Her eyes opened.
Blue irises caught the first shaft of morning light. The world was blurry at first, but soon sharpened into the familiar ceiling above her small room. She stared at it blankly, mind fogged, memory scrambling to catch up. Slowly, fragments returned.
Reaching under her pillow, Ji Yu groped for her phone. The screen lit up—dozens of missed calls, all from one person.
Mo Yachen.
At once, she rose. She packed up the gifts he had given her, stuffing them into a bag as if cutting ties with one stroke.
She had thought long about this. Yes, her attitude toward life had changed because of him. But wasn't it still her who had forced herself to reach out to strangers? And as for love—she knew almost nothing. Wasn't it just like Tang Li once joked?
Be careful, or you'll get swept away just because someone spends a little money on you.
Maybe the gifts weren't so little by her standards, but still—what he truly gave her was a shift in personality. As for what she gave back… perhaps only helping him find peace with the hatred he carried toward Liuxi.
She sighed deeply, convincing herself this logic made sense. With that, she dressed for class, the kind that always took attendance.
The first sunlight touched her feet as she stepped outside, crisp against the still-cold morning. The courtyard was empty, as if everyone else had hoarded their warmth indoors. Her shoes tapped softly on the pavement; she slowed her pace, afraid to wake the light sleepers.
Her face remained pale, drained of morning energy. The horizon glowed faintly warm, yet her cheeks carried only the faint stains of tears.
What now…?
That thought circled endlessly. A voice whispered that she had never been a "typical" girl—that maybe she would never fully accept the way others experienced love. She was different. An outsider. Perhaps the only one of her kind.
She needed to find her own place, her own way to live. The life of a wealthy wife didn't suit her. She was someone who fussed even over groceries. How could she fit into his effortless world of comfort, servants, and security?
By the time she reached the bus stop, a mere five-minute walk, two songs had already looped in her earphones. She boarded, tears welling again despite her best efforts.
"…Mo Yachen, we're not right for each other. I'm sorry—I can't be the girlfriend you need. I can't do anything for you. But if it were Liuxi…"
Her gaze drifted to the bright sky. The tears she had tried so hard to hold back broke free at last.
"…If it were her, she could give you the future you deserve. Maybe even a family, happiness…"
The quiet bus filled with the sound of her restrained sobs. Passengers stirred, some annoyed, until they saw her tear-streaked face.
"…Miss…" a tall young man muttered, the irritation in his tone faltering into awkward sympathy.
Ji Yu sniffled, bowing her head. "Sorry… disturbing everyone this early."
Her phone buzzed—another call. She hung up quickly, wiping her face. "Sorry… I'll get off soon."
The man said nothing more, only passed her a tissue. His expression softened.
The sun grew harsh quickly. Within minutes, its heat blazed down, as if apologizing for last night's rain. Pools of water along the street glinted painfully bright, forcing Ji Yu to shield her reddened eyes.
Her white sneakers splashed through a puddle, water spraying her legs.
Her gaze drifted upward, unfocused. The sunlight gave no warmth. Step by slow step, she walked the slippery path.
She adjusted her expression with effort, forcing her body forward toward campus.
Her hands felt icy, numb. She looked ahead—and saw him.
Mo Yachen, sitting quietly on a bench near the flowerbed, waiting.
Ji Yu clutched her bag tighter. Her eyes flickered skyward. A bitter smile twisted her lips.
"Ji Yu, oh Ji Yu… no wonder your name means 'rain.' Look at you—weak, helpless, just like the rain itself."
As if the heavens had heard, a shaft of gentle sunlight slipped through the branches, brushing her pale eyes with the faintest trace of blue.
"…What's happening to me?"
The sky offered no reply. But in her gaze, for just a moment, the color returned—blue as the summer sky.
After last night, Mo Yachen had returned home restless, torn apart by her sudden breakup.
He thought it through: Maybe he hadn't spent enough time with her. Maybe he had forced his way of thinking onto her. Maybe his harshness that night had left her in pain.
Or maybe… he really had treated Ji Yu as Liuxi's replacement.
Hearing her crying voice this morning had hollowed him, left him like a puppet with its strings cut.
But now, he knew his heart. He wanted a new start. He wanted to apologize. That was why he sat here, waiting.
Finally, she appeared—the girl whose eyes once held only him.
Yet strangely, the sunlight did not reach beneath the tree, leaving only broken shadows at his feet.
Still, as Ji Yu approached, the sunlight fell once more—filling the shadows at her feet, carrying warmth and quiet determination.
He stood.