First Frost

The last time Wen Yifan flew from Nanwu to Yihe was eight years ago.

The day after meeting Sang Yan in Beiyu, Wen Yifan took the high-speed train back to Nanwu to collect all the money and documents Wen Liangzhe had left for her from Zhao Yuandong. After that, she didn’t linger in either city.

Instead, she boarded a plane alone to Yihe.

Now, her state of mind was completely different from back then.

Seated by the window, Wen Yifan had nothing else to do but stare outside, thinking about how to bring up her arrival to Sang Yan once she landed.

She wasn’t sure if it would affect him.

Outside, the sky was already dark, with thick, black clouds looming in the distance. Below stretched a vast nightscape dotted with red ribbons of light. The cabin was quiet, dimly lit, with only faint murmurs of conversation here and there.

It felt like an endlessly long journey.

Suddenly, Wen Yifan wondered—

What kind of mood had Sang Yan been in all those times he took the train from Nanwu to Beiyu to see her?

Had he felt the same mix of anticipation and nervousness she did now?

Longing for the moment he’d see her.

Yet afraid that, in truth, he didn’t want to see her at all.

The air conditioning was a little too cold, and Wen Yifan instinctively pulled the blanket higher. Alone on the plane, she felt utterly insecure. Even with nothing to do, she had no intention of sleeping. She turned her gaze back to the window.

Perhaps because she had resolved to make him lay everything bare, her mind was calmer now than it had ever been before.

She pressed her lips together, slowly trying to sort through all that had happened back then. Gradually, the night and her emotions dragged her into those memories—ones she never wanted to recall again.

……

Wen Yifan moved to Beiyu with her uncle’s family during the second semester of her sophomore year.

At first, everything was no different from life in Nanwu. It was just exchanging one familiar city where she lived under someone else’s roof for another unfamiliar one.

Back then, Wen Yifan didn’t dwell on it much.

She felt helpless but knew there was nothing she could do. All she wanted was to work hard, improve her grades, and get into a decent university. She also hoped time would pass faster.

So she could take the college entrance exam sooner, become an adult sooner, and start earning her own living sooner.

So she could end this kind of life sooner.

For Wen Yifan, though those days were stifling and painful,

She still had hope.

She believed that once she endured this period, everything would be better.

But everything began to change after she started her senior year.

That year, Che Xingde moved to Beiyu from another city. Jobless and penniless, he relied entirely on his sister to survive. From then on, he lived in her uncle’s home.

From their very first meeting, Wen Yifan had taken an instant dislike to this so-called "uncle."

She was a slow person, always a beat behind others when it came to sensing emotions. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that the way he looked at her was strange—his words oily and lewd, carrying an unmistakably foul undertone.

She wasn’t good at expressing herself.

And she didn’t know if it was all just in her head.

At first, Che Xingde didn’t do anything too extreme.Before finding a job, Che Xingde would stay at home almost every day without going out. He would often sit close to Wen Yifan or find excuses to touch her body under the pretense of fetching something.

At first, Wen Yifan thought it might be accidental once or twice, but as it happened more frequently, she began to feel something was wrong.

Wen Yifan had been well-protected since childhood and had never encountered such a situation before, leaving her completely unsure of how to handle it. Several times, when Zhao Yuandong called her, Wen Yifan would hesitate on the verge of speaking up but ultimately couldn’t bring herself to say anything.

For a girl of that age, this was an extremely difficult topic to broach.

Fortunately, the heavy academic workload in her senior year of high school meant the school allowed students to stay on weekends for self-study.

Wen Yifan simply reduced the number of times she went home, staying at school for long periods instead. If not for holidays when the school didn’t permit students to remain on campus, she wouldn’t have willingly returned to her uncle’s house.

After the first semester of her senior year ended, Wen Yifan entered her final winter break of high school. Though it lasted less than two weeks, it was during this time that Che Xingde’s behavior escalated.

Unable to endure it any longer, Wen Yifan finally brought it up to Che Yanqin.

Che Yanqin dismissed it entirely, saying Wen Yifan was being overly sensitive and shouldn’t entertain such baseless thoughts or make a big deal out of nothing.

Even before raising the issue, Wen Yifan hadn’t expected Che Yanqin to take her side. She then mentioned it to Zhao Yuandong, expressing her wish to rent an apartment and live alone outside.

