Chapter 290

Yun Chen Nan walked a lap around the classroom before finally grabbing the blackboard eraser. He went to the back, erased the number "1," and carefully wrote a "0."

days left until the college entrance exam.

CLICK...

Yun Chen Nan turned his head and saw his younger brother aiming a camera at him, taking a picture.

He gave him a single glance and let him be.

"Third Brother, where was your seat?"

Yun Jiao walked over to Yun Chen Nan’s side and asked her question while he was staring dazedly at the classroom.

He snapped out of it and pointed to a seat in the third row of the aisle by the window.

"I sat all the way in there."

"I used to sit there."

He pointed to a spot in the middle. "I was nearsighted, so sitting closer helped me see more clearly. But after I got glasses, I preferred the window seat. It’s quieter over there."

"There are too many people in the middle, so getting in and out is a hassle. The seats by the hallway are too noisy when class lets out. Only the window seat is relatively quiet. When I got tired, I could look out at the flowers and trees."

Yun Jiao skipped happily toward the spot he had pointed out.

She sat down in Yun Chen Nan’s seat. She figured the desk would be empty since almost everyone was gone.

But when Yun Jiao reached her little arm into the desk’s compartment, she actually pulled out a letter.

Yun Jiao’s eyes went wide.

’What’s this?’ she thought, her curiosity piqued.

"Third Brother, is this your letter? Why is this here?"

Yun Chen Nan looked just as bewildered.

With astonishing speed, Yun Chenbei snatched the letter from Yun Jiao’s hand and opened it.

After a quick scan of its contents, the look Yun Chenbei gave his older brother became deep and meaningful.

Yun Chen Nan was speechless.

"I want to see too, let me see."

’I’m the one who found it, how can they not let me see?’

Before Yun Jiao could get a look, Yun Chen Nan had already taken it.

He knew what the letter was about with just a single glance, his expression remaining unchanged.

He had received plenty of letters like this before; he was used to it.

"What is it? What could it be? Third Brother, let me see it!"

Yun Jiao was getting impatient.

Yun Chen Nan said, "No. This isn’t something a kid should see."

Yun Jiao thought, ’I’m not listening, I’m not listening!’

She leaped up, clinging to her third brother, and quickly snatched the letter away.

Yun Chen Nan was nearly bowled over by his own sister, who was ridiculously strong for her size.

Caught off guard, he really did lose it to her. He immediately gave chase.

Yun Jiao’s legs were short, but she was fast.

She read the letter while running.

"Wow... So a girl likes you, Third Brother!"

There was nothing in it that was inappropriate. People from this era were more reserved in their expressions. Though it was a confession letter, it was written more like a poem. What part of that was unsuitable for a child to see?

Yun Chen Nan hadn’t thought much of it, but after being teased by his sister, his ears began to turn red.

He snatched the letter back. "I’m still young. Instead of romance, I’d rather focus my energy on more important things."

He opened the letter, took a fountain pen from his pocket, sat back in his seat, and started writing earnestly at the bottom of the letter.

Although the affection of others didn’t move his heart, he still cherished it. At least in his current view, this harmless form of admiration was something to be grateful for. It was just that he couldn’t return the feelings.

Youth was fleeting, and he wanted to use this brief time to better himself, to strengthen himself, and then to throw himself into a career path he was passionate about.

After writing the reply, Yun Chen Nan stuffed the letter back into the envelope.

He placed it back inside the desk.

"Let’s go."

’Goodbye, high school Yun Chen Nan.’

As they left the classroom, he held Yun Jiao’s hand and turned to Yun Chenbei.

"Give me the photos when they’re developed."

Yun Chenbei nodded.

"Okay."

Yun Chen Nan took them to eat at a place outside the school. Along the way, they ran into several classmates, who all greeted them with smiles.

They were just as curious about Yun Jiao.

"So this is your sister! She’s so pretty. No wonder you’re always talking about her."

Yun Jiao blinked. "Does my brother really mention me often?"

"Of course!"

The boy slung an arm over Yun Chen Nan’s shoulder, a sunny smile on his face.

"I’m Yun Chen Nan’s best buddy! Besides studying and grinding practice questions all day, the one thing he talks about most is his smart, beautiful, and super-sweet little sister at home."

The person now sitting across from them was named Chu An. He was Third Brother’s desk-mate and roommate, and the two were very close.

It was mainly because Chu An was so lively and enthusiastic. At school, Yun Chen Nan was the quiet type who came off as a bit cold and aloof.

Chu An was the exact opposite. Thanks to his constant pestering, Yun Chen Nan had grown quite close to him over time and was even willing to share some family matters with him.

Yun Jiao was delighted. The corners of her mouth curved up even more, revealing a dimple on one cheek.

"Oh yeah, Yun Chen Nan, we agreed I’d come visit you after the exams are over."

Yun Chen Nan nodded with a grunt of affirmation.

The four of them made for a lively table as they ate and chatted.

As Yun Jiao slurped her rice noodles, she suddenly sensed that someone was looking their way.

It wasn’t just a glance, either—they had been staring for a while.

Yun Jiao followed the gaze and saw a girl with glasses and her hair in two braids.

Her gaze wasn’t on Yun Jiao, but on her third brother.

As if sensing Yun Jiao’s gaze, the moment their eyes met, the girl quickly looked down, clutched her books, and hurried away.

Yun Jiao tilted her head and nudged her third brother’s arm.

"Brother, do you know her? She was just staring at you."

Yun Chen Nan looked in the direction she indicated but only saw a retreating back. As if sensing his gaze, the girl paused and turned around. She gave Yun Chen Nan a deep, meaningful look, her lips moved as if saying something, and then she turned and left without a backward glance.

Yun Chen Nan was stunned for a moment, because he recognized the girl.

She was a classmate of his—and the author of the letter from earlier.

"Ah, that’s Li Sisi."

"She likes you, doesn’t she, Yun Chen Nan? A bunch of girls in our class like you. Little sister Yun Jiao, you have no idea how popular your brother is at school."

Yun Chen Nan shot him a warning look.

Chu An just chuckled. "Hey, don’t be shy. You’re good-looking, you have great grades, and you’re a good person. It’s completely normal for girls to like you."

At that age, and especially in that era, students were always fond of classmates with good grades.

Yun Chen Nan’s good looks were a major plus. He was handsome even when he was tanned, but once his skin lightened, he gained a gentle, scholarly air that girls found even more attractive.

High school was a time of restless adolescent hormones for both boys and girls; it was only natural to want to date.

But Yun Chen Nan was completely focused on his studies. The girls who liked him would ultimately become nothing more than a special, colorful memory.

As time went on, they would all go on to encounter many new people and experience many new things. But the vibrancy of their youth would always remain tucked away in the depths of their memories. There might be regrets, but ultimately, they would all move on.