Love in the Depths of Time (GL) - Chapter 10

The spring sunlight pierced through the clouds, casting its glow on the red running track. Colorful flags fluttered in the wind, and the speakers broadcasted the rousing march of the athletes.

White running shoes stood at the starting line. Jia Le’s fingers unconsciously rubbed the game character pendant hanging from her chest—a birthday gift from Lin Xi last year.

She still remembered that moment: Lin Xi had stuffed the pendant into Jia Le’s palm. “This Paladin increases the team’s defense, just like I will always protect you.”

The starting gun fired, and Jia Le shot forward like an arrow leaving the bowstring. Her ponytail sliced through the wind in a sharp arc, and the handwritten letters “WENJIALE” were printed on the back of her sports uniform. Her strides were steady and powerful, quickly surpassing the competitors around her. The audience in the stands cheered enthusiastically, shouting words of encouragement. The sound of their support filled her ears, but she focused only on her rhythm, sprinting forward step by step.

The 1500-meter race was long, and Jia Le’s stamina was gradually depleting. But she did not slow down—she clenched her teeth and pushed forward. In her mind, she saw Lin Xi’s smiling face, the motivation that kept her going. Lin Xi had promised to watch the race. Jia Le believed that Lin Xi would be waiting for her at the finish line.

Lin Xi squeezed through the crowd, holding an insulated box containing a three-flavor ice cream. The words “Spring Cone” on her employee badge were smudged with sweat. By the time she finally found an empty spot, the race had entered its final lap.

Finally, in the last lap, Jia Le unleashed her remaining strength and sprinted with all her might. Her figure traced a graceful arc across the track as she dashed toward the finish line. The crowd’s cheers reached their peak, and a victorious smile spread across Jia Le’s face.

Crossing the finish line, Jia Le gasped for breath, sweat dripping from her forehead. Yet, she tightly gripped the sweat-dampened race number on her chest—the person who promised to wait for her never appeared. Just then, He Xiaoyong walked over with a bottle of water. He was Jia Le’s classmate and gaming buddy. Seeing that she had finished the race, he grinned. “Champion! Well done! Here, have some water.” He shoved the bottle into her hand as camera flashes flickered around them. Jia Le forced a mechanical smile and scanned the bustling crowd. Three days ago, the warmth of Lin Xi’s hand slipping away outside the math office suddenly resurfaced in her palm.

Jia Le took several gulps of water, trying to ease her exhaustion. She managed a smile. “Thanks.”

Watching from a distance, Lin Xi lowered her head, staring at the strawberry ice cream melting inside the box. The pink liquid seeped through the paper container, making her pause in her tracks.

Yang Sheng patted Jia Le’s shoulder. “Come on, let’s get some ice cream to celebrate.”

Jia Le nodded and followed Yang Sheng toward the ice cream shop behind the school. Though a hint of disappointment lingered in her heart, she didn’t want to dwell on it.

The ice cream shop was a favorite spot among students. The decor radiated youthful energy, with cartoon posters covering the walls and colorful ice cream cups lined up on the tables. Jia Le, Yang Sheng, and He Xiaoyong walked inside and found a seat by the window.

“What do you want?” He Xiaoyong asked.

“Anything is fine,” Jia Le replied absentmindedly, her eyes occasionally glancing toward the entrance.

Just then, Lin Xi pushed open the ice cream shop’s door and walked in. She wore a simple white T-shirt, her hair tied back in a ponytail, looking especially fresh. There was a hint of exhaustion on her face, but her eyes were firm.

Lin Xi worked part-time at the ice cream shop. Because of her shift, she hadn’t been able to watch the race. After her shift ended, she rushed back, hoping to see Jia Le. But upon entering, she saw Jia Le sitting with her friends, and a wave of disappointment surged in her heart.

The glass display case divided the evening sunlight into diamond-shaped glimmers. Wearing a mint-green apron, Lin Xi mechanically scooped ice cream at the counter. On the surveillance screen, she saw Jia Le showing her game stats to He Xiaoyong on her phone. Her movements seemed stiff, her mind clearly elsewhere. The scene from earlier replayed in her mind. As she scooped another ice cream, her stainless-steel spoon hit something stuck in the gap of the counter—a half-torn Polaroid photo from last year’s sports meet, showing her and Jia Le applying sunscreen to each other.

“Three strawberry sundaes with extra syrup!” He Xiaoyong called out to Lin Xi.

Lin Xi looked up and saw Jia Le sitting with her friends, her heart tightening. She tried to maintain a calm expression and began making the sundaes. The cold air from the ice cream freezer brushed against her skin. Through the glass window, Jia Le’s familiar figure caught her eye, making her pupils shrink. Lin Xi skillfully scooped the ice cream into cones and handed them to He Xiaoyong. Jia Le clearly saw the fresh bruise on Lin Xi’s wrist—the one she had gotten last week while helping Jia Le carry books.

“Thanks.” He Xiaoyong took the ice cream and handed one each to Jia Le and Yang Sheng.

Jia Le accepted hers, a flicker of surprise in her eyes when she saw Lin Xi. But the emotion quickly faded, and she lowered her head, silently eating her ice cream.

Lin Xi returned behind the counter and continued working, her heart tangled with conflicting emotions. She wanted to talk to Jia Le but didn’t know how. All she could do was watch her from afar.

As the school sports meet gradually came to an end, the sun dipped lower in the sky. After finishing their ice cream, the three friends got up to leave. Jia Le walked out of the shop, stealing one last glance at Lin Xi. But Lin Xi had already lowered her head, busy with work.

“Let’s go, let’s go!” Yang Sheng said excitedly. “The internet café got new equipment!”

He Xiaoyong suddenly draped his arm over Jia Le’s shoulder, and she stumbled, knocking over a salt shaker. The tiny white crystals scattered across the table, resembling the snowflakes that had landed on Lin Xi’s eyelashes during last year’s first snowfall. Regret welled up in her heart, but she understood—some things could never be undone.

Lin Xi continued working in silence until closing time. After tidying up, she stepped outside and looked up at the sky. The sunset cast a warm, golden glow over her face. She knew there were still so many words left unsaid between her and Jia Le, but for now, all she could do was remain silent.