Chapter 4

Chapter 4

But the truth was, Wen Zhao didn’t celebrate his birthday.

On the day he was born, his father, a firefighter, died in a massive blaze while on duty. He never even had the chance to see his son.

I figured Wen Zhao probably wouldn’t want to hear the words “Happy Birthday.”

Still, it was the day he entered this world; he shouldn’t have to spend it all alone.

So the next day, I arrived at my student’s house ahead of our scheduled time, carrying a cake and a gift.

Wen Zhao was in the middle of a lesson.

Outside the window, the sun was sinking low. He wore a simple white shirt and stood by the wooden table holding a test paper, his eyes cast down as he reviewed the questions. He looked refined and elegant.

Watching this scene, rumors I had seen later in my previous life involuntarily surfaced in my mind.

It was a screenshot of a chat-source unknown, authenticity unverified-containing only a few short lines of dialogue.

Someone had asked him:

“Wen Zhao, are you in love with someone?”

“Yes.”

“Go tell her!”

The screen showed that it took about three minutes before he replied:

“Never mind.”

Most people didn’t believe that someone with a face like his would ever resort to a secret crush. But by then, he was already gone. The truth would never be known. Even if it were true, his unrequited love would remain buried forever.

Whether it was the father he never met, the mother who died of illness, the hidden crush, the career cut short halfway, or the sacrifice that no one mourned…

He had far too many regrets.

His fragmented life had ultimately come to a hasty, messy end.

A genius from the Physics Department of A University shouldn’t have ended up like that.

When the lesson finished, the sky had turned completely dark. My student rushed over to me, eager to hug the set of paintbrushes I had bought for her. She sighed.

“Aw, if only Teacher Wen wasn’t busy, the three of us could have hung out.”

I pondered for a few seconds, then looked up at Wen Zhao, who was packing his things to leave. I spoke up on impulse.

“Teacher Wen, why don’t you-”

Just as the words left my mouth and he turned his head to look at me, the power suddenly went out. The room was instantly plunged into pitch-black darkness.

I gave a small cough and told a steady lie.

“Teacher Wen, why don’t you stay? We… we girls are afraid of the dark.”

The air went still for a moment. Then, with a sudden *click*, a small flame flickered to life. Wen Zhao held down the lever of a lighter with one hand, shielding the flame with the other. The play of light and shadow carved his features with even greater depth. He looked up at me and said softly:

“Okay.”

By the light of the dancing flame, I held the cake with its lit candles out toward the two of them. I looked at them and spoke with absolute sincerity.

“Today, we celebrate the continuation of life. May the rest of your years be safe and happy.”

Setting aside my guilt toward him, no one wished more than I did for his future to be filled with peace and happiness.

In the dim light of the room, we shared the cake. The sweet, sugary scent drifted through the air. My student, nibbling on her spoon, cautiously ran into the study to grab her report card. She said happily:

“Teacher Xiao Yu, my mom said I’ve made huge progress on my exams. To show her thanks, she wants to treat you both to dinner.”

Looking at the scores on the sheet, I remembered that this had indeed happened in my past life. Back then, however, Xu Nianxia had called me to help her move props for a photoshoot, so I had politely declined the invitation.

My thoughts snapped back to the present as I stared at Wen Zhao, who sat enveloped in the hazy glow. I realized with startling clarity that on the day of that dinner in my previous life, I was supposed to have met him.