(POV of Lin Tianxin)
It felt different, being home after so long. Sure, everything looked the same — the same park where I used to hide from my mom, the same local café where we spent hours playing board games — but now, it all had a kind of weight to it. Like we had finally grown into who we were supposed to be.
The first few days after returning home passed quickly. We got caught up in the warmth of our old lives, each of us talking about how college was, how much we'd changed, and how much we still had to do.
One afternoon, I met up with Zhou Rui and Junxi for coffee. We sat at our usual corner in the café, the one by the window. There were new customers in the shop, but it still felt like our place.
Zhou Rui stirred her coffee absentmindedly. "You know, I can't believe we're finally out of school," she said softly, almost in disbelief.
"I know, right?" Junxi answered, fiddling with the straw in his drink. "Feels like we were just kids, hanging out here."
Zhou Rui smiled at him. "And now we're all grown up with jobs, real plans. It's so weird."
I could feel the weight of it too. We had spent so many years together, in school, in town, and suddenly, everything was shifting. I had the sudden urge to laugh.
"Well, I'm going to make my ice cream shop a thing," I declared confidently. I'd said it before, but it felt different this time — like it could actually happen.
Junxi smirked. "Yeah, and I'm going to make the best damn car brand ever. It'll be everywhere."
Zhou Rui's eyes twinkled. "And I'm going to publish books that'll make people cry."
We all laughed, but there was a little spark of something in each of us — hope, excitement, and fear all rolled into one.
Later that evening, I met Jiasheng at the park. We sat together on the swings, watching the sun dip below the horizon. He didn't say much, just leaned back and gazed at the sky.
"Do you think we're making the right choices?" I asked, swinging gently.
Jiasheng was quiet for a moment before he responded. "I think we're doing what we have to, even if we don't know where it's leading." He paused and looked at me, the faintest smile tugging at his lips. "I'll always be there to help you, Tianxin. Whatever you choose."
I stared at him for a long second, feeling my heart flutter in my chest. I quickly looked away, pretending I didn't feel anything.
"Stop being so serious," I teased, giving him a playful shove. "I don't need your help for everything."
He raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? Because I'm pretty great at giving advice."
"Not when it's about my ice cream shop," I laughed, but even so, the words hung in the air for a while, unsaid.
The next few days were filled with excitement and unease, the kind of mix you get when life's about to change. We each started looking for jobs, but the real challenge was finding a way to keep our old bonds alive while chasing new dreams.
Jiasheng and I spent the next couple of weeks working side by side, getting advice from anyone who'd listen. Jiasheng's internship in BCA was tough, but he seemed to take it in stride. Me? I was learning how to balance the bakery and my dreams of making ice cream. I was always busy, always tired, but somehow the thought of starting my business kept me going.
A few nights later, I found myself sitting at the same old rooftop, looking up at the stars. Jiasheng joined me, as usual.
"Are you still thinking about your shop?" he asked quietly, settling next to me.
I nodded, smiling softly. "Yeah. It's scary, but I think I can do it."
Jiasheng chuckled and patted my back. "I think you'll be amazing, Tianxin. No doubt."
I looked at him, feeling the warmth of his words. It was more than just support; it was something deeper, something I couldn't quite understand yet.
But I didn't need to. For now, it was enough.