The senior year for a repeat student was stressful, and Xu Yu's pressure came from that nationally renowned university—the one Su Anxi would take the entrance exam for. Thus, pressure turned into motivation.
In an era where academic performance was still seen as determining one's future, the vast majority of high school seniors poured all their effort into striving and struggling during that final year.
Every day, they listened to their teachers' earnest admonitions and received milk and eggs from their parents—all for the sake of achieving success in the college entrance exam and living up to expectations.
Su Anxi felt that Xu Yu had truly changed. In the past, she had always heard that he slept in class and played basketball after class.
Now, however, he listened attentively in class, took notes, and spent his breaks doing test papers and solving problems—the very image of a diligent student.
But… his personality remained unchanged.
For instance, while Su Anxi was seriously working on a problem, her chair would be kicked by the boy behind her. She would turn around angrily, only to see him wearing an infuriatingly charming smile as he pointed to a question on his test paper and said, "Explain this problem to me."
She would roll her eyes at him but patiently guide him through the solution step by step.
Or, when Su Anxi went to the restroom and passed by Xu Yu, he would tilt his chair back on purpose to block her way and say, "Help me with some tutoring over the weekend."
She would curl her lips into a smile, nod, and say she would invite Han Fang and the others along. She would then watch as his expression instantly shifted through a range of emotions.
Another example: when evening self-study ended too late and Su Anxi headed home, whether by bike or bus, Xu Yu would always act as her protector, saying, "I happen to be going the same way as my future wife, so don't overthink it."
She would nod and reply, "Then I wish you and your future wife happiness."
After saying this, she would deliberately leave Xu Yu behind and stride ahead, only for the boy to catch up, grab the strap of her backpack, and pull her to walk on the inner side of the road.
In truth, their relationship at that time was quite subtle. Even the oblivious Liao Zhiping could tell that there was something special between them, yet whenever asked, both clever individuals would play dumb and laugh it off.
Of course, they weren't together back then, but it was the most beautiful stage of ambiguity during their student years.
On the weekend before the third mock exam, Han Fang and the others suggested a group study session. After all, among their group of six childhood friends, four were taking the college entrance exam that year.
The location was chosen at Xu Yu's home, as Xu Chengyun was busy with military duties and wouldn't return until evening.
But what was supposed to be a study session turned into something else when someone suggested taking a break to watch a movie and ease the tension. They ended up choosing a Stephen Chow film.
Laughter filled the room, startling the butterflies fluttering among the flowers outside and quietly brightening the early summer sunlight.
That day, Xu Yu and Su Anxi made a pact: if he got into Tsinghua University, they would be together.
Su Anxi nodded in agreement.
Xu Yu's performance in the third mock exam wasn't as good as in the first or second. Although he was still among the top ten in his class, Tsinghua University remained a distant dream for him.
During that period, Xu Yu seemed particularly despondent. The greater the pressure, the worse his mental state became. He grew noticeably haggard, and of course, his temper worsened as well.
Around that time, Xu Chengyun brought up the idea of attending a military academy again, but Xu Yu refused.
Xu Chengyun didn't press the matter, telling him to think it over carefully. Yet, deep down, Xu Yu found himself struggling with the decision.
The sky that day was as gloomy as his mood, heavy and wanting release. He went alone to the basketball court to play, not stopping even when the rain poured down.
When Su Anxi came out, what she saw was that tireless youth in the rain and mist, shooting baskets one after another on the court, like a basketball machine that, once a coin is inserted, won’t stop until time runs out.
Holding an umbrella, she walked onto the basketball court and stood to the side, watching him vent. Only after he had finished did she walk over, pull out a tissue, and hand it to him. “Figured it out yet?”
“Why are you here?” Xu Yu didn’t answer but instead asked a question.
“Lai Lai called me and said you were in a bad mood and had gone out. I thought I’d come try my luck.” Su Anxi smiled. “My luck isn’t bad.”
Xu Yu gave a quiet “mm,” reached out to lift the edge of Su Anxi’s umbrella, and said to her, “It’s raining so hard. Hurry back.”
Su Anxi shoved the large umbrella’s handle into Xu Yu’s hand. The two of them huddled under the umbrella, looking at each other. Su Anxi waved at him. “Lower your head a bit. You’re too tall.”
Xu Yu was soaked through and afraid of getting rainwater on Su Anxi, so he kept a certain distance from her, leaving his back still exposed to the rain.
Hearing her words, he slightly hunched his back and lowered his head further, asking, “What?”
As soon as the words left his mouth, he froze. The girl raised her hand, using the tissue to gently wipe his face. The soft texture and gentle touch, even through the barrier, allowed him to feel the warmth transmitted from her fingertips.
Staring at her earnest little face, her slowly blinking eyes, her delicate and upturned nose, her rosy and tender lips, skin like fine jade with a faint blush on her cheeks—
And yet, his throat tightened uncontrollably, and the knuckles of his fingers gripping the umbrella handle turned white from the force.
