C13 A Love Letter

Chu Yunpeng was a competent worker, and he enjoyed the full trust of Chu Yunhe. He was involved in all the significant affairs of the company, even managing the flow of funds. Unfortunately, it was this very trust that sowed the seeds of future trouble.

During the Southeast Asian financial crisis, Chu Yunpeng spotted an opportunity to exploit the chaos. As the crisis worsened, he made his move. Payments retrieved from Malaysia and Thailand never made it into the company's accounts. Instead, he deceitfully told Chu Yunhe that those companies had gone bankrupt and the money was lost. Chu Yunhe, who had immense faith in him, harbored not a shred of doubt. This devastating news drove Chu Yunhe to the brink, contemplating suicide.

These whispers only emerged years after his father's death, but the fact that Chu Yunpeng swiftly started his own business soon after was telling. It wasn't mere hearsay.

Moreover, following the death of his parents, Chu Yunpeng not only neglected to look after Chu Jun but became even more distant, treating him as if he were a stranger. This cold reality only confirmed Chu Jun's suspicions.

With a heavy sigh, Chu Jun resolved that regardless of the truth, he would not allow anyone to harm his family, Chu Yunpeng included.

Riding to school, Chu Jun passed the familiar sights of grass and trees. The morning sun was gentle, warming his skin. Delayed by Chu Yunpeng's earlier interruption, Chu Jun pedaled swiftly.

His ride felt instinctive, without a hint of awkwardness. He parked his bike in the shed, dashed up to the third floor, and entered his classroom, taking his seat just in time to avoid being late.

Waking from a daydream, he was startled by a piece of chalk striking his forehead. The teacher beckoned him to stand, classmates whispered among themselves, and a girl, who might have been his desk mate in another life, giggled behind her hand. Outside, the leaves danced in the breeze. Everything was as it had always been, unchanged.

Chu Jun had once read a passage online and had envisioned such a scene. Now, it had come to pass, albeit without the teacher's chalk or a desk mate's laughter. Each student sat at their own desk, some buried in books, others feverishly scribbling down their homework.

The countdown chalked on the blackboard behind now read fifty-six days.

In just fifty-six days, the futures of most students in this classroom would hinge on a single exam. It was a fierce competition where only the victor would claim the crown.

Chu Jun sat in his seat, inhaling deeply. His classmates, absorbed in their own worlds, failed to notice his unease. Liu Ming, Wang Hongfeng, Zhang Jianfeng, Wang Na, Li Shuxia—

Their familiar names merged with the faces around him. Then, he caught a gaze directed at him and instinctively met it.

At 1.76 meters, Chu Jun's height relegated him to the back row. The owner of the gaze, a few rows ahead, locked eyes with him briefly before quickly looking away, her ponytail still swaying.

That pretty face stirred something in Chu Jun. Su Xiang wasn't just the class beauty; she was the belle of the entire school.

Her features were refined, her eyes sparkled, and she seemed to carry a perpetual smile. With her high-bridged nose and pointed chin, she was always cheerful and well-liked by her classmates.

She was as kind as she was beautiful, and even in the throes of adolescence, her figure drew attention. Even by the standards of Chu Jun's future self, Su Xiang was undeniably stunning.

High school, the most academically demanding time, was rife with puppy love, even in the most prestigious institutions.

Su Xiang was a prime target for such affections, often receiving love notes and gifts. Yet, she handled it all with grace, never showing preference for any boy and keeping her focus on her studies.

Chu Jun harbored a tender sentiment for her, but his nature made him jovial with the boys and reserved with the girls. He kept his crush close to his chest.

With a long exhale, Chu Jun cleared his mind. Now was not the moment for distractions; he faced a multitude of pressing issues. He was well aware that most high school romances fizzled out, and he was determined to tackle the immediate challenges first.

He had steered his father's company clear of trouble, rooted out the malevolent Chu Yunpeng, and secured a spot at Tsinghua University. On top of that, his internet money-making scheme was in full swing. With so much on his plate, he hardly had a moment to entertain thoughts of puppy love.

For high school seniors, particularly those in their final year, the legendary "sea of questions" strategy was a badge of honor in preparing for the college entrance exams—a topic of endless fascination for teachers. As a result, every student's desk was buried under a veritable mountain of study materials.

"Huh?"

Chu Jun reached for a book on his desk, only to discover a light blue envelope hidden among the stacks. It was neatly tucked under a textbook, with just about two centimeters peeking out.

With a mix of anticipation and nerves, Chu Jun opened the envelope. The elegantly penned words were unmistakably a girl's handwriting. His heart raced—receiving a letter from a girl was an entirely new and thrilling experience.

Sweaty palms and a dry throat accompanied his careful unfolding of the letter, which was the same shade of light blue and carried a subtle scent.

"Chu Jun, bet you didn't expect to get this letter from me!"

"Just fifty-six days left until the college entrance exams. Have you decided which university you're aiming for? You missed class yesterday, and with the exams looming, you can't afford to fall behind."

"I might head back to Yanjing soon to start my own exam prep. If all goes as planned, I'll likely apply to a university there. You probably know I'm registered in Yanjing, which gives me a bit of an edge!"

"There's something I've been meaning to tell you, and if I don't say it now, I might never get another chance."

"Remember the Spring Sports Meet in our freshman year? Thank you for carrying me to the infirmary. I never got the chance to thank you properly."

If Chu Jun was initially puzzled about the letter's author, the mystery was now solved. It was from Su Xiang, and with that realization, his heart skipped a beat.

Memories of the Spring Sports Meet's five-kilometer race came flooding back. Su Xiang had collapsed after crossing the finish line, and he, Chu Jun, had been right there beside her, quickly scooping her up and rushing her to the infirmary. He never imagined that she would hold onto that memory so dearly.

It seemed to be a farewell letter. Having a Yanjing household registration was a huge boon for the college entrance exams; the cutoff scores and the number of admissions slots were exceptionally favorable. It was truly something to be envious of.

Next, he anticipated a word of thanks from Su Xiang. The thought of receiving gratitude from the school's revered beauty, the goddess herself, was indeed a delightful prospect. Chu Jun took an involuntary deep breath and eagerly continued reading.

"I think I started to like you from that moment on!"

"If possible, I'd like to wait for you in Yanjing!"

Hold on, what was happening? Chu Jun's mind was reeling. Was Su Xiang, the campus belle, the goddess, actually confessing her feelings to him?