It’s late snow and white hair

“Professor Thompson, I’d like to apply for the Orion Project.” Jade Miller’s voice echoed with crisp clarity in the silent room. Professor Thompson, on the other end of the line, sounded utterly surprised. “Jade, didn’t you turn it down last time because of your boyfriend? What changed your mind so suddenly? This is a classified project; once you’re in, you’ll be isolated for five years with no contact with the outside world. You really need to think this through.” Jade had already made up her mind before calling, so her resolve was firm. Seeing her so decisive, Professor Thompson relented, “Alright, if you’ve thought it through, then find some time to come to the university and sign the agreement. The project starts in half a month, and someone will pick you up then. I thought you and your boyfriend had a good thing going. Remember to tell him about this.” Jade knew Professor Thompson meant well. But she just lowered her gaze to the silver ring on her finger, a complex emotion flickering in her eyes. “No need to. I’ve already decided to break up with him.” Just as the words left her lips, a soft creak came from the unlocked wooden door. Liam Thorne, in a black T-shirt, pushed the door open. His physique was tall and lean, his profile sharply defined. “Who are you on the phone with?” Jade looked up at him, quickly found an excuse, and hung up the call. “Just my roommate, talking about post-graduation plans.” Liam didn’t press further. A smile playing on his lips, he walked over, pulling a bracelet from his pocket and showing it to her. “I worked part-time for a whole month to finally get you this gift. Do you like it?” Jade merely glanced at it, her tone flat. “It’s pretty.” Her unexpected coolness took Liam by surprise. After all, no matter what he gave her before, she would immediately take it, then, touched and a little heartbroken for his efforts, she’d throw her arms around him. He carefully observed her expression. “You don’t like it?” Jade shook her head. “I do, it’s just too expensive. Let’s skip such gifts in the future. We should save money, didn’t we agree to buy a house and get married right after graduation?” Ah, so she was just worried about him spending too much again. Liam chuckled, reaching out to ruffle her hair. “It’s fine, I’ll just pick up a few more part-time jobs. My Jade deserves to have what every other girlfriend has.” Jade forced a smile, glanced at the clock on the wall, and headed to the bathroom to get ready. After the door closed, she walked to the mirror and saw Liam’s phone, lying on the counter, vibrate. She picked it up and tapped it open, immediately seeing a message from a very familiar profile picture. “Liam, thank you for the newest Bvlgari necklace you gave me today. I love it.” The accompanying photo was dimly lit, but it couldn’t hide the dazzling sparkle of real diamonds. Remembering the ridiculously cheap bracelet, probably something from a discount online store, lying on the table, Jade smiled silently to herself. Steam rose, misting the air. She watched her face slowly blur in the mirror as memories flooded her mind. Two years ago, Liam Thorne transferred to State University’s Business School, making a splash with his striking good looks. But for some unknown reason, he pursued Jade Miller, an ordinary girl who, apart from her excellent grades, wasn’t exceptional in anything else. They quickly became a couple, falling into a typical student romance: holding hands, kissing, dates, strolls… A year ago, both of them moved out of the dorms, renting a tiny, cramped studio apartment for cheap rent, officially starting their cohabitation. They promised to buy a house and get married after graduation. For that promise, Jade tirelessly juggled three part-time jobs a day in her spare time, all to achieve their dream sooner. But three days ago, while working as a delivery driver at a bar, she unexpectedly ran into Liam, who was supposed to be at his part-time job. He stepped out of a sports car, making a big entrance, loud and boisterous, with a group of his friends. Wearing her helmet, she passed by and overheard their casual chatter. “Liam, how much longer are you going to keep up this act with your cheap girlfriend? If she knew your real identity, she’d probably freak out.” “Can’t help it, right? Summer Kingston just *had* to find a cheap boyfriend, and Liam, trying to spite her, just *had* to find Jade Miller as his cheap girlfriend.” “Living in that rundown rental and dating such a cheap girl, I’d be depressed. But not Liam. The capital’s golden boy, from one of the most influential families, endured it for three whole years just to see Summer every day. What a lovesick fool.” Facing these almost mocking jests, Liam simply sat aloof, sipping his drink, silent. It was only then that Jade realized the boyfriend she thought was from an ordinary background, just like her, was actually the capital’s golden boy. And Summer Kingston, the girl they spoke of, her best friend, was a socialite princess, from an old money family in the capital. Summer had also transferred two years ago. New to the city and a bit spoiled, only Jade was willing to look out for her, and they slowly became inseparable. Jade had initially known Summer transferred to this university for her boyfriend, Finn Gallagher. But she never imagined Liam transferred to State University because Summer was here. Liam had been in love with his childhood sweetheart, Summer Kingston, all along. The reason he chose her as his girlfriend was merely to spite Summer. Just because she was “cheap” enough. She didn’t know how she eventually left that bar. All she remembered was walking all night in the rain, drenched and disoriented, almost losing half her life. She came back with a fever, her dreams alternating between sweet romance and the nightmare of being deceived. She endured it alone in the cheap rental for three days; Liam never returned. When her fever broke, she saw a photo Summer had posted, subtly revealing Liam’s hand feeding her porridge. In that moment, her heart completely shattered. She was tired. She didn’t want to play along with these childhood sweethearts anymore. They were never from the same world, so why force it? Since they insisted on continuing their act, this time, she would be the first to step away. After showering, Jade was drying her hair, then handed the phone over to him. “You left your phone inside.” Seeing her faintly flushed face and still-damp, fair skin, Liam’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He casually tossed his phone onto the bed and pulled her into his embrace. His warm breath tickled her neck, and an intimate atmosphere filled the room. Jade gently pulled his hand away from her waist, her voice cool and controlled. “I’m not feeling well. Not tonight.” He caught on immediately and didn’t press her further. He obediently fetched the hairdryer and dried her hair for her. After getting ready, it was already late. Jade, feeling sleepy, went straight to bed. Soon after, Liam turned off the light, got into bed, and softly said, “Goodnight.” Jade closed her eyes, offering no reply. She slept soundly, without dreams. The next day, Liam was woken by the sound of things being rummaged through. He opened his eyes to see Jade tossing things into the trash can. Cups, shirts, keychains, phone cases… Each item was a carefully chosen, matching couple’s item she’d bought. Why was she throwing away these little trinkets she used to love so much? Liam jolted awake, slowly propping himself up. “They’re not even broken. Why are you throwing them all out?” “They’re old. I’ll buy new ones later.” Jade offered a casual excuse, then left the apartment, carrying a box. As she walked upstairs, Mrs. Peterson, the landlord, called. “Jade, why are you suddenly moving out? Did you fight with your boyfriend? He works odd jobs from dawn till dusk for you, and when your favorite restaurant closed, he even went to learn their recipes just so you could taste your favorite dishes. He even ran miles in the dead of winter to get you her favorite winter treat, those special gourmet cookies from that little bakery way across town. He’s such a good guy, don’t be foolish!” Listening to Mrs. Peterson’s earnest advice, Jade’s lips curved into a bitter smile. Before knowing the truth, she had never doubted Liam’s sincerity. After all, his kindness to her was real, evident for all to see. But precisely because she had genuinely been touched by it, she couldn’t accept the fact that she had been deceived for two years. After all, for him, she had given a heart even more sincere and pure than his own. Only to become a synonym for “cheap.” She gave a bitter laugh, shaking her head. “Mrs. Peterson, there’s no future for us. Please process the move-out papers.” Back home, Liam was changing. Just as Jade closed the door, the phone rang again. Seconds later, Summer Kingston’s tearful voice echoed through the cramped apartment. “Jade, are you busy today? Can you come keep me company? I just had a big fight with Finn…” Liam, hearing the familiar voice, paused buttoning his shirt and moved closer. Through the mirror, Jade saw his anxious and worried expression. She spoke softly, “You’ll have to wait a bit. I need to this afternoon…” Before she could finish, Liam interrupted her. “Wait for what? Go now. Summer must be upset after such a big fight. I’ll drive you.” Jade looked at him steadily, then asked a question that caught him completely off guard. “Aren’t you supposed to work at the coffee shop this morning?” Liam was stumped. He froze for a few seconds before fabricating an excuse about the shop being closed today, then pulled her along, and they set off on his scooter. He drove fast, as if in a great hurry. Jade looked at his wrongly buttoned shirt, remembering how, whenever Summer and Finn argued and Summer came to her to vent, he would also rush her to go and comfort her. It wasn’t that she hadn’t suspected his intentions, hadn’t tried to test him. He had listened, then looked at her with his clear, bright eyes, rubbed her face, and smiled helplessly. “What are you thinking? It’s just because Summer is your best friend, so I care about her too. I don’t want her breaking up with Finn to upset you. If she weren’t your good friend, I probably wouldn’t even know she existed.” He’d said all the right things, perfectly playing on her emotions. Jade was immediately moved, never suspecting anything again. Now, thinking back, she felt incredibly foolish. The small rental apartment was dark, no lights on. The room was a mess, clearly the aftermath of an argument. Summer Kingston sat on the floor, knees hugged to her chest, sobbing uncontrollably. Seeing her sitting barefoot on the cold floor, crying so miserably, Liam could barely hide the pain on his face. He rushed forward to help her up, kneeling on the ground to put her scattered slippers on her feet. He then gently wiped her tears with a tissue. “There, there, stop crying. Your eyes will get all puffy and then you won’t look pretty.” As expected from childhood sweethearts who had known each other for years, Summer immediately stopped crying. Jade stood by the door, silently observing everything unfolding before her. Once Summer had calmed down, Jade finally asked, “What was the fight about this time?” The topic reignited Summer’s anger. “I just went camping, bought a dress, and spent a little money, and he threw a fit at me!” Looking at the designer logo on the scattered shopping bags on the floor, Jade’s words of advice caught in her throat. Before, she’d thought Summer was