Chapter Eighty-Eight: Xia Qingyao's Story, A Childhood Promise

Twelve years earlier.

Qingyao Xia’s father and Cheng Feng’s father had long been acquainted and visited each other often. On one of those occasions, he brought his daughter to the Cheng home, and the two children met.

One day, as the red sun sank in the west, the clouds along the horizon were dyed with a brilliant crimson glow.

In the fading light, by an alley off the back street, a little girl with long black hair sat crouched on the ground, arms wrapped around her knees, her head buried there as she sobbed.

Now and then, passersby would glance at her and immediately understand that she had been bullied.

No one knew how long had passed before a sudden sound of running footsteps rang out, and a ragged little boy appeared from not far away.

Bracing his hands on his knees, Cheng Feng gasped for breath for a moment, then crouched down in front of her. “Stop crying. I got it back for you.”

The girl lifted her tear-filled eyes; her pitiful look was enough to make anyone ache with sympathy.

When she saw the boy’s bruised and swollen face, her heart tightened with sorrow. Flustered, she opened her mouth. “Y-you went after them?”

“Who told those bastards to bully you and snatch your toy?”

A grin spread across the boy’s dirty face, showing eight bright white teeth. “It’s fine now. I got your doll back.”

He held out his palm, and in it lay a headless Barbie doll, the battered body stained with a little dirt.

The girl took it timidly, pouting at the doll with deep distress.

Seeing this, the boy scratched his head and said awkwardly, “It got damaged during the scuffle just now. Sorry about that. It should still work, right?”

The girl sniffled, her eyes filling once more. Clear hot tears spilled down her cheeks, and she cried like a drenched little waif.

The boy thumped his chest and laughed a little foolishly. “Don’t cry. If anyone bullies you again, tell me. I’ll protect you.”

“Waaah... thank you. It’s all my fault for being so useless.”

Her nose burned with grief; she covered her little face with both hands and cried out loud again.

The boy tilted his head. “I said stop crying. I hate crybabies the most.”

Hearing that she might be disliked, the little girl stiffened all over. Biting her lip, she quickly wiped her tears with her hands. “I won’t cry anymore. I won’t cry again. Don’t hate me.”

“That’s more like it.”

The boy’s smile was pure and bright. “Crybabies get hated wherever they go. Only strong people are likable.”

Likable?

The girl lifted her head to look at him. “I’ll become strong. When I grow up, I want to be as capable as you, and become someone responsible who can protect the important people around me.”

“That’s the spirit.” The boy’s eyes lit up.

“In that case... will you like me?” the girl asked in a small voice.

“Of course. I like you a lot now too.”

Her cheeks warmed. “Li-like... really?”

“I’m not lying to you.”

The boy, innocent and unguarded, laughed it off. “Then it’s settled. When we grow up, let’s date. Before that, we mustn’t forget each other.”

“You said it, so you’re not allowed to forget later.” The girl pressed her lips together shyly.

“Okay. Then let’s go home.”

“Home.”

The two of them walked back hand in hand toward the main road. The light of dusk spilled from the horizon, stretching the silhouettes of the two children long across the street.

As years passed and circumstances changed, this childhood memory remained in Qingyao Xia’s heart for twelve years.

That casual childhood word of “liking,” that lifelong promise, had always lived in her heart like a haunting dream.

Some time later, Cheng Feng’s father found some success in business and made a modest fortune, so he moved away with Cheng Feng and Cheng Yi.

From then on, Qingyao Xia had no chance to meet Cheng Feng again.

After that, Qingyao Xia shed her timid nature and became extremely resilient, with a strong sense of responsibility. Her grades improved at an astonishing pace.

Her outstanding performance made her class monitor for three years in middle school.

Her strong character, beautiful appearance, excellent grades, and upright, selfless heart made every teacher who taught her believe she had a bright future ahead.

She believed that one day, fate would surely let her meet Cheng Feng again.

At last, when Qingyao Xia entered her first year of high school, perhaps by Heaven’s arrangement, that small wish truly came true.

She saw Cheng Feng in a high school classroom, and despite twelve years having passed without a meeting, she recognized him almost miraculously.

Only, Cheng Feng had long since forgotten her. Even seeing her, he showed no reaction at all, and that childhood promise naturally became a joke.

Worse still, his personality... had turned into that of a typical delinquent student, always breaking the school rules. He was completely different from the boy she had known as a child.

Qingyao Xia could not bear it. She did not want to watch Cheng Feng fall any further. She wanted to take responsibility for his future, correct every one of his mistakes, and pull him back onto the right path.

For all three years of high school, she opposed Cheng Feng at every turn, all in the hope of changing every bad habit he had.

Once, when she heard rumors that Cheng Feng and Jiang Qian might have gone to a hotel together, Qingyao Xia felt deeply bitter inside.

Because she had planned that on the day of the college entrance exam, if Cheng Feng had truly reformed himself and they were accepted into the same university, she would gather her courage and confess to him.

And when she confessed, she would tell him personally about the childhood promise he had already forgotten.

...

Twelve years later, in the present.

At Greenleaf First High School, in the school courtyard.

After completing his withdrawal手续, Cheng Feng now had no further ties to the school and was about to leave when Qingyao Xia hurried after him from behind.

From the teaching building, countless gossiping eyes were already fixed on the two of them in the courtyard.

Even at the risk of being misunderstood by the entire school, Qingyao Xia chose to call Cheng Feng back.

Cheng Feng stopped and turned around in confusion.

A light wind drifted across the lakeside not far away, making Qingyao Xia feel a chill. She asked, somewhat awkwardly, “Have you really decided to leave school? Then what about your future?”

“Monitor... no, Qingyao Xia, I have my own road to walk. You don’t need to worry about me anymore. And don’t forget...” Cheng Feng’s tone was distant. “I’m no longer a student in your class. From now on, you’re no longer my class monitor either.”

It seemed he truly remembered nothing at all.

A look of disappointment spread over Qingyao Xia’s lovely face. She bit her lower lip, not knowing what to say.

“Look at Monitor Xia acting so reluctant, like she’s been dumped by some scumbag.”

“Seems like there really is a huge story between those two.”

“Don’t rush it. Let’s keep watching.”

The onlookers in the teaching building were buzzing with gossip.

“Qingyao Xia, I used to be a troublemaker in class and must have caused you a lot of trouble.”

In the brief silence, Cheng Feng spoke seriously. “I’m sorry about before. Also, you’re a very responsible class monitor, your grades are excellent, and you’re beautiful too. You’ll definitely have a wonderful future.

I know you always opposed me because you were thinking of my own good... but now, I am a warrior of the Disaster Association.

From this day on, there will be no more connection between us. Goodbye.”