First Frost

In an instant, all memories pulled forward from this moment.

On the night of her birthday, he carried her on his back and whispered softly, "Wen Shuangjiang, make another wish."

When she flew to Yihe to find him, they sat in the hotel room. After listening to her pour out everything, he said solemnly yet indifferently, "I forgive you."

Seeing the wounds Che Xingde had inflicted on her, Sang Yan looked heavy and powerless as he asked, "Could you consider my feelings?"

Further back.

On the day they got together, Sang Yan suddenly appeared at the noodle shop. Under the pouring rain, he lowered his gaze to look at her, his youthful features brimming with sincerity: "After all these years, I still only like you."

After Xiang Lang returned to the country, they played Truth or Dare during a gathering. When he drew the question "Which city did you last fly to?" he answered without hesitation, "Yihe."

Earlier still.

Due to various coincidences, Sang Yan inexplicably became her new roommate, leading to an argument between them. Staring at her, his tone icy, he said, "I never expected to be such a devoted person in your eyes."

Until.

The first time they met again at "Overtime" after their reunion. His expression indifferent, he tossed a jacket at her, yet introduced himself as if to a stranger: "I'm the owner of this bar. My surname is Sang."

...

At the same time, Sang Yan walked into the room holding a bowl. Noticing the newspapers and clutter on the floor, as well as the photo in Wen Yifan's hand, he paused briefly but showed no sign of having his secret uncovered. He simply said, "Why are you sitting on the floor again?"

Wen Yifan looked up at him.

Sang Yan walked over and reached out a hand to her. "Get up."

Wen Yifan didn’t move, her voice barely audible. "Have you been coming to Yihe to look for me all this time?"

"Yeah," Sang Yan admitted. "I told you before."

"What?"

Sang Yan didn’t elaborate further. Instead, he grabbed a cushion and handed it to her. "Use this." Then, he passed her the bowl of brown sugar water and took the photo from her hands. "Drink it before it gets cold."

Wen Yifan obediently took the bowl, cradling it in both hands as she lowered her gaze, her eyes gradually reddening. Overwhelming guilt and helplessness pressed down on her, robbing her of the courage to even look at Sang Yan’s expression.

She wanted to ask, If you came all this way, why didn’t you tell me?

But then she remembered the things she had said.

Wen Yifan kept her head down and spoke slowly. "Why did you come looking for me...?"

After all the things she had said.

So many cruel words.

Sang Yan’s lips curved slightly, his demeanor light and unbothered. "Like I said, I told you already."

Then, he added, "Think about it."

Wen Yifan stared at the brown sugar water in the bowl, her mind gradually recalling the words Sang Yan had said to her at the bus stop on the day Wen Liangzhe passed away.

— "I’m not very good with words, but no matter what, I’ll always be here for you."

I’ll always be here for you.

Whether you know it or not.

Even if I said I wouldn’t bother you anymore.

I’ll still keep my promise.

In places you can’t see.

Wen Yifan’s grip on the bowl tightened slightly as she took a slow sip of the brown sugar water. With each swallow, tears fell into the bowl. She pressed her lips together firmly and took another sip.

Noticing her state, Sang Yan turned his head slightly and joked, "What, is it that bad?"

"...""Wen Shuangjiang, stop crying, you hear me? What's there to cry about?" Sang Yan didn't avoid the topic this time, reaching out to wipe her tears. "Before being with me, you never cried no matter what happened. Now look how many times you've cried. What does that make me?"

Wen Yifan remained silent, drinking her brown sugar water between sobs.

Watching her like this, Sang Yan felt both heartache and an inexplicable urge to laugh: "Why do you look so wronged? If you don't want to drink it, then don't. Is it worth crying while drinking?"

Wen Yifan paused, choking back sobs: "I... I think I saw you at the graduation ceremony, but I thought you wouldn't come... so I assumed I was mistaken..."

"That's fine," Sang Yan said lightly. "If you'd recognized me, I'd have lost face."

Wen Yifan's tears fell drop by drop into the bowl, creating small splashes: "...I should have run over to you."

Even if there was only the slightest possibility. She shouldn't have just ignored it.

While she was happily taking photos and chatting with classmates, what kind of mood must Sang Yan have been in—standing far away on the other side of the crowd, then leaving alone?

Coming unilaterally, seeing her unilaterally, then leaving unilaterally.