from an ordinary family like hers, just a bit spendthrift, which was why she had taken such care of her. Now, it seemed it was just a spoiled rich girl throwing another tantrum. She didn’t want to waste any more energy on such a trivial matter, so she watched coolly as Liam pulled out all the stops to cheer up his childhood sweetheart. After a thorough coaxing, Summer changed her clothes and agreed to go out with them for a change of scenery. Their destination was the city’s largest amusement park. Usually bustling, the park was unusually quiet today, completely empty. Before they went to find Summer, Jade had overheard Liam on the phone, requesting the amusement park be booked out for the day. So, she wasn’t surprised by the emptiness. She just quietly followed behind them, watching the surprise Liam had personally arranged. Groups of mascots appearing with bouquets of flowers brought a brilliant smile to Summer’s face. She looked like a princess, receiving care and affection from the world. Inside the dark haunted house, she shrieked freely in Liam’s arms, venting the suppressed pain of her long-suffering love. On the thrilling water roller coaster ride, Liam tightly held her hand, shielding her from the intense water spray. Meanwhile, Jade was pushed into a corner by the mascots, almost falling and getting hurt. She was terrified of the dark, but she fumbled her way through the haunted house alone, ending up with bruises on her body. Giant water jets drenched her completely, and her still-recovering cold made her cough intermittently. All day, Liam hadn’t even looked back at her once. She was like an invisible extra trailing behind the main characters, completely ignored. As night fell, the gradually quieting amusement park began to light up with fireworks. Vibrant, dazzling colors erupted, streaking across the dark sky like countless shooting stars. All of Summer’s bad mood vanished. Her eyes sparkled, her voice filled with undisguised delight. “Fireworks shows are usually only for holidays, right? Why is there one today?” Liam smiled, looking at her with doting affection. Jade knew he had orchestrated it all. When he was buying ice cream earlier, he had been constantly messaging someone, probably arranging this firework display. But Summer didn’t stay to watch the entire surprise prepared just for her. Halfway through, she received a call from Finn. Whatever he said, her face lit up, and despite Liam’s desperate pleas, she insisted on leaving. After her figure completely disappeared, Liam, who had been euphoric all day, deflated like a spent firework. He seemed indignant that his day’s efforts had been cut short, and he angrily kicked over a box of fireworks that hadn’t been set off yet. When he turned back, his eyes, full of loss and anger, met Jade’s calm gaze. In the moment their eyes met, Liam remembered her presence. He quickly reined in his inappropriate emotions and walked swiftly to embrace her. “Jade, weren’t the fireworks beautiful?” Looking at the letters “S.K.” (Summer Kingston) blooming in the sky, Jade softly hummed in affirmation, then pushed him away. Liam froze, thinking she had noticed something, and frantically tried to explain. “Today I…” Jade didn’t give him a chance to explain. She didn’t want to hear any empty justifications. So, pretending not to care, she clasped her hands together. “They say fireworks are like shooting stars, they can make wishes come true. Why don’t we make a wish?” Liam seized the perfectly timed opportunity. Perhaps to cover up his blatant attention to Summer all day, this time, he vocalized his wish. “I wish for my Jade and I to be together forever, to save enough money after graduation, and to get married smoothly.” Jade had heard these wishes many times before, and each time, her eyes would well up with tears. But hearing them again now, her heart felt no ripple of emotion. She simply closed her eyes and made a wish to herself. “I wish that after leaving Liam Thorne, he and I will never cross paths again for the rest of our lives.” After making her wish, she opened her eyes and met Liam’s smiling gaze. “Jade, what did you wish for? Why won’t you tell me?” Jade averted her eyes and smiled. “Wishes don’t come true if you tell them.” After taking some time to go to the university and sign the agreement, Jade went to the store where she often worked part-time and handed in her resignation. The manager agreed, asking her to work her last shift today. She worked all morning, delivering dozens of orders, feeling dizzy from the scorching sun. Her first delivery in the afternoon was to a villa in a wealthy neighborhood. She took off her hot helmet, carried dozens of pounds of food, and painstakingly knocked on the door. A few minutes later, the villa door opened, and a familiar voice sounded in her ear. “Coming.” She looked up at the sound and met a pair of familiar eyes. The moment he saw her, his pupils widened, and a mix of emotions flooded his face. Nervousness, surprise, panic… It was all there on Liam’s face. “What are you doing here?” Facing a flustered Liam, Jade remained calm, taking the initiative to ask. This was actually a good opportunity for him to come clean. Liam could have directly revealed his identity, but what tumbled out of his mouth was still a lie. “A friend’s birthday… he invited me to hang out.” Jade took a few steps back, looking at the grand, palatial villa, and spoke softly. “You know friends this rich?” Liam, afraid of revealing too much, quickly changed the subject. “Why are you delivering food? It’s so hot out; it must be exhausting.” Jade looked at her sun-darkened arms, her tone flat. “Next month is your birthday. Didn’t you want a new laptop? I was saving up to give you a surprise.” That had indeed been her original intention, but now she realized how foolish she had been, completely strung along. Hearing this, for some reason, Liam felt a tightness in his chest. He followed her gaze and saw the red, bruised marks on her sunburnt hands, a strange emotion flickering in his eyes. A young master, accustomed to a life of luxury, had never encountered a girl who would work as a delivery driver just to buy him a gift. His heart tightened abruptly. Just as he was about to say something, a few of his friends, seeing he hadn’t returned, came out to see what was happening. “Liam, why aren’t you coming in…?” Upon seeing Jade, they exchanged glances, then quickly covered for him, their tone shifting from deferential to urgent. “Brother Zack’s birthday, he invited us for drinks. Why are you dragging your feet just picking up a delivery?” “Is this your girlfriend? Come in and have a drink with us!” With that, his friends cheerfully pulled them inside. Once inside, Jade looked around and saw many familiar items. A display cabinet full of collectible figurines, a rose bear on the sofa, crystal sand-art ornaments in the display case… She had seen identical items in Summer Kingston’s Ins posts. She used to wonder why Summer, from a supposedly ordinary background, received such expensive-looking gifts. It turned out they were all from Liam. One pink and one blue, one male and one female, one large and one small – clearly matching couple’s items. Jade looked at them one by one, her gaze finally settling on a small dog. A pure white poodle bounced out, wearing a light blue skirt. What caught Jade’s eye wasn’t its cute appearance, but the tie wrapped around its neck, tied like a bow. Blue print, with an LV logo, and a tiny ‘C’ embroidered at the end, stood out glaringly. That was her two-year anniversary gift to him, bought after she slept only three hours a day and worked part-time for six whole months! She wanted to give him the best, so she bravely walked into a luxury store for the first time with her hard-earned money. She never imagined he wouldn’t just scorn it, but casually put it on a dog! Jade’s nails dug deep into her palms, and she felt her breathing grow shallow. From the moment they entered, Liam had been watching Jade, afraid she might notice something. Just then, a group of drunk friends started a game, and he quickly pulled her in, hoping to distract her. As soon as they sat down, his phone rang. He initially planned to hang up, but after seeing the name, he hesitated for a few seconds before going out to the balcony. As his figure slowly disappeared behind the door, the game began. “Alright, alright, let’s play ‘I Have, You Don’t!’” Jade wanted to refuse but was forcibly pulled into the game by the group. “I have a villa on the bay! Fold a finger if you don’t!” “I just bought the newest Maserati sports car! Fold a finger if you don’t!” “The most expensive item auctioned at Sotheby’s this year is in my house! Fold a finger if you don’t!” Jade had none of the things these rich kids mentioned. That wasn’t her world. Halfway through the first round, Jade had already folded all ten of her fingers. The group, who had been watching her with mischievous intent, grew excited. “The first one out! Time for a punishment, time for a punishment!” “The punishment is: crawl on the floor and race the dog to the door! If you lose, you get a new punishment!” Jade’s head snapped up. She stared at them in disbelief. She stood up, refusing to accept such a demeaning punishment. Seeing her unwillingness, the playful group of rich kids wore mocking expressions. “Can’t play, huh?” “Are you scared of losing to a dog? That’s just pathetic!” “The game rules were set from the start. You can’t just say no.” It was only when she saw their insistent stares that Jade finally understood: they were doing this on purpose. Perhaps they felt Liam, the capital’s golden boy, had endured two years with someone as “cheap” as her, and they wanted to get back at her for him. Sensing their malicious intent, she quickly got up to leave, but someone nearby yanked her, causing her to stumble. “Ah!” She fell hard, hitting her head on the corner of the table. Blood immediately started to well up. The group showed no remorse at the sight of blood, instead growing even more excited. They picked up the dog, placed it beside her, and yelled continuously. “Come on, everyone, let’s see the human-dog race! Ready, set, go—” Their words were cut short by an angry shout from the doorway. “What do you think you’re doing?!” At the sound, the entire living room fell silent. Everyone averted their eyes, pretending to be unconcerned. “Just a little game, no harm done, no harm done!” A few friends stepped forward to smooth things over, but Liam didn’t even look at them. He pushed them aside, rushed in, scooped up the injured Jade, and strode out. Liam flagged down a taxi on the side of the road and gave the hospital address. All the way there, he used his handkerchief to wipe the wound on her forehead, his face full of distress, apologizing repeatedly. “I’m sorry, Jade. I shouldn’t have left you alone.” Jade didn’t know if what had just happened had anything to do with him, or if it was an accident or a staged act. But whether intentional or not, everything she endured today was undeniably linked to him. So she didn’t want to accept his apology. She just suppressed the sharp pain in her heart, her eyes red, and retorted, “Aren’t you worried about offending your rich friends for my sake? Won’t they hold a grudge?” Seeing her reddened eyes, Liam froze. He thought she was still worried about him, and a pang of guilt shot through him. He shook his head, his voice dropping several octaves, sounding muffled. “It doesn’t matter. To me, you’re the only one that matters.” If she hadn’t known the truth, Jade might have been swayed by his expression. But