[The maximum safe distance is six meters; going any further, the person in front will jump into the river.

A heartache needs a remedy for the heart, and external intervention can only save her temporarily. Her spirit is deadened, her obsession has disappeared, she no longer wishes to stay in this world.

Everyone who actively steps toward death has endured immense suffering. Life can only heal those who wish to get better.]

Listening to the narration in his mind, Su Qing stood there helplessly and spoke.

Ever since Xu Yuezhen parted ways with them, he received the narration in his mind and knew what she was planning to do next. Hence, he did not accompany Wang Xing and the others, but instead turned around and followed.

Sure enough, after a few quick turns, he finally found the target at the place indicated by the narration.

Luckily, the area wasn't large, and he managed to catch up by following along the riverbank.

To be honest, if he wanted to, he could quietly approach her and unexpectedly pull her away from the riverbank. But what good would that do?

As the narration says, he can watch over her for a moment, but he can't save her for life. He can't monitor her 24 hours non-stop, can he?

Those who go to crowded places to jump off buildings or rivers, deep down, still have a bit of survival instinct. Otherwise, they wouldn't wait for the fire brigade to arrive, nor be saved by passersby.

In Jiang City, there isn't just one big bridge spanning both sides of the Qing River. The most famous is the South Suburb Bridge; the bridge deck is at least several floors high above the river, the river surface is wide and the current is gentle, but the water is very deep.

Every year, people choose to jump from there for various reasons, but the majority are saved, whether by firefighters or benevolent citizens, though there are those who are truly resolute.

In situations where bystanders haven't even reacted, without a hint of hesitation, they jump straight down, and naturally, that's the end.

From such a height, a person would be stunned when they hit the water, let alone be rescued.

As for jumping off a building, it's even more fatal; once you jump, without an air cushion below, there's almost no chance.

Luckily, Xu Yuezhen doesn't like being watched by a crowd. She wants to go quietly. Such a person would never choose a big bridge to take their life, nor would she choose to endanger others by jumping off a building.

It is precisely because of her personality and kindness that Su Qing can confidently choose to reveal himself. In another place, he would have already grabbed her in a hurry.

The water in this place is not shallow either, but he can swim. Even if she chooses to jump into the river, since he's here, he is confident he can bring her back, so he isn't too tense.

"You... how did you know I was here?" Xu Yuezhen asked, a bit guilty when she saw him, especially when his gaze seemed to penetrate through her heart, causing her a shiver.

"I followed, you see. San'er really left me a big trouble, tempting me to dig him up and slap him a couple of times.

When I first saw you, I felt something was off; it turns out... never mind, how about chatting a little?"

Su Qing lifted his leg, wanting to step forward, but Xu Yuezhen immediately tensed and retreated, clutching the items in her arms tightly, just watching him like that.

The message was clear: if you come closer, I'll jump. But out of politeness, especially since he had spent the entire day with her, she still wanted to explain, hoping he wouldn't intervene with her.

Seeing this, Su Qing could only step back and waved: "Alright, alright, I gave in. Don't move; I already told you, I can swim. Even if you jump, you won't die. I just don't want to get myself soaking wet."

He pointed to the empty space on the steps about five or six meters to her left: "Can I sit there for a while?"

Saying that, without waiting for her answer, Su Qing turned sideways, walked around her, keeping a distance, then crossed the railing. Regardless of the ground being wet by rain, he just sat down stiffly, placing the umbrella aside.

In an instant, the rain poured over him. Even in deep summer, with high temperatures, the whole day of rain brought him a slight chill.

Fortunately, he wore multiple layers today, both a suit and a shirt.

"You..."

Watching him put the umbrella aside, Xu Yuezhen was a bit at a loss.

"It's just a bit of drizzle; isn't it a waste of romance to use an umbrella? It's been quite a while since I've been in the rain; it feels quite nice."

Saying this, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a pack of cigarettes, and lit one under the shelter of his hand from the rain.

He could smoke, but rarely did, only lighting one when something troubled him. If Wang Xing and the others were here, they'd know his mood wasn't great, perhaps even anxious and uneasy.

"People experience some crap in life; otherwise, it's not life. Anything that doesn't kill you can be restarted anytime, right?"

"If you're not in a hurry to jump, could you tell me about your story with San'er? Although it might only be a year, I bet it's quite a story!"

Looking at the boy not far away, Xu Yuezhen paused. She could feel the perseverance and optimism emanating from this boy of a similar age infecting her.

This person before her was different yet similar to the boy she liked. Similar in their unwavering optimism and willingness to warm those around them, different in that this boy's gaze had a penetrating power, as if none of her secrets could be concealed.

