Xia Tian began to sense something was off.

Since that time Lu Manman mentioned her mother secretly observing her and Zhou Yan walking hand in hand, Xia Tian and Zhou Yan had scarcely met again. Though they still kept in touch through phone calls and messages, it was clear that the initial excitement was fading.

Zhou Yan rarely contacted her first. Of course, she understood that he was busy with his music during the day and performing at bars at night.

Xia Tian was even busier, preparing for final exams.

Occasionally, in their WeChat chats, Zhou Yan’s messages seemed… more perfunctory and distant compared to the flirtatious and sweet words they exchanged during their initial romance.

Even though Xia Tian was typically thick-skinned, her natural female instincts made her uneasy.

This wasn’t a good sign.

On the night before New Year’s Eve, she went to the bar to find Zhou Yan.

She was made up and dressed in a cotton mini skirt and high heels, even though it was several degrees below zero. Before she started dating Zhou Yan, she used to wear three pairs of thermal leggings.

As Xia Tian walked into the brightly lit bar, the indoor heating was set high. The DJ was pumping out energetic beats, and people were dancing passionately. The vibrant atmosphere inside was in stark contrast to the icy, harsh winter outside.

Zhou Yan, in a tipsy state between drunk and sober, was sitting in a VIP area with a group of stylish fans, drinking and socializing.

They were taking photos, recording videos for TikTok, and laughing.

Xia Tian finally managed to squeeze her way in, tugging at his sleeve. Zhou Yan looked back at her, casually putting his arm around her shoulders and addressing the group, “Sorry, got something to take care of.”

“Zhou Ge, who’s this?”

“My sister.”

“Wow, so many sisters!”

“Get lost.”

He led Xia Tian out of the noisy bar lounge and into a quieter corridor.

As Xia Tian was about to ask why he introduced her as his sister, Zhou Yan spoke up first, “Your mother came looking for me.”

He got straight to the point. Xia Tian’s eyes widened in disbelief. Her mother had actually bypassed her to find Zhou Yan!

Zhou Yan’s eyes were glazed over from the alcohol, but his expression was sincere, even if his words were slurred.

“I told her to get lost, to go as far away as she could. I can’t stand people like her, with money and power, thinking they can bully me. Who does she think she is?”

He continued, frustration laced with his drunkenness. “She had the company tear up the contract and sabotage my gigs. They say she’s a big shot who can’t be messed with. She’s trying to ruin my career!”

Xia Tian’s eyes were brimming with tears, her heart heavy with guilt. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know she would do something like this. I’ll talk to her, I promise she won’t cause trouble anymore!”

Zhou Yan’s hand gently gripped the back of her head, pulling her closer. His breath mingled with hers, creating a tender yet intense atmosphere.

“Honestly,” he murmured, his voice soft and almost affectionate, “I really do like you. You remind me of high school love—innocent and pure. If you’re going abroad, I’ll wait for you.”

His words, though hazy from alcohol, carried a sincere emotion, adding a layer of complexity to their relationship.

Zhou Yan’s words hung heavy in the air, the cigarette smoke swirling around them. His expression was a mix of frustration and regret, and Xia Tian’s heart ached as she saw the weight of the situation pressing down on him.

“You don’t need to rush things with me, Zhou Yan. I understand,” she said softly, her voice trembling. “But it’s hard to deal with everything right now.”

Zhou Yan’s eyes softened, and he took another drag of his cigarette, seemingly lost in thought. “I’m not rushing you, but you have to know where we stand. If this is too much, if you need time, just tell me.”

Xia Tian nodded, tears threatening to fall. “I need to talk to my mom. She needs to understand that this isn’t just about her. It’s about us, too.”

Zhou Yan’s gaze was intense but gentle, his drunkenness momentarily forgotten in the seriousness of the conversation. “Do what you need to do. I’ll be here, waiting. I just hope… I just hope we can figure this out.”

He put out his cigarette and reached out to hold her hand, a gesture that seemed to bridge the gap between their worlds. Despite the tension, there was an unspoken understanding between them—a shared desire to make things work, even if the road ahead was uncertain.

Xia Tian squeezed his hand gently, a tear finally escaping down her cheek. “Thank you for understanding.”

They stood there for a moment, the noise of the bar fading into the background, each lost in their own thoughts but connected in their shared vulnerability.

Xia Tian ran down the dimly lit corridor, her footsteps echoing against the walls. Her heart raced as she desperately tried to catch up with Zhou Yan. The cold night air cut through her as she stumbled, but she didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was reaching him before he disappeared completely.

“Zhou Yan, wait!” she called out, her voice trembling.

Zhou Yan finally stopped, his back still turned to her. He leaned against the wall, looking out into the night, the cigarette smoke swirling around him. Xia Tian caught up, breathless and tearful, her hands clutching at her jacket to keep warm.

“I’m sorry,” she said, her voice cracking. “I didn’t mean to make things more complicated. I just… I just needed you to know how I feel.”

Zhou Yan slowly turned around, his expression softening as he saw her distress. “Xia Tian, I didn’t want to make you cry. I just… I need to be sure that we’re on the same page. I don’t want to be the cause of your unhappiness.”