Zhao Yuandong was concerned but also uneasy about her living alone. In the end, she only promised to discuss it further with Che Yanqin.

But nothing came of it.

Seemingly sensing Wen Yifan’s avoidance and reluctance to confront him, Che Xingde grew increasingly brazen. He began trying to pry open her bedroom door late at night. Occasionally, under the guise of being drunk, he would pound on her door, pretending he had mistaken the room.

Wen Yifan warned him several times, but it had no effect.

All she received in return were even more aggressive knocks on her door.

Whenever such incidents occurred, Wen Yifan could only pray for 3 a.m. to arrive.

Wen Liangxian and Che Yanqin ran a barbecue stall together, staying open until 2:30 a.m. every night. It took them half an hour to walk home, so they usually returned around 3 a.m.

Che Xingde was afraid of Wen Liangxian.

With Wen Liangxian around, he would restrain himself and not dare to act so blatantly.

Despite having a lock and barricading her door with a desk after returning to her room, Wen Yifan still felt no sense of security. She began hiding scissors and utility knives under her pillow, and whenever she was home, she wouldn’t dare to sleep until 3 a.m., terrified that Che Xingde might break in when she least expected it.

This torment continued until the end of the college entrance exams.

During this time, Wen Yifan called Zhao Yuandong several more times. Zhao Yuandong repeatedly assured her that Zheng Kejia was gradually accepting her and that, with a little more persuasion, she might be able to let Wen Yifan move back in.

After the exam results were released, while Wen Yifan was preparing to fill out her college applications, Zhao Yuandong also requested that she apply to Nanwu University.

The idea was to keep Wen Yifan close by so she could take care of her in the future.Although Zhao Yuandong had temporarily placed her in her uncle's household due to her new family circumstances, Wen Yifan still relied on her heavily for many things. She just wanted to escape her current life, to hurry and make these days a thing of the past.

She also wanted to try getting along harmoniously with her new family.

And so, Wen Yifan agreed to Zhao Yuandong's suggestion.

Because to her,

Apart from the city of Beiyu, there wasn’t much difference between other places.

Moreover,

Wen Yifan thought, Sang Yan was also in Nanwu.

He might prefer staying in this city.

During the week when college applications began,

Sang Yan sent her several messages, all asking about her application choices.

Afraid he might choose a school he didn’t want to attend because of her, Wen Yifan tentatively asked which school he planned to apply to, but he never mentioned it. In the end, she could only clearly tell him that she would apply to Nanwu University.

She would return to Nanwu.

She would treat the pain of these two years as nothing more than passing clouds.

They wouldn’t have to be separated by two cities anymore.

Wen Yifan wouldn’t have to make him travel so arduously across a city to see her every time.

After this, they could see each other every day.

They could go back to how things were in their first year of high school.

It seemed like everything was gradually getting better.

Until the day college applications closed.

That night, Wen Yifan was alone at home. During that period, Che Xingde had found a job and was away for several days a week. She wasn’t sure about his work schedule and couldn’t tell if he would return that day.

It wasn’t yet three in the morning, but Wen Yifan didn’t dare sleep.

She texted Sang Yan while keeping an eye on the alarm clock on the bedside table.

Sang Yan: [Can I come see you tomorrow?]

After some thought, Wen Yifan replied: [I’ll be going to Nanwu soon. Don’t come.]

Sang Yan: [When?]

Wen Yifan: [After the admission letter arrives. We have to go back to school to get it.]

Sang Yan: [That won’t be until mid-July.]

A moment later,

Sang Yan sent another message: [I’ll come when the admission results are out.]

By 1:30 a.m., Che Xingde still hadn’t returned.

Wen Yifan thought he might not come back, but she felt uneasy, as if a storm was brewing. Lying in bed, she grew drowsy as she chatted with Sang Yan.

She fought to keep her eyes open, wanting to stay awake until 3 a.m., but eventually succumbed to sleep.

She thought, at this hour,

Her uncle should be home soon anyway.

Later, Wen Yifan was jolted awake by the sound of the door.

This time, the noise wasn’t the metallic clink of a lock being tampered with but the distinct click of a key turning. She opened her eyes and saw the desk by the door topple over in the darkness as the door swung open.

Wen Yifan looked up and met Che Xingde’s face.

Che Xingde dangled the key from his finger, his laugh lewd and unsettling. His bulky frame filled the doorway as he tossed the key aside and pressed down on her, reeking of sweat and alcohol.

