Today, Class 1 of Grade 11 at Chuanhai No.1 High School was solemn. The usual chatter of teenagers had vanished, replaced only by the soft rustle of ballpoint pens on paper. Even Chu Jingyi—who normally exchanged idle words with Lu Li daily—remained silent. The reason was simple: today’s monthly exam would decide who earned spots in academic competitions. Everyone held their breath, each hoping to stand out among their peers.

An Baili’s seat stayed empty. Even after the bell rang, she didn’t appear. As class monitor, Chu Jingyi set down her pen, shot Lu Li a puzzled glance, and headed to the teacher’s office—to request an excuse note and call Baili’s home on the landline.

Soon, Silly Goose returned, lost in thought. “Lu Li… do you think Baili found out about yesterday? Is that why she’s angry and skipped school?”

“What did the phone say?”

“No answer. Tried three times.”

“…” Before Lu Li could reply, his deskmate spoke up: “Yesterday, before leaving, An Baili sat in your seat, took something from your bag, read it briefly, then hurried off.”

So it was true. An Baili had taken the document. But why? It held details on An Gulai—and evidence of his crimes. Logically, it shouldn’t concern her. Lu Li stroked his chin. An Gulai… An Baili… same surname. Family? In his previous life, he’d never met her parents. She’d only said they passed away long ago. He’d never doubted it.

Could An Gulai be her father? Was Baili the daughter attending Chuanhai No.1 High School?

The thought surfaced naturally. He found no reason to dismiss it.

“Put away all materials. Prepare for the exam,” the homeroom teacher announced, tapping the board—pulling Lu Li from his spiraling thoughts.

“Lu Li, you’ve got this!” Silly Goose whispered. “I’ll do my best too!”

But Lu Li’s mind was elsewhere. If Baili was An Gulai’s daughter… would she destroy the file to protect him? Beg him not to press charges? No—she chose avoidance. Why? He couldn’t grasp her reasoning at all.

He wished she’d burst in right then, flustered: “Sorry I’m late.” But by noon, her seat remained empty. A cold sweat dampened his palms. He realized—he didn’t know An Baili. He’d always viewed her with detached superiority, certain he understood her completely. Now, a chilling truth struck him: *She* had been playing along all along. He knew nothing of her.

Yes. Ever since she lit that lighter, control had slipped from his fingers.

At lunch, Chu Jingyi noticed his distraction. “Lu Li… are you unwell?”

He forced a smile. “I’m fine.”

“The geography exam was tough… how’d you do?”

“Uh… average.” His focus had been elsewhere. Still, Chuanhai’s liberal arts exams favored applied, open-ended questions—no single right answer. Lu Li knew even a half-hearted effort surpassed most students.

“Hmph. We didn’t have geography this morning.”

Lu Li blinked—he’d been tricked by this silly deer.

“Worried about Baili?” The monitor kept her eyes on her tray, poking a shrimp with chopsticks. Lu Li couldn’t see her face. “Yeah,” he answered flatly. “A little.”

Suddenly, she recited an address.

“Huh?”

“Baili’s home address. Remembering classmates’ basics is a monitor’s duty.” She kept stabbing the shrimp. “If you’re worried… go see her.”

“Come with me, Monitor.”

“…” A long pause. “No. I’m sorting exam papers today.”

Lu Li smiled softly. “Jingyi. Look up.”

Silly Goose lifted her head—eyes glistening, lips pursed like Donald Duck’s. Adorably pitiful. Lu Li’s chest tightened. “I’m worried about the document she took,” he added quickly. “The one your dad gave me.” The words surprised even him. Why explain? But Chu Jingyi’s expression softened. She nodded slightly. “I know… You don’t need to explain. You’re my good friend… not that…” Her voice faded to a mosquito whisper.

“What?”

“Nothing!” She popped the mangled shrimp into her mouth and fled with her tray.

During afternoon exams, Lu Li felt calmer. He finished early, submitted his paper, and after the teacher’s confirmation, left school. Instead of heading home, he boarded a bus to Baili’s neighborhood—one yuan per ride, cheap and practical.

He’d passed this area before while buying his sister a phone. Listless old guards manned the gate; no one stopped him. *Security guards? They guarded nothing.*

Deeper in, an old residential building stood weathered. Once-white walls were blackened, peeling, stained yellow. Boston ivy clung to corners. It looked no different from a low-rent district. Hard to believe someone like An Baili emerged from here—people always assumed beauties belonged only in glamorous settings.

Her home was on the first floor. Windows sealed tight. One pane, broken, patched with rough wood. Pitiful. Lu Li knocked softly. From inside, a roar: “Go open the door!” An Gulai’s voice. Lu Li’s heart sank. The worst had happened.

Who could’ve foreseen it? His ex-wife’s father—the very man who shattered his past life.

The door cracked open. An Baili peeked out. Seeing Lu Li, her hand trembled. She tried to slam it shut. In a flash, he jammed his palm into the gap. Closing it would crush his hand.

She froze. Eyes pleading. “I’m sorry… I really didn’t know… I truly had no idea…”

*Time to end this.* Lu Li pushed the door open.

An Baili stood in worn clothes, frantically trying to hide the patches on her sleeves. Lu Li’s gaze remained still—deep as an abyss.

From the living room, An Gulai barked: “Who is it? Can’t you speak?!” Not a father’s tone. A enemy’s roar.

Lu Li answered for her, voice cold as ice:

“It’s me.”