A person she’d met only once somehow left Leng Shuang with the persistent feeling that she’d always been by her side.
Before, Leng Shuang only occasionally thought of her while daydreaming. But after spotting that mesmerizing sapphire-blue luxury car, she found herself gazing at the sky far more often.
For days, it wasn’t until payday that the cheerful plumpness of her little wallet finally lifted that lingering sensation.
Having lived in Modu for over half a year, Leng Shuang was gradually blending into the city’s rhythm.
By day she worked; by night she strolled. Her life had grown noticeably richer.
Her wallet grew plumper daily. Glancing at the digits on her phone, Leng Shuang felt like a squirrel surveying a well-stocked nest—hope blooming warmly for the future.
Though she’d saved nearly a hundred thousand yuan, she knew it vanished fast. One night out with Yu Mo, Xiao Qian, and Xiao Hua—feasting, laughing, indulging—they blew over a thousand in hours. In Modu, money flowed like water; one careless moment, and it was gone.
Lately, she’d been going out even more.
So yes—she still had to earn diligently.
Finally, alumni day arrived. Dressed in winter wear, Leng Shuang and her three friends took leave and headed to the venue.
Modu’s climate was odd: scorching summers, but the other seasons blurred. Even in winter, it was merely chilly. For Leng Shuang, a white long-sleeved sweater was plenty.
Yu Mo, hands tucked in his leather jacket, grinned. “I wonder which classmates we’ll meet? So excited~”
“Who among us could’ve ‘made it’ already? It’s only been half a year since graduation. The capable ones are still studying~”
“Not necessarily. Didn’t our class have one rich girl?” Yu Mo slung an arm over Xiao Qian and Xiao Hua’s shoulders, shooting Leng Shuang a sly, teasing glance.
Leng Shuang’s brows furrowed instantly. *He’s up to something again.* She shot him a warning glare.
“Rich girl? Who?” the two girls asked, puzzled.
“Rikawa Yuriko, of course.” Yu Mo’s eyes narrowed at Leng Shuang, smirking in that infuriating way.
“Ohhh~ Rikawa Yuriko,” Xiao Qian and Xiao Hua chorused, then turned to Leng Shuang with knowing smiles.
“Why are you all staring at *me*? Do I have flowers on my face?” Leng Shuang’s reaction was sharp, as if the name truly tied her to something.
“Why so flustered when we look at you?” Yu Mo stuck out his tongue.
“You!” Leng Shuang raised a fist—but he slipped away with a *whoosh*, grinning. “Hehehe~”
Xiao Qian and Xiao Hua exchanged glances, lips curving, silently watching her.
Leng Shuang held her stern face… then broke, a faint blush dusting her cheeks.
Yu Mo thrust his phone like a mic toward her. “Class Beauty Leng Shuang, may we have an interview?”
“Interview your head!” she huffed, shooting her mischievous best friend a glare.
“Seriously… what exactly did you all notice?” Leng Shuang scratched her head, voice low.
“We always thought you liked Yuriko,” Xiao Qian said. “Hearing you’re with Lin Mo surprised us.”
“Yeah,” Xiao Hua added. “Yuriko seemed stronger in every way. We saw you three getting along, but… we still thought you’d choose her.”
“Was it *that* obvious?!” Leng Shuang’s eyes widened. She’d thought only Yu Mo noticed. Now the whole world probably knew she’d secretly admired Yuriko’s hair… and other things.
“Very,” Xiao Qian said gently. “Your eyes never lied. I bet even the back-row students noticed.”
Leng Shuang’s face flushed crimson.
“Th-this…!” Words failed her. She wanted to vanish into a crack in the floor.
The embarrassment felt like finishing private business in a tiny room—only for hundreds to crawl out of the closet and under the bed, staring.
“Too bad you didn’t end up together.”
“Honestly… Yuriko tried so hard. She probably thought you liked her too.”
At their sighs, Leng Shuang opened her mouth. Though the winter air wasn’t cold, a chill froze her voice.
*Did Yuriko think I liked her?*
Of course. Any high school girl would.
And… she *had* liked her. That’s why it showed.
She’d hidden it well—but not well enough.
Worse, she only realized her feelings *after* Yuriko left.
In that moment, youthful regret swept her back to Sakura High.
*What if I’d known sooner? What if she’d confessed first?*
Leng Shuang cleared her throat sharply, cutting the thought off.
Yes, she liked Yuriko. But she also cherished diligent, earnest Lin Mo. Choosing between them then? Impossible.
At least… Yuriko left. She and Lin Mo moved forward. That painful choice was avoided.
But…
“Do you think Rikawa Yuriko will show up?”
Leng Shuang jolted. A bittersweet ache swelled in her chest.
*She must be thriving now… But if she comes—how do I face her?*
*She probably deleted me. If she knows I’m here… she won’t come, right?*
Ugh. Why so tangled?
Hope and dread warred inside—a confusing, tender storm.
“C’mon, Class Beauty,” Yu Mo tugged her arm, grinning. “You look gorgeous. Don’t hesitate—let’s go in.”
