First Frost

Before the National Day holiday ended, Su Haoan organized a high school reunion as the initiator.

The guest list mainly consisted of their former classmates from senior year. Wen Yifan had transferred schools in her second year of high school, so she wasn’t originally included. However, Su Haoan invited her anyway, and both Sang Yan and Zhong Siqiao had also asked if she wanted to go together.

Wen Yifan agreed quickly, but as work piled up, she completely forgot about it by the day of the gathering. It happened to be her day off, and after scrolling through her phone in bed, she dozed off without realizing it.

In her drowsy state, she heard Sang Yan getting up and changing clothes.

A few minutes later, Sang Yan called out to her: "Wen Shuangjiang, get up."

Wen Yifan responded vaguely, "Mm."

A while later, Sang Yan glanced at her: "If you don’t get up now, you’ll be late."

Only then did Wen Yifan pull the blanket down, blinking blearily as she slowly processed his words. Soon, she remembered and replied with a hint of irritation at being disturbed: "I’m off today."

Sang Yan was succinct: "The reunion."

Wen Yifan seemed to finally recall, checked the time, and sat up. Without further delay, she headed to the bathroom to freshen up.

When she came out, Sang Yan was already dressed and sitting on the sofa in the master bedroom, scrolling through his phone. She randomly picked out an outfit and started changing while talking to him: "Can I not go?"

Sang Yan lifted his gaze: "Why?"

Wen Yifan: "I’m sleepy."

Sang Yan set his phone aside and leaned back lazily: "How can you sleep so much? Makes it seem like I’m mistreating you."

Wen Yifan walked over and draped herself over him, her shirt half-tucked as she reached back to fasten her bra. Still groggy, she nodded in agreement: "You don’t let me sleep."

"Can you be a little reasonable? What do you mean I don’t let you sleep?" Sang Yan raised a brow, tugging her shirt down. "That’s called you actively inviting me to stay up late. Got it?"

"..."

A few seconds of silence.

Sang Yan stared into her eyes, his fingers trailing up her back, his tone cocky and teasing: "Still going out? If you don’t get moving, I’ll undo whatever you just fastened."

Wen Yifan met his gaze, then after a moment, turned her back to him: "I haven’t fastened it yet."

"..."

She yawned: "Help me with it."

"..."

Once dressed, Wen Yifan sat at the vanity to do her makeup. Sang Yan remained in his spot, watching her idly: "When are you going to fix that morning temper of yours?"

Wen Yifan turned: "Hm?"

"You turn ruthless when you’re sleep-deprived." Sang Yan looked down at her with a faint click of his tongue, his tone accusatory. "When you ask me to wake you up, you don’t even dare make a peep."

"Then just," Wen Yifan thought for a moment, not recalling any timidity on his part, "don’t wake me up?"

"..."

After all this, Wen Yifan was much more awake. Deciding to reason with him, her voice returned to its usual gentleness: "Besides, you don’t just have morning temper—your usual temper isn’t great either."

Sang Yan’s brow twitched.

Wen Yifan applied her eyeshadow and continued: "So let’s compromise, okay?"

"..." Sang Yan’s lips curled slightly, recalling how brazen she acted whenever she woke him up. It seemed this girl’s audacity had grown lately. He tilted his head, not bothering to argue. "Fine."

...

The reunion was held at a restaurant downtown.The two entered the elevator, and Wen Yifan pressed the button for the third floor. Bored, she glanced at Sang Yan. He seemed tired too, his eyelids half-lowered, lips pressed into a straight line, always exuding an aloof and untouchable air.

Noticing her gaze, Sang Yan looked back. "What?"

Wen Yifan curved her lips and said casually, "You're quite good-looking."

"Oh, but there's a camera here." The moment he spoke, it was as if Sang Yan had been dragged from his pedestal into the animal kingdom. His tone was suggestive as he added, "We'll talk about it at home."

"..."

What kind of nonsense was this?

What kind! Of nonsense! Was this!!!

Wen Yifan had never met someone like him. Keeping her expression calm and composed, she replied, "Then you're quite the coward."

Before Sang Yan could respond, the elevator reached the third floor. Wen Yifan led him out, deftly changing the subject. "Which private room did Su Haoan say it was in?"

Sang Yan's tone was leisurely, laced with meaning. "Be bolder."

"..."

The next moment.

In the crowded hallway, Sang Yan suddenly pressed against the small of her back, pulling her toward him. Then, he lowered his head, biting her lower lip, his tongue pushing in, teasing her.

The entire act lasted about three seconds.

Wen Yifan froze in place, completely unprepared for his bold move.

