IP Chapter 45.2

Incurable Pain | Chapter 45.2

Leaving the professor’s office, Bai Xunyin felt like she was walking on air.

It seemed that the saying “life is full of surprises” was true.

She had originally planned to continue studying for a Ph.D. at the current school, then either stay at the school or enter the workforce, slowly planning for the future… but she had never thought about the possibility of returning to Lan University.

Let alone the idea of going to study at Lan University.

That school, to her, was like the forbidden fruit of Eden, just like Yu Luoyin. Bai Xunyin had never even considered getting in touch with it.

But now, she seemed to have no choice but to get in touch.

How ironic. 

After all the twists and turns, she was finally back at Lan University.

It was like some kind of destined ‘destination.’

Bai Xunyin sighed softly, feeling her thoughts become muddled, not wanting to think about it anymore.

Coincidentally, her phone buzzed in her pocket, and Bai Xunyin saw the name “Yu s.h.i.tian” flashing on the screen. She adjusted her mindset and answered.

When she spoke again, her emotions were no different from usual, and she calmly said, “Tiantian.”

“Sis!” Yu s.h.i.tian’s voice was always lazy and sweet, especially when he was being coquettish, he sounded as if he was coated in honey. 

“What are you doing?”

“I just went to the professor’s office,” Bai Xunyin replied.

“…Why is it that every time I call you, you’re doing something related to studying?” 

Yu s.h.i.tian couldn’t help but admire as he complained, “Sis, you’re so hardworking that I feel like I’m just a little chicken compared to you.”

Even though she had also earned a spot in the top ten nationally based on her own abilities!

But after meeting Bai Xunyin at the university, Yu s.h.i.tian felt like he was a n.o.body…

“You’ve already graduated, so you don’t have to push yourself like I do,” Bai Xunyin comforted. 

“How’s work been lately?”

Yu s.h.i.tian was a year younger than her and had returned to Lan University last year after graduating. She studied finance and reportedly joined an investment company. She would occasionally complain about the life of a corporate drone, which Bai Xunyin had gotten used to hearing.

“Ah, it’s still the same.” Yu s.h.i.tian casually remarked, but this time, there was no preamble of complaints. 

Instead, she chattered on with Bai Xunyin, “Yinyin, my brother is getting engaged. Why do I feel so uneasy about it? Could it be that I have a brother complex?”

Bai Xunyin knew that Yu s.h.i.tian had two older brothers, as she often heard her mention them. Hearing this, she couldn’t help but smile.

“This isn’t a brother complex,” she explained calmly. 

“Objectively speaking, it’s a result of hormonal dependence in your body. It’s like someone who has been by your side, exclusively yours for decades, suddenly belongs to someone else. It’s natural to feel uncomfortable, and it won’t easily resolve in the short term.”

Bai Xunyin’s overly scientific a.n.a.lysis left Yu s.h.i.tian stunned and subdued, but she still felt uneasy, and couldn’t help but hum to herself.

“Alright, alright.” 

Bai Xunyin glanced at her watch, patiently comforting her. “Let’s talk more about it when I return to Lan University.”

“Huh…?” 

Yu s.h.i.tian suddenly realized, “You’re going back to Lan University? When?”

“In about half a month.”

“Ah, really?” Yu s.h.i.tian was overjoyed, her tone changing from self-deprecation to excitement. 

“Do you have a vacation?”

“It’s not a vacation.” Bai Xunyin chuckled. 

“I’m going back to study.”

Five minutes later, Bai Xunyin hung up the phone, feeling like her eardrums were aching from Yu s.h.i.tian’s chatter.

She rubbed her temples helplessly, then headed towards the library. But after a moment’s thought, she turned back and went to the dormitory instead. She had half a month to prepare to return to Lan University for exams, so it was better to pack up her things now.

When Zhao Na heard about it, she was on the verge of tears and helped Bai Xunyin pack up her things while sniffling.

Bai Xunyin also felt uncomfortable seeing Zhao Na like this. After all, Zhao Na was her closest friend in the north, her roommate for six years.

But girls were not very good at expressing emotions, so Bai Xunyin could only awkwardly pat Zhao Na’s back and dryly say, “I’ll come back to see you.”

Zhao Na burst into laughter through her tears.

“Speaking of Lan University, I’ve been there twice. It’s a new first-tier city, really nice, much more developed than here. Not to mention Professor Li.” 

