Pei Chuan's case finally went to trial in January, yet no one outside knew what the final verdict was.
The autumn at University B was beautiful, with the lake shimmering and everything dyed in the warm golden hues of harvest.
Stepping onto the university campus, Bei Yao recalled Li Fangqun's words from back then: "In the future, you'll all go to different cities across this country—some will travel to the distant northern lands to see snow, while others will settle by the water in southern towns."
The last time she had visited University B, Pei Chuan had carried her on his back for a stretch of the road. It was snowing last winter. At that time, Bei Yao hadn't understood why the young man had insisted on walking that entire path, but now she did.
The university registration process wasn't as complicated as in high school. Bei Yao ultimately chose to live on campus, with her dorm room on the fifth floor. The senior student guiding the freshmen teased as she led her to the dormitory building, "You're so pretty, junior. Just now, when I took you away, I bet a lot of people were sighing in regret."
Bei Yao smiled and said, "You're very pretty too, senior."
The senior was overjoyed—after all, girls always love to hear compliments.
Carrying her large and small bags of luggage, Bei Yao climbed up to the fifth floor, panting for a while before pushing the door open.
Wang Qiankun was changing out of pants splattered with mud. The moment she saw Bei Yao, her eyes lit up: "Damn, new roommate?" Wang Qiankun couldn't resist whistling.
Wang Qiankun had short hair, as short as a boy's. She was flat-chested with clear, handsome features—a complete tomboy.
Bei Yao was taken aback, unsure if she had entered the girls' or boys' dormitory.
A girl fetching water in the room walked over and laughed, "Is the new roommate here? Hi, I'm Qin Dongni, and she's Wang Qiankun. We're both girls... ahem, girls."
Bei Yao quickly replied, "Hello, I'm Bei Yao."
She couldn't help but take another look at Wang Qiankun.
This roommate's name was also unusual, sounding like a boy's name. Wang Qiankun said, "Bet you think my name is totally ridiculous, right? Don't even mention it—my dad picked it. He's obsessed with studying feng shui and the five elements. I'm just glad the old man didn't name me 'Bagua' (Eight Trigrams), or else people would call me, 'Hey, Wang Bagua!' which would sound like 'Wang Ba Gua' (turtle hanging)."
Bei Yao couldn't hold back her laughter. Qin Dongni burst out laughing too.
The unfamiliar atmosphere eased just like that.
Soon, the last girl in the dormitory arrived, named Shan Xiaomai.
Shan Xiaomai spoke very softly, forming a stark contrast to Wang Qiankun—like the faint buzz of a mosquito. Wang Qiankun joked that she wished she could attach a mini microphone to Shan Xiaomai's waist.
As they spent more time together, everyone's personalities became clear.
Wang Qiankun was the source of humor and the "boyfriend strength" of the dorm. While other rooms needed two people to carry bottled water, Wang Qiankun could haul a large water jug up to the fifth floor all by herself without even stopping to rest.
Shan Xiaomai was timid and, despite studying medicine, fainted at the sight of blood. Once, she passed out during class, startling everyone.
Later, Wang Qiankun asked, "If you faint at blood, why study medicine, Xiaomai?"
Shan Xiaomai whispered, "My mom made me."
"..." No one had a response.
Qin Dongni was a local of the capital, lively and good-looking, with a knack for acting cute. By the second month, she had already gotten a boyfriend.
One night, after evening self-study, Bei Yao accidentally saw Qin Dongni and her boyfriend under a tree, kissing as if they couldn't bear to part.
The boy's hand unconsciously crept upward. By October, they had already switched to thicker autumn clothes, and his hand slipped under the hem of her shirt.Bei Yao's face flushed instantly. She hadn't meant to witness that scene and didn't dare look further, quickening her pace to leave. Shan Xiaomai was also bright red.
Wang Qiankun watched with great interest, pulling Bei Yao back and saying, "What's the rush? Let's watch for a bit. Qin Dongni doesn't mind."
Qin Dongni truly didn't mind. After finishing the kiss, she wiped her mouth and cheered, "Yao Yao! Qiankun, Mai Zi."
The girl didn't even care about her boyfriend anymore, rushing over to return to the dorm with her roommates.
Qin Dongni blinked and told her roommates, "You go back first. I'll take a couple laps around with Yao Yao."
Bei Yao was dragged by her to stroll around the sports field.
