"Don't forget then"

  This year, the provincial education commission stipulates that all third-year high school students are not allowed to take supplementary classes. It is said that some students complained to the TV station and made a big fuss, which delighted a group of children but worried their parents. Never mind, what's more important than the Chinese New Year?

  On the fifth day of the new year, Shanyang invited everyone to dinner, and naturally Zhao Shuiguan was included. Since they were all familiar with each other, Zhao didn't decline the invitation. It wasn't until they arrived that they realized Shanyang had chosen "Tang Dynasty Prosperity", the most famous Cantonese restaurant in the city.

  After eating and drinking, it was already afternoon. These people still said they wanted to go for a continuation of the banquet. Zhao Shuiguan followed behind the big crowd, feeling very helpless. How could this examinee compare with these lively ghosts? Xi Miao said in front: "Our school's classes are all about everyone taking holidays together, and holidays are about everyone taking separate holidays." This was nonsense. Who could compare with this directing major university student? The group from Shan Yang was even more invincible, each one claiming to be an unemployed vagabond, yet the keys to their private cars were all in their hands. Comparing people is enough to make one die of anger.

  "Little Light Sister" Zhao Shuiguan was walking just fine when someone grabbed her arm, she looked up to see that the person had three parts of seductiveness, five parts of evil spirit, and two parts of drunkenness, if it wasn't Chu Feifei then who was it.

  Zhaoshuiguan's sidekick, Rǎo Lán, also took a step forward when he saw someone pulling Zhaoshuiguan. Just then, Shanyang and the others, who were walking ahead, felt something was off and stopped. Zhaoshuiguan hastily said: "Rǎo Lán, it's nothing, I know him." The atmosphere also eased up.

  Someone walked out and shouted: "Chu Shao, what's going on? It's okay, it's okay, everyone knows each other." The person seemed to be from the next private room and they all knew each other.

  Chu Feifei ignored him and said, "Little Guang, let's go to Brother Chu's place, your teacher is there too."

  Zhao Shuiguan heard that Tan Shumei was also there and didn't dare to go even if he had ten times the courage. He was thinking of an excuse when Xi Miao suddenly blew up: "What's wrong with you, let go!" Sun Yang pulled her and said: "Since everyone knows each other, it's just right, we were just about to continue our gathering, why not together?"

  As she was speaking, Tan Shu Mo picked up the phone and came over from that side. Chu Fei Fei laughed and coaxed Zhao Shui Guang saying: "See, I didn't lie to you, Teacher Tan is also here."

  Anyone may encounter such a situation, with many circles of good friends, different circles are different worlds, and different worlds have different you. When Zhao Shuiguan's world collided with another world, she could only lower her head and shout: "Teacher Tan is good."

  This stunned the group of people, who couldn't believe that this man, who looked like a wealthy and noble person, was actually a people's teacher. It's hard to say whether he disgraced the teaching profession or if the teaching profession disgraced him.

  Tan Shu Mo hung up the phone, and her calm eyes locked onto Chu Fei Fei as she grasped Zhao Shui Guang's arm. As she walked past Zhao Shui Guang, she said, "You come too." Our classmate Zhao could only put away his jacket and follow closely behind, taking small steps while turning back to seek help from Xi Miao. However, Xi Miao was clinging to Shan Yang, saying, "Little Guang, it's actually the teacher! Why didn't you say so earlier? We misunderstood, Teacher. Then we'll trouble you, Little Guang."

  Zhao Shuiguan thought deeply: Xi Miao, I hate you.

  Zhao Shuiguang followed Tan Shumeng, Chu Feifei pushed the door open and went in. Good fellow, two tables of handsome men and beautiful women were sitting there, building a long city wall. As soon as the door opened, everyone turned their heads, and someone said: "Ah, Feifei, you've been out for a circle, how come you're selling children?" Chu Feifei said: "No way, brother, I don't have any connections to do that kind of thing." He poked at the person who was sitting down, got up, and sat back down with a thud. He waved his hand at Zhao Shuiguang and said: "Sit down." Zhao Shuiguang looked around and saw that Tan Shumeng had already been seated, looking calm and collected. Someone said: "This sister looks very familiar." Zhao Shuiguang was startled, and suddenly remembered that he seemed to have seen these people before, just like the time with Xi Miao at the lace edge. This time it was good, she looked at Chu Feifei, who was chatting with the people at the next table, seemingly not noticing what had been said. Zhao Shuiguang had already broken out in a cold sweat. Tan Shumeng knew that this was no trivial matter, and at first, she thought that Chu Feifei was just teasing her for fun. Could it be that he had also recognized them long ago?

