Over a year later.
At the international arrivals gate, Chen Bai checked his phone repeatedly to confirm the time. According to the airport display, the flight had already landed, but baggage claim for international flights was always a tedious process, so the person he was waiting for had yet to emerge.
He felt a mix of anticipation and nerves.
It had been over six months since they last saw each other. Since Si Jiang was sent abroad, they had only met once, when Chen Bai took the initiative to visit him. Otherwise, they had only kept in touch via phone.
During their last meeting, Chen Bai had felt as though he might lose his childhood friend forever. Unexpectedly, about a month later, Si Jiang’s state of mind underwent a sudden shift, and he gradually began to return to his former self. It was because of this improvement that the Si family allowed him to return to China and arranged for him to resume his studies.
The arrivals gate grew noisy, and Chen Bai’s phone lit up: *I’m out. Come receive your sovereign, Little Tree-tree.*
He looked up. Amidst the crowd, a man wearing long sleeves and trousers despite the heat, sporting sunglasses and a head of silver-gray hair, walked out with striking prominence. He had wireless earbuds in, his expression cold. His hair was shaved short at the temples, while the fluffy layers on top were styled casually with setting spray, leaving only a few strands of gray fringe hanging over his forehead.
Chen Bai greeted him with a delighted grin and a playful punch to the shoulder. "You brat, what’s with the act? Wearing such heavy clothes in the middle of summer."
The man took off his sunglasses and looked at him with a deadpan expression. "I forgot the Northern and Southern Hemispheres have different seasons. I already took off my outermost coat."
As Chen Bai looked at his face, he dithered for a moment. "The scars on your face... it looks like there’s hardly a trace left."
His friend was much filled out compared to when he was first rescued. During his worst period, a grown man had been reduced to nothing but skin and bones; it had been a terrifying sight. Now, his cheeks were fuller, and his handsome features were piercingly sharp. And yet...
Chen Bai felt a powerful sense of distance. For a fleeting second, he felt as if he saw the shadow of someone else in his friend.
The scars on his face.
Si Jiang’s hand unconsciously brushed his cheek. His fingertips felt only a nearly imperceptible raised texture. He pursed his lips and dropped his hand.
"The doctor they found had good technique. Healing to this extent is enough."
Even though he hadn't cared at all.
His parents had forced the treatment on him, using every method available. He had refused at first, unwilling to accept treatment; he would have preferred to remain permanently disfigured rather than lose... those traces.
But the sole heir of the Si family could not have flaws. A weakened Si Jiang had lacked the strength to resist the collective will of the people around him.
"That’s great. Your leg is better too, right?" Chen Bai looked toward his knees.
When he left the country, Si Jiang had still been limping. Seeing him like that back then had been incredibly painful.
"What do you think?" Si Jiang pulled his suitcase and bypassed him, walking briskly toward the exit. He moved with a steady, rapid gait, showing no sign of a leg injury.
Chen Bai laughed and chased after him. "Hey, wait for me! The car is parked downstairs!" He reached out to drape an arm over his friend's shoulder, but Si Jiang shifted his body, dodging the gesture. It looked like a subconscious rejection of physical intimacy.
Chen Bai: "?"
Si Jiang frowned, enduring a wave of discomfort before explaining, "I’m dying of heat. Don't get close to me."
"Fine, fine." Chen Bai rolled his eyes. Looking at that thick top, he felt hot just by proxy. "Get in the car. Change your clothes quickly so you don't get heatstroke."
"Mm." Si Jiang tugged at his collar and exhaled a breath of turbid air, looking up at the sky.
He was finally back.
Chen Bai had originally planned to drop Si Jiang off at the Si family estate. However, Si Jiang refused to go back, telling him to drive straight to his apartment near the university.
"I don't feel like staying in a place that lacks the breath of life," were Si Jiang’s exact words.
Chen Bai was helpless. He had been given a mission by Si Jiang’s parents, but since his friend was unwilling, he couldn't exactly force him.
