Hidden Love

The graduation ceremony was held in the gymnasium.

But since it wasn't time yet, most people stayed outside taking photos. Duan Jiaxu was particularly popular and good-natured, so many people pulled him aside for pictures, leaving him little time to look after Sang Zhi.

Sang Zhi didn't want to bother him and planned to return to her parents, but due to the crowd, she couldn't find where they had gone.

Duan Jiaxu was worried she might get lost or pushed around by the crowd. In the end, he simply pulled her close to him, instructing her to stay by his side and not wander off.

He didn't mind her appearing in the photos either.

Sang Zhi felt like she had become his little tail. A little tail with eyes that couldn't help stealing glances at him.

Duan Jiaxu was wearing the standard black graduation gown that day. The oversized robe made him appear even more slender and tall, with an air of noble aloofness. His skin was pale, his features sharp and distinct, and when he smiled, there was an inexplicably teasing charm about him—so captivating it was hard to look away.

Sang Zhi could sense that many girls were watching him.

Perhaps finding it uncomfortable, Duan Jiaxu didn't wear his graduation cap, instead holding it casually in his hand. Later, noticing how strong the sun was, he placed the cap on Sang Zhi's head.

The graduation cap was a bit too big and kept slipping down, covering Sang Zhi's eyes and blocking her view.

Noticing this out of the corner of his eye, Duan Jiaxu immediately straightened it for her and said with a laugh, "What are you thinking? Hold it properly yourself. Or do you want me to keep fixing it for you?"

Sang Zhi let out an "oh" and adjusted the cap herself.

But it still kept slipping, so she simply took it off and handed it back to Duan Jiaxu. "Brother, I don't want to wear it anymore."

"Hmm?" Duan Jiaxu looked down at her. "Isn't the sun too strong?"

"It is," Sang Zhi pointed to her head, sounding a little frustrated. "But it keeps falling."

"Stand in front of me."

Sang Zhi obediently did as she was told and asked hesitantly, "Why?"

Duan Jiaxu reached out to steady the cap and chuckled softly. "I'll hold it for you."

"..."

"Can't let our little Sang Zhi get sunburned."

The two of them, one tall and one small, stood one behind the other, surrounded by people in various graduation gowns.

Duan Jiaxu held the bouquet Sang Zhi had brought him, while the graduation cap that should have been on his head was now on hers.

When someone asked, Duan Jiaxu would smile and reply, "This is my little sister."

And so, Sang Zhi appeared in most of Duan Jiaxu's graduation photos as his "little sister." She never saw those photos and felt too shy to ask him for them.

Sang Zhi suddenly felt a wave of relief.

Thankfully, she had worn a very pretty dress that day.

After the graduation ceremony ended, Sang Zhi went home with her parents.

Sang Yan and Duan Jiaxu went out to eat with their friends. That night, Sang Yan returned home close to midnight, bringing Duan Jiaxu with him.

To be precise, it was Duan Jiaxu who had brought Sang Yan back.

Sang Zhi was already asleep but was woken by the noise. Curious, she got up to see what was happening.

As soon as she entered the living room, she saw Sang Yan sitting on the sofa, clearly drunk. Sang Rong was scolding Sang Yan while talking to Duan Jiaxu, who stood nearby.

Li Ping was in the kitchen preparing sobering soup.

Noticing Sang Zhi, Sang Rong looked over and asked, "Zhizhi, did we wake you?"

Sang Zhi rubbed her eyes and silently shook her head."Look at your brother, how much did he drink to end up like this!" Sang Rong frowned. "By the way, Zhizhi. This brother will be staying at our place tonight. Go find him a new towel and toothbrush."

Duan Jiaxu immediately declined: "I don't want to trouble you."

"What trouble?" Sang Rong patted his arm. "Go wash up quickly. You must be tired after such a long day. Don't bother going out to find accommodation."

The next moment, Sang Zhi walked over to him and said, "Brother, come with me. I'll get them for you."

Duan Jiaxu didn't refuse again, nodding slightly. "Then I'll be imposing."

Sang Zhi brought Duan Jiaxu to Sang Yan's room and found him a set of pajamas. Then she suddenly stopped: "Brother, I don't know where the underwear is kept. Should I ask my mom?"

