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It was her first time stepping into a luxury store.
The opulent fragrances in the mall made her dizzy. The pristine marble floors gleamed like mirrors, and the products displayed behind counters—though unremarkable on their own—seemed to multiply in value tenfold under such conditions. Wearing them seemed to elevate one’s status instantly, setting those who could afford them apart from ordinary people like her, clad in affordable goods.
She felt uneasy, despite being the customer. Her entry into the store was hesitant, and the salesperson greeted her with lukewarm enthusiasm, likely assuming she couldn’t afford anything. This only fueled her determination. She straightened her posture, masking her nervousness with a cold, composed demeanor, striving to appear confident and assertive.
But this façade crumbled easily in the face of the staggering price tags.
Hundreds of thousands, even millions—just for a watch. More expensive than a house in her hometown. Was this what high society was like? What kind of work earned such wealth?
The watches were undeniably beautiful, but those flashy gold pieces encrusted with diamonds didn’t suit Xiao Zhi, did they? They screamed ostentatious nouveau riche, not the refined elegance befitting a scholar.
Her eyes scanned the displays until they landed on an ideal model—a sleek black leather strap, transparent sapphire crystal case back, moderate thickness, and understated elegance that shimmered softly under the bright lights.
…Perfect.
Her eyes lit up. She instinctively felt this watch belonged to Xiao Zhi. Excitedly, she asked the salesperson to bring it out for her to see. However, the response was curt: “Miss, this is part of our classic collection, priced at 55,000 yuan. Would you like to try it on?”
Yin Mengxi: “….”
Yes, this was reality.
Only those who’ve truly pushed themselves understand the hollow despair of reaching their limits, only to find they can barely graze the heels of another social class. The chasm between them exhausted her, yet it also hardened her resolve to push herself further.
—Work harder.
Earn more money.
Buy better gifts for the ones she loved.
Never let anyone look down on her.
In the end, she still bought a watch—exactly 10,000 yuan, a mechanical piece with a ceramic bracelet. It was beautiful, though widely considered an entry-level model. Even as she paid, the salesperson’s polite demeanor carried an undertone of condescension: those stretching to afford luxury weren’t truly wealthy; mere mortals pretending to be elephants by sticking scallions in their noses.
…It left a bitter taste in her heart.
Fortunately, January 12th arrived quickly.
The weather was gloomy, overcast, but Yin Mengxi’s mood was bright. She woke early to primp and apply makeup—something she hadn’t done in ages. She had imagined interning at the TV station would make her a polished professional, but reality had been chaotic and exhausting. Months without touching cosmetics had dulled her skills; her hand trembled as she applied her eyebrows, taking forever to achieve a passable look.
Dressed in a pretty dress, she carefully tucked the gift into her bag, eager to surprise her boyfriend. The subway ride to the airport filled her with excitement. As she entered the terminal, however, nervousness crept in, tightening her chest and making her breathing slightly uneven.
—Sigh.
Why this anxiety?
Shouldn’t she feel purely happy?
The flight was punctual, not delayed. Standing at the arrival gate, she stretched onto her toes, craning her neck to catch a glimpse of him. Soon enough, she spotted him—his handsome figure unmistakable, even in a simple black coat. Her heart raced, reigniting the giddy infatuation she’d felt months ago.
—He saw her too.
His deep eyes sparkled like stars reflected in clear water. Unable to resist, she ran toward him, though this time, unlike six months ago, she hesitated before reaching him, slowing her steps and looking up at him shyly, her gaze tinged with uncertainty.
“What?” he smiled, his expression as gentle as ever. “Don’t recognize me?”
Ah.
“No,” she stammered, feeling awkward. “I…”
—Couldn’t explain.
Before she could stumble through her words, he pulled her into an embrace. Though not as fervent as their reunion at the train station last year, it was undeniably intimate and warm. His elegant hands gently stroked her hair as he murmured near her ear, “Did you wait long?”
Not long—only twenty minutes. But if measured from July, when he left, it had been a long time. A wave of accumulated vulnerability and sadness bubbled up, and she nodded against his chest, mumbling, “…So long.”
He stroked her again, comforting her, but she remained uneasy, perhaps because he hadn’t kissed her yet. Desperate to please him, she reached into her bag to retrieve the carefully prepared gift. Just then, her eyes caught sight of a familiar yet unfamiliar watch on his wrist.
