The atmosphere in the quiet underground garage was warm.

Chen Shuangshuang's mind was still buzzing when she saw the two pairs of eyes that had been focused on her sister simultaneously shift towards her.

Wen Ruan's eyes were bright as she walked over with a smile.

"This must be Yanyan's little sister?"

She bent down, bringing her gaze level with Chen Shuangshuang's, her eyes curving into crescents as she said, "Hello there, I'm Wen Ruan, your sister's good friend. You can call me Sister Ruan Ruan. Very pleased to meet you."

Her voice was gentle and kind, without a hint of pretension.

Chen Shuangshuang opened her mouth, only to find she couldn't make a sound at all.

She could only nod frantically, like a little pecking chicken.

Zhang Yan, her face flushed, hurried over and introduced softly, "Sister Wen Ruan, Sister Yu, this is my younger sister, Chen Shuangshuang. She's in her second year of middle school this year, and she's on winter break staying at my place, so... I brought her over to play for a few days."

"What an adorable young lady." Wen Ruan smiled and ruffled Chen Shuangshuang's head.

Chen Shuangshuang's face flushed bright red.

But her attention couldn't help but sneak glances at Su Yu, who was standing to the side, using the corner of her eye.

Su Yu was also looking at her.

Those iconic amber eyes held a faint trace of a smile.

That smile was ten thousand times more vivid and beautiful than any photo or video on her phone.

Chen Shuangshuang felt her heart was about to leap out of her chest.

This was the top-tier enchantress of the domestic entertainment industry!

A divine beauty! A diva! A film queen! The idol she dreamed about every single day!

"Hello, Shuangshuang. I'm Su Yu, very pleased to meet you."

Su Yu moved a little closer, a cool, refreshing fragrance washing over Chen Shuangshuang, like wind from a snowy mountaintop mixed with a faint, elusive floral scent.

Chen Shuangshuang nearly fainted on the spot.

Su Yu called me by my name!

I know Su Yu!

In real life! A living Su Yu!

"Y-You... hello..." she finally managed to squeeze out two words.

Wen Ruan, seeing Chen Shuangshuang's utterly flustered state, couldn't help but let out a soft "pfft" of laughter.

Her gaze then fell on the cat carrier tightly clutched in Chen Shuangshuang's arms, and her eyes lit up again.

"Oh, is this Juzi? Let me see, quick."

Chen Shuangshuang was momentarily stunned, then obediently handed over the cat carrier.

Wen Ruan took the carrier, expertly unzipped it, and lifted Juzi out.

"Wow, what a big lump! So hefty!"

She buried her face in Juzi's soft belly and took a deep, satisfying sniff.

Juzi, cradled in her arms, let out a soft, lazy "meow" and surprisingly didn't struggle, just looked at its owner with those round, innocent eyes.

After sniffing for a good while, Wen Ruan finally seemed content. She carefully placed Juzi back into the carrier and re-zipped it.

"Alright, alright, let's not just stand around in the garage. Let's go upstairs first, we can chat while we eat."

"Sister Wen Ruan, let me take the suitcase..." Zhang Yan quickly stepped forward.

"No need, no need, you just hold onto your sister's hand."

And so, Chen Shuangshuang, dazed, was led by her sister and followed them.

The elevator ascended silently, directly to the 36th floor.

By the time Chen Shuangshuang's scattered consciousness began to coalesce again, she was already standing in the foyer of the penthouse, a pair of exquisite, cute pink slippers now on her feet.

She finally saw the place where her sister would be living next.

This was practically the cloud-piercing luxury residence where the top-tier female leads in idol dramas lived.

A whole wall of curved floor-to-ceiling windows, a curved sofa larger than her bedroom at home, an artistic chandelier, an open-plan Western-style island connected to the kitchen, all the cookware neatly stored away, delicate fresh flowers arranged on the countertop...

This was the nicest house she had ever seen in her brief life.

Far more luxurious than the villa bragged about by that rich second-generation classmate whose family owned a factory.

She also saw the room that belonged to her sister.

Light gray bedding, a wooden desk, a soft cushion on the bay window where the sunlight happened to be falling.

Peaceful and warm, every detail exuding care and thoughtfulness.

After placing the luggage in the walk-in closet that rivaled a boutique shop, they moved to the dining room.

On the long wooden dining table, several exquisite home-cooked dishes were already laid out.

Steamed sea bass, garlic broccoli, sweet and sour pork ribs... and a bowl of chicken soup that looked incredibly appetizing.

