Thus, the final chapter rushes towards eternal immortality

ible to forget the names of classmates, but one would certainly remember the name of the most beautiful girl in the grade or even the entire campus.Unfortunately, he could not find any recollection of...The Final Chapter: Thus, Striving for Everlasting Immortality (Part 1)

The Final Chapter: Thus, Striving for Everlasting Immortality (Part 1)

A lot happened that year.

Sun Zhouda's death, the fall of the Gao system empire, FaceBook Chinese breaking through to five million active users, Wang Yue attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a new hotel building in Shanghai under flashing lights, Pineapple Media's 'Financial Times', because of its bold exposure of the truth behind the Gao system, quickly established itself as an authoritative financial magazine within the country. Wang Bo, this rising star of the People's Republic, has been steadily increasing his political influence.

There was also Su Can, Tang Wu, Zhang Xiaqiao, Xiao Xu, Li Han, Tong Tong, Wang Dongjian, Ruan Sige, and many others' grand graduation ceremony.

They wore their academic caps and gowns in the magnificent stadium of Nan University, densely filled with people, receiving their diplomas and countless flowers and applause.

Nan University originally planned for Su Can to speak on behalf of all undergraduate graduates. However, he yielded the stage to a female student from Singapore majoring in Chinese studies. Whether it was her recitation at the end of her speech of the wildly popular Peking Opera segment 'Willingly Spill Blood to Write Spring and Autumn', or an encouraging brother's frenzied declaration that "the greatest distance in this world is not life and death, but me unable to be with you. It’s also about how a 100-meter gap between dormitory buildings prevents me from running over" touched everyone deeply.

The last speaker was an economics department female vice dean who said, "When we were young, our definitions of success were different. I wanted fame, to become a star, to make films, to drive luxury cars, and have a group of loyal friends around me... But today, I realize my definition of success has changed. As you grow up, you will notice this change too. For many of you, the future definition of success might be whether or not you can still drink a pound or two of white liquor or down an entire case of beer. But for me, what's important in life is to live authentically, with integrity. To make contributions in some aspects and stay true to oneself, pursuing your genuine passions."

The locust trees in the campus are still shedding their leaves; between teaching buildings, wild grass grows vigorously again. This school that sent off its graduates amidst chaos will welcome fresh-faced new students next spring with a smile.

Many people took group photos to cherish memories, throwing their tasselled graduation hats into the sky and freezing this falling moment as an eternal image. Many stood in rows for professional photographers to snap pictures of them. Thus, their most beautiful era ended.

Cheng Congcong still went to Germany for her studies but couldn't change her habit of showing off; she posted various photos on her FaceBook page, including the central fountain at school. There were tall-nosed German boys and delicate girls there, alongside Roman-style, Renaissance-style, and Baroque-style buildings in a fairytale-like mix. Paired with her cotton cap, thick jacket, and white socks outfit, she looked like a lady who had escaped from Disney World’s gates not fully closed. These photos made Cheng Congcong's FaceBook popularity surge; her friends ranged from overseas to domestic users, leaving comments numbering in the thousands.

Recently, Cheng Congcong updated her status, saying she misses everyone and Tang Wu, and that during winter in Munich, she misses all people.

Su Can then received news that Lin Luoran was getting married.

The eighth day of the first lunar month, many people called Su Can to ask when he could arrive in Beijing.

At that time, Su Can had just celebrated the New Year with his parents on a private boat tour around the Xiangcheng landslide lake dam; the bright sunlight burned his skin. Winter's sun had already peeled off one layer of his skin, and now Su Can carried a healthy tan from being exposed to the sun.

Su Can replied that he would meet Tang Wu in Chengdu before coming together with others. People like Zhang Xian, Xue Yi Yang, Liu Rui, along with several friends of Lin Luoran who had previously attended No. 27 High School, also rushed to join them, all traveling on the same flight without special individual arrangements.

In the slightly noisy cabin of the plane, Liu Rui still asked Su Can somewhat nervously, "I brought a suit I wore during an interview; is there any problem"

Su Can shook his head and patted his arm.

He noticed that some friends of Lin Luoran from No. 27 High School were whispering excitedly to each other, discussing how the wedding between the Lin and Wei families was even reported in Beijing newspapers. They talked about which top figures would attend the ceremony, revealing their admiration and heartfelt blessings for her.

