Before coming, Xu Ze Yuan had heard from his manager that A He had an extremely bad temper.

Industry insiders said that due to an accidental injury, his personality had changed dramatically. To put it nicely, his legs weren’t functioning well, but in reality, he might be a cripple for life.

Pitiful yet detestable.

His manager had repeatedly emphasized various matters to him.

Although Xu Ze Yuan had listened to his manager’s words, he hadn’t taken them too seriously, nor had he felt nervous or flustered about the upcoming visit.

Xu Ze Yuan thought that as long as he maintained a good attitude, Teacher A He wouldn’t slap a smiling face.

The result was beyond Xu Ze Yuan’s expectations.

He had originally thought that someone with such fame in the public eye would at least be somewhat concerned about their image. Even if they didn’t care much, Xu Ze Yuan felt that he now had some fame too, so, at the very least, the other party would save some face for themselves.

However, A He did not.

Xu Ze Yuan didn’t know what had provoked him. It was their first meeting, yet he inexplicably harbored hostility towards him. And he trampled on his dignity without any mercy.

Xu Ze Yuan had no intention of continuing to please him. He let out a cold laugh, his expression turning ugly.

The manager tried to smooth things over from the side.

Xie Ru He didn’t look at them, but turned towards the security guard, his expression calm and cold: “Is the property management fee paid for nothing?”

“…”

Subsequently, Xu Ze Yuan and his manager were escorted out of the residential complex by the security guard.

Xu Ze Yuan put on his baseball cap, lowered the brim, and followed his manager toward the car. Because it was so inexplicable, he was genuinely angry and looked back in Xie Ru He’s direction.

Xu Ze Yuan’s attention had been focused on Xie Ru He just now, but looking again, he suddenly realized that Shu Nian was behind Xie Ru He, pushing his wheelchair.

She had her head down, a dimple showing on her profile as if she was saying something to him.

Her small frame looked like that of a student who hadn’t yet entered society. She wore a dark red turtleneck sweater, a black pleated skirt, and stockings that made her legs look thin and straight.

The man who had been full of hostility just moments ago was now as docile as a tamed wolf in front of her.

Xu Ze Yuan suddenly realized the relationship between them.

And he understood why Xie Ru He had behaved that way towards him earlier.

Xu Ze Yuan became somewhat lost in thought, recalling past events.

In college, he and Shu Nian had been classmates. From the first time he saw Shu Nian, Xu Ze Yuan had liked her very much. He had always been the type who would strive to get whatever he wanted.

Afterward, he launched an all-out offensive to pursue her.

Shu Nian was completely oblivious to these matters and initially had no idea he was pursuing her. Her attitude towards him wasn’t particularly warm, no different from how she treated other classmates.

Xu Ze Yuan bribed her roommates with snacks, deliberately sat next to her in class, and even joined the same student club she was in, trying every possible way to get close to her.

He pursued her from freshman year to the second semester of sophomore year.

During this time, he confessed countless times, and Shu Nian also solemnly rejected him countless times.

At the New Year’s party in sophomore year, Xu Ze Yuan sang a love song on stage, then confessed to her once again in front of all the teachers and students.

But the effect was counterproductive.

Shu Nian felt confused by his behavior, and even a bit angry: “Didn’t I reject you? My answer wasn’t ambiguous at all, I said I don’t like you. Why do you keep doing these things?”

Xu Ze Yuan had grown up being somewhat pampered and had always been overly confident.

At that moment, because of Shu Nian’s words, he felt his pride was hurt, felt that all his efforts over the past two years had been for nothing, and were just a joke in the eyes of the person involved.

Xu Ze Yuan quieted down for a period after that.

Later, on a rainy evening, Xu Ze Yuan saw Shu Nian again.

He hadn’t brought an umbrella at the time and was running to the nearest library to seek shelter from the rain, completely soaked. Then Shu Nian happened to come out of the library, carrying books.

Whether she didn’t see him or not, Shu Nian simply opened her umbrella and walked into the rain.

Xu Ze Yuan hurriedly called out to her: “Shu Nian!”

Shu Nian turned around.

Xu Ze Yuan didn’t know what to say, the bangs on his forehead dripping water, falling into his eyes, making it hard for him to see clearly: “…I didn’t bring an umbrella.”

Shu Nian stood there for a while but finally walked over.

There was a twenty-centimeter height difference between them, making it difficult for Shu Nian to hold the umbrella, so Xu Ze Yuan took it from her.

Then, Shu Nian said: “Where are you going? I’ll walk you there.”

Xu Ze Yuan didn’t speak.

He could roughly understand her meaning.

If he escorted her back first and then took her umbrella, they would have a reason to meet again.

Otherwise, not.

Shu Nian thought he hadn’t heard and asked once more.

Xu Ze Yuan still didn’t make a sound.

The two walked silently for a while.

The men’s and women’s dormitories were in different directions. As they approached the intersection, Shu Nian said: “You can keep the umbrella, just return it to me during the next class.”

“…”

“Then I’ll head back first.”

Shu Nian was about to run back, but the next moment, Xu Ze Yuan tilted the umbrella, placing it completely over her head.

He couldn’t remember what he said at that time.