With the overwhelming strength disparity between men and women, he pinned her down effortlessly.

Wen Yifan snapped awake, feeling him yank the blanket off her. His intentions were unmistakable—one hand gripping her hair tightly, the other trying to pull down her pants.

She let out an involuntary scream, struggling and crying for help.Wen Yifan felt as if she had detached from her own body at that moment, becoming a mere bystander. She watched herself resisting frantically, grabbing a pair of scissors from under the pillow and stabbing wildly at Che Xingde without any rationality.

Che Xingde recoiled in pain but quickly lunged forward again, snatching the scissors from her hand.

"You fucking bitch."

With reddened eyes, Wen Yifan retreated further, her fingers finding a utility knife beneath the pillow. Her body was taut with tension, every fiber of her being on high alert. Suppressing the tremor in her voice, she enunciated each word clearly: "You'll go to jail for this."

Che Xingde laughed. "You dare call the police?"

"..."

"Let everyone know your uncle fucked you?" He spat. "First Frost, if word gets out, who'd ever marry you? This is shameful, humiliating—do you understand?"

Wen Yifan acted as though she hadn't heard, her gaze fixed unblinkingly on him.

Terrified he might advance again.

The girl's hair was disheveled, her skin pale, lips red, features strikingly beautiful. Her slender limbs, pale and delicate, traced graceful curves with every movement, her entire body soft and vulnerable. Huddled in the corner, she resembled a kitten that had grown tiny spikes.

Her appearance only reignited Che Xingde's unquenched lust. "It's fine. Your uncle will marry you. Forget about college, First Frost. Be your uncle's wife—"

As he spoke, he pinned her down again.

This time, as if anticipating her move, he swiftly wrested the utility knife from her grasp. He yanked her pants down once more, his ragged breath hot against her skin.

Wen Yifan struggled with every ounce of strength she had.

This was the moment she felt most shattered, most powerless, most hopeless.

The moment she felt the dirtiest, the moment she wished she could just die.

The room was pitch black.

Though the curtains were half-open, in that instant, Wen Yifan felt she would never see light again.

She wished she could die right then.

If living in this world meant enduring such things—

Then she’d rather not live at all.

Just as Che Xingde pinned her wrists and pushed her clothes up—

A noise came from the entryway.

Tears welling in her eyes, Wen Yifan turned her head toward the clock on the nightstand, as if realizing something.

3:00 a.m.

Her hollow eyes gradually flickered back to life, and she began screaming for help again. Her voice was hoarse from prolonged shouting, laced with sobs: "Uncle! Help me!"

Che Xingde froze, cursing under his breath.

Then, the living room lights blazed on.

Wen Liangxian's voice rang out: "What's going on?"

Che Yanqin added, "First Frost, what are you making such a racket about in the middle of the—"

The words died in her throat when she saw the scene in the room.

Wen Liangxian, who had long harbored resentment toward Che Xingde, erupted in fury at the sight. He stormed over, dragging Che Xingde off the bed, and roared, "What kind of beastly act is this? Do you not know how old this child is?!"

Freed from hell, Wen Yifan immediately wrapped herself in the blanket. She lowered her head, staring at the blood on her hands—stained from cutting Che Xingde’s hand with the scissors.

With every ounce of willpower, she forced back her tears.

She would never, ever shed a single tear for such scum.

Never.

"No, brother-in-law," Che Xingde stammered. "I was drunk—I just got here, I didn’t do anything yet—"Hearing this, Che Yanqin sighed in relief and came over to persuade, "Honey, nothing actually happened, right? There's no need for you to be so angry. Dezi just had too much to drink and got confused..."

Before she could finish, Wen Yifan spoke up, "I'm calling the police."

"..."

"What nonsense are you talking about? Call the police for what?" Che Yanqin frowned. "Your uncle just had too much to drink. Look, your clothes are still perfectly intact. How embarrassing would it be if the neighbors heard about this?"

The Wen family valued their reputation highly and feared others knowing they had failed in taking care of their niece. "Ajiang, as long as you're unharmed, that's what matters. Uncle will give you an explanation, but there's no need to involve outsiders."

Wen Yifan looked up.

Her gaze swept over Che Yanqin and Wen Liangxian's faces before settling on Che Xingde's slightly smug expression. Remembering his earlier words, her emotions remained eerily calm despite her trembling body as she repeated, "I'm calling the police."

