Fall - Chapter 16

Yue Can was ticklish. Bo Wanzhao’s cheek and stray strands of hair brushing against her skin made her itch all over. The warm, pleasant scent emanating from Bo Wanzhao’s body was amplified tenfold by their close embrace… In short, she was wide awake, so alert she could count the beats of her racing heart. Perhaps she had never been held like this before; her heart was pounding too fast.

One awake, the other sound asleep, they remained in this intimate position for several minutes. Yue Can didn’t make a sound—she had rarely seen Bo Wanzhao so relaxed and at ease. Bo Wanzhao held her tightly, as if urging her to stay still and not move.

So, this is Bo Wanzhao without her mask? Yue Can wondered. At least, she seems more genuine than usual.

Curious, Yue Can lowered her gaze to study Bo Wanzhao’s face. She completely understood why so many people wanted to pursue Bo Wanzhao. With her strong capabilities, gentle demeanor, and striking beauty, this type of woman could easily capture anyone’s heart. But Bo Wanzhao would never let anyone pursue her…

The warmth and sensation felt too real. Bo Wanzhao’s arm shifted, and she opened her eyes. It took a couple of seconds for her to transition from sleep to reality. She looked at Yue Can.

Unfortunately, Yue Can had been staring intently at Bo Wanzhao’s face when she woke up, leaving her feeling awkward and flustered.

Embracing the warmth, Bo Wanzhao immediately realized she had lost control the previous night and crossed a line. Yet she remained composed, quickly releasing Yue Can. “Why didn’t you wake me?” she asked, her voice raspy from sleep. The lingering intimacy of their earlier physical contact made her words sound like a lover’s whisper. Yue Can looked at her, momentarily lost in thought.

“I…” Yue Can felt wronged. Remembering Bo Wanzhao’s trembling, fragile state during her nightmare, she muttered softly, “Fine, blame me.”

Bo Wanzhao was speechless. She sat up in bed, noticing it was already past ten o’clock. She never set alarms, usually waking up naturally between six and seven.

Yue Can also sat up. “You looked so comfortable sleeping, I didn’t want to disturb you.”

Silence fell again. Bo Wanzhao had indeed never slept so soundly before. She got out of bed and murmured, “Let’s get up and prepare for class.”

Yue Can nearly blacked out.

What a heartless thing to say. What a heartless woman.

Watching Bo Wanzhao revert to her usual demeanor as quickly as a Sichuan opera mask change, Yue Can couldn’t believe the person who had been clinging to her in bed just moments ago was the same woman now acting as if nothing had happened. So I was just a human body pillow? Used and discarded without a second thought.

After several more busy weekends, the national college entrance examination, the gaokao, arrived as scheduled.

Although Yue Can had studied diligently throughout the semester, she still maintained her usual slacker mentality, feeling no particular anxiety. Whatever score she got, she figured, would be good enough. Tan Ming encouraged her to study seriously but never pressured her with specific expectations, making her senior year relatively stress-free.

In June, the gaokao, often called life’s turning point, passed through Yue Can’s life like a dragonfly skimming the water’s surface. Reflecting on her senior year, she realized that her most vivid memories were the days she had spent buried in her studies with Bo Wanzhao in their rented apartment.

With the gaokao behind them, Zhong Ran’s planned graduation trip became their top priority.

Zhong Ran’s talent for planning activities was inversely proportional to her academic abilities. After pulling two all-nighters, she refined her initial itinerary into a detailed travel plan spanning over two months, from the southern coast to the northernmost reaches of the country. The itinerary was packed with sightseeing, dining, and entertainment, practically dominating their entire summer vacation.

Five days after the gaokao, they set off from Naxia. The group included Zhong Ran, Luo Yang, Zhuang Qimeng, and two of her friends. Without these companions, the young women, barely adults, would have felt far less confident embarking on such a long and ambitious journey.

Although the gaokao results hadn’t been released yet, Tan Ming, impressed by Yue Can’s improved study habits during her senior year, had already rewarded her with a new camera and a generous travel allowance.

The day of their departure was a Saturday, and the group arrived at the airport early.

Yue Can took a departure photo at the airport and sent it to Tan Ming. Glancing at Bo Wanzhao’s profile picture in her WeChat contacts, she suddenly drifted into thought. At this time, she would usually be on her way to meet Bo Wanzhao.

After the college entrance exams, their meetings naturally ceased, their shared space abruptly turning blank.

During their last class, Yue Can had felt a pang of reluctance. After all, she had grown accustomed to having her “devil” guardian watching over her every vacation. But Bo Wanzhao seemed indifferent. That evening, she simply offered a perfunctory “Good luck on the exams” and nothing more.

Now that she no longer needed to watch over Yue Can during the holidays, she must be busy with her other part-time jobs, Yue Can thought. She never rested anyway.

“Can Can, hurry and vote!” Zhong Ran exclaimed excitedly beside her.

Yue Can was still lost in thought.

“What are you thinking about?” Zhong Ran nudged her with her elbow, urging her, “What should we eat for lunch? Vote already!”

“Whatever…” Yue Can replied absently, then realized Zhong Ran was asking her to vote. She pointed at the screen, “I’ll choose barbecue.”

“Are you still missing high school life?” Zhong Ran teased. Luo Yang wasn’t excited about finishing the exams, which was understandable, but she couldn’t comprehend why Yue Can seemed equally indifferent.

Yue Can smiled. “Am I sick or something?”

