Senior year evening self-study sessions always ran late. In the final minutes, few students still had the heart to tackle problems—they simply waited for dismissal, then dragged their tired bodies home.

“Class dismissed…”

The bell rang. Instantly, the whole building erupted. Midnight was the school’s liveliest hour. Su Yu watched classmates hastily pack bags and rush out. He stayed calm—he was on duty tonight. Rushing changed nothing. He’d need at least ten more minutes to clean.

“See you later.”

“Mm.”

Chen Kai waved and left. Different routes. Close friends, yet always parting ways.

Su Yu sighed at the messy classroom left behind. Senior year… still this exhausting.

“Su Yu, the cleaning… how should we split it?” Xia Qian Ge, seated ahead of him, suddenly turned. Her gaze fixed on him.

“Hm? Just us two?”

Su Yu blinked. He remembered—today’s duty partner wasn’t Xia Qian Ge, but a boy from class.

“Oh, I was supposed to be on duty tomorrow,” she explained with a smile, noticing his confusion. “But I had plans, so I swapped.”

Another discrepancy? Doubt flickered in Su Yu’s mind. Why did things diverge from his past life? Tiny shifts, yet they left a faint unease.

“I see.” Su Yu’s expression stayed neutral. He studied the faint smile at her lips—no flaw visible. “You wipe the board. I’ll mop.”

“Can you manage alone?”

“No problem. I’m quick.”

“Alright… Su Yu…” Xia Qian Ge bit her cherry-red lip. A trace of unreadable emotion flickered in her eyes. She hesitated, words unspoken.

“What is it?”

“Nothing. Let’s finish and go home.” She shook her head, turned, and began her task.

The school’s noise faded fast. Minutes after dismissal, hallways emptied. Only scattered duty students passed by.

Mopping slowly, Su Yu’s gaze lingered on Xia Qian Ge.

He couldn’t let go—not easily. He watched her rise onto tiptoes, revealing a slender ankle. Delicate white butterfly lace edged her sock.

She seemed unchanged—the girl who once captivated him, a brilliant star fallen into his ordinary world.

“Su Yu? You okay?” Her gentle voice snapped him back.

“Just tired.” He quickly looked away, toward the clean blackboard behind her. “I’m done. We can leave.”

“Mm, let’s go.” She nodded slightly, brushing sweat-damp strands from her cheek. “Any later… we’ll miss the bus.”

…

Night draped the campus in deep silence. Only a few lit classrooms remained.

Walking side by side toward the side gate, they stayed close—so close Su Yu caught a faint floral scent with a slight inhale. Like her subtle perfume, or the lingering ghost of gardenias wilted a week prior.

“Su Yu, you live near Huatin Square, right?” Xia Qian Ge turned suddenly.

“Huh? Yeah… over there.”

“Then we’re on the same route! I often saw you on my bus before—but too crowded to say hi before you got off.”

“Same here,” Su Yu murmured, rubbing his neck. *Not coincidence*, he thought. Remembering how he’d once waited deliberately at the stop… embarrassment warmed his cheeks.

Silence settled between them. Insect chirps blended with a distant cat’s mew. A cool breeze carried a hint of chill. Su Yu was no longer that boy—he wouldn’t force small talk just to stay near her.

They exited the gate. Xia Qian Ge walked slightly faster, worried about the bus. Under dim yellow lamplight, her hair glowed soft gold.

She turned back. Eyes sparkling, a sweet smile bloomed. Su Yu’s heart nearly skipped a beat.

She always smiled… yet he felt it—*her smile shone brighter just for him*.

“Su Yu, which university are you aiming for?”

“Huh? I…” He paused, then shook his head. “Haven’t decided.”

“You should decide soon,” she gently urged.

“I know. Still thinking.” He ruffled his hair with a smile. “You?”

“Me?” A light laugh, zero hesitation. “Jiangnan.”

No surprise. He’d heard this before—though last time, it was *after* the exam.

“Your grades will get you there.”

“You’re improving too! Weekly scores keep rising. Everyone says you’ve had a breakthrough.”

*I…*

He almost said it: *I can’t go to Jiangnan. Qingchuan is too far. We might never meet again.*

“The bus is here!”

Her gaze shifted past him. She grabbed his sleeve, pulling him toward the approaching bus.

“Here!” She waved from the back row—a seat empty beside her.

Dazed, Su Yu slipped through the crowd and sat down.

He’d seen her on this bus before… but never *beside* her. Back then, he hadn’t dared. Feared she’d mind.

This felt like a dream. One small change—and the impossible became effortless.

“Ugh… so tired.” Her youthful chest rose and fell slightly; sweat beaded her forehead. “Resting now. Wake me at your stop, Su Yu.”

“Mm. Okay.”

The night bus sped smoothly. Fragmented city lights swept past the window, neon tracing skyscraper silhouettes—surreal, dreamlike.

Yet her soft breathing beside him felt utterly real. The girl he’d longed for. When the bus jolted, her head gently leaned on his shoulder.

*It’s not too late. Not until he submits his college application.*

The thought startled him.

After Su Yu stepped off, Xia Qian Ge waved through the window—but her smile had vanished.

She watched his figure fade into the night. Her bright, spring-water eyes darkened. Specks of ink bloomed, spreading like night seeping into her pupils. Within them: deep blackness, cold ruthlessness… and a faint trace of disappointment.