Chapter 77
The days in City A were growing shorter. It wasn’t even six in the evening, yet the path through the woods leading to the outer campus teaching building was already cloaked in twilight. Ling Hanlu, clutching her notebook and thermos, made her way to her evening class. The shrubs had grown taller, making her feel as if she were wandering through a maze. In those moments when no one else was around, there was an oddly magical sense of being briefly cut off from the world. But then she heard footsteps echoing her own. The sound was cautious, as if coming from behind her, from between the branches. But when she turned to look, everything seemed normal. This reminded Ling Hanlu of the "encounter" she had months ago. She couldn't help but smile, looking toward the distant horizon, and muttered to herself, "You again, playing this game!" Then she took out her phone. She selected a name that could almost be considered another "chance encounter." "Hello?" the other person answered. "Wen Hui, come on out!" Ling Hanlu said confidently. "Sweetheart, what are you talking about?" Wen Hui was confused. Losing the spot as the lead soprano didn’t stop her voice from being enchanting. "My class is about to start. Hurry up and pop out so we can hug and kiss!" Ling Hanlu was sure this woman had flown back from across the ocean, bringing so