Chapter 10 | The End of the College Entrance Examination · A Confession by the Sea

The June sun was bright.When the last exam ended, the entire campus seemed to suddenly open up.“Hand in your papers!”The teacher had barely finished speaking when the sound of chairs moving filled the classroom.Many people breathed a long sigh of relief.Some laughed.Some shouted excitedly:“Finally over!”Three years of high school had passed.Lin Nian handed in her exam paper to the teacher.Walking out of the exam room, she felt a little light.Like a backpack she had been carrying for a long time suddenly being put down.The school building was already packed with students.Some were taking pictures.Some were hugging.Some were throwing study materials into the air.White papers flew everywhere in the sunlight.Lin Nian stood on the steps.Looking at all of this.Suddenly, she felt a little unreal.Just then—Someone called her from behind."Lin Nian!"She turned around.Zhou Yu was running towards her.He was wearing a simple white T-shirt.His hair was a little messy from the wind.But his face held a relaxed smile she hadn't seen in a long time."The exams are over," he said.Lin Nian nodded."Yeah."Zhou Yu looked at her.Suddenly, he asked:"Do you remember what you promised me?"Lin Nian was taken aback."What?"Zhou Yu smiled."To see the sea."Lin Nian then remembered.That winter night.The words he had spoken."Now?"Zhou Yu nodded."Now."Lin Nian was a little surprised."So sudden?"Zhou Yu shrugged."The college entrance exams are over.""Isn't that sudden?"Lin Nian was silent for a moment.Then she smiled.“Okay.”They boarded the bus to the beach.The city outside the window slowly receded into the distance.The sky was a deep blue.The scent of the sea breeze seemed faintly wafting through the air.Three hours later.The bus stopped in a small seaside town.Lin Nian saw the sea for the first time.She stood on the beach.She was completely stunned.The sea stretched endlessly into the distance.It merged with the sky.Waves crashed onto the shore in gentle waves.The wind was strong.Zhou Yu stood beside her.He smiled and asked:“First time?”Lin Nian nodded.“Yes.”Zhou Yu said:“Me too.”They walked slowly along the beach.The sun had begun to set.The sky turned orange-red.The sea shimmered.Zhou Yu suddenly stopped.“Lin Nian.”Lin Nian turned to look at him."What's wrong?"Zhou Yu took a deep breath.It was as if he had mustered a great deal of courage."I brought you to the beach because of something."Lin Nian listened quietly.The sea breeze ruffled her hair.Zhou Yu continued:"I've wanted to say it since my senior year of high school.""But I never dared."Lin Nian suddenly felt a little nervous.Zhou Yu looked at her.His eyes were serious."Lin Nian.""I like you."The sound of waves crashing on the beach echoed.Lin Nian froze.Although she had vaguely guessed it.But when she actually heard it,her heart still pounded.Zhou Yu continued:"From the day the basketball rolled to your feet.""Later, in the library.""And on the playground.""I found myself waiting for you every day."His voice was a little nervous as he said these words.But very serious.“So I wanted to bring you to see the sea.”“Because if one day you reject me.”“At least I'll still have this sea.”Lin Nian looked at him.Suddenly, she smiled.Zhou Yu froze.“What are you laughing at?”Lin Nian said softly:“You're really stupid.”Zhou Yu became even more nervous.“Why?”Lin Nian looked at the distant sea.She said softly:“Because I already knew.”Zhou Yu froze.“Know what?”Lin Nian turned to look at him.Her eyes were bright.“I know you like me.”Zhou Yu was silent for two seconds.Then he asked:“Then you…”Lin Nian took a deep breath.The sea breeze was strong.She said those words.“I like you too.”Zhou Yu was completely stunned.As if he couldn't believe it.“Really?”Lin Nian nodded with a smile.“Really.”Zhou Yu suddenly smiled like a child.He reached out.He cautiously took Lin Nian's hand.Lin Nian didn't pull away.The sun slowly set.The sea was dyed gold.The two stood on the beach.Their shadows were stretched long.That year.They were eighteen.They thought the future was far away.They thought many things would always be like this.The evening breeze blew across the sea.Gentle and lingering.They didn't know.Many years later.Life would have many changes.Many partings.Many regrets.But at least in this moment.They stood on the same beach.They confessed their feelings for each other.That was the brightest day of their youth.