Script

"Oh, senior."

The male student pointed out the window:

"Senior Xu Yan is worrying on the sports field. She's in a bad mood, so you'd better not bother her."

Jiang Ran breathed a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness, that means Xu Yan is still alive.

But why was she in such a bad mood?

He curiously asked.

"It's about the University Film Festival."

The male student gave a wry smile:

"Look, the submission deadline for the University Film Festival is almost here, but our film club hasn't produced any decent work yet."

"Senior Xu Yan will be a senior next year, so this is her last chance. Her biggest dream is to win an award at the University Film Festival, but right now... sigh, you know."

The male student explained that because there was no good script, Xu Yan had been working day and night, creating, but she was never satisfied.

The long-term exhaustion and frustration had caused her emotions to break down.

"I see."

Jiang Ran understood and figured it out.

Perhaps this was also the influence of the spacetime butterfly effect.

In the original timeline, because he had written a script for Xu Yan and helped her resolve her biggest worry, she had gone out on March 26th and subsequently jumped into the river to save a drowning child.

But in this current timeline, no one wrote a script for Xu Yan. She was agonizing day and night, too preoccupied to even think about going out.

Thus, by sheer coincidence, she had unknowingly escaped death.

"Thank you, I'll go find her on the sports field."

Jiang Ran thanked the male student and headed straight for the sports field.

As expected.

From a distance, he saw Xu Yan slumped on the fitness equipment, looking dejected.

"Hi."

Jiang Ran greeted her.

Xu Yan turned her head.

As if seeing a ghost, she suddenly jumped off the fitness equipment and stood up straight:

"Jiang Ran!"

She shouted, her expression one of great surprise.

This caught Jiang Ran off guard, and he stopped with his hand waving in the air.

"Heh, sorry."

Xu Yan gave an awkward smile:

"I just didn't expect you to come to school to find me... You've been avoiding me for the past two years, and I didn't feel comfortable bothering you."

?

Jiang Ran tilted his head.

What new plot is this?

But he immediately thought, it must be about Cheng Mengxue's death.

Wang Hao had said that Cheng Mengxue's accidental death had greatly affected him, leaving him listless and half-dead.

Could it be...

That he had also become estranged from Xu Yan because of this incident, with no contact or interaction for two years?

It was highly possible.

At least, judging by Xu Yan's reaction just now, they weren't as close as he had imagined.

"I hope I didn't disturb you," Jiang Ran replied.

"No, no, of course not."

Xu Yan quickly waved her hands, looking at Jiang Ran:

"On the contrary, you seem to be in good spirits now, and I'm very happy for you."

"In any case, just like we advised you before, [Little Xue's death was not your fault, you don't need to blame yourself too much. No one has ever blamed you.]"

"Ah, let's not talk about this. You suddenly came to Donghai University to find me, is there something going on?"

Jiang Ran handed over the "Club Dissolution Notice" and explained his purpose.

As a college student from another school, he really couldn't think of any suitable reason to explain why he needed to save Donghai University's Film Club.

This was completely irrelevant to him.

He fabricated a friend, starting with "I have a friend," and made up a story about a love for film cameras, hoping Xu Yan would help them save the Film Club.

Honestly, Jiang Ran himself thought the reason was terrible.

He had also considered that Xu Yan in this worldline might refuse him, which would be perfectly reasonable.

But as he spoke, he realized...

The stories he made up weren't important at all.

From the moment Xu Yan first looked at him, it was decided that no matter what request he made, Xu Yan would agree.

It felt strange, yet undeniable.

Xu Yan didn't even seem to listen carefully to the stories he made up, just nodding along and waiting for him to finish.

"No problem."

As expected, as soon as Jiang Ran finished speaking, Xu Yan immediately agreed:

"Leave this to me, I'll handle it for you."

This...

Jiang Ran scratched his head.

Xu Yan's easy agreement made him feel a little embarrassed.

For some reason, he always felt that Xu Yan was very gentle, very careful, and very considerate towards him.

Just like his initial intuition, whatever he said today, Xu Yan would agree.

Why was that?

Seeing Jiang Ran hesitate, Xu Yan smiled slightly, very cheerfully:

"You don't need to have that expression, it's okay. It's actually very simple, not a big deal."

"Heh heh, do you know who my boyfriend is?"

This...

The question stumped Jiang Ran.

Was Xu Yan's boyfriend in this worldline the same as in the previous one?

Who on earth was he.

However.

Never mind who the boyfriend was.

A boyfriend who could get things done was a good boyfriend.

"Come find me at the Film Club tomorrow."

Xu Yan dangled the Club Dissolution Notice, turned, and waved, still as dashing as ever:

"See you tomorrow."

The next day.

Jiang Ran traveled a long distance and arrived at Donghai University's Film Club as promised.

"Here."

In the screening room, Xu Yan handed Jiang Ran a petition.

Without looking, Jiang Ran knew what was on it.

Because he had already received this paper... for the second time.

It felt very strange.

The petition from his original worldline had arrived in his hands again, following a completely new historical trajectory.

He flipped to the front of the petition.

It was densely packed with signatures from the presidents of various clubs, as well as the signatures of five faculty advisors.

"Thank you."

Jiang Ran said solemnly.

This thank you came from the bottom of his heart.

Because he knew very well how ridiculous and absurd the reason he had made up yesterday was.

But Xu Yan asked nothing.

Even if she knew the reasons were fabricated, fake... she didn't say a word, agreeing to Jiang Ran unconditionally, supporting him unconditionally.

Such trust was hard not to be moved by.

Although Xu Yan was only a year older than him and Cheng Mengxue, in every aspect, she was indeed a very reliable older sister.

"We've been friends for so many years, no need to be so formal."

Xu Yan punched Jiang Ran's shoulder:

"It's good that you're getting back on your feet. You're still handsome when you pull yourself together, keep it up!"

The inexplicable encouragement warmed Jiang Ran.

He looked at Xu Yan, wanting to repay her somehow:

"I heard you've been struggling with a script lately?"

Speaking of this topic, Xu Yan instantly sighed, covered her forehead, and shook her head:

"Ah, isn't it? This is my last chance to participate in the University Student Film Festival, but I can't even come up with a satisfactory script right now."

"Sometimes I think, if it really doesn't work out, I'll just shoot a short film, but I'm still a bit unwilling."

Jiang Ran smiled slightly:

"Do you have a laptop here?"

Xu Yan looked up, confused:

"Yes, we do. Do you need to use it?"

"Mm."

Jiang Ran nodded:

"I have a ready-made script here. I think it's pretty good."

"If you don't mind... I'd like to write it out and show it to you."