she knew the truth, and she knew his expression, his words, his affection—it was all a lie. She took a deep breath, about to say more, when his phone dinged several times. He glanced at it, then lied again. “Jade, my professor needs me at the university. Can you go to the hospital alone?” She stared at him for a long time before giving a self-deprecating nod. The car pulled over. As his figure disappeared into the traffic, Jade’s mind replayed the conversation she had glimpsed earlier. “Liam, I want to break up with Finn!” “Where are you? I’ll be right there.” After getting her wound treated at the hospital, Jade looked at her shattered phone and went to an electronics store to buy a new one. In the past, she would have just replaced the screen and made do for a while, but now she didn’t want to economize anymore. She bought the newest iPhone, spending over ten thousand dollars, which was more than a tenth of her hard-earned housing down payment savings. Back home, she logged into all her accounts. Coincidentally, she saw a new update on Ins and clicked on it. It was a live photo Liam had just shared. She used an Android phone before and couldn’t hear live photos, but now that she had an iPhone, she tapped it open and heard the sound from the background. “Liam, it’s just a proposal, why are you making it so grand?” Her body stiffened slightly. Summer had just talked about breaking up, and Liam was already preparing a proposal? Well, good. She looked up at the red-circled date on the calendar. Only seven days left until she would be gone. Over the next few days, Liam didn’t come home, citing part-time work as an excuse. Jade knew he was busy with his proposal, while she was busy packing, so she didn’t expose him. It wasn’t until late one night that Liam returned. He was dead drunk, barely conscious. The moment he entered, he clung to Jade, mumbling continuously, his eyes red-rimmed. “Those roses were your favorite, and the ring was specially custom-made for you. All our friends wished us well, hoping we’d be together, but in the end, it couldn’t stand against his ‘I’m sorry,’ could it?” “Why won’t you see me? I was the one who was with you for over a decade. What’s so great about him that you can’t forget him?” As he spoke, his voice grew deeper, punctuated by choked sobs. Watching his disheveled, disheartened state, Jade remained unmoved. Because she knew he had mistaken her for Summer Kingston. Through his drunken ramblings, she had a rough idea of what had happened today. It was simply that Liam had proposed, and Summer had rejected him again. She listened in silence, not taking care of him, and simply turned off the lights and went to bed. Liam woke up the next day, shivering. The AC had been on all night, and he’d fallen asleep on the sofa without changing, not even with a blanket. His head was foggy, his stomach churning, and he felt uncomfortable all over. But when he struggled to get up and went into the kitchen, he found nothing. Usually, whenever he got drunk, Jade would have prepared hangover soup in advance. Why wasn’t it ready today? He went into the bedroom to ask, but saw her folding clothes in front of the closet, a large suitcase on the floor. He suddenly panicked, a wave of alarm he hadn’t anticipated washing over him. “What are you doing with that suitcase? Are you going somewhere?” Jade’s hands didn’t stop, and she didn’t even glance at him. “It’s almost time for the season change. Just taking some clothes out to clean them.” Liam was about to ask more questions, but Jade had already turned and entered the bathroom. Over the next few days, Summer Kingston continuously posted videos and photos showcasing her relationship on Ins. Liam had no mind to dwell on Jade’s strange behavior; he was completely dejected, spending his days at home in a daze. Jade watched him silently, busy with her own preparations. Three days before her departure, she went home to inform her family about joining the classified research project. Two days before, she met up with friends and said her goodbyes. On the last day, Summer Kingston called, inviting her and Liam for a lake tour. Jade didn’t really want to go out, but Liam, re-energized by the call, insisted on taking her. When they arrived at the lake, Liam’s face instantly turned cold as he saw Finn Gallagher by Summer’s side. Once on the boat, Jade found a seat, enjoying the misty lake scenery. Liam, though sitting beside her, kept glancing at Summer Kingston. Mid-lake, a sudden downpour began, accompanied by strong winds that caused their small wooden raft to sway precariously. Thunder rumbled, and a dense fog rolled in. Soon, the increasingly violent wind and rain overturned the raft, sending everyone without life vests tumbling into the water. Summer and Jade couldn’t swim. Driven by a will to survive, both struggled, clinging desperately to the edge of the raft. Upon falling into the water, Finn’s first reaction was to paddle towards the shore, completely disregarding everyone else. Liam’s eyes were solely on Summer. He abandoned Jade, who was right beside him, and without a second thought, swam to the other end of the raft, pulling Summer, who was on the verge of drowning, into his arms. The icy rain beat down on a hypothermic and exhausted Jade. Her teeth chattered uncontrollably, and her face was completely devoid of color. She watched, wide-eyed, as their two figures receded into the mist, her consciousness growing increasingly hazy. The wind and waves never ceased, crashing over her again and again. She finally couldn’t hold on, losing her grip on her only lifeline. She let go, sinking straight down to the bottom of the lake. When she next awoke, Jade found herself in a hospital. A nurse, seeing her stir, quickly came over to check on her. “You’re awake? The park staff who brought you in have already left. Call your family to handle the discharge papers.” Hearing this, Jade realized she had been rescued by park staff. She looked around the empty room, then picked up her phone and opened it. Not a single call, not a single message. Recalling the last image she saw before losing consciousness, Jade gave a silent smile. She pushed her weak body out of bed to handle the discharge. Just a few steps out of the room, she heard familiar voices from the adjacent ward. Glancing over, she saw Summer Kingston, crying with tears streaming down her face, in Liam Thorne’s arms. “Liam, this time I’m really breaking up with Finn. I fell into the lake, and I can’t swim. He knew, and he still ran off on his own. He’s not worth it at all. If it weren’t for you, I really would have died in that lake.” “I know you’ve liked me for many years, I know you transferred to State University because of me, and I know you weren’t truly willing to be with Jade.” “Before, I was foolish and couldn’t see your goodness. Now I’ve come to my senses. Will you be with me?” Amidst this heartfelt, tearful confession, Liam showed no trace of excitement or emotion. He didn’t immediately agree to the proposal he had longed for for years. He stood there, frozen, saying nothing. Through the window, Jade glanced over. She was a little surprised but didn’t think much of it. Perhaps the surprise was too sudden, and he hadn’t had time to process it. But they were bound to get together eventually. So, she didn’t have the patience to wait for the inevitably happy ending. She turned and went downstairs. After completing the discharge procedures, Mrs. Peterson sent a message, reminding her that today was the move-out date. She checked the time; it was one in the afternoon, still enough time. So she hailed a cab back to the rental apartment. All that remained of her belongings in the room was this suitcase. Aside from that, there was a gift box she had packed earlier, filled with all the gifts Liam had given her over the past two years. She took out some sticky notes and, following prices she had searched online, labeled each gift. Stardust bracelet, $5 each, his graduation gift to her; Couple’s rings, $7 a pair, his first-anniversary gift to her; Three pairs of earrings, $9.9 with free shipping, his birthday gift to her; Dress, $19.9 with free shipping, his two-year anniversary gift to her; … The box was full of items that looked shiny and new, but their total value was less than five hundred dollars. All these years, in his eyes, She was just a “cheap girl,” so she only deserved these “cheap” gifts. Jade gave a self-deprecating smile, placed the breakup letter she had already written inside, then closed the lid and went to the courier station, sending the box off. The recipient address was Liam’s villa. After doing all this, Jade returned to the rental apartment, transferred an extra month’s rent to Mrs. Peterson, and asked her to clear out Liam’s remaining belongings when she took back the apartment. Anyway, he was with Summer now; he wouldn’t be coming back. The moment she hit send, her SnapChat buzzed with over a dozen messages, all from Liam. Jade didn’t open them, didn’t read a single one. She simply blocked and deleted all his contact information. At the same time, Professor Thompson’s call came in. “Jade, we’re leaving soon. We’re already downstairs at your place. Come on down.” Jade didn’t hesitate. She picked up her suitcase and left the dilapidated rental apartment that had once been called home. She would never come back. Jade didn’t reply to a single message. Liam remembered that on the way to the hospital, the park staff had contacted him, saying Jade had been taken to the hospital. He assumed she was fine and didn’t rush to contact her. But as time ticked by, and it was almost dark, he finally couldn’t hold back. Once Summer fell asleep, he went to ask the nurse. The nurse checked and told him that Jade had been discharged as soon as she woke up. Knowing she was okay, Liam felt a slight sense of relief and called her. One call after another, still no answer. His heart grew increasingly anxious. As he fretted, Mr. Davies, the butler, called, saying a same-day package had just arrived and asking if he wanted to sign for it. A package? Liam didn’t remember buying anything recently and didn’t give these minor things much thought, hastily hanging up the phone. He was about to send another message to Jade when Summer suddenly woke up, complaining she was hungry and wanted to eat. He could only temporarily put aside his concerns and take her out. They went to a French restaurant, and even after they finished eating, Liam remained distracted, constantly checking his phone. Summer quickly noticed his unusual behavior and asked a few concerned questions. “What’s wrong? Is something important happening?” Liam froze at the question, then shook his head. He didn’t want her to realize he was worried about not being able to reach Jade. After the life-or-death situation that morning, Summer had finally seen Finn Gallagher for who he truly was, broken up with him, and extended an olive branch to Liam. But this time, it was Liam’s turn to hesitate. He had always thought that when he finally won Summer, he would feel as if he had found a treasure, overjoyed to the point of tears. But now that the moment had truly arrived, his heart was a chaotic mess. The first emotion that arose wasn’t shock, but worry. He was worried that if he actually said yes to Summer, wouldn’t that mean Jade would find out everything? He couldn’t imagine how she would feel, or what her expression would be, once she knew the truth. After all, during their two years together, she had truly poured her heart and soul into their future. So he didn’t immediately agree to