Chen Hao's hometown was Dongqing City in Beichuan Province, a place with an underdeveloped economy.
When he was very young, his family's limited means left him with no choice but to attend school in a remote town in Dongqing City.
He spent both elementary and middle school in the same classroom, at the same desk.
Fortunately, Chen Hao did well in his studies and became the only student from his school to get into a high school in Dongqing City.
During his three years of high school, he met a girl—the first girl in his life to awaken the stirrings of love in him. Her name was Xiang Wencun.
For those three years, they studied together, worked hard together, and even agreed to try to get into the same university.
Neither had made any promises or confessed their feelings aloud, but deep down, they both knew how the other felt.
That silence lasted until the college entrance exams were over. Even when they were about to part ways, neither was willing to break it first.
Those innocent, timid stirrings of young love were buried deep in both their hearts.
Only now, when Chen Hao saw her again, did those memories he had long buried deep inside slowly awaken.
Chen Hao lit a cigarette and took a deep drag before asking with a frown, "Xiang Wencun, what are you doing here? What exactly happened to you over the years?"
Xiang Wencun lowered her head, not daring to look at him. "I know you look down on me."
"This isn't about looking down on you." Chen Hao exhaled a cloud of smoke. "I just want to know what happened to you over the years. Have you been doing all right?"
At his words, Xiang Wencun gave a bitter laugh and spread her