"..." Duan Jiaxu said, "Just get me a towel and toothbrush, that's enough."

"Oh." Sang Zhi then brought him to the bathroom and pointed to the cabinet above. "There are new ones in that cabinet. You can take them yourself."

"Mm."

"Brother," Sang Zhi stepped out of the bathroom but suddenly turned back to ask, "Did you drink alcohol?"

Duan Jiaxu: "No, I didn't."

"Really didn't drink?" Sang Zhi stared at his face, hesitating. "If you did, I'll have my mom prepare some sobering soup for you too."

"Really didn't drink." Duan Jiaxu smiled. "Brother doesn't drink alcohol."

After thinking for a moment, Sang Zhi walked back into the bathroom and pointed to the items on the counter: "Brother, this is shampoo, this is conditioner, this is body wash, and this is facial cleanser. The razor is here—you can use any of them."

Duan Jiaxu ruffled Sang Zhi's hair, his eyes softening slightly as the corners of his lips curved upward.

"Alright, brother understands. Thank you, little Sang Zhi."

Sang Zhi nodded and left the bathroom.

Seeing that only Sang Yan remained in the living room—Sang Rong had gone into the kitchen to help Li Ping—Sang Zhi thought of what had just happened. She trotted over to Sang Yan and nudged his arm. "Brother."

Sang Yan struggled to open his eyes. "What?"

"Go to your room and find a new pair of underwear." Sang Zhi whispered, "Brother Ji Xu is taking a shower. Go get one for him."

"..."

"Hurry up!"

Sang Yan brushed her off: "They're in the small cabinet inside the wardrobe. You go get one for him."

Sang Zhi looked uncomfortable. "...How could I be the one to give it to him?"

Sang Yan closed his eyes again and ignored her.

Seeing how uncomfortable Sang Yan looked, Sang Zhi didn't press further. She noticed the empty water glass on the table and refilled it with warm water. "Brother, have some water."

Sang Yan didn't respond.

"Remember to drink it." She stood up, muttering to herself, "Why did you have to drink so much for no reason..."

Sang Zhi ran back to Sang Yan's room, opened the small cabinet he mentioned, and took out a new pair of underwear. Scratching her head, she walked to the bathroom door and knocked.

The sound of water inside immediately stopped. "Is someone knocking?"

"Brother, I... I hung it on the door for you. You can take it yourself."

After saying this, Sang Zhi immediately returned to her own room.

She didn't go out again after that, but could hear the movements outside from her room. After about an hour, amidst these faint rustling sounds, Sang Zhi gradually fell asleep again.

When she woke up next, it was from thirst.

The sky wasn't light yet—her vision was pitch black, and the world was utterly silent. Sang Zhi got up, planning to go to the living room to get a glass of water.Afraid of disturbing her parents, she moved quietly, filling her water bottle before heading back to her room. As she passed through the living room, she suddenly noticed someone on the balcony.

Sang Zhi paused.

In an instant, she recognized the person as Duan Jiaxu.

He was sitting on a chair on the balcony, the sliding glass door closed, smoking. Unaware of Sang Zhi’s presence, he tilted his head back, his Adam’s apple slowly moving as smoke curled in the moonlight.

Sang Zhi couldn’t make out his expression.

Yet she inexplicably felt he was in a bad mood.

After a moment’s hesitation, Sang Zhi walked over.

Soon, Duan Jiaxu noticed her out of the corner of his eye. He turned his head, his brows lifting slightly, and immediately smiled. "Why aren’t you asleep yet?"

His voice was soft through the glass door.

Sang Zhi carefully pushed the sliding door open and whispered, "Brother, can’t you sleep?"

Duan Jiaxu stubbed out his cigarette and said lazily, "Yeah, I’m a bit particular about beds."

"If you lie down for a while, you’ll fall asleep," Sang Zhi said. "Or you could sleep on the sofa in my brother’s room. I remember you used to sleep there often."

"Alright," Duan Jiaxu replied gently. "It’s late, go to sleep."

Sang Zhi didn’t move and asked quietly, "Brother, are you in a bad mood?"

Duan Jiaxu hummed in agreement. "A little."

