The time will soon be June, the summer vacation is approaching, and Si Baifang is about to return to China.

In the year of separation, due to the "big brother", Wu Dao and Si Baifang did not have much contact, but he was worried about her every day and looked forward to her early return. Wu Dao felt that Si Baifang must also miss him like this, looking forward to the reunion of the two.

At the end of June, Wu Dao sent a message to Si Baifang on QQ:

"Baifang, when will you return to China? I'll pick you up at the airport in Beijing on that day. ”

"Wu Dao, thank you for always remembering me. I'm going back to China in July, and you don't come to Beijing to pick me up, that's too much trouble. The big brother will go back to Jeju with me, and with the big brother with me, don't worry, it'll be fine. Si Baifang replied.

Seeing Si Baifang's reply, Wu Dao's heart suddenly cooled. What he feared most had become a reality, and even if the "big brother" had not yet taken his place in Si Baifang's heart, he had completely taken his place beside Si Baifang. The "big brother" is a native of Beijing, and after getting off the plane in Beijing, he did not stay in Beijing directly, but wanted to send Si Baifang to Jeju, which shows that their relationship is extraordinary.

At the beginning of the summer vacation, Wu Dao returned to his home in Qicheng County. After Si Baifang returned to China, he sent a text message to Wu Dao to report his safety, and never took the initiative to contact him again.

Si Baifang returned to China, but the distance between the two became farther away. Although Wu Dao missed Si Baifang, he tried his best to restrain himself from contacting her, because Si Baifang was free, she had the right to choose, and he didn't want the two of them to become strangers again.

Wu Dao has told his family many times that his girlfriend will return to China after staying abroad for a year, so the Wu family also knows that Si Baifang will come back this summer. As soon as Wu Dao returned home, the three elders asked him if his girlfriend had returned to China. Wu Dao said that he would be back soon, because Si Baifang had indeed not come back at that time.

However, the three elders would not stop without asking the results, and would ask again every few days. After Si Baifang returned to China, when his family asked Wu Dao again, he answered in the affirmative, and lied to them that he had a good relationship with his girlfriend, and the two of them were in constant contact and would meet after school started.

The three elders of the Wu family all believed it and looked forward to Wu Dao and his girlfriend getting married two years later.

In early September, both Bangju College and Jeju University reopened, and Wu Dao and Si Baekfang each returned to their schools. This semester, Wu Dao has no compulsory courses to teach in the Chinese Department, although elective courses are arranged, but because they are not mandatory, there is still no student choice, and the college asked him to teach "University Language" to students in another department.

Wu Dao told Meng Yihong that Si Baifang had returned to China, but did not mention the "big brother". Meng Yihong said to Wu Dao that he wanted him to go to Jeju to find Si Baifang. Wu Dao really wanted to go to Jeju, but he was a little worried in his heart and couldn't make a decision for a long time. Although Wu Dao did not take action, the day of meeting still came.

In mid-September, the Department of Chinese at Jeju University held a seminar on foreign literature, inviting teachers from various universities in the province to participate in related majors, and Meng Yihong and Wu Dao were among the invites. Tian Mowen also specially called both of them and told them to participate on time.

Wu Dao was very happy to be able to attend the seminar at Jeju University, firstly, he could go to see his mentor and later junior brothers and sisters, and secondly, he also had a legitimate reason to meet with Si Baifang, instead of meeting for the sake of meeting, which avoided possible embarrassment.

After receiving the invitation to the seminar, Wu Dao and Meng Yihong each wrote a speech according to the theme.

Because it was the first time for Wu Dao to participate in an academic seminar as a university teacher, and he had to meet Si Baifang, who had been separated for more than a year, he proposed to Meng Yihong that both of them go to buy a new set of clothes. Meng Yihong readily agreed.

When they arrived at the clothing market, Meng Yihong and Wu Dao each worked as staff officers for each other and bought clothes that fit.

On the night of buying clothes, Wu Dao called Si Baifang:

"Baekbang, I'm going to Jeju University in two days to attend a symposium on foreign literature. When the time comes, I'll go to you. ”

"Great, we haven't seen each other in over a year. When you arrive, call me and I'll treat you to dinner. Si Baifang said.

"Baifang, I've joined the work, I should have invited you to dinner. I don't know the exact schedule of the seminar yet, but if you have enough time, I'll invite you to dinner. If we don't have enough time, we can just meet in person. ”

"It's good, it's good to be able to meet. When you go to Jeju, let's talk again. ”

"Let's talk when we meet."

The seminar at Jeju University lasts for one day, starting at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 4:00 p.m., with a two-hour break at noon.

The distance between Fangju and Jeju was too long, and if the seminar departed on the same day, it would be too late, so Wu Dao and Meng Yihong had arrived in Jeju early by train in the afternoon of the previous day. Although the seminar did not provide accommodation, Bangju College was able to reimburse the costs and they opened two private rooms in a hotel near the south gate of Jeju University.