A heavy stone seemed to press on Wen Yifan's chest: "Why have I done so many bad things to you?"

"What's this? Didn't we already make up? It's long past." Sang Yan took the bowl from her hands and casually set it aside. "Or is there something else you've done to wrong me?"

"......"

Wen Yifan sniffled, thinking seriously but unable to recall anything else. She looked up at him and suddenly remembered something, confessing: "I took advantage of you before."

Sang Yan raised an eyebrow: "Doesn't that happen every day?"

"......" Wen Yifan had been overwhelmed with negative emotions, but now he was making her want to laugh. She stared at him, then couldn't help moving closer to hug him. "Before we were together."

Sang Yan wrapped an arm around her waist: "Hmm?"

"I pretended to sleepwalk." Wen Yifan admitted honestly. "And hugged you."

"......"

"When was this?" Sang Yan paused, looking incredulous before bursting into laughter after a few seconds. "Seriously? You did something like that?"

Wen Yifan didn't feel guilty at all, her voice still nasal: "Consider it me exercising my rights in advance."

"Weren't you acting all righteous back then?" Sang Yan pulled her onto his lap, speaking leisurely. "Turns out secretly, you had these kinds of thoughts."

"......" Wen Yifan met his gaze openly. "Yes."

Sang Yan chuckled lowly, seeming in high spirits as he kissed her. Glancing at the newspapers scattered across the floor, he reminded her: "Go clean up. You took them all out and made a mess."

Wen Yifan nodded but showed no intention of moving.

They stayed like that quietly for a while.

Wen Yifan suddenly called him: "A-Yan."

Sang Yan: "Hmm?"

"I want to live six years longer than you."

Sang Yan's brow twitched: "Why?"

Wen Yifan's eyes were still red as she said solemnly: "That way, I can love you for six more years."

Then we'll be even.

"......"Sang Yan suddenly understood and lowered his head with a laugh, "Forget it, I'd like to live a few more years." After speaking, he pulled her body toward him, locking eyes with her. "Save it for the next lifetime to repay."

Next lifetime.

You'll like me first for six years.

Then.

I'll let you, just like how I am now.

Have your wish fulfilled—

The next day was Sunday.

Sang Yan didn’t have work, and Wen Yifan happened to have the day off as well.

Both woke up early in the morning, and the moving company arrived on time. After cleaning the house and making sure nothing was left behind, Wen Yifan placed the keys on the shoe cabinet.

They left the shared apartment they had lived in for two years.

Noticing her expression, Sang Yan asked, "What’s wrong?"

Wen Yifan answered honestly, "I’m a little reluctant to leave."

"What’s there to be reluctant about? Aren’t you still living with me?" Sang Yan ruffled her hair roughly and said lazily, "If you like it, we can just decorate our future place the same way."

Wen Yifan’s melancholy dissipated, and she smiled. "Then wouldn’t we still be sleeping in separate rooms like now?"

"..." The expression on Sang Yan’s face vanished as he moved his hand down to pinch her cheek. "I shouldn’t have comforted you."

Sang Yan drove the car into the underground parking lot of Zhongnan Century City.

They arrived slightly earlier than the moving company.

After getting out of the car, Wen Yifan, unsure of the direction, was led by Sang Yan the entire way. They entered the elevator and went up to the ninth floor. There were only two units per floor in this building. He walked to Unit B, input his fingerprint, and opened the door.

Sang Yan wasn’t in a hurry to enter. He stopped where he was, held her hand, and leisurely recorded her fingerprint into the system. Then, he casually added, "No one else can come in except the two of us."

Wen Yifan nodded absentmindedly, her gaze drifting inside.

This apartment was slightly larger than their previous shared rental. Upon entering, there was a small entryway garden, followed by the kitchen, with the dining area opposite, and further inside was the living room.

The decor was modern, with warm tones that gave off a cozy vibe.

Before she could finish looking around, Sang Yan interrupted her attention, leading her further inside. "I’ll send you the door password via WeChat later. Just live the same way as before—only the location has changed, nothing else is different."

Wen Yifan acknowledged and continued observing the surroundings.

All the necessary furniture was already in place, but the space still felt somewhat empty, with the surfaces and cabinets bare. There was also a faint musty smell from being unoccupied for a long time, though it seemed someone had cleaned beforehand, as everything looked tidy.