  Zhao Shuiguan recalled that the man in his 40s, dressed in a suit and tie, was extremely polite to Chu Fei, and the people in this room occasionally spoke English, with some of them having a childish tone, making him feel cautious.

  She said seriously: "Some classmates also say that I look very ordinary." Everyone burst out laughing, and it turned out that she was still a childish student after all.

  "I look more like a Passat, where did this kid come from?" The man said with a smile, opening his eyes, but it was elegant and refined, the previous words didn't seem to have come out of his mouth.

  "Sun Xuan, stop teasing, she is Tan Shu Mo's student." Chu Fei Fei pulled over a stool and let Zhao Shui Guang sit down, this sitting position was exactly at the corner between Tan Shu Mo and Chu Fei Fei.

  A group of people were playing cards with great enthusiasm, and Zhao Shuiguan was having a revelation today. He glanced at Tan Shumeng, whose eyes looked lazy, but his long fingers moved swiftly and precisely as he played the cards. He threw out a card and said "Gang", and the game had become an elegant activity in his hands.

  Zhao Shuiguan had also seen the adults playing cards, with a thick and murky atmosphere. On this side, everyone was confused and noisy about giving money, and when they lost, they scolded and grumbled, but from the beautiful mouths that spoke, it didn't seem like such a big deal after all.

  Everyone was just chatting, Zhao Shuiguan also took Hope out to play when he was young, they were all half-grown children, the words and actions were a bit awkward, but the friendship was not inferior to that of Chu Feifei, Sun Xian, Tan Shumeng and others. It turned out that no matter how time passed, the youthful friendship was like a wine that became more mellow with age.

  After hanging up the phone, Sun Xuan said: "Don't let him go, he must be going to pick up Xi Xi. Look, your little friend is still here."

  Tan Shu-mo said, "Then let my little friend at home play." He pulled Zhao Shui-guang over and whispered to him, "If you win, I'll give you the points. If you lose, we'll deduct them from your usual score. Let's make it interesting." Zhao Shui-guang could only stare fixedly at the golden brooch on Tan Shu-mo's collar, his face flushing with heat as he nodded to accept the challenge. Tan Shu-mo picked up his coat and left.

  Zhao Shuiguan didn't know how to play, so he just went along with what he had just remembered, fortunately the rules of mahjong weren't difficult, three in a row, two pairs, not hard to remember. But then Chu Feifei said: "Come on, come on, we're not playing for money, it's no fun, the winner and the person who loses the most have to tell the truth."

  Zhao Shuiguan was finished as soon as he heard it, this Chu Feifei is absolutely furious, every step is extremely cautious, looked for half a day and found no card came out, just got confused, Chu Feifei's head came over and said: "Ah, messed up, little fool."

  Zhao Shuiguang thought this was great, just thinking that he wouldn't lose badly, how did he win? Being a swindler is so easy, no wonder so many people do it.

  One glance, the biggest loser was Sun Xian. Sun Xian threw down his cards and said: "I knew you were up to no good, ask away."

  Chu Feifei smiled, her face becoming even more enchanting, and said: "Next, please ask the two of them to summarize their emotional history in one sentence."

  "Chu Feifei, you're getting more and more out of it, aren't you? Come on with this!"

  Chu Feifei didn't get angry and said with a smile: "Good good answer, set a good example for your little sister."

  Sun Xiancai suddenly realized that Chu Feifei was not interested in drinking and said with a bad tone: "Last week, we broke up."

  Zhao Shuiguang thought to himself, "Mom's, is it really necessary for me to say this in front of these people who are as ruthless as wolves? Even if I don't say anything, they won't believe me. I can only grit my teeth and pretend to be calm, saying: 'We broke up in junior high school.'"

  The woman standing next to Sun Xiang said: "Oh my, nowadays kids are so precocious, what's the big deal about emotions in junior high?"