Every dish was arranged neatly, with perfect color coordination, as if served from a high-end restaurant.

Under Wen Ruan's urging, Chen Shuangshuang sat down at the dining table in a daze.

Looking up, sitting directly opposite her was Su Yu, who was resting her chin on one hand and looking at her with a smile.

That peerlessly beautiful face was too close, so close Chen Shuangshuang could see the curve of her eyelashes.

She hurriedly lowered her head, her ears turning red again.

Lunch began in this wonderfully warm atmosphere.

Wen Ruan enthusiastically served dishes to Chen Shuangshuang, asking about her school, where her home was in Yangcheng, what foods she usually liked.

Like a big sister who had known her for ages, without any sense of distance.

Su Yu didn't speak much, only occasionally offering a faint smile, eating quietly, her elegant demeanor forming a scene of its own.

Zhang Yan carefully helped her sister pick out fish bones, occasionally responding to Wen Ruan's questions.

At first, Chen Shuangshuang was too nervous to reach for her chopsticks, but under Wen Ruan's constant encouragement, she slowly began to relax.

She ate this unforgettable lunch in small, careful bites.

The steamed sea bass was tender, the sweet and sour pork ribs perfectly balanced, and the chicken soup warmed her whole body as she drank it.

As she ate, she secretly observed Su Yu across from her.

This person she swooned over daily on her phone screen was now right in front of her, eating the same food.

Chen Shuangshuang felt like all of this was a dream.

When they were almost finished eating, Su Yu gently wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin, her gaze turning to Zhang Yan as she casually brought up, "By the way, Yanyan, have you started writing the lyrics?"

Zhang Yan was momentarily stunned, her face slightly reddening as she answered softly, "Um... I have some initial ideas, but they're probably still not very mature..."

"Of course they are." The corner of Su Yu's mouth curved up, her amber eyes holding a sincere light. "Don't worry about the melody, I'll compose the music anew based on your lyrics. I believe in your words and emotions."

Chen Shuangshuang, who had a piece of pork rib in her mouth, gradually slowed her chewing.

She looked up, her gaze shifting between Su Yu and her sister.

Her eyes grew wider and wider.

Did I hear that right?

Su Yu... is asking my sister for lyrics?

She took a deep breath, finally mustering the courage to whisper, "Miss Su Yu, I'm your die-hard fan, a super fan. The lyrics you mentioned are...?"

Wen Ruan, seeing this, smiled and added from the side, "Shuangshuang doesn't know yet, does she? Your sister is quite the talented girl! One of the lyricists for a new song Su Yu is releasing on Valentine's Day is Yanyan."

Zhang Yan quickly waved her hands, her face turning even redder. "No, no, it's just Sister Yu... looking out for me. What talented girl am I... I'm just giving it a try, just trying..."

Chen Shuangshuang looked at her sister beside her.

At her red face, lowered head, and hands that didn't know where to go.

Suddenly, she felt the person before her had become unfamiliar.

Not the kind of unfamiliarity that creates distance.

But the kind...

Where you always thought you understood someone, only to discover she possessed a radiance you had never seen before.

So this is the world my sister moves in?

My sister is actually this amazing!

An indescribable surge of admiration and pride welled up inside her.

After lunch, the warm sunlight spilled into the living room.

The group moved to the lounge area, holding cups of fruit tea, chatting idly.

Juzi was finally let out of the carrier, patrolled the new territory with elegant feline steps, and finally chose to curl up on Zhang Yan's lap, emitting a lazy purr.

Chen Shuangshuang sat at the very edge of the sofa, holding a glass in her hands, her gaze occasionally drifting towards Su Yu, who was lazily leaning against a cushion opposite her, only to dart away quickly before the other noticed.

Finally, after several rounds of mental preparation,

she quietly tugged at Zhang Yan's sleeve under the table, her face flushed as she said, "Sister... I, can I take a photo with Sister Su Yu? Just one photo, I won't post it anywhere..."

She thought her voice was very soft, but in the quiet living room, it was clearly audible.

Before Zhang Yan could speak, Su Yu from across the room let out a soft laugh.

"Of course we can take a photo." Su Yu put down her cup, her amber eyes full of a mischievous glint. "But, I have a more interesting proposal."

"Ah? What proposal?" Chen Shuangshuang was stunned, staring dumbfounded at her idol.

