indescribable joy and pain flooded Lin Ke’er’s eyes. She said nothing further, only embraced Shen Haoran tightly, letting her tears fall freely.

Shen Haoran softly patted her back, comforting her with gentle words. “I know this is hard for you to accept now, but no matter what, we have each other in our hearts. That is the most precious thing.”

In the twilight of the campus, they held each other and wept, words failing to express the depth of their feelings. That day of parting had become the beginning of their true emotions, yet it was also destined to be a temporary end.