Xia Fu’s remote hometown doesn’t have direct train access. Every time she goes back, she has to go to the city’s bus terminal, take a short-distance coach, then transfer to a local bus to finally reach her home.

Unlike the civilized and orderly high-speed rail station in S City, the bus terminal is a mess, with passengers crowding around chaotically. Seat numbers on the tickets are meaningless; the announcement of “begin boarding” is like a starting gun for a chaotic dash. Where you sit all depends on your skill — who can spot the bus first in the parking lot, who can drag their luggage the fastest, and who can shamelessly shove others aside to get in line?

Just as Xia Fu was about to step onto the bus, a thin man suddenly appeared, angled his shoulder, and shoved into her as nimbly as a monkey in the zoo.

Caught at the entrance and unable to dodge, Xia Fu clung to the handrail and took the hit squarely. She hadn’t even had time to scold him before she heard the man yelp, “Ow! Why does your jacket have spikes?”

She was wearing the tight-fitting magenta dress she’d planned for, but over it was a baggy white denim jacket with flashy jingling accessories and dramatic graffiti designs spreading from the back to the sleeves. To create a splatter effect, a few metal studs were added throughout the design. These shiny “spikes” were what had poked the man.

Xia Fu rubbed her sore arm, wiping off some sweat as she frowned. “You were the one who bumped into me. I’m not the one complaining here.”

“All prickly, aren’t you? You’re sweating a lot. If you’re feeling unwell, I’d happily give up the spot for you.”

The studded spikes were blunt, like the nodules on a reflexology sandal, so anyone who felt pain deserved it for clumsiness. It was clear the man was in the wrong.

In this small town, her trendy outfit came off as strange and rebellious. This sharp, bold look was a kind of protection; loud, unconventional, and unruly. After she politely yet mockingly questioned the man’s health, he looked her over with a retreating glint in his eye.

“Who needs you to let me? Ridiculous.”

The man grumbled as he moved back to the spot behind her, only to be shoved by an impatient passenger who said, “Hey, I’m still in line! Go to the back.”

“Tch.” The man cursed under his breath and moved further down.

After the commotion, Xia Fu finally got on the bus. No one wanted to be “pricked,” so passengers glanced at her and moved on, leaving an empty seat next to her. Finally, a young girl hesitantly shuffled over and plopped down, carrying a stuffed backpack on her shoulders that pressed into her tightly. She was so small that she couldn’t hoist her bag onto the overhead rack, so she clutched it to her chest like a hen sitting on an egg, curled up pitifully.

Looking at this unfamiliar face, Xia Fu saw herself in the past: embarrassed, reserved, and too shy to ask for help.

They still had a long way to go, and she knew that sitting cramped like that would make her legs go numb. Xia Fu gently tapped the girl on the shoulder.

“Let me help you put your bag up there.”

Ever since she started working out at the gym, she’d been able to handle this kind of task with ease. She held the bag firmly and, with smooth movements, placed it in the overhead rack.

The girl looked at her, stunned, surprised that such a “hot girl” was so warm-hearted. “Thank you… Your jacket is so cool, those wings are awesome!”

“Thanks. My boyfriend picked it for me.”

Of course, this jacket wasn’t from Xia Fu’s personal collection.

When packing, Fang Jingcheng had pulled this denim jacket from his closet. With a proud smile, he draped it over her shoulders and pushed his frowning girlfriend gently in front of the mirror.

“Isn’t this pairing much better? It’s from an independent domestic designer, part of their autumn collection, but perfect for chilly train rides. Plus, if you get cold, it’s cozy enough to wrap around you.”

Fulfilling her childhood dream of being a princess, Xia Fu usually preferred elegant, girly dresses. She was tired of her brother’s hand-me-downs, and it had never occurred to her that a men’s jacket from Fang Jingcheng would fit her so well.

Could it be that the difference lay between something carelessly given and something thoughtfully chosen?

As she pondered, Fang Jingcheng leaned down and kissed her cheek, holding her wrist to show off the little embroidered details on the sleeve.

“I really like these wings. Look here—there’s an ‘F’ embroidered on the sleeve, standing for ‘Fly,’ but it could also stand for Fang as well as Fu.”

“And I even got a matching black one for myself so we can have a couple’s set. Isn’t it like we’re lovebirds?”

He spoke sweetly, and even if she suspected he was just being charming, Xia Fu couldn’t help but feel delighted. She found his attempt to leave his “mark” on her choice of clothing oddly endearing.

Almost as if they were truly connected, Xia Fu had just mentioned her boyfriend when a message notification popped up on her phone.

“Are you on the bus yet?”

While they were inseparable on campus, only after being apart did Xia Fu realize how clingy Fang Jingcheng could be. Ever since he learned about her complex travel route, he’d been messaging her every ten minutes with stickers, worried she might be abducted.

“Yes, on the coach now. I just ran into an annoying guy who tried to cut in line.”

She relayed the incident.

“Didn’t expect this jacket to double as self-defense gear.”