The evening lights were somewhat dim. Qin Dongni whispered, "I saw you reject Chu Xun the other day. Why? He's handsome and quite wealthy too."
Beauty appears even more captivating under the lamplight. Qin Dongni examined her roommate's face and felt the title of campus belle was well-deserved.
During last month's campus belle election, Chu Xun had been extremely active campaigning for Bei Yao. Of course, Bei Yao was genuinely beautiful and ultimately won with the highest votes.
Yet what puzzled Qin Dongni was that even she had a boyfriend now, while Bei Yao remained single.
Bei Yao was momentarily stunned. She didn't know Qin Dongni had witnessed that. She smiled and said, "Because I have a boyfriend."
Qin Dongni was shocked: "What... who? Where is he?"
Bei Yao said softly, "I don't know which prison he's in, but I'm waiting for him."
"..."
The air fell silent for two seconds before Qin Dongni burst into laughter.
Hahahaha, Campus Belle Bei is so humorous! Have you learned to tell jokes from being around Wang Qiankun too? Hahahaha, "I don't know which prison he's in"!
Bei Yao didn't know what was so funny but simply waited for her to finish laughing.
Her almond-shaped eyes remained clear and bright, eventually making Qin Dongni feel somewhat embarrassed.
Only after Qin Dongni stopped laughing did Bei Yao ask softly, "Can I ask you a question?"
Qin Dongni said, "What is it?"
Bei Yao seemed somewhat embarrassed. Her voice was low but pleasant in the late autumn evening: "When you're with your boyfriend, do you always... kiss like that?"
So intense.
Looking at her roommate's slightly shy face, Qin Dongni chuckled.
"Yes. Did you also see him touching me? When you're in a relationship, it's hard to control yourself sometimes. When someone really likes you, even if they try to restrain themselves, there are some things they just can't help."
Bei Yao watched the distant figures jogging. University nights were quite lively too. Pei Chuan should have been on a university campus as well.
But for those very brief moments with her, he had almost given up his entire life.
Pei Chuan had never kissed her like that. When he kissed her, his heartbeat would race and he'd breathe heavily, but he was always exceptionally restrained and cherishing.
Bei Yao understood - he always felt he was dirty.
Just like the two conditions Pei Chuan had wanted to establish from the beginning: no intimate contact, and not making their relationship public. He must have foreseen this day long ago, leaving her to grow up alone in the future.
But Qin Dongni was right - there are some things you just can't help.
If she could find Pei Chuan again, if she could see Pei Chuan again.
She must tell him, long overdue, just how much she liked him.
~
Yet days continued passing at their own pace. Everyone knew that campus belle from the medical department liked visiting the law school, causing the male law students to become quite restless.From the first autumn to the next, Bei Yao never sought out any students. Instead, she visited law school professors, consulting them about the final judgments for various criminal offenses.
She had practically visited every teacher in the school.
Rumors spread in the law department that the campus belle wanted to change majors, especially since she wasn't there to date any boys. However, when the transfer period passed and Bei Yao remained in the medical department, no one could figure out what she was really after.
In her spare time, Bei Yao also visited nearby law firms for consultations. Eventually, one teacher told her: "Cases that are not open to the public typically involve either minors or... matters related to state secrets. Since the person you're asking about is already an adult, it's likely the latter."
Bei Yao recalled the reference to "devil" in her notes and the mentioned software.
She changed her approach: "What about high-intelligence crimes? Potentially serious ones—where would such offenders ultimately be detained?"
The teacher thought for a moment: "If even visitation isn't permitted, it must have gone through the highest level of trial. Juvenile crime, high-intelligence talent... I wonder if you've heard of this case."
The teacher continued: "Over a decade ago, there was a female spy in X country who stole classified information from multiple nations. She joined an organization at age ten and subsequently triggered several upheavals. When G country captured her at eighteen, they initially planned execution by firing squad. After extensive deliberation, she was released and given a second chance. She compiled intelligence reports from her espionage days, ultimately preventing multiple wars."
The teacher concluded: "The state is quite lenient toward talents who lean toward justice. Bei Yao, if it's as you say, he's likely undergoing more confidential rehabilitation. The country would recruit such talent."
The teacher saw faint sparks of light ignite in the girl's moon-gentle eyes.
"Teacher, then where would he be?"