Xia Tian took a step closer, her eyes pleading. “I understand. I really do. I’m willing to work through this, but I need you to believe in us. Believe that we can overcome these obstacles together.”

For a moment, Zhou Yan looked uncertain, but then he sighed and nodded. “Okay. I’ll believe in us. But we have to be realistic about our situation. It won’t be easy, but if you’re committed, so am I.”

Xia Tian wiped away her tears, trying to steady her voice. “I am committed. I want to be with you, no matter what it takes.”

Zhou Yan reached out and took her hand, his touch warm and reassuring. “Then let’s face this together. We’ll figure it out.”

They stood there in the quiet night, hand in hand, the challenges ahead seeming a little less daunting with their mutual determination.

…

Half an hour later, the two of them appeared in front of a hotel.

“Do you have… have that?”

Xia Tian still knew a lot about physiology and understood how to protect herself.

Zhou Yan, pulling her toward the hotel, casually said, “It’s fine, we don’t need it.”

Xia Tian didn’t move.

Seeing her reluctance, Zhou Yan further explained, “It’s not so easy to hit the mark once or twice. If you’re really worried, we can take a pill tomorrow.”

This remark caught the attention of a certain teddy bear on the street.

Ren Xiang was buying cigarettes at a convenience store. Hearing this, he thought, if this is the kind of trashy talk he can say, then that girl must be blind.

He turned to look at the two of them.

The girl was fidgeting, her face red, biting her lip and refusing to move, while the man was pulling her.

Where had he seen her before?

Oh, that’s right. She’s the roommate of Lu Manman, the smart and sweet girl who can calculate the prices of all skincare products just by mental arithmetic.

He remembered her quite well.

He stopped in his tracks.

So this Xia Tian girl was actually going into the hotel with that guy. It was quite straightforward of her to let herself be lured in like that.

Should he remind them? Even if young people are open-minded, it’s crucial to have the necessary protective measures. Not just from a health perspective, but for safety as well!

“Hey.”

“Xia Tian, right?”

Xia Tian turned around to see Ren Xiang leaning against the wall in the shadows, dressed in a brightly colored casual down jacket. Despite the flashy outfit, his good looks were still on point, and his smile was very sunny.

“Who are you?” Zhou Yan asked impatiently. “Is there something you need?”

Xia Tian quickly added, “He, he’s my friend.”

To be precise, he was a friend of a friend of a friend… a relationship separated by countless layers.

Ren Xiang, accustomed to speaking candidly, said, “Buddy, don’t try to deceive the young girl. Seriously, she’s innocent and pure; you shouldn’t be giving her any trouble.”

As soon as these words were out, Zhou Yan exploded.

“Are you trying to die or something?!”

He lunged at Ren Xiang, grabbing his collar and starting a fight. However, Zhou Yan was no match for Ren Xiang. Anyone involved in real combat sports would have some skill, and fighting and grappling were basic skills.

Ren Xiang quickly had Zhou Yan pinned to the ground.

Xia Tian was terrified and panicked. Her monotonous academic life had never prepared her for such an intense scene, and she was shaking with fear.

“Stop, stop fighting!”

Ren Xiang released Zhou Yan, breathing heavily.

“Buddy, it’s not that I want to ruin your plans. It’s just that your behavior and what you said were pretty low. Although I’m known as a notorious playboy in the competitive scene, even I’m ashamed compared to you. You look like you’re into the arts. If you don’t plan on taking responsibility, then don’t get the girl into trouble.”

Having been thoroughly beaten by Ren Xiang, Zhou Yan was clearly disinterested now. Seeing Xia Tian, who was pale and shrinking behind him, looking so pitiful, only added to his sense of disinterest.

Zhou Yan shook his head, silently cursing, and turned to leave.

Xia Tian wanted to follow him but was stopped by Ren Xiang. “Girl, you have a big heart, going out with a guy like that…”

“He’s my boyfriend.”

“Uh, then maybe I overstepped,” Ren Xiang shrugged. “Sorry, seeing him in such a hurry, I thought it was your first time. If you’ve been together before and are sure he’s clean, that’s fine, but remember to take the post-exposure medication.”

Xia Tian’s face turned as red as a cherry, and she bit her lip without saying a word.

“Also, don’t take the medication too often; it can affect a girl’s health. The best protection is to use condoms. If the guy isn’t willing, you need to stand your ground. It’s a principle and a bottom line, understand?”

“Hey, hey, don’t cry, little sister. Did I say something wrong?”

Xia Tian crouched down, starting to sob and wipe her tears. Ren Xiang, unsure of what to do, also crouched down and gently patted her back. “I might have interfered too much. How about this—I’ll go and bring him back, okay? Don’t cry, I can’t stand seeing a girl cry like this.”

He started to get up, but Xia Tian clung to his sleeve. “Don’t, don’t go after him.”

Ren Xiang looked back, noticing that the hotel front desk staff were watching them curiously.

“Do you want me to call Lu Manman?”

“No, no need. They must have already gone to sleep.”

