The moment Zhong Nian realized her lapse, she quickly turned her face away. Clearing her throat, she lowered her head and took a sip of water to hide her discomfort.
Her mother didn’t notice. Smiling, she replied, “He’s doing quite well. He was just promoted to attending physician, and the company he started with friends is thriving too.”
So he had developed well.
Zhong Nian remembered how, even back in school, Liang Yifeng had already stood out—excellent grades, strong leadership. Though his aloof personality made people hesitant to approach, there were still those who did. Men and women alike.
The latter, of course, for love.
Almost instinctively, she asked, “He’s married, right?”
“Not yet.” Her mother sighed. “You young people have your own ideas now—always putting careers first. You, and Little Liang too. Neither of you are married.”
Zhong Nian lowered her eyes with a faint smile. “I haven’t met the right person.”
Her mother laughed helplessly. “You two are so alike—even your answers are identical.”
Zhong Nian’s hand paused midair with the glass. The water inside rippled gently. She swirled it slightly, watching the waves form and fade, her thoughts stirring just the same.
A small smile curved her lips. Her profile softened, serene and distant—no one could tell what she was thinking.
That evening, both elders of the Liang family came.
Zhong Nian stood outside the courtyard to greet them. Her gaze swept briefly toward the driver’s seat—but Liang Yifeng was nowhere to be seen.
The elders looked at her warmly, their eyes full of kindness.
Aunt Liang’s eyes shimmered faintly. She placed a hand on Zhong Nian’s shoulder, voice thick with emotion. “Nian Nian, you’ve finally come back.”
Zhong Nian had always been impeccably polite in front of elders.
With a gentle smile, under the soft glow of the streetlight that cast a muted warmth over her features, she lowered her eyes slightly. “Aunt Liang, you haven’t changed at all. You’re still just as beautiful.”
The once-renowned beauty of Nan City remained radiant, untouched by time.
Time, after all, favors the beautiful.
During dinner, Zhong Nian’s mother asked, “What time does Little Liang get off work? Should we save him some dishes?”
Liang Weimian waved his hand. “He’s working overtime today. Not coming.”
Aunt Liang muttered while chewing, “He couldn’t take leave? Nian Nian’s back today. Old classmates, lived next door to each other. That counts as close enough. And he doesn’t even come?”
Liang Weimian took a strong sip of homemade liquor, exhaled sharply, then said, “He doesn’t know Zhong Nian is back.”
Zhong Nian froze slightly, chopsticks suspended midair.
“I just asked if he’d come eat at your Aunt Shen’s place. He said he was working overtime, so I hung up.”
A brief silence followed.
Zhong Nian curved her lips faintly. “My return isn’t anything special. It’s fine if he doesn’t come.”
They had never really shared much interaction anyway. Even in high school—desk mates, living under the same roof, their beds separated by only one wall.
On rainy nights, when her consciousness blurred between sleep and wakefulness, she had imagined hearing his steady breathing through the wall.
The next morning, she would look up and see only his cool jawline.
All imagination. All illusion.
They remained parallel lines, traveling their own tracks.
After dinner, amid casual chatter, Aunt Liang couldn’t resist some matchmaking curiosity.
“Nian Nian isn’t young anymore. Time to find someone and settle down.”
Zhong Nian smiled politely. “Mm.”
Uncle Liang raised an eyebrow. “Stop urging every single girl you see to marry. Solve Little Liang’s lifelong issue first.”
Aunt Liang clicked her tongue. “That Little Liang of yours isn’t suited for marriage. He’s suited to grow old alone.”
Zhong Nian couldn’t help but let a small smile slip out.
Aunt Liang and Uncle Liang were still the same. But Liang Yifeng had never seemed like their child. He was too quiet, too detached—like he lived behind an invisible barrier. Untouchable. Unreal.
She drifted for a moment, only to hear Aunt Liang say—
“There’s no need to date just for the sake of marriage. Your mother and I only want one thing: for you to be happy.”
Zhong Nian nodded softly. “Thank you, Aunt Liang.”
Aunt Liang patted her head affectionately.
