The Best Days of Campus Life

Cicadas buzzed incessantly in the height of summer. Sunlight slanted into the classroom, falling across the desks where Zhao Yuchen and Tang Moyu sat side by side.

One was a bold, energetic math prodigy, his pen spinning at lightning speed while his gaze kept drifting to his cool seatmate's profile. The other was a gentle, reserved history ace. Whenever he lowered his eyes to turn a page, his long lashes fluttered, tugging at the boy's heartstrings.

From evening study sessions spent tackling problem sets side by side, to a perfectly timed, game-winning shot on the sports field; from all-night ranked matches in the gaming room to the sweat and glory of the youth training camp; and, years later, their reunion in a small city in Jin, with the aroma of sizzling pork filling the dinner table, hiding feelings they'd never dared to confess.

Mi Zhenyu says: Thanks for asking. From elementary school through college, I wasn't just a member of the Three Yus crew. I was also this childhood-friends couple's personal third wheel and matchmaker.

The best school days were never about facing youth alone. When you're by my side, even the breeze feels sweet.