Summer; instead, he said he needed more time to consider. Summer, knowing Jade was a barrier between them, didn’t force the issue, only telling him he had a week to sort everything out. After dinner, Liam drove her home. All the way, she chattered incessantly, just as she always had. But he couldn’t hear a word, his mind still replaying the day’s events, wondering if Jade was angry. Seeing he wasn’t responding, Summer grew a little annoyed by the silence and playfully tugged his ear. “What are you spacing out about? Are all men the same, taking things for granted once they have them? We’re not even officially together yet, and you’re already not listening to me!” Her petulant complaint, however, made Liam uncomfortable. Because in his decade-plus relationship with Summer, she rarely showed such a vulnerable, ‘little girl’ side. As the object of his pursuit, she had always held the upper hand in their relationship, seldom revealing her personal emotions when he showed affection, simply accepting or rejecting based on her momentary whims. He was accustomed to her discerning, haughty expression, accustomed to tirelessly planning surprises only to be pushed away repeatedly. He could no longer bring himself to inhabit the role of Summer’s official boyfriend. He even felt less like a suitor and more like an older brother, repeatedly indulging her capriciousness. And his years of persistent declarations and pursuits were nothing more than a game they tirelessly played. When this thought arose, Liam shuddered. He couldn’t help but turn to look at Summer. Fourteen years had passed since they first met. She was no longer the princess in a frilly dress, the carefree, innocent socialite. Over the years, she had dated, broken up, and navigated the turbulent waters of romance, becoming adept at manipulating men’s hearts. And he, clearly, was the one she had the most success manipulating. Realizing this, Liam finally couldn’t hold back. He asked her a question. “Summer, this isn’t your first relationship, nor your first breakup, but it’s the first time you’ve agreed to be with me. I want to know, what is it that finally made you see me?” Summer hadn’t expected him to ask such a question so suddenly, and for a moment, she too was perplexed. To be honest, she didn’t know how to answer him. After all, in her perception, emotions were merely a flavor enhancer in her otherwise bland life. Born into a family of old money, she had grown tired of all the delicacies since childhood, seen all the sights in the world, spending every day eating, drinking, and having fun. Summer had lived this copy-and-paste life for over twenty years, finding it utterly boring. Before she was nineteen, she had two relationships, both with rich young men, and they were the same old routine, nothing interesting. It wasn’t until she met Finn Gallagher, and spent three years with this ordinary boy, breaking ties with her family and running away from home for him, having all her cards stopped and falling to the bottom, that she finally experienced something different. What piqued her interest wasn’t the impoverished life, but human nature. The complex human emotions and manipulative tactics she hadn’t encountered before, she learned one by one by Finn’s side. And being naturally intelligent, she even started playing with people’s hearts, just like them. For example, Jade Miller. This kind-hearted girl from an ordinary background, with a bit of street smarts, thought they were from the same social class, felt sorry for Summer’s situation, and thus showed her all sorts of kindness. Whenever she saw Jade’s sympathetic or pained expression, Summer found it incredibly amusing. Because she knew they weren’t from the same social class at all. Her family was incredibly wealthy. All she had to do was show a little remorse and she could return anytime to enjoy her life as a socialite princess, unlike Jade, who worked herself to the bone just to buy a house for security. She had plenty of suitors and admirers around her. Even living in a rental was her willing choice. If she showed just a hint of liking, someone would deliver whatever she fancied, unlike Jade, who would be moved to tears by a small act of kindness. She didn’t need to put anything into a relationship. From her perspective, everything that happened in love was like a play. She merely played the role of the heroine, needing to fully immerse herself and act out joy, anger, sorrow, and madness. But once the curtain fell, she would return to her original place, unlike Jade, who poured everything into a deceptive love. So, in this friendship, from beginning to end, Jade was merely an extra in the play Summer directed. And this drama about a rich girl falling for a poor boy had now reached the climax: the rich girl’s awakening and the loyal male second lead finally getting his chance. She had naturally abandoned Finn and chosen the unswervingly devoted Liam. Didn’t that fit the romantic drama narrative perfectly? So Summer remained silent for a long time, unable to think of a specific reason. In the end, she could only tell Liam, “Because it wasn’t until today that I realized that over these past decades, you’ve already left an indelible mark on my heart. I’ve unknowingly fallen in love with you.” She mimicked the expression of a heroine in a TV show, trying to convey remorse and deep affection with utmost conviction. As for whether these words were true or false, did it matter? Probably not. Liam loved her so much, he would be ecstatic that she agreed to be with him, wouldn’t he? Why would he question the truth? She was very satisfied with her performance and the answer she had given, feeling she had achieved perfection. She couldn’t help but want to see Liam’s expression and reaction. But when she turned her head, the expected shock and surprise weren’t there. He was looking down, his face full of wistful regret, yet with a hint of clarity in his eyes. As if he had woken from a daze. After dropping Summer off at home, Liam returned to the rental apartment alone, but he didn’t go upstairs. He stood under the tall sycamore tree, silently looking up at the now dark room, his mind constantly wondering what Jade was doing at that moment. Was she already asleep? Or fumbling in the dark with her phone? Or tossing and turning, unable to sleep because he had abandoned her earlier that day? She must have felt resentment, otherwise, she wouldn’t ignore his messages and calls. But Liam wasn’t worried about that now, because he knew Jade was easy to appease. His concern was how to navigate the complicated relationship between the three of them. So he didn’t know how to face her, didn’t know whether to tell her the truth now. Avoidance was shameful. After standing downstairs for two hours, Liam finally came to this realization. He pondered for a long time and decided he should go upstairs. But Jade was clearly angry, and returning empty-handed was definitely not a good idea. So he went back to the villa and retrieved the necklace he had recently acquired. Before leaving, he saw a box lying by the entryway, and quickly glanced at it. The handwriting on it looked familiar. But he couldn’t recall where he had seen it. It was almost midnight, and he didn’t have time to deal with such minor things, so he planned to open it when he returned. After buying a ton of Jade’s favorite late-night snacks at the night market and grabbing a few cans of beer, he tiptoed back to the rental apartment and took out his key. He turned it around and around, but the door wouldn’t open. The sound-activated light in the hallway flickered on and off. He turned on his phone flashlight and then saw that the lock had been changed. Was she *this* angry this time? Liam’s heart sank. He gently knocked on the door, softening his voice. “Jade, it’s me. Are you asleep? Can you open the door? It’s too hot out here.” In the past, when he had forgotten the time while out having fun and returned late at night only to find he’d lost his keys, he would use these exact words. But today, it seemed even pleading wouldn’t work. No matter how many times he called, no one came to open the door. Liam had no choice but to knock on Mrs. Peterson’s door next door. The landlady was a heavy sleeper, so her son, Danny Peterson, came to open the door. Still groggy, he went to fetch a spare key for Liam after hearing he couldn’t get in. Armed with the new key, Liam effortlessly unlocked the new lock. The room was pitch black, so quiet he couldn’t even hear breathing. It seemed she was fast asleep. Liam, afraid of waking her, didn’t turn on the light. He tiptoed in through the dark. He placed the late-night snacks on the dining table, then crept into the bedroom, putting the necklace on the bedside table, making sure she would see it first thing in the morning. Then he walked to the closet, intending to get out his pajamas. He reached in, but the closet was empty. There was nothing inside. Where were his clothes? His brow furrowed instantly. He quickly shielded his phone with his body and tapped the screen. The faint light illuminated the empty closet. Liam instinctively turned his head, wanting to ask Jade, but saw that the bed, just two steps away, was reduced to only a mattress. No blankets, and no one there. It was only then that Liam finally realized something was very wrong. He quickly turned on the room lights, but the scene that greeted him made him freeze. The closet, the bed, the vanity, even the corners – all were completely empty. The clothes, the杂物 (miscellaneous items) that once filled this small rental apartment, were all gone without a trace. Only that expensive necklace, worth more than a dozen of these rental apartments, glittered brightly in the dim light. So dazzling, yet so out of place. “Jade moved out this afternoon, she even transferred me a thousand dollars to clear out everything in the room. I saw the old lock, so I changed it. You didn’t know?” Mrs. Peterson, woken in the middle of the night, explained. Her words struck Liam like a bolt from the blue, his mind roaring. He looked at the constantly complaining Mrs. Peterson, who was grumbling about him being “inconsiderate and moody,” feeling as if a giant rock was pressing down on his chest. He could barely breathe, and his voice was weak. “She, why did she move out? Did she leave any message? Did she say where she was going?” Mrs. Peterson hadn’t expected him to be even more clueless than her. She immediately felt indignant. “Well, she was moving out, so she must have been mad at you! What message did she leave? Just told me to clear out everything in the room. As for where she went? That’s a young lady’s privacy; how would I, a landlord, know? Isn’t that something you, her boyfriend, should know?” Liam’s panicked heart tangled into a mess with her words. He finally realized that something major must have happened without his knowledge, leading to Jade’s silent departure. He could no longer remain calm. He fumbled for his phone to contact Jade, turning to leave at the same time. Seeing him so distraught, Mrs. Peterson quickly called out to him. “The key, give me the key back! You two have moved out, I need to rent it out again!” “Mrs. Peterson, you don’t need to find new tenants for this apartment. I want to renew the lease for another year. I’ll transfer the rent to you later.” With that, Liam frantically rushed to the roadside and hailed a cab. He wanted to go back to the university first, but the dorm gates were already closed. He could only call Jade’s roommate in the middle of the night to ask about her. The person on the other end