Sang Zhi fell silent for a few seconds but didn’t ask why. "Then let me pour you a glass of water."

She had only taken two steps when Duan Jiaxu suddenly spoke again from behind.

Perhaps it was the quiet of the night that stirred a desire to confide in someone.

"Little Sang Zhi, let me tell you a little secret," Duan Jiaxu looked up at her, his peach blossom eyes curving into a beautiful crescent shape. "I have a lot of creditors."

"..." Sang Zhi paused and turned back. "Do you owe a lot of money?"

Duan Jiaxu chuckled. "Not money."

He thought for a moment and added, "But you could say it’s money."

"Is it a lot?" Sang Zhi didn’t know what else to say and could only murmur, "Brother, don’t worry. When I grow up, I’ll earn money and help you pay it back."

Duan Jiaxu was taken aback, then let out a soft laugh.

This time, Sang Zhi could clearly sense that his mood seemed to have lightened.

After a long moment, he pinched her cheek affectionately. "Thank you, little Sang Zhi. But these aren’t my debts. You don’t need to help me pay them back."

"..."

"Little Sang Zhi," Duan Jiaxu said, "the money you earn in the future should be spent on buying pretty dresses for yourself."

The next day, Duan Jiaxu took the earliest flight back to Yihe.

Sang Zhi thought that this would probably be his last visit to Nanwu. He no longer had any reason to return—he had completely left his school days behind and fully stepped into society.

Everyone continued living their lives as usual.

In early July, Sang Zhi’s high school entrance exam results were released, and she successfully got into City No. 1 High School. Before the school year began, she received a new backpack from Duan Jiaxu.

As a reward for her achievement.

In reality, Duan Jiaxu was far away from her.

But at times, it felt as though he was everywhere.

After starting her first year of high school, Sang Zhi discovered that Fu Zhengchu had also been admitted to No. 1 High School and happened to be in the same class as her. They hadn’t spoken in a long time, and remembering his previous confession, she felt too awkward to initiate a conversation.

However, it was Fu Zhengchu who came over to greet her, acting as if there were no hard feelings.

Sang Zhi breathed a sigh of relief.

Winter break of her first year in high school.Under the pretext of doing homework together, Fu Zhengchu asked Sang Zhi out and confessed his feelings to her once more. This time, the young boy was no longer as lacking in confidence as before, but he was still nervous.

"Sang Zhi, I like you. If you're willing to be my girlfriend now, that's fine. If not, I'll ask you again in three years."

Hearing these words, Sang Zhi was momentarily lost in thought.

Her first reaction was to recall when she was thirteen, how Duan Jiaxu had suddenly appeared after Fu Zhengchu's confession and taught her what to say.

—"It's normal to start having these feelings during adolescence. But don't hurt others either. You can first thank them for their affection, then reject them."

After a long silence.

"Thank you for liking me," Sang Zhi said earnestly, looking into his eyes. "But I already like someone else, so I can't accept your feelings."

"..."

"You're a really good person. Thank you."

Fu Zhengchu scratched his head and sighed. "I knew I'd get rejected again."

Sang Zhi felt a bit awkward.

"I didn't plan to keep liking you anyway," Fu Zhengchu said. "But damn it, I just can't find any girl prettier than you. What am I supposed to do?"

"..."

"Forget it," Fu Zhengchu thought for a moment, then asked, "Can I ask who you like?"

Sang Zhi silently shook her head.

Fu Zhengchu: "Is he as handsome as me?"

Duan Jiaxu's words, "Don't hurt others," surfaced in her mind again. Sang Zhi waved her hand and said vaguely, "Don't ask."

"..."-

Sang Zhi thought things would continue like this forever.

Her secret crush would persist.

Then, if she worked hard enough now, she should be able to get into Yihe University. Three years later, she would go to the city where Duan Jiaxu lived.

But life is always full of variables.

Not everything can proceed exactly as one imagines.

During the Qingming holiday in her second semester of high school, Sang Zhi learned some news from Sang Yan.

She was on her way to the bathroom, passing by Sang Yan's room, when she overheard him talking to a friend on the phone. He casually remarked, "Holy shit, Duan Jiaxu has a girlfriend now?"

Sang Zhi's footsteps immediately halted.