Su Yu pointed at the sky outside the window. "It's still early today. How about I take you out this afternoon and evening, and we can take several sets of photos? Consider it a welcome gift for your visit to Shen City."

Chen Shuangshuang's brain instantly crashed.

Su Yu... wants to take her out to play?! And take photos together?!

Immense ecstasy exploded like fireworks in her mind. She even forgot to look at her sister's expression, instinctively springing up from the sofa. "R-Really?! Can I?!"

"Of course it's true." Su Yu smiled and blinked.

Chen Shuangshuang felt like she was floating.

Zhang Yan looked at her sister's excitement, bordering on fainting, feeling a bit strange but mostly incredibly honored.

She knew that, given Su Yu's current status and schedule, actively proposing to take Chen Shuangshuang out was entirely done for her sake.

"Th-Thank you, Sister Yu. Then we'll trouble you."

"No trouble at all. I actually want to relax a bit too." Su Yu stood up, simultaneously casting a glance towards Wen Ruan beside her. "Shuangshuang, come on, let me give you a tour first while we have time."

"Okay!" Chen Shuangshuang, who was beyond caring about anything else now, followed Su Yu step-by-step towards the guest bedroom.

The door closed, and the living room instantly fell quiet.

Only sunlight, the sea breeze, and the two of them remained.

The smile on Wen Ruan's face gradually faded. Her peach blossom eyes, usually full of lazy charm, rested quietly on Zhang Yan's face.

Zhang Yan immediately sensed the subtle shift in atmosphere.

Her hand, which had been stroking Juzi's back, stiffened slightly. She lifted her gaze, looking somewhat timidly at Wen Ruan.

"Yanyan, today is Tang Song's birthday. You know that, right?" Wen Ruan's voice was extremely gentle.

Zhang Yan lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously curling. "...I know."

"Do you want to celebrate it with him in person?"

Zhang Yan was silent for a moment before softly uttering an "Mmm."

"That's good. Then we'll go celebrate his birthday tonight, cut the cake, blow out the candles, sing the birthday song, alright?"

Zhang Yan suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with disbelief and delight.

"Ah? Th-This... is this okay?"

"Of course it is." Wen Ruan's tone shifted, becoming serious. "However, for this birthday gathering, it won't just be us. There will be another person present."

"Who is it?"

Wen Ruan gazed at her and said softly, "Liu Qingning."

Hearing that name,

Zhang Yan's body trembled violently, as if all her strength had been suddenly drained. Her hands, which had been holding Juzi, abruptly loosened.

Juzi let out a "meow" and jumped off her lap.

Zhang Yan didn't go after it.

She just kept her head lowered, not moving a muscle.

Fear, panic, shame... a torrent of emotions almost overwhelmed her.

"I... I... I..."

She stammered, unable to form words.

Wen Ruan got up, sat down beside her, and gently took her hand.

"Yanyan, listen to me. For this birthday gathering, she actively invited me to bring you along."

"She... she knows about me?" Zhang Yan jerked her head up, the panic in her eyes intensifying.

"Mmm."

Zhang Yan lowered her head again. "I... can I not go? I... I'm sorry..."

She was somewhat incoherent, her face pale.

Wen Ruan looked at her, looking as if she were about to shatter, her eyes filled with acceptance and pity. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

She had known it would be like this.

"Yanyan, look at me."

Zhang Yan was forced to raise her eyes.

"You should know that in Tang Song's heart, you are also very, very important." Wen Ruan looked into her eyes, enunciating each word clearly.

"I... I..." Zhang Yan's gaze darted away, instinctively wanting to deny it.

Yet she couldn't help but recall scene after scene of being with Tang Song.

She could genuinely feel that he was indeed very, very attentive towards her.

"Qingning isn't as terrifying as you think." Wen Ruan, seeing her emotions had stabilized slightly, began patiently persuading her. "Think about it carefully. If she held any malice towards you, would she specifically choose Tang Song's birthday and go through me to invite you?"

Zhang Yan's lips trembled twice, her timid gaze finally settling for a moment.

Wen Ruan continued, "Yanyan, if you want to stay by Tang Song's side forever, then you will inevitably have to face many things, and Liu Qingning is just one part of that. For Tang Song's sake, and for your own, I think you should be a little braver."

For Tang Song's sake.

Those four words instantly touched the softest, yet most solid, corner of Zhang Yan's heart.

She bit her lower lip hard, her hands twisting together tightly.

Wen Ruan saw her struggle and wavering and didn't press further.