  Chu Feifei's sharp eyes stared over, Zhao Shui Guang couldn't bear to hear people say this, I only dare to speak out in front of you, but no one has the right to criticize her and Hope's feelings, that is her treasured memory, even if they are apart, absolutely not allowing any slight disdain, these so-called adults won't understand.

  "Auntie, it's nothing. It's just that for the rest of my life, I won't be able to like anyone else as much. No matter how old someone gets or how mature they become, they'll never understand."

  The woman was taken aback, feeling that the little girl who had been sitting there, looking easy to bully, was not so easy to deal with after all. With her short hair and quiet demeanor while playing cards, she suddenly looked up with such sharp eyebrows and eyes, startling her.

  "What's wrong, the door opened and a beautiful woman with wavy long hair walked in. The big earrings on her ears were clinking, but they didn't look tacky at all. On the contrary, her elegant clothes and radiant aura complemented each other perfectly. Tan Shu was leaning against the door, his hands in his pockets, looking at Zhao Shui Guang with an inscrutable expression."

  Chu Feifei said: "Look, I've invited Xue Xi over. No? Let's just chat and have some fun, teacher and student."

  Xi He smiled and walked over to Zhao Shui Guang, extending her hand. "Hello, I'm Han Xi He, still pursuing Teacher Tan."

  Taking a closer look, the makeup on her face is so fine that even the pores are invisible, but her lips are an alluring deep color, and when she smiles, it's irresistibly sexy.

  Zhao Shuiguang was stunned for a moment, stood up and shook hands, only to feel that the person's hand was slender, smooth and soft. He said: "I'm Zhao Shuiguang, just call me Little Light."

  Xie Miao once said that whether a woman knows how to treat herself well and is an all-around beauty can be seen from the care of her hands and feet.

  Whether it's between girls or women, they like to compare with each other in secret, but only within the categories that they think are comparable. Han Xixi and Zhao Shuiguan are already separated by countless levels, so in Han Xixi's eyes, Zhao Shuiguan is not a threat and is also her idol's student, so she naturally wants to maintain a good relationship with her.

  Zhao Shuiguan turned around, only to find that the woman who had just spoken about her had left her seat at some point, and she herself had lost interest in continuing, thinking of going back. But Chu Feifei pressed on, saying "Let's play a bit more, I'll send you back." She could only stay behind and watch them continue.

  "Keep playing," said Tan Shu Mo with a smile, and no one mentioned the stupid idea of speaking from the heart again. However, in the next few rounds, Sun Xuan and Chu Feifei both lost miserably, and they could only laugh bitterly as they handed over money to Tan Shu Mo. Han Xi Xi sat beside Tan Shu Mo, smiling as she looked at her cards, occasionally snacking on fruit or drinks, making Zhao Shui Guang feel like he was sitting on pins and needles. In the end, Sun Xuan and Chu Feifei treated everyone to dinner.

  At more than 8 o'clock in the evening, everyone dispersed to have fun on their own. Chufei originally said she would send Zhao Shuiguan home, but Tan Shumeng only said three words: "Not on the way", and it became Tan Shumeng sending Han Xixi and Zhao Shuiguan back home together. Zhao Shuiguan was very embarrassed and reluctantly became a light bulb.

  Along the way, Han Xixi asked Zhao Shuiguan: "Isn't it the third year of high school? When is the exam? Are you nervous?" and other questions. Zhao Shuiguan patiently answered her, although he had just wondered if Tan Shumeng was ill, as such a beautiful girl didn't like him, but now it seemed that everything wasn't so unreasonable after all.

  Han Xixi said: "Book ink, send Xiaoguang back home first."

  Tan Shu Mo didn't say a word and just said: "It's already passed, I'll send you first."

  Han Xixi didn't say anything else either, and the car fell silent for a moment.

  The car arrived, and Han Xixi turned around, kissed Tan Shumeng's cheek and said, "I've arrived, call me." Then she turned to Zhao Shuiguan and said, "Shuiguan, let's play together again when you're free." She got out of the car elegantly, waved goodbye, and watched as the car drove away.

  Han Xixi walked back home, laughing at herself for being too cautious. After all, the other person was just a 17 or 18-year-old kid, why bother? When it came to love, she had always known how to pursue it. Three years ago in London, she met Tan Shumeng and her mind hadn't changed since then. She knew that pouring out emotions didn't necessarily guarantee a return, but she was a smart person who believed in her own conditions. At 26, this was the time when her career and love life should be flourishing.