The teacher shook her head—this was beyond her knowledge.
Bei Yao bowed deeply. "Thank you."
That winter during her sophomore year, Bei Yao returned to C City for New Year celebrations. Red lanterns hung from tree branches throughout the city. After the family reunion dinner, Fang Minjun came to visit.
Fang Minjun had grown up, her clothing and appearance gradually maturing.
She'd gotten a head of large wavy curls dyed chestnut brown.
The two girls talked in the room.
Fang Minjun didn't seem particularly happy, flicking her hair self-mockingly: "Do I look very unfamiliar like this?"
She didn't like this—she preferred her younger days with Bei Yao and the others, having snowball fights in winter, her black hair flying wild and free. Back then she was beautiful without makeup or styling.
But Huo Dinglin preferred Fang Minjun's current appearance, which somewhat resembled the Hong Kong star Chang Xue from back in the day. When Fang Minjun grew up and dressed up, she became quite striking.
Bei Yao smiled: "Minmin has always been beautiful. I really admired you when we were children."
Bei Yao's tone was gentle, her eyes sincere. Fang Minjun felt a pang of bittersweet emotion, nearly tearing up. The Huo family had developed well in C City—as an important branch of the Huo clan, they'd established themselves firmly in the new city within two years. The Huo family had produced marshals in earlier generations and still maintained significant influence, with connections in the military.Fang Minjun leaned close to Bei Yao's ear: "Yao Yao, I asked Huo Dinglin and Uncle Huo where the country incarcerates high-intelligence criminals."
She whispered a few words, and Bei Yao's eyes widened.
The Huo family had produced many military officers over the years. Fang Minjun said: "Although he might not be there, there's still a fifty percent chance. Thank you for your past help. There isn't much I can do for you - this is all I have to offer."
As Fang Minjun and Zhao Xiu were leaving, Bei Yao watched her retreating figure: "Minmin!"
Fang Minjun turned back.
"Thank you."
Fang Minjun smiled: "You're welcome." Her usually cool features softened - some people truly do become more beautiful as they grow up.
~
The Spring Festival hadn't arrived yet, but Bei Yao announced she needed to return to City B.
Zhao Zhilan said anxiously: "Child, why do you suddenly need to go back to school during the New Year period? Can't whatever it wait until after the holidays?"
Yet Bei Yao ultimately went back. Tickets were hard to come by, with many transportation services suspended.
When Bei Yao finally made her way back to City B, heavy snow was falling.
The swirling snowflakes were so thick they could turn hair white in moments.
Before going to "Seventh Prison," Bei Yao had prepared herself for the possibility of not seeing Pei Chuan. Even Fang Minjun had said there was only a chance Pei Chuan might be there - he might not be there at all.
Yet Bei Yao still came.
"Seventh Prison" was built in a remote location, situated in the suburbs.
With no direct transportation available, Bei Yao rented a bicycle and rode there. She wrapped her scarf around her face to shield against the wind and snow, arriving outside Seventh Prison by dinnertime.
While other places were celebrating the New Year, the prison felt somewhat desolate.
What made "Seventh Prison" different was that it housed reformable talents.
In other words, those who could atone for their crimes through service.
During the New Year, the prison would reinforce security and organize activities for prisoners to participate in.
Bei Yao's hands were nearly frozen stiff. Looking at the building before her, her eyes stung with unshed tears.
Seventh Prison wasn't completely closed to visitors, but very few people could find this place. When Pei Chuan first arrived, he had written that he had no immediate family left, so no one had been notified about his incarceration location.
As for Bei Yao -
What right did he have to hold back such a wonderful girl?
When the guard came to notify him, Pei Chuan was eating dinner. The people around him were all high-intelligence individuals - biochemical geniuses, mechanical talents. The country treated them leniently, and their New Year celebration wasn't bleak. They had heard there would be two activities after the meal.
After all, everyone here had signed agreements - they weren't exactly "serving prison sentences" but working secretly for the country.
Whenever guards had previously come to announce family visits for others, Pei Chuan had felt nothing.
He had no family left, and no one knew he was here. But this time, when the guard said: "Pei Chuan, someone's here to see you,"
The air instantly stilled. His "cellmates" looked at him with either surprise or teasing expressions.
Pei Chuan had been eating quietly with his usual calm demeanor, but at that moment, the chopsticks in his hand clattered to the floor.
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