The night deepened, and the surroundings grew quiet. The moon outside the window hid behind the clouds, making the room even darker.
The girl on the bed had settled down, motionless, clearly already asleep.
On the foldable bed, Lu Zhe's arm muscles twitched, and his legs felt numb. A sense of weakness washed over him as he removed his hand from his eyes.
He lay silently, staring at the ceiling.
In the quiet, he could hear faint breathing sounds. Lu Zhe listened intently, feeling a strange sense of unfamiliarity.
Suddenly, he heard the girl let out a soft murmur. Lu Zhe turned his head to look at her. She was still asleep, but the next second, he heard her whisper his name: "Lu Zhe."
His chest tightened.
Lu Zhe turned his head back, continuing to gaze at the dark ceiling, waiting for the muscle spasms to subside.
The next day, the sky brightened, and sunlight spilled onto the desk through the window.
Lu Zhe woke up.
He opened his eyes, his dark gaze gradually clearing. The first thing he saw was the girl facing him.
Her eyes were closed, and her hair covered half of her face, revealing only her delicate nose, rosy lips, and fair chin.
The girl, quiet in her sleep, seemed much more docile than when she was awake.
Lu Zhe glanced at her, then sat up and prepared to get out of bed. As he did, he accidentally bumped into the small bedside cabinet, making a noise.
Lu Zhe immediately looked over at Su Ci on the bed.
Sure enough, Su Ci was startled awake.
Su Ci lazily opened her eyes, her sleepy gaze landing on Lu Zhe. She murmured, "I still want to sleep."
With that, she instinctively tried to snuggle into Lu Zhe's arms but nearly fell off the bed.
Su Ci opened her eyes, sat up, and wrapped her arms around Lu Zhe's waist, her face nuzzling against his abdomen. "Why are you up so early? Stay with me a little longer," she cooed.
Lu Zhe was caught off guard by the sudden embrace.
His lips pressed into a thin line as he looked down at the girl clinging to him. Her face was flushed from sleep, and her actions felt natural, as if she did this often.
When she received no response, Su Ci pouted and repeated, "Lu Zhe, stay with me a little longer."
Su Ci was wearing Lu Zhe's T-shirt, and without realizing it, the hem had ridden up, revealing more of her slender, pale thighs.
Lu Zhe averted his gaze, not daring to look too closely. He tried to push her away.
From Su Ci's words and actions, it was clear that in another life, he must have doted on her greatly.
It was evident that Su Ci was a girl accustomed to being pampered. Lu Zhe couldn't understand how he had ended up with someone like her.
His dark eyes dimmed as he reached out to push the girl away. However, her body was soft and limp, leaning heavily against him. "Su Ci, let go," he said.
"Not Su Ci. You should call me Tuan Tuan," Su Ci murmured, her face nuzzling against his waist, full of dependence.
Lu Zhe's lips pressed tightly together, almost losing their color. He used a bit more force to push her away.
Su Ci looked up at him, her eyes filled with confusion and accusation, as if his rejection was some unforgivable sin.
Lu Zhe's expression remained impassive. "I'll go make breakfast. You get up on your own."
The young man turned and limped out of the room.
Su Ci, now pushed away, blinked in confusion as her thoughts slowly cleared.
It was then that she remembered she had traveled back to Lu Zhe's past.
She sighed and flopped back onto the bed. This version of Lu Zhe wouldn't let her kiss or hug him and was even harsh with her. He was nothing like the man she knew.
Outside, after Lu Zhe finished making breakfast, he saw Su Ci emerge from the room.
She was still wearing his black T-shirt. With her petite frame, his well-fitted shirt hung loosely on her, almost like a dress.
The hem swayed as she walked, revealing her long, slender legs. She seemed completely unaware, walking barefoot on the floor.
Lu Zhe frowned instinctively. "Su Ci, the floor is dirty. Put on your shoes."
Hearing this, Su Ci, who was heading to the bathroom, stopped and turned to look at him. "Your slippers are too big, and the soles are hard. They're not comfortable at all," she complained.
She had initially wanted to use this as an excuse to get him to carry her, but remembering Lu Zhe's injured leg, she decided against it.
Lu Zhe's face hardened. What kind of excuse was that? Just because the shoes were uncomfortable, she wouldn't wear them?
He suddenly realized that the girl was even more spoiled than he had imagined.
Seeing that Lu Zhe didn't respond, Su Ci continued on to the bathroom. On the sink, she found a new cup, toothbrush, and toothpaste, clearly prepared by Lu Zhe.
No matter which version of Lu Zhe it was, he was always thoughtful.
The sound of the front door closing came from the living room.
Su Ci raised an eyebrow. Had Lu Zhe gone out?
A while later, after Su Ci finished washing her face, she heard the door open again. She knew it was Lu Zhe returning.
"Put on your shoes."
The young man suddenly appeared at the bathroom door. Su Ci looked at him in the mirror, surprised to see him holding a pair of light pink slippers.
Su Ci turned around, her eyes bright with delight. "Did you go out just to buy these for me?"
Meeting her overly bright gaze, Lu Zhe averted his eyes.