The two of them stared at each other for quite a while before Xu Yuezhen sat back down:

"That was five years ago, wasn't it? At the time, we had just started our freshman year..."

Perhaps she also needed someone to confide in, so she gently narrated the story of her and Sany that year in college.

There was no grand confession under the dormitory building, not even intimate gestures like bringing breakfast.

The two naturally became friends, attended classes together, became partners for the dance class, and after school or during vacations, they would work part-time together.

The only intimate thing was that every time Sany went to the cafeteria to get food, he would always get an extra meat dish, and the two of them would eat together.

Later on, in the eyes of other classmates, the two clearly looked like a couple, but neither of them broke that paper-thin wall.

Xu Yue'ru smiled as she recounted the little things from when they were together, and her eyes were filled with happiness. Su Qing even noticed the birthmark near her right eye.

This girl was very pretty, even with a dark red birthmark at the corner of her eye. She wasn't the traditional beauty like Shen Yi, Wen Nanqing, or Li Zijun, but rather had a pure beauty that emanated from within.

It wasn't until she spoke of Sany's passing that the brightness gradually faded from her expression, leaving her eyes devoid of light.

Interspersed with her personal experiences from her childhood, he finally understood why this girl was so concerned with Sany. He was clearly the one who pulled her out of the abyss, the person she ultimately needed, even a source of her motivation.

After listening to their brief year together, he couldn't help but sigh, "Ah, people, during their youth, really shouldn't meet someone too extraordinary. It could ruin your entire life, not to mention delay yourself."

To others, Sany was just another person in the vast sea of humanity. The world wouldn't miss anyone in particular, even if it were him or his friends like Lao A; it wouldn't matter much. But to those closest, it's like the ashes of the times falling upon one's head, an insurmountable mountain. Even though you still need to move forward, that mountain remains there, unmoving and undying, forever.

Before he knew it, there were already a few cigarette butts next to him. He stretched lazily and said softly:

"Actually, I don't think Sany would want to see you leave so soon. Of course, you've probably heard such comforting words countless times, and I don't think you'll listen."

"But instead, why not think about what Sany's dream was, and then help him fulfill it? I remember his dream was to become a teacher. You're in the same major as him, it should be appropriate. Continuing on with someone's regret could give you more motivation."

Upon hearing this, there was a slight ripple in Xu Yuezhen's eyes, and he continued:

"As for your relationship, I think Sany probably liked you too. Your only regret might be not being together."

"But I often wonder, what exactly is love? I've seen people travel miles just to meet someone, and others say goodnight while at a nightclub. The trash cans on Valentine's Day always have roses, and movie tickets, even when faded, are still tucked into the first page of a book."

We've all been young, once warriors charging for love. But slowly, it seems we've become less brave. Masks mix with faces, insincere affections blind the eyes, and most can't see clearly. Some fall in love, some gaze at the sea at night, but I believe love doesn't measure by time, nor by possession."

You liked each other, isn't that enough? Even if the time was short in the end. Besides, who knows if death means reunion or endless separation. At least now, you can still remember, can't you?"

"If you truly want to die, I probably couldn't stop you. Just do me a favor and pass a message to Sany:

His high school fling, the one who made him the third person, is doing well now. I heard she found a boyfriend from a good family. The guy from Class 9 we fought with, Zhang Quan, landed a job at a state-owned enterprise. The critical head teacher is now a vice-principal. In short, none of the people or things he disliked have changed.

In contrast, his parents are fragile and crying daily. Now, even the girl he loved most doesn't want to live. Go, tell him all of this, and see if it'll make him angry enough to live again."

Faced with his questioning, Xu Yuezhen pressed her lips together without a word, but inside, she was already wavering.

She wasn't afraid to die and had no desire to live, but when it involved that person, she had to care.

"I'm not you and definitely can't empathize, but I think if it were you who left, you definitely wouldn't want Sany to be like this."

"It's just a meeting. He ran towards you from within the sea of people, parting the crowd like a distinct and noticeable piece of regular script amidst cursive handwriting. Can't you really hold on a bit longer, even if it's for him?"

Su Qing stepped forward a few paces, standing two meters away, and asked directly.

"Can I... still make it?" After a long while, Xu Yuezhen clutched her chest and cautiously asked.

"I think you can. Since you can pick it up, you can also put it down," Su Qing said with certainty.

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuezhen seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, placing the items she held in her arms one by one on the ground and whispered:

"Is that so..."

"Anyway, you..."

Before he could finish, there was a 'splash' sound, and water sprayed up.

"Damn!!"

...

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