History Repeating Itself

Chu Ran had always been a person with an exceptionally clear sense of purpose.

Since childhood, she had learned much earlier than her peers what it meant to experience the coldness of the world and the reality of living under someone else’s roof.

Even with the same surname and similar DNA, she had always been a superfluous outsider in that place called “home,” valued even less than the miscellaneous storage cabinet in the entryway.

Therefore, escaping that “home” had always been Chu Ran’s ultimate goal. Everything she did was aimed at moving closer to that objective.

She hoped that in a place far beyond the reach of that “home,” she could carve out a world of her own.

This goal had sustained her for over a decade, fluctuating only once when she was twenty-four, before she forced herself back onto the right track at the fastest speed possible.

That was until three months ago, when her father personally called Chu Ran in a foreign country for the first time. He told her that her half-brother had died in a car accident and asked Chu Ran, the “older sister,” to return for the funeral.

Along with that request came many kind words. It was also the first time Chu Changbai had personally admitted Chu Ran’s importance to him as a daughter.

After all, his only heir was now Chu Ran. If he didn’t want the empire he had spent half his life building to be donated away, he had to bring her back.

Back then, his father-in-law hadn’t trusted him, so the will stated that all assets belonging to their branch were to be left to his grandson or granddaughter.

The old gentleman probably hadn’t expected his biological grandson to pass away so early, leaving this fortune to Chu Ran—someone with absolutely no blood relation to him.

Because of this, although Chu Ran’s salary as a lecturer was among the highest, such a small sum of money was utterly insignificant to the eldest miss of the Shengke Group.

“You really haven’t let her go, have you!” Yang Huining asked. “Don’t you think she harmed you enough back then?”

“Do you have any idea? After you left, that kid from the Medical Department confessed to her in front of the whole school, right under the dorm building. Those photos went viral on the campus forum!” Yang Huining grew angrier as she spoke; she truly didn’t want to see her friend trip over the same stone twice.

But Chu Ran had seen those photos too.

Flowers, candles—all the common campus tropes were used. It was enough to show that the boy had put in a lot of effort.

In the photos, a crowd of onlookers surrounded them, with the boy standing in the center holding a bouquet. He wore his usual warm smile, but unlike his daily self, he seemed extremely nervous; his neck was flushed red, and his fingers gripped the wrapping paper of the flowers.

Then, the girl took the bouquet from the boy’s arms and was pulled into his embrace. They hugged like a pair of lovers before leaving everyone’s sight together.

Anyone who didn’t know them would probably sigh and comment: What a perfectly matched couple.

Anyone except Chu Ran.

To this day, she still clearly remembered how she felt when she saw those photos.

It was as if ten thousand knives had stabbed her heart at once; in that moment, even breathing was painful.

She was alone abroad then, in a foreign environment where no one could listen to her grief.

Even if there had been someone, Chu Ran likely wouldn’t have spoken of it easily.

She felt that pain, too, would pass. There was nothing that time could not erase.

That day was Christmas Eve. The pine tree outside Chu Ran’s window had been covered in colorful lights by the neighbor’s children. Boxes of various sizes were piled under the tree, and a glowing star sat at the very top.

She stood at the window, staring at that exquisite Christmas tree for an entire night. The colored light reflected through the glass onto her face, as if that could prevent her life from being left entirely gray and white.

Finally, at dawn, Chu Ran cleared her mind of all those thoughts.

Those people and events were merely small interludes on the road of life. From the age of twelve, she had been a lonely individual; she was simply returning to her most familiar state. There was nothing to fear.

“Chu Ran, listen to me.” Yang Huining tried to keep her tone calm and persuasive. “Ask yourself, is she worth it?”

Chu Ran had asked herself this question more than once: Is it worth it?

The girl was timid—timid enough to betray her own heart for the sake of illusory things, timid enough to give up easily because of a few words from irrelevant people.

Later, Chu Ran gradually came to understand that cowardice was just an excuse. In the end, it was simply that she wasn’t important enough. Perhaps everything between them couldn’t withstand a single sentence or a single look from a stranger.

“Did they end up together?” Chu Ran gripped her cup tightly, her knuckles turning white. “After that confession, did they get together?”

In Chu Ran’s memory, the boy in the photo was hugging the girl, but the girl’s arms were only holding the flowers; she hadn’t hugged him back. This was the last shred of hope in the depths of Chu Ran’s heart.

Even though every time she recalled this hope, she couldn’t help but loathe herself for it.

“I think they did.” Yang Huining lost her confidence. She couldn’t withstand the intensity of Chu Ran’s gaze and spoke the truth. “Afterward, news about them on campus grew sparse, and since it was close to graduation season, I was focused on my own things. Who had the energy to keep following them? But Chu Ran, regardless of everything, she abandoned you then. That is an indisputable fact, isn’t it?”

Yes, Ye Nanzhi had abandoned Chu Ran. Regardless of what happened after, that was an indisputable fact.

