Hello, Shi Xing. My name is Ji Yu. We…

Evening fell over Jinggang City as a fine drizzle began to descend. The rain came softly yet persistently, carried by a chilly breeze that made people shiver without realizing it.

From the radio came the warm, pleasant voice of a female host:

“This week will be dominated by overcast and rainy weather, with a high of 21°C and a low of 14°C. Please remember to bring rain gear when heading out. We will also be welcoming Lidong, the Beginning of Winter. The climate will gradually shift from the dry chill of autumn to cold, damp winter weather. Lidong marks the start of winter, a season of storing and conserving. As one of the Four Seasonal Transitions, it holds special significance. In the south, people eat nourishing foods to ‘supplement for winter’; in the north, dumplings are customary—there’s even a saying, ‘If you don’t eat dumplings on Lidong, your ears will freeze off and no one will care.’ Other traditions include brewing yellow wine, warding off illness, eating raw scallions, and observing rituals for the Three Officials…”

After seeing off the last customer in the convenience store, Shi Xing pulled her coat tightly around herself. She checked the shelves and counter one last time, confirmed everything was in order, and prepared to close up.

The moment she stepped outside, she hurried toward the nearest bus stop, afraid of missing the last bus of the night.

When she finally reached it, panting lightly, she noticed someone standing there in the distance. As she drew closer, the person lifted his head slightly. He was thin, his face pale with a faintly sickly cast.

Concern flashed across Shi Xing’s face.
“Are you okay?”

The boy lowered his gaze, saying nothing. His eyes were dark, their emotions unfathomable.

Seeing his silence, she gathered her courage and stepped closer. Her instincts as a medical student told her clearly—he was unwell.

“Do you have a fever?” she asked softly, studying him.

At last, Ji Yu reacted. He nodded faintly. His head felt as heavy as lead.

The rain began to blow harder with the cold wind, drifting into the bus stop. Water splattered across Shi Xing’s face. She checked the time—thirty seconds until the last bus arrived.

Gritting her teeth, she rummaged through her bag and finally pulled out a box of fever medicine. At the same time, she handed him her umbrella.

“This medicine works pretty well—give it a try. If you really can’t hold on, go to the hospital. And the rain’s only going to get heavier—go home quickly, okay?”

She said it all in one breath, then rushed onto the bus just as it pulled in.

The boy parted his lips, as if wanting to say something, but she had already boarded.

After finding a seat, Shi Xing waved at him through the window, silently mouthing:

Go. Home. Early.

As the bus faded into the distance, Ji Yu felt his heart skip a beat. He stared at the two items in his hands. His fingers tightened unconsciously around them. He licked his dry lips and turned to walk in the opposite direction.

When he returned to the training base dormitory, he was inevitably soaked through. Shi Lei let out a mocking laugh when he saw him.

“Well look who’s back—the crown prince.”

Laughter erupted in the room.

Because Ji Yu was young and new to the team, many of the so-called “seniors” took advantage of him. Worse still, he had broken several records shortly after joining—something that deeply irritated Shi Lei, who always wanted to be in the spotlight. The bullying only intensified.

Ji Yu ignored them and walked past Shi Lei to his bed—only to find trash dumped all over it.

He took a deep breath, lowered his brows, and tightened his grip on the umbrella.

“Who did this?” he asked calmly.

No one answered.

His gaze settled on Shi Lei. The latter shrugged smugly, pressing his tongue against his upper palate.

“So what if it was me?”

The next second, Shi Lei felt the world spin. A heavy thud echoed through the room. He thought he heard bones cracking.

Though burning with fever, Ji Yu’s face was filled with violent fury. His blows landed again and again until the others finally reacted and rushed to pull them apart.

The noise was so loud it alarmed the entire floor. The coach soon arrived. After understanding what had happened, he gave both of them a verbal reprimand and moved Ji Yu to another dormitory that same night.

Exhausted from the fight, Ji Yu showered and collapsed onto his bed. Outside the window, the rain grew heavier. Even through the glass, the sound was deafening. Water streaked down the panes, blurring into thick mist as night deepened.

The next morning, when he went to training, his complexion had improved—perhaps thanks to the medicine he’d taken.

