1. First Encounter

Floral City, Maria Maternity Hospital.

The WeChat call chimed. Su Yun glanced at her phone and quickly stepped into a quiet corner to answer.

“Mom, I’m in the library right now. I have a test tomorrow. I’ll call you in a few days,” Su Yun spoke softly, her voice gentle and pleasant.

Her mother, Chen Li, believed her without question, telling her to focus on her work before hanging up.

Emma had gone into the operating room. Su Yun was about to return to her seat when a soft, mocking chuckle drifted from nearby.

She turned toward the sound and saw an East Asian man leaning against the wall, idly spinning his phone in one hand.

What a handsome man, was Su Yun’s first thought. His features were striking—bright eyes, well-defined brows, a few loose strands of hair falling across his forehead.

The faint note of derision had come from him. Among the sea of blond-haired, blue-eyed faces, he alone had black hair and dark eyes.

He didn’t look away when Su Yun met his gaze. Instead, he met her eyes directly, as if to say, Yes, I was talking about you.

Realizing the misunderstanding, Su Yun had intended to ignore him, but he pressed on, relentless. “Such a model student—everywhere becomes a library for you, doesn’t it?” His Mandarin was flawless.

Su Yun stopped, turned, and walked over to him. “Were you eavesdropping on my call?”

“This is a public space,” he replied, meeting her eyes unabashedly.

Su Yun laughed in exasperation. “Well, I’m here for an abortion—so what? What about you? What brings you to the obstetrics and gynecology ward? A man—especially such a pretty young man. If you’re not a cross-dresser, you must be here with your girlfriend.”

Before he could answer, Su Yun continued, “All men are the same—selfish, irresponsible, and cowardly.”

She let all the resentment she harbored toward Emma’s ex-boyfriend spill over onto him. He seemed about to protest. “Hey, you—”

As if to confirm Su Yun’s accusations, a blue-eyed, mixed-race woman emerged from a nearby room. Beautiful, but pale as death, her eyes brimming with tears. Her voice trembled, “Mian…”

The man hurried over to steady her. Su Yun’s expression turned openly scornful. With a cold snort, she walked away.

He Mian had caught that scornful sound, his gaze deepening as he watched Su Yun’s retreating figure.

-

Valentine’s Day.

Emma, her strength restored and her heartbreak behind her, dragged Su Yun to a bar.

Emma was from the West—a classic Western beauty with fair skin and deep eye sockets, her smile full of charm.

“Su, turns out you’re a real stunner,” Emma teased, her tone playful.

“You’re the one who said to dress up,” Su Yun replied.

Seated at the bar, Su Yun wore striking makeup and a silver slip dress, her long legs and graceful back on full display.

She hadn’t wanted to come, but Emma had persuaded her with talk of leaving love behind, singing and drinking while youth lasted.

So, she came.

Earlier, Emma had asked if she’d ever loved someone so deeply it was unforgettable. Su Yun had said no.

She’d lied. She had loved that way—once.

Her first and only love had been genuine, but it ended in utter defeat and desolation.

After a few rounds of drinks, Emma went off to dance. Su Yun sat alone, propping her head in her hand, absentmindedly lighting up her phone again and again.

She wanted to forget the man whose photo was on her screen.

-

“Damn, Mian, look at that babe over there—she’s hot,” Jia Yan exclaimed.

He Mian wasn’t in the mood. He thought he must have lost his mind, coming to a bar with Jia Yan on Western Valentine’s Day. He’d rather be home sleeping.

“Take it easy, or you’ll get yourself in trouble again.”

Jia Yan grinned sheepishly. “Hey, last time I was busy, wasn’t I? You did me a favor. Drinks are on me tonight—enjoy.”

A notorious playboy, Jia Yan had vanished without a trace a few weeks earlier when he found out his girlfriend was pregnant, leaving He Mian to accompany her to the hospital as a favor from their past friendship. He hadn’t expected to get thoroughly scorned by a woman for his trouble.

Just thinking about it annoyed He Mian, and he shot Jia Yan a glare.

“Hey, look at that woman—an absolute goddess!” Jia Yan tried to change the subject.

He Mian finally looked. Su Yun happened to glance in their direction, smiling as she politely declined a man’s invitation. The man departed like a gentleman.

It was her!

“No way, that smile is too captivating—I have to go talk to her,” Jia Yan said, starting to rise.

He Mian pressed him back into his seat. Jia Yan joked, “What, you want me to keep you company?”

“Get lost.” He Mian stood, straightening his jacket. “I’ve got my eye on her.” With that, he strode away.

…

Jia Yan blinked in disbelief. Did he hear that right? Wasn’t He Mian supposed to be gay?