"..."

"Have you no conscience? You want your uncle to go to jail, is that it?" Che Yanqin exploded. "He just got drunk and entered the wrong room. Besides, are you not afraid of what people will say about you in the future—"

Wen Yifan cut her off, "I don't care."

"..."

"I don't care what others say," Wen Yifan said as she mechanically retrieved her phone and dialed 110, her movements stiff and robotic. "However they spread rumors about me, it doesn't matter. I just want to call the police."

Hearing this, Che Xingde tried to snatch her phone, but the call had already connected.

Sitting on the bed, Wen Yifan's body trembled uncontrollably as she tried to steady herself and truthfully recounted the situation.

Che Xingde immediately looked at Che Yanqin, panic flashing across his face.

Che Yanqin reassured him, "It's fine."

After finishing the call, Wen Yifan ignored the other three and, still shaking, began dialing Zhao Yuandong's number.

Perhaps still asleep, Zhao Yuandong only answered after half a minute.

"Ajiang?"

Wen Yifan's nose stung, and upon hearing her mother's voice, the tears she had been holding back finally fell. Before she could speak, Che Yanqin snatched the phone away and sneered, "Zhao Yuandong, look at the fine daughter you've raised!"

"..."

"I've worked tirelessly to take care of your child, and this is how she repays me! Now she wants to throw my brother in jail. Let me tell you, if you don't fix this today, you won't get off easy!" Che Yanqin ranted. "What did my brother even do? He just got drunk and walked into the wrong room! Nothing happened! Your daughter insists on pinning a rape charge on him! How heartless can she be?"

Che Yanqin seemed utterly furious, continuing her tirade for a long while.

Wen Yifan didn't have the strength to take the phone back.

Eventually, Che Yanqin threw the phone back at her.

Wen Yifan stared at the still-connected call on the screen, suddenly afraid to listen. She remembered the last time she had asked Zhao Yuandong to take her back—how her mother had hung up without even hearing her out.

Clenching her fists, she slowly brought the phone to her ear.

Please, Mom.

I'm begging you.

Please save me.

Don't abandon me again.

The next moment, Zhao Yuandong's hesitant voice came through again, "Ajiang, isn't this just a misunderstanding? Your aunt says her brother isn't that kind of person... Don't overthink it. Mom will come see you in a couple of days—"

Wen Yifan didn't listen further and hung up.It was hard to put into words what Wen Yifan felt at that moment.

She never knew she could be like that.

At that instant.

She wished the whole world would just perish.

...

In the chaotic early hours of that morning.

Wen Yifan and Che Xingde were taken away by the arriving police officers. She recounted everything that had happened that night, plus all the events of the past year. After that, she didn't return to her uncle's house, instead staying at the home of a female police officer.

The officer sympathized with her situation, providing psychological counseling and telling her she could stay as long as she needed.

The officer had a daughter named Chen Xi, who happened to be Wen Yifan's classmate. Though they hadn't interacted much at school, Chen Xi had an easygoing personality and didn't bring up what had happened.

Instead, she chatted with Wen Yifan about all sorts of random topics.

That evening, as they were talking, Chen Xi suddenly jumped up and ran to her room: "Oh right, I need to change my college application! I don't want to study Human Resources anymore! Damn, what time is it now?"

Hearing the word "application," Wen Yifan's eyelids twitched.

She remembered how she had chosen Nanwu University because of Zhao Yuandong's suggestion.

And recalled what Zhao Yuandong had said on the phone not long ago.

Lowering her head, she stared blankly at the red marks on her wrists left by Che Xingde's grip.

Soon after, Wen Yifan also got up and entered Chen Xi's room.

Chen Xi was sitting at her desk, having just turned on her computer. Noticing Wen Yifan in her peripheral vision, she turned and asked with a smile, "What's up?"

Wen Yifan looked at the computer screen: "Chen Xi, can I use your computer?"

"Sure," Chen Xi replied readily. "What do you need it for?"

The room fell silent for a few seconds.

The light in Wen Yifan's eyes seemed to vanish as she said softly, "I want to change my application."

...

For the following period, Wen Yifan continued staying at Chen Xi's home.

Although she was free from Che Xingde's presence, Wen Yifan still couldn't sleep before 3 a.m. She felt extremely insecure, often waking up startled from sleep with the sensation of someone pressing down on her.

Every day felt suffocating.

