Xia Jiuli couldn’t go back.

Faced with this stark truth, Chen Dao suddenly wondered if he should just take her to the police station.

Meanwhile, the snow-pale beauty walked silently toward the stairwell.

She was barely clothed. Had Chen Dao not arrived, she’d have been standing naked on the rooftop, shivering in the cold wind.

“Come to my place first. I’ll find you clothes, get you fed, then take you to the police station—and after that, I’ll—”

Chen Dao hadn’t expected Xia Jiuli to overthink it. But her expression was utterly indifferent.

She pinched her right upper arm with her left hand and murmured faintly,

“No need.”

They say runaway kids always feel anxious. But Xia Jiuli… she didn’t want to return.

Simple reason: no one was home.

Besides, in this life—before her rebirth—her suicide attempt was *still happening*, wasn’t it?

In her past life, her aunt had intervened again. Three strikes and you’re out. Her aunt’s smothering attention made high school feel like living in a cage.

College was dull. The only flicker of fun? Probably picking Chen Dao during that team-building event.

A man shattered after his high school goddess dumped him. No interest in love. Heart sealed shut. For Xia Jiuli? Perfect.

That’s why she never clarified their fake relationship.

It also spared her endless headaches—blind dates, forced gatherings.

To others, though, she became the “icy goddess,” a beauty carved from frost.

Truth was, right now, she should’ve been lying in a bathtub, wrists slit.

But the car crash rebirth dropped her straight into Chen Dao’s world.

If… if this weren’t here, but in Xiangzhou… would she have gone through with it?

She questioned the 27-year-old self inside her.

“Hmm… so where do you plan to stay?”

Chen Dao spotted the faint marks on her neck, followed her hollow gaze to her wrists, and cut in—better to steer her thoughts away.

This girl looked seventeen, but housed a 27-year-old mind. She knew the stakes.

He suddenly recalled her saying she wanted to see the sea.

If things kept unfolding like this… at twenty-seven, she’d lose her grandparents, go see the sea… then end it all.

“Then I’ll go to your place.”

She halted, lifted her head. Expression icy. Eyes vacant. Even more hollow than the future her.

Xia Jiuli was pure self-abandonment. She didn’t care if Chen Dao used her body. Just give her a quiet corner to end it.

When you’re this close to death… who cares about dignity?

Chen Dao’s blood ran cold—*suicide warning*. But he couldn’t ignore it. *If she dies wearing my clothes… I’m the prime suspect!*

“Guess I’d better roll out the red carpet for my honored guest! Oh—and I’ll carry you. Walking barefoot home? Your feet’ll get torn up. Such a shame!”

He joked, hopped down two steps, knelt on one knee, and offered his back.

She froze. Her reddened toes twitched slightly.

*He’s been staring at my feet… Is he really worried about* that*?*

Fine. Better he wants something than owe him guilt-free kindness.

She accepted the ride.

“Thank you…”

She leaned gently against him. Her chest pressed his back—he stiffened. She glanced down, arched back just a little to create space.

This felt like the second time he’d carried her.

Chen Dao flushed. *Not trying to cop a feel!* But her softness, barely muffled by thin fabric, sent an involuntary shudder through him.

Then—*money*. His original goal.

Snap back.

*With cash, you live freely. Without it? Beg for torrents and watch others have fun.*

Yeah. Money matters.

No more talking. He carried her downstairs, deliberately circling the infirmary on the first floor.

But as they reached the lobby, a crowd had gathered by the main entrance.

“What? Chen Dao snatched the milk tea after getting rejected?” boomed a rough voice.

“Flips out after rejection? So petty! Qiaoqiao, I *told* you he wasn’t worth it!” sneered a sharp female voice.

Chen Dao kept walking slowly. Two guys, two girls surrounded Bai Qiaoqiao. He didn’t recognize a single name besides hers.

He could only stand there awkwardly as all ten eyes locked onto Xia Jiuli—simply dressed, yet undeniably striking—on his back.

Xia Jiuli blinked. *A welcome party?* She recalled Chen Dao’s earlier words… and actually meant it? A faint, dry smile touched her lips.

“When did you arrange this welcome committee? How… thoughtful.”