After several days of continuous drizzle, the long-awaited sunny weather finally made an appearance in late August.
The blazing sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the world, and the asphalt roads seemed on the verge of burning up. Tiny insects flitted past from time to time, while the cicadas' hoarse cries stretched endlessly into the distance.
Yun Li felt like she was about to melt under the scorching heat.
After meeting up with Deng Chuqi, they didn’t even bother picking a place and headed straight for the neighboring Sea Sky Mall.
The two casually ducked into a wonton shop.
"This damn weather is trying to roast us alive," Deng Chuqi gasped, finally feeling revived under the air conditioning. "I can’t take it anymore. West Fuling is so much better—I never felt this hot there."
Yun Li disagreed, "That’s just because you haven’t been back in a while. West Fuling gets just as hot."
"Really? Fine then." Deng Chuqi sighed. "Ugh, I wish it would rain all summer in Nanwu. The temperature a few days ago was perfect."
"Then Nanwu would be flooded."
"Then just never let the sun come out!"
"Since when are you allergic to sunlight?"
"..." Deng Chuqi couldn’t take it anymore and reached over to pinch Yun Li’s cheek. "Yun Li, you’re such a contrarian! I should’ve brought a needle today to sew your mouth shut!"
Yun Li winced and dodged, laughing as she surrendered. "Okay, okay, I was wrong!"
Only then did Deng Chuqi reluctantly let go. After their playful scuffle, she stared at Yun Li’s face and suddenly remarked, "You know, my first impression of you was, 'This girl is pretty, but why is she so aloof? Is she just putting on airs?'"
Yun Li shot her a look. "Watch your words."
Deng Chuqi grinned. "But then I got to know you and realized you were just quiet as a way to protect yourself."
"Oh?"
"So you wouldn’t offend too many people and get assassinated."
"..."
Just then, the server brought over two bowls of wontons.
Deng Chuqi dumped a spoonful of chili oil into hers and suddenly pointed upward. "Oh yeah, is that VR Experience Center fun? I meant to go during the trial period, but I got too busy and forgot."
"I really liked it," Yun Li admitted honestly. "At first, I regretted taking the gig, but afterward, I felt like it was totally worth it. Got paid and got to play."
Deng Chuqi perked up. "Who else did they invite besides you?"
Yun Li racked her brain before listing the few names she could remember. One of them sparked recognition in Deng Chuqi, who immediately launched into some juicy gossip she’d heard about that person.
Yun Li listened with great interest before commenting, "Sounds fake."
A moment later, Deng Chuqi pressed, "Just these few? Any others?"
Yun Li thought hard but couldn’t recall any more. Under Deng Chuqi’s expectant gaze, the name "Fu Shize"—which she had searched online just two days ago—suddenly surfaced in her mind.
She hesitated, then tentatively asked, "Do you remember that video from our high school days that went semi-viral on E-Station?"
Deng Chuqi blinked. "What video?"
"You know, the one about..." Yun Li struggled to bring up the name directly and finally blurted out, "...the Moon of the Mortal World."
"Moon?" Deng Chuqi looked utterly lost.
"The one from West Fuling University of Science and Technology..."
"Oh! That genius from West Fuling University?" The keyword triggered Deng Chuqi’s memory. "Now I remember! The first time I visited your house in high school, I saw you practically worshipping his photo on your wall like some kind of shrine—"
"..."
Yun Li had completely forgotten about that.When her youthful blunders were brought up, Yun Li's cheeks burned with embarrassment, and she cut Deng Chuqi off: "Alright, alright, let's just eat."
Deng Chuqi was thoroughly amused: "Why bring him up all of a sudden? I can’t even remember what he looks like anymore."
Yun Li paused briefly before replying after a few seconds, "I think I saw him."
"Huh?"
"But I'm not entirely sure if it's the same person."
This was somewhat similar to her recent experience at EAW, where she met several influencers she had only seen on screen before. However, compared to that, the emotions stirred by encountering Fu Shize were undoubtedly more intense.
After all, he was someone she had once admired.