Wu Dao wanted to see Si Baifang, but Tian Mowen had already called Meng Yihong in advance and wanted to invite the two of them to dinner in the evening. Tian Mo asked that after all, he was his mentor, and logically speaking, Wu Dao had to eat this meal. He had to push back the time to meet Si Baifang, if it was not very late after dinner in the evening, he would meet in the evening, and if it was too late, he would meet tomorrow.

Fortunately, Wu Dao had not told Si Baifang the news that he had arrived in Jeju at this time, and she did not know about it.

Wu Dao and Meng Yihong rested in the hotel for a while, and it was time for dinner. Tian Mowen came to the hotel to find them, and along with the six graduate students he was leading. Everyone met in the lobby on the first floor of the hotel, and Wu Dao found that Tian Mowen was still so fat, but it could be seen that he was in good spirits. Tian Mowen said to Meng Yihong:

"Yihong, I haven't seen you for so many years, you are still so beautiful and so young. I can't do it anymore, and now it's a three-high crowd. ”

"Senior brother, you are still so humorous. I'm in my forties, so how can I talk about being young and beautiful? Your student Wu Dao and the six graduate students under you are young people. Meng Yihong said.

"Hello Mr. Tian." Wu Dao asked Tian Mo.

"Wu Dao, I see that your mental state is much better now than before, it seems that Yihong has taken good care of you this year." Tian Mo asked.

"Wu Dao is a disciple of Senior Brother, a descendant of our Master, and I should take care of him." Meng Yihong said.

"Today is the gathering of our teacher, I will call the six graduate students I am bringing with me now, we will meet and get to know each other, and if we meet on the road in the future, we can also know that they are all from the same teacher." Tian Mo asked.

"Yes, yes." Meng Yihong said.

Of the six graduate students, Wu Dao only knew two of them in the third year, and the other four came to Jeju University after he graduated. Tian Mowen asked the six disciples to greet Meng Yihong and Wu Dao and introduce themselves. After that, everyone left the hotel and went to the hotel outside.

On the way, six graduate students and Wu Dao came together, shouting "senior brother, senior brother", asking him various questions such as writing his thesis and taking the doctoral examination. Wu Dao really regarded himself as a senior brother and answered questions for his younger brothers and sisters.

After arriving at the hotel, nine people asked for a private room. Tian Mowen ordered a large table full of dishes, and ordered beer and drinks.

There were many people, many dishes, and many wines, and they had not seen each other for a long time, and the meal that day lasted until more than nine o'clock in the evening. Tian Mowen, Wu Dao and Meng Yihong all drank a lot of wine. Tian Mowen and the six graduate students sent Wu Dao and Meng Yihong back to the hotel before leaving.

Although Wu Dao had the intention to ask Si Baifang to come out to meet, he was already powerless, not to mention that it was not good to go to see her with a body of alcohol, and the meeting could only be left until the next day. After returning to the room, under the influence of alcohol, Wu Dao fell asleep after a while.

Breakfast is available at the guesthouse where Wu Dao and Meng Yihong stay. After getting up in the morning, they went to the restaurant to eat together. During the meal, Meng Yihong said to Wu Dao:

"Senior Brother Tian is still so good at drinking, I drank too much last night, and my head still hurts a little now."

"Yes, I drank too much yesterday." Wu Dao said.

"Si Baifang has returned to China, do you really want to see her?"

"Yes, I wanted to see her last night. I drank too much, and it was not good to go to see her again. Take the time to meet her today. ”

"After the afternoon seminar, we went back to Fangzhou. In this way, at noon, the teacher who attended the seminar had a buffet, so you don't have to go. When the time comes, you ask Si Baifang out and the two of you will meet. ”

"Sister Meng, you are still thoughtful. So be it. ”

After eating, after returning to the room, Wu Dao called Si Baifang and asked her to meet at noon and have dinner together, and the two met at the south gate of Jeju University at 11:50. Si Baifang readily agreed.

The seminar was not held in the teaching building of the Department of Chinese, but in the academic building dedicated to academic conferences. More than 20 teachers from various colleges and universities in the province attended the seminar. Before the meeting began, Oh Daoxian greeted several teachers from Jeju University.

The speeches at the conference were sorted according to the influence of scholars, and Wu Dao, a young teacher who was not well-known in the academic community, was arranged to speak in the afternoon. Wu Dao valued this opportunity for exchange, and he listened carefully to every teacher's speech, and took notes on novel ideas.

At 11:30 a.m., the morning seminar ended. Teachers are going to the school cafeteria for buffets. After walking out of the venue, Wu Dao and Tian Mo asked that they had something to do and would not go to the buffet, and greeted Meng Yihong again. After going downstairs, Wu Dao left the teachers and walked straight to the south gate. When we arrived at the South Gate, it was 11:40.

Wu Dao waited anxiously for Si Baifang. He remembered that he and Si Baifang had met at this door many times, and this was a testimony of their friendship.