“What a jerk. If I were there, I’d just rent a car so you wouldn’t have to squeeze with everyone else.”

Fang Jingcheng had just gotten off the high-speed train and was already checking for the largest car rental in her county, intending to show up at her doorstep unannounced. Though he’d covered his full-arm tattoos with a black denim jacket, his silver hair was still eye-catching, so he planned to buy a cap to keep from being recognized by Xia Fu.

Walking quickly to avoid a stranger snapping a picture of him, he lowered his gaze to Xia Fu’s reply: “I’m fine, I’ve been working out and handled it. Now chatting with a girl I just met.” She seemed to be in a good mood.

Thinking of how he’d soon be in her hometown and might even sneak into her school to admire her awards in the honor display, Fang Jingcheng smiled and sent a starry-eyed cat sticker.

“Wow—sister’s so cool.”

Spoiled and dramatic, he always made silly remarks.

Knowing she disliked the mention of “little brother,” he tried to twist the word by playfully calling himself a “different kind of brother.” Xia Fu’s cheeks burned as she imagined his playful tone and light touch.

“Honestly, you’re…”

She sat with her “magnificent wings,” chatting casually with him as she traced the embroidered “F” on the sleeve, feeling as if she could still sense his warm touch and the faint scent of his cologne.

This wasn’t an outfit she would typically wear, nor something she’d usually do.

Since being with him, had she really changed?

What would her family think of this “new” daughter?

At the exit, she heard her brother’s loud voice calling her name.

“Hey! Xia Fu!”

Xia Changqing strode over, scanning his transformed sister in surprise. “Whoa, what’s up with this outfit? I almost didn’t recognize you.”

He prided himself on his fashion sense and spent his time browsing popular fashion accounts for trends. Although he hadn’t seen this jacket before, he could tell it was a quality piece. His eyes were glued to her vibrant “wings.”

Xia Fu straightened proudly. “Didn’t you say I couldn’t dress well? A friend helped me buy this jacket. It’s from a foreign brand. Looks good, right?”

Seeing her satisfaction, Xia Changqing smirked. “It’s alright, kind of cool, but nothing extraordinary… I’ve never heard of that brand, though. You didn’t get ripped off, did you?”

“And you don’t suit this style. It’d look better on me. A girl wearing a guy’s jacket looks kinda silly, to be honest. Why not let me take you shopping for a new one?”

Though he clearly liked the jacket, he chose that moment to put her down, turning the conversation back to himself.

Xia Fu’s expression darkened. She hugged the jacket tightly and refused, “No, I like this one.”

Xia Changqing shrugged, grabbed her luggage, and clicked his car’s key fob. “How about this ride? My boss lent it to me. Cool, right?”

In the small town, a large SUV was rare, and the luxurious seven-seater was quite the status symbol. But compared to Fang Jingcheng’s car, the swaying peachwood pendant and row of Buddha statues inside this one made it feel dated to Xia Fu.

“It’s alright. There are lots like it in S City.”

He snorted, dismissing her, “You’ve seen them, sure, but did anyone ever let you ride in one?”

This time, Xia Fu didn’t respond. Her silent protest finally drew his attention, and he glanced at her in the rearview mirror.

“What? Upset I said your clothes look bad? I’m just being honest. Wait till you show Mom and get scolded the minute you’re home.”

The closer they got to home, the narrower the roads became. Familiar sights filled Xia Fu with a heavy feeling. Once her brother left to park, she quickly walked in with her gifts, beaming as she handed them to her mom, Zhang Mei.

“Oh, look who actually remembered to bring gifts home.”

Her mother’s voice was flat, without a trace of joy. And as she noticed her daughter’s attire, she scowled deeply.

“But what on earth are you wearing? That big jacket practically covers your entire back! A girl dressed like that looks sloppy. Why not just give it to your brother?”

Brother, always brother.

“Mom, my friend helped me pick this out. It’s warm on the train.”

The constant criticism finally made Xia Fu snap a little. “Why give it to Changqing? Doesn’t he have enough clothes?”

Her mother shot her a stern look. “What? Now you’re so grown-up that you’re competing with your brother? He works hard to buy you a dress, but you can’t share a secondhand jacket? You’re an older sister, aren’t you?”

“So that’s what you call maturity? Getting awards has gone to your head? You can only be humbled at home, it seems.”

The “bold makeover” that could impress strangers couldn’t fool her family. She seemed to have been cast in the “sister” role since birth, unable to make even the slightest change. This delayed rebellion had only earned her a swift reprimand.

Xia Fu watched as her “wings” were stripped from her by her mother and placed on her brother. Changqing accepted without a word, though he couldn’t hide the pride in his smile as he tried it on in front of the mirror.

This was why she clung to her princessy outfits. Her brother found girlish items laughable, so those pretty pink things were all she could truly keep.

And the gifts she’d brought were bought with Fang Jingcheng’s money, meant to be handed over anyway. She’d learned to compromise all these years, but this jacket was different; it was a gift from Fang Jingcheng, her jacket.

For the first time, Xia Fu had the urge to refuse.