Su Can knew that they weren't the only group flying towards Beijing to attend Lin Luoran's and Wei Yuanhu’s wedding; many others were doing the same on different flights at various times. It was like a series of rockets launching in World War II, one after another, with flames trailing behind them as they shot into the sky heading for their destination. Su Can knew that FaceBook posts congratulating Wei Yuanhu filled his page momentarily with tens of thousands of wishes. Countless people who knew him or were related to the Wei family wished him well online first; it seemed everyone was paying close attention to this grand wedding in Beijing between Lin and Wei families.

Tang Wu gently rested her head on his shoulder, and Su Can could smell the scent of her hair, a fragrance that would haunt him for life.

After getting off the plane and entering Capital Airport Terminal, they were waiting at the exit for Wang Weiwei. He was wearing a dark silk shirt with intricate patterns visible inside; he looked quite帥氣非凡。他考上了中青院的研究生，春節過後就會在許教授的社會係攻讀研究。王威威一直說自己不想從商或者從政，畢竟蘇燦已經達到了商業上的一個高峰——世界上最年輕的億萬富翁已無人能超越；而在政途上，王薄現在的聲勢和走向中央委員的方向決定了未來王威威必然要低調行事，在王薄的陰影下生活，這並不是他想要的人生。他說自己一直很想研究社會人文，並且不排除某日會去非洲援建，走過許多國家與城市，體驗社會學的精妙所在。他希望能將人生奉獻給這樣的事業。

Behind him was Li Pengyu, who had officially become the operations director at Facebook Chinese after the last year. Also with them was Lu Nannan, whom Su Can knew; they came over to greet and buddy up with Su Can. Some other younger men and women that Su Can didn’t know were there too. Although everyone cautiously observed him, they generally greeted him warmly and respectfully. Later on, through Wang Weiwei and Lu Nannan’s introductions, Su Can learned these people were friends or younger members of their social circle who had grown up together. Su Can wondered if this was what others would call a prince and princess entourage.

The one coming to pick them up was a Mercedes Benz bus. After getting on the vehicle and starting off, they first went to No. 74 Siheyuan in Shijia Hutong, Old Beijing, which looked quite old from the outside but had an entirely different look inside. There were small buildings arranged along three paths, each with its own nameplate (the west building’s was "West Garden Literary Arts"), and there was a small pond surrounded by rocks shaped into peaks, ridges, caves, and ravines. The yard contained pomegranate trees; the perimeter had hedges of roses, and grape vines provided shade.

"This is Lin Luoran's childhood home," Wang Weiwei explained as he unlocked the doors one after another with keys that rattled loudly in their sockets. "She’s probably busy shopping on Wangfujing Street with a bunch of friends. I’ll arrange your stay here, so you don’t need to check into any hotel. Leave your luggage here, and Su Can, you’re staying here for the next few days."

When they were back in the car after settling their luggage, Xue Yiyang suddenly asked about the remaining individuals.

"From this route," Wang Weiwei pointed to a side road. "It’s about half an hour to Guangqu Road where there are residential areas for diplomats; it used to be the site of Beijing Jeep Factory. Some of Lin Luoran's out-of-town friends are staying there, and some in her mother’s home. You’re staying here while we go see Lin Luoran’s new house tonight."

It was a beautiful villa complex with streets so clean they seemed spotless; tall European streetlamps stood beside each splendidly eye-catching detached mansion. Su Can thought he had arrived at Facebook's headquarters in California.

The moment the bus stopped, many cars outside Lin Luoran’s house could be seen—clearly they were setting up for a wedding. Fences were decorated with colorful balloons.

This was a three-story villa with a small swimming pool behind it; said to have been purchased by Wei Yuanhu’s family, the cost of this property would astonish anyone who heard about it.

Su Can's arrival triggered excitement among everyone present. Many people, even those chatting on the rotating staircase while drinking from cups turned their heads towards him and whispered excitedly when Su Can and Wang Weiwei entered. Xue Yiyang leaned over and lightly poked Su Can, displeased: "It seems you're always the center of attention wherever you go."

A few men approached them to greet Wang Weiwei and then shook hands with Su Can, smiling and saying, “We’ve heard a lot about you, Su Can. Nice to meet you.” Later, Su Can learned these were friends of Wei Yuanhu, but this did nothing to diminish his fame.

Outside the mansion was a buffet table set up on the lawn with alcohol and snacks available; although everyone was there ostensibly to help decorate for the wedding, only Lin Luoran’s close female friends entered her room to assist.