As she helped Bai Xunyin fold clothes, Zhao Na began to a.n.a.lyze with reason, “Returning there will be beneficial in every aspect. If I could have Professor Li as my Ph.D. advisor, I would definitely continue studying.”

Seeing her two-year master’s program coming to an end soon, Zhao Na had also made her decision — she was a local girl with connections in her hometown.

She wouldn’t continue studying; after graduating with her master’s, she would go directly to a key high school to teach physics.

Wasn’t that a stable and comfortable choice?

Bai Xunyin always thought being a teacher was quite good.

“After gambling, not only can you get a project,” Zhao Na looked at her, somewhat eager to try, “but I’ve heard that some students recommended by their supervisors can directly enter the Inst.i.tute of Science. When you go back, you should definitely give Professor Li a gift and persuade him.”

In this era of personal relationships, Zhao Na firmly believed that “gifting” could solve most problems — if it couldn’t, it meant the gift wasn’t generous enough.

“Okay, I’ve just returned, I don’t want to think about that yet,” Bai Xunyin said helplessly, shaking her head with indifference. 

“I’m afraid of pulling a muscle if I move too fast.”

In fact, being able to return to Lan University with Professor Li guiding her was already a qualitative leap.

“Ah, but it still feels so sudden. I thought you liked the north so much and would continue studying for your Ph.D. at the university…” 

Zhao Na sighed and lamented the impending departure of her friend, but her eyes suddenly stopped on something in the suitcase. 

“Huh? What’s this?”

She reached into the bottom of Bai Xunyin’s suitcase and pulled out a blue and white garment, shaking it out, only to realize it was a school uniform.

“A school uniform?” Zhao Na hadn’t seen such a ‘modern’ item in a long time and couldn’t help but smile, turning to Bai Xunyin. 

“Is this your school uniform? From high school or junior high?”

After asking, Zhao Na noticed that Bai Xunyin’s expression was off.

Her clear eyes stared blankly at the school uniform, as if stirring up long-forgotten memories.

Bai Xunyin walked over and sat next to Zhao Na, explaining softly, “It’s from high school.”

“Your high school uniform looks quite stylish.” Zhao Na smirked. 

“Much better than ours in high school — but why is this one so big? Were you fat in high school? But even if you were fat, you’d still be the most beautiful one in the world.”

“You’re talking nonsense.” Bai Xunyin’s thoughts of melancholy were dispelled by Zhao Na’s remarks. 

With a hint of a smile in her watery eyes, she said softly, “This is a boys’ school uniform.”

Zhao Na was stunned, “For boys?”

“Yeah, it was my first love.” After many years, Bai Xunyin finally mentioned Yu Luoyin openly. 

Unconsciously, she recalled the “sweetest” time they had spent together, “He was afraid I’d be cold, so he lent it to me.”

Recalling it, it still seemed vivid in her mind.

After six years of being together, Zhao Na was hearing about a topic related to “boys” from Bai Xunyin for the first time and learning that the seemingly ethereal fairy had also been in love.

For a moment, her surprise was palpable.

Bai Xunyin crossed her long legs, chin resting on her knees, and looked at Zhao Na with a smile in her eyes. 

“What’s with that expression? Are you surprised?”

“…Of course I’m surprised. I always thought you were raised on dewdrops and didn’t have any worldly desires. Who would have thought you actually had a love affair?” 

After a brief moment of shock, Zhao Na’s gossip spirit revived, and she eagerly asked, “What kind of guy was he? I’m really curious. What kind of guy could have a relationship with you?”

Zhao Na’s question was ordinary, but Bai Xunyin remained silent for a long time before speaking seriously.

“He was a very special guy.”

“In high school, he was the school’s idol and also the top student… He’s the kind of person you’d only find in novels.”

“But he was a bit of a bad boy.”

“Wow, this is so romantic!” 

Zhao Na felt like fireworks were exploding in her heart as she listened to Bai Xunyin’s plain retelling. She excitedly pounded the bed, “No wonder you haven’t found any boys you like in so many years. This is a typical case of meeting someone too amazing when you’re young, right? And then what happened?!”

Bai Xunyin smiled without speaking, savoring Zhao Na’s phrase “meeting someone too amazing when you’re young.” The smile on her lips was quite mischievous.

After a while, she calmly said, “There’s no ‘and then."”

“He asked me to apply to Lan University, but I applied to the university behind his back, and we broke up.”

…

Zhao Na never expected such a romantic love “story” to have such an ending.

Watching Bai Xunyin calmly packing her things, she couldn’t help but think to herself — what a heartless woman!