The two chatted idly in the car. Si Jiang held his phone, sending messages with a relaxed expression—a state Chen Bai hadn't seen him in for over a year.
He couldn't help but be curious. "Who are you messaging? A foreign girlfriend?"
Si Jiang put his phone away expressionlessly. "A friend. Just telling her I’ve arrived in China."
"Oh~ a *friend*~" Chen Bai repeated in a mocking tone.
Si Jiang ignored him, leaning against the car seat with his hand supporting his chin as he watched the scenery outside. The streets were both familiar and strange.
In front of a milk tea shop, a long line had formed. Many couples stood in the queue. One pair had just bought a cone and a cup of milk tea; the boy was holding the creamy white cone, offering a bite to the girl.
The car sped past. He didn't see their faces clearly, but his heart skipped a beat for no reason.
"Stop—"
He almost shouted for the car to stop but caught himself just in time.
Chen Bai was confused. "What?"
"Nothing. I just said it’s pretty hot."
"The AC is on. Seriously, why didn't you pick a short-sleeved shirt to change into? Why long sleeves again?" He couldn't understand Si Jiang’s logic at all. "Is summer in Australia not hot? Do you not own a single T-shirt?"
"Mind your own business," Si Jiang retorted snidely. "Speaking of which, where’s my welcome-back party? How are you planning to celebrate my return?"
He didn't turn around, still staring out the window. The face reflected in the glass was cold and indifferent.
"Don't worry, it’s already arranged. We’ll go racing tonight, then back to the club. A whole group is coming to celebrate your return. My treat, alright?"
"Little Tree-tree, We are most satisfied."
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
***
On a mountain road in the suburbs.
The deafening roar of motorcycle engines exploded across the deserted path. Si Jiang, wearing a black helmet, led the pack, leaving everyone else in the dust.
A few wealthy heirs watching from the sidelines felt a chill. "How did Young Master Si become even crazier after a year abroad?"
"At that speed, one mistake and he’s dead."
Someone nearby let out a cold sneer.
The two chatting turned to look. "Young Master Li?"
The other man didn't even spare them a glance, turning and walking away.
The two were baffled. "What’s his problem?"
"Don't you guys know?" The son of the Wang family, who was in the catering industry, leaned in and whispered mysteriously, "Young Master Si offended the Li family thoroughly."
"Huh? What happened?"
"Last year, right before Young Master Si went abroad. It was a huge deal. In front of countless people at the hospital, he broke the arms and legs of Young Master Li’s younger brother, that Li Jie guy."
"Why? Didn't that Li Jie used to be on good terms with him?"
"Who knows. Anyway, the Si family paid a settlement in the end, and the Li family couldn't pursue it further. But the relationship between the two families is ruined."
the heirs clicked their tongues and soon lost interest. After all, the Li family was only lower-middle tier in their social circle. As the sole son of the wealthiest man, as long as Si Jiang didn't commit an unpardonable legal crime, nothing would affect him in the slightest.
That was reality.
At the welcome banquet, everyone was shocked by Si Jiang’s drinking speed.
"Young Master Si, did you go abroad for advanced training? You're drinking so much." He was knocking back bottles like they were water.
Si Jiang finished a bottle and slammed it onto the table. "I didn't drink while I was abroad."
"You didn't?"
He hadn't drunk at all, yet he was this fierce upon his return? The crowd felt a sense of awe.
"It seems Young Master Si was really suppressed abroad. Home is better, right?"
"Exactly. My old man wants me to go abroad next year, but I really don't want to go."
As they spoke, the guests began to chat amongst themselves. Si Jiang held a glass of champagne, leaning lazily against the sofa, sipping occasionally.
It was so noisy.
He closed his eyes, but noise was better than total silence.
When the clock struck ten, Si Jiang’s phone rang. He took it out and turned off the alarm. Under everyone’s gaze, he stood up. "Everyone, I’m going back to sleep. You guys keep playing."
"Huh? Sleeping this early?"
"Young Master Si, don't be a buzzkill. The night has barely begun."