Wen Yifan didn't want to contact anyone, withdrawing into her shell. She only left the house when the police officer instructed her to go to the station to supplement her statement.

But since there was no physical evidence of assault on Wen Yifan's body, and both Wen Liangxian and Che Yanqin spoke in Che Xingde's defense, he ultimately received only minor punishment—a few days of detention.

The incident caused an uproar in the Beiyu area.

Rumors spread everywhere about an uncle who had raped his own niece.

Wen Yifan, staying at Chen Xi's home every day, knew nothing of this. Unable to eat or sleep, she visibly wasted away as each painful day dragged on.

She knew these symptoms weren't normal.

Wen Yifan didn't want to deal with any of it anymore.

She didn't want to stay in this place, didn't want to think about anything.

She just wanted to wait for the admission results, get her acceptance letter, and leave this city.

Far away from all these things.

During that time, Wen Yifan lived in a daze.

She cut off communication with the outside world, keeping her phone turned off indefinitely. Most of her days were spent staring blankly in corners.

Wen Yifan thought she was so strange.

Just recently, she had felt dawn was about to break.Just a while ago, she had felt like life was moving in a positive direction.

But now, she couldn't control the negativity overwhelming her.

Every day, she kept thinking about the thought that had flashed through her mind when Che Xingde was pressing down on her.

Every day, she thought about death.

The week the admission results came out, Beiyu was shrouded in days of drizzling rain.

That day, after checking the admission results, Chen Xi was overjoyed and hugged her excitedly: "This is amazing! My boyfriend and I got into the same university! We can go to college together!"

In that instant.

Wen Yifan's thoughts broke free from the darkness.

She suddenly remembered what she had forgotten during this period.

She had promised Sang Yan they would attend the same university.

But she had forgotten.

She had changed her application.

She hadn't told Sang Yan.

When this realization surfaced, Wen Yifan's emotions remained eerily calm. It was as if she felt this outcome was inevitable. Only after a long pause did she stand up, retrieve the phone she hadn't touched in weeks from her bag, and press the power button.

A flood of unread messages and missed calls appeared.

Sang Yan had sent her dozens of messages during this time.

The most recent one was from an hour ago.

Sang Yan: [I'm coming to find you.]

Wen Yifan stared at it for a long time.

Noticing her distraction, Chen Xi beside her interrupted her thoughts: "What's wrong?"

Wen Yifan looked up: "I need to go out."

"Huh?" This was the first time in half a month that Wen Yifan had voluntarily suggested going out, which surprised Chen Xi. "What happened? Where are you going? Do you want me to come with you?"

Wen Yifan smiled faintly: "No need. I'm meeting a friend."

Chen Xi: "Alright."

Wen Yifan stood and walked to the entrance, opening the door when Chen Xi's voice called out from behind: "Hey! Yifan, it's raining outside—take an umbrella!"

With that, Chen Xi ran over and shoved an umbrella into her hand.

Wen Yifan looked at her and murmured, "Thanks."

"What's there to thank me for?" Chen Xi grinned. "Have fun with your friend!"

Hearing this, Wen Yifan fell silent for a few seconds before replying, "Okay."

Wen Yifan stepped outside.

The sky was already half-dark, the rain light as fine needles, falling soundlessly. The air was thick with mist, and the concrete ground was unevenly darkened by the drizzle.

Thinking of where Sang Yan usually parked, Wen Yifan headed in the direction of her uncle's house.

Just as she reached the alley, she ran into Che Xingde again. Seemingly surprised to see her, he froze before grabbing her arm with a smug, petty expression: "Well, well, if it isn't First Frost."

"..." A wave of pain surged through Wen Yifan as she struggled violently to free herself.

"Calling the cops, huh? Who do you think suffered more from that? I got off easy, but you—what kind of rumors are spreading about you now?" Perhaps because of his time in detention, Che Xingde's expression had grown increasingly vicious. "Besides, can you really blame me? You dress like a slut, always wearing shorts and tank tops at home—aren't you just asking for—"

Before he could finish, Sang Yan suddenly appeared behind Che Xingde and yanked him away.

His face was twisted with fury as he landed a heavy punch on Che Xingde's face. Then, pressing his knee into Che Xingde's stomach, Sang Yan seemed to lose all restraint, striking with brutal force.

The impact was deafening.

Che Xingde had no chance to fight back, soon reduced to begging for mercy.

