Night draped its veil across the city.
In such darkness, could people's hearts also fall silent—just as quiet as this endless black?
"I'm leaving tomorrow. Everything's packed already."
On the last night before departure, Tang Li dialed Ji Yu's number. Hugging his documents, he watched his own shadow stretch beneath the streetlights, his voice calm yet weighted.
"Will you come see me off?"
"What time?"
"Ten. North Station."
"Okay. Don't be late. But call me again in the morning—I've been feeling kinda miserable lately."
Above, the moon hung bright. A breeze carrying the fragrance of spring slipped in through the window, soft enough to lull one into drowsiness.
Their call wandered through small talk, everyday reminders, until Ji Yu's eyes grew heavy. She yawned, rubbed her eyes, and shuffled to the window. She closed it… but didn't draw the curtain. Tonight's moonlight was too beautiful to hide.
"Mm… alright, I'll sleep now. Otherwise, if I can't get up tomorrow, you'll be the one who suffers."
Another yawn. She glanced at the dimly lit apartments across the street, then turned off her own lamp. Wrapped in her blanket, she whispered goodnight again and again before drifting into silence.
Dreams bloomed beneath the silver moon.
Downstairs, Tang Li lifted his head. From the shadows, he saw her window go dark. Only then did he step away, walking home under moonlight.
Morning.
Ji Yu stirred, wriggling beneath her blanket. Sunlight streamed in, dazzling. She pawed for her phone and flinched—
7:30 AM. Still early.
"…Scared me."
Relieved, she pulled the quilt over her head again, ready for another nap.
But her phone chimed with a gentle ringtone. She groaned, glanced at the caller ID.
Tang Li.
"…This early?" She stretched, rolled—straight off the bed with a thud.
"What was that noise? You okay?" His amused voice drifted through the line.
"Fine, fine…" She hissed, rubbing her bruised knee, scrambling for the wardrobe. "You already left campus? At the station?"
Tang Li smiled faintly at his roommates' sideways glances. Zhang Jun leaned close and whispered, "Is that Ji Yu?"
A silent nod.
"Not yet. I'm on the bus. A few stops away."
He glanced at his watch. Then, softer, "Why don't you come now?"
"Alright. I'm doing my makeup."
Ji Yu spritzed the EMOTIF perfume Tang Li had given her, spun gracefully into its lingering fragrance, and slipped on her rose-colored Chanel jacket. A tilting beret adorned with a little rabbit pin rested atop her curled hair. Her legs, bare against knit black boots, gleamed pale and delicate.
Playful. Elegant.
The wind carried the roar of a train arriving, along with whispers of farewell.
Ji Yu appeared at the station entrance, LV purse slung at her side, peeking into the restaurant Tang Li had mentioned.
"There. Look."
Chen Haoting nudged Tang Li, who lifted his head.
There she was. Waving, smiling, trotting toward them, hands clasped behind her back.
"Did I keep you waiting long? Oh—hi Zhang Jun, hi Chen Haoting!"
Tang Li's gaze lingered. Her delicate makeup, her radiant smile. Then, suddenly—
"Your boyfriend isn't here today?"
Ji Yu froze, caught off guard. She muttered, "Ah… Yachen… said he had something to do, so he didn't come. But it's fine, right? It's not like you two are close anyway."
Tang Li's roommates shared knowing smiles, keeping silent. Their eyes flickered toward him, but said nothing.
Ji Yu clapped her hands. "Anyway, I'm starving. Let's eat quick—then you can hit the road!"
Tang Li chuckled softly. Over the meal, his friends talked about their plans, occasionally sneaking a photo of Ji Yu mid-bite.
They saved it under one simple title:
"That Girl."