Although Jianghai City was still as hot as a furnace during the day in midsummer, the nights were filled with cool breezes, which felt refreshingly comfortable.

Even though Jianghai is a bustling metropolis, it was past midnight, so there were few pedestrians on the roads, as most people had work the next day.

In the southeast direction of Jianghai City stands a large bridge known as Jianghai Bridge, its structure somewhat mottled, clearly showing its age.

There were almost no pedestrians near the bridge because it was nearly abandoned. Two years ago, the Jianghai city government built a new bridge a few kilometers away, so this old bridge was hardly used anymore. Especially now, late at night, there were even fewer people.

However, at this moment by the bridge, a red dot, flickering and dimming, was quite conspicuous.

That was the lit end of a cigarette.

Where there is smoke, there is someone smoking.

Upon closer inspection, one would discover a young man in his early twenties, standing there like a statue, as if he had merged with the night. If it weren't for his occasional smoking, it would be hard to notice his presence.

A gust of wind ruffled the slightly long bangs on his forehead; his deep eyes carried a hint of vicissitude, as if they held endless stories. His eyes were quietly watching the distant waters, wondering what he was thinking about.

No one knew that he had been standing there for three hours and forty-three minutes, and during those hours, he hadn't moved a single step.

Of course, at this moment, he was not alone on the bridge; a woman with long hair down her back was standing about ten meters away from him, also looking into the distance, without a word.

The long-haired woman had also been standing there for half an hour; neither of them had exchanged a word. After all, they were strangers.

"Clack, clack, clack."

Suddenly, the sound of high heels tapping on the concrete bridge resonated in the quiet night, very clear.

"Could I borrow a cigarette?"

The long-haired woman walked up to Su Chen and casually asked.

Su Chen was taken aback for a moment, not expecting the woman to approach for a cigarette. He nodded, took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, and handed one to her.

"Thank you!"

The woman stretched out her slender and pale fingers to take it and expertly placed it between her lips.

Su Chen noticed that her clothes had no pockets and she likely didn't have a lighter, so he shielded the wind and pressed down on his lighter. A flame shot out.

The woman brushed her shoulder-length hair to one side, then tilted her head slightly and leaned forward toward the flame.

A faint fragrance wafted over, and by the light of the flame, Su Chen caught his first glimpse of the long-haired woman's face, causing his heart to tremble.

Her skin was as delicate as cream, her bright eyes like pools of autumn water, and her small, moist lips carried a special kind of allure—a face as refined as an exquisite oval.

However, what made Su Chen's heart tremble was not just her stunning beauty, but also the thick sorrow on her face that almost couldn't be concealed.

All of this happened in a moment. After lighting the cigarette, the long-haired woman stood up straight and took a deep drag.

"Smoking doesn't really help with anything," Su Chen said faintly, though his gaze remained on the distance.

Upon hearing Su Chen's words, the long-haired woman turned to look at him, clearly not expecting him to utter such a statement.

The woman paused, lightly pursing her lips as she sighed, "I have to do something."

"After tonight, tomorrow will be a bit better," Su Chen said softly, watching the water quietly, unsure whether he was addressing the woman or himself.

Xiao Yaning's heart was jolted, and then she sighed, "Is it useful?"

"Maybe."

Su Chen murmured, taking his last puff of smoke, then with a flick of his fingers, the glowing red tip described a beautiful arc through the air and fell into the water.

"I'm leaving."

Su Chen walked toward the bridge, stretching out a hand to wave behind him.

However, before he had gone a few hundred meters, he suddenly heard a "thud" and quickly turned back. The woman's figure was no longer on the bridge.

Su Chen was greatly alarmed, rushing back and peering into the water at the spot below where the long-haired woman had been standing, where ripples were spreading, and the woman's figure had disappeared.

Hastily removing his shoes, Su Chen jumped in. Fortunately, the river's current was not too strong, and next to the ripples, he saw the woman still sinking downward.

Su Chen swam below her, lifted her up, and slowly made his way to the shore.

"Hey, wake up, wake up," Su Chen gently slapped her cheeks, but the woman showed no response. With no other option, Su Chen had to begin emergency resuscitation.

He crossed his hands over her chest and began to press down forcefully. Seeing no response, Su Chen took a deep breath, pinched her nose, made her cherry lips part slightly, and quickly sealed his own lips over hers.

But now was not the time to think about such things. Although Su Chen was no gentleman, he wasn't about to take advantage of someone in peril.

Continuing to compress her chest and administer breaths, after several attempts, the woman suddenly spat out a mouthful of water and slowly opened her eyes.

"Hey, you're finally awake. That was exhausting," Su Chen said, sitting down on the ground nearby, gasping for air. The effort had worn him out.

"Hey, just did a bit of work and already tired like this. If only my Dantian were still there, I wouldn't be in such a sorry state!" Su Chen let out a wry laugh, thinking to himself that he truly had become a wreck.

"What's got you so despondent that you'd want to end it all?" Su Chen sighed faintly and looked toward the woman, his eyes suddenly brightening.

The woman's clothes clung tightly to her body because they were soaked, highlighting every curve of her shapely figure.

Distracted by the urgency of resuscitation, he hadn't paid any attention to her figure. Now that he had a moment to spare, the sight of her made him marvel at the perfection of her physique.

Although Su Chen hadn't expected the woman to be so magnificent both in face and figure, there was not a hint of lewdness in his eyes.

For Su Chen, he had seen far too many stunning beauties. Even if the woman in front of him ranked among the top few he had seen, Su Chen still felt no desire to do anything. Since returning to urban life, he had become very detached from many things.