The two sat down on the sofa.

Wen Yifan asked casually, "Which room should I sleep in?"

Sang Yan leaned back on the couch and said slowly, "Whichever one you want."

Wen Yifan looked at him.

"You can even sleep in the bathroom or kitchen if you want. Honestly, I’m not picky. No matter the spot," Sang Yan tilted his head, his words heavily suggestive, "I can keep you company."

"..."

Wen Yifan felt she still had some principles. "Doesn’t that count as premarital cohabitation?"

"So what?" Sang Yan’s expression was arrogant, mimicking her words from last night. "It’s bound to happen sooner or later. Why can’t I exercise my rights in advance?"

"..."

Right then, the moving company arrived.

Sang Yan went to open the door for them, while Wen Yifan stood up, intending to take a look at the master bedroom. She felt there was no need to dwell on this matter any further—it almost felt like protesting too much.

The master bedroom was the furthest inside.Wen Yifan pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The decor leaned toward a girlish style—pale pink walls, a white bed, and a small dressing table placed beside it. Near the window was a desk for her work, and next to it stood a bookshelf.

The floor was covered with a light-colored carpet.

This was Sang Yan’s house.

Yet the master bedroom had been decorated in a girl’s style.

Not long after, Sang Yan followed her in.

Wen Yifan turned her head. “When did you finish decorating this place?”

“Year before last,” Sang Yan said casually. “But this room got a makeover.”

Wen Yifan glanced around again. “Then why pink?”

“For you,” Sang Yan replied. “Just in case you refused to sleep in the same room as me.”

“So you’re planning to sleep in this room with me?” Wen Yifan’s lips curved as she suppressed a laugh. “Then wouldn’t that make you a big, burly man with a girly heart?”

“…”

Outside, the sounds of workers moving luggage continued.

Sang Yan went back out to coordinate with them.

Wen Yifan stayed in the room for a while, then walked to the window to open it and air out the space. After some time, just as she was about to head to the living room, her phone buzzed in her pocket.

She took it out and glanced at the screen.

Sang Yan: [Password: 150102.]

Wen Yifan stared at it for a moment before asking knowingly: [Does the number have any special meaning?]

A few seconds later.

Sang Yan: [?]

Sang Yan: [Your boyfriend’s birthday.]

Wen Yifan: [That’s it?]

And so, with one in the living room and the other in the bedroom, they continued chatting via WeChat.

Sang Yan sent a voice message directly: “Figure it out yourself.”

Even from inside the room, Wen Yifan could hear the displeasure in his tone outside.

Her eyes crinkled as she immediately soothed him: [Oh, it’s the day we got together.]

Once again, she thought.

The day luck had descended upon her—

The first trial verdict for Che Xingde’s case came down in September. Convicted of intentional homicide and rape, he was sentenced to death for multiple crimes. Meanwhile, Che Yanqin, who had helped Che Xingde destroy evidence, was sentenced to three years in prison.

Wen Yifan’s follow-up reporting on this case also came to a complete end here.

And from this moment onward, these two people.

Disappeared entirely from her life.

This year, September 22nd marked the centennial anniversary of Nanwu High School.

Two weeks prior, Wen Yifan had learned about the event from Zhong Siqiao. But she wasn’t particularly interested and wasn’t sure if she could make time to attend, so she gave an ambiguous response.

Unexpectedly, Zhong Siqiao was unusually insistent, adamant that she come along.

She even told her to bring Sang Yan.

Wen Yifan had no choice but to request time off in advance and mention it to Sang Yan. He asked what the occasion was but didn’t say much else, quickly agreeing.

On the day of the anniversary.

The two of them didn’t set out for Nanwu High until the afternoon, meeting Zhong Siqiao and other high school classmates at the entrance. Wen Yifan barely remembered most of them, finding them only vaguely familiar, their names escaping her.

Seeing the two of them together, many immediately assumed they had been dating since high school.

Wen Yifan didn’t bother correcting them.

Nanwu High had gone all out for the anniversary, and the campus was packed with people. As they walked around, exhibitions showcasing the school’s history and notable alumni were everywhere.

After a full tour.Wen Yifan and Sang Yan had unknowingly drifted away from the others.

The summer heat was intense, the sunlight scorching, turning the air into a giant steamer. The dense crowd only amplified the stifling warmth, making it unbearable after a while.