He placed the slippers by her feet. Her feet were pale, her toes a soft pink, round and cute. He lowered his gaze, not looking too closely. "Put them on."
Su Ci obediently slipped her feet into the slippers.
The soles were soft, clearly chosen with care.
Su Ci bit her lip, hiding a smile.
Breakfast was simple. Lu Zhe had made corn porridge with some refreshing side dishes.
Su Ci sat across from him, eating slowly. She was only halfway through her meal when Lu Zhe finished, collected the dishes, and headed to the kitchen.
Seeing Lu Zhe grab his backpack and prepare to leave, Su Ci quickly stood up. "Are you going out?"
"Yes."
"Where are you going? I'll come with you," Su Ci said, not wanting to be left alone.
Lu Zhe refused. "I'm going to work. It's not convenient to bring you along."
Su Ci walked over and tugged at the hem of his shirt with her slender fingers. "Boss Fang's computer shop is closed. Are you going to do part-time work? I'll come with you. I'll be quiet and won't disturb you."
Lu Zhe looked down at her hand gripping his shirt. "No."
"You used to take me with you when you worked part-time before," Su Ci said, her eyes pleading. "Are you really not going to let me come? What if I suddenly disappear and go back?"
Lu Zhe's expression remained cold and unreadable. "Finish your breakfast."
Only then did Su Ci smile.
Before leaving, she changed back into the dress she had worn the day before. "Do you have sunscreen?" she asked, looking at the intense sunlight outside.
"No," Lu Zhe replied, opening the door and stepping out.
Behind him, Su Ci hurriedly called out, "What about an umbrella?"
But the young man was already striding away.
Su Ci followed him, walking at his side. Lu Zhe wasn't moving quickly; his left leg dragged slightly, causing him to limp.
Su Ci knew that Lu Zhe's left leg must be numb and weak.
She pursed her lips and walked quietly beside him, not saying a word.
Lu Zhe had received a message from the internet cafe owner earlier. Several computers had broken down, and they needed him to come in today.
Not far from the old neighborhood was a bus stop. In the morning, it was crowded with people waiting for the bus.
Su Ci stayed close to Lu Zhe, not complaining or asking to take a taxi.
When the bus arrived and stopped, the crowd surged forward. Lu Zhe walked ahead, and Su Ci quickly grabbed the hem of his shirt.
This was Su Ci's first time riding a crowded bus. She was slender and lacked strength, easily pushed back by others.
The girl, with her bright eyes and radiant beauty, caught the attention of those around her. Someone deliberately pressed closer to her.
Su Ci frowned, but the next second, her hand was grabbed and pulled back.
In an instant, she was brought to Lu Zhe's side. The young man's broad frame shielded her as he wrapped an arm around her.
Su Ci looked up at him. Lu Zhe was tall, and she could only see his sharp jawline.
"Hold onto the handrail," Lu Zhe said coldly.
Su Ci ignored him, instead placing her hand on his slim waist. The bus was crowded, and the air was filled with unpleasant smells. She rested her head against Lu Zhe's chest, breathing in his clean, refreshing scent.
"Su Ci," Lu Zhe said, his tone warning as the girl grew too bold.
Su Ci leaned against him and corrected him, "Don't call me Su Ci."
In a low voice, she added, "You only call me Tuan Tuan." With that, she playfully blinked at him.
Lu Zhe's expression was calm. "I don't know what you're talking about. That's not me."
"I know, but I can tell you. What do you want to know?" Su Ci's dark eyes were filled with amusement. "If you're not Lu Zhe, then who are you?"
Lu Zhe took a deep breath. He realized that Su Ci was like a little rascal—infuriating yet impossible to resist.
During the morning rush hour, more and more people boarded the bus, and the interior grew increasingly crowded.
The standing space gradually diminished. Lu Zhe shielded Su Ci, bracing against the pressure from the crowd. She, in turn, moved closer into his embrace to give him more room.
The girl's body was soft, carrying a faint, pleasant fragrance that stood out amidst the mingling scents in the cramped space.
Lu Zhe pursed his lips, trying to ignore the sweet aroma of her that lingered at the tip of his nose.
The journey from the old neighborhood to the internet café took twenty minutes. After getting off the bus, Su Ci felt like she had come back to life—riding a crowded bus was far from pleasant.
Her delicate skirt had been wrinkled from the squeeze, but she didn't have time to fix it. She quickly caught up to Lu Zhe, who was already walking ahead.
It was baffling how he could protect her on the bus but act so cold and distant the moment they got off.
The internet café hadn't opened for the day yet, but the owner was already waiting for Lu Zhe.
Seeing Lu Zhe arrive, the owner smiled and said, "Xiao Zhe, sorry to make you come so early. Have you had breakfast? I bought some bread. You can have some if you'd like."
"I've already eaten, thank you," Lu Zhe replied. Just then, Su Ci followed him inside.
The owner quickly added, "Miss, we're not open for business yet."
"I'm Lu Zhe's friend," Su Ci said, though she would have preferred to say she was his girlfriend.
"Oh, you're Xiao Zhe's friend?" The owner was surprised. This friend of Lu Zhe's was strikingly beautiful.