of the line groggily told him Jade wasn’t there. He could only tell the driver to go to another address. All night, he went to every place he could think of, but still found no trace of her. At dawn, he arrived at the last place: Willow Creek Park. A year ago, it was in this very park that they had written down their wish to get married and buy a house after graduation. But this time, Liam was still met with emptiness. He hadn’t slept for twenty-four hours; he was utterly exhausted, with no energy left to rush around. He looked up at the wishing ribbons rustling in the morning breeze and took a picture with his phone. Then he sent it to Jade. The photo didn’t go through. A small red dot appeared on the screen, along with a message asking to add a friend. Jade Miller had blocked and deleted him? The moment he realized this, Liam’s muddled mind instantly cleared. He stared wide-eyed at his phone screen, his face full of disbelief, his fingers rapidly tapping. TikTok, QQ, Ins, Twitter, even PayPal – he had been unilaterally blocked and deleted from everywhere. And all those posts that had documented the little moments of their love had been cleared. This resolute act of cutting ties pushed Liam’s already stretched willpower to the brink of collapse. Scenes from the past few days began to replay in his mind. He desperately tried to recall every tiny detail, attempting to pinpoint the real reason for her departure. Was it because he hadn’t saved her? Or because he had been so down lately that he forgot to comfort her? Or because he forgot her birthday… As he reviewed each item, the neglect and oversight he had cast aside slowly resurfaced. He finally noticed some clues, some hints that might have led to Jade’s disappointment and departure. His meticulously crafted image of a perfect boyfriend was, in fact, riddled with flaws. In trivial matters, he was attentive and thoughtful. But whenever Summer Kingston was involved, he would instinctively abandon Jade. He had always thought she couldn’t detect his hidden intentions, so he acted recklessly, confident that there would be no consequences. But now, looking back, had she truly been oblivious? Liam dared not think further. He looked up, trying to draw fresh air into his suffocating lungs with deep breaths. *Snap*. A red ribbon above him loosened and fell straight down, hitting him in the face. He was already somewhat numb. He slowly picked it up, facing the rising sun. “Work hard to save money, pay the down payment for a house right after graduation, then get married!” At the end of the hopeful wish, the names signed were Liam Thorne and Jade Miller. The handwriting was Jade’s; he knew it intimately. It was exactly the same as the writing on the package by the villa entryway. Realizing this, Liam suddenly stood up and bolted out of the temple. And that red ribbon, now without a resting place, was simply carried by the wind towards the mountains, never to be seen again. Like a prophecy. And like a punishment. On the way back, Liam had vaguely guessed the truth. But his heart vehemently denied and argued against it, unwilling to accept the established facts. And when he finally got the package, opened it, and saw what was inside, that half-dead heart finally extinguished completely, turning into a pile of ash. Two years. All those cheap trinkets and jewelry he had instructed his housekeeper to buy were all in the box, each meticulously labeled with its price. It was only today that Liam truly knew how much those things cost. Five hundred dollars. It was Jade’s half-month food budget, saved through countless sacrifices. It was also the price of an insignificant bottle opener when he splurged on drinks. Equivalent to the pair of shoes Jade had bought him, which he was wearing now. He wasn’t used to wearing such shoes, so two months ago, when she took him to the mall, he had strongly advised against it. But she had seriously told him that he was graduating soon, starting an internship, and needed a new pair of shoes, which was why she bought them for him. Liam had worn them for two months and slowly got used to them. Just like the carefully chosen clothes and daily necessities she bought him, though they didn’t catch his eye, with time, he stopped being so picky and particular. He started eating street food with her, figuring out how to save money with coupons, and fretting over a faucet that wasn’t properly turned off… To others, he was still the extravagant heir from the capital’s elite circles. But with Jade, Liam genuinely experienced the myriad flavors of everyday life. It wasn’t a grand, illusory palace built with real gold and silver, but the tangible details of life that flow like a gentle stream. The cheap rental apartment he once disdained had, unknowingly, replaced the villa as his home. On countless drunken nights, in his unconscious state, he would give the address of their old apartment. After being rejected by Summer, his first instinct was also to return there for solace. On holidays when his family mansion was empty, he would cook hotpot at the dining table, waiting for Jade to come home. In those inconspicuous moments, he was genuinely touched by those small yet sincere emotions. But sincerity is fleeting. The letter Jade left contained only a few short sentences. “You must have found it difficult to spend two years acting out this play by my side, but all the pain ends today. I’m returning your gifts. Goodbye, and never again.” Not a single word about the pretense, deception, or manipulation was mentioned. But in Liam’s eyes, every word was a heartbreaking accusation. He didn’t know how to describe his current state of mind. If he had to, he was a ship lost at sea in a night ravaged by a storm. The sail, forged from his heart, was being lashed and battered by waves of endless guilt and regret. Gales carried memories, long buried deep in his mind, crashing down on him, blowing this shaky ship towards the deep sea. He was engulfed in this belated storm, on the verge of destruction. Tears, tears mixed with complex emotions, fell onto the letter. *Drip, drip*, like the last distress signal he could emit. But no one answered. When Mr. Davies, Summer Kingston, and a group of friends entered, they immediately saw Liam sprawled by the door. His face was ashen, his eyes so red they looked ready to bleed. His fingers unconsciously gripped the leg of a cabinet, and from the excessive force, his knuckles were cut and bleeding. Everyone there had grown up with him and had never seen him like this. They were all stunned, not daring to approach or disturb him. Only Summer had the nerve. She crouched down, frowning, and waved a hand in front of his eyes, her voice tinged with curiosity. “Liam, what’s wrong with you? Did you lose your mind?” Hearing her voice, Liam looked up at her. His unfocused eyes finally sharpened a little, as if he was struggling to recognize her. Seeing he didn’t speak, Summer frowned and her gaze shifted downwards, instantly spotting the box on the floor. She could tell at a glance that these bead strings and trinkets were cheap market goods; she wouldn’t even want them as a gift. Why had Liam collected a whole box of them? Was this some new kind of collecting habit? She picked up a string, then saw the sticky note underneath, marked “$9.9.” She couldn’t help but let out a little laugh. “This imitation is pretty good, but why is it only worth $9.9? That’s probably not even enough for shipping!” Hearing her speak, the friends behind her, emboldened, also crowded closer. Each picked up a string, finding these items rather novel. “Liam, where did you dig up all these things? You’re not thinking of giving them to… what’s her name?” “I bet he is. Those cheap girls haven’t seen anything good; they’d definitely love these inexpensive trinkets!” “Giving so many at once? Won’t that lessen the impact? Maybe give them in batches? She’d probably be moved to tears.” The incessant chatter jolted Liam’s wandering mind back to reality. He looked at their mocking expressions and disdainful eyes, feeling as if every word was an arrow, piercing his heart. He swallowed the lump in his throat and rebuked them in a hoarse, icy voice. “Put them all down.” The entryway fell silent again at his words. Everyone could hear the suppressed rage in his tone and quickly put the items back in place. Only Summer seemed oblivious, fiddling with the bead string in both hands. With a slight tug, the string snapped, and a dozen star-like beads scattered and rolled away. Liam’s gaze, following the bouncing beads, grew incredibly dark. “Get out.” The tone of these two words was even colder than the last. His friends knew today was not a good day for a gathering and didn’t dare cross him, so they all tried to slip away. Summer, however, was unfazed, her face full of indifference. “Just some cheap junk. Why are you being so fierce? If you keep ignoring me like this, I’ll get mad!” Facing her warning, Liam had no inclination to humor her. He lowered his head, using his bloodied, scabbed hands to pick up the scattered beads one by one. Seeing him like this, Summer’s spoiled temperament flared up again. She snatched the box, ran furiously to the trash can, and dumped everything inside. “That’s for ignoring me!” Liam, supporting himself against the wall, stood up. Seeing her action, his face immediately darkened, veins bulging on his forehead. “Pick them up!” Hearing this command, filled with fury, Summer froze. It was the first time she had ever seen Liam lose his temper with her. All over a box of cheap beads. Her face also darkened, and she kicked the trash can over. “These worthless pieces of trash belong in the garbage!” Liam’s suppressed pain and anger from the entire night erupted at that moment. He immediately called for Mr. Davies, telling him to escort everyone out. Summer, however, stubbornly refused to leave, looking at him fearlessly as she declared loudly, “Liam Thorne! Is this your attitude? If you force me out that door today, even if you beg me on your knees later, I won’t give you another chance!” Hearing this, Liam showed no reaction, but his friends behind him grew anxious. They quickly stepped forward to mediate. “Oh, Liam was just kidding, Summer. Why are you getting mad at him? He likes you so much, how could he be mean to you? He was actually scolding us!” “Yeah, yeah, we were clumsy, getting in your way. We’ll leave right away, just don’t fight!” “Liam, apologize quickly! Summer isn’t like Jade Miller; you need to really sweet-talk her. Otherwise, if she gets mad, you’ll regret it.” Summer’s expression slowly softened. She adjusted her mood and looked at Liam, but only saw his dark, cold eyes. “Out! Everyone!” Those two words ignited the anger in Summer’s chest as well. She had never imagined that her ever-smiling protector, who always tried to please her, would publicly disrespect her in front of so many people. She picked up a cup from the coffee table and smashed it to the floor. “What do you mean by that? If you weren’t begging me to be with you, do you think I’d come to find you? Plenty of people pursue me; I don’t need you, Liam Thorne!” Facing her unreasonable accusations, Liam had no desire to humor her. He clenched his fists tightly, looking at her coldly. “Then go find them!” Summer’s face, flushed with anger, slowly lost its color at his words. She stared at him, her eyes filled with disbelief. “Liam Thorne, you’ve been with Jade Miller for too long, your brain must be fried, right? It’s just a few crappy beads; why are you treating them like treasures? You’re not going to give them to Jade