Chapter 5

“Of course. I went all the way to another province to buy it. I even got the singer to sign a dedication to you on the back.”

My vision darkened.

For a moment, I was back on my nineteenth birthday. My roommate pushed a pretty gift bag into my hands and winked.

“From that handsome guy downstairs. He even found out who your favorite singer is. Someone’s making an effort.”

Delighted, I opened it, then stood on tiptoe to look down.

Yu Jingchen was waiting outside the women’s dormitory with a bouquet. His eyes shone when I came downstairs.

“I love the record.”

At his startled expression, my eyes curved into a smile.

“It’s my favorite present I’ve ever received.”

He came back to himself and spent a few thoughtful seconds watching a figure walk away around the corner. Then his smile returned.

“As long as you like it. It took me ages to find a copy.”

“If you really want to thank me, have dinner with me tonight.”

Seeing how awful I looked, Pei Qingyan frowned.

“What’s wrong?”

There was no denying it: without that record, I wouldn’t have started to like Yu Jingchen. None of what followed would have happened.

I took a deep breath, a note of helplessness entering my voice.

“Nothing. Why didn’t you give it to me yourself?”

Pei Qingyan seemed to realize something too. His expression darkened.

“I ran into your ex outside your dorm. He said you’d been hurt and were in the infirmary.”

I’d had no idea he was capable of such scheming.

We fell silent. At last, Pei Qingyan cleared his throat, breaking the strange atmosphere.

“You said you’d invite me for tea when you moved. Does the offer still stand?”

I looked away from the record, trying to suppress the agitation inside me.

“How about dinner instead? You helped me move today too.”

A smile spread through Pei Qingyan’s eyes.

“Your company’s only just recovering. Aren’t you afraid I’ll eat you out of business?”

He was good company, always able to turn a heavy mood into something light and pleasant. He even remembered all my old likes and dislikes.

Before I knew it, I’d had a couple of drinks too many.

Propping my face in my hands, I looked at Pei Qingyan.

He really was handsome.

If he’d handed me that record himself, perhaps I wouldn’t have spent so many years entangled with Yu Jingchen.

Thinking of Yu Jingchen made my nose sting.

Alcohol magnified every feeling. Suddenly, I felt terribly wronged.

“Pei Qingyan, I never saw a single one of your love letters.”

“That bastard intercepted them all.”

A helpless look flickered in his eyes. He reached for my glass.

“If you want to read them, I’ll write you more.”

His voice was so gentle, just as it had been the first time I met him.

I’d never dared tell Yu Jingchen that he hadn’t been the first person to make my heart flutter.

On the day I started college, a gentle, handsome senior had helped carry my luggage and buy supplies. Before leaving, he’d added my contact details.

“Are you this nice to all the girls in the years below you?”

I couldn’t help asking him over a meal once.

Pei Qingyan had narrowed his eyes, his smile as beautiful and sly as a fox’s.

“Yes.”