When Chen Die received Wen Liang’s call, she was at the mall.

After signing the film contract that afternoon, she received a transfer notification—payment for her appearance in the school’s 80th anniversary promotional video. The amount was quite substantial.

Tomorrow was Wen Liang’s birthday. After some hesitation, Chen Die took a taxi to the mall to pick out a gift for him.

In the past, Wen Liang would give her gifts on her birthday—dresses or handbags, very much aligned with a girl’s preferences. They never seemed like he had chosen them personally. Chen Die guessed he had simply assigned the task to one of his female assistants.

On Wen Liang’s birthdays, she would reciprocate with gifts, but since all her expenses came from Wen Liang, it felt like offering flowers borrowed from another garden—quite meaningless.

This time was the first time she could use her own money to pick out a gift for Wen Liang.

Chen Die made a round through the mall but couldn’t find a gift that felt right. Suddenly, she overheard a couple passing by.

The girl, arm in arm with the boy, said affectionately, “I heard there’s a new handcraft store on the sixth floor where you can make small gifts yourself. Let’s go check it out!”

“…”

Chen Die thought for a moment, then quietly followed them.

The handcraft store had just opened at the beginning of the month and had been heavily promoted on social media. Business was booming.

As soon as Chen Die walked in, a store employee approached her, “Hello, are you looking for a gift?”

“Yes.”

“Who is it for? Parents, best friend, or boyfriend?”

Chen Die suddenly couldn’t bring herself to say boyfriend. Her relationship with Wen Liang had started ambiguously; they had never clearly defined themselves as boyfriend and girlfriend. Besides, their contract was about to expire.

She paused, “My brother.”

Wen Liang was six years older than her. After her sophomore year of high school, she had been raised by him. Calling him brother wasn’t a stretch.

“I see. With you being so beautiful, your brother must be handsome too,” the employee said, one sweet phrase after another. “In our store, you can make clay models, build Lego sets, create bead art, or if you prefer something simpler, you can make a bracelet.”

After listening to her introduction, Chen Die finally took a careful look around the handcraft store.

Most customers were couples or mothers with children. There were also girls like her who had come alone, but their faces radiated satisfied, happy smiles—probably planning a surprise for their boyfriends.

Thinking about her relationship with Wen Liang, Chen Die couldn’t help but shudder.

Her thoughts drifted to that night when she had been dazed by those two meat dishes, one vegetable dish, and soup, and to that question, she couldn’t help but ask, “Do you like me?”

She! Chen Die! Would rather die! Then be so weak-willed again!!!

That dog of a man got off too easy!!!

Chen Die clenched her fists, giving herself a mental pep talk, when her phone rang.

…It was Wen Liang calling.

“…”

Her hand slipped as if she’d been caught red-handed, and she almost dropped her phone.

“Hello?” she answered.

Wen Liang’s voice was tinged with alcohol, “Where are you now?”

“Yitai Mall.” Chen Die looked down, instinctively picking up a bracelet from the display rack in front of her.

It was quite exquisite.

“Are you done shopping?” his voice was languid. “I’ll come pick you up.”

“Huh?” Chen Die was momentarily stunned. “Something wrong?”

“No.”

Chen Die felt his mood seemed strange, but before she could think further, he had already hung up.

She put her phone back in her bag. The store employee immediately seized the opportunity, “The bracelet you’re holding is one that men can wear. It has a natural woody fragrance. Many girls make these for their boyfriends or brothers. If you’re interested, you can pay over there and make one yourself.”

“…” Chen Die immediately put the bracelet down. “I’ve been thinking.”

“Yes?”

“My brother probably doesn’t deserve a handmade bracelet from me.”

“?”

In the end, Chen Die bought a suit on the third floor. The brand was one Wen Liang often wore, and the piece she bought was from the current season’s new collection. The price was so high it took away most of her filming payment, which hurt.

Carrying the suit bag downstairs, Chen Die went to buy a cold drink.

Just as her drink was ready, she received a series of urgent calls from Wen Liang. His message was brief and to the point, “Come out.”

Chen Die was so angry she wanted to return the suit. With that attitude, did he deserve a birthday gift?!

But in the end, she couldn’t be bothered to go back to the third floor. She took her cold drink and walked out of the mall. From a distance, Chen Die could see Wen Liang leaning against the car with a cigarette in his mouth.

As she got closer, she could smell the alcohol on him.

Chen Die’s eyes widened, “You drove here?!”

“Had a driver,” he lowered his gaze, his eyes moving from her face to her hands. “What’s that in your hand?”

Chen Die instinctively wanted to hide the item behind her back, but her hand had barely moved before she held it out to him, “I bought it for you.”

