Wang Zhuo was somewhat late to awaken compared to other boys; it wasn't until high school that he developed a crush on a girl for the very first time. That girl was Ji Qiong.

At that time, Gan Lin’s grades were middling within the class, not yet showing signs of a later surge, whereas Ji Qiong had been the immovable first-place student since middle school, holding the highest entrance score among that batch of admitted freshmen. When seating arrangements were made for the new term, Wang Zhuo and Ji Qiong were assigned to be deskmates.

Like so many classic first-love narratives, affection began to silently take root between them. Ji Qiong wasn't the type of stunning beauty that captured attention instantly; she belonged to the gentle, refined mold—not tall, with delicate features that grew more pleasing the longer you looked, inspiring a desire for closeness rather than sensual allure.

Wang Zhuo, with his nascent feelings, was quickly captivated by her soft, gentle voice and amiable disposition, gradually becoming utterly consumed by it. Coincidentally, Ji Qiong also lacked experience in handling romantic affairs.

Upon sensing Wang Zhuo’s growing affection, she became quite troubled and confided the matter to a close female friend, asking for advice and counsel. Who would have thought that friend was a notorious gossip?

As a result, the news rapidly spread throughout the class. Consequently, the homeroom teacher called both of them in for a talk, classmates began to whisper, and eventually, the rumor reached Ji Qiong's parents’ ears.

Ji Qiong’s mother was a gentle woman, but her father was a quick-tempered brute. Upon hearing the news, he immediately stormed to the school and caused a major scene, even harshly scolding the homeroom teacher, Zheng Zhixiu, because she was the one who had assigned Wang Zhuo and Ji Qiong their seats.

Wang Zhuo was severely shaken by this incident, and his grades plummeted, gradually leading to the person he later became. Ji Qiong transferred schools shortly after that fiasco and, not long after, moved back to Jiangzhou with her parents.

Indeed, Ji Qiong was originally from Jiangzhou; her parents had been stationed there long-term for work. Coincidentally, their assignment concluded just as she entered her first year of high school, so the whole family relocated back.

Because of this whole affair, Wang Zhuo’s first love withered away before he could even confess his feelings. Later, Ji Qiong wrote him a letter; pages of words boiled down to a single apology.

By then, he already believed he had seen through the vanities of the world, so he casually tore up the letter, scattering the pieces across the campus field, letting his first love scatter with them, shattered and colorful. Now, recalling those past events, Wang Zhuo could only sigh with melancholy; in a blink, he had grown up, and youth was already a memory.

“Wang Zhuo, Wang Zhuo!” Fei Long, bursting through the door, interrupted Wang Zhuo’s reminiscence. He held up a sketch, presenting it to Wang Zhuo: “Look quickly, this is my latest piece, what do you think?” Wang Zhuo focused his gaze.

It was a **nude bath sketch. The imagery of the scene was hazy, yet the woman’s intimate areas were rendered with painstaking, minute detail, giving the entire painting an indescribable awkwardness.

“Not bad, huh?” Fei Long boasted with self-satisfaction. “This is the post-modern stream-of-consciousness hyper-sensory painting method, self-created by Master Jin Chengyou.

I’ve decided to create more works using this style, host an exhibition, and perhaps take on a few apprentices to spread its glory.” “May you succeed soon.” Wang Zhuo lazily pushed the painting aside and asked, “Do you still remember Ji Qiong?” “Ji Qiong?” Fei Long paused in thought, then snapped his fingers. “I remember now.

She was your first deskmate, right?” Wang Zhuo nodded and chuckled lightly. “Gan Lin just told me she ran into Ji Qiong, and she even gave Ji Qiong my phone number.” “Oh?” Fei Long scratched his head in surprise and remarked, “I recall you and Ji Qiong had something going on, didn't you?

Gan Lin must know that; isn’t she jealous?” “I think I understand how Gan Lin feels,” Wang Zhuo replied with a wry smile. “She’s actually encouraging me to get in touch with Ji Qiong.

Maybe she wants to help me resolve an old knot in my heart.” “Hey, I don’t see it that way,” Fei Long clapped his hands. “I think she wants to compete with Ji Qiong—to defeat her fair and square!” Wang Zhuo considered it and thought it was certainly possible; given Gan Lin’s proud nature, she might think exactly that.

However, he quickly shifted his perspective, feeling that Gan Lin’s actions were more likely taken from his viewpoint, perhaps wanting to give him a chance to mend the regrets of the past. “Speaking of which, although Ji Qiong isn't quite on Gan Lin’s level, she’s not far behind either.” Fei Long gave Wang Zhuo a mischievous, lewd look, winking suggestively.

“Since Gan Lin isn't holding you back, this is a rare opportunity! If Ji Qiong really contacts you, don't be polite, you must seize the chance and win her over!” “Get lost, you idiot,” Wang Zhuo snapped, tossing an empty soda can at him.

Fei Long caught it with a playful grin, struck an embracing pose, rhythmically thrust his hips a few times, and swaggered back toward the living room with a suggestive laugh. “Hand over the rent tomorrow, buddy!” Wang Zhuo shouted after the guy who perpetually sponged off him.

Fei Long responded shamelessly, “I haven't charged you for cooking and washing dishes yet.” Wang Zhuo shook his head helplessly. Ever since Qiu Lu moved to the factory complex, Fei Long had treated this place as a second dorm, brazenly occupying Qiu Lu’s room.