Xia Tian, sniffling, stood up, wiping her tears away with the sleeve of her white down jacket. “It’s fine, I was too impulsive just now. Luckily…”

Ren Xiang looked at her reddened eyes with pity and said softly, “Yes, young people often can’t control themselves, it’s normal.”

Xia Tian wanted to explain that it wasn’t about that, but seeing Ren Xiang going on about physiological knowledge, she decided to remain silent.

“Always use protection, it’s for your own good. But if you’re really a couple, forget what I said. Just remember to protect yourself. Girls often have to take some hits.”

Ren Xiang led Xia Tian out of the hotel. The night had grown late, with cars occasionally speeding by and biting cold wind whipping through the streets.

Xia Tian pulled the hood of her down jacket over her head and walked slowly, feeling down.

“My car is up ahead. I’ll give you a ride back to school.”

Xia Tian muttered, “The dormitory is already closed now.”

Ren Xiang stood in front of his BMW 520, pressing the key fob to light up the car’s headlights.

“I heard from Lu Manman that you’re from the capital. I can take you home.”

Thinking about what Zhou Yan had said about his mother’s actions, Xia Tian shook her head repeatedly and said firmly, “I’m not going back!”

“Hmm?”

Xia Tian looked down, thought for a moment, and said, “I want to go to the riverbank.”

Ren Xiang lowered his gaze and smiled slightly. “Just kidding. On such a cold day, aren’t you afraid of catching a cold from the wind at the riverbank?”

“Thank you for today, but I’ll go on my own. You should go home,” she said, turning to leave.

Ren Xiang watched her walk along the street alone, unable to shake his concern.

The wind at the riverbank wasn’t just a chill; it was a biting gust, cutting into the face like a blade.

Wild grasses and weeds swayed violently in the gale. Xia Tian stuffed her hands in her pockets and hunched her shoulders as she stood by the riverbank.

Next to her, Ren Xiang, holding a cigarette, tried to light it with a lighter but struggled due to the strong wind.

“Ahhhhh!”

The sudden scream startled Ren Xiang, causing him to drop the lighter.

He looked up to see Xia Tian shouting at the shimmering river with all her might.

“Ahhhhhhh!”

“Ahhhhhhhhhh!”

The girl, who usually appeared gentle and soft-spoken, was now unleashing an impressive amount of energy.

A cruise ship slowly passed by on the river, and Xia Tian picked up a small stone from the ground and threw it into the water.

“Ahhh, I hate it! I hate it, hate it!”

Ren Xiang, shivering in the cold, walked over to her, furrowing his brows and squinting at the vast river.

“Hey, little cutie, let me show you how to vent your feelings.”

He cupped his hands into a megaphone shape and shouted across the river, “I hate waking up at six in the morning for training. It’s so cold!”

“Yuan Xiu, do you know how annoying you are? I hate it when you randomly throw my stuff around! Just because you’re the captain doesn’t make you so great!”

He turned to Xia Tian and said, “Give it a try.”

Xia Tian bit her lower lip and, with a delicate voice, shouted towards the lake, “I hate waking up at six in the morning to memorize vocabulary. It’s so cold!”

Ren Xiang smiled, “It really is cold, isn’t it?”

“I don’t like studying. I don’t want to be a top student. I hate exams the most—NCRE, advanced CCIE, Oracle, so many certificates, yet I don’t enjoy any of it, and I’m not happy at all! Ms. Fang Chengshu, do you know how much I hate English? Harvard might be your expectation of me, but did you ever ask if I wanted it?”

Ren Xiang looked at her. She was flushed with excitement, her face painted with makeup—foundation applied, eye lines sharply defined. She must have just started learning how to do makeup.

Still just a little girl.

He then shouted again towards the center of the lake, “I want to win the world championship in competitive fighting. I want to be the strongest support in the world!”

Xia Tian, astonished for a moment, followed suit and shouted towards the lake, “I want to do the things I love, without being restricted. I want freedom. I want to do everything I haven’t done or dared to do before!”

Ren Xiang smiled and said, “Doesn’t it feel a lot better?”

Xia Tian, breathing heavily, nodded vigorously, “It feels so liberating!”

“That’s the idea. Shout out all the unhappiness, throw it all into the lake. Tomorrow will be a new day.”

“Mm!”

He patted her on the back and said, “Let’s go. I’ll take you back; otherwise, you’ll catch a cold for sure.”

At the curb, Ren Xiang opened the car door for her to get in.

The night was moonless, with the darkness deep and dense.

Xia Tian leaned against the window of the passenger seat, feeling increasingly drowsy. Ren Xiang tuned the radio to a softer channel.

The lullaby melodies were soothing and sleep-inducing.

“Thank you, Brother Ren Xiang,” she murmured softly with her eyes closed.

Ren Xiang was taken aback. “You remember my name?”

“I won’t forget what I’ve heard.”

A gentle smile lifted the corners of his mouth. He glanced at her, and the swiftly moving streetlights cast a fleeting, dappled glow on her face.

Her eyes were closed, her lashes fluttering lightly, and her words sounded like a dream.

For some reason, Ren Xiang felt an unprecedented sense of calm and peace in his heart, like particles suspended in sunlight settling into place in a moment of stillness.