Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 164: Trouble with Posting

Chapter 164: Chapter 164: Trouble with Posting

Starting a new relationship is easy, but ending one that has lasted a long time is hard. Gu Fan is experiencing this right now. He’s with Leng Le, but he’s still holding on to the good memories from the past.

It’s a new day and still no returned calls or messages. Gu Fan was gradually exhausted and no longer want to make such humble phone calls, send messages, or wait outside her apartment. He felt like he was losing himself in the process.

So, Gu Fan did something rather foolish. He posted on the internet, asking what it meant if you constantly call and message your girlfriend for days on end, and she never responds.

Immediately, kind-hearted internet users comforted Gu Fan, urged him to let go, reminding him that there are plenty of fish in the sea, and advising him that there’s a long road ahead and he can still meet someone much better.

One user casually responded, "Don’t be naive my friend, everyone always has their phone with them nowadays. If she really cared, she would’ve responded to you long ago. Let go of your illusions, save yourself some grief and leave with some dignity."

After Gu Fan posted, a parade of varied replies flooded in, each one landing heavy punches on his already battered heart. Even more depressing were the messages echoing his experiences, as if they’re finding a kindred spirit in his misery.

Gu Fan couldn’t bear to read on. The more he read, the more miserable he felt. It seemed like he really should listen to the advice and let go.

Just when Gu Fan was overwhelmed with emotion, he caught sight of the small box that Lin Xi had left with him for safekeeping. This instantly ignited a glimmer of hope. If Lin Xi had no intention of coming back, why would she want him to keep this box? This means she might come back. So, starting a relationship with Leng Le now may be a bit...

After considerable thought, Gu Fan laughed at himself. Lin Xi’s return doesn’t guarantee that they could pick up where they left off. If he clung to their old, nearly hopeless relationship, he could miss out on a new relationship, on Leng Le.

"Why are you doing this? Why won’t you respond? Why won’t you just send me a message and directly tell me it’s over? End it clearly and ease my pain, so I can start my new life. Isn’t that better?" Gu Fan mumbled to himself while glancing at his mobile phone. He then playfully tapped his head with it.

Finally, as if he had an epiphany, a relieved smile spread across his formerly distressed face. That’s right, he loved the old Lin Xi, not this new and completely strange woman that he knew nothing about. More accurately, once Lin Xi changed into someone else, their relationship was over too.

Another important factor was that Gu Fan couldn’t accept Lin Xi as someone who would willingly harm her classmates with Du Jun. Everything Du Jun had done was centered around Lin Xi. Could Lin Xi have been ignorant of that?

Thinking of this, Gu Fan found this new version of Lin Xi somewhat scary.

Alright, finally he can let go of his emotional baggage, leave behind the past relationship, and start a new life. Gu Fan stood up, took a deep breath, feeling utterly relaxed. He deleted all the calls and messages, and picked up his boxing gloves, ready to sweat away his worries at the boxing club.

While practicing boxing, he thought of Su Hui, and how she might have found someone suitable during her training at the headquarters. Gu Fan hoped that while he was marking a new beginning, Su Hui too would also start anew. This way, she wouldn’t feel upset and come up with reasons to give him a beating when she noticed.

The boxing club was packed today. Gu Fan called over Lu Yi and Jie. After their last adventure, they all realized the importance of fitness.

They didn’t plan for another adventure, but as Du Jun was still alive, it was better to be safe than sorry, and be prepared for a possible reprisal. Practicing their fighting skills could help them defend themselves just in case they encountered Du Jun again.

"I ran into Teacher Liu the day before yesterday. He told me that Professor Luo had already reported to the government about their archaeological discoveries. Now they have the manpower and funds that they need. Professor Luo, Xu Haowen, and Qin Jia have returned to the outpost. Who knows what they might find?" Lu Yi shared as he punched the sandbag.

This news worried Gu Fan. "It doesn’t matter what they find. I’m worried that Professor Luo might not be able to explain everything that happened. If he can’t, we are all in trouble," he replied.

Jie nodded, "That’s true. But on the other hand, if it gets the government’s attention, Du Jun and his backers could end up being uprooted."

"If they are uprooted, Lin Xi might be implicated as well." Saying this, Gu Fan’s punches weakened and worry clouded his eyes.

Lu Yi asked, "I know you’re still worried about Lin Xi. Has she not replied to any of your messages yet?"

Gu Fan shook his head and forced a bitter laugh, "No, she hasn’t. I think it’s really over between us."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yi and Jie exchanged incredulous glances, "Really? You’re just giving up like that? You two went through thick and thin together, there was real affection involved."