Five minutes later, Si Baifang came to the south gate, and she was still so beautiful and moving. What's more, she still wears the jade bracelet on her hand. The two looked at each other and smiled. Wu Dao wanted to go over and hug Si Baifang, but he held back. He didn't know if he was qualified to hug Si Baifang now.

Si Baifang walked up to Wu Dao and said:

"Wu Dao, we haven't seen each other for more than a year, right?"

"Yes, you left at the end of June last year, and it's been one year and three months now." Wu Dao said.

"Are you here in Jeju today?"

"No, I took the train to Jeju with my colleague yesterday afternoon. It was already past six o'clock in the afternoon when I stayed at the hotel. My tutor had agreed before we came that he would invite us to dinner in the evening. Last night, my supervisor and the six graduate students he brought with me came. By the time I finished eating, it was already past nine o'clock, and I had drunk a lot of wine, so I didn't ask you to meet again. ”

"That's right, I thought you didn't think you considered me a good friend anymore."

"How could that be! You will always be my good friend. We're friends of the heart, aren't we? ”

"Yes, we are friends in the heart."

"Let's go to dinner, I'll just invite you, just welcome you back to China."

When the two of them arrived at the cafeteria they had often frequented before, Wu Dao paid. After choosing a meal, they found a table and sat down. Si Baifang took out a string of Buddhist beads from the backpack he was carrying and said:

"Wu Dao, I bought it for you when I was abroad. Once I went to a temple and saw such beads there. Locals say that the beads in that temple are very good and can bless people's safety. I thought about it right then and wanted to bring a bunch back to you. I was thinking of mailing it to you, but now that you're here, I can give it to you in person. ”

Wu Dao took the beads and said:

"Baifang, thank you for giving me such a nice gift. I hope we can all be safe and secure in the future. ”

Wu Dao put away the Buddha beads. The two of them were talking while eating. Si Baifang said to Wu Dao:

"Wu Dao, have you been doing for more than a year? Is it going well to work at Fangzhou College? ”

"I've had a good year. Being a teacher at Fangzhou College is the right choice, and I love my current job. What about you, Baifang, are you living well abroad? ”

"I'm fine too. In a foreign country, I saw a lot of things that I had never seen before, and I learned a lot. ”

"You're back to China now, and you're going to graduate school for two years. I'm working now, and my income is okay, so if you have any difficulties, you can tell me and I will definitely help you. ”

"Thank you, Wu Dao. I'm not having any trouble right now. During my one year abroad, I also saved some savings, which should be enough for these two years. I'll be sure to tell you if you get stuck. ”

"That's good."

Wu Dao wanted to avoid the topic of personal emotions, although he wanted to know about Si Baifang and the "big brother", but he didn't know how to talk about it. However, this topic did not go around after all, and Si Baifang said to him:

"Wu Dao, there is one thing I want to tell you. Before I went abroad, I once told you that I would try to be your girlfriend when you waited for me to come back. I might be going to break my promise. When I was abroad, I met my eldest brother, Xu Jinfeng. He is a graduate student at Jeju Normal University, where he also volunteers. He was very nice to me and took very good care of me. I don't know if I'm in love with him or not, but I feel like I'm inseparable from him now. Can you understand how I feel? ”

"Baifang, I can understand your feelings. I told you that you are free and you can go for the feelings you want. Whatever choice you make, I will support you. ”

"Thank you, Wu Dao. You are also free, and I hope you can find your own happiness. ”

Speaking of which, neither of them knew what to say next, so they both bowed their heads to eat. Lunch was quickly served, after which they returned to the South Gate of Jeju University. At this time, the time was less than half past twelve, Si Baifang wanted to go back to the dormitory, and Wu Dao wanted to go back to the hotel. The two of them parted, and Si Baifang said to Wu Dao:

"Wu Dao, take care."

"Baifang, take care too." Wu Dao said.

Wu Dao didn't stop where he was to look at Si Baifang's back. He was afraid that Si Baifang would turn around and see that he was still there, and then her heart would be uncomfortable.

At 1:45 p.m., Meng Yihong went to Wu Dao's room and asked him to go with him to the afternoon seminar. Walking on the road, Meng Yihong said to Wu Dao:

"You and Si Baifang met at noon, how was it?"

"Sister Meng, my fate with her may be over." Wu Dao said.

"What's wrong?"

Si Baifang said that when she was abroad, she met a graduate student at Jeju Normal University, and she couldn't do without him.

"I don't know what to say about the two of you. Emotional matters are very complicated, and you can't force them. Now that Si Baifang already has a boyfriend, you should also consider finding a girlfriend. ”

"We'll talk about it later."

At the afternoon seminar, Wu Dao made a speech. After the seminar, Wu Dao and Meng Yihong said goodbye to Tian Mowen and took the train back to Fangzhou.

Wu Dao knew that it would be difficult for him to see Si Baifang again.