Perhaps sensing her discomfort, Sang Yan glanced at the nearby school building. "Let’s go back to the classroom and take a look."

Wen Yifan nodded.

The two entered the building and climbed the stairs.

It had been a long time since they’d last been here, but everything seemed largely unchanged, save for a few renovated areas. Wen Yifan didn’t speak to Sang Yan, instead quietly observing their surroundings, matching them with her memories one by one.

The crowd gradually thinned, leaving the place feeling empty, like a school after dismissal.

Without a word, both Wen Yifan and Sang Yan stopped on the fourth floor, as if by unspoken agreement. Moving forward, they crossed the corridor ahead, turned left, and walked toward the inner section.

There, she spotted the familiar school water dispenser.

The place where Wen Yifan had first met Sang Yan.

Suddenly struck by the surreal feeling, she turned to look at him. "Senior."

Sang Yan tilted his head, eyebrows lifting slightly.

Wen Yifan smiled. "Do you know how to get to Class 17, Grade 10?"

"Of course, junior," Sang Yan played along, his tone deliberately teasing. "Go straight and turn right."

This time, unlike their first encounter where they had walked one after the other, Wen Yifan continued holding his hand as they walked side by side. Following her memory, she turned right and stopped at the classroom at the very end. Strangely enough, even after all these years, the sign still read "Class 17, Grade 10."

The classroom door was open, the desks neatly arranged, their surfaces bare.

It looked like an old classroom that had just been cleared out.

Wen Yifan stepped inside and sat at the desk she had once occupied when they were seatmates—her in front, him behind. Sang Yan naturally took the seat behind her. At that moment, time seemed to rewind to that summer eleven years ago.

The moment she sat down, Wen Yifan caught sight of something from the corner of her eye and immediately lowered her gaze.

The entire drawer was filled with roses.

Her breath hitched.

A suspicion slowly formed in her mind.

Holding her breath, she reached in and pulled out a single rose.

Just then, she felt Sang Yan’s leg hook forward, nudging her chair from beneath—mischievous and bold, just like in the old days.

She turned around.

Sang Yan was leaning back in his chair, his expression as spirited as ever, his chin slightly raised. A faint dimple appeared at the corner of his lips as he suddenly said, "Wen Shuangjiang, I’ll make you a promise."

Wen Yifan blinked. "Huh?"

"After you’re with me," Sang Yan’s dark eyes gleamed, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly, "every single one of your wishes will come true."

"..."

Wen Yifan’s gaze dropped, only then noticing the ring box on the desk. Stunned, she stared at the silver ring inside. Though they had discussed this before, the reality of it still left her breathless with joy and disbelief.

Holding the rose in one hand, she raised the other, as if to touch the ring.

In the next instant, Sang Yan caught her wrist, holding it steady.

"Wen Shuangjiang, will you marry me?"

Meeting his gaze, Wen Yifan felt her eyes inexplicably sting. She studied his rare look of nervousness, so reminiscent of the boy he once was, and couldn’t help but laugh.

"Yeah," she said softly. "I only want to marry you."Sang Yan smiled along with her, slowly sliding the ring onto her ring finger and pushing it up.

As if to bind her for a lifetime.

—"After being with me, all your wishes will come true."

Mm.

You’ve fulfilled another one of my wishes.

Outside, the sunlight was blinding, generously spilling into the room. The classroom was quiet and empty, the cicadas chirping loudly, bringing with them the thick scent of summer, tinged with the fragrance of youth.

The man before her seemed unchanged from beginning to end.

Wen Yifan inexplicably recalled a scene from long ago.

She couldn’t remember which afternoon it was.

That day, just like today, had been clear and bright, the air thick with lingering heat. Wen Yifan sat at her desk, flipping through Jeanette Winterson’s Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit . When she came across a particular line, her heart stirred.

She couldn’t help but wish she could meet someone like that.

Wen Yifan pulled out her notebook from the drawer, uncapped her pen, and carefully wrote: "I want someone who will love me fiercely until death, who understands that love is as powerful as death—"

Before she could finish, someone suddenly bumped into her from the side. Caught off guard, her pen dragged heavily across the page, then scraped against the arm of the person beside her.

Before she could even voice her apology, Wen Yifan instinctively looked up.

At that moment.

Her eyes met Sang Yan’s.

—End of Main Text—