"Yeah, Young Master Si. Didn't we used to drink until one or two in the morning?"
Seeing that Si Jiang’s expression wasn't great, Chen Bai quickly stood up to cover for him. "Old Si just got back; he still has jet lag. He has to report to school tomorrow to resume classes, so he needs an early night."
"I’ll drop him off and come right back." He pulled the impatient Si Jiang out of the room.
As Si Jiang sat groggily in the car, Chen Bai complained helplessly, "Look at you. Why drink so much? Don't you dare puke in my car."
"I wanted to drink, so I did," Si Jiang muttered.
"You have to report to school at ten tomorrow. Don't be late. You haven't been to class in nearly two years; now you're joining the year below yours. You're basically a senior dropping in from the sky."
"..."
Si Jiang remained silent, merely pinching the bridge of his nose, his breathing ragged.
"Sigh..." Chen Bai had no way to handle him and didn't dare say too much. He could only plan to wake up early tomorrow to pick him up.
The current Si Jiang was different from before. Chen Bai had seen him go mad, seen him break down, and even... witnessed Si Jiang’s attempts to end his own life. Like a piece of lifeless wood tied to a hospital bed, he had lost his dignity as a human being.
Since then, Chen Bai no longer treated Si Jiang with the same casualness as before. He always felt that if he wasn't careful, Si Jiang would be like glass that had been painstakingly glued back together—one touch, and he would shatter again.
***
"Senior, is it sweet?"
Bai Mao grinned as he held the ice cream cone, letting Zong Yan have the very first bite of the tip.
Zong Yan leaned down, tasting the milky sweetness of the ice cream, and the corners of her mouth curved slightly. "It’s sweet."
"Then this one is for you, Senior! I’ll go buy another one!" He dashed back into the queue, not forgetting to wave at her. "Senior, go wait for me somewhere with AC. It’s too hot out here!"
"It’s fine. I’ll wait here."
Zong Yan held the cone in her left hand and a shopping bag in her right, standing patiently. She had taken a year off and was returning to school tomorrow. Because she hadn't finished half of her junior year and Wang Yao had applied for a year’s leave on her behalf, she would be transferring into the class one year below her. It was a chance to start over in a new environment.
Bai Mao said that a new semester required a new atmosphere and a perfect start. So, he had dragged Zong Yan out for a shopping spree, making her buy new clothes and a backpack, telling her not to wear her old things anymore. At the same time, to make things easier for her, he had even infiltrated the group chats of the upperclassmen beforehand to build rapport. He would occasionally mention Zong Yan’s past achievements and reliable character, perfectly paving the way for her future social life.
Zong Yan didn't refuse.
Over the past year or so, if Bai Mao hadn't been by her side, she likely wouldn't be in the state she was today. Now, Bai Mao had become one of the most important people in her life. He was a friend with whom the boundaries were blurred and unspoken, and he was also her savior.
***
The second day after returning to China.
Si Jiang opened his eyes right on time, before his alarm could even go off. He sat up numbly, then walked into the bathroom. In the mirror, his eyes were bloodshot, with heavy dark circles underneath.
As if speaking to someone, he hissed a low command: "Shut up."
He hadn't taken his medication last night, and as expected, he couldn't sleep.
Turning on the shower, he stripped off his clothes and let the cold water pour over his head, washing away his exhausted body. If anyone had been there, their eyes would have widened in shock. Si Jiang had regained his former excellent physique, his abdominal muscles clearly defined, but from his wrists to his collarbones, and even across his chest, there were dense, countless scars.
Some were old, some were new. No one could imagine what he had been through.
He himself didn't care, washing his body with practiced ease, rinsing away the last traces of alcohol. Then, he picked out a breathable, comfortable long-sleeved shirt and prepared to head out.
The familiar campus, the familiar teaching buildings. Only the people and the classrooms had changed.
Si Jiang checked the information on his phone against the classroom door number and walked in hesitantly. Many people were already seated, chatting about their summer break. When he entered, the room fell silent for a moment.
