Ruan Mian cried again.

This time, Chen Yi comforted her for quite a while. By the time he let her go home, it was already past midnight—late enough that both sets of parents had called.

The two stood in front of the apartment building entrance, each on their respective phone calls. Under the streetlights, the two shadows cast on the ground were holding hands.

“Outside.”

“Mm.”

“I’ll be back soon.”

Chen Yi would glance toward Ruan Mian with every sentence he spoke, looking at her reddened eyes, her moist and bright pupils, her delicate and refined nose bridge, her opening and closing lips.

Clearly she was right in front of him, yet he still tried to piece together a teenage version of her in his mind. Regarding her secret crush back then, Li Zhi hadn’t been too specific that night, even relegating the time to “once liked.”

He had no way of knowing the exact time.

The Chen Yi of high school—a spirited youth who, relying on his good looks and enviable family background, steadily occupied the top position on Eighth Middle School’s list of prominent figures with an unrivaled presence, not just that year but for many years after.

He was almost an unprecedented and unrepeatable existence.

But Chen Yi at that age also possessed a clarity beyond his peers. His family background and upbringing meant his choices regarding his own life were always firm and definite. Whatever he wanted, he worked hard for it. So much so that while others were still struggling on the single-plank bridge of the college entrance exam, he had already embarked on his own broad avenue.

Precisely because of this, on his path pursuing life, he overlooked many things that, for Chen Yi at that age, were merely external matters.

—Such as Ruan Mian’s affection and every gaze she directed at him.

After graduation, due to his studies, Chen Yi rarely returned to China. His contact with Ruan Mian had stopped after that one time taking graduation photos.

The reunion at the disaster area was more like an unplanned event for him. In Ruan Mian’s unusual changes, he traced clues to detect some subtle details of their interactions when they were young.

Nine years had passed. Her differences from high school weren’t just in personality—her external appearance had also undergone subtle changes.

Taller and thinner than before, her features seemed to have opened up, shedding her immaturity and refined upbringing to become increasingly poised and graceful.

Chen Yi couldn’t deny being amazed, but the premise of that amazement was because she was Ruan Mian—the person who had shielded Yu Zhou when the aftershock occurred—and not someone else.

The later heartbeat was more unexpected than their reunion, yet somehow also within reason. He couldn’t trace where it began, only knowing that when he came to his senses, she had already moved in.

That rescue mission encountered an accident. At the border between life and death, he had thought of her without warning. In the end, he was also grateful that everything remained at the starting point.

That way, even if something happened to him, her sadness would only be temporary.

But later, the more they spent time together, the more he felt unable to let go. Chen Yi selfishly pulled her into his life, never imagining that long ago, she had already placed him in her heart.

That was the first time in Chen Yi’s life he felt overwhelming regret and remorse.

But there’s no medicine for regret in this world, nor time machines. The now twenty-six-year-old Chen Yi couldn’t return to sixteen, and he was destined to miss the sixteen-year-old Ruan Mian.

But fortunately, fate has its own plans. The reunion after nine years might be a kind of compensation for the past for Ruan Mian, but for Chen Yi, it was an incomparably precious and once-in-a-lifetime gift. He was willing to spend his whole life reciprocating it.

……

Ruan Mian, who was also on a phone call beside him, didn’t notice Chen Yi’s distraction. After hanging up, she withdrew her hand from his palm.

But unexpectedly, the next second, he reached over and held it again. His slender, fair fingers passed through the gaps between hers, their fingers interlocking in ultimate tenderness.

Ruan Mian was pulled close to him. Watching his Adam’s apple move slightly as he told the person on the phone he’d be back soon, she still felt somewhat embarrassed and averted her gaze.

Chen Yi put away his phone. His fingertip swept past the corner of her eye as he asked in a low voice, “What time is your flight tomorrow?”

“Twelve o’clock.” Her skin was too thin—she was always avoiding his gaze.

He laughed softly but didn’t make it difficult for her. “I’ll take you to the airport tomorrow.”

Ruan Mian said okay. Thinking of Ruan Mingke’s urging, she still withdrew her hand. In the sweltering season, there was a thin layer of sweat on her palm and fingertips.

She pressed her lips. “I need to go back.”

“Okay.” Chen Yi felt his hand was empty, and his heart also felt a small void. “Go back quickly. Send me a message when you wake up.”

Ruan Mian made an “oh” sound and left without lingering. The apartment building door opened and closed. Her figure quickly disappeared from Chen Yi’s line of sight.

Chen Yi smiled to himself. After standing outside for a while, he soon left as well.

But what he didn’t know was that not long after he left, Ruan Mian, who had taken the stairs instead of the elevator, watched from the third-floor window platform until he walked far away before withdrawing her gaze.

The stairwell was dimly lit. Ruan Mian walked out from the emergency exit to wait for the elevator. The elevator wall, polished by the cleaning lady to mirror-like shine, reflected her figure.

