The story begins.

Shi Youyou sat in the car, suddenly remembering to take out the small mirror she always carried in her bag. She stuck out her tongue and quietly gazed at the tiny mirror's surface, observing the nearly pale mark that traced across her tongue. Over the past few years, whenever she faced the mirror, she could not help but look at herself. Some colleagues had noticed this and teased her, saying, "Shi Youyou, are you putting makeup on your tongue? Or on your teeth?" She would reply, "No, I'm just checking if my lipstick has faded."

The coffee in Shi Youyou's hand had already cooled, with a layer of white foam floating on the surface. Clearly, these were the days of vibrant youth, days when one could ride with vigor and passion. Yet, upon reuniting with him, everything seemed to fade away. She merely tried her best to maintain a smile at the corners of her lips, perhaps as a final line of defense.

Jin Weiyi's phone rang again, but he did not answer. He slightly closed his eyes and pushed open the car door

After exchanging only a few words, the atmosphere became awkwardly silent.

Jin Zhiyuan sat in the car, turning his head to look at the seats by the coffee shop window, where he vaguely saw two figures: he knew that sitting there were Shi Youyou and her sister. In fact, he had met Youyou before; she was very beautiful. It had been several years since they last met, and he had somewhat forgotten what she looked like, only remembering her smile, pure and bright, reminiscent of a lovely lemon yellow tone

Wei Yi initially had good intentions, but she could not bear to see the situation continue in such an awkward manner. She lightly cleared her throat and said with a hint of self-mockery, "It seems this is not a good idea." She laughed heartily and added, "Alright, I have other matters to attend to. Zhi Yuan, why don't you take You You back?"

He fell silent, his handsome face devoid of even a hint of a smile, merely grasping her wrist.

Jin Zhiyuan sat still, while in such weather, Shi Youyou merely wore a black coat over her knitted sweater, revealing her long neck like white jade, no longer like before, when she would shrink into a large scarf, looking fluffy and endearing. Jin Weiyi looked at him and shook his head helplessly.

She greeted him, her expression striving to remain calm: "Hello." Yet, she still felt a hint of instability in her breath, suddenly recalling that night when she stood still, motionless. But in the end, his voice was as cold as a doomsday judgment: "Shi Youyou, I am not a person who drags things out."

Jin Zhiyuan sat down beside his sister without the slightest distraction, yet his expression appeared even colder than he had imagined

In just a moment, he seemed to have made up his mind to chase after her, and he lowered his head to Wei Yi and said, "Sister, I am leaving first"

Upon arriving at her residence, she paid and got out of the car, but Jin Zhiyuan quickly caught up from behind. Youyou turned around and suddenly felt a bit dizzy: had she remembered incorrectly? His eyes were not particularly large, and he had double eyelids; sometimes, when he was silent, he exuded a certain sharpness. More often, when he smiled at her, he appeared dazzling and charming. But now, with a few steps of distance between them, she could read confusion and a hint of evasion in his eyes. But what was he avoiding?

Jin Zhiyuan had been watching her speak, his eyes dark and profound. Her smile was no longer as bright and cheerful as before. Now it was gentle and shallow, light as a cloud and breeze. He suddenly felt a bit restless, unable to help but loosen his collar.

The woman sitting opposite him had been politely looking at his face since he entered, yet she deliberately avoided his eyes. She appeared much thinner than before. In fact, she was already slim, but her face used to be somewhat round; now, having lost her baby fat, her jawline had become pointed. She was constantly smiling, her teeth white and beautiful, resembling a small row of shells. Even when she wore braces before, she never felt uncomfortable, always saying, "Braces need more sunlight!" She was constantly smiling, her teeth white and beautiful, resembling a small row of shells. Even when she wore braces before, she never felt uncomfortable, always saying, "Braces need more sunlight!"

At the moment of skin touching skin, the past flows like water, yet it rolls back and rushes in. She gazes somewhat dazedly at those peach blossom eyes, once radiant and bright, but now they conceal their brilliance, only a faint glow flickers, like snowflakes scattered across the horizon.

She stood up gracefully, her sweet lips curling into a smile: "No need, I can take a taxi back." She left faster than they did, not even waiting for a response, already standing up as if to avoid them. Suddenly, there was a feeling of relief, as if just leaving this person's sight allowed her to break the surface of the water and breathe freely again