chapter 1

Recently, Professor of Astrophysics Shen Qingqie discovered a new asteroid. Yet, during an interview, he trended on social media not for the discovery itself, but because of his striking, ethereal appearance.

The public’s focus quickly shifted from the asteroid to his almost otherworldly looks.

When it was revealed that the asteroid was named after his beloved, the internet instantly exploded with excitement. While praising their celestial romance, countless people began digging into the identity of “R.a.n.”

I held my phone, unable to suppress the smile tugging at my lips, harder to hold back than an AK’s recoil.

At the end of the video, the reporter asked with a smile, “Professor Shen, is there anything you’d like to say to your beloved, R.a.n?”

Shen Qingqie was momentarily stunned, his eyes as dark as the night subtly trembling.

“Happy wedding anniversary.”

His tone was calm, yet there was a barely perceptible, near-collapsing despair hidden within.

I froze instantly.

Happy wedding anniversary?

“Ohoho!” Beside me, Wei Qing nudged me teasingly.

“Ranran, your Professor Shen may seem cool and aloof, but he’s actually pretty romantic, huh? Treating your anniversary like you’re newlyweds.”

Is that really it?

Watching Shen Qingqie’s affectionate gaze in the video, my cheeks flushed instantly.

I have been by Shen Qingqie’s side for ten years.

I stood by as he grew from a gloomy, listless youth into the refined and gentle professor he is now.

Ten years ago, he transferred schools and became my desk mate. His skin was pale as jade, his features exquisitely delicate, but the way he looked at me was always tinged with impatience.

Now, he has named an asteroid after me. When speaking of his beloved, even his perpetually cold eyes soften with tenderness.

Today is our first wedding anniversary.

Curled up on the sofa, I gently touched my lower abdomen.

I planned to tell him I was pregnant the moment he returned home.

However…

What I received instead was the news of Shen Qingqie’s death.

He jumped from the eighteenth floor.

Clutched tightly in his hand was a note.

[Death is merely a return to the universe.]

[Billions of years from now, we will meet again amidst the sea of stars.]