The night before going to F University to find Li Wu, Cen Jin had considered whether she should continue this relationship.

Because Li Wu’s grief and pain had confused her too, making her doubt whether they were truly suitable for each other.

The answer, of course, was that they weren’t.

This was a conclusion that could have been foreseen from the very beginning.

From every angle, every aspect, she and Li Wu were unsuitable.

But what she couldn’t deny or ignore was that she liked him, and he had planted many beautiful details in her life. Perhaps they weren’t particularly prominent, but when she quieted her heart to dig deeper, she found little treasures glimmering everywhere.

She didn’t want to give up hastily.

After washing up, Cen Jin rummaged through her things and found her college diary.

Back then, she had liked notebooks with macaron-colored covers, sufficiently girlish, sufficiently bright, like old jars filled with candy.

At nineteen, she had also started an ambiguous relationship with Wu Fu. The pages were filled with intense, poetic girlish sentiments—her heart would flutter at his mere glance, she would sourly critique every girl who approached him, and every word Wu Fu confided in her was like a strawberry-flavored effervescent tablet dropped into her body, allowing her to live an entire day in a pink, surging halo.

Later, when they got together, the diary entries became even more unbearable—manic, saccharine, life-and-death dramatics, constant anxiety, and occasional wishes as if to a wishing well: I want to be with him forever and ever, he’s the best and most worthy of love.

She had been deeply immersed in it. To be with Wu Fu, she completely ignored her parents’ advice and accepted their challenge of studying abroad. After returning home, she unhesitatingly chose to work at Wu Fu’s company, squeezing into his department even though she didn’t particularly like it. She had fought through thorns and brambles for what she thought was “love,” willingly becoming an armor-clad princess just to walk toward the standard fairy tale ending with her ideal prince.

After closing the diary, Cen Jin finally understood why Li Wu gave her such a strong sense of déjà vu.

He was who she had been back then.

She who had made love the main theme of her life—his purity, confusion, directness, obtuseness, softness, sharpness, docility, courage, childlike heart—all of these were the Cen Jin of the past.

Cen Jin asked herself if she regretted it.

Not necessarily.

It was just that no one had told her then, guided her. She was like the child in that strange woman’s letter, plunging headlong into her destiny as if falling into an abyss.

So she didn’t want to repeat those mistakes.

Couldn’t let Li Wu repeat those mistakes.

He was her lover, and also the purest, most beautiful young man in her heart. She couldn’t let things drift aimlessly.

At least, if this relationship didn’t make it to the end when he looked back on it in the future, Cen Jin shouldn’t be a cautionary tale, making him regret and harbor bitterness.

Moreover, hadn’t the lesson from freshman year been enough? All that hesitation and fussing over trivial misunderstandings.

So she went to find him the next day, having set some enticing traps beforehand.

Before going, Cen Jin had been uncertain, after all, the young man had left with unusual determination, refusing to stop despite her calls.

But things progressed much more smoothly than she had imagined, and she confirmed through this that Li Wu was like her—a paper tiger, a cactus that would bloom.

Those words she wanted to say to him were also what she wanted to say to her nineteen-year-old self.

Rejecting this kind of high-purity, high-concentration love would be equivalent to rejecting her former self.

Cen Jin couldn’t do that, at least not right now.

Fortunately, she had said it, and he had listened. When the young man fell asleep peacefully in her arms, she could finally close her eyes calmly.

After the storm, they shared the serenity under the clearing sun.

They slept until past two in the afternoon, and Cen Jin went to check out at the front desk.

Looking back at Li Wu, his condition had improved considerably, the light returning to his eyes like gleaming black gems. Cen Jin’s heart lifted with joy, and she curved her lips in a smile: “Do you have anything else to do later?”

Li Wu asked: “What about you?”

Cen Jin said: “Nothing.”

Li Wu said: “Me neither.”

Cen Jin casually fastened the top toggle button of his coat, looking up: “Let’s go on a date.”

Over the past few months, with him in school and her at work, they’d spent most of their time at home, never having gone on a proper date like regular couples.

Li Wu held one of her hands, eyes flickering with amusement: “Where to?”

Cen Jin asked: “Where do you want to go?”

Li Wu said: “You decide.”

“But today I want to follow your lead.”

“I’m fine with anywhere.”

“Me too.”