Yun Li just felt slightly odd about it.
She couldn’t quite pinpoint why.
Was it because she hadn’t recognized him?
Or was it because she had unexpectedly run into someone she never thought she’d meet in this lifetime.
It had been seven years now.
The boy had grown taller, his features more defined, carrying a maturity that only time could bestow—something impossible to fake. His appearance wasn’t much different from before, but the most striking change was the aura he exuded now.
It was a far cry from what she had imagined.
In their recent encounters, he had seemed withdrawn and aloof.
She had assumed someone like him would naturally be the center of attention, the moon surrounded by stars. Graceful and tactful, effortlessly navigating social situations, worldly yet untainted by it. Persistent and unyielding, strong and resilient.
He shouldn’t be like this now.
His brilliance seemed veiled in dust, blending into the night.
Silent and withered.
Distracted, Yun Li inexplicably recalled the image of him sleeping on the couch. The man curled up slightly, his frame lean, the outline of his shoulder blades visible even through his clothes.
Broken, fragile, and utterly defenseless.
"Then maybe it really isn’t the same person. Could just be someone who looks like him," Deng Chuqi said dismissively. "I remember this genius was about our age, right? It’s been years—he probably doesn’t look like he did in those videos anymore."
Yun Li snapped out of her thoughts and chuckled. "You’re right."
Thinking about it this way, she might have been overimagining things.
Even if it was the same person.
He could simply be feeling under the weather these past few days, hence the listlessness—
There were plenty of neighborhoods nearby, both old and new. Yun Li wasn’t short on funds, so she chose Seven Mile Fragrant Capital, known for its excellent security and environment. It was right across from Sea Sky Mall and less than a ten-minute walk from South Science and Technology University.
After dinner, Yun Li contacted the real estate agent again to confirm the time before dragging Deng Chuqi along to see the place.
The apartment had one bedroom and a living room, fully furnished and spotlessly clean.
Having recently signed a rental contract herself, Deng Chuqi had more experience and handled most of the communication with the agent. The landlord’s condition was a minimum one-year lease with a three-month deposit.
Yun Li didn’t find it unreasonable.
They quickly settled on it and agreed to sign the lease the next day.
After Deng Chuqi went home, Yun Li booked a cleaning service online for a thorough scrub-down.
She then ordered various daily necessities, filming equipment, and small decor items to fill the space.
On the day before her hotel stay expired, Yun Li officially moved in.
By the time she finished unpacking, it was already dark. Only then did she realize how hungry she was, remembering the Fried rice noodles she had randomly picked up from a snack street near South Science and Technology University during her interview. Surprisingly, they had been delicious.Later, when she returned to West Fuling, she tried several restaurants but always felt something was missing.
Thinking of this, Yun Li browsed through food delivery apps but couldn't find what she wanted.
The restaurant probably didn't offer delivery services.
Glancing at the wall clock, it was just past ten.
Through the window, she could still see the brightly lit Sea Sky Mall.
It wasn't too late, and with her cravings kicking in, Yun Li felt determined not to give up until she got what she wanted. She quickly changed her clothes, grabbed her wallet, and headed out.
Relying on vague memories, Yun Li left the residential area, crossed the street, and walked straight toward Sea Sky Mall. Along the way, she noticed several people burning paper offerings by the roadside.
Confused and uneasy, she checked her phone.
Only then did she realize it was the Ghost Festival.
"..."
Her scalp tingled, and she instantly regretted going out.
But having come this far, it seemed pointless to turn back now.
Yun Li continued walking, passing through a square and crossing another street until she reached the familiar food alley.
The streetlights were bright, and there were quite a few pedestrians around. She let out a sigh of relief.
Previously, Yun Li had come here for a trendy milk tea shop, and just a few steps away was the stir-fried rice noodle place she remembered. Now, she couldn't recall the exact location, only that it was quite tucked away.
Yun Li turned on her navigation.
Following the directions for about a hundred meters, whether due to lag or not, the route on her screen became crooked. It instructed her to cut through an alley.