During physical training, Shi Lei scoffed when he saw him. The others said nothing but deliberately avoided him.

Shi Lei had long ruled the team through intimidation, and no one wanted to provoke him. The coach noticed—but said nothing.

Ji Yu was the last to leave the training ground. Sweat streamed down his face and dripped onto the floor. He stared at the sunlight slanting through the windows, lost in thought.

When he returned to the dormitory, Shi Lei and his group were waiting.

Shi Lei lounged lazily in Ji Yu’s chair, his lackeys standing nearby. The other roommates were nowhere to be seen. The coach’s inaction earlier that day had only emboldened them.

Shi Lei glanced at him disdainfully and gestured for the others to tie him up.

Before they could move, Ji Yu grabbed one of them by the collar and slammed him to the ground. The rest froze, fear flashing across their faces.

Panicking, Shi Lei grabbed the umbrella from Ji Yu’s desk and hurled it at him.

Ji Yu froze for a split second—too late to dodge.

Night had fallen. Streetlights lined the road outside the convenience store, casting dim yellow light. Ji Yu stood in the shadows, his long silhouette stretching across the pavement.

Hidden in darkness, he looked at the brightly lit store, then down at the battered umbrella in his hand, hesitating.

Inside, Shi Xing was finishing up after the usual last rush when she spotted a familiar figure outside. She hurried over.

“It’s you! Has your fever gone down?” she asked, surprised.

Ji Yu nodded gently and carefully handed her the damaged umbrella.
“Here… your umbrella.”

She smiled. “You can keep it—I’ve already got a new one.”

Then she noticed the bruises on his face. Her brows furrowed.
“Did you get into a fight?”

Before he could answer, she waved him inside.
“Come in quickly—it’s too cold out there.”

She rummaged through her bag for iodine and cotton swabs and began treating his wounds, her movements light and careful.

“You’re lucky you ran into me,” she said casually. “Otherwise, you’d have to make a trip to the hospital.”

Ji Yu pressed his lips together.
“Thank you.”

When she finished, their eyes met unexpectedly. After a brief pause, she walked to the counter and pointed to her lunchbox.

“Today’s the Winter Solstice. Want to eat dumplings together?”

“Yes,” he replied.

She divided the dumplings into two bowls. Sitting together, they watched the traffic flow outside.

“It’s really lively here,” she sighed.

“Isn’t it?” She looked at him.

Ji Yu nodded.

Lowering her head, she murmured, “I really hope that one day I can truly put down roots here.”

Her eyes shone with hope for the future. Ji Yu, clumsy at encouragement back then, could only say, “That day will come.”

She laughed at his earnestness.

Outside, a family of three passed by.

“Mom! Dad! Wait for me!” the child called anxiously.

The parents jogged ahead, turning back repeatedly.
“Hurry up—we’re going home to eat dumplings. Otherwise, your ears will freeze off tomorrow!”

Watching the scene, an indescribable emotion stirred in both of them.

“Happy Winter Solstice,” Shi Xing said softly.

“Happy Winter Solstice,” Ji Yu replied, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his lips.

When it was time to part, Ji Yu finally gathered his courage.

“Shi Xing… can we meet again tomorrow?”

She paused. “How do you know my name?”

“It’s on your name tag,” he said, his gaze unreadable.

“Of course. See you tomorrow.” She smiled, dimples appearing.
“But I still don’t know your name.”

Before he could answer, the bus arrived. She ran aboard, calling back,
“Tell me tomorrow!”

But tomorrow never came.

When Ji Yu returned to the convenience store the next day, a different employee stood behind the counter.

“Shi Xing? Something happened at her home. She resigned,” the new clerk said.

The rest of the words blurred into noise.

Ji Yu wandered the streets aimlessly, unsure where the road would end. Fine rain fell onto his shoulders.

This time, no one handed him an umbrella.

Every time he passed the convenience store afterward, he rehearsed the words he never got to say:

“Hello, Shi Xing. My name is Ji Yu. Can we get to know each other?”

They fell in love at eighteen—each with the other.

And yet, for reasons neither could control, they parted without ever truly beginning.

💝 Support the Team

April0427

✍️ Translator

💙 PayPal