  She, Han Xixi, also had a pure and innocent 17 or 18 years old. Some people might say that a 17 or 18-year-old girl is lovely, has a bit of a temper, and likes to pout. But when men pass the age of 24, they will say: "Can loveliness be eaten as rice?" It's not their fault, but they have approached life, and are no longer 17 or 18 years old boys who see their girlfriends pouting and feel a sweetness in their hearts. Men over 24 start planning for their future family, fighting for their careers, what they want is a woman who can make them feel at ease when they're outside, a partner who gives them understanding and support when they're lost, a wife who can cook porridge for them when they're sick, only then will they be willing to give everything for the family. This is a world that a 17 or 18-year-old girl can never reach, when she's thinking about how to match her hair clips every day, what to wear inside her school uniform.

  All those sayings about women being lovable because they are beautiful and vice versa are all... nonsense!

  She thought and thought, then smiled at her confident self in the mirror.

  On the other side, Tan Shu Mo's car did not head towards Zhao Shui Guang's home, but instead stopped at the big bridge on the outskirts of town. Tan Shu Mo got out of the car, and Zhao Shui Guang had no choice but to quietly get out as well. He observed the surrounding terrain, it was perfect, the night was very dark, there were few pedestrians, and next to them was a river, a dead end.

  "Bang" Tan Shu Mo had lit a cigarette, could it be that today was the day for destroying the image of teachers? Zhao Shui Guang thought, this afternoon, playing mahjong, smoking, what shouldn't be done Tan Shu Mo had all done, even now if Tan Shu Mo were to do a folk dance in front of her, she might still give him a surprised face, really wanting to laugh, but instead solemnly shouted: "Teacher Tan..."

  The profile of Tan Shu Mo was hidden in the darkness, with only the cigarette tip twinkling with light, not pungent or choking, but with a faint scent of grass floating over.

  Tan Shu Mo asked, "Zhao Shui Guang, how long is your life?" His tone was unchanged, his voice was unchanged, just like when he said in English class, "Zhao Shui Guang, come and explain the usage of the past perfect tense."

  Zhao Shuiguang was stunned, and Tan Shumeng said: "A lifetime is very long, don't hang it on your lips."

  Zhao Shuiguang thought of Tan Shumei because he had heard her say "It's impossible for me to like anyone else that much in this lifetime".

  So he heard it after all.

  Zhao Shuiguang was a bit at a loss, as if he had done something wrong, but didn't know what it was. He turned his head and lay down on the car, looking at the sparse crowd of people, saying: "Teacher, I don't know, but I do know that I won't be able to forget him."

  A person like that can never be forgotten, who accompanied me as I grew up, taught me to cherish, and for whom I shed tears under the quilt, bringing me joy and sorrow. But now, thinking back, all the past unpleasantness is no longer important, leaving behind only memories worth smiling about. I have not forgotten, nor can I forget.

  Tan Shu said faintly, "Then don't forget."

  Zhao Shuiguang was astonished by his words, everyone was denying her emotions, everyone said to bravely look forward, everyone said there would be better things in the future, even she herself wondered if that relationship was too childish, why she was so persistent. At this time, someone told her: Don't worry, you can move forward with all the beauty and pain together. It's impossible not to be moved by this.

  The wind blowing from the river was damp and salty, making her eyes water. The ink on the book had smudged from the smoke. He turned around, his usual cold demeanor now warm and gentle in the dim light under the big bridge. He reached out to adjust Zhao Shuiguan's large round hat, tugging at the ribbons on either side, his deft hands tying a beautiful bow. All she could smell was the scent of lemon hand soap from the restaurant wafting up from her nose.

  He thought he was quite skilled, and as he talked about books and ink, his lips curled up beautifully. His warm hands were pressed against Zhao Shui Guang's cheeks, which had turned bright red under the brim of his hat.

  He bent down, eye to eye, and the sparkling light in his dark eyes could be seen. He said: "It's precisely because of the second, third love as a foil that the first love can be beautiful."

  Get in the car, start the engine, roll down the window and say to the petrified person: "Get in."

  Zhao Shuiguan pulled down his hat, covering his face, and hid in the car.