After the final exam, Xiao Zhan received messages from both Jiang Cheng and Wang Yibo at the same time.
Jiang Cheng reminded Xiao Zhan that he had a gift to give him and invited him to a fancy restaurant that evening to celebrate the end of exams.
Wang Yibo's message was much shorter: "Wanna grab dinner to celebrate?"
As Xiao Zhan left the exam hall, surrounded by classmates waving and chattering excitedly about the test, jostling their way out of campus, he stood still, feeling—somehow—like he was at a crossroads.
He had known about Jiang Cheng's invitation from earlier that day. They'd been best friends since childhood. There might never be a friend closer or more long-standing than Jiang Cheng.
But Wang Yibo had invited him too. And even though it was only a few words, Xiao Zhan had a feeling—an intuition—that something might happen tonight.
He didn't know if his hunch was right, but the curiosity to find out made him realize which path he wanted to take at that crossroads.
Xiao Zhan declined Jiang Cheng's invitation. When Jiang Cheng called, he didn't answer. Later, Jiang Cheng sent a long message explaining how expensive and hard-to-book the restaurant was, how early he'd made the reservation, saying even if it was just dinner, it would mean a lot.
Xiao Zhan still declined and didn't respond again.
He replied to Wang Yibo: "See you tonight." Then he went to the shopping mall near the campus, planning to buy a new hoodie for the occasion.
He also wanted to pick out a gift for Wang Yibo.
Once Xiao Zhan had changed into new clothes, the reflection in the mirror showed a boy so striking it was almost flamboyant. Radiating confidence and excitement, he was just about to enter the LEGO store to choose a gift for Wang Yibo when his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen—it was Wen Qing. Probably calling to invite everyone to their usual spot for drinks, Xiao Zhan figured as he answered.
But he hadn't expected the news: Fang Tianze had been in an accident and was now in emergency care at the university hospital.
In a panic, Xiao Zhan quickly messaged Wang Yibo to explain the situation and rushed to the hospital without checking any other messages.
Upon seeing Xiao Zhan's message, Wang Yibo frowned, changed course from the restaurant, stopped to buy some pastries, and also headed to the hospital.
When Xiao Zhan arrived, Fang Tianze had just passed the critical phase and was under observation. The ward required sterile isolation—even Wen Qing wasn't allowed inside.
Night had fallen, and the hallway lights of the hospital were harsh and blinding. Wen Qing sat dazed on a bench, eyes lifeless and stained with tears.
She looked like a glass doll about to shatter.
Xiao Zhan knelt gently in front of her, lowering himself to her feet and taking her cold wrist in his hand without saying a word.
After a while, Wen Qing's voice came, barely audible.
"He got bumped two days ago—hit the stair railing. I wasn't there, and he didn't think it was serious. But this morning he felt groggy, and the bruising had spread. I took him to the hospital, and the doctor said the internal bleeding had gone on for over a day—it's already very serious."
Fang Tianze had hemophilia, a rare and severe condition. There was no cure, only maintenance through regular injections. But the worst part was his congenital liver fibrosis, which caused liver hardening. The treatments for hemophilia were harmful to the liver—he couldn't take them.
It was a cruel dilemma, and ironically tragic.
The Fang family lacked for nothing—money was never an issue. They could afford every treatment money could buy, except the one that didn't exist.
What would be a trivial bump for others put Fang Tianze in intensive care needing surgery.
"Mo Ran isn't answering his phone. I don't know if Huaisang would come even if I called. Jiang Cheng let the phone ring for ages but never picked up. Zhan Zhan... you're the only one who came. Thank you for coming."
Xiao Zhan could guess why Jiang Cheng hadn't answered—probably sulking while waiting for his reply. That was just the kind of temper he had.
Xiao Zhan squeezed Wen Qing's hand. "He'll be fine! You guys have gotten through worse before!"
Wen Qing looked at him, her bloodshot eyes wide.
"But what about next time? Can we be lucky every single time? Just now I sat here thinking... I'm a thief. Every extra day I have with Fang Tianze feels like I'm stealing it from God."
Her eyes welled up, face pale as paper.
