He Muqing, Su Yu’s childhood friend, lived nearby. With their families as neighbors and the children only a year apart, closeness naturally wove their households together.
Su Yu was a year older—her unofficial elder brother. From babbling toddlers to their first day of elementary school, they were practically inseparable.
They attended the same school through high school graduation. But after puberty, innocence faded. Each built separate circles, and their bond quietly cooled.
In the original timeline, He Muqing’s path was never smooth. Her grades in the regular class hovered merely average. Yet as a girl with open-minded parents who wished only for a decent university and a good match, her future seemed simple.
That fragile hope still shattered. Misfortune struck fast: during Su Yu’s first university year—the very year of He Muqing’s gaokao—her father collapsed. Late-stage stomach cancer. He never rose again.
Uncle He was the family pillar. When he fell, their finances crumbled. Su Yu never learned details—only that medical bills drained every last coin.
Her gaokao suffered. Scores barely reached a costly private university. Once trivial for her family, now an impossible choice.
That college-application night, He Muqing called Su Yu. She spoke endlessly—more than in years. Through the receiver, Su Yu heard her hoarse sobs: *I don’t know what to do.* He offered hollow comforts, for her and himself.
Later, He Muqing dropped out. The girl who once twirled in lace-trimmed dresses packed them away. Day after day, she wore only rough, drab work uniforms.
A year post-graduation, Su Yu was financially stable—but He Muqing never once asked for help. She changed deeply. Only her childhood stubbornness remained untouched.
Their paths narrowed. Childhood bonds nearly buried under daily dust. Before Su Yu’s rebirth, their final meeting was at He Muqing’s mother’s funeral. He Muqing endured. Her mother did not.
That day, He Muqing stood in the memorial hall greeting guests in a pure white chiffon dress. Su Yu beside her. *Mom loved seeing me in dresses,* she whispered. *So I wore this—to see her one last time.*
Su Yu recalled little else. Only this: the girl neither smiled nor cried. She simply stood there—already an adult.
…
"Eat up, Su Yu. With your dad away again, I bet you haven’t eaten well?"
"Mm, thank you, Auntie."
Su Yu thanked her. His bowl overflowed; Aunt He kept piling more. She’d practically raised him—always kind.
Su Yu’s father was rarely home, especially after the divorce. Left alone, Su Yu was often summoned by He Muqing to the He household. Truly, he grew up on their dinner table.
He Muqing sat deliberately one seat apart. Head down, pushing rice around her bowl. Silent. Glances flicked toward Su Yu—then snapped away with a glare the moment eyes met.
"Su Yu, how’s studying?" Aunt He asked gently, mindful of his approaching gaokao.
"Alright. I’ll give gaokao my best shot—key university should be doable."
"Good. Keep steady, but don’t overstrain. Mindset matters."
"I know, Auntie. You know my mindset’s solid."
"Solid? More like freakishly calm," He Muqing muttered under her breath.
"Muqing! Muttering again? Learn from Su Yu—his grades beat two of you!" Aunt He scolded, luckily missing the remark.
"Ugh, I *am* trying! What if I just don’t get it?"
"Auntie, no need to push Qingqing. She knows," Su Yu interjected—a habit from years of smoothing things over with Uncle He.
"Mm, Su Yu’s right. Enough talk—eat!" Uncle He chimed in.
"Uncle, had a health checkup lately?" Su Yu steered the topic.
"Checkup? Never. Why ask?"
"Dad’s was recent—high blood pressure found. You and he are same age… better stay cautious."
"Your dad’s always out gallivanting—" Uncle He began, then flinched under Aunt He’s glare. "—Not me! Everything I eat’s made by your aunt. Healthy as an ox!"
"Actually… I’ve felt chest tightness too. Dear, let’s both go Saturday?"
"No time. Not interested."
"You have time for drinking with good-for-nothing friends but not hospital? You’re off Saturday. We’re going." Aunt He’s tone left no room—she ran this house.
…
After dinner, parents retreated to the kitchen: Uncle He washing dishes, Aunt He boiling bathwater.
"You and… Xia Qian’ge? Classmates say you have a crush? Planning to confess?" He Muqing nudged Su Yu’s pant leg, voice sudden.
"Huh?" Su Yu glanced from the TV. "Chen Kai told you? That guy’s hopeless."
"Not important…" She pressed on, gossip-curiosity gleaming. "So? Result?"
"What result? Send naive texts and wait for cold rejection?" Su Yu chuckled, shaking his head.
"You *didn’t* confess?" Her wide eyes locked onto his. Lamplight caught her pupils, sparkling. "You liked her all this time… and didn’t?"
"Crush? *What* crush?" Su Yu shrugged, feigning shock. "She’s a proud swan, head to the sky. How’d she spot a toad like me groveling on the ground?"
"Hmph. At least you know your place." She turned away, leaving only the delicate curve of her blushing profile. "Stop foolish thoughts. Gaokao’s near—if you fail, Uncle Su might skin you alive."
"Don’t worry about me. You’re heading into final year. Still coasting?"
"Who—*who* cares about you!" Her voice sharpened, glare blazing. "Don’t flatter yourself! My life’s none of your business—"
"Didn’t I say? We grew up inseparable."
"Get out…"
"Huh? What?"
"*I said, get out!*" She whirled back, a faint blush dusting her cheeks, words gritted between teeth. "Mention childhood again—I’ll kill you."
"How can you—"
"*Just get out, you pervert!*"
The furious shout echoed from living room straight to the kitchen.
