At the start of the new century, pagers were still buzzing in people's pockets, cell phones were a rare luxury for students, and the internet was just beginning to crawl. Back then, life on campus was simple—sports, novels, and love were the three main passions that kept everyone going.
After nearly two hours on the basketball court, everyone collapsed onto the ground, sweaty and laughing. Staring at the familiar faces around him,young, bright, and still carrying a hint of innocence, Zhang Hengtai felt a rush of emotion.
He remembered clearly how life had unfolded for them decades later. Most had become teachers. Some were still single, living modestly, working hard to get by. It wasn't glamorous, but that was the fate of their generation of educators. Still, they had always stood by one another through every hardship.
If I ever have the chance this time,Zhang Hengtai thought, I'll make sure to repay that kindness. I'll help them however I can.
Seeing that everyone had caught their breath, he grinned and said, "We're graduating soon, and the internship starts next week. Let's have one last get-together tonight. I've got fifty yuan on me."
"I'm in," said Dawei, fishing through his pockets. "I'll throw in thirty."
"Make that thirty from me too," another added.
"Fifty!"
"Thirty!"
Hearing the chorus of agreement, Zhang clapped his hands and laughed. "That's settled, then! Let's head to the Jingshui Canteen!"
With arms thrown over each other's shoulders, they marched out of the school gate like they always did—noisy, carefree, and full of life.
The "Jingshui Canteen" was a small restaurant near the school, with one private room they had practically claimed as their own over the years. The owner saw them walk in and greeted them with a grin. "What'll it be today, boys?"
"Boss," Chen Hao said cheerfully, "we're all heading out for internships soon. Today we're drinking! Just bring us whatever snacks you've got and make sure the portions are big!"
"Haha, you don't need to tell me twice," the owner said, chuckling. "You lot have been eating here for three years now. I'll treat you to a dish today!"
"Boss, you're the best!" Dawei said, laughing. "Even after graduation, we'll still come back here!"
The private room held ten chairs. Seven were from Zhang Hengtai's group, and two were friends from another class who shared the same hometown.
Once they sat down, talk immediately turned to drinks. Some suggested beer, others white liquor. Though they were students, they could hold their liquor better than most, and they were willing to spend whatever little money they had on it.
"Let's go with white liquor," Zhang decided. "Beer's too pricey. We'd blow through twenty yuan each just for a few bottles. White liquor's cheaper—eight yuan a bottle for Long Neck Xifeng. Dawei, grab six bottles for now. We'll see if we need more."
Dawei nodded, ever the reliable one, headed out to buy them.
Meanwhile, Wei, the practical one, started calling out dishes to the boss. "Peanuts, cold shredded pig ears, Ganquan dried tofu, and the Shaanxi-style shredded veggie salad. Oh, and a meat dish—beef in cold sauce. Three big plates of fried noodles, and a couple bowls of rice."
He smiled at the others. "Drink as much as you want, but don't expect me to get drunk. I've learned my lesson."
Zhang chuckled. Wei had always been cautious—a man who planned every step of his life. Yet he was also someone you could count on. Zhang still remembered how, years later, Wei had quietly lent him fifty thousand yuan when he needed it most.
The conversation soon drifted toward the future—internships, placements, dreams. Then the door opened, and Dawei came in, grinning from ear to ear. "Squad leader, guess who I brought!"
Zhang looked up—and froze. Standing at the door was Liu Meiyu, the woman who, in another life, had been his wife for over forty years.
At nineteen, she was radiant. A white T-shirt, simple jeans, white sneakers—pure and effortless. It felt surreal seeing her again, just as she was in his dreams.
For a moment, the world blurred. Life is short, he thought. What's the joy of living without you?
His staring didn't go unnoticed. The others began to tease, and Liu Meiyu blushed.
Back when they first entered school, he had actually confessed to her—but she'd turned him down flat. He'd been short, pudgy, and nervous back then. But three years had changed him. He'd grown taller, become vice president of the student union, even earned a bit of a reputation for his basketball skills.
Now, graduation loomed, and Liu Meiyu had started to like him too. Yet she was too shy to say it first. We're about to graduate, she thought. And this fool still hasn't confessed again.
Trying to recover from the awkwardness, Zhang smiled and said, "Sorry, I was just stunned by the beauty."
He gestured toward Wei. "Move over, let Mengya sit here."
"No, it's fine," Liu Meiyu said, her cheeks pink. "Dawei dragged me in here, so Xiaoyan and I will sit to the side. You boys drink."
Her friend Chen Xiaoyan, who'd been Zhang's classmate back in middle school, gave her a teasing look. She knew all too well how Lou Meiyu felt. She'd been playing matchmaker between them for months.
Wei, always direct, stood up and pulled the two girls closer. "Come on, you're the guests of honor today. Sit in the middle. Food's coming out soon...don't spill anything..hehe."
Zhang laughed. "Fine, sit here. I promise I don't bite." Inside, though, his heart raced. He made up his mind to confess again tonight. He remembered that, last time around, she'd said yes a few days before graduation. This time, he wouldn't wait.
The dishes arrived, the bottles were opened, and soon the small room was filled with laughter, clinking glasses, and the warm buzz of friendship.
When the moment felt right, Zhang stood up, glass in hand. "Brothers, sisters," he said, his voice carrying over the chatter, "we've spent three years together here. I've gained friendship, and even love, among you. No matter where life takes us, I'll never forget this time. May our friendship last forever."
"Forever!" everyone echoed, raising their glasses and downing their drinks in one go.
Xiaoyan smirked. "Alright, friendship's covered. What about love, huh, Zhang?"
Her words drew laughter from the whole table.
Chen Hao smiled, feeling the courage build in his chest. He turned to Liu Meiyu. "Meiyu, we've been classmates for three years. You know how I feel. I confessed to you once, and you turned me down—but I never stopped liking you. I've changed since then. I've worked hard. Please believe me when I say this.....I'll cherish you for the rest of my life. Be my girlfriend. If you agree, let's drink to it."
The room went silent for a beat, then Xiaoyan started clapping. "Come on, say yes!"
Everyone joined in, chanting, "Say yes! Say yes!"
Blushing deeply, Liu Meiyu lifted her glass, touched it lightly against his, and drank.
Zhang downed his drink in one gulp, grinning from ear to ear.
It was a beginning—simple and pure. They both knew what this meant. After graduation, they'd be sent to different towns, far apart. But she never wavered in her love, not even when her family opposed their marriage later. That love had carried them through a lifetime.
The night grew livelier as the drinks flowed. Even the two girls drank several glasses. Laughter filled the room until it turned into the happy rambling of half-drunken youth.
Xiao Lin clung to Zhang's arm, slurring, "Brother Hao, you'll always be my big bro!"
Dawei muttered something about joining the bus company instead of teaching, and Zhang wanted to warn him—the company would struggle in the future, surviving only on subsidies. But he didn't have the heart to say it.
Meanwhile, Xiao Bin, already slumped over the table, mumbled, "Zhang, my parents died early… you helped me so much these years. Bought me pants, shoes… I'll never forget."
Zhang smiled faintly. He was too drunk to answer, but warmth filled his heart.
When the night finally ended, none of them remembered how they got back to the dorms...