Crossroads

Their relationship continued like this for four years. Later, they learned of a Japanese anime called Hotarubi no Mori e. Its story was much like theirs: Bai Fengyu was the boy who came to see her every year, while she was the spirit who stayed in the village. In the end, the characters parted ways, just as she and Bai Fengyu did, though there was no final embrace between a spirit and a girl.

He told her he would stay in Beijing and attend a university there. She engraved every word he said in her heart, never knowing whether she had left even the faintest impression on his.

She asked which school it was, and he told her its name. She had heard of it, a top private university she would never dare dream of attending. And he never said what he hoped for her.

Later, she was the one who left. Her grandfather died, and she and her grandmother moved to where her father lived. He had a new family and would not spare her even the smallest bit of fatherly affection. Fortunately, she worked hard and skipped two grades. Everyone was amazed that even the poor education in the countryside had not kept this piece of gold from shining. Her father began to treat her differently too, though all that changed was that he gave her more spending money.

She left a letter with their neighbor, Grandpa Li, asking him to give it to Bai Fengyu when he came by. In it, she wrote the name of her new school and her father's address. At the end, she made a promise.

I will get into your university. Wait for me!

Where the country lane ends, I will meet you