Miller, are you? No wonder, a pauper with cheap junk, a perfect match! Go ahead and be with her; don’t stain my eyes!” Liam had witnessed Jade Miller’s kindness to Summer all these years. When Summer was ostracized by classmates for her spoiled personality, Jade stepped forward to calm the rumors. When Summer argued with Finn late at night, Jade would rush over to comfort her, even with a fever. Every time they went out, Jade would be busy helping her with her things, taking photos… He had believed there was genuine affection between the two of them. It wasn’t until today that he realized Summer had never truly considered Jade a friend. But on second thought, such nonchalant disregard for emotions was quite characteristic of her. After all, he had pursued her for fourteen years, and she enjoyed his affection without ever reciprocating. So, everything Jade had given probably meant nothing to her. How could she be grateful or nostalgic? The drama finally ended with Summer leaving in a huff. His friends all urged Liam to chase after her. But he remained unmoved, silently crouching down to wipe the dirty beads with a tissue. Seeing him like this, everyone became even more baffled, jumping up and down in agitation. “Liam, what are you thinking? You finally got her to agree after chasing her for so long. If you really break up, you’ll regret it!” Liam’s face was devoid of expression, and he had no desire to discuss the matter. It was then that everyone caught on to a different meaning, exchanged glances, and tentatively asked a few questions. “Are you really not going to coax her? Not going to chase her anymore? Why the sudden change? Is it really because of Jade Miller? Liam, did you actually fall for her, blurring the line between acting and reality?” “How can you talk to Liam like that! Our brother is so handsome and charming. Summer is so ungrateful; it’s better not to be with her, it’ll save so much trouble!” “Right, Jade, Jade Miller is less trouble. Liam, you don’t have to pretend anymore. Give her a proper title; I think she’s quite devoted to you.” Liam knew this group of friends were shrewd opportunists, quick to say whatever suited the situation, and he knew they were just trying to cheer him up. But now that Jade knew the truth and had left, their words felt like pouring oil on a fire, salt on an open wound. He felt utterly exhausted, with no energy left to waste words on them. He picked up the box and went upstairs. He woke up again to darkness. His phone on the bedside table flashed. Liam picked it up and saw a message from his assistant. “Young Master, I’ve found everything you asked me to look into at midnight. There’s no passenger named Jade Miller on the recent three-day maritime and air outbound lists. But I did go to State University and learned that Miss Miller’s college has been selected for a national classified project, which should have already started.” A classified project? Remembering Jade’s renowned professor, Liam’s heart sank. Although Jade was only an undergraduate, her exceptional talent had earned her Professor Thompson’s high regard, and he intended to mentor her. If she had truly joined this project, wouldn’t he be unable to contact her again? The thought sent Liam into an unprecedented panic. He messaged his assistant, asking him to inquire about the project. He knew hope was slim but still wanted to try his best. The assistant quickly messaged back. “Young Master, this project has a top-secret (SSS) classification. We only got this much information because the college gave a hint out of respect for the Old Master. It would be best if you didn’t get involved.” Mr. Scott was an old-timer who had served his grandfather for years. If he said so, Liam knew it was impossible. The surroundings were pitch black, vast and silent, as if threatening to swallow him whole. Liam’s eyes were open, but he could see nothing. A film of moisture formed in his eyes, and countless memories flooded him like a tide, drowning him completely. The warmth of two people embracing for comfort on a cold winter night; her eyes brighter than stars when she received a gift; soft kisses on his brow and lips… Each scene was so vivid, so clear and bright. As if it were just yesterday. But Liam knew those were all from a long, long time ago. Back then, his heart and eyes were filled with another girl, so he proudly ignored the genuine affection she offered. Now that he had awakened and looked back at those days, he saw nothing but scattered wreckage. The mirage of love he had constructed with ninety percent pretense and one percent truth had been burned to ashes by her departure. The beautiful illusion vanished in an instant, becoming smoke that blinded him. That small fraction of genuine affection burned like embers, scarring him all over. He was powerless to resist. He could only reap what he sowed. Graduation season. The State University campus was filled with traces of farewells everywhere. Liam returned to campus to pick up his diploma, walking alone through familiar pathways. The garden, the sports field, the library… With every step, every group of girls in graduation gowns taking photos, every couple holding hands he passed, a layer of melancholy settled over his heart. As State University’s campus heartthrob, many younger students knew him. Seeing him alone and disconsolate, they couldn’t help but whisper. “Why is Liam alone? Where’s his girlfriend? Did they break up?” “Breakups are normal during graduation season. Jade is so brilliant; she’s definitely going into research. It’s tough with long distances.” “But I heard they were going to get married after graduation? Guess things just changed.” Every word was like a needle pricking Liam. It wasn’t a gut-wrenching pain, but a continuous, pervasive ache he couldn’t escape. He lowered his bloodshot, tired eyes, hiding the painful, forlorn emotions within, and avoided the crowds, walking towards a side gate. The flow of people did thin out there. But after only a few steps, he heard a familiar voice. “Finn Gallagher, we broke up. Can you stop bothering me?!” It was Summer Kingston. She was cornered by Finn, unable to break free, her voice furious. Finn was a reckless character; to put it nicely, he was uninhibited; to put it bluntly, he was a philanderer. He was handsome and loved to have fun, so women often threw themselves at him. Summer Kingston was one of them. And the reason he agreed to be with her wasn’t because he was interested in her wealthy background, but merely to use it as a stepping stone. But he hadn’t expected the Kingston family to be so ruthless, even willing to kick their only daughter out of the house to quash his delusions. Initially, he thought there might be a chance to reconcile and continued to sweet-talk Summer. But as time went on, he gained no benefits and instead watched this spendthrift socialite princess deplete his savings, so he lost patience and started arguing with her. After each argument, he’d think that since the money was already spent, he might as well get something back, so he’d go back and say a few kind words to coax her. This cycle repeated for three years. This time, because of the lake incident, Summer again threatened to break up. He thought she would cool off as usual. But it had been over half a month, and she still refused to reconcile. Finn finally realized she was serious this time. After three years of torment, ending up with nothing, he naturally couldn’t swallow his pride and insisted on getting a clear answer from Summer. But she had Kingston family protection wherever she went, making it impossible for him to get close. Now that he had finally caught her, Finn naturally wouldn’t let her go. “You say break up, and that’s it? Did I agree? Summer, I’m devoted to you; how could you just abandon me?” “You’re hurting me, let go! Finn, you know my identity. If you keep bothering me, don’t blame me for not being sentimental!” “Not sentimental? How un-sentimental? Are you going to have someone kill me? Go ahead and try it. Don’t forget, I have those videos and photos. If anything happens to me, I’ll release them, and you, Princess Summer, won’t get off easy!” Seeing him so shameless, Summer couldn’t hold back anymore and slapped him. “You’re despicable!” Finn, however, wasn’t ashamed. He just laughed. “Yeah, I’m despicable. So what? You don’t actually think you can get rid of me, do you? I’ve been with you for three years; how could something so good happen?” Summer’s hand was red from his grip; she was on the verge of crying in frustration. She was wondering how to get rid of him when her peripheral vision caught Liam Thorne not far away. Her eyes lit up as if she had seen a savior. “Liam, quick, come…” Her words stopped halfway. Because Liam ignored her and turned to leave. His resolute attitude angered Summer even more than Finn’s badgering. Her voice was tinged with hatred. “What do you mean by that?” Liam didn’t stop, nor did he feel like explaining. He didn’t want to clean up her messes anymore. Everything she was experiencing now was her own doing. She deserved to face the consequences herself. After graduation, Liam took over the Thorne Corporation, starting from the ground up to learn how to manage corporate affairs. He immersed himself in busy work every day, often working late into the night. But no matter how busy he was, he would always find time to return to that rental apartment and stay for a while. He bought many things, restoring the once empty room to its original state. From the clothes in the closet to the vase on the table, to the toiletries in the bathroom… Every item was something Jade used and loved. Yet there was no trace of her. He was clinging to a past that wouldn’t return in this cramped space, waiting for someone who might never come back. Time passed quickly, but when one was in it, each day felt interminably long. Five years later, Liam passed his evaluation and became the CEO of the Thorne Corporation. After the grand inauguration ceremony, he declined the celebration party and drove himself back to the rental apartment. As usual, he bought a lot of street-side barbecue, grabbed a few cans of beer, and then went home. On the way, he met Mrs. Peterson, who sighed upon seeing him. “Liam, it’s been five years, and Jade hasn’t come back once. Why do you insist on waiting here?” Those words struck the most hidden part of Liam’s heart. For him, Jade’s departure was like sealing off his past self. He rarely showed emotion to the outside world anymore, operating like an emotionless robot following a program. As he grew older, the Thorne family also began to worry about his marriage, constantly introducing him to potential partners. But he rejected everyone, saying he wanted to focus on his career. The Thorne family had no choice but to advise him while letting him be. No one knew why he was so restrained. Only he knew that the Liam Thorne who returned to this cramped, rundown rental apartment was the real Liam Thorne. Only when he pushed open that door would his tense nerves completely relax, and his exhaustion slowly fade. Everything in the room was exactly as he had left it yesterday, untouched. Seeing its spotless, clean appearance, a faint sense of disappointment flickered in his eyes. After putting down his things, he took a shower, changed into clean pajamas, and then opened a can of beer. Since starting work, he hadn’t touched alcohol in a long time, so after just one sip, his face flushed slightly. The continuous overtime had exhausted him, and he fell deeply asleep on the sofa before even finishing one can of