When Zhong Nian walked them out, Aunt Liang held her hand. “If you ever need anything, come to us. If we can help, we will. We’re family, understand?”
“I understand.”
She stood still as the car lights flickered and disappeared into the vast night.
A crescent moon hung over the treetops. The early summer breeze rustled the leaves softly.
Zhong Nian brushed stray hair from her cheek and turned back inside, feeling inexplicably hollow.
A quiet, unexplainable emptiness.
Today had been good, hadn’t it?
And yet… something was missing.
When she returned home, her mother said, “Your phone rang earlier.”
Zhong Nian checked—an unfamiliar number. She called back, but no one answered.
Moments later, Sui Yu called.
The airline had found the person who took her suitcase. He had passed along her number and told her to watch for unfamiliar calls. Then he reminded her not to forget tomorrow’s dress fitting.
Only then did she remember—she had returned early because her friend Su Huachao was getting married.
She was the bridesmaid.
The next day at the bridal shop, Su Huachao had already tried on her wedding gown.
Sitting on the sofa sipping floral tea, she teased immediately upon seeing her, “Journalist Zhong, aren’t reporters supposed to be ahead of everyone else? Why am I waiting for you?”
Zhong Nian crossed her arms, raising a brow. “Unhappy?”
“Very!” Su Huachao burst out laughing and opened her arms. “Welcome back, Nian Nian.”
Zhong Nian hugged her. “Long time no see, Huachao.”
They chatted endlessly until staff gently urged them to change—groomsmen would arrive soon.
The bridal shop had only three fitting rooms, each spacious.
Zhong Nian entered one. Three bridesmaid dresses hung on the rack—white, lavender, and smoky gray.
She placed her clothes casually on the sofa.
Removing her heels, lifting her foot slightly, her pale ankle reflected in the mirror like polished jade.
She picked up the white dress.
Strapless, delicate, adorned with hand-set crystals that shimmered under the lights like scattered stars.
She pulled down the hidden side zipper and stepped into it carefully.
Outside, voices grew louder, but she paid little attention.
The fabric was smooth as silk, exquisitely tailored.
Holding the bodice with one hand, she leaned slightly to the left, focusing on the zipper in the mirror—
Suddenly, the fitting room curtain was lifted.
Startled, she instinctively covered her chest with both arms.
She looked up—
And froze.
Standing there was Liang Yifeng.
He wore a smoky gray suit, shirt buttoned neatly to the collar. The jacket was immaculate, without a single crease. The trousers outlined his long legs.
Her gaze lifted to his expressionless face.
Thin lips pressed tight. Sharp jawline. Behind gold-rimmed glasses, his pale tea-colored eyes were deep, layered with emotions impossible to decipher.
He hadn’t expected anyone inside.
Least of all her.
Her hands shielded her chest. The curve of her waist was exposed; higher up, the soft rise of her chest, pale skin tinged pink beneath the lights—like forbidden fruit.
Her hair fell loose and slightly disheveled over her shoulders.
Her discarded clothes lay strewn on the sofa behind her.
Like the aftermath of something intimate.
“Y-You—”
Before she could finish, the lights went out.
Gasps sounded outside.
Inside the fitting room, it became intensely quiet.
The mirror still reflected faint glimmers.
Liang Yifeng stood by the entrance, his pupils adjusting quickly to the dark, able to see her clearly.
She stood before the mirror, turned slightly sideways, arms crossed over herself.
Her shoulders were smooth and luminous, gradually flushing pink under his gaze.
The dimness cloaked her in a hazy glow.
His mind flickered with a thought—
If only there were red roses.
Petals scattered across her shoulders and hair in this dim space.
Irresistible.
Her lower lip was caught between her teeth, moist and flushed.
Tempting.
He felt his heartbeat falter, his body reacting before he consciously turned his head away—
Only to meet her reflection again in the mirror.
Her reddened cheeks. Her trembling lashes. Her startled eyes.
A faint glint flashed behind his lenses.
An image surfaced in his mind—
In this enclosed space, she was the bride he had imprisoned here.
Blooming only for him.