If his cooking skills weren’t decent, Wang Zhuo would have kicked him out long ago. “Blow the horn for me, blow the horn for me, if you like it, then turn it on…” A blast of loud music suddenly rang out beside him.

Wang Zhuo turned his head and found his own cell phone was the source. “Fei Long, damn your ancestors, you changed my ringtone again!” Wang Zhuo cursed, flipped a middle finger toward the living room.

He had heard Fei Long singing that Luo Baiji gangster song just yesterday; hearing it erupt from his phone, there was no doubt Fei Long was behind this mischief. The caller ID showed an unfamiliar number.

Wang Zhuo casually answered the call: “Hello?” A moment of silence followed on the other end, then a somewhat ethereal female voice asked, “Is this Wang Zhuo?” This single sentence felt like it had crossed a century. Wang Zhuo’s heart pounded; it was Ji Qiong’s voice.

“Ji Qiong? Is that really you?” “Heh heh, Wang Zhuo.” Ji Qiong’s tone was hard to decipher.

She let out an unnatural little laugh and said, “Did Gan Lin mention me to you?” Wang Zhuo felt a strange sensation and replied, “She did. She gave you my number, didn't she?” Ji Qiong fell silent for a moment, her voice seeming to carry a hint of hesitation.

“Then, can we meet up?” Wang Zhuo’s heart inexplicably accelerated. He forced a calm tone and smiled as he said, “Sure.

When are you free?” “How about right now? You aren't asleep yet, are you?” Now?

Wang Zhuo felt extremely surprised. It was already half-past eight.

While that might not be considered late for the night-owl residents of Jiangzhou, choosing this hour for an old friends’ reunion seemed inappropriate, didn’t it? A hunch immediately told Wang Zhuo that Ji Qiong had something weighing on her mind.

With that thought, he nodded immediately. “Now is fine too.

Where are you? I’ll come pick you up.” “I’m right at the North Gate of your school.

The moment you step out, you’ll see me,” Ji Qiong said softly. “Hurry over; I’m waiting for you.” After hanging up, Wang Zhuo immediately got up to dress.

A large, round head poked in from the doorway, grinning slyly. “Speak of the devil, right?

Are you two staying out tonight, or coming back here? Do you need me to clear out?” “Don’t bother with you.” Wang Zhuo gave him a middle finger, hurriedly put on his clothes, and hurried downstairs.

The Mid-Autumn night in Jiangzhou already carried a hint of chill, yet Ji Qiong stood on the street wearing a thin, light pink short-sleeved two-piece dress, revealing two sections of her smooth, rounded calves. She looked like a doll, her small face pale from the cold wind.

When Wang Zhuo spotted her, she was hugging her arms, rubbing them while pacing slightly in place to generate warmth by moving her feet. She looked almost exactly the same as she had three years ago—still petite, with a tiny, palm-sized face, fair and delicate skin, and her hair tied up in a high ponytail.

She still favored wearing pink, coordinated dresses, and perhaps if she raised her arm, a small sliver of her slender, tender white waist would be exposed. Wang Zhuo jogged up to her and looked at her with a hint of reproach.

“Why are you wearing so little?” “I thought you would be coming out from inside the school,” Ji Qiong managed an unnatural smile, looking Wang Zhuo up and down with a complicated expression. “Let’s not stand here.

Let’s find a place to warm up first.” Wang Zhuo had only put on a shirt when he came out; if he took it off for her, he’d be bare-chested—that simply wouldn't do. “Shall we go to a bar?

I want a drink,” Ji Qiong’s voice was still soft and sweet. She chuckled lightly at Wang Zhuo, whose face showed surprise.

“Don't worry, I’m not a bar tout. Even if I were, I wouldn't scam you.” Wang Zhuo stared at her, silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice, “I really do want to have a drink with you, but not today, and definitely not right now.

Let’s go; let’s find somewhere to sit down and talk first.” Saying this, he moved forward without protest, putting his arm around Ji Qiong’s icy shoulder and guiding her along. The boy’s arm was warm, solid, and strong.

Ji Qiong’s eyes immediately reddened, and she forced herself to keep the tears back, adjusting her steps to match his pace. Turning a street corner, they reached the entertainment and leisure district outside the school.

Wang Zhuo casually selected a coffee shop called "Little World Coffee and Tea" and led Ji Qiong inside. Just as the two entered, they bumped directly into Zhou Huaian, who was walking out arm-in-arm with a tall girl, nearly half a head taller than him.

Seeing Wang Zhuo’s displeased expression, Zhou Huaian wisely only nodded to him before sweeping past Wang Zhuo and his companion. After leaving the shop, Zhou Huaian’s female companion asked, “Was that person your classmate?

Why didn't he even say hello? So rude.” “He’s usually not like that,” Zhou Huaian said with a grin.

“And that girl with him isn't his girlfriend. Take a guess what’s going on?” “I get it,” the tall girl, Xiao Xue, smiled silently.

“This kid must have messed around outside and caused trouble. They’re out here negotiating, right?” “Xiao Xue is the smartest,” Zhou Huaian gave her a thumbs-up.

“I suspect the same thing. Don’t go spreading rumors when we get back, okay?” “Pfft, what’s the big deal?” Xiao Xue smiled faintly.

“It’s not like someone died, is it? At the clinics near our Nursing College, which doctor performing abortions hasn't handled hundreds of lives?”