Chapter 21: The First Encounter

Gu Zhaohan first heard the name Xia Yangyang during university military training, on the third day. He had recently returned from abroad, still adjusting to the local food, water, and time difference. The summer heat was intense, the training rigorous, and their instructor was exceptionally harsh. Training wasn't divided by class or faculty; sixty students from various departments were grouped randomly.

To build endurance, the instructor made them stand in the blazing sun for half an hour before lunch each day. Gu Zhaohan, already feeling unwell, persevered. Just as he was about to collapse, someone offered him water.

A clear, pleasant voice said, "Hey, classmate, this is for you."

He opened his eyes to see a strikingly beautiful girl. She whispered, "Quick, drink it and don't let the instructor see." The water had clearly been partially consumed. Normally, Gu Zhaohan, a clean freak, would have been repulsed. But he didn't hesitate; he drank deeply, the world momentarily clearing.

From that day on, he noticed her. Classroom reassignments separated them into different training groups, but he often saw her. During breaks, she'd sit with friends near the basketball court, laughing and sharing snacks. That summer was brutally hot; everyone looked haggard from the training. But she remained radiant, like a lotus flower. He frequently observed her distributing water to others. Even when drenched in sweat, she seemed refreshed, her rosy cheeks reminiscent of peach blossoms.

Despite his introverted nature, he learned her name: Xia Yangyang.

Midsummer rouge, slim as snow, a night sky brimming with stars!

That summer—long, monotonous, grueling, and intensely hot—was transformed by her name, like an ice cube melting away unpleasant feelings. It refreshed and soothed him.

Over the following years, they barely interacted. Yet, he learned everything about her: she studied journalism, preferred the second school cafeteria, spent weekends in the library, and ran the track at 9:30 PM before bed. He also learned that her boyfriend was named Lu Haotian. He silently observed her, unknown to her.

His uncle once said that if you feel an electric shock and involuntary trembling upon first seeing a girl, she's your true love. But by the time Gu Zhaohan realized this, Xia Yangyang had become his aunt by marriage. His memories, however, remained firmly fixed on that summer: her pale wrist, and her voice—clear as a lark—"Hey, classmate…"