Inside, it was pitch black, and the ground was damp. A turn awaited about ten meters ahead.
From here, turning right and then left would lead to another street.
The distance wasn't far, so Yun Li mustered her courage and entered. Just as she turned the corner, she heard men's rowdy laughter ahead. Lifting her head, she was hit by the overwhelming stench of alcohol.
Two men came into view.
One had light blue hair and a tattoo of indecipherable English letters on his collarbone; the other wore a tank top, revealing bulging muscles on his arms.
A dim and secluded alley.
The scene made Yun Li uneasy. Avoiding eye contact, she tried to walk past calmly. But after a few steps, Blue Hair blocked her path: "Hey there, little girl."
Yun Li retreated warily.
The Big Guy on the side teased, "Dafeng, stop being a creep."
"Who's being a creep?" Blue Hair slurred drunkenly. "I-I was just saying hi!"
Yun Li tried to sidestep them, but the alley was narrow, and the two blocked her way. Afraid that showing too much fear might provoke them further, she said softly, "Could you let me pass? I need to get through."
Blue Hair leered, "Sure, I'll let you pass—if you join me for a late-night snack later."
"..."
"What do you say, little girl?"
"...Okay." Not daring to anger him, Yun Li reluctantly agreed, stalling for time. "But could you let me pass first? I still need to buy something."
Blue Hair shrugged and stepped aside.
The shops lining the alley were already closed, the left side eerily empty, as if entering a no-man's-land. A few meters away, under a dim streetlight, a man stood smoking, his head lowered.
Backlit, his face was pale and bloodless, giving off a gloomy and eerie vibe.
Like a lone ghost slipping into the human world through the gates of the underworld.
Yun Li's heart skipped a beat—she recognized him instantly.
It was Fu Shize.
She had thought they'd never meet again.At that moment, he seemed to hear the commotion and looked up.
Uncertain of what the two men behind her might do, Yun Li didn’t want to provoke them by speaking recklessly. She pressed her lips together, her eyes carrying a hint of plea.
Their gazes met for barely a second.
Fu Shize averted his eyes as if he hadn’t seen her, exhaling a cloud of smoke.
Yun Li froze in place.
For a moment, she couldn’t believe the meaning behind his actions.
—He had no intention of helping her.
The blue-haired man behind her grew impatient and began urging, "Hey, come on already, let’s go grab some late-night snacks. Why aren’t you moving? Don’t go back on your word—"
Yun Li’s voice trembled as she couldn’t help but call out, "Fu—Fu Shize!"
The moment the words left her lips, the air seemed to solidify.
Even the blue-haired man’s bravado faltered slightly, and he fell silent.
After what felt like an eternity yet was only a brief silence, Fu Shize tilted his head and lazily gestured with his hand. A spark of hope ignited in Yun Li—she thought the gesture was meant for her and was about to step forward.
But the next second, the blue-haired man beside him walked over instead, asking in confusion, "Bro, you know her?"
"..."
Yun Li’s mind went blank.
The dream she’d had days ago, which had already begun to fade, suddenly became crystal clear again.
The boy at the airport sneered, his mocking words echoing once more in her ears: "Fooled you, didn’t I? Bet you didn’t expect this—he’s the leader of our group!"
Fu Shize neither confirmed nor denied it. "What are you doing?"
Blue Hair shrugged as if it were obvious. "Just asking her to grab some late-night snacks with me. Didn’t do anything else."
"Grabbing late-night snacks with you..." Fu Shize repeated idly before turning to Yun Li. "Do you want to go?"
The sky stretched high, the stars distant, and the wind blew dry and lingering, its warmth lingering long after.
At that moment.
Yun Li didn’t know where her courage came from, but she shook her head.
Fu Shize gave a soft hum and relayed her answer. "She doesn’t want to."
Blue Hair, still seemingly drunk, opened his mouth to argue. But before he could speak, Fu Shize pushed him lightly on the shoulder. Staggering back a couple of steps, he nearly fell before steadying himself and turning around.
"You scared her," Fu Shize said casually. "Go apologize."
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