Wen Liang raised an eyebrow.

“Birthday gift.”

Wen Liang was silent for two seconds, then curved his lips into a smile, using his index finger to open the bag and take a look, “It’s not my birthday today.”

“I’m giving it to you early.”

Wen Liang took the bag and turned to put it in the car, “Not early. This is today’s gift. The birthday gift will be separate.”

Chen Die:?

“I used the payment from filming to buy this for you! I can’t afford anything else!” Chen Die said angrily. “Are you being reasonable?”

“Payment from filming?”

“Yes, from the school promotional video.”

Wen Liang raised his hand and casually ruffled her hair, saying languidly, “Look at you, making progress.”

With his fingers holding the cigarette, he took a deep drag, then exhaled, nodding toward the riverbank ahead, “Let’s go for a walk.”

Chen Die tossed her bag into the car and jogged to catch up with Wen Liang.

Passing an apple vendor, Chen Die stopped and picked out two apples, using her phone to scan the code for payment.

Wen Liang stood a few steps ahead, his expression somewhat impatient.

After thanking the vendor, she didn’t take a bag but ran over with the two large apples in her hands, shoving one into Wen Liang’s hand, “Here, your birthday gift.”

Wen Liang snorted.

Yitai Mall had been built just a few years ago and was in an excellent location, right next to the river. The summer night’s river breeze was refreshing, and many people were walking around the area.

Chen Die and Wen Liang were both exceptionally good-looking. Even in this glamorous big city, they stood out, drawing many glances from passersby.

Chen Die wiped the apple with her clothes and took a bite.

With a crisp sound, sweet and refreshing juice filled her mouth.

Wen Liang smiled slightly, “Dirty girl.”

Chen Die didn’t mind and took another bite, “When I was little, I used to pick water chestnuts and just wipe them with my clothes before eating.”

She was referring to her time in her old town. It had been a long time since Wen Liang had heard her mention that period.

His only memory of that time was seeing Chen Die at the station. The little girl was wearing her old school uniform skirt, travel-worn, her clothes all wrinkled.

Her eyes were exceptionally clear, transparent to the bottom.

Bringing Chen Die home had been completely unexpected for Wen Liang.

He disliked the Chen family and had only intended to tease them. He hadn’t expected the little girl to nod and agree to go with him.

After bringing Chen Die home, Wen Liang hadn’t spent much time or thought on her. Most of the time, he didn’t even come back to the villa, and Housekeeper Zhang took care of her.

Later, Chen Die gradually shed that timid, docile demeanor and grew increasingly beautiful and refined.

Until the night after her college entrance exam.

Wen Liang had returned home late, just finished his shower, and turned off the lights when the bedroom door was gently pushed open from outside.

She came in barefoot and climbed onto his bed without a word.

At first, Wen Liang tried to send her back to her room to sleep, but the little girl seemed determined, refusing to leave his bed.

Eventually, the intentions became clear.

Wen Liang wasn’t a saint, and he had never been bound by any restraints. What happened afterward was only natural.

He gave a low laugh, raised his hand to her shoulder, and pulled her to his side.

Chen Die was pulled into his embrace, her nose filled with the alcohol scent warmed by his body temperature, somewhat burning.

Then, Wen Liang called to her languidly, drawing out his words, “Baby.”

His voice was hoarse, deep, filled with masculine charm.

Chen Die looked up and realized his lips were curved into a sly smile, very improper. Before she could react, she heard him say—

“You were more exciting back then.”

“…”

After three seconds, Chen Die suddenly understood the hidden meaning in his words.

Despite being corrupted by him for four years, her face still burned hot.

?

Was that even something a decent person would say?!

Chen Die numbly picked up his hand from her shoulder, expressionlessly flung it away, and walked several quick steps ahead to separate herself from him.

Wen Liang didn’t follow, just laughed hoarsely, putting the rejected hand back in his pocket, quietly walking behind her.

Today’s weather was perfect for a walk. Without realizing it, they had already covered quite a distance. From afar, they could hear the bright lights of the sports center across the road, with music beats and screams continuously emanating.

Chen Die stared in that direction for a while, remembering what Xia Ying had mentioned earlier.

Today, there was a rock band concert at the sports center.

She turned to look at Wen Liang, “There’s a concert.”

He replied flatly, “Mm.”

Chen Die could sense something was off with his mood. Though she didn’t know the specific reason, she could guess it might be related to his birthday.

His birthday was on the same day as Wen Qian’s. Calculating the dates, Wen Qian would be graduating from high school this year and would probably be having his 18th birthday celebration.

Chen Die sighed inwardly, reflecting that she was practically a reincarnated Buddha, being so nice to this jerk.

