That night was destined to be sleepless.
At three in the morning, Cheng Yue set out alone toward the mountain behind the village, beneath the moon and stars.
Usually afraid of the dark, he silently felt his way through the stillness of the night.
No one had walked the mountain path in years, and thorns covered the ground. He stumbled and scrambled all the way to the end.
But when he arrived, he stopped, not daring to go any farther.
Ji Huaijin, who had followed him the whole way, watched his desolate figure, his fingers unconsciously rubbing together at his side.
Pale moonlight spilled over the thick trees, their black shadows stretching across the woods.
Like the unbridgeable gulf between them.
Cheng Yue suddenly spoke. "Professor Ji, do you see now? I'm just an ordinary person with no one to rely on."
He had been born in a rubbish heap, raised in a cramped mountain village, and lived amid utter disarray.
If Ji Huaijin was heaven's favored son, then he was the most inconspicuous speck of dust among the masses.
Now, the truest version of him lay exposed.
Cheng Yue turned sideways and gave a faint smile. "Now that you've seen me like this, do you still dare to ask?"
Just as he had yesterday, with stars filling his eyes, reaching out to him with tender affection.
Waking from a dream in the dead of night, who would sit beside him?
The wind carried a simple answer to his ears.
"I won't ask anymore."
The light in Cheng Yue's eyes abruptly dimmed, yet his heart was calm.
That's fine. It doesn't hurt as much as I imagined. Just a little.
It'll get better.
"Ji Huaijin."
I can't wish you everything your heart desires, because dawn hasn't come yet.
Cheng Yue