beer. When he woke up again, it was already dark. His phone vibrated continuously, startling Liam awake. He rubbed his tired eyes, and after a long moment, picked up his phone. The dozen-plus people and hundreds of messages that popped up left him stunned. He tapped on several, realizing everyone had sent the same link. It was a news article. With confusion and doubt, Liam clicked on the link. He was initially lying on the sofa, but as he scrolled to the middle, he abruptly sat up. “The ‘Orion’ robot, developed by State University’s Aerospace Institute, successfully landed on Mars aboard the Shenxiong-7… Led by Professor Thompson, with team members Jade Miller, Scott Feng, and others…” Seeing that familiar name, Liam felt a sense of unreality. He meticulously read through the entire report, then at the very bottom, he saw a group photo. In the picture, 26-year-old Jade Miller had cut her hair short, her skin was much darker, her eyes firm and bright, and she wore a gentle smile for the camera. It was only then that Liam finally realized. Jade Miller was no longer the young woman who shared a cheap rental with him, her eyes solely on love and marriage. She had grown like a tree, spreading her magnificent wings before the entire world. So radiant. So brilliant. After the “Orion” project concluded, all project participants returned to the capital. Returning to the city they had been away from for so long, looking at the increasingly prosperous streets, Jade felt a sense of unreality. Having spent five years in a remote, resource-scarce, and solitary research base, she had grown accustomed to the dry, hot weather. She was still somewhat unaccustomed to the cool autumn days in the capital. After getting off the plane, the group boarded the car sent by State University, preparing to return to the campus. Jade chose a window seat in the back. Soon after, Professor Thompson came to her side and patted her shoulder. “Jade, what are your plans now that you’re back?” Looking at the teacher who had changed the trajectory of her life, Jade was filled with gratitude. “Professor, I’ve learned so much in these five years and also realized my own limitations. So, after my upcoming scheduled trips and seminars, I want to return to university to continue my studies.” Though she spoke modestly, Professor Thompson highly appreciated her spirit of lifelong learning, giving her an approving look. “Now that this project is over, many institutions and academies must be offering you positions, right? I’m so pleased that you can maintain your integrity amidst the temptations of fame and fortune, and choose to continue your studies. I’ve mentored you from the start, and I admire your tenacious, ambitious spirit. But I also hope that while you pursue the extraordinary, you don’t push yourself too hard. Family, friends, partners – these are all important parts of life. You need to balance them with your real life.” Jade knew Professor Thompson meant well. But having experienced that relationship, which now seemed somewhat childish, she had truly grown. For her now, romance was no longer the main theme of her life. Through the “Orion Project,” she had witnessed the distant and mysterious universe, found a broader career, and set grander goals. She wanted to converse with the cosmos. Though this wish seemed impractical, if humanity could land on Mars, what else was impossible? She wanted to challenge these impossibilities. Not as Jade Miller, the individual, but as a representative of all humanity. To initiate a dialogue with the unknown universe. After checking into the hotel, Jade had dinner with her colleagues and then returned to her room. She opened her suitcase, took out her toiletries, and was about to go shower when her phone started dinging repeatedly. University roommates, family relatives, and the professors who had always looked out for her – all sent greetings and congratulations. After replying to each one, she suddenly saw a new friend request. “Jade, can we talk?” With just a glance at the profile picture and name, Jade knew who it was. Liam Thorne. Thinking of him again, she felt no recollection of the past, nor any emotional波動 (fluctuation). It was as calm as if the person on the other side wasn’t an ex-boyfriend from five years ago, but merely an unimportant stranger. She felt she had nothing to talk about with him, and she didn’t want to waste any more time on him. So she didn’t accept the request, and with her pajamas in hand, she entered the bathroom. After showering, she felt completely relaxed. Lying on the soft, large bed, she quickly grew sleepy and drifted into a hazy slumber. Jade had a dream. In her dream, she became a shooting star, drifting through the vast, brilliant Milky Way, pulled by gravity. Above her were the stars and universe she pursued. And below her was Earth, her life source. Although an unknown silence suddenly brought a sense of loneliness. She knew she was completely free. Someone must have leaked the news. When the project team members woke up, they found the hotel surrounded by reporters and aerospace enthusiasts, an impenetrable crowd. At nine in the morning, they had a report meeting, followed by another seminar in the afternoon. Their schedule was tight; they couldn’t afford a single delay. But looking at the situation outside, let alone making it to the meetings, they probably couldn’t even leave the hotel. They were all worried. Just as it seemed they would be late, nearly a hundred bodyguards suddenly appeared outside the hotel, helping to maintain order and clear a path. Once the bus emerged from the crowd, the driver estimated they would arrive at the venue on time. The project team members all breathed a sigh of relief, discussing who had helped them out. Jade didn’t join in the conversation. She glanced at the company logo on the work badges worn by the bodyguards outside the window, then pulled the curtain shut. After two important meetings, there was a welcome banquet in the hotel lobby that evening. Having sat for ten hours, Jade felt her body stiffening. So, after making the rounds and greeting everyone at the banquet, she decided to head back to her room to rest. Rubbing her temples, she walked into the elevator, immediately catching a faint scent of sandalwood that instantly cleared her mind. Looking up, Jade met a pair of familiar eyes. After five years, Liam Thorne had matured greatly. There was a world-weariness in his eyes that belied his age, and a new, aloof demeanor that kept others at bay. Seeing her appear, that aloofness abruptly dissipated. His hands, previously tucked into his pockets, unconsciously dropped, and a mix of complex emotions flickered in his eyes. He looked a little flustered and nervous, as if he had been waiting for a long time. “Long time no see, Jade. How are you?” Jade glanced at him, then averted her gaze. She took out her elevator card, swiped it, and then replied. Her tone was calm and detached. “Thanks for asking. I’m fine.” The reunion they had both imagined countless times seemed about to end in these few words. Liam was unwilling to let the conversation stop there. “I didn’t mean to bother you, I just wanted to tell you I’m sorr—” Before the “—ry” could leave his lips, the elevator doors opened. Jade had no patience for his tiresome excuses. She stepped forward to enter. Watching her move, Liam’s heart pounded in his chest. He felt something rapidly draining from his body, and he instinctively reached out. And grabbed her wrist. Her movement restricted, Jade finally looked back at him. She said nothing, but the fleeting flicker of displeasure in her eyes struck Liam like a lightning bolt. He felt all his strength drain away, leaving him with no energy to hold her back. He could only let go. *Ding*. The elevator doors slowly closed. Watching her face disappear from his sight, Liam felt his entire heart clench. He slowly slid down the wall to the floor, lowering his head. His颓废 (decadent/despondent) and bewildered face was reflected on the polished floor. He remained there, frozen like a statue. He didn’t know how much time passed until the sounds of approaching footsteps, as the welcome banquet dispersed, jolted him from his endless pain. He struggled to his feet, took one last look at the elevator, and slowly walked out of the hotel. The evening breeze was cold, and he was lightly dressed, shivering from the chill. His secretary, who had been waiting outside for a long time, saw him emerge and quickly opened the rear car door. “Mr. Thorne, where to now?” After a moment of silence, Liam finally uttered a few words. “The office.” He needed to immerse himself in busy work to distract his thoughts. To briefly forget everything that had just happened. Liam pushed on until four in the morning before finally feeling sleepy. It was late, and he was too tired to bother going home, so he grabbed a blanket and slept in his office. He had barely slept a few hours when he was woken by the secretary suddenly pushing the door open. “Mr. Thorne, there’s a problem.” These words, like cold water, instantly jolted Liam’s muddled mind awake. He frowned, sat up, and took the document the secretary handed him. With just one glance, he froze. #ThorneCorpCEOandMysteryWomanLateNightRendezvous# The topic came with pictures, clearly secretly taken in the elevator yesterday evening. Ever since Liam Thorne took over Thorne Corporation, public discussion about this leading heir to one of the capital’s top conglomerates had surged. Half of it was due to Thorne Corporation’s inherent influence, the other half due to Liam Thorne himself. He was decisive and efficient; his first act after taking power was to change Thorne Corporation’s fundamental strategy of relying on real estate, announcing their foray into artificial intelligence. This unique vision and audacity were highly praised by the younger generation, attracting a large fan base. In addition to focusing on his career, many people also gossiped about his appearance and private life. So, as soon as this topic emerged, netizens eager for gossip quickly uncovered the female lead. Liam picked up his phone and opened the comment section, seeing countless highly upvoted comments. “State University alumni here to confirm! The woman in the photo is his ex-girlfriend, Jade Miller, the super genius from the Aerospace Engineering Department, a once-in-a-century talent!” “Holy crap, Jade Miller? Isn’t she the designer for the robot project that landed on Mars… Do all you big shots only date other big shots?” “Huh? Huh? Huh? When they finally reveal a relationship, it’s this huge? Aerospace designer and domineering CEO, what a novel come to life! I’m shipping them, what about you guys?” Watching the trending topic climb rapidly, Liam’s right eyelid twitched, and panic bubbled inside him. His mind raced, trying to figure out how to handle the situation, when his grandfather’s call came in. “Liam, is the news online true? Is that newly famous aerospace designer really your ex-girlfriend?” After a long silence, Liam replied in a low voice. “Yes.” A sharp intake of breath came from the other end of the line. A moment later, Old Mr. Thorne happily clicked his tongue. “So what did you two talk about when you met yesterday? Is there a chance of rekindling things?” Talked about what? Recalling Jade’s cool demeanor and her terse, few words, Liam felt a catch in his throat. Receiving no answer for a long time, Old Mr. Thorne probably understood. He sighed, then earnestly advised him. “I knew it. You haven’t been willing to get married because you still have someone in your