Southern summers always carried the damp scent of earth in the air.

Skysea University, nestled in Quanjiang, sat at the city’s heart. Distant car horns occasionally pierced the stillness.

These sounds rarely troubled students. Instead, on weary nights, they brought a touch of ease—

a uniquely urban comfort.

For students were often confined to cages.

Quanjiang never lacked rows of silk-cotton trees.

Here, they were called *beautiful ceiba*—far more stunning than ordinary kapoks.

Now in full bloom, fallen blossoms painted the campus poetic.

Beneath one such tree, a tall young man waited anxiously in the midday breeze.

His thick black hair framed a face both refined and gentle, carrying the grace of Jiangnan waters. His height was rare for the south.

Dressed as a girl, he’d surely be called a 90-point beauty.

Fine sweat dotted his brow—he’d waited long.

Yun Mingxin. A student of Skysea University.

A national top-tier institution, second only to Shuimu University in the same city.

By any measure, Yun Mingxin was exceptional.

Yet here he stood, phone in hand, face tight with worry. He kept refreshing his screen.

When campus Wi-Fi lagged, he’d switch to mobile data.

Red notification dots clustered under one contact: *Second Dog*—his closest friend.

But the reply he craved never came.

*It’s just slow internet*, he told himself.

A lie. Even he knew Skysea’s network never faltered.

Head bowed, Yun Mingxin counted seconds.

The scent of damp earth and kapok filled his nose.

Strangely, irritation prickled beneath his skin today.

He waited for his girlfriend.

*If she even was one.*

She’d accepted his confession, yet he’d never seen her joyful.

Not once in a year had she said *I like you*.

Honestly? He was tired.

But he’d loved her for five years. Maybe longer.

How many such years did a life hold?

This feeling—perhaps it was love. Liking came easy; loving was hard.

He’d always been sincere. Careful.

*Ding.*

A message.

Joy flared across his face. Fumbling, he opened it.

Scanned the words:

**「I’m here.」**

Just three characters. Yet warmth flooded his chest.

He lifted his head, searching for *her*.

He found her quickly.

Su Xiaoyue had always been beautiful.

Praised since childhood.

Flawless skin. Perfect features. Ink-black hair, straight and soft as silk.

Legs long and perfectly proportioned.

A girl who seemed stepped from another world.

Her only flaw? Failing her first college entrance exam. She’d retaken it to enter Shuimu.

Yun Mingxin had never seen a woman more beautiful—not even in edited online photos.

In high school, two arrogant boys had claimed her as their destined soulmates.

Their feud sparked a massive brawl.

When the reason surfaced, affected students and parents wept in frustration.

Their grade dean expelled several offenders in fury.

Rumors said her family was wealthy.

Her only other flaw? Her expressionless face.

Most saw only cool detachment.

A snow spirit—breathtaking, yet distant.

Several passersby froze mid-step staring, girls included.

Since middle school, Yun Mingxin had rarely seen her smile—only for two or three female friends.

This impossible woman was his girlfriend.

He wasn’t the handsomest. Nor rich. Yet she’d said yes.

(Though no one had courted her as devotedly.)

“You’re late,” he said gently, no reproach for the hour-long wait, the ignored messages.

This was their one-year anniversary. A day he’d dreamed of for six years.

Su Xiaoyue shook her head lightly.

“Xiao Lu’s hosting a party tonight. I’ll help her all afternoon.”

*Xiao Lu.*

Bitterness coated his tongue.

Lu Wei—another wealthy girl, proud and aloof. Su Xiaoyue’s closest friend.

Not the first time she’d ditched him for her.

Messages to him took half an hour to answer.

*She barely checks her phone.*

To her, he was just a friend. Maybe someone to hold hands with sometimes.

Disappointment crashed over him.

No one knew he’d planned this day since their confession.

Their first year. A special day.

Six years ago today, they’d first met—

beneath a kapok tree. A sight that haunted his life.

He’d spent a month’s manuscript fee on custom fireworks spelling their names.

(He earned barely ten thousand yuan monthly from his novels.)

He’d dreamed of strolling Quanjiang’s lanes, whispering his heart.

He’d dreamed of so much more.

He opened his mouth, looking at his ethereal lover.

Closed it.

Her gentle face hid stubborn will. She’d never yield.

*From the start, I was never her friend’s equal.*

He’d attended one gathering. Not the glittering hall or lavish decor that unsettled him—

but how her friends always pulled her away.

He’d stood there, a familiar stranger.

Su Xiaoyue remained impassive. Not a flicker of concern for his strained face.

“It’s almost time. Is there anything else you need?”

“I’ll leave soon.”

Yun Mingxin shook his head stiffly.

She gave a slight nod, turning with an elegant stride.

Even casual movements became art in her hands.

His chest hollowed. His nose stung. Breathing tightened.

*She never liked me.*

Her acceptance—was it a joke? Repayment for encouraging her through retaking exams?

He’d never mattered as much as her friends.

Her world was beyond his reach.

If there’s no love… why force this?

Letting go would free them both.

Resolve hardened. His mind went blank. He called after her retreating figure:

“Xiaoyue. Let’s break up. This means nothing anymore.”

Su Xiaoyue froze. Turned, puzzled.

She met eyes—resolute, yet shadowed with sorrow.

“Okay.”

No surprise in her answer. Yun Mingxin gave a bitter smile and strode away.

Years ago, she’d accepted him just as simply.

A sliver of hope had flickered. Now it died.

Su Xiaoyue stood still a moment longer. Then walked on.

No one saw the flicker of confusion in her bright eyes.

Her small, porcelain hand pressed lightly against her chest.

*This…*

*Hurts a little.*