Shirley felt like her heart was in someone else's grip, tightening with every step closer she took.

In the end, she decided against greeting him. After all, their time together had only been a year and a half-a mere blip in the grand tapestry of Abner's eventful life. That brief period was hardly worth remembering. Perhaps Abner had already forgotten about her.

She lowered her eyelashes, planning to quietly slip past him.

But just as she took a step away, she heard his voice.

It had a clarity to it, different from before, yet the way he called her name was still so tender.

"Shirley, are you planning to just walk by without saying hi?"

Shirley froze, her eyes welling up instantly.

Slowly, she turned around and saw Abner leaning against the wall, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on her.

She tried to muster a smile, wanted to say, "Oh, it's you, Abner. You're back."

But her throat felt choked up, and she couldn't say a word.

She opened her mouth, then pressed her lips together and sighed.

Abner slowly approached.

Shirley felt a shadow envelop her. He seemed taller now, probably around six foot two, standing next to her, an imposing presence.

you haven't forgotten me,

she could

him, but just like that man had said, she and Abner were from two different worlds. No matter how much she inquired, his whereabouts remained a mystery. Even this encounter

been a

smile. "You here

darkened, and

"Yeah."

knowing what else to say, Shirley fell silent until he asked, "Are you married? Should I be

married. Don't even have

moment, then smiled slightly. "Really? I thought you and Mark

she had spoken to Abner back then, all for the

marrying someone

me take you out for

purse." Saying that, she quickly turned around, as if worried Abner might change his

knowing well that tonight's host had invited Shirley with a particular intention in mind. A prominent scholar had

and, after apologizing, left with her

still waiting in the hallway, she breathed a sigh of

another restaurant and ordered

having not seen each other for five years, conversation didn't

mentioning some school events that happened after he

disinterested, responding with

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