Though blurred, one could still see she was smiling.

In Ruan Mian’s twenty-plus years, she had experienced more than ordinary people but was also luckier than many. Although her parents divorced, she still enjoyed double the love, even more.

Academic success, not many friends but of good quality. And now, the boy she once liked had reconnected with her life after nine years of going around in circles.

Fate ultimately hadn’t shortchanged her.

……

When Ruan Mian got home, Ruan Mingke hadn’t slept yet. She and Chen Yi had been out of contact since leaving that afternoon. Originally, he thought the two were just going through the motions for their parents, going their separate ways after leaving. After all, Ruan Mian hadn’t looked very willing before going.

Who knew that after he got home, he received a call from Fang Ruqing, only then learning that the two might have been together the whole time after leaving the hotel.

Although he understood Chen Yi’s character, she was still his daughter after all—it was impossible not to worry. He asked Fang Ruqing when she’d run into Ruan Mian, estimated the travel time, and stubbornly waited until midnight before he couldn’t resist calling.

Now hearing the sound of the door opening, Ruan Mingke pretended not to care. Only after Ruan Mian walked over did he ask, “Why so late?”

Ruan Mian had gone along with Chen Yi’s story earlier, so she hadn’t told the truth. But now facing her father, after thinking about it, she confessed, “We went back to school to see former classmates and teachers.”

Meeting Ruan Mingke’s puzzled gaze, she continued, “Chen Yi and I were classmates in the same class before.”

Ruan Mingke’s right eyebrow lifted slightly, his expression surprised. “Then why did you both say you didn’t know each other when you met?”

“It was just a bit sudden.” Even now, sitting here and bringing this matter up again with Ruan Mingke, Ruan Mian still found it sudden and incredible.

She thought of last year when she moved back—the first time Ruan Mingke mentioned his colleague’s son. At that time, she never imagined Chen Yi was that person.

Between disbelief, Ruan Mingke keenly noticed Ruan Mian’s slightly reddened eyes. His thoughts converged. “Being classmates is good—you know each other well.”

Ruan Mian responded guiltily.

Ruan Mingke asked again, “So how did you and Chen Yi get along today? If you’re not compatible, don’t force it. After all, you’re classmates—don’t make the relationship too strained.”

Even though Ruan Mian had always had nothing she couldn’t tell her father since childhood, right now she couldn’t say something as outrageous as “we’re already together.” She could only feign calm and deflect, “Pretty good. Maybe because we’re classmates, getting along is easier than with strangers.”

Ruan Mingke stared into her eyes. The father and daughter looked remarkably alike. If you covered the lower half of their faces, their eyes and eyebrows were almost carved from the same mold.

He didn’t ask more, only advising, “It’s late. Get some rest early.”

“Okay.” Ruan Mian reached for her bag.

Ruan Mingke: “What time is your flight tomorrow? I’ll take you to the airport.”

Ruan Mian’s motion of reaching for the bag paused. She stood up and said, “Noon, twelve o’clock. No need to take me. I’ll just get a taxi myself.”

After saying this, she dropped a “Good night, Dad” and hurriedly returned to her room. After closing the door, Ruan Mian let out a long breath, hung up her bag, gathered her pajamas, and went to the bathroom to shower.

While doing her skincare routine, she dug her phone out of her bag and saw Chen Yi had sent her messages fifteen and ten minutes ago.

[CY]: I’m home.

[CY]: My dad asked about us. I confessed.

Ruan Mian: “……”

Ruan Mian now truly felt she was being somewhat outrageous. She haphazardly patted on some serum and fumblingly typed out a few words.

[Ruan Mian]: You really confessed?

[CY]: Hmm? The family rules are there. Can’t break the law knowingly.

[Ruan Mian]: ……

[CY]: Didn’t your father ask you?

[Ruan Mian]: He did. I lied.

[CY]: Mm, it’s fine.

[CY]: My dad is calling your dad right now.

This sentence shocked Ruan Mian considerably. She almost immediately walked out of her room, but Ruan Mingke was no longer in the living room. The study and his bedroom doors were both tightly closed—not a sound could be heard.

Instead, Zhou Xiujun, who had gone to bed early, got up in the middle of the night to get water and ran into Ruan Mian standing there. She was startled. “Why aren’t you sleeping so late?”

“Going to sleep now.” Ruan Mian took the cup from her hand, went to the living room to pour warm water, and brought it back to the room. Her phone had received another message.

[CY]: Just kidding. Didn’t say anything.

[CY]: Rest early. Good night.

She breathed a sigh of relief and put down her phone, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Zhou Xiujun was naturally a light sleeper. After being startled like that, she’d lost her drowsiness. She asked Ruan Mian, “I heard from your father that you went on a blind date today?”

Ruan Mian nodded. Zhou Xiujun took her hand, her slightly rough fingertips stroking the back of Ruan Mian’s hand one stroke at a time, asking gently, “How did it feel?”

