Cold water cascaded down.
Huo Yan closed his eyes, images flashing through his mind. The veins on his arms bulged as he gripped the wall tightly.
Sent to the wrong person?
Who had she originally intended to send it to?
Huo Yan’s eyes darkened, the beast in his heart seemingly about to break free from its cage—not only wanting to tear apart the person he saw, but also wanting to tear Sang Yu apart. He envisioned scenes rehearsed countless times in his mind: tearing Sang Yu’s clothes, watching her cry, refusing to let go even when her eyes were red and swollen.
After a while, Sang Yu picked up her phone and saw that Huo Yan still hadn’t replied. She shrugged, the joy between her brows utterly unconcealable.
That night, one slept soundly while the other rested uneasily.
Huo Yan knew it was a dream, but even aware, he couldn’t control himself.
Before him stood a massive golden cage, with several chains hanging from the ceiling binding Sang Yu’s limbs. She still wore that white dress, but this time it wasn’t a photo—she appeared directly before him, her breath and strands of hair terrifyingly real.
Her slender wrists and ankles were shackled in golden chains, obediently confined within the cage. Her jet-black hair was slightly longer than now, some strands loosely falling over her shoulders. Her cheeks were slightly damp, and her misty eyes stared unblinkingly at him.
Huo Yan’s Adam’s apple bobbed, a wave of dryness parching his throat.
In the dream, Sang Yu’s gaze fixed intently on him, full of dependence and trust, with scattered crimson rose petals adorning her skirt. She lifted her eyes to look at him, tugging the chains forward but forced to stop due to their limited length. Her exquisitely beautiful face showed a hint of grievance as she gazed pitifully at Huo Yan, extending a delicate, soft hand: “Yan Ge…”
In that instant, Huo Yan nearly lost control of his bodily reactions. The tightly strung thread in his mind snapped completely the moment Sang Yu spoke.
He opened his eyes. The ceiling above remained the familiar deep black.
Huo Yan’s breathing gradually steadied. His cold, handsome face showed no emotion as he got up, opened the bedside drawer, took out a box of pills, and swallowed them directly with water from the bedside table.
Sang Yu arrived at school very early the next day.
Most of her classmates were drowsy. Few universities still held morning self-study sessions. Having just gained freedom, everyone wanted to relax upon entering college—who would have thought they’d have to endure this again?
Sang Yu took out her textbook and reviewed notes from yesterday’s computer class.
The chair beside her pulled back, and a familiar masculine scent wafted over.
“Good morning, Yan Ge.”
Sang Yu immediately looked up, speaking sweetly.
Huo Yan’s expression was faint, with subtle dark circles under his eyes. His pale, handsome face showed little emotion.
“Morning.”
Huo Yan’s attitude was clearly indifferent, but Sang Yu acted oblivious. “Yan Ge, can we go to the tattoo shop today?”
“Go if you want.”
“Then I’ll go with you.”
Huo Yan didn’t refuse. Sang Yu knew this meant silent consent and finally lowered her head to read, satisfied.
Each lost in their own thoughts, the atmosphere remained harmonious for a while.
And so, Sang Yu transitioned from working part-time at an internet cafe to working at the tattoo shop.
Her natural comprehension was good. Within a week, though she hadn’t learned much, she grasped the basics.
As time passed, she grew more familiar with the people at the tattoo shop and occasionally exchanged jokes with Lin Han Zhou.
However, Sang Yu was clearly distracted today, frequently spacing out while tidying up the tools.
Lin Han Zhou came out and saw Sang Yu holding a tool motionless for a long time. He walked over to her and waved his hand in front of her.
“Huh? What’s wrong?” Sang Yu snapped back to reality and felt somewhat embarrassed seeing the tool in her hand. She put it down and looked at Lin Han Zhou. “Sorry.”
Lin Han Zhou shook his head, not minding it at all, and spoke like someone with experience: “Missing Yan Ge?”
Sang Yu shyly lowered her head without answering, but her expression made it obvious to Lin Han Zhou.
He smiled and reassured Sang Yu: “Don’t worry, Yan Ge disappears regularly. You’ll get used to it. He’ll be fine.”
Though he said that, Sang Yu was still worried. Huo Yan’s injuries and everything he had been through made it impossible for her to feel at ease.
Zhang Qile swaggered in, teasing while winking and making faces: “Since Sang Yu’s here, our tattoo shop’s reputation has skyrocketed.”
“People are saying a little fairy has arrived at the tattoo shop across from the school. Tsk tsk, little classmate, I hereby declare you our shop’s mascot from now on.”