The military training performance on day two clearly didn’t draw the same crowd as the evening gala. Fifteen minutes before assembly, the playground remained empty. Su Yu sat on a bench, munching a steamed bun with a drowsy expression, spacing out. Messy strands of hair drooped over his forehead, leaving him looking thoroughly disheveled.

At six that morning, Gu Chuan—reeking of alcohol—unlocked the dorm door, startling everyone awake. A flurry of washing followed, killing any chance of more sleep. They hastily got up and waited for the performance.

After finishing his bun, Su Yu felt something was missing. *Right. Something to drink.* The performance would last all morning—he’d get thirsty. He pulled out his phone to ask Lu Siyuan and Chu Feng, still in the cafeteria, to grab him water. But as he looked up, he spotted a lone figure nearby. Petite, hunched over like she might curl into a ball.

He hadn’t noticed anyone when he arrived—least of all An Zhi, sitting just one bench away. Her military uniform hung loose; the pant legs pooled over her white sneakers, dragging on the ground. She cradled a cup of soy milk, swinging her legs—too short to touch the dirt. Staring blankly at the dust, she seemed lost… until Su Yu realized she’d dozed off.

Compelled by some unseen impulse—maybe shared solitude, maybe sleep-deprived haze—Su Yu stood and walked over.

"Alone? Where are your roommates?"

"Oops!"

An Zhi jolted, nearly spilling her soy milk. Her round, deer-like eyes were barely open, sleepiness clouding her gaze.

"I arrived late… got assigned to another major’s dorm."

"Then why so early?"

"Afraid I’d oversleep… came a bit early. But no one was here. So sleepy~" She replied listlessly, eyelids heavy, head drooping. "Ugh… shouldn’t have slept in all summer. Can’t shake it now."

"When did you get here?" Her drowsiness faded slightly as she sipped the warm soy milk, searching for words.

"About a bit after you."

"Then why only come over now?" She tilted her head, then giggled sheepishly. "I get it—you fell asleep too, didn’t you?"

"I watched you sleep for a bit."

"*Cough… cough…*" An Zhi turned away, earlobes flushing pink. She muttered shyly, "What’s so interesting? Laughing at me for dozing off?"

"*Cough! Cough!*"

Louder coughs erupted behind him. Su Yu turned. Gu Chuan and the others stood nearby, coughing *very* conspicuously. Seeing Gu Chuan’s haggard, all-night face, Su Yu half-expected blood.

"Your roommates… don’t seem too healthy. Especially the one in the middle."

An Zhi missed the sarcasm entirely. She glanced at Gu Chuan with genuine worry, then faced Su Yu seriously. "You really should look after your roommates more."

"Got it. Heading over now."

Su Yu nodded firmly and walked toward them. One look at their mischievous grins told him exactly what they’d been whispering.

Gu Chuan quickly looked away.

"Uh… Nice weather today, huh?"

"Mm-hmm. Sun’s pretty round," Lu Siyuan chimed in.

Chu Feng shot Su Yu two quick glances. "Just got here. Saw nothing."

"*Heh.*" Su Yu said nothing—just a cold chuckle.

...

Under the blazing noon sun, fourteen days of military training concluded. Stirring revolutionary songs echoed across the field, matched by sharp, rhythmic marching. Everyone stood tall, spirits high, welcoming university life.

On stage, the principal delivered closing remarks. Below, silence. Due to height, Su Yu stood second row in the Computer Science squad. Directly ahead: Law School. Xia Qian’ge’s class wasn’t far. His eyes drifted forward—instinctively scanning her usual spot. His pupils tightened. *She wasn’t there.*

But he saw Xu Dan, the girl with the mushroom cut. Xia Qian’ge should’ve stood right before her.

*Absent today?*

He wanted to let go—but thoughts crowded in, unstoppable.

She’d seemed off yesterday. But shaken by a sudden illusion, he’d left in a hurry, barely asking.

She always looked delicate—but yesterday? Alarmingly pale, cheeks flushed with feverish heat. Sunburn? Or illness?

In his past life, worrying about her health had become instinct. She’d neglect herself for work, pulling all-nighters on tough cases. Rewards were huge—sometimes triple his monthly salary—but to him, never worth the cost.

He’d loved her gentle softness. Yet after starting work, she became the poised, serious lawyer on the stand. Always.

When they lived together, she often fell ill. Then, all professionalism vanished. Curled in his arms—shy, tender, soft as spring water—melting his heart completely.

"Su Yu? *Su Yu!*"

An anxious shout yanked him back. He blinked at Lu Siyuan beside him, frowning. "What?"

"Your stance! Crooked!"

"Oh. Right."

...

No reply.

Su Yu stared at the empty chat box. Unease thickened.

*Shouldn’t care. Really shouldn’t.* The chance of something happening was near-zero—a speck of sand. But… *what if?*

After dismissal, the crowd dispersed. Su Yu moved with the flow.

That tiny possibility felt like a needle-thin thorn: harmless, yet lodged deep—scratching his throat with quiet ache.

He pushed through the crowd, stopping Xu Dan. His voice came out dry, hoarse.

"Do you… know how Xia Qian’ge is doing?"