Then an Audi pulled up outside, and Lin Luoran returned from shopping. She was surrounded by a group like a star at its center, but unexpectedly she wasn’t wearing fancy clothes; instead, it was her usual soft black hair with a white T-shirt featuring a cartoon pattern that accentuated her curvy figure nicely, paired with simple skinny jeans—she looked as composed as ever. As soon as she entered, she was surrounded by playful jokes making her cheeks red, different from her usual spoiled behavior; she seemed more like an innocent and well-mannered young lady amidst so many friends.

The major figures of the Lin and Wei families weren’t present—presumably they knew today’s gathering was for younger members of the female side who were close to Lin Luoran. Present were only her mother, Lu Jiaying, a few aunts and relatives that Su Can had met before.

This kind of gathering would continue until late into the night, ending only when an entourage arrived early the next morning.

As dusk fell, lights flickered on along the streets. Standing in Lin Luoran’s yard, Su Can could see through the transparent glass walls of the villa that many people were still laughing and chatting inside. Looking up at the pitch-black sky without any stars or moonlight, he felt a vast emptiness within him.

A gentle breeze swept by with a familiar scent; turning around, Su Can saw Lin Luoran finally break free from the crowd to walk over to where he stood.

Su Can remembered this T-shirt and jeans she wore; he had seen her in them when she just started studying at Shanghai International Studies University. The photos taken of her then were quickly spread around the university’s BBS, causing many male students to search for her everywhere. This was from four years ago.

He also recalled their time cooking hotpot at the Manhattan apartment; Lin Zouwu ate enthusiastically while Lin Luoran wore an apron looking like a homely woman. The New Year's fireworks lit up outside their high-rise window, invigorating them. That was from one year ago. They had once stood together on the balcony talking about trivial matters but felt very comfortable and at ease.

"I’m getting married," Su Cen heard Lin Luoran say calmly. The wind stirred her long hair, which she held back with her hand. Su Cen couldn’t bear to look at the scene, for fear of touching his heart's softest spot.

Then he felt a pair of cold hands pinch his face and pull it outward; in Luoran’s slightly angry eyes, Su Cen’s face looked like a big pancake.

This comical sight made her忍不住笑起來，說道，“你是什麼表情啊？開心一點。我說過找到‘精’英才俊就結婚...難道你不祝福我？”

Su Cen smiled at last, nodding his head. "I wish you a long and happy marriage."

A flash of anger appeared in Luoran’s beautiful eyes as she said, “滾邊兒去，你這話怎麼聽上去糝得慌。”隨即她眯起眼睛笑道，“幾個月不見，你變得壯實了許多啊，連皮膚都小麥健康‘色’了。

"No way. You know the weather in Phoenix City; even in winter there’s clear sunshine and a big sun. Plus, I’m often swimming by the lake." Su Cen paused then looked at her with an unusual gleam in his eyes, "And you’ve changed quite a bit as well."

Lin Luoran smiled and sat down on the grass hugging her knees, patting beside her to gesture for him. Su Cen noticed she wasn’t wearing a ring.

He didn’t know why he was so perceptive.

Su Cen sat next to her with an inexplicable sense of reassurance in his heart; it felt like they could sit there until the end of time without anything being amiss.

Lin Luoran no longer had the cold distance towards Su Cen she previously possessed, as if reverting back to when Lin Zouwu was alive and they laughed together, played pranks on each other, carried backpacks放學，一起在外吃喝玩樂的熱鬨情形。她像是回覆了那個林大小姐有動有靜的本原樣子，兩人說了許多話，說笑間聊起了以前的事情，在鬱悶的時候林珞然還會攥著拳頭捶蘇燦的手臂兩下。

Su Cen winced and rubbed his arm, finding this feeling too good to be true. But unfortunately, tomorrow would come, and all these brief moments of beauty would be shattered by great force. Everything he had with Lin Luoran and Lin Zouwu would end here in the past.

Su Cen looked at the dazzling mansion and said, “Where’s your pickled vegetable jar Did you bring that too”

“No more pickled vegetables,” replied Lin Luoran casually. "I threw it away when I moved."

"Oh." Su Cen nodded; after a moment he growled, “You just graduated from Fudan University, barely half a year later and you’re thinking of getting married... You should get a job first, adapt to society, accumulate work experience. Put all your thoughts into the career you should pursue now. Serve the country with passion, why are you in such a rush”

“You must have been possessed by Lin Zouwu,” said Luoran, rolling her eyes, “Why so many useless words.”

"Because he’s not here anymore, I need to tell you these things."

