Inside the car, Yu Mo and the other two sat stiffly in the backseat, exchanging nervous glances. Not a word was spoken—none dared make even the slightest sound, afraid to shatter the cabin’s fragile silence.

Since they’d gotten in, Yuriko Higashikawa had kept a gentle smile but said nothing.

Leng Shuang, after stealing a quick glance at her, settled quietly into the passenger seat.

What *was* this? The calm before the storm?

The three in the back exchanged wary looks, confusion flickering in each other’s eyes.

The car rolled along the highway onto a road none of the four had ever seen.

Suddenly, all four jolted alert.

Leng Shuang tilted his head slightly, eyes landing on Yuriko—whose lips curved with a trace of confident smile.

Half a year apart, her face hadn’t changed much. But her presence now carried a refined maturity, honed by experience. Her ample, captivating curves remained just as mesmerizing. Just like in high school—whenever she stood near, Leng Shuang’s gaze would inevitably drift there.

*She’s matured so much… and even more captivating now,* he thought after watching her a moment.

“Wow~ Looks like something spicy’s about to go down, guys~”

The trio in the back exchanged knowing glances, expressions practically screaming *ready for the drama*.

But…

“Thank you.”

When the car pulled up to the apartment gate, Yu Mo and the others stepped out—still utterly bewildered.

They’d assumed Yuriko took the unfamiliar route to whisk Leng Shuang somewhere for drinks. Then… under hazy intoxication, the two would “accidentally” embrace, “accidentally” tug at each other’s clothes, and “accidentally” tumble into a steamy scene. *That* was the script.

Reality? She’d simply detoured to drop them off—silent the whole way.

Well… almost.

“We’re here.”

“Leng Shuang, this outfit really suits you today~”

After seeing them off, Yuriko rolled down the window. Her gaze swept over him from head to toe before her cherry lips parted.

Just like old times, she casually swept her cherry-pink hair behind her ear. The gesture, paired with her flirtatious eyes, radiated a mature, effortlessly alluring charm.

Leng Shuang’s eyes flickered. A faint ripple disturbed their usual clarity.

“Yuriko… you look beautiful too.”

They smiled at each other—perfectly in sync.

“Goodbye.”

“Goodbye.”

With a wave, Yuriko rolled up the window. Her cherry-pink hair vanished from Leng Shuang’s sight as she drove off with graceful ease.

Leng Shuang stood frozen. The smile on his face slowly faded into quiet stillness as he watched her disappear.

“Ahem.”

Still lost in thought long after she’d gone, he only snapped back at Yu Mo’s cough from behind.

“Hehehe~ So, our *esteemed* ‘school beauty’ Leng Shuang—what’s it feel like seeing your old crush all grown up and even more dazzling~?” Yu Mo crossed her arms, sharing a meaningful glance with Xiao Qian and Xiao Hua. All three wore teasing, knowing smiles.

“What feeling? None,” Leng Shuang muttered, brushing them off as he hurried away.

“See, guys? He’s practically sprinting—*definitely* feels something,” Yu Mo smirked. Xiao Qian and Xiao Hua nodded firmly.

“These two really do have that lingering connection. The way Yuriko looked at him… pure flirtation.”

“Yeah. And Leng Shuang’s expression shifted too. He still likes her.”

They analyzed it—but remembering Leng Shuang’s nature, a hint of regret surfaced.

He was conservative. With Lin Mo, it likely meant marriage, a future built together. Inserting another romance? Nearly impossible.

Unless…

They shook their heads. They didn’t believe Yuriko would ever coerce him or steal his heart from Lin Mo.

She was too decent—and Lin Mo’s close friend.

Snatching a best friend’s future partner? That reeked of cliché steamy romance tropes.

Real life had its messy cases, but Yuriko? Not her style.

Back home, Leng Shuang showered and retreated straight to his room—no gossip, no chatter.

“Leng Shuang really can’t let go of Yuriko,” the three murmured, shrugging at his shut door.

Not their place to interfere. But if asked? They’d quietly root for Leng Shuang and Yuriko.

After all—Yuriko had wealth, beauty, grace, and now a warm, mature charm like the perfect older sister next door. Hard to compare to Lin Mo’s earnest, girl-next-door sweetness.

-------

In his room, hair dry, Leng Shuang leaned against the pillow in pajamas, hugging a cushion. His glistening eyes were slightly unfocused, lost in thought.

*Sigh.*

After a long silence, he let out a quiet breath.

Seeing Yuriko again… he hadn’t known how to face her. Anxiety and tension coiled inside—but he held his calm. She’d reached out first; he wouldn’t run.

Sitting beside her now, noticing the subtle maturity etched into her presence, he felt a flicker of surprise. And despite himself, his gaze drifted once more to her curves.

He still couldn’t forget her. Her growth, the quiet shift in her aura—it sent gentle ripples through his heart.

He even found himself comparing Lin Mo and Yuriko then.

One: the girl he chose. Diligent, sincere, stubbornly innocent—the ideal wife.

The other: the one he once mutually cherished. Gentle, generous, blessed with beauty, grace, and curves. Half a year of life had shaped her into a captivating, mature woman.

*(What would you choose?)*

“If… if I’d realized back then that I liked Yuriko too—and if she’d confessed sooner…”

What then?

Leng Shuang shook his head, lying back slowly, eyes closing.

No use dwelling. No “what-ifs” in this world. Only hope—for her happiness.

Gradually, he drifted into sleep.

In the dream, he was back in high school…

A flash of cherry-pink hair burst into the scene…