"Let me correct that, the Lin Xi I loved was the Lin Xi of the past," Gu Fan clarified, and then looked earnestly at Lu Yi and Jie. He followed up by asking, "If you loved a woman deeply, then she suddenly transformed into a different person—a potentially deeply concealed personality—could you accept it?"

Having heard this, Lu Yi and Jie awkwardly smiled, "Truth be told, anyone would find it hard to accept."

Gu Fan added, "If no matter what Lin Xi becomes, I still love her, then isn’t that proof that all I love is her appearance?"

"One could interpret it that way, but based on what you’re saying, are you planning to end things with Lin Xi?" Lu Yi and Jie asked tentatively. They found it difficult to believe that Gu Fan, who loved Lin Xi so deeply, was giving up so readily. They guessed he must be experiencing a lot of emotional ups and downs.

Gu Fan wiped the sweat from his forehead and sighed, "The current Lin Xi is still concealing countless things. She was involved in the kidnapping of twelve classmates; the extent of her involvement is still unknown. The thought that the mastermind behind it all is right by my side makes me break out in a cold sweat."

Jie responded with understanding, "If one day, I found out that the person closest to me had concealed so much, deceived and hurt me, I would be just as heartbroken." No sooner had Jie finished speaking than Hai sneezed loudly in the distance, followed by another sneeze, making him shiver.

That’s when Lu Yi asked, "So, what’s your next move?"

Gu Fan shrugged, "No plans really, I just hope for peace in the world, so that we can focus on our studies, graduate successfully, and find new love."

"Looks like you’ve finally moved on and aren’t feeling so despondent anymore. No wonder you asked us out for some boxing today." Just as Lu Yi and Jie finished speaking, they noticed a tall, attractive woman walking in and giving them a small smile.

The moment Leng Le walked in, she, like Su Hui before her, drew all eyes to her. As she walked towards them, Lu Yi and Jie sensed that something was amiss. Then they saw the beaming smile on Gu Fan’s face and knew something was going on.

Sure enough, Leng Le walked up to Gu Fan, and the two of them began gazing into each other’s eyes, chatting and flirting, instantly becoming the envy of everyone present.

With Gu Fan’s introduction, Lu Yi and Jie learned that the woman was Leng Le, the female manager of the restaurant where Gu Fan worked. Their relationship was clear; after all, Leng Le had come here to meet Gu Fan.

Under jealous glances, Gu Fan and Leng Le left together, leaving Lu Yi and Jie at the punching bags.

"Another May-December romance and he’s scored such a stunning manager, he’s clearly winning at life," Lu Yi almost exclaimed, then gave the punching bag a few more hits.

"You’re kidding, Gu Fan’s new girlfriend is so beautiful. No wonder he got over his past relationship so quickly. We should have guessed." Jie hugged the punching bag and shed some silent tears, then said, "Dear God, why can’t I have such good luck? It’s so unfair."

At first, Lu Yi agreed, but then he snorted, "Well, don’t envy Gu Fan. He risked his life fighting against evil forces, only to find out his girlfriend was part of those very forces, and that his beloved had transformed into a completely different person. His loss is complete—he’s been through enough. They are giving him a girlfriend as compensation, that’s not too much, right?"

Having heard this, Jie nodded, "You’re right, but you were the one who said Gu Fan was a ’winner at life’"

Lu Yi immediately defended himself, "The point isn’t who said what—the point is our friend has moved on from his despair and is facing life head-on. He invited us to dinner and generously picked up the tab. We should be happy for him."

"Well said. Let’s silently bless Gu Fan." After saying this, Jie thought for a moment, then furrowed his brows, "If Gu Fan is so happy now, what if one day he finds out that his new girlfriend is part of an evil organization? What if she turns out to be a deeply concealed and deceitful woman? He’ll break down."

Lu Yi rolled his eyes, "Please, we’re supposed to be blessing Gu Fan now, hoping that he’ll do well. We’re not wishing for him to be unlucky. Enough with your doomsaying. Imagine if Gu Fan were to get hit again—he might lose faith in women altogether, lose interest, and his view on relationships might drastically change. Given how close we are to Gu Fan, we’d be at risk too."

"Okay, fine. My bad. I’ll slap myself," Jie said and then pretended to smack his own mouth a few times. The mere thought of Gu Fan not being interested in women and instead pursuing Lu Yi gave Jie goosebumps.

By this time, the already distant Gu Fan, for some unknown reason, began sneezing multiple times out of nowhere.