During summer vacation, He Xiang practically lived in the library.
There was a competition at the end of the year, and he would soon leave for an extended training camp. Ji Nian knew this event held significant weight for He Xiang—it was incredibly important to him.
After his grandmother passed away, He Xiang no longer juggled multiple part-time jobs like before. Instead, he poured nearly all his energy into studying.
The two chose to meet at the café they frequented. He Xiang had once worked there, and even after quitting, the habit of visiting remained.
I’m here, Ji Nian texted Lu Jinghuai from the car before stepping out.
Lu Jinghuai replied: Got it. Go ahead with your plans.
Attached was a sticker: Puppy spinning in circles with hearts.jpg
Ji Nian arrived fifteen minutes early, thinking she’d be the first one there. To her surprise, He Xiang was already inside. He had just finished catching up with the café owner and even helped out during the rush. When he spotted Ji Nian, he gave her a nod, untied his apron, and walked over.
The owner, grateful for his assistance, sent over complimentary desserts and drinks.
Ji Nian glanced at them—they were her usual order. Clearly, her frequent visits had made an impression.
After thanking the owner, she turned to He Xiang. "You’re here so early."
He shrugged. "Had nothing else to do, so I came ahead of time."
He looked thinner, his eyes—dark as polished pearls—calm from days buried in books.
(Or more accurately, burned out from studying.)
"Here."
He pulled a small box from his bag and slid it across the table.
"I won’t be around for your birthday, so consider this an early gift."
Ji Nian glanced outside at the sunbaked pedestrians shielding themselves with umbrellas, then laughed. "You’re way too early."
Her birthday wasn’t until October—months away.
Then she shifted the topic. "You’ll be gone that long? Is the location finalized?"
He Xiang nodded. "Philadelphia."
Ji Nian mused that winters there were far harsher than in S City, though summers were probably cooler.
"Philadelphia, huh? Gu Xiuyuan mentioned there used to be issues with students from other regions ganging up to isolate those from S City. Wonder if that’s changed."
S City had over twenty more slots than other regions. While others fought tooth and nail for a handful of spots, simply studying in S City guaranteed eligibility—understandably breeding resentment.
"Don’t worry about it," He Xiang said.
As long as it didn’t interfere with his studies, he couldn’t care less.
After a pause, he added, "I’ll take care of myself."
Ji Nian smiled. "Good. If anyone dares disrupt your studies, just report them to Gu Xiuyuan. His family has connections there—he’ll back you up."
He Xiang pictured the scenario and smirked. "Alright."
They chatted casually over their food. Ji Nian shared updates about Lu Jinghuai’s side, including the word assassination. He Xiang’s brows furrowed, but Ji Nian recounted it like a joke—how someone had been caught mid-chase with their pants down, bare-assed, by Wei Yang and his team.
Completely unfazed.
He Xiang listened intently until they finished eating and stood to leave.
Ji Nian packed his gift, and they walked side by side toward a nearby music fountain. The scorching heat had driven most people indoors, leaving the area nearly deserted.
"Want ice cream?" He Xiang gestured to a vendor nearby.
Ji Nian checked the date and declined. "I’ll pass. You?"
He clearly wasn’t interested either.
A silence settled between them.
Ji Nian felt it was time.
"About what you told me before…"
The moment she started, He Xiang knew.
The verdict was coming.
Rejection, of course. But Ji Nian wouldn’t deliver it coldly like she might with others. She’d soften the blow—gentle or firm, but always mindful of his feelings.
That was her way. Tenderhearted toward those she cared about.
"Lu Jinghuai and I are together now."
The sun umbrella slipped from his grip and clattered to the ground, rolling away unnoticed.
For a moment, He Xiang’s ears rang, his world imploding soundlessly.
"Together… as in together?"
Only after Ji Nian picked up the umbrella did he find his voice again, strained.
Ji Nian gave a quiet "Mm."
Another long silence.
When she finally looked up, expecting him to have steadied himself, she froze.
His eyes were bloodshot, raw with disbelief.
She hadn’t anticipated such a reaction. But He Xiang was even more blindsided.
All his mental preparation—about swords and masters, about unrequited feelings—shattered the instant she said those words.
Only now did he realize: he could stomach rejection, but not her choosing someone else.
"Do you love him?"
His voice trembled with restraint.
Ji Nian nodded. "Yes."
At her answer, He Xiang’s posture crumpled, as if bearing an unbearable weight.
Then, after a pause, his hoarse whisper reached her—pleading, fragile.
"Then… could you love me too? Even just a little space in your heart would be enough."
Ji Nian met his gaze, confronting the rare intensity in his usually reserved eyes—a fire too fierce to contain.
She’d underestimated his feelings.
After a beat, she answered.
"I could."
His expression flickered with hope—until she continued.
"But you should know this."
"If you insist on this twisted arrangement, you’ll only ever occupy a sliver of my heart—one I might discard out of guilt toward Lu Jinghuai."
"Yet as He Xiang, my friend, you’ll always hold the most irreplaceable part of me."
"Is that still what you want?"
Her piercing stare held his. He flinched, unable to meet it, and looked away.
She didn’t press further, giving him space to steady himself.
Ji Nian knew he wouldn’t choose the former.
The reckless words of youth seldom came from the heart.
