The Ferris wheel began its slow ascent, unveiling a fresh stretch of sky.

As a top-tier metropolis, Xiangcao City’s nights were dull—glance up, and all you’d see was a dark red haze from light pollution. Nothing else.

But its twilight? Truly beautiful.

On the western horizon, the sun proudly set half the sky ablaze in fiery crimson. Slanted rays illuminated the Ferris wheel’s western side, casting the shadow of this massive “entertainment” structure onto the empty road below.

It was Friday, so crowds flocked here—especially university couples.

Most wore sweet matching outfits, arms linked, snacks in hand, stepping into the cabin like they were entering a sacred wedding hall.

"…"

Inside the rising cabin, I crossed my stockinged legs with haughty grace, ignoring Wang Lei across from me, lazily watching the sunset.

My reflection in the glass showed a short-skirted uniform, black stockings.

Wang Lei kept his head down, lost in thought.

From this height, everything glowed red:

Forests. Streams. Grasslands.

Sky. People. Rail viaducts.

Like a new world. Or a dream.

Yet I knew—it was real.

Or perhaps my so-called “past” was the dream.

Nearby, a couple embraced and kissed.

On the other side, parents scrolled phones while their curious child pressed against the glass, wide-eyed at the strange world outside.

Further off, two men and a woman argued, shoving inside their cabin.

Everyone had their own story—sealed behind thin glass.

*Human joys and sorrows are not interconnected; I simply find their noise irritating.* — Lu Xun

Bathed in sunset glow, I studied Wang Lei’s bowed head.

The phone tucked against my chest radiated a slight warmth—a quiet signal: *recording*.

I held no nostalgia for Ferris wheels. Only one memory: post-graduation in my past life, riding with a so-called “girlfriend.” The rest? Idol dramas.

Back then—still a man—we weren’t truly dating.

My family shattered in college by a car crash. By sophomore year, I’d drained our savings, surviving on work-study. Too busy earning to make friends, let alone find love. Barely knew my dorm “bros.”

Graduation day: a high school classmate called. “My boyfriend dumped me. We got along well… be my ‘temporary boyfriend’?”

Naive, fresh out of school, I agreed in under half a second.

I craved connection. Thought this was my chance.

Dinner. Park. Ferris wheel. Taxi home. I scrambled for witty topics the whole time.

Next day: she reconciled. Sent “Thank you” on WeChat.

My reply? A red exclamation mark: *“Friend verification required.”*

I never imagined the “women” I once longed for would now feel so… accessible.

“Mister Pervert?”

He’d stayed silent, head down. I leaned closer, voice sharp. “Thinking filthy thoughts again?”

I knew what Ferris wheels meant—a perfect “couple’s hideaway.”

When he suggested it, I’d inwardly refused.

Dressed like this, walking close—anyone would assume we were a couple.

And couples… get intimate.

That’s why I’d hit record.

In this confined space, his 180cm frame could corner me. As a “delicate girl,” nowhere to run. Even if I cried “police,” bystanders would call it a lovers’ spat.

Bi Xin Xue had zero dating history. Didn’t even grasp what “sex” meant. *This*, I’d protect.

I agreed for two reasons: money (and countermeasures), and… a gamble.

In Wang Lei, I saw my past self. Saw Liang Zhi Ming.

Gamers. Straightforward. Clueless about girls. A hint of “simp.”

I gambled fresh grads understood respect. Gambled a “young master” wouldn’t risk his future—or his dad’s company—over me.

If he’d been a balding, pot-bellied middle-aged man? I’d have refused instantly.

(Though honestly… I’d reject his photo outright.)

“I…”

Wang Lei finally lifted his head after near a minute of silence. “Xiao Xue… can you… step on me?”

Huh?

I stood, glaring like he was trash. “What did you say?”

“I… can you step… on me?” He stammered, face burning. “You… you hit my fetish *so* hard. Barefoot? No—shoes are fine!”

“I’ll pay extra!”

Crimson-faced, he rushed on: “That Rem cosplay outfit we discussed—any outfit! My dad owns a factory. I know you’re acting… but it excites me. I’ll never find a girlfriend like you. Dad’s arranging blind dates… just let me fulfill this dream…”

Wait, what…?

My mind blanked.

*Being stepped on by a girlfriend… is a “dream”?*

What bizarre fantasies do these young masters have?

“How utterly perverted,” I sneered—genuinely disgusted. “Then crawl down like the dog you are.”

He actually obeyed.

I lifted my dainty schoolgirl shoe, trembling slightly as I pressed it to his back, then trailed up his neck and stomped his head without mercy.

“I thought you were trash, Mister Pervert. Now? You’re beneath it.”

The kissing couple shot us startled looks.

The arguing trio froze, staring like we were aliens.

Parents stayed glued to phones.

Their child pressed against the glass, eyes locked on my skirt, face full of longing.

The giant wheel turned. People moved.

“So eager to be stepped on, Mister Pervert?”

“Making little grunts too…”

The sun dipped below the hills, leaving only a fiery slash across the sky.

"…"

…

"Ahem."

Twenty minutes later, we stepped out.

"Th-thank you," Wang Lei muttered, avoiding my eyes. "How… how did you know about this preference?"

"No need to keep acting. You passed as my rental girlfriend." He added quickly, "It’s past six. For the next three hours… just be your real self."

"My real self?" I smiled faintly. "And what does *Mr. Wang Lei* think that is?"

"The introverted type? I researched." He explained: "Tough family life. Few friends due to shyness. Jumped into a river once—depression? Registered as rental girlfriend to earn money *and* practice socializing… Right?"

*As expected.*

I held my smile.

Of course he’d investigated too. Unlike Liang Zhi Ming, Wang Lei came from privilege—cautious, well-educated.

All afternoon, *he’d* been role-playing too. More immersed. Closer to “truth.”

…Isn’t everyone role-playing their whole life?

"Mostly correct. Except one thing—I’m not introverted anymore."

With sunset at my back, I flicked my bangs. "The Shenbin River washed me clean. I woke up."

"So you’re okay now?"

"Don’t focus on me. *You’re* today’s star."

I tilted my head, letting crimson light flood his eyes. "Sure you don’t want the *other* me back?"

"Enough. I’m satisfied." He nodded. "Hiring you was partly a tip. Liang Zhi Ming’s back on his feet—I owe you. Asked for your WeChat yesterday… didn’t expect you’d understand me *this* fast in one day. Did he tell you?"

"Ara ara~ Who do *you* think whispered secrets?"

I stepped aside, letting him face the dying sun fully.

"From this moment on—I am Ji Xiao Xue. Please take care of me."