The hotel receptionist watched the two of them gazing at each other, pushing and pulling back and forth, and smiled teasingly: “You two are so polite in your dating.”

Cen Jin turned to look at her, with a serious face: “Because we just met today.”

The receptionist’s eyes widened in an “oh really” expression.

Li Wu smiled gently, understanding her playfulness.

Cen Jin asked the receptionist again: “Do you have any recommendations?”

The receptionist was startled but quickly suggested: “Just go to Nanhuai Road to shop, eat, and watch a movie.”

“What do you think?” Cen Jin tilted her head to look at Li Wu.

“Isn’t that…” Li Wu hesitated slightly.

Cen Jin smiled faintly: “Right, it’s near my company.”

Li Wu observed her for two seconds: “Okay.”

This time Li Wu was again the driver, and for the first five minutes Cen Jin still offered some reminders, but seeing the young man’s driving skills weren’t rusty, she settled into being the officially designated sole passenger.

After leaving the parking garage, Li Wu kept asking if Cen Jin was cold. Although she wore an ankle-length black coat, her legs were bare, which was somewhat unsuited for this weather. Cen Jin shook her head saying she wasn’t cold, but he insisted on leading her to the nearest clothing store.

Nanhuai Road was Yi City’s top commercial district, with department stores arranged like fish scales, and most surrounding shops were luxury brands.

Li Wu, worried about her catching cold, charged straight in that direction, but Cen Jin quickly grabbed his arm to stop him—this wasn’t his price range, and there was no need.

She pointed to a more moderately priced mall across the street: “Let’s go there, they have a cinema too.”

Li Wu looked where she pointed and nodded.

Cen Jin secretly exhaled in relief.

While crossing the pedestrian crossing, Li Wu asked quietly: “Are you afraid I can’t afford it?”

Cen Jin blinked: “What?”

He continued: “I recognize that brand, you wear it often. Don’t always treat me like an idiot.”

Cen Jin: “…”

She pretended to be stern: “Is that what scholarship money is for, buying women’s pants?”

Li Wu disagreed: “Isn’t money meant to be spent on people and things you want to spend it on?”

Cen Jin replied: “But not beyond your means.”

Li Wu said nothing more.

Entering the mall, a giant crystal Christmas tree stood in the central atrium, its layers like diamond facets, glittering and dazzling, quite eye-catching.

Customers gathered three-deep around it, stopping to look and take photos.

They also stopped to gaze, and Cen Jin liked the tree’s design, simple yet elegant, so she planned to take a photo to share with the creative group for inspiration.

She stood on tiptoe, raising her phone high to capture as much of it as possible.

The next moment, she was unexpectedly lifted by the waist.

“Oh?” Cen Jin was startled.

“Take the photo,” said her human elevation platform in a matter-of-fact tone.

Some passersby looked over with smiles, and Cen Jin’s face grew warm as she quickly focused and took a shot: “Done.”

Li Wu didn’t believe her: “Really?”

“Really.” Cen Jin’s high heels finally touched the ground again.

Her hand returned to his, and she complained: “Next time don’t be so sudden, okay?”

“You said to put yourself first,” Li Wu said seriously. “I wanted to do it, so I did.”

“Is this how you’re supposed to apply that principle?” Cen Jin teased, grinding her teeth.

Li Wu’s lips curved slightly.

On the third floor, Cen Jin enthusiastically looked at men’s clothing, asking Li Wu if he wanted to buy anything. Li Wu shook his head: “I haven’t worn through what you bought before.”

But the woman had already pulled him inside.

The sales assistant came up smiling, “Shopping for your boyfriend? What style are you looking for? Though with your boyfriend being so handsome and having such a good figure, he’d look good in anything.”

Cen Jin narrowed her eyes: “How did you know?”

The sales assistant paused: “Your boyfriend is just very handsome.”

Cen Jin said: “I meant how did you know he was my boyfriend?”

The sales assistant’s confidence suddenly dropped, becoming confused: “Isn’t… he?”

Cen Jin said nothing.

The sales assistant became a bit nervous.

Cen Jin smiled mysteriously and walked past her into the store.

Li Wu swung their joined hands: “Anyone can tell, right?”

“Hmph.” She exhaled through her nose but was very happy.

Cen Jin wandered through the store, enjoying herself immensely with the outfit combinations, completely unable to stop.