Wen Yifan snapped out of her daze. She didn't want Sang Yan involved in this mess or to cause trouble for him because of her. She immediately grabbed his wrist and pulled him away in the opposite direction.

Sang Yan followed her: "Who was that?"

Wen Yifan didn't look back: "I don't know him."The two continued walking forward.

Sang Yan spoke again, "Are you okay?"

Wen Yifan gave a soft hum in response.

"Wen Shuangjiang, if it's this late in the future, don't come down early," Sang Yan couldn't help but say because of the man earlier. "I'll come straight to your place to find you."

Wen Yifan remained silent.

"Have you been very busy lately?" Noticing her unusual behavior, Sang Yan paused for a couple of seconds. "I haven't been able to reach you. Did something happen?"

"No, my phone broke." Wen Yifan raised the umbrella slightly higher to shield him from the rain. "Why did you come here?"

"Ah." Sang Yan naturally took the umbrella from her hand. "Didn't we agree before? I'd come over once the admission results were out."

"..."

Unconsciously, they walked into the alley.

It was empty inside, with dim streetlights and a few tiny flying ants faintly visible in the air. The sound of rain pattered down, bringing a hint of coolness to the sweltering summer night.

Perhaps sensing that the man earlier had affected her mood, Sang Yan spoke more than usual. "My admission results are out—Software Engineering at Nan University. Your grades were slightly lower than mine, but they should still be more than enough for your major..."

Wen Yifan looked at the boy before her, as if she had heard his words yet also as if she hadn't processed a single one.

Her mind kept replaying Che Xingde's words.

—"This is shameful, humiliating, understand?"

Over and over again, she remembered.

Bitch.

Slut.

Those words.

Wen Yifan couldn't even recall how she had felt at the time.

She only remembered that she hadn’t cared if anyone knew about what happened back then. No matter how others spread the rumors, it didn’t matter to her.

But she didn’t want Sang Yan to know.

Not even the slightest bit.

She didn’t want to reveal any cracks.

Nor did she know how to explain it in a way that wouldn’t make him doubt her even a little.

The only thing she could think of was to use harsh words to push him away.

Wen Yifan also didn’t want Sang Yan to keep doing things like this.

Spending so much time traveling such a long distance just to see her.

This was her mistake.

No matter the reason.

At the root of it, it was simply because she had forgotten.

There was no need for Sang Yan to bear this burden.

Someone like her didn’t deserve to be treated this way by him.

They should have ended things sooner.

The last time she told him over the phone to stop bothering her, that should have been the end.

It should have ended long ago.

Wen Yifan suddenly interrupted him. "Sang Yan."

"Hmm?"

"I didn’t apply to Nan University."

Hearing this, Sang Yan’s gaze froze. As if he hadn’t understood her words, it took several seconds before he forced a smile. "You’re joking, right?"

Wen Yifan’s tone was firm. "No."

"..."

Studying Wen Yifan’s expression, it took a long moment before Sang Yan realized she was serious. The smile on his face gradually faded, and after a while, he asked, "Where did you apply?"

Wen Yifan answered truthfully, "Yi University."

"Why."

"..."

Sang Yan stared at her, his Adam’s apple bobbing slowly as he spoke with difficulty. "Why did you apply to Yi University?"

Wen Yifan forced herself to meet his gaze. At that moment, unable to think of any other reason for changing her choice, she blurted out a random excuse. "I made a promise with someone else."

"What about me?" Sang Yan seemed to find this absurd as he looked at her. "Don’t you have anything to say to me?"Wen Yifan pressed her lips together, remaining silent.

The alley was eerily quiet.

Sang Yan watched her in silence, as if waiting for her response. After a long moment, he closed his eyes briefly for the first time, deliberately creating distance between them with his words: "Wen Yifan, am I your backup option?"

"If that's how you want to see it, then yes," Wen Yifan lifted her gaze, thinking how this boy before her was pure to his core and shouldn't be entangled with someone like her. "The admission results are out now. It's good that you're staying in Nanwu."

"If you're unwilling, you could have just told me directly," Sang Yan's voice was soft. "There was no need for this approach."

"Then I'll say it directly. Sang Yan, I really dislike it," Wen Yifan said calmly. "I don't like you constantly coming to Beiyu to see me, and I'm tired of having to meet you every time."

"..."

