"Is it raining again today?" Su Xiaoyue opened her umbrella, closed the door behind her, and began walking slowly toward school.

Summer always brought frequent rain. The pattering sound against her umbrella settled her mind. She loved these slow walks in the rain—they brought her peace, a different kind of calm.

Back then, she’d let the rain soak her hair completely.

Because she was lazy.

She remembered: after they started dating, she’d stopped taking the family car. She’d walked with him instead. She’d always wait until the rain made her deeply uncomfortable before opening her umbrella. Then, when she’d glance at her boyfriend with zero remorse, he’d gently shield her under his large umbrella.

*"Silly girl,"* he’d always say. *"Soaking yourself like this—do you think you’re made of steel?"*

Now that he was gone… had she only learned to open her umbrella *before* getting soaked?

When had she first met Yun Mingxin?

Su Xiaoyue had a razor-sharp memory and exceptional IQ. She’d only missed acing the college entrance exam due to minor setbacks. Now at Shuimu University, she ranked first. Recalling that first meeting was effortless.

It had rained that day too. Eighth grade. Some underperforming city kids liked bullying top students who seemed plain. Yun Mingxin fit that description—he’d never dropped out of the top ten. Three burly boys, one already facing expulsion (a rare feat under compulsory education), decided to beat him after school.

But scrawny Yun Mingxin was fiercely stubborn. He fought back with sheer grit, leaving their ringleader bloodied and bruised. All three fled, though Yun Mingxin was injured too. What struck her was how, once alone, this stubborn boy clutched his wounds and yelped in pain. She’d found it hilarious.

That was the first time in her life she’d felt such intense emotion. She helped him without hesitation.

Later, when he confessed, she accepted instantly. She simply hadn’t wanted to refuse him.

Su Xiaoyue pulled out her phone, opening a familiar webpage—Zhihu. She’d posted a paid question there:

*How should I treat my boyfriend?*

The top answer: *Cherish him like family. Treat him as true family.*

It had gained many upvotes. She’d followed it.

Yet they’d still broken up.

Silently, she marked that answer as "unqualified."

She was confused. She *had* treated Yun Mingxin like family.

She still didn’t understand these things.

*Ding~*

A message from Lu Wei: *Comfort party at my place? Spill the details.*

Might as well go.

Su Xiaoyue’s delicate fingers tightened around the umbrella handle. She glanced at it.

*Back then… I never needed an umbrella. Nostalgia—what even is that feeling?*

"Oops!"

A sudden impact jolted her thoughts.

She looked up. A stunning girl with snow-white hair stood before her.

"Ugh, clumsy me!" Bai Ziyi rubbed her head where she’d bumped the umbrella. When she saw Su Xiaoyue’s face, she froze.

*So beautiful… though I’m not far behind.*

Bai Ziyi felt a flicker of pride. In her past life, Yun Mingxin had adored her twin white ponytails—how he’d tug them playfully, then…

*His favorite.*

*Right!* Today was their first meeting! Lingering here could make her miss him. But she couldn’t just run off.

Bai Ziyi bowed deeply. "Sorry! I was in a hurry. Are you hurt? Should we go to the hospital?"

Su Xiaoyue shook her head slightly.

Seeing her reluctance to talk—and since Bai Ziyi herself was mostly unharmed—she didn’t press further. She wasn’t chatty with strangers anyway. The rain was easing. After another quick apology, she dashed away. Glancing back, she saw the girl walking off as if nothing happened.

*Weirdo.*

*Whatever. Besides my husband, why should I care about anyone else?*

Bai Ziyi’s health had been frail, but since her past-life memories awakened, her body grew stronger daily. She didn’t know why. At least now she felt… normal.

Reaching Yun Mingxin’s usual route, she frantically opened *Arknights* on her phone. Setting Suzuran as her home screen wallpaper, she exhaled.

A shadow sprinted from a side street.

Bai Ziyi’s lips curved.

*There he is. My Yun Mingxin.*

Dark circles shadowed Yun Mingxin’s eyes. He radiated irritation.

"Tch. Damn guys dragging me to shoot guns all night—I overslept because of you!"

Muttering, he neared his usual crossroads and prepared to sprint.

A white blur appeared.

"What the f—"

He crashed into her.

Softness seeped through his clothes, straight to his brain.

*My god. Am I hugging a cloud? No… softer.*

The thought vanished as he landed hard on his butt, still holding her.

"You okay?"

They spoke in unison.

Yun Mingxin spotted a fallen phone. He picked it up—and froze at the screen.

"Suzuran as your home screen? Nice taste."

"Eh? You’re a Doctor too?"

Her voice was honey to his ears. He finally focused on her face.

*Whoa. She’s gorgeous. And real white hair?*

If dyed, he’d spot roots up close. But there were none.

Flustered, he released her. "S-sorry! That was rude. Are you hurt?"

"I’m fine."

"Your phone’s okay, but this was my fault—I ran too fast. It’s a bit scratched… Want me to get it fixed?"

"No need." Bai Ziyi tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her innocent smile blooming. "If you’re decent at the game… how about adding me as a friend? Teach me to clear stages? This game’s giving me a headache."

Yun Mingxin’s heart hammered.

The drizzle felt nice.

This was their first meeting in this life.