Chapter 6: “Don’t Ever Harbor Feelings for Someone Like Fu Chiyu.”

By the time Xia Zhicha slowly walked back to where they’d been waiting for the ride, Fu Chiyu was already gone.

Jiang Lili, probably still a bit dizzy from drinking, leaned against an electric pole, lazily scrolling through her phone. When Xia Zhicha got close, she noticed and—without hesitation—dug into her canvas bag and found the drink she’d asked for.

Xia Zhicha was used to Jiang Lili’s bold and casual ways, so she let her rummage through her things, and casually asked, “Where are the others?”

“They? They just got in the car and left,” Jiang Lili said, drink in hand, taking a big gulp as her eyes returned to her phone screen. “The road our car is coming from is totally jammed. Probably still a few more minutes.”

“…Oh.”
Xia Zhicha blinked, a little disappointed.

She had thought maybe… she’d get to say goodbye to Fu Chiyu.

After all, now that they’d met again, who knew if there’d be another chance in the future?

Maybe this fleeting encounter was all they’d ever get.

The warmth from the bottle of milk in her hand was still radiating gently, but a subtle emotion named “reluctance” began to spread through her chest. She bit her lip, and almost instinctively, took out her phone, snapped a picture, and sent it to Fu Chiyu.

Xia Zhicha:
📷
Xia Zhicha:
Thank you.

Three simple words—yet as she hit send, she couldn’t help but inhale sharply, nerves crawling up her spine.

She had assumed Fu Chiyu would be busy enjoying the night, but unexpectedly, he replied quickly.

Fu Chiyu:
You haven’t left yet?

Xia Zhicha’s pupils trembled slightly.

Xia Zhicha:
Mm, traffic’s bad over here.

Fu Chiyu:
Alright.
Message me when you get back to your dorm safely.

Xia Zhicha froze for a second before obediently typed back:

Xia Zhicha:
Okay.

…He really seemed so thoughtful.

Even though it was already nighttime in September, the heat of the day still lingered.

Feeling the warmth of the milk slowly fading in her palm, Xia Zhicha opened the bottle and took a sip.

The sweet, warm taste spread through her mouth… and seemed to melt straight into her heart.

—

A few minutes later, the ride Jiang Lili had called finally arrived.

The route back to campus wasn’t long. Jiang Lili had her head down, fiddling with her phone—probably still chatting with Gao Yuyang.

Xia Zhicha rested her chin on her hand and stared out the window, watching the lights glide past, a dazed expression on her face.

It felt like seeing Fu Chiyu again today had been a dream.

Until Jiang Lili snapped her fingers in front of her face.

“Sleepy?” Jiang Lili, still a little tipsy, seemed unusually energetic tonight. Her cheeks were flushed as she leaned over to inspect Xia Zhicha, then asked thoughtfully, “Why do I feel like you’ve been kinda… out of it today?”

Xia Zhicha shook her head, murmuring vaguely, “…Not really. Maybe I’m just a little tired.”

Jiang Lili considered that. “True. We dragged you out so late for dinner. Normally you’d already be in bed by now.”

After a year of living together, she knew well that Xia Zhicha was the model of a good girl—studious, responsible, with a daily routine so consistent it was unshakable. It was the polar opposite of Jiang Lili’s own lifestyle, which revolved around socializing and going out.

Despite her striking beauty—like someone who could be on TV—Xia Zhicha always kept her head down, dressed plainly, and distanced herself from anything frivolous. If she ever really tried to dress up, who knows how many admirers she’d attract?

Jiang Lili studied her for a moment, then sighed. “Not falling in love during college feels like such a waste of that beautiful face of yours.”

She teased like this often, so Xia Zhicha was used to it. She smiled and said softly, “I’m not thinking about that right now.”

“Fair enough.” Jiang Lili couldn’t resist giving her soft cheek a playful squeeze and muttered, “But seriously, with the guys at our school being the way they are, I don’t think any of them are good enough for you.”

“I’ve met so many people already, and I can count the truly good-looking ones on one hand. The ones who are really attractive? Total players. You’re too innocent—you’d be spun in circles before you knew what hit you. Like that Fu Chiyu today—”

At that, Jiang Lili drew out the last word dramatically and leaned in closer, whispering, “Be honest with me. When you saw him, you really didn’t feel anything?”

Xia Zhicha looked down, eyes avoiding hers. “…I really didn’t.”

The dim lighting inside the car helped mask the emotion in her eyes. And with Jiang Lili still groggy from drinking, she didn’t notice anything strange, so she dropped it.

“Good. Don’t ever harbor feelings for someone like Fu Chiyu. You can’t handle someone like him—he’ll only hurt you.”

“Guys like him, you can tell just by looking: the type who plays the field and never settles down.”

“…Mm.”
Xia Zhicha responded softly.
Outside, flickering lights cast shifting shadows across her face, subtly outlining the sorrow pooling in her eyes.

What Jiang Lili said… she’d always known.

But liking someone doesn’t care about reason—it’s a moth to the flame.

An addiction.

Once rooted in your heart, it only takes one look… and you’re hooked all over again.

—

Since the next day was the weekend, only Xia Zhicha and Jiang Lili were in the dorm.

Their two other roommates were both Beijing locals—one rarely stayed in the dorm, the other went home almost every weekend or holiday. They weren’t particularly close to them.

After washing up, Xia Zhicha climbed into bed. Jiang Lili was still doing her skincare at the desk. When she saw Xia Zhicha get into bed, she turned off the main light, leaving only her desk lamp on.

With the curtains drawn, the room was wrapped in darkness.

Xia Zhicha lay on her side, half her face buried in the pillow, and pulled out her phone.

When she unlocked it, the screen opened to her chat with Fu Chiyu.

The last message had been a few minutes ago:

Xia Zhicha:
Back at the dorm.

Fu Chiyu:
👍

She stared at the screen, the faint glow illuminating her soft, clear eyes.

After a while, she exited the chat and opened her photo album.

She didn’t have many folders—just three.

One labeled [Study], one [Reminders], and one simply labeled [.]

That last one was locked.

She entered the password. Inside, there was only one photo.

Taken three years ago, during the school sports meet.

She had been the student representative giving awards to the top athletes. When she handed a certificate to Fu Chiyu, someone from the school news team snapped a photo, which was then featured on the school website for weeks.

In the photo, the tall, striking boy raised an eyebrow, his features bold and radiant, sweat dotting his forehead. His school jacket was slung loosely over his shoulder, fluttering in the breeze.

The girl facing him only showed half her profile—properly dressed, holding the certificate out stiffly.

As he reached for it, their fingers unintentionally brushed.

This was the only photo Xia Zhicha had of the two of them together. She had gone to the school website and downloaded the high-resolution version.

Then she hid it in the most secret folder on her phone and had kept it for three years—even though all she showed was her back.

But that photo…
was the closest she’d ever been to him in all those years.

And in the years that followed, where they never spoke again, this photo remained the one secret she cherished.

The password?
Her first heartbreakingly beautiful crush.