We Were So Happy

[Story written in 2021/22] “We didn’t meet at the top. We got there together.” - No. 1 High School had a tradition at its opening ceremony: a “mystery draw.” Whoever was picked would give a speech as the senior class representative. That year, the representative was Meng Yin, a girl nobody knew. Meng Yin cleared her throat and looked out at the packed crowd. “Hello, everyone. I’m Meng Yin, a new transfer student in Senior Class 2. My goal for senior year is to work hard and catch up to Xu Zhiyi. And I hope Xu keeps working hard and gets first place, bringing honor to our class.” At No. 1 High School, anyone who knew Xu Zhiyi knew he treasured a certain keychain. But after Meng Yin transferred to the school, it never appeared on him again. Just as Meng Yin came to understand that “Xu Zhiyi had never been her guiding light, but a companion walking at her side,” she also caught a glimpse of what he had been hiding from her. Tears ran down her chin and into her collar. Meng Yin stared at Xu Zhiyi and said, “Xu Zhiyi, would it kill you to like me just a little?” He knew she had misunderstood. Xu Zhiyi drew Meng Yin closer and pulled her into his arms, stroking her back. Seventeen-year-old Xu Zhiyi held Meng Yin as she sobbed so hard she could barely breathe, and felt the whole world trembling. He rested his chin lightly on the crown of Meng Yin’s head. His voice was low and gentle. “I’ve been lying flat at the bottom of your trap for ages.” The keychain was you. The peace charm was you. Xi Mu was still you. The mistake of that midsummer left no regrets in this winter.