Finally, after much resistance from Li Wu, the woman relented and only bought one double-breasted khaki oversized coat, walking out of the boutique quietly with a straight face.

Li Wu glanced at the shopping bag: “So you can only buy for me, but I can’t buy for you.”

Cen Jin glanced at him: “The sales assistant already said it—you look good in anything. It would be a waste not to dress such a good-looking person in nice clothes.”

“Fine, alright, accepted.” Everything she said made sense, he admitted.

The third floor was all men’s clothing, and to prevent Cen Jin’s historically uncontrollable materialistic desires regarding him from getting out of hand, Li Wu didn’t dare stay long, quickly pulling her up to the fourth floor where they sat down at a milk tea shop.

After ordering at the counter, Li Wu sat back down across from Cen Jin.

The store had a long queue and was full. It was their first time sitting face to face in such a crowded public place, and Li Wu felt slightly uncomfortable, playing with the receipt in his hands, looking at Cen Jin, then at the table, then secretly smiling at himself.

Cen Jin gazed absently at the staff busy making milk tea, and after a while, looked back to ask: “Did you buy the movie tickets?”

Li Wu took out his phone: “Not yet, what do you want to watch?”

Cen Jin said: “I’m fine with anything.”

“Then shall I choose?” If they kept being this polite, they wouldn’t make it to the theater until midnight.

Cen Jin nodded.

Li Wu lowered his eyes and picked the highest-rated film, asking Cen Jin if it was okay before purchasing.

Cen Jin said: “Up to you.”

Outside it was freezing, but the mall was full of warm air. After sharing a few sips of hot milk tea, Cen Jin, wrapped in her coat, began to sweat, but her inner clothing was too elaborate to comfortably open or remove the coat.

If she’d known there would be an impromptu date today, she would have never dressed this way.

Li Wu watched her for a while, then said: “I’m going to the bathroom.”

Cen Jin: “Okay.”

The young man got up and walked out of the store without looking back, soon disappearing.

Cen Jin guessed he might have fallen in when he didn’t return after ten minutes. Just as she was getting worried, she received a call from Li Wu, telling her to exit, turn left, and keep walking until she reached a three-way intersection, then turn right—he would be waiting there.

His breathing was slightly heavy as if he’d just finished running.

Cen Jin went to find him, stopping at the intersection he’d indicated, and realized it was near the restroom signs.

Their eyes met, and Li Wu walked over, handing her a shopping bag, his chin tilting toward the women’s restroom: “I bought you some clothes, go in and change.”

Cen Jin was slightly stunned, looking down to open the paper bag to find a white turtleneck cashmere sweater and brown straight-leg pants, both of good quality and exactly her usual style.

Cen Jin raised an eyebrow, then composed herself, turning the bag over, and finding nothing, she looked up and held out her hand: “Where’s the receipt?”

Li Wu coughed lightly, touching the side of his neck: “I ate it.”

Cen Jin laughed, pressing her milk tea against his chest: “Aren’t you choking? Need something to wash it down?”

Li Wu took it, obediently taking a couple of sips, his big eyes blinking innocently: “Much better.”

Cen Jin didn’t hesitate, going straight into the women’s restroom to change.

To her surprise, both the clothes and pants fit perfectly. It only took about ten minutes—how well did he know her?

When she came out again, Cen Jin had completely transformed, though her elegance remained unchanged.

Li Wu looked at her, agreeing with her earlier jest that it would be a waste for good-looking people not to wear nice clothes.

Cen Jin glanced at Li Wu and suddenly smiled, belatedly realizing why he had chosen this color and style of top.

The young man had his coat draped over his arm, and his inner layer was also a white turtleneck.

Scheming.

Cen Jin jabbed his waist hard, but her hand was caught again.

He played innocent: “What’s wrong? Why are you poking me again?”

“You know very well.”

Li Wu’s lips curved: “I was just worried you lacked confidence, the way you kept double-checking when others said I was your boyfriend.”

“I just thought it sounded nice, made me feel young, and wanted to hear it more, is that not allowed?” No, that wasn’t all—the real reason Cen Jin was happy was that, in the world’s eyes, the dynamic between them had already changed, becoming compatible, becoming fluid. They were lovers now, no longer just sister and brother.

“Oh,” the straightforward boy couldn’t think that deeply, and muttered: “I overthought it then.”

After putting the coat back in the shopping bag, Li Wu instinctively found her hand, held it, and walked toward the cinema.

