“When I was ten, I couldn’t stand my parents’ neglect anymore and decided to revolt one day.”

“Revolt?”

“I wanted them to buy me a Leica single-lens reflex camera, or I’d report them for child abuse.” He turned his head and grinned mischievously at her, revealing a set of attractive white teeth.

She couldn’t help but smile back. “You sound like a really difficult kid.”

“Is that so?” He shrugged nonchalantly. “My dad said I was smart and knew how to take advantage of the social welfare system.”

She chuckled. How can such a father-son pair be so precious?

“Did they buy it for you?”

“Of course! It was my Christmas gift that year.”

“Playing with a Leica single-lens reflex camera at ten, no wonder you became a photographer.”

“This is just a hobby.” He glanced at her again. “What about you? Do you like photography?”

“Yes,” she nodded. “I was in the photography club in high school, but my skills weren’t that great.”

“Then, would you like to give it a try?”

“Try what?”

“I heard there’s a place with great night views of the 101 building. Want to go with me to take some photos?” He enthusiastically suggested. “I’ll teach you.”

“Now?” She hesitated.

“Choosing a day is not as good as doing it today. Let’s go now.” He paused. “Or are you tired? Do you want to go back to sleep?”

“Not really.” She sighed. Anyway, when she got home, she’d probably be unable to sleep, thinking about the man she cared about the most. It would be better to indulge a little and stay out for the night!

“Okay, I’ll go with you.”

As Jiang Yuyan earnestly tried to capture the most beautiful view of the 101 building at night under the guidance of a professional photographer, Jing Rui pushed open her front door and stepped into the dimly lit room.

She wasn’t home. Just from the first glance, he knew she hadn’t returned yet. The room lacked her scent; it was too quiet and lonely. Where did she go with that man? He took out his phone, dialed her number, but the monotonous ringing continued without any response.

Irritated, he tossed his phone aside and leaned back against the sofa, the back of his head resting on the armrest, gazing askew at the crescent moon breaking the sky outside.

His eyelids felt heavy, his mouth ached, and his heart was cold.

Should he wait for her? he thought aimlessly.

Long ago, on the night he realized he could never wait for his parents to return, he vowed never to wait for anyone again; he hated that feeling.

But tonight, he found himself waiting for her absentmindedly, letting time grind away his reason, patience, and even his heart like a heavy millstone.

He didn’t know how long had passed when the distant sky gradually revealed a hint of dawn, and finally, a series of jingling keys sounded from the entrance, followed by a light footstep.

“Rui?” Upon seeing him, she seemed taken aback. “What are you doing here?”

“Where have you been?” he asked coldly, struggling to suppress the anger boiling in his chest. “Why didn’t you answer your phone?”

“Phone?” Jiang Yuyan dug out her phone from her bag and realized she had missed his call. “I guess I didn’t hear it ring. Someone took me to shoot at the 101.”

“Was it that Deng Yuanhong?”

“Yeah, he turned out to be a professional photographer, working in New York all this time. He just came back to Taiwan to visit.”

“Really?” He snorted lightly. “You’ve only known him for a few hours, and you’re already so familiar with him that you went to take photos together?”

“He knew I liked photography, so he said he’d teach me. I think he’s pretty nice, and since I was bored, I thought it wouldn’t hurt to go along and take a look.” She explained a bit awkwardly.

He caught on and closed his eyes with a cold smile. “You don’t have to explain so much to me; I have no intention of interfering with whom you date, just be careful not to get taken advantage of.”

“I know,” Jiang Yuyan murmured sadly as she walked towards him. “What about you? How did you end up here?” Recognizing his bruised face, she panicked. “What happened? Did you get into a fight?”

“I ran into Guo Yaochang when I was sending Hu Liying home.”

“Your cousin?” She knelt beside the sofa, anxiously staring at him.

“He was drunk, waiting outside Hu’s house to vent on his girlfriend. When he saw me sending her home, he completely lost it.”

“So he took it out on you?” Jiang Yuyan bit her lip, feeling heartbroken.

He nodded. “I didn’t fight back.”

“Why?” She couldn’t believe it. In the past, when his cousin bullied him, he never backed down, but this time, one-on-one, he didn’t fight back?

“Because Hu Liying was right beside me. I wanted her to see what a tasteless and scoundrel man she was dating.”

He spoke casually, but she knew that at that moment, forcing himself to take the beating must have hurt him deeply. Perhaps his mind was even hazily returning to the past, to the painful and resentful memories…

“You don’t need to pity me,” he seemed to see through her sympathy. “Those punches I took weren’t in vain. Not only was Hu Liying furious, but she later even had her grandfather come out to mediate.”

“You mean President Hu?” She was shocked.

“That old man said he appreciated my demeanor.” Jing Rui smirked sarcastically. “He even warned his granddaughter never to associate with the Guo family’s good-for-nothing son again.”

A complete victory.

This time, in his confrontation with his cousin, he achieved a complete victory, not only successfully changing the beauty’s impression of him but also gaining a new perspective from President Hu. “That’s why I came to find you.” He locked eyes with her, his gaze flickering with a gloomy fire. “I want to share all of this with you.” Unfortunately, she wasn’t there.

She understood the implication behind his words and knew he was angry with her. Although he hadn’t said anything overtly, he was clearly displeased with her going out late at night with another man.

“Your eyes are swollen. Let me get you some ice to put on them,” she suggested softly, trying to ease the tense atmosphere.

“No need,” he rejected her offer.

“How can you say that? You need to reduce the swelling! Otherwise, you won’t be able to see.”

As she attempted to get up, he suddenly reached out, gripping her wrist and pulling her into his embrace.

“Does my face look that terrible?” he asked gently, a dangerous undertone seeping into her heart…

She couldn’t see anything, floating in a near-death state.

She knew that in this lifetime, only he could lead her to this terrifying cliff between life and death, and she was still willing to jump down.