Spring mornings in Xuanjing were beautiful.
Unfortunately, Lin Yuexin was not.
"…Why do I look like I lost a fight with my own bed?"
She leaned closer to the mirror, squinting suspiciously at her reflection. Her hair had somehow achieved a new level of chaos—half obedient, half rebellion. One side curled inward like it had discipline. The other side looked like it had given up on life entirely.
Yuexin sighed and took a sip of her tea.
"Inner beauty," she muttered, nodding at herself. "Inner beauty is important."
She paused.
"…But outer beauty would also be appreciated."
From downstairs, a very familiar voice echoed through the building—
"LIN YUEXIN! IF YOU'RE NOT DOWN IN TEN SECONDS, I SWEAR I'M LEAVING!"
Yuexin froze.
Then panicked.
"I'M COMING! DON'T ABANDON ME IN MY TIME OF NEED!"
She scrambled, nearly tripping over her own shoes before grabbing her bag and sprinting out the door.
Two minutes later—
"You said ten seconds," Tang Meiling said flatly, arms crossed.
"I said ten seconds emotionally," Yuexin replied, slightly out of breath. "Physically, I needed more time."
"That is not how time works."
"Time is a social construct."
"You're a social problem."
Yuexin grinned, looping her arm through Meiling's. "And yet, here I am. Still your best friend."
"Regrettably."
Up ahead, near the intersection, Zhao Wenxi stood quietly with her tablet, scrolling through something with calm focus, While Qin Ruo leaned beside her—close enough to glance at her screen without asking.
"You're late," Qin Ruo said the moment they approached.
"I'm fashionably on time," Yuexin corrected.
"You're neither."
"That sounds like a personal opinion."
"That sounds like a fact."
Wenxi glanced up, a small smile forming. "Good morning, Yuexin."
"Good morning, Wenxi! You're the only one here who respects me."
"I respect peace and quiet."
"…That hurt."
The group fell into step, heading toward the university gates. The streets were alive—vendors setting up stalls, students rushing past, faint lantern lights still glowing from the night before. Petals drifted through the air, catching in Yuexin's hair.
It was a perfect spring morning.
Warm. Bright. Normal.
And then—
"Wait, what is that—"
A blur of black shot out from the side.
"HEY—?!"
THUD!
"MY PHONE—!"
CRACK.
Time seemed to pause.
Yuexin slowly looked down. Her phone lay on the ground. Screen shattered. Spirit broken. Future uncertain.
"…I bought this yesterday," she whispered.
A black cat landed gracefully a few steps away. It turned. Sat. And stared at her.
Not apologetically.
Not even neutrally.
But with what Yuexin could only describe as…
confidence.
"…You," Yuexin said slowly, pointing at it.
The cat blinked.
"You broke my phone."
The cat blinked again.
"Say something!"
"Yuexin," Wenxi said gently, "it's a cat."
"I know it's a cat!" Yuexin snapped. "But look at it! That is not the face of innocence!"
Qin Ruo snorted. "Yeah, it looks like it planned this."
"Exactly!" Yuexin nodded vigorously. "This is premeditated!"
The cat flicked its tail.
"…You're paying for this," Yuexin muttered darkly.
"Are you alright?"
The voice came from behind her.
Yuexin turned. And blinked.
Okay.
First thought: Wow.
Second thought: …Wow.
Third thought:
Why does he look like he hasn't smiled since birth?
The man standing there was tall, composed, dressed in dark clothing that made him stand out against the soft colors of spring. He looked like he belonged somewhere important. Or dangerous.
Possibly both.
His gaze settled on her. And something in his expression shifted.
"…You're still the same."
Yuexin stared. "…Excuse me?"
He stepped closer. Not threatening. Not rushed. Just… calm. Like he had nowhere else to be.
"For a moment," he said softly, "I thought this time would be different."
Yuexin looked at Meiling. Then at Wenxi. Then at Qin Ruo. Then back at him.
"…Do I owe you money?" she asked seriously.
A pause.
"…No."
"Then why are you talking like we have a tragic backstory?" she continued. "Because I'm pretty sure I would remember your face."
Qin Ruo coughed, trying to hide his laughter.
Meiling whispered, "Yuexin, maybe don't offend the mysterious handsome stranger—"
"I'm not offending him, I'm investigating," Yuexin whispered back.
The man watched her quietly.
And for a brief moment—
Something almost like amusement flickered in his eyes.
Behind him, unnoticed by most—
The black cat had walked over.
And sat neatly beside him.
Yuexin froze. "…Wait." She pointed. Slowly.
"That cat," she said. "That criminal." "…Is it yours?" The cat flicked its tail again.
The man glanced down at it. Then back at her.
"Yes."
Silence.
Yuexin took a deep breath. "Great," she said, smiling brightly. "Then you owe me a phone."
Qin Ruo lost all composure. Meiling choked. Even Wenxi looked mildly surprised.
The man—remained calm. "…It wasn't intentional."
Yuexin crossed her arms. "Oh, so it breaks phones accidentally? That's worse. That means it's a repeat offender."
The cat—let out a soft meow.
"Don't 'meow' at me," Yuexin said immediately. "You have responsibilities."
Another pause.
"…I'll compensate you," Mo Zeyan said.
Yuexin blinked. Then instantly straightened. "Well," she said politely, "you seem like a very responsible and trustworthy individual."
Qin Ruo: "That was fast." "Growth," Yuexin replied.
Mo Zeyan watched her quietly. "…You haven't changed."
Yuexin frowned slightly. "…We really haven't met before, right?"
A pause. "…No."
But this time— There was the faintest hesitation.
Yuexin narrowed her eyes. "Hmm." Then shrugged. "Alright. As long as you pay, we're good."
She turned, grabbing Meiling's arm. "Let's go before I get emotionally attached to my broken phone."
"YOU WERE JUST DEMANDING JUSTICE—" "I've evolved."
They walked away, their voices fading into the lively street. Yuexin didn't look back.
Didn't notice— That behind her—
That man hadn't moved. And the cat brushed lightly against his leg.
"…She's even more troublesome this time," he murmured.
The cat blinked.
The man's gaze remained fixed on the direction she had gone. Calm. Quiet.
But then he frozed and then looked at his cat, "Mo Ling, I forgot ask her contact number. How will I contact or pay for her phone?"
The cat— Mo Ling glared at him.
"Forget it! I'm sure... We'll meet again."
The spring breeze passed through the alley, carrying petals into the air. For a brief moment— They seemed to linger. As if time itself had paused— Just slightly.