Zhong Ran: “Why are you so distracted?”

Yue Can: “I’m not.”

The scenery during their trip helped Yue Can let go of many worries. Combined with the company of close friends, she thoroughly enjoyed the journey.

On the day the college entrance exam results were released, they were surfing at the beach. During lunch, the conversation inevitably turned to their scores.

Yue Can had checked her results and was surprised to find she had even exceeded her usual performance.

Zhong Ran, looking at her pitifully low score, wasn’t upset at all. She cheerfully exclaimed, “Can ah, how did you score so high? I won’t be able to go to the same school as you. Which city are you planning to go to?”

Yue Can, always craving novelty, had long grown tired of Naxia and had no intention of staying. She had several cities in mind but hadn’t made a final decision. She replied casually, “I’ll just see where I get accepted.”

“Luo Yang, your score is high enough! That’s great!” Zhong Ran was more concerned about Luo Yang’s results than her own, knowing his target.

“Have you decided which city you want to go to?” Luo Yang asked Zhong Ran.

“With my score, any city will do. It doesn’t really matter.” Zhong Ran pondered for a moment, then looked at Luo Yang. “How about I go with you?”

Luo Yang paused. “Okay.”

Zhong Ran grinned. “I heard they have lots of good food there.”

Luo Yang: “……”

Yue Can guessed that Zhong Ran would likely follow Luo Yang to the same city. Despite Zhong Ran constantly teasing Luo Yang as an “old-fashioned relic,” she couldn’t truly bear to be apart from him. The two had been inseparable since elementary school, and separating now would undoubtedly feel unnatural.

Yue Can, however, had no desire to choose a city solely to be with her friends. Such a decision would feel too restrictive.

She screenshotted her exam results and sent them to Bo Wanzhao. I did pretty well this time, she thought. Surely I deserve at least a word of praise?

No reply came.

Throughout the meal, Yue Can checked her phone countless times, but Bo Wanzhao remained silent. Busy people are truly busy…

Finally, half an hour later, her screen lit up.

bwz: Good job. Congratulations.

A standard, perfunctory congratulation—exactly what Yue Can had expected. Knowing Bo Wanzhao would only say something like this, why did I even bother hoping for more?

Staring at the chat window, Yue Can hesitated before tapping the photo icon. She selected a picture taken that morning while surfing and sent it.

Yue Can: Stood up on my first surf! Pretty impressive, right?

Bo Wanzhao was eating dinner in the cafeteria when she opened the photo. The boundless azure sea, churning with white-capped waves, framed a girl standing on a surfboard, bathed in sunlight, her smile radiant and carefree.

Yue Can didn’t have to wait long for a reply.

bwz: Impressive.

Yue Can chuckled helplessly. I shouldn’t have expected anything more, she thought. I specifically chose the best photo, and he couldn’t even compliment it with a simple “beautiful”?

“Xiao Can, are you dating someone?” Zhuang Qimeng’s sharp eyes noticed Yue Can’s unusual behavior at the dinner table.

“Ah, you’re dating someone?” Zhong Ran exclaimed, turning to Yue Can. “When did this happen? Why didn’t you tell me? I had no idea!”

Yue Can wanted to shove food into Zhong Ran’s mouth to shut her up. “No, I’m not.”

“Then who are you texting and smiling so happily at?” Zhuang Qimeng pressed.

“Just a friend,” Yue Can mumbled vaguely.

“A friend, huh?” Zhuang Qimeng repeated teasingly. After a moment’s thought, she added, “The one you went ice skating with last time?”

“Mm-hmm,” Yue Can confirmed.

Ice skating together? Zhong Ran thought she’d finally uncovered some juicy gossip about Yue Can. She turned to Zhuang Qimeng, her curiosity piqued. “Sister Xiao Zhuang, is he handsome?”

Zhuang Qimeng smiled. “He’s very beautiful.”

Zhong Ran paused, her reaction slow. Then, as if realization dawned, she glanced at Yue Can. “Bo Wanzhao?”

Yue Can nodded.

Zhong Ran’s face fell slightly, disappointed. She’d been hoping for some scandalous news.

In the blink of an eye, August arrived, transforming Naxia into a scorching furnace under the relentless heat.

During her summer break, Bo Wanzhao remained as busy as ever. Most of her time was spent earning money, as if she were trying to fill a bottomless pit that could never be satisfied.

Since June, her life had become much quieter. The cramped, dilapidated room had reverted to its usual lifeless state—silent and suffocating, devoid of the laughter and lively chatter that had once filled it.

After finishing her tutoring for the day, Bo Wanzhao walked home under the darkening sky. Another monotonous and exhausting day was coming to an end, followed by the long, dark night, and then the cycle would repeat.

She trudged mechanically, the stifling wind making it hard to breathe.

The alleyways were livelier on summer nights than in winter. Groups of elderly people sat under trees, fanning themselves and chatting idly to pass the time. Stray cats and dogs roamed freely.

As Bo Wanzhao neared her door, she suddenly slowed her pace. Under the eaves, a girl in a long dress was bending down to feed a cat. Her tall, slender figure looked familiar.

She approached closer and finally stopped beside the girl. “Let’s go inside,” she said.

The girl straightened up, startled by the voice. She looked at Bo Wanzhao with confusion. “Huh?”

Bo Wanzhao took a closer look at the completely unfamiliar face before her. She smiled calmly. “My apologies. I mistook you for someone else.”