The car window rolled down, and the chilly night wind brushed against her face, tussling her hair.

Lin Yanwan gazed out the window at the lonely, pitch-black streets, her thoughts quietly drifting back to the first time she met Jiang Xia in her past life.

On an evening during the winter break of her freshman year, she was heading back to campus after her part-time job when a downpour trapped her at a bus stop. Her roommates had all gone home, so there wasn’t even anyone to bring her an umbrella.

She watched wistfully as others left under their umbrellas. She considered heroically dashing into the curtain of rain as others had, but then she remembered the guitar on her back and resisted the urge.

As the sky grew darker and darker, the storm showed no sign of letting up. The rainwater pooling along the street gradually gathered into a churning river. Passing vehicles roared by, parting the water and sending massive sprays splashing to both sides.

Another bus slowly pulled to a stop. Watching her fellow students hurry away under their umbrellas, she mustered her courage several times to ask if she could walk back to campus with one of them, but whenever she was about to speak, the words wouldn’t come out.

Her heart gradually sank, growing as bleak and cold as the winter day.

Watching the last bus disappear into the downpour, Lin Yanwan’s final hope evaporated.

She let out a puff of white breath and rubbed her hands together vigorously. She decided to take off her down jacket, wrap it around her guitar, and make a run for her dorm in one go.

It was her only remaining option.

Just then, a tall, slender figure holding an umbrella appeared before her.

"Hi, would you like to walk back to campus together?"

A gentle voice spoke. Lin Yanwan froze, halting her motion of taking off her jacket. She lifted her eyes and stared blankly at the boy with the umbrella.

He was wearing a black trench coat, and wispy bangs fell across his forehead. White earphone cords ran from the pocket of his coat to his ears. Half of his face was hidden in the shadow of the umbrella, while the other half was illuminated by the streetlight. The smile in his eyes was warm and very handsome.

"Yes, yes, yes!!"

Lin Yanwan nodded hurriedly. For some reason, she suddenly felt the urge to cry.

’There really are more good people in the world after all. My long wait wasn’t in vain.’

"By the way, are you at Chongqing University, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing Medical University, or the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute?"

"I... I’m at Chongqing Normal University." After she said that, she added hesitantly, "If it’s not on your way, you don’t have to trouble yourself. I can get back on my own."

After all, there were so many universities in the area. She was fundamentally the kind of person who didn’t want to trouble others, especially not a stranger.

In this world, besides your parents, no one was obligated to help you.

"It’s no problem. I’m right next door at the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute. We’re not far from each other, so it won’t take long."

Jiang Xia put away his earphones and glanced at the guitar case on her back. He smiled and said, "A person can handle getting a little rained on, but an instrument can’t. I’m guessing you’ve been waiting for the rain to stop this whole time because you were afraid of it damaging your guitar, right?"

Her thoughts seen through at a glance, Lin Yanwan nodded lightly, her face flushing slightly.

"The rain’s drifting a bit. Come over to my right side. It’s best if you hug your guitar; don’t let it get wet."

"Okay."

For the rest of the walk, the two of them shared the umbrella, carefully avoiding the gleaming puddles ahead. Still, their shoes and pant cuffs inevitably got wet.

Under the curtain of cold, pouring rain, it seemed that only this small umbrella carried a rare warmth of human kindness.

"Why didn’t you go home for winter break?" Jiang Xia asked casually.

"Mm, I have a part-time job for a music event that doesn’t end for a few more days. What about you?"

"Pretty much the same. I have some things to take care of at the art studio, so I can’t leave just yet."

Lin Yanwan nodded. The Sichuan Fine Arts Institute was right next to Chongqing Normal University. She had often seen art students walking around with their sketchpads on their backs.

’So, he must have just finished his work for the day and happened to run into me on his way back to campus?’

"Have... have we met somewhere before?"

Stealing a glance at his profile, Lin Yanwan felt he looked familiar. Maybe it was because of his consistently gentle demeanor, but she didn’t feel the least bit awkward talking with him.

"Have we?" Jiang Xia looked puzzled, unable to recall her face from his memories.

"Did you go to Wanzhou Second Middle School for high school?" Lin Yanwan asked suddenly.

Jiang Xia was taken aback. "You too?"

Lin Yanwan nodded. "Yeah. I was in Liberal Arts Class 1."

"What a coincidence. I was in Liberal Arts Class 6. An art student from the class of ’06."

"I knew it! We must have seen each other before!"

She was a little excited. She never expected that a kind-hearted person she randomly met would not only be from her hometown but also a high school alumnus from the same year. This invisibly closed the distance between them, and the last bit of restraint she felt instantly vanished.

Running into someone from home when you’re away is enough to create a good impression on both sides.

"I’m Lin Yanwan. And you?"

Hearing her name, Jiang Xia had a moment of realization.

In the second semester of their senior year, that name always appeared in the top three of their grade on every exam.

’So, it was her.’

"Now that you mention your name, I remember. The god of liberal arts, the student all the teachers praised. Your essays were used as examples several times," he said with a laugh. "I’m Jiang Xia. Just a nobody from the liberal arts track."

"Don’t say that. I bombed the college entrance exams, or I wouldn’t have ended up at Chongqing Normal University," she said with a sigh.

Jiang Xia’s breath hitched. ’Bombing the exams gets you into Chongqing Normal University?’ He felt like he’d used up a lifetime of luck just to scrape into the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute. ’There’s truly no comparison between a top student and a slacker.’

"You saying that makes me sound pretty dumb."

"Not at all. The Sichuan Fine Arts Institute is great, too."

The two of them chatted and laughed all the way to the gates of Chongqing Normal University, the atmosphere between them much livelier than before.

The aroma of roasted sweet potatoes suddenly drifted through the rain, and Jiang Xia’s stomach rumbled reflexively. He looked at Lin Yanwan and asked, "Have you had dinner yet?"

"Not yet, but I have some snacks in my dorm."

Her expression was a little awkward. She’d had time to eat at the cafeteria, but she’d waited at the bus stop for so long that it was definitely closed by now.

"Then let me treat you to some roasted sweet potatoes. They taste best when you’re cold and hungry," Jiang Xia said with a smile.

"Let me. You were kind enough to walk me back to campus; I’m already very grateful."

The two of them walked over to the sweet potato stall under the umbrella. Lin Yanwan insisted on paying, spending ten yuan for two sweet potatoes. They were put in separate disposable bags, one for each of them.

They finally reached the entrance to the women’s dormitory. Lin Yanwan hesitated for a long time before asking, "Jiang Xia, when we’re both done with our work, do you want to travel back home together?"

"Let’s see when the time comes. I have a lot on my plate."

"Can I get your number then?"

"Sure. My number is 189-****-8614."

Watching Jiang Xia walk away, Lin Yanwan stood in a daze in front of her dorm, holding the sweet potato.

She didn’t know why she had suddenly asked for Jiang Xia’s number. Aside from the fact that they were from the same hometown, maybe it was because she thought he was a pretty good guy?

’Yeah, his character and his looks are both great!’

Thinking of how he’d appeared before her with that umbrella like a savior, Lin Yanwan’s face grew slightly hot.

...

(Sorry for the late update. The flashback ends here for now. The male and female leads will definitely get back together.)