heart. From the news, she seems like a wonderful girl. If you two can really get back together, your grandpa would be thrilled. But you can’t force love; she’s not an ordinary girl. If there’s truly no destiny, then forget her. Don’t torment yourself. She’s not a bird that will perch on your branch; no matter how long you wait, it will likely be futile!” Liam understood these truths perfectly well. But how could he just let go? After all, this relationship wasn’t as pure as ordinary love. The dirty self-interest and manipulation intertwined within it—how could a simple “let go” explain it all? Even after five years, revisiting everything that happened back then, even a trivial detail, would fill Liam with so much guilt that he couldn’t sleep. If chasing Summer had been his unwavering obsession before he met Jade, then from their breakup until now, confessing everything to Jade and sincerely apologizing had become his new obsession. These obsessions, more than any unrequited desire from the past, made him feel desperate and tormented. They made him feel like he’d rather die. While Thorne Corporation was holding an emergency public relations meeting, Jade Miller had already issued a public response. After the morning news, there was a live interview about the “Orion Project.” After receiving approval from above, a reporter asked about the trending topic that had erupted last night. Under the gaze of billions, Jade calmly answered the question. “Thank you for your concern, but that relationship discussed online has already ended. From the start of the project until its conclusion, I have been single, and I will not be considering any romantic relationships in the near future. I will be fully dedicated to new work and studies. Please focus on the ‘Orion Project’s’ exploration journey on Mars, and please continue to follow the new surprises brought to you by State University’s Aerospace Engineering Institute.” With a few simple words, she deftly defused the entire situation, immediately quashing the relationship’s buzz. Because the rumors involved a researcher in the aerospace field, the entire office breathed a sigh of relief after watching the interview. Except for Liam Thorne. He replayed the news several times before waving his hand to end the meeting. Outside, a continuous, vast fog shrouded the city. Standing amidst it, a chilling sense of isolation that came with his high position arose. The morning sun shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto him, but he felt no warmth. After everyone left, his secretary brought him a cup of coffee and cautiously asked, “Mr. Thorne, the situation has calmed down. Do we still need to respond?” Silence lingered in the room for a long time before Liam’s somewhat hoarse voice replied. “No. Find the newspaper that took the photos and send a lawyer’s letter.” After half a month of intensive work, all officially arranged schedules concluded. Jade Miller returned to State University with her modest luggage, becoming a student of the Aerospace Engineering Department once again. She resumed her studies under Professor Thompson, now bearing the title of a new graduate student. Suddenly transitioning from the resource-scarce, monotonous, and lonely base back to the ivory tower of university, she still felt a bit unaccustomed. Especially seeing the fresh faces, some students half her age, some even two academic years ahead of her, calling her “Head Student,” she genuinely wasn’t used to it. Professor Thompson, seeing her embarrassed expression, couldn’t help but chuckle and openly teased her. “Jade, you’ve been with me for five years; by now, you should almost be graduating with your doctorate. In my opinion, everyone’s calling you correctly! It’s just that things were rushed when you left, and we forgot about the paperwork. Now we’re just completing the procedure. With your skill and experience, teaching these younger students is no problem at all. Everyone knows you’re my most accomplished student, don’t worry about it!” Hearing this, the younger students below cheerfully called her “Head Student,” and the atmosphere became incredibly harmonious. Hearing it often enough, Jade slowly became desensitized and no longer worried about such trivial matters. Due to her special status, State University arranged a dedicated apartment for her to ensure her normal study and life. During Thanksgiving weekend, she took some time to go home and visit her parents, whom she hadn’t seen in five years. The three of them had a lively holiday dinner, talking about many things. She was also of age, so her family naturally asked about her marriage, inquiring about her thoughts. Jade knew her parents had probably seen the news and were worried, which was why they were asking. She didn’t want them to worry too much, so she told her true feelings to her elderly parents. “Dad, Mom, you know my last relationship didn’t end well. It actually took me almost two months to fully emerge from that dark cloud. During that time, I kept thinking about what I truly wanted: a happy family? Or a successful career? I was confused for a long time.” “It wasn’t until the day I created the first model component, and I heard my professor say that this inconspicuous little item in my hand, carrying the hard work and sweat of myself, all the base staff, and billions of humans, would fly alone into the mysterious, unknown outer space, to see landscapes we can’t see with our naked eyes, to collect information from the universe for us, and to take a crucial step for humanity’s future—that’s when I suddenly saw clearly.” “A person’s life is very long, yet so short; a hundred years can pass in the blink of an eye. But it is precisely the accumulation of countless hundred-year periods, and countless humans sacrificing themselves to pass on the torch of civilization, that has led to this vast and long history of human evolution. If I can leave my name in this historical scroll, wouldn’t that be more thrilling than fleeting affections?” “Everyone is born with their own mission. Since you gave me this rare talent and intellect, I should develop these gifts, letting them produce more light to illuminate the paths of more people, shouldn’t I?” Mr. and Mrs. Miller, who only had high school educations, fell silent. Their original intention was merely to worry about their daughter, not wanting her to be lonely in old age. But after hearing their daughter’s words, they understood that the dream she pursued was far grander and more brilliant than their worries. They might not fully comprehend the nature of her work. But they respected her choices, and her pure heart dedicated to science. All they wanted was for their daughter, when her life came to an end a century from now, to look back and feel happy and content. For them, that was enough. After gaining her parents’ understanding, Jade’s last lingering worry completely dissipated, and she threw herself wholeheartedly into her new work. In addition to completing her basic studies, she also joined the National Academy of Sciences at Professor Thompson’s recommendation, taking on even heavier responsibilities. Yet she reveled in it. Every task she received, every new set of data she calculated, every new discovery she made, filled her with extreme excitement. People around her saw her constantly running between the lab and the research institute, even working during holidays, and urged her to relax, not to push herself so hard. Jade explained countless times that it was voluntary, but everyone still didn’t believe her. Professor Thompson, in particular, after several criticisms, and seeing her still unchanged, grew a little frustrated. He took her out one weekend, insisting she join him for a hike. Autumn Ridge Park in the fall, with its maple leaves glowing like fire, and a clear, cloudless sky, brought smiles to the students breathing in the fresh air. Jade leisurely ambled at the back of the group, picking up a few pretty maple leaves, intending to make specimens from them. Eventually, she fell far behind the younger students. Seeing them disappear from sight, she didn’t bother to catch up. She simply found a spot in a roadside pavilion to rest. Hiking, after all, was about relaxing and clearing one’s mind; reaching the summit wasn’t important. Jade comforted herself with this thought, took out her phone, snapped a few pictures of the clear blue sky, then posted an update on Twitter. “Exercise is good for the mind and body!” Looking at the rather old-fashioned caption and photos, Jade couldn’t help but chuckle. *I’m really getting old!* Perhaps the autumn wind was too comfortable; Jade dozed off while resting. She didn’t know how long she napped, but when she woke up, she saw photos of the magnificent mountain top scenery sent by her junior students. “Head Student, why aren’t you up here yet? We’re already planning to head back down!” “Professor Thompson said you fell too far behind, your fitness is terrible! He’s punishing you by making you attend all future group activities!” Looking at the messages in the group chat, Jade stretched. Just as she was about to send a “Copy that” reply, a shadow suddenly appeared before her. She looked up and instantly frowned. Why was Liam Thorne here? Did she still have an un-deleted mole in her contact list? She’d have to thoroughly check it when she got back. Liam Thorne didn’t know what she was thinking. The only reason he followed her was to formally apologize to her. So, even though he caught a fleeting glimpse of displeasure in her eyes, he could only swallow his disappointment and speak with difficulty. “Jade, I just wanted to tell you I’m sorry.” Jade, however, had no desire to accept his apology. Because “I’m sorry” meant nothing to her. If she accepted it, it would imply that she was still dwelling on the past five years. But she had completely moved on; she simply didn’t want any further interaction with him. So she only replied with one sentence. “I don’t need your apology, and I don’t want to see you again. Do you understand?” This single sentence, far more than a thousand reproaches or accusations, tormented Liam’s heart, which was already steeped in regret. If an apology was meaningless, it meant he could never atone for the mistakes he made in his youth. Realizing this, he felt a pain spread through his entire body, tugging at his nerves. He could no longer control his emotions, and his voice choked up. “I, I was so stupid back then. I didn’t know how precious genuine feelings were. It was my fault. I shouldn’t have used you, and I shouldn’t have lied to you…” This tearful scene of remorse, however, struck Jade as more tedious than any gossip on the trending topics. She took out her water bottle and drank a few sips, not interrupting him, her mind blank, not listening to a single word. Only when he finished and looked at her with a helpless gaze did she finally speak. “Are you done?” “I don’t want to comment on anything you’ve said, because that’s your business, not mine.” “The only thing I want to say is, when I left, I returned all the gifts you gave me. Five hundred thirty-one dollars and twenty-five cents, not a cent more, not a cent less. You should have received it, right?” Seeing a flicker of confusion in his eyes and a slight nod, Jade continued, “Then shouldn’t you return everything I gave you? Cash is fine too. How about forty thousand or so, plus five years of interest, to make it fifty thousand? You can have your secretary send it to the State University Aerospace Institute’s office, just use my name.”

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