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Ao Bing had been gone for over a month, and Nezha's life seemed to have returned to its previous state before he met Ao Bing—attending classes, training, and playing video games. On the surface, everything appeared normal, but inside, he felt an emptiness. The blue Crystal Pendant had become his most treasured possession, carried with him at all times, never leaving his side.
As the final exams approached, Nezha surprisingly dedicated himself to studying. It was not just for the grades; he needed to keep himself busy to lessen the pain of longing. The training sessions for the Magic City University Soccer Team became increasingly frequent as the Intercollegiate League was about to start. As the team's main striker, Nezha poured nearly all his energy into practice.
"Nezha, you've changed a lot lately," Captain Li Ming commented after one training session. "You're more focused and working harder than ever."
Nezha smiled but said little in response. Only he knew that this relentless effort was partly a way to numb himself from thinking about the person who had left and partly to prove that even without Ao Bing by his side, he could still become better.
Yet sometimes, late at night on the empty field, when he was kicking the ball alone and drenched in sweat, Nezha couldn't help but look up at the starry sky, wondering what Ao Bing was doing at that moment and if he too was missing their connection.
Amidst these days, a call came from home—his father Li Jing invited him back for dinner, saying there was something important to discuss.
"What’s so urgent that it has to be talked about now?" Nezha asked while packing his bag, hearing his father's voice on the other end.
"We'll talk when you get back," Li Jing replied in his usual authoritative tone. "Your mother has prepared a feast of your favorite dishes; don’t let her down."
Nezha sighed and hung up the phone. His relationship with his father had always been somewhat delicate—Li Jing was a retired senior officer, strict and methodical, with high expectations for Nezha to follow the rules and become a "useful" person. In contrast, Nezha was naturally lively and restless, disliking constraints. Their personalities clashed like fire and water, often leading to arguments over trivial matters.
Only his mother, Lady Yin, could mediate between them. Gentle and understanding, she grasped her husband's stern intentions while also accepting her son's rebellious nature; she was an indispensable buffer in their family.
After packing a few essentials, Nezha left the dormitory. Before departing, he took one last look at Ao Bing's empty bed, a wave of indescribable emotions washing over him.
"I hope everything is going well for you over there, Ao Bing," Nezha murmured softly to himself before closing the dorm door and heading toward the bus station.
After a two-hour drive, Nezha returned to his familiar home. It was a two-story house located in the suburbs, surrounded by a neat garden and bamboo grove, exuding an ancient Eastern charm. This place held countless memories for Nezha, filled with laughter, tears, and traces of growth.
"Nezha is back!" Lady Yin exclaimed as she heard the sound of the door opening. She rushed out from the kitchen and embraced her son tightly. "Look at you, you've lost weight! Is the food at school not to your taste?"
Nezha smiled and gently patted his mother's back. "No, the food at school is quite good; I've just been training a bit more lately."
"Training? For the Magic City University Soccer Team?" Li Jing's voice came from the living room as he set down his newspaper and walked to the hallway. "I hope it doesn't affect your studies."
This was his father's standard opening line—any topic would eventually circle back to academics. Nezha rolled his eyes habitually, but to avoid upsetting his mother right after returning home, he suppressed the urge to retort and simply replied, "It won't; I know how to manage."
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