"Juzi just arrived in a new environment, it's probably a bit scared. I'll go get it some canned food. You go to your bedroom and unpack your luggage, and think it over properly."

Zhang Yan took a deep breath, stood up, lowered her head, returned to her bedroom, and gently closed the door.

The room was quiet.

She sat down at the desk, spaced out for a while, then took out her phone from her bag.

Unlocked it, tapped on QQ, and entered the interface of that all-too-familiar grayed-out avatar.

During those long, bleak ten years in the past,

every January 13th, without fail, she would write a single line on this avatar's message board: "Happy Birthday."

She would also, on this day, open that dialog box that would never receive a reply, and type out a very, very long message.

Those trivialities about life, about the longing she couldn't voice aloud...

He had never seen those words.

Yet they had supported her through those years of drifting and hardship.

She quietly looked at that avatar for a while, then put down her phone, opened the innermost compartment of her backpack, and took out a hardcover notebook wrapped tightly in a clear plastic cover.

Opening the slightly yellowed title page, a line of red characters was printed neatly on it:

[2011, Awarded for Excellent Exam Results, This Certificate is Issued as Encouragement]

That was the grade-level reward Tang Song received in the second semester of his first year of middle school.

In Zhang Yan's eyes back then, it was an extremely exquisite notebook, symbolizing excellence.

She yearned for it, stole several glances, but with her grades at the time, she could never obtain one.

Tang Song, back then, saw through her timid little desire and, with great nonchalance, wanted to give the notebook to her.

She didn't dare accept it.

So, that clever and gentle young boy thought of a solution.

He said he would use it as special paper for playing Gomoku, and asked her to draw the game board on it.

After she carefully drew it using a ruler, he pulled her into playing with him.

And so, this notebook naturally ended up in her desk drawer.

Later, besides the crooked Gomoku boards, this notebook also gained some childish question-and-answer exchanges and chat content.

All written secretly during class.

Just like passing notes.

Slowly, it truly became a place for the two deskmates to whisper during class.

Because of Zhang Yan's introversion, these "little notes" weren't many, scattered here and there, yet they spanned their entire deskmate relationship from first to third year.

This was also why she later developed the habit of leaving messages for Tang Song on QQ.

Finally, during the chaotic atmosphere of graduation from middle school, this notebook ultimately remained with her.

She originally thought that one day after entering high school, perhaps on his birthday, she could use "returning the notebook" as an excuse to go talk to this best friend.

But in the end, because of the existence of a girl named Liu Qingning, this plan came to nothing.

She gradually lost that best deskmate from her middle school years.

This notebook had been preserved until now.

It was also the birthday gift she had prepared for Tang Song this year.

But when the day actually arrived, she somehow couldn't bring herself to present it.

She had already given up.

But now, it seemed there was just such an opportunity.

She could stand before him openly, celebrate his birthday with him, personally say "Happy Birthday" to him, and give him this gift that was years overdue.

But to take this step, she had to cross that chasm that had always existed in her heart.

Liu Qingning.

That name had lingered in her mind for too many years.

The girl who had been present throughout Tang Song's entire youth.

Also the object of admiration that had, similarly, been present throughout her own entire youth.

She had secretly followed everything about her.

Her grades, her appearance, the way she spoke, the curve of her eyes when she smiled.

She had once, overestimating her abilities, tried to catch up.

But in the end, she discovered that light was too bright, so bright she simply couldn't catch up.

Because of Liu Qingning's existence, she had always felt like a thief who couldn't see the light.

She even occasionally had nightmares about being caught by her.

Therefore, every time she was with Tang Song, she carried some psychological burden.

Even now, knowing about the existence of people like Wen Ruan, Su Yu, and Xu Qing, that sense of inferiority and shame when facing Liu Qingning still followed her like a shadow.

Zhang Yan closed her eyes, her fingers gripping the old notebook tightly.

In her mind, scenes of being with Tang Song uncontrollably surfaced again.

Starting from the beginning of first year in 2010.

The snacks he stuffed into her desk drawer, the Gomoku games he played with her during self-study, the walnut milk he handed over, the comic books he lent her, the bicycle seat behind him carrying the faint scent of soap, the brand-new extracurricular books...

The silent watching and chasing in crowded crowds, to the sudden reunion that night in Yangcheng...

Scene after scene flashed by rapidly.

Finally, it froze on the scene amidst the swirling snow, where he closed his eyes and played "Country Road" on the violin for her.