But she didn't hear Sang Yan mention Duan Jiaxu's name again after that.

Her mind went blank, and she stood frozen in place for a long time.

Sang Zhi didn't return to her room. Instead, she went to the living room, pretending to watch TV, and waited for Sang Yan to come out. Then, she casually asked, "Brother, is Brother Jiaxu dating someone?"

"Huh?" Sang Yan took an apple from the fridge. "Seems like it."

Sang Zhi's eyes remained fixed on the TV. She slowly hummed in acknowledgment and said nothing more.

After Sang Yan went back to his room, she turned off the TV and returned to her own room. Sang Zhi picked up her phone from the desk, opened WeChat, and found Duan Jiaxu's contact.

Pressing her lips together, she slowly typed out a line:

—Brother, I heard from my brother that you're dating someone?

She stared at the message for a long time but eventually deleted it. She lay down on her bed, turning her head to look at the plush toys Duan Jiaxu had given her, and felt a sting in her nose.

It must be fake.

It has to be fake.

Sang Zhi looked at the photo of Yihe University she had pinned to her wall, rubbed her eyes hard, forced the matter to the back of her mind, and got up to study.

She had told Duan Jiaxu before.

If he ever got a girlfriend, he had to let her see first.

He had promised.

He would tell her.Although that was what Sang Zhi thought, she couldn't focus on her classes over the next few days. She kept recalling Sang Yan's words, and whenever she saw couples being affectionate, she would think of Duan Jiaxu.

She wondered if he would be like that when he was in a relationship.

Someone so gentle would surely treat his girlfriend very well.

But Sang Zhi didn't dare ask.

She was afraid of getting a positive answer.

As time dragged on, this state of mind accumulated.

By the end of April, Sang Zhi did the most outrageous thing she had done in her sixteen years of life.

That day, after school, Sang Zhi rushed home and smashed the piggy bank she had specially prepared for Duan Jiaxu. She took the money inside and sneaked into her parents' room to steal an ID card.

Then, Sang Zhi went to a nearby ticket sales office and bought a plane ticket to Yihe for the next afternoon. The following day, she packed her backpack, bid her parents goodbye as usual, and left the house.

But Sang Zhi didn't take her usual bus. She went to a nearby KFC to change out of her school uniform, then took a taxi to Nanwu Airport.

This was Sang Zhi's first time flying alone.

Her first time traveling to such a faraway place by herself.

Three hours later, Sang Zhi got off the plane.

Before coming, Sang Zhi hadn't checked the weather. The temperature in Yihe was much lower than in Nanwu. Wearing only a long sweatshirt, she was shivering from the cold. She turned on her phone.

She saw dozens of missed calls.

All from her family.

Feeling both guilty and scared, Sang Zhi found Sang Yan's number and called back with a pounding heart.

He answered immediately, his voice urgent: "Sang Zhi?"

Sang Zhi made an affirmative sound.

Sang Yan: "Where did you go? Your teacher said you weren't at school. What time is it already?"

"Brother," Sang Zhi said slowly, "I'm in Yihe City."

"..."

Sang Zhi lied: "That online boyfriend I had before asked me to come here."

"..." There was silence on the other end, as if he was forcibly suppressing his anger. After a long while, Sang Yan finally said, word by word: "Where exactly are you in Yihe right now?"

"The airport."

"Find a spot and stay there. I'll have Duan Jiaxu come get you first." Sang Yan said coldly, "If you dare go find that so-called online boyfriend of yours, just see if I don't beat you to death when you get back."

"Understood."

Sang Zhi lowered her eyes and entered the airport.

She found a seat and sat down, staring blankly into space. She knew what she had done was very wrong, knew her actions would worry everyone.

But she just couldn't help it.

Sang Zhi subsequently answered calls from Sang Rong and Li Ping, listening to their anxious and angry voices. Though they didn't scold her further, they just told her to be careful.

After who knows how long, the phone in Sang Zhi's hand rang again.

This time it showed Duan Jiaxu's number.

She silently answered it.

Duan Jiaxu: "Where are you."

His tone was clearly angry too, indifferent and cold.

Sang Zhi looked around and whispered: "The chairs next to Exit T3."

