Goal

Tang Manman took the sparkler with a mix of skepticism and curiosity. Lin Yu showed her how to hold it properly, then lit the fuse for her.

The fuse burned down.

After a brief, pungent whiff of smoke, a round red orb of light shot out from the tip of the sparkler, trailing a fiery tail as it arced gracefully toward the ocean at their feet.

Before the red orb could fade, another glowing sphere of a different color burst forth from the long sparkler, following the same trajectory into the sea.

The orbs continued one after another like a string of pearls.

Tang Manman, who had never seen such fireworks before, was utterly amazed. Her lips parted slightly, her delighted eyes reflecting the kaleidoscope of colors.

Gradually,

a smile curled at the corners of her mouth—but instead of watching the mesmerizing display, she immediately turned her gaze to Lin Yu.

Seeing his gentle smile, her joy deepened. Her peach-blossom eyes crinkled into crescents, brimming with every beautiful emotion the world could offer.

Amid that swirl of indescribable feelings, Lin Yu caught a fleeting glimpse of something almost intangible.

Happiness.

And in that very moment,

a single, all-encompassing word surfaced silently in his heart.

Forever.

...

Whether by coincidence or not,

when Lin Yu brought Tang Manman to the café, every window seat was occupied.

Except one—the very spot where he had once sat with Gu Yue.

Left with no choice,

Lin Yu suppressed the strange thrill (scratch that) unease in his chest and feigned innocence, leading Tang Manman to the only empty table by the window.

"Two lattes, a slice of Black Forest cake, and some cookies, please."

Recognizing the waiter, Lin Yu didn’t even bother asking Tang Manman for her order. He skipped the menu and listed standard café items, eager to dismiss the waiter, whose odd look threatened to stir unnecessary trouble.

Soon, the coffee, cake, and cookies arrived.

Lin Yu checked his phone.

9:30 p.m.

Perfect.

A little eating and drinking would easily fill the time until ten.

After the fireworks, he’d take Tang Manman home.

Having roughly mapped out the evening, he set his phone down and took a sip of coffee.

Noticing Tang Manman hadn’t touched hers, he asked,

"Don’t you like this blend?"

She shook her head.

"It’s not that."

"But if I drink coffee now, I won’t sleep tonight, right?"

"Oh crap."

Her words struck him like a revelation. Lin Yu stared at the coffee in his hand, then set it down with the expression of someone who’d just swallowed a fly.

Tang Manman’s lips twitched as she fought back a laugh.

"Makka Pakka..."

The amusing and lovely ringtone rang, and Lin Yu instinctively glanced down.

Qing Mo?

Had she landed?

Stealing a furtive look at Tang Manman, he hesitated before deciding to decline the call.

He quickly sent a message instead.

Dragon Proud Sky: Busy right now.

Dragon Proud Sky: I’ll meet you at 10:30.

After a long pause, Qing Mo replied with a single word:

"Okay."

With Qing Mo's matter settled, Lin Yu guiltily glanced up at Tang Manman.

Seeing her gaze fixed on him, he immediately lowered his head again.

When feeling guilty, people often pretend to be busy.

Busying himself, Lin Yu picked up his coffee and took another sip.

Realizing it wasn’t the best time for caffeine, he froze for a second.

But soon, memories of his time with Gu Yue resurfaced.

Back then, he had drunk plenty of coffee.

At this rate, he probably wouldn’t sleep tonight anyway—what difference would one more cup make?

With that thought, he resigned himself and kept drinking.

Fortunately, after just a few sips, Tang Manman’s attention was drawn elsewhere.

Her phone rang, and she answered, pressing it to her ear as she replied sweetly:

"Hello, Mom."

"Manman, where are you now?"

"Are you still with Lin Yu?"

A gentle yet slightly worried woman’s voice came through the phone, audible even in the quiet café.

"Yes," Tang Manman answered.

"I’m still with Lin Yu."

"We’re at a café by the beach."

Hearing this, the voice on the other end relaxed noticeably before continuing:

"How late do you plan to stay out?"

"Don’t stay too long—it’s not safe outside."

Tang Manman didn’t reply immediately. Instead, she looked up at Lin Yu, her eyes silently asking for his input.

Seeing her seemingly ready to follow his lead, Lin Yu felt a mischievous urge.

For a moment, he considered telling her they wouldn’t go back tonight, just to see her reaction.

But after a brief hesitation, he dismissed the idea.

After all, the person on the other end of the call might very well be his future mother-in-law.

Did he really want to risk that?

Suppressing his playful impulse, Lin Yu raised his voice slightly and spoke toward the phone:

"We’ll leave by ten."

"She should be home by around ten-thirty."

"I’ll make sure she gets back safely—don’t worry, Auntie."

"Oh?"

"Alright."

"Be careful on the way back."

Tang's mother clearly hadn’t expected Lin Yu to hear her, and after a brief pause, she quickly wrapped up the call with a few more words of caution.

Once the small interruption passed, Lin Yu ordered Tang Manman a glass of milk. The two continued chatting over snacks, their conversation drifting toward the future.

"Do you have a dream university in mind?" Lin Yu asked, popping a bite of cookie into his mouth as he watched her.

Tang Manman hesitated for a moment before answering softly:

"I want to go to A University."

Hearing the name, Lin Yu nodded slightly, unsurprised.

A University—ranked among the top fifty in the country.

In his past life, it would’ve been considered a top-tier institution, like the Ivy League or Oxbridge.

For someone as academically gifted as Tang Manman, aiming for such a school was only natural.

A University...

Hmm...

Were there any decent universities nearby?

He’d have to look it up on his phone later.

Honestly, just hearing the name "A University" made Lin Yu give up on even trying.

He knew his limits all too well.

The only way he’d ever set foot in A University was if he bought a blanket that conjured sweet dreams—then buried himself under it.

Maybe then he’d get to visit the campus in his sleep.

"What about you, Lin Yu?" Tang Manman asked in return.

"Do you have a particular university you'd like to attend?"