Sang Yan pulled back, licking the lipstick smudge from the corner of his mouth. His eyes were arrogant, tinged with a flirtatious edge. "Wen Shuangjiang, in all my years, no one who's challenged me has ever won."

"..."

"If you want it, of course I can give it to you. So," he raised his hand, brushing his thumb lightly over her lips, his tone cocky and insufferable, "still up for it?"

Wen Yifan was genuinely stunned by Sang Yan's shamelessness.

From then on, she began reflecting on herself, deciding she needed to turn over a new leaf and stop being so blunt as she had been before.

Only now did she realize—Sang Yan wasn’t holding back out of fear.

He had just been pretending, to spare her pride.

When they entered the private room, it was already packed. Two large round tables were set on either side, with two empty seats next to Zhong Siqiao, seemingly reserved for them.

After exchanging greetings, Wen Yifan glanced around and recognized most of the people there. Some she had seen at the recent school anniversary, but many others she could no longer name.

The group chatted over dinner, and afterward, instead of leaving, they started playing games in the room. With so many people, Su Haoan suggested splitting into two tables for a round of Werewolf.

Both Wen Yifan and Sang Yan were skilled at the game.

But in different ways.

One remained unreadable throughout, her tone always even, making it hard to tell if she was lying or telling the truth.

The other was a master of deception, lazily spinning elaborate analyses of the game’s dynamics, convincing everyone his words were gospel, steering the entire round.

Eventually, Wen Yifan and Sang Yan found themselves ostracized.

Everyone voted them out first, leading to them accumulating the most penalties.

The penalties remained Truth or Dare.

At the end of the new round, the villagers won. Both Wen Yifan and Sang Yan had been werewolves.

Both had to face penalties.

Wen Yifan drew Dare, while Sang Yan drew Truth.

Xiang Lang looked at Sang Yan and casually asked, "Who was your first love?"The others found his question rather pointless and let out disappointed sighs. Sang Yan tilted his chin slightly, turning his head to look directly at Wen Yifan. "Wen Yifan."

"..."

On the other side, Su Haoan—who had a notoriously low alcohol tolerance—stood up, his face flushed red from drinking. Eager to stir up drama, he said, "Wen Yifan, why don’t you give your first love a call?"

The table fell silent, instantly understanding why Xiang Lang had asked that question earlier.

Clearly, they had conspired to make Sang Yan uncomfortable.

Sang Yan lifted his gaze to Su Haoan, his lips tightening. "Having fun?"

Watching his feigned indifference, Wen Yifan paused for a moment before playing along. "But my first love recently got engaged. Calling so late might cause misunderstandings."

Seeing Sang Yan’s expression, the intoxicated Su Haoan backed down a little. "Alright, fine. Then just describe them."

"Okay." Wen Yifan turned to Sang Yan, studying his features before slowly describing, "Short black hair, thick eyebrows, dark eyes, double eyelids, a high nose bridge, thin lips—"

Su Haoan listened with great interest.

Wen Yifan hesitated before continuing, "And a dimple on the right side of his lips when he smiles."

The others immediately realized who she was referring to.

Seeing Sang Yan’s relaxed demeanor only confirmed their suspicions.

"Damn," Su Haoan said, completely oblivious to the implication and merely finding it an uncanny coincidence. "A grown man with a girly dimple like that? The only bastard I’ve ever seen with one is Sang Yan."

"..."

Soon after, Su Haoan seemed to grasp the situation and abruptly fell silent. The topic was dropped, and the game resumed, the lively atmosphere quickly returning.

When this round ended, a guy drew a dare to go outside and ask a random girl for her WeChat. Several people followed him out.

Su Haoan, who was usually the most enthusiastic about such things, stayed behind, continuing to drink until his rationality completely vanished. Suddenly, he stopped and walked over to Sang Yan. "Bro."

Sang Yan looked up. "What?"

Su Haoan stared at him. "I’ve wronged you."

Sang Yan: "?"

Wen Yifan, sitting beside Sang Yan, was equally confused by Su Haoan’s sudden behavior.

"I..." Su Haoan’s voice was thick with drunkenness, his breath reeking of alcohol. The burly man began to choke up as he spoke. "It’s all my fault for egging this on..."

Hearing the commotion, the other table stopped their game and turned to watch.

Seeing a grown man cry in front of him, Sang Yan felt goosebumps rise. Frowning, he asked, "What the hell’s wrong with you?"

"You’re engaged now, finally about to marry the woman of your dreams... and it’s all my fault! Today, you had to face the truth!" Su Haoan’s voice boomed, as if he wanted the whole world to hear. "Turns out, you’re just a Substitute!"

"..."

"A dimple Substitute!"

"..."