It’s the last period, might as well humor him.

“Want to go see it?” Chen Die asked, looking at him.

“Go where?”

“The concert.” Chen Die blinked. “I know a place where we can watch.”

Wen Liang wasn’t particularly interested but didn’t dampen her enthusiasm. He stepped forward to follow her.

The high school Chen Die had attended was right next to the sports center. Concerts had been held there before when she was a student. Back then, her personality was completely different from now; she had been dragged by friends to secretly listen to concerts during evening self-study sessions.

It was the weekend, and the school was closed, pitch dark all around.

Chen Die led Wen Liang to the fence around the school’s sports field.

“From the highest point of the stadium bleachers, you can see the big screen inside the concert hall,” she looked around as if searching for something. “We just need to climb over.”

She remembered there used to be a stone step to climb on. Where had it gone?

In a blink, Wen Liang had already leaped up, easily crossing over the fence.

Chen Die:?

She remembered that Wen Liang had trained in a military camp for two years before. This height would certainly be well within his capabilities.

She looked up. Wen Liang sat on the fence with a full moon behind him.

He leaned down. In Chen Die’s view, that round moon was filled by him, leaving only Wen Liang.

Then he smiled, very condescendingly, “And you had the nerve to say you were bringing me here?”

“…”

Wen Liang reached out his hand to her, grabbed her wrist, and with a powerful pull of his arm, lifted her.

Chen Die was startled. She had thought she would climb up with his help, not expecting to be lifted completely off the ground. Then her arm was supported, and before she could react, the weightless feeling of dropping over the fence followed.

She screamed.

It didn’t hurt.

She fell on top of Wen Liang.

“Are you crazy? What if we got injured?!” Chen Die hit him once.

“It’s soft,” Wen Liang said succinctly.

The grass near the school fence was rarely trimmed and had grown tall in summer, making the landing soft.

Chen Die climbed off him.

Wen Liang sat up, lit a new cigarette, and looked up at her sideways, exhaling a breath of smoke, “Such a coward.”

Being first frightened and then mocked by him, Chen Die was furious. She turned and walked away.

She was a fool for caring about his mood!

Wen Liang sat in place, taking a few more drags on his cigarette before following. Chen Die had already nimbly climbed to the highest point of the bleachers. The blue light projected from the nearby sports center fell on her face, making her skin look translucent.

Wen Liang took two steps at a time up the bleachers and stood beside her.

Indeed, they could see the big screen of the concert.

“You’ve been here to watch before?” Wen Liang asked.

Chen Die snorted, not bothering to respond.

Wen Liang was puzzled and frowned, “What are you being difficult about now?”

“I kindly bring you here to watch, and this is your attitude. Can’t I be angry?” Chen Die’s small mouth moved rapidly as she rolled her eyes. “Apologize.”

He snorted lightly, “Should I kowtow to you?”

“…”

Dog of a creature, can’t speak a decent word.

Chen Die turned her face away and sat down on the steps.

They could hear the music coming from nearby.

“Gently closing my eyes at this moment, I feel lucid I no longer need any words of retention This brilliant new century, miracles are no longer welcome Loving you so intensely yet it seems like a farce Hey, I’m leaving Yesterday’s dialogue is no longer important I’ve already seen the most beautiful scene”

“Wen Liang,” she suddenly spoke up. “I auditioned a few days ago for Director Feng Zhi’s new film and got the role.”

Wen Liang turned his head, “When did this happen?”

“Not long ago. I just signed the contract this afternoon.”

“Can’t I support you anymore?”

Chen Die frowned, “Can’t you speak without being so…” She couldn’t find the right adjective and finally just snorted, raising her chin slightly. “Stop looking down on me. I can do very well without you.”

“Where did you learn this pride that’s bursting from your head?”

From you, she thought to herself.

After a few words, Chen Die was once again irritated by him. Just as she was about to say something, his phone rang.

Wen Liang answered, spoke briefly, and hung up.

Chen Die understood from the conversation. It seemed to be a report on the overall situation of tonight’s commercial performance at the sports center.

Chen Die’s eyes widened, “You’re the investor behind the organizer?”

“Mm.”

“…” Chen Die said bewilderedly, “Then why are we climbing over the fence to listen from a distance?”

Couldn’t we just walk right in?!

Wen Liang sat on the steps, leaning back on his elbows, tilting his head to glance at her, “Weren’t you the one who brought me in?”

The warm summer night breeze gently blew past.

“Then you should have told me you were the investor! We almost fell!”

Wen Liang frowned, annoyed by her chatter, but his lips curved upward. His voice was carried by the wind as he threatened her mildly, “Keep talking, and you’ll be climbing out on your own later.”