"Si Jiang?!"
Evidently, many people recognized him. Si Jiang nodded politely and found a seat. He had been somewhat famous in the college before; being gone for a year wasn't enough for him to be entirely forgotten.
Several girls and boys immediately crowded around to greet him, but just then, the professor walked in and stood at the lectern.
"Alright, let's get ready for class." They had no choice but to return to their seats.
"Huh? Why hasn't Mao Mao’s goddess arrived yet?"
"Yeah, she wouldn't be late, would she?"
"Haha, maybe they were being all lovey-dovey and lost track of time."
Who were they talking about? What the hell was a "Mao Mao"? For some reason, the moment Si Jiang heard that sound, he felt a surge of dislike.
The bell rang. The professor coughed twice, and everyone quieted down.
"As you all know, two students will be joining our class this semester. Both were originally your seniors, and both are quite outstanding. They had to drop back a year due to health reasons. In the future, get along well with them, and you can learn a lot from them."
The professor scanned the room and saw Si Jiang. "This is one of our new classmates, Si Jiang. Would you like to introduce yourself?"
Someone cheered, "Yes! Senior, give us an introduction!"
Si Jiang sighed inwardly, stood up, and said practicedly, "My name is Si Jiang. 'Si' as in Situ, 'Jiang' as in frontier."
The crowd clapped enthusiastically.
The professor looked around again and frowned. "Where’s the other one? Not here yet?"
Only then did Si Jiang realize—besides him, there was another student repeating the year. Who could it be? Was it someone from his previous class?
"Ask Mao Mao! Mao Mao said he had acute gastroenteritis last night, and she took care of him until very late. She probably started a bit late today, but she should be here any second," a girl said with a laugh.
*What a boring, love-struck fool.*
Si Jiang found it utterly uninteresting. He propped his head on his hand, fiddling with the pen in his fingers.
Finally, footsteps sounded.
A slender, tall silhouette appeared at the door. Her hair was shoulder-length, with a side-parted fringe that revealed clear features—cold and tinged with a sharp edge. She looked unapproachable at first, but a pair of rimless glasses sat on her face, the scholarly air effectively tempering her sense of detachment.
But none of that mattered.
The pen in Si Jiang’s hand hit the floor.
He stared blankly at the birthmark beneath her eye. In an instant, all the noise in his ears vanished.
Zong Yan caught her breath, walked into the classroom, and apologized to the professor for being late. Then she walked up to the lectern, picked up a marker, and wrote her name stroke by stroke. Each line was bold and powerful.
"Hello everyone, my name is Zong Yan. I look forward to working with you."
She bowed, then lifted her head.
Unlike the past, the gazes of everyone in the room were filled with kindness.
"We’ve heard so much about you, Senior Zong Yan!"
"Mao Mao has told us way too much about you already."
"Senior even won third place in the Three-School League, we all know."
"Please look after us in the future!"
Zong Yan wasn't quite used to such goodwill and could only nod in response to each person. She walked down the tiered seating, looking for a place to sit.
Her foot suddenly brushed against a pen. She leaned down, picked it up, and placed it on the desk beside her.
"Classmate, is this your pen..."
A pair of dark, heavy eyes were fixed upon her.
"...that you dropped?"
After saying this, she silently looked away. She brushed past Si Jiang and walked away.
***
**Glossary**
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 小树树 | Little Tree-tree | Chen Bai's nickname (Bai means cypress tree). |
| 朕 | We / Your Sovereign | Imperial "I" used by emperors; Si Jiang is joking. |
| 嗻 | As you command | A servant's response to an emperor in Qing dynasty dramas. |
| 白袤 | Bai Mao | A new character, Zong Yan's friend and savior. |
| 猫猫 | Mao Mao | Bai Mao's nickname (sounds like "Cat"). |
| 三校联赛 | Three-School League | A competition mentioned as part of Zong Yan's background. |
| 司徒 | Situ | A common compound surname used here to explain the character 'Si'. |
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