“That’s enough, that’s enough.” Xu Yu straightened up, his voice noticeably deeper.
Su Anxi didn’t notice the series of changes in Xu Yu. She pursed her lips, looked at him, and said, “I’m not applying to Tsinghua University anymore.”
This statement undoubtedly shocked Xu Yu. He stared at her almost without thinking and asked, “Why aren’t you applying?”
“I want to study medicine. The Military Medical University is a good choice.” Su Anxi immediately explained, “I’ve thought about it. Actually, I’m not that fond of Tsinghua anyway. Graduating from Tsinghua doesn’t necessarily guarantee a better future. Military academies are different—the future is bright, and the requirements and scores for the Military Medical University are extremely high too.”
“Su Anxi, Tsinghua is your dream. What on earth are you thinking?” Xu Yu was shocked beyond measure, completely failing to realize at that moment that Su Anxi’s decision was because of him.
Seeing that Xu Yu seemed even angered, Su Anxi found it both funny and exasperating. She glanced at him and exclaimed, “Xu Yu, are you stupid?”
“I know I’m not as smart as you. You’re a study god; I’m a study failure. Can you please stop calling me stupid every time? I have dignity too.” Xu Yu was furious. He had been striving so hard to get into Tsinghua, and here she was, giving up just like that.
“Xu Yu.” Su Anxi burst out laughing at the sight of Xu Yu’s angry expression. Still laughing, she said to him, “You still don’t get it. What I mean is, both you and I should apply to military academies.”
“…” Xu Yu stared at Su Anxi. His previously chaotic gaze gradually cleared, becoming strikingly dark and bright.
Su Anxi nodded firmly. "I don't need you to chase after me. I can slow down and wait for you!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Yu's face instantly lit up with joy. "Are you serious?"
"I've long heard that Xu Uncle wants you to carry on the family tradition, and you're so torn about it. So I'll help you choose!"
"You've really decided? No regrets?" Xu Yu cautiously confirmed again.
Su Anxi smiled and shook her head. "Actually, I've thought about it for a long time. I've decided, no regrets."
"…" Xu Yu stared intently at Su Anxi, making her feel somewhat embarrassed.
She cleared her throat quietly and said to him earnestly, "Don't think military academy is easy to get into. It's incredibly difficult too, so you can't slack off!"
Finally, Xu Yu nodded and broke into a smile, then took a step forward. "Su Anxi, I really want to hug you."
"No." Su Anxi pointed at Xu Yu's soaking wet clothes.
"Then… let's go back."
"Xu Yu."
"Hmm?"
Xu Yu looked down at Su Anxi. The girl suddenly stood on her tiptoes and, in a flash, gave his lips a quick, light peck. Then she swiftly snatched the umbrella from his hand and ran off, shouting through the rain, "I'm going home first!"
That moment just now felt like a dream. The boy stood in the rain, touching his lips and grinning like a fool…
…
The day before the rescue team withdrew, volunteers organized by the Communist Youth League provided psychological assistance and cultural services for the people at the settlement—essentially setting up an outdoor movie screening.
At 8 p.m., it officially began on the open ground not far from the medical point.
In the temporary ward at the medical point, Su Anxi noticed Xiao Wang chattering nonstop about the movie playing outside and knew she wanted to watch it. So she said to her, "Go ahead and watch. I'll handle things here."
Xiao Wang nodded and happily lifted the curtain, darting outside.
Su Anxi continued checking the patients' conditions. After examining everyone, she finally lifted the curtain and stepped out. Standing in front of the prefab house, she gazed at the large screen not far away and was immediately drawn in by the images.
A Chinese Odyssey—the movie they had all watched together at Xu Yu's house back then, laughing uproariously, giggling and joking.
That day, she had gone to the kitchen to get drinks and was cornered by Xu Yu at the doorway. He said to her, "I want a promise from you."
She asked, "What promise?"
"If I get into Tsinghua University, you have to agree to be my girlfriend."
"Sure!"
…
In 2014, when A Chinese Odyssey was re-released, she sat quietly alone in the very last row, crying like an idiot.
The movie was still the same movie, the story still the same story. It was just that the people watching had grown up, and the one who had asked for her promise back then was gone.
A weight settled on her shoulder. Su Anxi glanced sideways—it was a camouflage training jacket.
"Not going over to watch?" Xu Yu took a step to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with her, his eyes fixed on the large screen.
Su Anxi smiled faintly and shook her head. "No need. I could recite it backwards."
"Movies from back then are still the best," Xu Yu remarked with emotion.
"Yeah, Stephen Chow is a genius. It's clearly a tragedy, but he presents it as a comedy. Isn't the highest form of comedy actually tragedy?" Su Anxi said with deep feeling.
Both of them watched the scene on the screen: Zhi Zun Bao refusing to let go of Zi Xia Xian Zi, yet the golden headband on his head tightened more and more.
In his ear was the man's deep voice, as profound as the night, "I want a promise from you."