Xiao Zhan's eyes showed deep pain. He let go of her hand and sat beside her.
"You can't think like that. Wen Qing, every day you spend together is a bonus. If there really is a God, then each day is a gift—a blessing."
Wen Qing didn't reply. She leaned on Xiao Zhan's shoulder, silently crying as she stared through the glass wall at Fang Tianze, who lay inside connected to a ventilator.
Xiao Zhan stayed with her.
When she refused water, Xiao Zhan insisted she eat something and went out to find food.
He exited the hospital, drained and sore. Taking a deep breath, he inhaled the sweet scent of flowers in the summer night air.
He decided to walk around the hospital garden for a moment before bringing food back to coax Wen Qing to eat.
Drawn by the scent of plants and blossoms, he wandered into the quiet depths of the garden, unaware that Wang Yibo had already arrived and spotted him.
Wang Yibo saw Xiao Zhan's silhouette but didn't call out.
Final exams were over, and many students had already left campus. The hospital garden was quiet, save for decorative lights and a lovely fountain surrounded by flowers and trees.
Xiao Zhan stood alone by the fountain, thinking about what Wen Qing had said earlier.
She'd said every day with Fang Tianze felt stolen.
He remembered when they first got together, when things were light and joyful—no pain, no sorrow. Wen Qing had always been rational and composed.
She should've become happier—Fang Tianze loved her deeply, showering her with gifts and affection.
She was supposed to be a bird in flight, not a butterfly caught in a web, struggling in vain.
He remembered Fang Tianze once serenaded her every night with ninety-nine roses outside her dorm, and he could actually sing well. Wen Qing had called him an idiot but grinned from ear to ear.
Xiao Zhan hadn't seen her smile like that in a long time, even though Fang Tianze still treated her with the same love.
Maybe all relationships were like this—starting out beautifully but wilting due to countless reasons.
Shaking his head, Xiao Zhan pulled out his phone. Jiang Cheng had messaged again, but Xiao Zhan was too tired to care. After a moment, he sent a voice note: "Come to the hospital—Fang Tianze's been admitted."
He opened his chat with Wang Yibo.
The last message was from Xiao Zhan: "My friend had an accident, I'm heading to the hospital."
Wang Yibo had replied: "Got it, no worries."
Xiao Zhan thought for a second, then typed: "My friend's doing better now. Shame we missed dinner."
He waited a bit, but there was no reply from Wang Yibo.
So, he put away his phone. In his pocket was a coin he got as change earlier. He took it out, gazing at the fountain under the moonlight.
The fountain was flower-shaped—beautifully designed with a large centre and petal-like spouts around it. Water rippled like waves. It was lovely.
Xiao Zhan smiled for some reason; a smile tinged with melancholy.
He stepped forward, tossed the coin in, and closed his eyes to make a wish.
The moment he opened them, as if by fate, his phone pinged.
He took it out—two new messages.
Jiang Cheng: "I'm on my way."
And Wang Yibo... Wang Yibo had messaged:
"What did you wish for?"
Before Xiao Zhan could process it, another message came:
"Whatever it was, I'll try to make it come true."
Xiao Zhan stared, stunned, his fingers trembling as he typed: "Are you a god or something?"
A soft voice came from behind him: "Why don't you turn around and see for yourself?"
Xiao Zhan spun around—to meet the gentle, smiling gaze of Wang Yibo.
It was a summer night, starlit and serene.
Wang Yibo wore a white T-shirt and light jeans, standing in the starlight, practically glowing.
Xiao Zhan stared, eyes falling to the branded paper bag in Wang Yibo's hand—filled with his favourite pastries. They used to eat them while studying.
He stared so long his eyes burned and turned red.
Then Xiao Zhan smiled—bright and dazzling.
He reached out slowly, skipping the bag, and gently held Wang Yibo's hand.
Wang Yibo's smile deepened.
On an ordinary summer night, Wen Qing cried by Fang Tianze's side. Mo Ran was heartbroken after being rejected by Wang Yibo. Jiang Cheng, after waiting alone for two hours at the restaurant, rushed to the hospital, bitterly disappointed.
And Wang Yibo held Xiao Zhan's hand.
They were finally together.