Along the way, a clerk from a dessert shop called out to them, holding up an instant camera, asking if they wanted to participate in a tasting and photo event.

Cen Jin was interested and asked a couple more questions, with Li Wu stopping alongside her.

The sweet-looking young female clerk explained: “It’s like this—today is our new store’s opening day, and we have a dessert-tasting event. If you like the taste and spend over 150 yuan, we’ll give you an instant photo, taken and developed right away. You’re such a handsome couple, the photo will turn out amazing!”

She then held up an ornately decorated tray with neatly arranged tasting portions, the sweet fragrance wafting around them.

Cen Jin picked up a fork to try it. The taste was unremarkable, but she liked the store’s European palace-style luxurious decor.

Thinking about how few photos she and Li Wu had taken together since meeting, she turned her head to her boyfriend: “Let’s take a photo, you can bring the cake back to share with your roommates.”

Li Wu nodded.

After Cen Jin made her selection, Li Wu went to the counter to pay.

She followed him, wanting to say something, but in the end said nothing.

They stood in position against the chosen background wall.

The clerk channeled her inner wedding photographer: “Ah, get a little closer!”

Cen Jin moved a bit closer to Li Wu, but the young man had already reached out, placing his hand on the woman’s shoulder, and using a bit of force to pull her toward himself. They both broke into smiles simultaneously.

Click.

Amid the clerk’s excited praise about how well-matched and good-looking they were, Cen Jin received their third photo together.

They were dressed alike, their smiles bright and full of affection, even the curves of their lips and the corners of their eyes were similar—truly a couple.

Just as Cen Jin was about to put it in her bag, a hand with distinct knuckles appeared before her eyes, demanding: “Give it to me.”

Cen Jin: “Huh?”

He was adamant: “You already have one.”

Cen Jin refused: “No. My other one is from high school, how can that be the same?”

“I bought it.” The young man decisively took it, lowering his eyes to look at it as if it were a treasure.

“Oh—” Cen Jin’s fingers were suddenly empty, and she realized: “No wonder you rushed to pay, you had this planned all along.”

Li Wu looked up at her, grinning: “Mm-hmm.”

Cen Jin started hitting him with her arms, and he just let her vent while admiring the photo, unmoved.

After a moment, Cen Jin stopped and deliberately put on a cold face. Li Wu then handed the photo back: “Take a picture of it, I’m going to put it away.”

Cen Jin gave him a sidelong glance: “Should I say ‘thank you, your majesty’?”

Li Wu, having gotten his way, curved his lips: “You have one minute to take the photo.”

Seeing his smug expression, so cute, Cen Jin stopped opposing and took it, holding it under her phone.

Of course, she didn’t just take one photo—she captured it from all angles and perspectives as if documenting a priceless treasure.

―

Close to ten o’clock, Li Wu got out at the school gate.

Only after watching Cen Jin’s white sports car completely disappear from view did Li Wu turn to walk into campus.

After smiling for several hours, his cheeks were sore.

He pulled out the photo from his coat pocket, examining it repeatedly under the streetlight, never tiring of looking at it. He only put it away when he reached the dormitory building, his attention divided.

When he entered the dorm, his roommates’ concern and teasing hit him all at once:

“Did you make up?”

“Look at him, of course, they did, he’s glowing.”

“Just ‘talked for a while,’ huh?”

“So people in love experience time differently from regular folks? A ‘while’ means over ten hours? Got it, got it.”

…

Li Wu kept his eyes straight ahead, sitting down at his desk, not bothering to engage much with these jealous fellows.

Once his roommates were busy with their things and no longer paying attention to him, he pulled open the drawer and carefully tucked the instant photo into the journal Cen Jin had given him.

Then he took out the ID photo of the woman from the front page, looking at it again, starting to grin to himself. This time it wasn’t just his cheeks that were sore—his face was nearly paralyzed.

After a while, the young man pushed the drawer closed and took out his phone to ask Cen Jin if she’d gotten home.

She didn’t reply immediately.

He switched apps and saw a red dot by the Moments tab, next to Cen Jin’s avatar.

He hurriedly clicked to look.

When he saw the first post, Li Wu’s heart leaped, and he nearly jumped up from his chair.

The most recent update was from Cen Jin. She had posted their intimate instant photo from that afternoon, with a two-character caption:

Gift.