chapter 3

This summer was especially hot.

Senior year was just around the corner. Some people were running between cram schools, others had one-on-one tutoring at home.

Only I wandered around aimlessly every day, leaving home before dawn and reluctantly heading back only at dinnertime.

Today was no different.

I kicked pebbles along the way, my resentment so palpable it could be felt five meters away.

The moment I saw Zhou Ciye, I was nervous.

I liked him.

He was the first person I ever had a crush on, bittersweet and beautiful.

But he had rejected my confession.

With a distant smile, he said he was only focused on his studies at this stage and didn’t want to date.

I was embarrassed, angry, and sad. I held back my tears as I ran away, swearing I’d never like him again.

But when he slowly walked toward me, I still couldn’t help but stand there, my heart pounding wildly.

He said, “Do you want to give it a try?”

I nodded repeatedly, almost without thinking.

This undignified, bottomless, and utterly unprincipled behavior of being lovesick became the greatest humiliation of my life.

If I could do it over, I wouldn’t hesitate to sneer at him and silently give him the finger.

Zhou Ciye licked his back teeth, stuffed the flowers into the trash can, and turned to leave.

Ten minutes later, at my front door, we met again.

Shen Fang stood at the door, her face full of suspicion and vigilance, staring at Zhou Ciye.

“Who are you looking for?”

Zhou Ciye, rarely at a loss, looked awkward, even cautious and careful.

“Auntie, I’m looking for Xu Nian. Could you let me see her? I have something to say to her.”

“What do you want with Xu Nian? Who are you?”

Shen Fang’s hostility was almost tangible, her eyes wide and fierce.

Zhou Ciye seemed startled, stammering as he tried to speak.

I clicked my tongue in annoyance.

“Didn’t I say I don’t like you? Why did you come to my house?”

“You think finding Xu Nian will help you?”

“Don’t you know the person I hate most is her?”

“Come with me!”

Under Shen Fang’s suspicious gaze, I dragged Zhou Ciye downstairs.