That was the swirling snow and the deity that belonged to her alone.

"Thump-thump-thump—"

Zhang Yan heard her own violently beating heart.

She abruptly stood up.

Her breathing was somewhat rapid from the excessive force.

She solemnly stuffed that old notebook into the bag she carried with her, turned around, and strode out of the room.

In the living room, Wen Ruan was sitting on the carpet, playing with a satisfied and full Juzi using a cat teaser.

Hearing the movement, she looked up.

"Sister Wen Ruan." Zhang Yan's voice still held a slight tremor.

Wen Ruan stood up. "What is it, Yanyan?"

Zhang Yan took a deep breath. "When... are we going over?"

A glint of appreciative softness flashed in Wen Ruan's eyes.

"We'll leave at 4 PM."

Hearing the specific time, Zhang Yan's eyelashes fluttered.

It was now a little past 2 PM.

That meant in less than two hours, she would have to directly face that shadow that had haunted her entire youth.

"Thump-thump-thump—"

The heartbeat sounded again, louder than before.

As if someone was beating a drum beside her ear.

The muscles in her calves began to feel weak involuntarily.

But this time, she didn't shrink back again.

......

3 PM.

Shen City, Mixc World.

At the entrance of the bustling mall, Tang Song and Liu Qingning walked out with the dispersing crowd.

The movie they had just watched was a light romantic comedy Liu Qingning had chosen. The plot was absurd, the jokes were dense, and the two of them had laughed themselves silly throughout.

As they left, she was still savoring a certain scene, her shoulders shaking slightly, the corners of her mouth unable to suppress an upward curve.

The afternoon sunlight slanted down, falling on her face.

Liu Qingning squinted, raised a hand to shield the light, and turned to look at Tang Song.

Her tone was light and cheerful as she said, "Alright, Little Song, you're off duty now."

Tang Song raised an eyebrow. "Off duty?"

"Mmm. It's your birthday today, you don't have to spend the whole day stuck with me." She tilted her head, her eyes curving. "If there's anyone you want to see, or anything you absolutely must attend to, go ahead and be busy."

Tang Song looked at his Bai Yueguang.

Her eyes were clear and transparent, like Shen City's sky today, without a trace of cloud.

No probing, no resentment, only a kind of frank gentleness.

"But—" Liu Qingning held up a finger, put on a stern face, trying her best to look serious. "You must be back before 7 PM. I've prepared a special surprise for you, and the cake is already ordered. If you're late..."

She deliberately dragged out her tone, threatening him with her eyes.

Tang Song looked at this Bai Yueguang before him, who was so understanding it felt almost unfamiliar.

An indescribable tenderness welled up in his heart.

He didn't speak, just stepped forward and planted a firm kiss on her lips.

"Okay, I'll follow Boss Liu's arrangements. Before 7, I'll definitely be home on time."

He did indeed have matters to attend to.

Although he was in Shen City, those wings scattered across various places had still sent him birthday gifts.

For privacy and convenience, he had uniformly set the delivery address to the apartment in the China Resources Land Riviera where Shen Yuyan lived. He needed to go unpack them in person and then take photos to respond.

The two parted ways at the mall entrance.

Liu Qingning stood by the roadside, watching his back merge into the crowd and gradually walk away.

The winter breeze brushed against her cheeks, carrying a hint of chill.

She withdrew her gaze and sat down on a bench by the roadside.

Took out her phone, unlocked the screen.

The WeChat interface was still on her chat history with Wen Ruan.

Liu Qingning glanced at the time displayed at the top of the screen.

It's almost time.

She bit her lower lip, tapped open a work group chat named "Xuanji Ecosystem Liaison."

This was a large group established by the cooperating company before, with many members.

She patiently scrolled through the long list of group members.

Finally, her finger stopped on an account with an avatar of a cartoon girl's back view and a nickname called [Breathing in Smiles].

Liu Qingning stared at that avatar for a few seconds.

She thought again of the things Su Yu had said.

She took a deep breath and pressed "Add to Contacts."

Sent the request.

Liu Qingning held her phone, sat on the bench by the roadside, and waited quietly.

About two minutes passed.

A notification popped up at the top of the screen.

["Breathing in Smiles" has accepted your friend request. You can now start chatting.]

"Thump-thump-thump—"

Her heartbeat suddenly pounded.

Liu Qingning looked at that line of text, her fingers hovering over the screen, suddenly unsure of what to say.

So, it turned out she was actually this afraid.