It was nighttime.
The pitch-black sky was dotted with glittering stars. People who had spent the day busily preparing for the festival were finally returning to their homes.
This was normal, the most ordinary scene—anyone could go back at this hour, sit with family, share dinner, chat about daily life, and bring the long day to an end.
So, night always seemed to symbolize the end of a day.
But for the trains rushing through this city, the day was far from over.
The cool moonlight spilled down from the horizon, shining on the white carriages. Through the glass windows, the dazzling Shanghai nightscape reflected back. Yu Yuan found himself staring, slowly lost in the view.
He had come to this city because of certain conditions. But hidden within those conditions was one clause he deeply resented—
his biological mother, Mu Ning.
Now his father had introduced him to a prospective match—practically an arranged marriage. The girl had Shanghai household registration, good looks, and a family background that matched his.
Yet he felt nothing but disgust. Maybe it was the girl herself. Maybe it was the idea of a fate being decided for him.
In truth, his standards were very high, and he had had many girlfriends before. If he wanted, that heiress would be easy prey—he could toy with her into becoming his next girlfriend.
"True beauty lies within."
A cliché, yes, but to Yu Yuan it was the only measure that mattered.
But then, there was his mother…
Even at forty, her face was kept flawless by makeup and skincare. Her wavy hair, dyed a flamboyant red, still carried the allure of youth. To an unknowing passerby, she might look like a woman in her twenties.
Beautiful—that much Yu Yuan had to admit.
But such a beautiful woman had married a man over ten years her senior. Back when she remarried, he was still just a middle-aged man—but the fact alone had made Yu Yuan a target for ridicule at school.
Because of that, his heart twisted. He became a devout believer in the thought: if a woman is beautiful, then her soul must be ugly.
…The carriage doors slid open, and a group of young people stepped in. But at this late hour, seats were plenty.
Then, among these ugly-souled youths, his eyes landed on one girl—
her ponytail swinging, her summer clothes revealing far too much skin.
He was watching her idly, when his phone rang and broke the moment.
One glance at the screen, and he clicked Decline with a scowl. Then, amused, he looked back openly at the girl before him.
But this time, when he raised his eyes, the girl was looking right back at him. Yu Yuan smirked.
If there was one thing he had to thank his mother for, it was his looks—his sharp, devilish charm.
He winked at the girl, lips curling, and blew a low whistle. A few women in the carriage frowned.
The ponytailed girl, however, didn't flinch. Instead, she slowly lifted her phone, scrolled for a long while, and pressed it to her ear. Her blue eyes stayed on him, hesitant, searching.
Yu Yuan's phone buzzed again in his pocket. He sneered, pulled it out—
Caller ID: Junior Ji.
His smirk widened. He had a guess.
He accepted the call, raised it to his ear—
and at the same moment, the girl's lips parted across from him.
"Hello?"
The voice came not from across the aisle, but through the phone at his ear.
Morning broke.
The first rays of sunlight climbed up the skyline, but already the city was burning with heat.
The coolness of last night had vanished in an instant, leaving only the merciless blaze of midsummer.
But people were prepared. Even though work and business filled the daytime hours, the festival went on undisturbed. This was the most carefree holiday of summer. No matter how stifling the day, the promise of cool, joyous nights lay ahead.
As usual, Ji Yu began her day with the morning recitation assignment for her broadcasting department. Wherever she was, whatever her schedule, this routine never changed.
By afternoon, her mother and elder sister returned from their meetings. The three finally shared a proper Shanghainese meal together. But the dinner table held more than just delicacies…
At the seat of honor sat a woman who looked surprisingly young.
"So this is Ji Yu?"
Mu Ning studied her, silent at first, then turned sideways in her chair. She pushed a plate of macarons across to the girl on her right. Ji Yu hesitated, then took one politely, but kept a cautious distance.
"Yes, my name's Ji Yu. And you are…?"
Before she could finish chewing the small bite, Mu Ning burst into laughter, cheeks lifted, eyes glowing. She reached over to pinch Ji Yu's face.
"I'm no big sister, sweetheart—I'm already an auntie. Call me Aunt Mu. As for who I am… I'm your mother and sister's boss."
Ji Yu froze, glancing from her mother to Ji Yu, shoulders trembling as she whispered, "Aunt Mu." Her voice carried her nerves.
Mu Ning had been watching her closely from the start, her eyes appraising—as though inspecting, even selecting. And she nodded again and again, clearly pleased with what she saw.
When the dishes came, the three women quickly drifted back into talk of work. Ji Yu stayed quiet, mind elsewhere, not listening.
Her thoughts strayed instead to Tang Li—
and that ever-present female voice beside him.
What kind of relationship meant a girl was always by his side?
Surely… a girlfriend?
Her hand snapped the pork belly between her chopsticks clean in two.
But the others were laughing, gesturing animatedly, oblivious to her mood.
Of course he'd have a girlfriend.
A boy like Tang Li deserved it.
But… why did the thought twist her chest so painfully?
"Phew…"
She sighed, shook her head, lifted her chopsticks again—only to find all eyes on her.
"Ji Yu, do you have a boyfriend?"
Mu Ning's question cut through the air, her smile meaningful. To Ji's mother, it was almost amusing—because her family's situation mirrored Mu Ning's in some ways. The woman across from her seemed less like a superior and more like a confidante.
Of course Ji's mother understood that look in Mu Ning's eyes. She stroked her daughter's hair gently, answering for her:
"This child just went through a breakup not long ago. She's on her own now, and doing just fine."
Mu Ning's smile softened. "So that boy didn't know how to cherish her… Ji Yu, you're such a sweet girl, how could anyone not? Come, let Auntie give you a hug!"
She pulled Ji Yu into a bear-like embrace, held her tight for a moment before releasing her. Her smile was complicated—part joy, part sorrow. Ji Yu sensed the heaviness, and softly asked:
"Aunt Mu… do you have something weighing on your heart?"