In Beijing in September, the leaves of the phoenix trees began to turn yellow. Standing at the gate of his alma mater, Fang Yuan gazed at the mottled iron gates as memories came rushing back like a rising tide. Ten years ago, in a season just like this, he had seen Lin Xia off right here.
That was the summer of 2013, when both Fang Yuan and Lin Xia were high school seniors. Fang Yuan was the top student in the class—taciturn, yet always managing to come out on top in exams. Lin Xia, on the other hand, was the class commissar for arts; with an outgoing personality and eyes that curved like crescent moons when she smiled, she was full of life. Their paths crossed during a class choir competition. Lin Xia was in charge of organizing the rehearsals, and the head teacher assigned Fang Yuan to help her sort out the musical scores.
"Fang Yuan, this rhythm doesn't seem quite right." Lin Xia leaned in close, the faint scent of jasmine mingled with the warmth of the sun making Fang Yuan's heart race. Keeping his head down, he nervously moved his fingers across the piano keys. "Let me try again." From that day on, their songs and the sound of the piano filled the classroom after school every single day.
Chapter 192