This…
—Wasn’t that the 50,000-yuan watch she’d seen in the store days ago?
“This…” she blurted, unable to tear her eyes away.
He raised an eyebrow, then realized she was referring to his watch. “The one I wore before broke, so I bought a new one.”
His tone was casual, as if he’d spent ten bucks on yogurt at the supermarket.
She froze, unsure how to react. Her hand, already brushing the edge of the gift box, suddenly recoiled as if burned.
“…Xiao Xi?”
He noticed her strange expression and called her name with concern.
Realizing she’d revealed too much, she quickly composed herself, employing the acting skills she’d honed at work to mask her sudden disappointment. Forcing a smile, she said, “It’s very nice. Suits you well.”
He frowned slightly, sensing something amiss. Before he could ask, she deflected, pulling him toward the taxi stand. “Are you hungry? Want to eat? There’s a great barbecue place near the north gate…”
He wasn’t particularly hungry after the long flight, but seeing her effort to pick him up, he didn’t want to disappoint her. So he mustered energy and accompanied her back to school for dinner.
“Is this place good?” she chirped, her tone overly animated. “I came here once with my roommate when it opened. Their seafood soup is delicious—you should try it.”
She pushed the pot toward him.
He tasted it, his movements graceful as always. The restaurant bustled with students from their university, some whispering about the long-absent Xiao Ge, while others discreetly snapped photos.
Unbothered by the attention, he focused on her, picking up tools to grill meat for her. As he worked, he asked, “Are your finals over? Do you still have two exams left?”
…Exams.
Yin Mengxi’s heart skipped. For the first time, the word “exam” made her feel guilty. After a brief hesitation, she forced a bright smile and replied evasively, “Mm… I’ll finish the day after tomorrow.”
He nodded, sighing. “Actually, you didn’t need to come today. It would’ve been better to focus on studying.”
Of course.
One exam was a required major course, the other an elective. The professor had caught her skipping class, and she’d barely read a fifth of the required texts. She had no idea how she’d fare in two days.
“It’s fine…” she lied again. “…I’m prepared.”
…Thanks to her acting skills.
He glanced at her, whether believing her or not unclear. The sizzling noise of grilling meat muddled her judgment while providing a false sense of security. Moments later, he asked, “What about your internship? Is it over?”
“Mm…” she replied, feeling like a student under interrogation, her tension mounting. “It ended on the 9th.”
He hummed, seemingly satisfied, then paused before asking, “And next semester? Will you continue?”
She wanted to, of course.
Deputy Director He had just begun trusting her. She had to seize the opportunity, or all her efforts would go to waste.
“I’m still considering…” Yet again, she avoided the truth, unsure why she chose evasion under his gaze. “…We’ll see how next semester goes.”
Though restrained, her answer still made him frown slightly. Over the past six months, she’d only heard hesitation and gentle persuasion in his voice during their calls. Now, she viscerally felt his disapproval of her choices. It unsettled her, making her feel guiltier and lonelier.
“All right, we’ll talk later,” he placed grilled meat into her bowl, his tone neutral. “Focus on your exams first.”
His words felt like a temporary reprieve—resolving the immediate crisis but doing nothing to alleviate future worries. She knew she’d eventually have to address this rift between them, like removing a dagger hanging above her head.
“…Okay.” For now, that was all she could say.
At seven o’clock, they left the restaurant and stood together at a crosswalk, waiting for the light to change.
—Where to next?
Would they… go to his place?
She wondered silently, her thoughts devoid of romantic fantasies. She simply hoped spending more time together would bridge the subtle distance between them, restoring their pre-departure closeness. To her disappointment, he led her toward the north gate of campus—it seemed he intended to escort her back to her dormitory.
Unable to ask outright, she cast him a silent glance. He seemed to understand, patting her head gently before explaining, “I need to visit my parents tonight. They know I’m back today.”
…Ah.
Of course.
He’d been gone for half a year. He should see his family.
“Mm…”
She masked her disappointment, her voice growing softer, her forced smile wider.
“…Go soon. They must miss you.”
________________________________________
Author’s Note:
Hello, everyone! I’m back!
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