"Beiyu is close to Nanwu, so I'll go somewhere farther away, alright?" Wen Yifan didn't blink as she finished all she had to say. "When I go to Yihe in the future, I hope you won't come looking for me like you do now."

Those were probably the harshest words Wen Yifan had ever spoken to anyone in her life.

She never imagined they would be directed at Sang Yan.

Sang Yan's eyelashes and hair were dotted with water droplets, his shirt mostly soaked. His dark eyes were unreadable, his lips moved slightly but no words came out.

Somewhere, the sound of dripping water could be heard.

A soft plop.

Like the sound of a falling tear.

After who knows how long.

Sang Yan seemed to have guessed something, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly: "So all this time, this is why you haven't been replying to my messages?"

Wen Yifan: "Yes."

"Wen Yifan." Sang Yan called her name one last time, his Adam's apple bobbing again as if restraining his emotions. He slowly lowered his head, saying self-deprecatingly, "I'm not that bad, am I."

Wen Yifan's throat tightened. She averted her gaze, no longer looking at him.

After a few seconds.

As if to maintain some final dignity, Sang Yan still managed a smile: "Don't worry, I won't bother you anymore."

After that, neither spoke again.

As usual, Sang Yan walked her to her building. He handed the umbrella back to Wen Yifan, seeming to want to say something more but ultimately remaining silent. He looked at her, voice soft: "I'm leaving."

Wen Yifan made an acknowledging sound.

He walked a few steps.

Then turned back: "Goodbye."

With that, Sang Yan turned and walked toward the alley.

His tall, slender figure stood straight as he walked, as if he'd never bent his back for anyone.

He never looked back.

Just like that arrogant boy who once stood by the water dispenser and called her "junior."

Wen Yifan stood quietly in place, watching as he had come here full of anticipation from another city, only to leave her sight in such a state.

For a fleeting moment, Wen Yifan had an illusion.

That the rain carried an invisible weight, each drop falling on him, gradually extinguishing the innate pride in his bones.

Her expression faltered slightly as she stared at the umbrella in her hand, involuntarily taking a step forward.

Then, she watched as he completely disappeared into the curtain of rain.

Into that long, dark alley that seemed to have no end.

Wen Yifan stopped, her eyes gradually reddening as she whispered: "Goodbye."

Goodbye.

My dear boy.

May your life be smooth sailing.

And may you never meet someone like me again.From that moment on.

He was still the same spirited, dazzlingly proud youth from back then—

Wen Yifan picked up her luggage and stepped off the plane.

Following the location Sang Yan had mentioned over the phone, she found him at the exit. Only then did her nervousness surface as she walked over. "Why are you at the airport?"

Sang Yan took her luggage from her hand and replied casually, "I was about to head back."

"..."

"Let's go," Sang Yan said, moving forward. "We'll find a hotel first."

Wen Yifan followed, her gaze lingering on his free hand before hesitantly reaching out to hold it.

Sang Yan glanced at her and tightened his grip in response.

"I only saw that you didn’t take your luggage when I checked the trunk yesterday," Wen Yifan licked her lips and explained softly. "My supervisor happened to approve three days off for me, so I came over to bring you your clothes."

Sang Yan gave a quiet hum of acknowledgment.

After leaving the airport,

Sang Yan noticed that a light rain had begun to fall outside at some point. He paused, then turned to Wen Yifan. "Wait here. I’ll go back inside to buy an umbrella."

Wen Yifan nodded.

She watched his retreating figure for a while before finally looking away.

Then, her gaze drifted to the scattered raindrops outside. Before long, she noticed a tall, lean figure in a black T-shirt, completely disregarding the rain, walking straight toward the airport shuttle.

As those memories resurfaced, Wen Yifan’s expression grew distant, and she instinctively moved to follow.

The next moment, Sang Yan pulled her back from behind. "Where do you think you're going?"

Wen Yifan snapped out of it and looked at him.

Sang Yan frowned. "I told you to wait here properly."

Her expression dazed, Wen Yifan called his name. "Sang Yan."

Sang Yan: "What?"

"I’m sorry," Wen Yifan met his eyes, bringing up the past after all these years. "Back then... I should have given you the umbrella."

Sang Yan was momentarily taken aback. "What?"

The long-overdue regret seeped into her bones like unraveling threads. Wen Yifan lowered her head, forcing the words out despite the tremor in her voice.

"...I shouldn’t have let you walk back in the rain like that."