Soon, Sang Zhi saw Duan Jiaxu appear in her field of vision.

Counting up, it had been nearly a year since they last met. He looked more mature now, his face expressionless, wearing a shirt and dress pants with a jacket draped over his arm.

He had clearly rushed over in a hurry.

Sang Zhi's gaze shifted, noticing a very beautiful woman following beside him.

She immediately lowered her eyes.Duan Jiaxu's gaze swept across and immediately spotted her. He let out a breath, quickly walked over, half-knelt before her, wrapped his coat around her, and remained silent.

Sang Zhi couldn't speak either, catching a glimpse of the woman's bright red high heels from the corner of her eye.

Duan Jiaxu's Adam's apple bobbed as he laughed in disbelief. "Your online crush?"

"..."

"Have you forgotten everything I told you before?" Duan Jiaxu's tone was cold and harsh. "Sang Zhi, you think you're all grown up now? You dare come all this way alone?"

Sang Zhi raised her head, staring steadily at Duan Jiaxu, then turned to look at the beautiful woman. She wanted to say something, but no words came out.

She desperately wanted to ask.

Have you really gotten a girlfriend?

Have you really become someone else's?

Didn't you say you'd tell me?

Is it because I'm young that you think it's okay to lie to me?

Have you been lying to me?

But Sang Zhi didn't dare.

Duan Jiaxu: "Speak."

The woman beside them couldn't help saying: "Jia Xu, don't be so harsh with the girl."

Duan Jiaxu acted as if he hadn't heard, still staring at Sang Zhi.

Suppressing the lump in her throat, Sang Zhi slowly said: "I'm sorry."

Duan Jiaxu asked: "Did he ask you to come?"

Sang Zhi: "I came on my own."

"Did you meet him?"

"Yeah." Sang Zhi said softly, "He said I'm too young."

"..." Duan Jiaxu's expression softened slightly. "He's gone?"

"Yeah."

"Sang Zhi, what he did was right. You're still too young." Seeing her pitiful state, Duan Jiaxu's anger gradually dissipated. "This isn't appropriate, understand?"

Sang Zhi looked at him, her eyes gradually reddening: "But I will grow up."

She murmured repeatedly: "I will grow up..."

"Then we'll talk about it when you've grown up, alright?"

"But he will," Sang Zhi's tears fell as she tried to suppress her sobs, "he'll like someone else."

It was something she couldn't prevent, no matter what she did.

Sang Zhi suddenly remembered that scene from a year ago, when he was smoking on her family's balcony. Back then, he had looked so lonely and hopeless.

And now there was someone else standing beside him.

Maybe she shouldn't be so selfish.

He was such a good person.

He deserved to have someone else's company.

Why should he wait for her?

In two years, he would be twenty-five. If he met the right person, wouldn't he be considering marriage? He couldn't remain alone all these years.

Maybe then he would be happier.

Seeing her like this, any remaining anger Duan Jiaxu had vanished. He didn't know how to comfort her, simply patting her head: "When our little Sang Zhi grows up, you'll definitely meet someone better too."

After a few seconds of silence.

Sang Zhi pulled over her bag from beside her, took out a box from inside, and her lips moved slightly.

Those two intimate words - "Brother" - she could no longer bring herself to say them as she grew older. Sang Zhi lowered her head and called out softly: "Brother Ji Xu."

"..."

"I prepared a birthday gift for you." Sang Zhi said, "I brought it along since I was coming."

Duan Jiaxu was momentarily stunned: "Thank you."

"I'm sorry for troubling you. I won't do this again." Sang Zhi's tears fell pattering, as she tried to control the tremor in her voice. "...I want to wait here for my brother to come."

Having a crush is probably the sweetest, yet most painful thing in the world.Sang Zhi suddenly remembered the two dreams she had written down during her second year of middle school.

Back then, the young girl had carefully penned each character, capturing her most pure and fervent emotions as she recorded the dreams she believed would undoubtedly come true.

So she worked hard for them, continuously moving toward that goal.

Then she realized.

That dreams, after all, might also be something unattainable.

At the age when her heart first stirred with love, she secretly discovered a treasure.

Unfortunately,

she could not become the one who kept it hidden.