"Yeah," Lu Zhe responded lightly.
"Well, come in and sit down. Would you like some water?" the owner offered warmly.
Lu Zhe shook his head. "Are the broken computers in the server room?"
"Yes, I moved them all there."
Lu Zhe turned to Su Ci and instructed, "Wait here. I'm going to fix the computers."
Su Ci nodded obediently.
The owner chimed in, "There are computers over there. Lu Zhe, let your friend play on one while she waits. It’s boring just sitting around."
"Thank you."
Lu Zhe led Su Ci to a seat in the middle row, where the area was cleaner, and had her sit near the aisle.
He looked at her as she settled down. "Are you thirsty?"
Su Ci nodded.
Lu Zhe asked the owner for a disposable cup, poured some warm water for Su Ci, and placed it on the table in front of her. He also turned on the computer for her. "Play something while you wait. Don't wander off."
Su Ci rolled her eyes. "I'm not a three-year-old. Go do your work."
"Mm," Lu Zhe acknowledged before leaving.
The owner followed Lu Zhe into the server room, seeking his advice on some technical issues.
At the entrance of the internet café, a tall, slender boy pushed the door open and walked straight to the front desk. Not finding anyone there, he shouted, "Dad!"
Receiving no response, he noticed the lights were on in the server room and headed that way.
As he passed the middle row of seats, he suddenly stopped in his tracks, completely stunned.
His eyes were glued to the girl sitting in front of the computer. His heart raced wildly.
The girl had bright eyes and pearly teeth. She wore a honey-orange dress, her skin so fair it seemed to glow. She was so beautiful it felt like she was radiating light.
Was he dreaming? How could a fairy-like girl be here?
The boy, Li Dudu, instantly became infatuated. He completely forgot about looking for his dad.
Unable to resist, he approached her. "Hi, my name is Li Dudu. Are you playing a game? I'm really good at games. I can carry you."
Su Ci glanced at him. "No, thanks."
Her voice was as enchanting as her appearance. Li Dudu was utterly captivated.
He tried again, "The owner here is my dad. Don't drink plain water. What kind of drink do you want? I'll get it for you. It's on the house."
Su Ci frowned. "No, thank you."
Li Dudu felt like he was on a high. Up close, the girl was even more stunning. The school beauty queen at his school couldn't hold a candle to her.
No, even her hands were perfect—slender, fair, with a hint of pink at the fingertips. The school beauty queen didn't even come close to this girl's fingers.
Li Dudu felt like he was experiencing first love. He was both excited and restless, eager to shower her with attention. "Are you hungry? The café has a lot of snacks. I'll get some for you."
Su Ci found him annoying. "No, I don't know you. Please leave me alone."
Li Dudu wasn't deterred by her rejection. He gazed at her adoringly. "There's an arcade nearby. I can take you there. It's way more fun than playing games on the computer."
Su Ci decided to ignore him.
Undeterred, Li Dudu buzzed around like an eager bee, fetching several bottles of different flavored drinks for Su Ci. He even brought out a pile of snacks from the break room and placed them next to her for easy access.
"This flavor of candy is really good. I think you'll like it."
"This brand of chips is great too, but they're a bit spicy. You can try a little, but don't eat too much."
"Should I get you some fruit?"
......
When Lu Zhe came out, he immediately noticed the boy hovering around Su Ci, trying desperately to please her.
His dark eyes grew colder as he silently observed the scene.
"Kid, what are you doing?" The owner also emerged and, seeing his son shamelessly bothering the girl, became annoyed. "Li Dudu, get over here!"
But Li Dudu was too entranced by Su Ci to respond. His heart was completely captivated by her.
Su Ci spotted Lu Zhe and stood up in delight. She walked over to him. "Are you done fixing the computers?"
"Yeah."
"Let's go, then," Su Ci said, feeling like she couldn't take the noise anymore.
She naturally reached for his hand. Lu Zhe lowered his gaze but didn't pull away or let go this time. "Okay."
"Who are you?" Li Dudu asked, on the verge of tears as he watched the fairy-like girl holding another man's hand.
"He's my boyfriend," Su Ci said, glaring at Li Dudu with disdain. "Stop bothering me. The person I like is him."
Li Dudu was dumbfounded.
"Stupid kid," the owner muttered, quickly stepping forward to grab his son by the ear. "Get out of here and stop embarrassing me."
He dragged his son away, ignoring his protests.
"Ow, Dad, that hurts! Be gentle!" The owner hauled him into a back room and shut the door.
After dealing with his son, the owner returned and paid Lu Zhe. "My son was being rude. Sorry for bothering your friend."
Lu Zhe's expression remained cold. "We're leaving now."
"Of course, of course," the owner said politely, escorting them to the door.
Su Ci held Lu Zhe's hand as they walked. "Are we going back now?"
"First, I'll take you to buy some clothes."
Su Ci blinked, teasing him, "Actually, I could just wear your clothes."
Lu Zhe refused firmly. "No."
As they descended the stairs, just a few steps from the bottom, Lu Zhe suddenly lost his footing and fell. In that instant, he let go of Su Ci's hand.
"Lu Zhe!"
