Directly across from the school, the restaurant’s grease-stained plastic fans spun nonstop, churning cloying smoke thick with oil droplets. In the open-air kitchen, a shirtless chef tossed a heavy black wok with one hand—flames glinting off his gleaming bald head.

Su Yu had thought handing in his Gaokao paper would be the end. But the day before results were announced, he was summoned to a class reunion—a make-up for the rain-ruined class meeting. Another divergence from his previous life. The sudden gathering vaguely foretold something, stirring unease in him. Fortunately, Chen Kai had said… Xia Qian Ge wouldn’t come. So he agreed.

Pushing open the private room door, Su Yu heard boisterous cheers even from outside. Arriving late, he instantly became the center of attention.

"Sorry I’m a bit late."

"Su Yu, sit by me! Tardy means three penalty cups," Chen Kai said, wine glass in hand, an empty seat deliberately left beside him.

"Is Mo Yufei not here either?" Su Yu asked, not spotting her.

"She went back to her hometown. Xia Qian Ge’s absent too, right? Don’t laugh—we’ve been waiting to interrogate you!"

"Interrogate me about what?"

Su Yu felt the almost scorching stares. He shrugged, feigning cluelessness.

"Well… Su Yu, which university did you get into? Chen Kai insists it’s Qingchuan University—we don’t believe it. Weren’t you aiming for Jiangnan University?"

A classmate finally blurted it out. True or not, everyone wanted to know where Yangming High’s three-year campus belle had landed.

"Really Qingchuan University. Jiangnan… I wasn’t confident enough."

"Huh? But… Xia Qian Ge’s definitely going to Jiangnan University! What about you?"

"As for Xia Qian Ge and me…"

Su Yu still held the penalty drink. He downed it in one gulp. Whether the wine was bitter or his smile pained, he frowned and answered:

"You might be misunderstanding. Sharing an umbrella that day was just because we were heading the same way. Xia Qian Ge and I… are only friends."

Exchanged glances flickered with confusion, regret. Some exhaled slowly—as if this was the answer they’d wanted.

"Well, since we’re talking, let’s keep drinking—" Chen Kai raised his voice, wine bottle aloft.

But the door swung open again. A familiar figure slipped in. Su Yu stared. His heart skipped a beat.

"Sorry I’m late."

Xia Qian Ge’s breathing was slightly hurried. Her sudden appearance plunged the room into eerie silence.

"Is… is there still a seat for me?"

"Yes! Right here!" Chen Kai dragged a stool beside Su Yu—not to tease him; it was genuinely the last spot.

"Thank you. Long time no see." Xia Qian Ge sat down, offering polite nods to Chen Kai and Su Yu.

"Long time no see," Su Yu murmured, noticing a faint sheen of sweat on her forehead. He passed a tissue. "Wipe it."

"Oh, thanks."

"Qian Ge, why’d you come suddenly? You messaged you had a part-time shift today!" the girl who invited her asked.

"I couldn’t spare time originally. Found someone to cover last minute and rushed over."

"Penalty drink! Su Yu drank his—everyone waited! You must drink!" someone cheered, raising a glass.

Xia Qian Ge’s smile turned strained. "I… don’t handle alcohol well. Another penalty?"

"I’ll drink it for Xia Qian Ge."

Su Yu swirled his glass and downed it. Bitter liquor slid down his throat without hesitation. *She never drank in my previous life either.* He knew it was impulsive—but this was their last meeting before parting. No need to hold back.

"Aren’t you worried people will misunderstand?" Chen Kai texted him quietly.

"It’s fine. We’ve graduated. Doesn’t matter."

Su Yu’s gesture reignited the mood. This gathering marked tomorrow’s farewells. The bittersweet ache of parting became the perfect drink companion. Glasses clinked. Toasts flowed. Evening lights glowed. Flushes bloomed on flushed faces.

"Su Yu… are you and Chen Kai drinking too much?"

Xia Qian Ge watched the faint wine-red on his cheeks. Though she hadn’t touched a drop, her fair skin tinged pink. Amid clinking glasses and alcohol’s numbing haze, long-locked secrets seeped through cracks.

"We’re fine! Su Yu, you drink too—last time was only me!" Chen Kai slurred, swaying against him.

"I’ll drink! Why not?"

Su Yu gulped another full glass. Vision blurred. He’d longed for this drunken release—to loosen up, just once. Only alcohol could do it. *I confirmed it the moment I saw her in class—she’s Xia Qian Ge, not that madness-plagued woman. I should feel safe.*

Yet staring at her face, his nerves refused to relax. Fear coiled tight. Head throbbed dryly. Helpless.

"You… when are you leaving for Jiangnan University?"

His eyes were red-rimmed, glistening. Alcohol launched its final assault. He desperately needed to talk—not to the wasted Chen Kai beside him. His hazy gaze fixed on Xia Qian Ge, as if time rewound.

"About a week early."

"A week… so soon, so soon…"

"What about you?"

"Same. Qingchuan’s far too."

"Yeah… so far. I go to Jiangnan. You choose distant Qingchuan."

Xia Qian Ge’s question dropped coldly. A chill flickered in her eyes, yet her smile stayed—indistinguishable from the drunken crowd, yet unnaturally forced. Like a doll: stuffing torn and frayed within, exterior still beautifully, painfully perfect.

"Why must you go to Qingchuan?"

"Why? Because… I…"

Su Yu’s pupils lost all focus. He couldn’t see her face—only the faint, sweet scent of gardenia. This alcohol-unaccustomed body teetered on the edge of dizziness.

He slumped onto the table. Ragged, wine-heavy breaths escaped him. Fragmented whispers drifted out:

"Because… I like you. I love you."