Cheng Wanyue remembered her sophomore year in high school when she made a fruit cake.

She spread the cream herself and picked the sweetest fruits. Though the cake base was slightly burnt with a hint of bitterness, it was still edible—she had taken several bites without being poisoned.

At first, it was novel, but after numerous failures and time spent, she lost patience. It took her half a day of struggling to make something presentable.

Qing Hang had never celebrated a birthday in his entire life.

Without a birthday, there was no chance to make wishes.

Cheng Wanyue was his complete opposite. From the year she was born, each birthday was celebrated with great ceremony. Even when celebrating with Cheng Yanqing, there were always two cakes, and gifts were never duplicated.

A birthday is celebrated to commemorate one’s birth. It shouldn’t be avoided because of some incident or someone’s departure.

Cheng Wanyue spent all her free time running to the dessert shop. Twice, Qing Hang had already returned home from work while she was still at the shop. When he called asking where she was, she simply said she was out.

Today was another unsuccessful attempt—the cream was spread too roughly.

After leaving the mall, the sweet scent of cream still lingered on her clothes.

She hadn’t been this dedicated even during her repeat year in school. Her waist hurt, and her neck felt uncomfortable. While standing at the roadside waiting for transportation, she kept massaging her shoulders.

Chi Yue suddenly called her with a video chat. Cheng Wanyue had intended to check how many people were queuing in front of her, but accidentally accepted the call. The person who appeared in the video wasn’t Chi Yue, but a figurine of a magical girl warrior.

The lights flashed on and off, with music blaring at deafening volumes. Cheng Wanyue had enjoyed such places during her first two years of university.

She waited for a while, thinking she would hang up if he didn’t speak soon.

The phone screen suddenly went black, but she could still hear sounds from his end.

Many people greeted him, their tones carrying hints of flattery and fawning. Whether they genuinely wanted to know him or were trying to get close to his father through him was hard to tell. After all, normal people making friends wouldn’t immediately inquire about each other’s family’s health and suggest dining together right after exchanging greetings.

A few minutes later, the sound of a motorcycle came through the video.

Cheng Wanyue realized he must have put his phone in his pocket, but the wind noise was still loud.

A girl passing by mentioned she had forgotten her umbrella and that it would rain later. Cheng Wanyue hadn’t brought an umbrella either. Nine o’clock was when many companies ended work, and the ride-hailing app showed constant congestion.

A motorcycle stopped outside the pedestrian crossing at the intersection, its headlights somewhat blinding.

Cheng Wanyue glanced at it casually, noting nothing special, until the bike stopped in front of her and she recognized Chi Yue.

How did he appear so mysteriously?

Chi Yue took out a pink helmet from the backpack hanging around his neck and handed it to Cheng Wanyue. “We can’t stay here too long. Get on.”

Cheng Wanyue didn’t take it. “Is this another coincidence?”

“There aren’t that many coincidences,” Chi Yue gestured with his chin toward the area behind her. “This mall is too easy to spot. I was just nearby.”

Without waiting for Cheng Wanyue to speak, he put the helmet on her head and forcibly took her onto his bike. They were stopped twice by traffic police on the road, but he resolved each situation with a single phone call.

The noisy rumbling gradually fell behind them. The light rain was dispersed by the wind, but exposed skin could still feel the moist air.

Chi Yue brought Cheng Wanyue to the best place for viewing the night scenery in Beijing. The lights outlined the city’s silhouette—magnificent in its silence.

Chi Yue wanted to smoke, but because she was there, he just held the cigarette between his lips without lighting it.

After removing his helmet, the injury at the corner of his mouth was no longer hidden, and he did not attempt to conceal it from her.

“Feeling down? I won’t hold it against you then,” Cheng Wanyue didn’t ask further. “This is my first time seeing the night view in Beijing. It would be perfect if there were stars.”

As her words fell, a bolt of lightning tore through the night sky.

Chi Yue saw her startled reaction and a hint of amusement entered his eyes. “The weather isn’t good today. Next time I’ll bring you to see stars and the moon.”

“If you do this again, I’ll be angry.”

“I apologize.”

Cheng Wanyue pointed at the corner of her mouth. “Your father hit you?”

The expression on Chi Yue’s face faded slightly. “Yes.”

“Is he some kind of violent maniac? You’re already so grown up, yet he still hits you.”

“Maybe because I haven’t grown up to be what he expected, or… perhaps my birth wasn’t what he expected. He and my mother married for business reasons, tied together by money without feelings. For over a decade, they’ve each lived their own lives.”

Cheng Wanyue sighed. “I’d like to comfort you, but I don’t have that experience. My family is especially happy. When I was little, after my father disciplined me with a ruler, he would hide in his room and cry.”

Chi Yue: “…”

He suddenly raised his head, looking at her with a smile. “Beautiful girl, do you have twin sisters?”

Yet in the next moment, he turned his head away, murmuring, “Never mind, it wouldn’t matter anyway.”

There couldn’t possibly be two identical people in this world.

Cheng Wanyue was answering a phone call and hadn’t heard what he said.

Chi Yue watched her, his gaze alternating between blurry and clear.

“Someone’s coming to pick me up. I have to go,” Cheng Wanyue hadn’t hung up her call yet.

Chi Yue composed himself and stood up naturally. “Let’s go. I’ll see you downstairs.”

Qing Hang didn’t keep Cheng Wanyue waiting long. When she called, he was already in the car. The downpour came quickly; rain hit the ground and splashed up. As soon as he got out of the car, his trouser legs were soaked.

Not far from the steps, he paused.

A few meters away, Cheng Wanyue and Chi Yue stood side by side, both smiling.

These past few days, he left early in the mornings, and she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow at night. Although they lived together, they had barely exchanged a few words.

Not important?

Why could someone unimportant make her so happy?

Cheng Wanyue spotted Qing Hang first. “Qing Hang, you’re here.”

Qing Hang came back to his senses, strode up the steps, and took her cool hand in his. “Are you cold?”

“I’m fine,” she had barely finished speaking when she sneezed.

Only then did Chi Yue realize she might have caught a chill from the wind on the road. He was fine, but a girl’s body was more delicate. “Take a hot bath when you get back. Don’t catch a cold.”

“I’ll take good care of her,” Qing Hang exerted slight pressure, pulling Cheng Wanyue from Chi Yue’s side under his umbrella. “Thanks for your help last time. When you’re free, we’d like to treat you to a meal.”

Chi Yue stood with his hands in his pockets, appearing indifferent. “I’m neither free nor in the mood today. Let’s leave it for now.”

Qing Hang responded softly, “I’d feel uncomfortable keeping the debt for too long.”

“It was Wanyue who asked for my help. You don’t need to take it to heart.”

“Her matters are my matters.”

Chi Yue’s craving for a cigarette returned. He watched as Cheng Wanyue stood on tiptoe to whisper something in Qing Hang’s ear, and only then did the darkness in Qing Hang’s eyes gradually recede.

Qing Hang bent down, and Cheng Wanyue, holding the umbrella, climbed onto his back.

The rain was too heavy. Before leaving, she only hastily waved goodbye to Chi Yue.