“Pretty good.” Ruan Mian smiled and lay down beside Zhou Xiujun as if acting cute. “Grandma, do you believe in fate?”

“Of course I do. Between people, it’s all about fate. Whether it’s a chance meeting or an unforgettable entanglement for a lifetime—isn’t it all the fate between two people?” Zhou Xiujun laughed and sighed. “It’s just a matter of deep or shallow fate.”

Ruan Mian made an “mm” sound and leaned closer into her embrace. “Grandma, let me sleep with you tonight.”

“All right.” Zhou Xiujun turned off the light. Grandmother and granddaughter chatted on and on until the latter half of the night. Outside the window, the night was bright with few stars. Dawn was approaching.

The next morning, Ruan Mian was woken by her preset alarm. The curtains in the room were half-drawn, and bright sunlight shone in.

She felt for her phone to turn off the alarm and opened WeChat to find all group messages. Shen Yu had posted several group photos from yesterday in the group.

Ruan Mian clicked to save the original images one by one. In several consecutive photos, all six people maintained the same poses with barely any change in expression, until she flipped to the last one.

In that one, Chen Yi, who stood behind her just like in the previous photos, wasn’t looking at the camera but rather at her.

The boundless sky, the setting sun spreading across the entire cloud layer, yet the man’s expression was indescribably tender.

She smiled and saved this photo.

Later, while eating breakfast, Ruan Mian saw that Chen Yi had posted that photo to his Moments early in the morning—not set to visible only to her, but in a status everyone could see.

He gave her blatant favoritism, just like in the photo where he could only see her.

After breakfast, Ruan Mian went back to her room to pack. Dawdling until past nine o’clock, she received a call from Chen Yi. “Not up yet?”

“Ah, I’m up.” She put the charger in her bag with one hand.

“Then why didn’t you send me a message?”

Ruan Mian froze, remembering his instruction from last night. She touched her nose. “I forgot.”

Silence fell in the receiver. After a few seconds, he laughed softly. “All right. When are you leaving? I’m at the entrance of your complex.”

“Ten minutes.”

“Okay.”

After hanging up, Ruan Mian carefully checked the documents in her bag, picked up her phone, and prepared to leave. “Dad, Grandma, I’m leaving.”

Ruan Mingke: “I’ll take you.”

“No need.” Ruan Mian changed shoes in the entryway. “I’ll take a taxi. It’s so hot—you don’t need to see me off.”

Ruan Mingke, supporting Zhou Xiujun, walked over. “When will you be back this time?”

“Probably not until Mid-Autumn Festival or National Day.” Ruan Mian smiled. “I’ll probably be in the operating room in the second half of the year. I’ll be a bit busy.”

Zhou Xiujun advised, “Even so, pay attention to rest. Don’t always skip meals.”

“I know.” Ruan Mian went over to hug the old lady, then looked up at Ruan Mingke. “I’m leaving now. Take care of yourselves at home.”

“Be safe. Call us when you arrive.”

“Okay.”

As the door closed, Ruan Mian felt inexplicably lost. After growing up, she came home less and less frequently. Every time she left home, she had this feeling of melancholic loss.

She sighed lightly. Seeing the elevator coming down from upstairs, she quickly walked over and pressed the button.

From the apartment building to the complex entrance was still a few minutes’ walk. The June sun in the south was somewhat strong—even that short stretch made one sweat.

Chen Yi wasn’t sitting in the car but waiting under the shade of trees at the complex entrance. The dappled light and shadow couldn’t hide his good looks.

Perhaps hearing approaching footsteps behind him, he turned around. His indifferent expression was like a melting iceberg, becoming soft and tender. “No luggage?”

Ruan Mian was puzzled. “I didn’t have luggage when I came back.”

“Oh, then I forgot.” He deliberately emphasized the last three words, as if hinting at something.

“……”

The two got in the car. The air conditioning in the car was set very low. After getting in, Chen Yi turned the temperature up.

From the complex to the airport was an hour’s drive. Ruan Mian had no luggage. After completing the procedures at the airport, there was still half an hour left to sit with Chen Yi at Starbucks for a while.

Neither of them were talkative by nature, but inexplicably, just sitting together—even without saying or doing anything—didn’t feel awkward. Instead, there was an indescribable pleasure.

As if as long as it was each other, even wasting time together was worthwhile. It was just that half an hour was really too short—not even enough to finish a cup of coffee.

“Let’s go. I’ll walk you over.” Chen Yi picked up her bag and naturally held her hand, instructing, “Send me a message when you arrive.”

“Okay.” After Ruan Mian finished speaking, she added, “I won’t forget this time.”

He made an “mm” sound with a hint of laughter, his voice low and deep. “Even if you forget, it’s fine. I’ll call you.”

Ruan Mian smiled along.

From now on, there was one more person in this world who cared about her.

—

**Author’s Note:** Modified the ending of the previous Mei You Ren Xiang Ni – Chapter slightly.