Four years ago, Chu Ran had been driven out of her world by the other woman in the most pathetic manner.

Fortunately, the notification for her overseas recommendation came soon after, and Chu Ran quickly left the only place where she had ever lost her composure.

Chu Ran didn’t eat much of the meal. Recalling information that wasn’t conducive to an appetite had left her with none.

After dinner, Chu Ran offered to drive Yang Huining home.

“I have to be on duty at the school tonight, so I’m not going home. Drop me off at the campus.”

No wonder she was dressed like that today.

Yang Huining buckled her seatbelt and sat comfortably in the passenger seat, beginning to vent about the troubles of being on duty.

The school assigned administrative teachers to stay in fixed duty rooms within the student dormitories on a rotating schedule. In short: the teacher couldn’t go home and had to stay at the school.

As a female teacher, she had to remove her makeup, do her skincare, and bring cosmetics for the next day. All these bits and pieces made for a large bag. Looking at Yang Huining’s oversized tote, Chu Ran had her answer.

Along the way, the two chatted about their student days.

Time is a wonderful thing; it can heal past wounds and turn the most ordinary events of the past into brilliant and precious memories.

Around six in the evening, Chu Ran’s car stopped at the Shen University dormitory area.

Before getting out, Yang Huining said goodbye.

–Thanks for the Japanese food, Teacher Chu! I’ll bring a potted plant to visit your office another day!–

She had only walked a few steps after getting out before she turned back with a serious face.

–Did you remember what I told you today!–

“Oh, I know, Teacher Yang!” Chu Ran waved her hand.

Yang Huining wanted to say more, but seeing Chu Ran’s attitude, she ultimately swallowed her words.

Forget it, Yang Huining shook her head and walked toward the entrance of the duty teacher’s dorm.

After Yang Huining left, Chu Ran checked her phone again. During dinner, she had seen Professor Song post a Moment. A boy was standing in the middle with a girl on either side. The one on the right had fluffy air bangs over her forehead and a pair of sparkling eyes, looking very well-behaved. She wore a ginger-yellow oversized hoodie with the sleeves rolled up to reveal her slender arms, and light blue jeans that looked clean and youthful.

The caption read: [Hard work, kids.]

No wonder she messaged to ask for leave yesterday; she went to work for her supervisor. Chu Ran’s mood softened slightly. She put her phone away and was just buckling her seatbelt when she saw a crowd of students gathered on the road ahead, making a lot of noise.

As it turned out, a boy had come to the girls’ dorm to confess.

Chu Ran saw the boy in the center of the crowd had placed candles and roses on the ground, seemingly in the shape of a heart. He stood in the middle, shouting a girl’s name and singing while playing a guitar in front of everyone, pouring out his heart.

The surrounding crowd was cheering and jeering, waiting to witness this sweet moment together.

Tsk… How had so many years passed, only for students to still use such outdated methods to chase girls?

Chu Ran found the scene before her strangely eyesearing; it stirred up unpleasant memories. She didn’t care about the outcome of the confession. At this moment, she just wanted to get home, take a shower, and relax. Chu Ran sat back in the driver’s seat and turned the key to start the car again, but before the wheels had made even half a turn, she slammed on the brakes.

Because she saw, behind the crowd, a ginger-yellow figure standing side-by-side with a boy—and hanging from that boy’s shoulder was a crossbody bag with a rabbit pattern.

“Xiao Ye, does your arm still hurt? That was a heavy hit. How about I take you to the school clinic for some medicine?” Guo Peng saw Ye Nanzhi’s body was still tense; she must still be in pain.

While setting up the hall earlier, a worker had turned around carelessly, and the promotional board had slammed right into Xiao Ye. Because of that, a large bruise had formed on her arm, and she couldn’t exert any strength—she couldn’t even hold her bag steady.

“I’m really fine, I feel much better.” Even as she spoke, Ye Nanzhi used her other hand to take her backpack from Guo Peng. “Thanks for walking me back. Go home and rest; it’s hard to call a car after dark.”

“I’m a guy, what do I have to be afraid of!” Guo Peng chuckled, his expression carrying a hint of honesty. “As long as you’re okay. I’m leaving then.”

Ye Nanzhi raised her hand to wave goodbye, and at that moment, behind Guo Peng, she saw a familiar face.

Right under the streetlamp, a straight figure stood there, long black hair falling over her shoulders, approaching her step by step.

“Teacher… Chu Ran?” Ye Nanzhi couldn’t believe her eyes. “It’s so late, why are you here?”

Chu Ran was silent for a moment before answering seriously, “A colleague on duty asked me to help deliver some things.”

Just as Chu Ran was about to ask further, Ye Nanzhi acted as if she were deliberately ignoring the gloom in Chu Ran’s eyes. She raised her hand to point at the apartment building next door.

“Then you’ve gone the wrong way. The duty teachers live in that building.”