After entering the campus, he didn't speak a word. No one spoke to him, and his disposition was such that he wouldn't initiate conversations. She, on the other hand, was like a radiant sun, bringing smiles wherever she went. People naturally gravitated towards her, and it wasn't uncommon for young men to show her affection.
She was the type of person who was naturally beloved.
During the half-month military training, Xing Zheng underwent rehabilitation at the hospital daily. His sudden diligence surprised even the doctors. At eighteen, a teenager's learning and recovery abilities were excellent. After two weeks of intensive therapy, he no longer needed a wheelchair and could manage his daily needs with the aid of crutches.
When school resumed, Xing Zheng attended classes with crutches. The first professional course was Introduction to Economics, a large lecture for the School of Economics and Management. Xing Zheng was among the first to arrive at the lecture hall and took a seat in an inconspicuous spot. Soon after, he saw her arrive.
She was accompanied by two female friends, and the three appeared very close, chatting animatedly and laughing heartily. Her smile captivated him, and he hadn't even noticed someone had sat next to him until he heard a voice ask, "Do you mind if I sit here?"
Xing Zheng looked at the person. He seemed somewhat familiar, but he couldn't recall who it was. The person seemed to notice his confusion and introduced himself, "I'm Liang Yufeng. We're in the same dormitory. We met briefly when you were settling into your room."
At the time, he had been busy making his bed and had intended to chat with him after he finished. However, he had left his belongings and departed.
Xing Zheng simply responded with an "Oh," and nothing more. Liang Yufeng, sensing his reserve, didn't press further. Shortly after, the professor arrived to begin the class.
For the duration of that lecture, Xing Zheng could hardly focus on what the professor was saying. With a slight glance upwards, he could see Lin Mei seated diagonally in front of him. His attention was fixed on her. Unlike him, Lin Mei was listening attentively, her focus unwavering, as if nothing could disturb her.
For a long time afterward, his greatest anticipation was for the few public classes they had each week. These were the rare occasions when he could openly gaze at her.
She was popular in their class and even renowned throughout the entire college. By then, she had become close friends with Lan Lan and Feng Feng. Not only were they academically strong, but they were also beautiful, and many harbored ill intentions towards them.
Lan Lan and Liang Yufeng began a passionate relationship, which ultimately ended with Liang Yufeng being dumped. Liang Yufeng's public plea for reconciliation under the girls' dormitory, standing in the rain, became a well-known anecdote within the School of Economics and Management.
Everyone around them seemed to be in relationships, yet Lin Mei remained single. Xing Zheng often saw people expressing their admiration for her, and she would politely decline, as if she had no interest in dating.
On occasions when he followed her from a distance, he witnessed several confessions of love. She would always smile and say, "We can be friends. I don't want to date anyone right now."
Was her reluctance to date due to her waiting for Xing Yan?
He had convinced himself of this at the time. As the "killer," he felt he had no right to intrude into her life, let alone harbor feelings for her. He even began to avoid encountering her. He would follow her without her knowledge but would never appear before her.
It was during that period that he started experiencing frequent nightmares and insomnia. He would often dream of Xing Yan confronting him, or of Lin Mei being with Xing Yan, or of Lin Mei questioning him about why he had killed Xing Yan. The nightmares exacerbated his insomnia, leading Shen Su and Gu Song to escort him to a doctor. From then on, he began relying on medication to fall asleep.
Even so, his condition did not improve. Although the medication allowed him to sleep, he would wake up exhausted the next day, unable to concentrate on anything. His academic performance in his final exams of the first year declined significantly, and he barely passed calculus.
During the summer break, with nowhere else to go, he stayed alone in his apartment, passing the time. During this period, Xing Sha visited. He asked him, "Are you adjusting to university life? Has your leg fully recovered?"
These were not the words one would expect from a father to his son. Xing Zheng responded casually, without warmth.
Xing Sha spoke at length about inconsequential matters. His concern felt superficial, not what Xing Zheng needed. Xing Zheng interrupted him and asked directly, "What do you want from me? Just say it."
His intentions exposed, Xing Sha appeared flustered. After a pause, he finally said, "Since your brother's accident, your mother's condition hasn't been good this past year."
"She hasn't been sleeping well and can't get over it. She's even had thoughts of ending her life," Xing Sha told Xing Zheng. "I initially thought she would get better if you didn't come home, but her condition has worsened."
"So?" Xing Zheng had already guessed his intention but wanted him to voice it himself.
"I'll send you abroad. You want to study business, you can go to Penn. I have a house in Philadelphia, and then you..."
"What if I don't go?" Xing Zheng interrupted him.
"I won't force you. Think it over carefully," Xing Sha said. "She hasn't been good to you, and logically, you shouldn't do so much for her. But her condition is serious now, and the doctor said she'll only get better if we indulge her."
"I know you resent her for not being fair to you, and I know you've suffered a lot. But your life was given by her, and she endured great hardship during your pregnancy."
Xing Sha reasoned with him, appealing to his emotions, and spoke at length. However, Xing Zheng couldn't give him an answer immediately. He could only say, "Think it over carefully, and give me your answer in September."
The summer break passed in the blink of an eye, and by the time school resumed, Xing Zheng still hadn't made up his mind.
Upon returning to school, he followed Lin Mei as usual. She was alone that day, and he kept his distance as he followed her. As she crossed the road, she suddenly collapsed.
He reacted swiftly and rushed to her side, only to realize she was having an asthma attack and had no medication with her. He immediately called an ambulance and accompanied her to the hospital. Her student ID fell out of her bag, and he picked it up and put it in his pocket.
Lin Mei was taken to the emergency room. While he waited outside, Xing Yan called. He answered, hearing Xing Yan's impatient voice, "Pack your things and go to Philadelphia. Immediately!"
It turned out that Xie Qin Jia had threatened to kill herself if he didn't leave. With no other choice, he abandoned everything at the hospital and returned to his apartment.
At that moment, the people arranged by Xing Sha were already waiting for him. He took only one suitcase and was sent to Philadelphia.
On the way to the airport, Xing Zheng contacted Shen Su and Gu Song, asking them to check on Lin Mei at the hospital and find out her condition.
It wasn't until he arrived in Philadelphia that he learned Lin Mei was out of danger. However, she believed that someone else had saved her.
Shortly after this incident, she began dating that person.
Xing Zheng received this news the day he completed his enrollment procedures at Penn.
He returned home and received photos of Lin Mei on a date with Chen Qi. He smashed the tablet computer in frustration.