Lin Luoran turned and looked at Su Cen with a clear gaze, brushing away the black hair that had been blown across her lips by the wind. She asked, “I once asked you: if I met you before Tang Wu, would our current situation be reversed What’s your answer now”

Under her slightly flushed gaze, Su Cen was silent for a long time before he said, "Because we can’t start over, I can’t give you false scenarios or what-ifs. So I can’t give you an answer, but I can tell you that the outcome wouldn’t be like this; at least not now."

Lin Luoran sadly shook her head and got up, walking away with her back to Su Cen.

As she walked a few steps, as if suddenly recalling something the fat guy Lin Zouwu said, her heart paused heavily as if it had been dropped from a high place. Her eyes suddenly reddened and welled up with tears.

The night Su Cen and others left Lin Luoran's villa, they returned to the quadrangle courtyard in Shihua Hutong.

Luckily, the hutong wasn't as dark as Su Cen had imagined. Many lanes were lit up with clear lights, some of which were warm and inviting. Liu Rui and Xue Yi Yang were unusually excited, saying, "Shihua Hutong has great fame. Any household in this hutong might be hiding a prominent figure."

Su Cen found himself unable to immerse himself in their excitement.

Perhaps tomorrow when he wakes up, everything will already have ended without him having to attend the ceremony.

As they entered the quadrangle courtyard, Liu Rui and Xue Yi Yang looked at Su Cen's back. They exchanged a glance and felt rather regretful. Looking around, they realized that it was fortunate for Lin Luoran to be entangled with their fates, but now their fate intertwined with Lin Luoran’s, along with Su Cen’s and Lin Luoran’s, seemed like two rivers converging only to part ways again, heading off in different directions.

Su Cen couldn't sleep at night. He strolled beneath the grape trellis, looking at the old pomegranate tree and the dried-up pond, unable to see the little shrimps they caught with Lin Luoran when they were kids as Wang Weiwei had mentioned. Eventually, he sat on a stone millstone and looked up at the pomegranate tree and the lush grape trellis, hearing in his mind the crying of that little girl who fell from the tree and the laughter and chatter she made running around beneath the grape vines over all those years.

These were traces of her life. Years later, Su Cen intersected with them here only to part ways again like two arrows shooting off in opposite directions.

Tang Wu leaned lightly against him and sat down beside him, tilting her head to look at him.

Su Cen covered her knees with his hand and said, "You should go to sleep first. You've been working on documents day and night during the New Year holiday; you need your rest."

Tang Wu shook her head with a gentle smile, saying, "I'm just like you, I can't fall asleep either... Perhaps after Lin Luoran marries, she might be even more restless."

Su Cen stared at Tang Wu.

She smiled and Su Cen felt that this wise girl seemed to have already understood people's hearts in this moment. She was always smarter than anyone else. "Since we met again at the No. 27 Middle School, I knew you would change my life. During the Spring Festival, when my mom peeled an apple for me and couldn't resist asking why I had such a discerning eye back then, do you know what I said"

Su Cen shook his head in surprise, imagining how Aunt Mu Xin must have asked him this question—was it with sternness or sharpness

Tang Wu smiled sweetly and said, "I told her that I inherited your genes."

She sighed and looked at Su Cen sitting on the stone millstone with her deep eyes. "All along, I've known that your life is different from others'. Not because you founded a social network or your Da Bao Rao Company, nor because of Mr. Lin’s financial magazine or how you brought down the High System Empire; it's not even because you're better-looking than others... but because of what’s here..." She pointed to Su Cen's chest with her slender and fair forefinger. "This place holds far more than anyone else’s can, and I've always known that..."

Su Cen stared at the girl in front of him, feeling a slight pain in his heart and his eyes becoming moist.

Tang Wu's soft lips curved up slightly; her beautiful face like a blooming night-blooming cereus flower. Her pupils seemed to be enveloped by mist. "Believe me... I don't want to share you with others, but I also don’t want to see Lin Luoran unhappy and unfulfilled for the rest of her life, which would make you unhappy."

Then she got up, lightly kissed Su Cen's cheek, and returned to her room.

Su Cen thought again about the ancient pomegranate tree in the courtyard and the lush roses beneath it. But he still couldn't fall asleep under the grape trellis or by the rose wall.

This night, iron horses and icy rivers never appeared in his dreams.is age and identity, achieving certain heights. He also inspired these individuals, who would otherwise be seen as failures, to gradually pursue their own paths.They once had no faith in life.Not know...