Those things that happened in those years

Chapter 64 The Truth About the Love Letter

Many years after graduating from junior high school, Hong Liguo unexpectedly ran into Sun Changlin, the former leader of the "Nine Dragons and One Phoenix" gang who had terrorized the rural middle school, in the gradually bustling city.

By this time, Sun Changlin had long since shed his youthful arrogance and unruly behavior. Time had left its mark on his face, but his eyes still held the same unwavering determination and courage. However, the domineering aura he once possessed was long gone from his face and gaze.

He runs a restaurant that's neither too big nor too small. Business is pretty good. Customers coming and going all have satisfied smiles on their faces, and the restaurant is filled with laughter and the clinking of plates and glasses.

While greeting and seeing off guests, he suddenly noticed someone walking towards him from a distance. Although the person was quite far away, he felt that the person looked very familiar. After searching his memory, he suddenly remembered and involuntarily said, "It's him!"

Sun Changlin recognized Hong Liguo, who was walking in the crowd, and whom he had not seen since they parted ways at the township middle school.

A flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes. He strode towards Hong Liguo, and when he got close, he grabbed Hong Liguo's arm with the same strength he had back then, muttering, "Hey, isn't that Hong Liguo? Isn't that you, Hong Liguo? I saw you from afar, I never expected to run into you here, it's been so many years since we last met."

Hong Liguo was suddenly pulled aside. Not knowing what was going on, he quickly looked at the person and instantly recognized Sun Changlin. He was also very surprised and did not expect to encounter this notorious villain from back then.

"Come on, come on, let's go to my place. I own this restaurant. Let's go in and have a drink, catch up. Don't worry, you don't have to pay."

His enthusiasm left Hong Liguo somewhat bewildered, but seeing his sincere eyes, Hong Liguo had no choice but to comply.

Sun Changlin instructed the kitchen to prepare several of the restaurant's signature dishes, then brought out a bottle of fine wine. He sat opposite Hong Liguo, drinking the wine and reminiscing about the past...

As they drank, they began to chat about their recent situations. Through their conversation, Hong Liguo learned that after returning from prison, Sun Changlin had reflected deeply on his mistakes and decided to turn over a new leaf and start a new life.

He went to a culinary school and studied cooking for two years. After graduating, he worked for others for two years, accumulating experience and connections, before resolutely opening his own restaurant. After several years of operation, the business flourished, and now he is married with children and has a happy family.

After a few rounds of drinks, they were all a little tipsy, and their thoughts gradually drifted back to the days when they were in the rural middle school.

They talked about many things from the past and their familiar classmates. Those memories, long buried deep in their minds, unfolded like a series of paintings before their eyes.

Just as they were lost in their memories, Sun Changlin suddenly put down his wine glass and said to Hong Liguo with a serious expression, "Xiaoguo, I did something to wrong you back then, and I've kept it to myself for so many years without daring to tell you. But I feel I should tell you now that I've met you today."

Upon hearing his words, Hong Liguo was taken aback. He frowned slightly, thinking: Did he do something to betray me? What could it be? Hong Liguo's mind raced, trying to guess what he was referring to, but he had no clue.

Sun Changlin picked up his wine glass again, took a big gulp of wine, and then, somewhat hesitantly, as if he had made a great decision, finally revealed the reason.

It turns out that the love letter that Hong Liguo put in Qiao Shuang's schoolbag did not reach Qiao Shuang's hands as Hong Liguo had hoped.

That day, Sun Changlin hid in the small coal shed behind the classroom to avoid labor. He inadvertently witnessed Hong Liguo sneaking back and slipping a love letter into Qiao Shuang's bag. After Hong Liguo left, Sun Changlin secretly took the love letter Hong Liguo had written to Qiao Shuang. Qiao Shuang didn't see the love letter at all that day, and she didn't even know Hong Liguo had written it to her. No wonder she remained so nonchalant and calm.

Upon hearing his words, Hong Liguo was instantly enraged. An unnamed fire surged from the bottom of his heart, his face turned red, he clenched his fist, and slammed it hard on the table, making the cups, plates, and chopsticks on the table jump. He really wanted to rush over and give him a good beating.

Seeing Hong Liguo's angry expression, Sun Changlin chuckled and looked apologetic. He gently patted Hong Liguo's shoulder and said, "I know you really want to beat me up right now, but calm down first and let me finish what I have to say. Then you can see if I was right or wrong. If you think I was wrong, come and hit me all you want, I won't fight back."

Hong Liguo snorted coldly and said irritably, "You stole the love letter I wrote to Qiao Shuang and ruined my plans. Do you have any reason to complain?" Hong Liguo was still very angry, and the anger in his heart had not diminished at all.

Sun Changlin smiled, a hint of helplessness in his eyes. He said, "Brother, even though many people admired your wisdom and resourcefulness back then, there's one thing you can't do as well as me."

"In what way am I inferior to you?" Hong Liguo retorted somewhat defiantly.

"You lack self-awareness, but I do," Sun Changlin said seriously. "Don't think I can outsmart you; I have self-awareness, and you don't."

Hong Liguo looked at Sun Changlin with a puzzled expression, not understanding what he meant. Hong Liguo frowned, a hint of confusion in his eyes.

Sun Changlin continued, "What were you and me back then, brother? Tell me honestly, what were we at the village high school? We thought we were something special, like gang leaders, swordsmen, heroes—bullshit! That was all just self-aggrandizement. Do you know what people thought of us? How they described us? Hooligans, lazybones, hoodlums… hooligans, good-for-nothings—in today's terms, problem youths, scum. Who was Qiao Shuang back then? She was the best girl in our class—quiet, well-behaved, and academically gifted. Her future was limitless. And you and me? What future did we have? We were always fighting and killing, doing nothing productive. Like many people said behind our backs, these guys were going to end up in jail sooner or later. And then I actually did! You're lucky, you met a benefactor, you didn't go. As far as I know, if you hadn't met your benefactor Wang Yuxin, you probably would have ended up like me."

Thinking back, that's how they were perceived by others back then. They spent their days idly, running rampant on campus, thinking themselves powerful and remarkable, even taking pride in their fighting and killing, some even proclaiming themselves kings, believing this made them universally admired heroes. Perhaps Hong Liguo truly lacked self-awareness and failed to recognize his true nature.

Sun Changlin then said, "Do you know why I had someone beat up Liu Guochen, and later why I had someone beat up Zou Jianmin?"

"Oh? So you were the one who had Zou Jianmin dealt with back then? For so many years, I've been wondering who removed this obstacle for me. It turns out it was you. But I don't understand, you beat up Liu Guochen to get me to join forces with you against the Dragon and Tiger Brothers, so why did you have someone beat up Zou Jianmin? It couldn't be to help me pursue Qiao Shuang, could it? If that were the case, you shouldn't have stolen the love letter I wrote to Qiao Shuang!" Hong Liguo asked curiously.

Sun Changlin smiled mysteriously, a sly expression on his face, and continued, "Qiao Shuang is one of the best girls in our class. Do you think only a few of you like her?"

Hong Liguo was immediately stunned, his heart skipped a beat. Could it be that Sun Changlin... Hong Liguo stared at him, wide-eyed, waiting for him to continue.