Chapter 118: The Promise

In late August, Lu Jing finally moved into her new home in Chengdu. The beautiful living environment, complete facilities, and kind neighbors all left her deeply satisfied. With Mengmeng by her side every day, she happily settled down to rest peacefully, eagerly awaiting the sacred moment of becoming a mother.

With the consent of Lu Jing and Mengmeng, Kang Ning returned to Leijiang once again to stay for a while. There were many matters awaiting his attention and numerous wishes to be fulfilled.

During the last three days, Kang Ning and Shuyi were inseparable, spending every moment together. They shared endless conversations and feelings, as well as indescribable joy and intimacy.

On the night before leaving their hometown, the reluctant Shuyi accompanied Kang Ning back to the village to bid farewell to her mother. This time, Shuyi’s mother’s gaze was completely different. The village chief’s disability had lifted a heavy burden from her heart. Her smile was pure and natural, though the sorrow and worry over her daughter’s long journey left her eyes constantly moist. Kang Ning patiently comforted Shuyi’s mother, showing her the admission notice and briefly explaining the nature of the school Shuyi would attend. Only then did her mother feel at ease.

All the villagers who had met them before gathered once again. Kang Ning happily noticed that Uncle Tian’s forehead wrinkles seemed to have lessened, and Aunt Tian’s laughter was even more hearty and clear. The villagers could barely conceal their joy, as if encountering the long-awaited morning sun after a month of persistent rain. No one knew how the village chief’s family had fallen into despair, so everyone expressed their gratitude to heaven. This filled Kang Ning’s heart with peace and satisfaction.

After dinner, tearful Shuyi said goodbye to her mother and returned to the city with Kang Ning. They bought an ordinary suitcase at a department store and, unwilling to waste a moment, hurried back to their small apartment.

As dawn broke, the two, having stayed awake all night, remained entwined closely. Shuyi rested her head on Kang Ning’s chest and quietly asked, “Xiao Hua, will we meet again someday?”

Kang Ning tenderly stroked her face. “I don’t know, but I have a feeling we will see each other again.”

Worried, Shuyi gazed at him and gently wiped away tears at the corner of her eyes. “Xiao Hua, if after I graduate I meet you again, it must be that heaven has pity on me. When that time comes, will you marry me?”

“Silly girl!” Kang Ning softly kissed her lips. “If that time comes, you might not even recognize the person I’ve become. What would you do then? You must understand that time changes many things. One day, if you suddenly realize there are many things you never understood, it will be deeply painful and heartbreaking.”

Shuyi shook her head. “No, I will never forget you. I know I might change in the future, but your place in my heart will remain unchanged. Even if you become bad, I will still love you just as I do now.”

Kang Ning held her tightly and whispered in her ear, “Shuyi, remember what I just said. Keep it deep in your heart. When you start working and recall this, take it out and let it bask in the sunlight, alright?”

“Mm! I’ll listen to you.”

Kang Ning said softly, “Perhaps, after some time, I will have to leave here, maybe even leave Sichuan. I don’t know where I’ll end up. For a long time, you will face everything alone — your studies, homesickness, friendships, family, career. Many unimaginable difficulties and painful choices will confront you. I know you are a strong and determined girl, with a mind as radiant as your beauty. Such qualities are rare and precious, so I trust you deeply. The only thing I worry about is the path you will take. There are many things you don’t understand now, but you will once you enter university. No matter what hardships you meet, I believe you will overcome them! Shuyi, work hard and make both your mother and me proud!”

Shuyi embraced Kang Ning with emotion, kissing him again and again before trembling slightly and saying, “Xiao Hua, can we make a promise?”

“No!” Kang Ning said firmly, then closed his eyes. With his warm, magical hands and burning lips, he launched another tender assault on the delicate Shuyi. He wanted to block any proposals from her with irresistible passion. He knew that any promise she made would be a burden too great for him to bear—not out of selfish desire, but because he could not bear to see the beautiful, clever Shuyi follow the same heartbreaking path as Mengmeng. This weighed on him with lifelong guilt. Thus, Kang Ning demanded her with a hint of madness, their bodies and souls entwining again and again until dawn broke. Only then did they exhaust themselves into calm.

At the platform of Chengdu Railway Station, the train to Zhengzhou whistled and began to move. Kang Ning and Shuyi, through the window of the sleeper car, silently locked eyes.

Seeing Shuyi biting her lip, her eyes red and full of tears, Kang Ning’s heart ached as if it were breaking. His melancholy eyes filled with mist. Just before the iron wheels had completed a full turn, Shuyi shook her head and calmly said to Kang Ning, “Brother, I want to promise you that once I graduate, I will come to find you. Even if it takes a lifetime, I will never give up!”

Watching the train’s empty window slowly recede into the distance, Kang Ning stood still on the slowly emptying platform. Two streams of tears finally rolled down his sorrowful face.

Back in Leijiang from Chengdu, Kang Ning immediately returned to his small room. He felt sorrowful, as if every object was imbued with Shuyi’s scent, every corner echoed with her clear laughter, and every wall reflected her image and smile.

Lying alone on the empty large bed, the pillow pressed to Kang Ning’s face was still damp. He pulled out the pillowcase saturated with Shuyi’s tears and covered his face, utterly weak and drained, as his sorrowful heart carefully savored her last words over and over.

“Brother, I want to promise you that once I graduate, I will come to find you. Even if it takes a lifetime, I will never give up... Brother, I want to promise you that once I graduate, I will come to find you. Even if it takes a lifetime, I will never give up...”

Kang Ning knew Shuyi would do this. From the moment he met her, through their intimate moments to today’s farewell, it seemed that the seemingly fragile Shuyi was far more mature and composed than others her age. Though still imperfect and naive, within her lay unwavering faith and extraordinary courage. Perhaps this was the very reason why the seasoned admissions experts at the academy decided so quickly during the interview.

Kang Ning had not deceived Shuyi. Deep in his heart, he too had a faint premonition that they would meet again—though he did not know whether that meeting would bring joy or sorrow, blessing or misfortune…