"Xiao Fengfeng probably hasn’t used this old QQ account in ages… I really wish I could see him again!"

Qin Bingbing gazed at the faded photo in her hands, a faint smile gracing her lips.

She rarely spoke to outsiders. Besides gaming, her only comfort was quietly staring at childhood photos of herself and Xiao Fengfeng.

In Xiao Feng’s room—

Xiao Feng had gamed all afternoon, leaving his phone untouched on the living room coffee table.

When he finally checked it and saw nearly twenty missed WeChat calls, his head spun.

Every single one was from Situ Changxi, ringing in at steady intervals.

He let out a wry chuckle and called her back.

The call connected in under three seconds.

"Changxi, is something urgent? Why so many calls?"

"No… I just wanted to ask—did you finish your college applications? Where did you apply?"

Xiao Feng scratched his head. After a pause, he chose to lie.

"I didn’t get into any first-choice schools. Guess I’ll be studying out of town."

Changxi’s voice instantly dropped from hopeful to dejected.

"Then… should I ask my dad…"

"No need, Changxi. Seriously, don’t trouble yourself. We’re friends—we’ll keep in touch during breaks. No big deal!"

He cut her off gently. He knew his place. Tying himself to a girl like her? Not wise.

Xiao Feng’s strength was self-awareness. He knew exactly who he was—no delusions, no chasing mirages.

But that didn’t mean he lacked drive. To stand beside someone like Situ Changxi? His path was still long. Very long.

"But… that means we can’t… go to school together!"

Hearing the quiet plea in her voice, Xiao Feng’s chest tightened. Part of him wanted to tell her the truth.

Maybe deep down, he still hoped they’d end up on the same campus. But reason held him back.

If he confessed, he feared he’d fall for her—this graceful, kind-hearted girl.

And then what? Offer her what? Status? Wealth? Power?

He had nothing. Why dream?

"It’s okay, Changxi. We’ll hang out during holidays!"

(Truth was, he figured once she met the right guy, this fragile thread between them would quietly snap.)

"Mm…"

In Situ Changxi’s room—

A sharp ache bloomed in her chest. She whispered "Mm…" and ended the call.

Curled on her bed, arms wrapped around her smooth, pale knees, she murmured to Xiao Feng’s profile picture:

"Is… going to the same school really impossible?"

Knock, knock, knock—

A gentle voice followed. "Changxi, may Mom come in?"

"Yes, Mom. Come in," she replied softly.

Bai Yujie eased the door open.

Daughter of a European aristocratic line, she’d passed her silver hair to her daughter.

Dressed in a qipao, she sat beside Changxi and spoke tenderly:

"Changxi, your father mentioned you’ve been seeing a boy lately?"

Meeting her mother’s warm gaze, Changxi gave a tiny nod, voice trembling.

"I feel… like he doesn’t really like me."

Her eyes reddened—a trace of unshed tears.

Innocent, yes, but not naive. Xiao Feng kept his distance. Once? Maybe. Repeatedly? She wasn’t blind.

Bai Yujie smoothed her daughter’s hair, voice soft as silk.

"Sweetheart, how could any boy not adore a girl as lovely as you?"

Changxi shook her head, tears welling. "But… he’s avoiding me on purpose!"

"Honey, sometimes a boy pulls away not because he dislikes you… but because he *does*. He’s just scared of those feelings. Mom knows."

She stroked Changxi’s head gently. Curiosity flickered in her eyes.

If only she could meet him. A boy who’d captured her daughter’s heart… must be something special.