He only remembered that because of his action, Shu Nian’s expression changed slightly, as if she recalled something, standing in a daze, not listening to what he was saying.

After that, their relationship gradually improved.

At the end of the first semester of junior year, Xu Ze Yuan confessed to her again, and this time finally received an affirmative answer.

At that moment, Xu Ze Yuan felt like he had won the whole world.

Although Shu Nian wasn’t good at anything, was completely inept when it came to emotions, and was still like a child, their way of getting along didn’t change much after starting to date.

He was still very happy.

During their time together, their most intimate act was merely holding hands. But Shu Nian wasn’t comfortable with him getting too close, and even when they held hands, she would subtly pull away and then create distance.

Xu Ze Yuan always cherished her and kept waiting for her to adjust.

Xu Ze Yuan wanted to progress gradually.

For many things, he was willing to wait until after graduation and marriage to do them with her. That had always been his plan. But in reality, many things don’t happen according to one’s expectations or plans.

Their relationship lasted less than half a year.

During that time, rumors were circulating the school, spreading some baseless stories. Shu Nian endured those words and became increasingly withdrawn. Most of the time, except for classes, she didn’t go anywhere.

Having heard too much of that talk, Xu Ze Yuan also found it hard to accept.

Finally, on a certain weekend, Xu Ze Yuan asked her out.

He had always known that Shu Nian was invariably good-tempered, kind, and patient. Xu Ze Yuan understood that she might not like him, but she would compromise on most of his requests.

In many ways, she had done very well.

Xu Ze Yuan brought up breaking up with her.

That time, for the first time, Shu Nian showed emotion, and what she said made him remember for so many years. Whenever he thought about it, his heart would ache dully. In the middle of the night, when he woke up, he would feel the urge to cry.

It was the thing he felt most guilty about in his life.

He would always remember her appearance at that time and the words she said then.

Like a nightmare.

Shu Nian lowered her head, her entire face pale and sickly, having lost her previous brightness and vitality. She cried silently, becoming extremely timid. After a long while, she spoke softly, her emotions subdued, yet it seemed like an accusation: “I escaped death, barely managed to survive.”

“—Why do I have to be treated like this?”

Shu Nian pushed Xie Ru He’s wheelchair, softly asking: “What did that person just come to see you for?”

Xie Ru He was in a very bad mood, and after a few seconds of silence, he still answered her: “He wants me to write a song.”

“Is he famous?”

“I don’t know him.”

“Then why did you speak to him that way just now?” Shu Nian hesitated, saying, “Won’t he—”

“Do you think what I did was wrong?” Xie Ru He interrupted her, his brow clouded with gloom, enunciating each word: “Shu Nian, don’t speak up for him.”

“…” Shu Nian was stunned for a moment, explaining, “I’m not speaking up for him.”

Xie Ru He turned his head to look at her once, without speaking.

“It’s just that other people were watching nearby, and his attitude towards you wasn’t bad either.” Shu Nian said seriously, “If he tells others about it later, people will say your behavior wasn’t good, and many people will speak ill of you.”

“…”

Shu Nian analyzed earnestly: “I don’t think this is good for you.”

Xie Ru He said expressionlessly: “Let them say whatever they want.”

“If you don’t want to respond to him, you can just not speak.” Shu Nian thought for a moment, feeling this method was quite good, and repeated, “Just don’t say anything.”

Thinking about how the two of them had once been together, the resentment in his heart nearly tore his entire heart apart. Xie Ru He lowered his eyes, pulling up the corners of his mouth: “Didn’t you say one shouldn’t ignore people?”

Shu Nian blinked: “It depends on the person.”

Xie Ru He silently looked at her.

Although she didn’t know why he disliked Xu Ze Yuan, Shu Nian still obediently finished what she was saying: “People you don’t like, you can ignore them. But for people who are good to you, you shouldn’t ignore them.”

Shu Nian’s words seemed to have an implied meaning.

Xie Ru He’s expression relaxed slightly, and he made an almost inaudible sound of agreement.

Speaking of this, Shu Nian suddenly realized something, recalled his attitude just now, and hesitantly asked: “Xie Ru He, were you just now getting angry at me?”

“…” Xie Ru He denied, “No.”

Shu Nian pushed him into the elevator, her brows furrowing: “But I hadn’t finished speaking, and you interrupted me.”

“…”

“When I was talking to you just now, you kept opposing what I was saying.”

“…”

“And your tone wasn’t good either.”

A series of accusations, and although Shu Nian’s tone was flat as she spoke, seemingly without much emotion in it, merely describing what had just happened, it left Xie Ru He speechless.

Shu Nian wanted to say something more.

Xie Ru He suddenly turned around, grabbed her hand, and placed a candy in it.

They had already reached the door of Xie Ru He’s home.

Shu Nian looked down.

It was the mango soft candy she often used to bribe him before.

Xie Ru He’s Adam’s apple bobbed, still holding her hand, not letting go, and said in a low voice: “I apologize.”

Shu Nian didn’t react immediately.

Then, Xie Ru He lowered his eyes, took another piece of candy from his coat pocket, and handed it to her.

“For touching your hand, here’s another one.”