Military training dragged on. As if the heavens had generously dumped summer’s last embers upon them, they drilled the same motions endlessly under the blazing sun. Their formation grew sharper, movements more precise—but the cadets grew numb. All they heard was the drill commands… nothing but commands.
After nearly a full afternoon of grueling drills, the instructor finally took pity and called a break. Seizing the moment, Su Yu leaned against a tree by the roadside lawn. Sunlight pierced the dense canopy, weaving a delicate lattice of light across his body. He sipped his cola slowly, gaze unfocused, lost in thought.
That day, he and Xia Qian'ge had chatted long in the cafeteria—until the hall emptied and their food went cold. Su Yu had suggested moving elsewhere, but she insisted the sun outside was too harsh; the air-conditioned cafeteria was just right.
They spoke mostly of campus life. No more worrying about classmates’ gossipy stares. Their eyes met without flinching. Like new friends on campus—a fresh start. As if everything could truly begin anew.
In the days that followed, their paths rarely crossed. Xia Qian'ge didn’t seek him out; he made no move to contact her. Both simply settled into separate routines.
Though Su Yu often spotted that slender figure in the law department’s female squad, he clung to an illusion: maybe friendship was enough. Like reining a horse back from the cliff’s edge—terrifying, yes, but they’d avoided the fall. A good ending. It had to be.
“Look who it is—Su the heartthrob! Moping alone under a tree?”
A teasing voice cut through. Su Yu turned. Gu Chuan stood behind him, face several shades darker despite sunscreen. Still, it suited him—healthier now.
“How long will you laugh about this?”
“Hey! The girl on the campus beauty list is your high school classmate—and clearly close. Not telling your bros? Rude.”
“I’d introduce her to anyone. You? No chance.”
“Don’t lie. You’re hoarding her,” Gu Chuan leaned in, skeptical. “Known her this long, same university… no feelings? Move fast, or that little white rabbit hops into someone else’s pocket.”
Su Yu tugged off his cap, rolled his eyes. “Bother me for nothing? Scram. I’m resting.”
“Wait—real thing! Sweet gig.”
“What?”
“Evening gala tonight. Short on setup crew. Means skipping drills. I snagged two spots.”
“What about Lu Siyuan or Chu Feng?”
“Chu Feng’s squad leader—tied up. Lu Siyuan…” Gu Chuan’s lips tightened, voice tinged sour. “Already hooked up with my friend. Met her at that drinking session. I hadn’t even tried, and he stole the match.”
“So? Rehearsal’s free to watch. Perfect slacking spot.”
“Bro’s gotta help bro. Count me in.” Su Yu stood, dusting off his pants. “Let’s go. I’m done with drills.”
...
Reality hit fast: free lunches don’t fall from the sky.
They’d escaped the sun’s wrath, ducking into Qingchuan University’s grand reception hall. Su Yu stared at the cavernous space—half a day to cross it—and his heart sank. *They* were handling the stage.
“Done? You’re buying my dinner. Non-negotiable.”
“I’m desperate too! No one said it’d be just us two.” Gu Chuan’s face darkened. He mentally strangled the snitch who’d tipped him off.
“Time limit?”
“Finish… before rehearsal crew arrives.”
Su Yu grimaced. His arms already ached.
“Um… hello?”
A soft, sweet voice. Su Yu turned. A girl stood timidly behind them—unfamiliar, face hidden under her cap brim.
“Who are you?”
“I’m… helping with gala prep.”
Startled, she ducked lower. Shadows swallowed her features.
“Alone?”
“Y-yes! Sorry! My friend had an emergency… I’ll do her part too. Please don’t be mad.” Her small hands fluttered nervously. Flustered. Shy.
“I’m Su Yu. This is Gu Chuan. Looks like just us three.”
“Huh?”
She froze, dazed. Then slowly lifted her gaze.
Eyes met Su Yu’s. Lips parted. Blinked. Thick, curly lashes fluttered in the cap’s shadow—irresistibly cute.
*Damn…* Su Yu glanced at Gu Chuan, who whistled loudly while staring at the ceiling. Terrible acting.
“I… I’m An Zhi.”
*An Zhi…* Gardenias bloomed in his mind. Pity they’d withered. She carried no trace of their scent.
“Let’s hurry. Rehearsal’s starting.”
“O-okay.”
...
They barely finished setup. Gu Chuan rallied more hands last-minute, scraping completion just before rehearsal. Task done, the group slumped in the hall, slacking off.
“Water?”
Su Yu passed bottles from a crate. Two left. He took one. The other… went to the withdrawn rabbit curled in the corner.
“This is yours.”
“Ah… thank you.”
An Zhi accepted it with a soft, polite murmur.
“Um… which department are you in?”
“Computer Science. Class One.”
“Hm?”
Su Yu nearly choked. They’d already scoped out all the girls in class—when did *An Zhi* appear?
“Oh! I registered yesterday,” she added gently, noticing his confusion.
“I see.”
He nodded. Her fair, smooth cheeks truly looked untouched by drills.
She kept her head low, quiet—but answered every question politely. Voice soft and gentle, like strawberry-flavored cotton candy.
Su Yu said nothing more. He turned toward the stage. Rehearsal was about to begin.
