The scorching heat made the air shimmer, and the cicadas buzzed incessantly. Yet, he stood there, his demeanor cool and detached, seemingly unaffected by the surrounding commotion.

Yan Zhao called out to him, and Chen Huaixu turned.

A breeze rustled the leaves, and the shifting light and shadows played across his features, etching every detail from his hairline to his lips into her memory.

Yan Zhen was 17 then; Chen Huaixu was 22.

Based on first impressions alone, Yan Zhen had definitely been attracted to him. His face was deceptively charming, even stirring a faint, youthful flutter in her heart. Unfortunately, their subsequent interactions revealed their incompatible personalities, leading to their current state of mutual animosity.

Now, at 27, Chen Huaixu appeared more mature. The youthful innocence in his eyes had been replaced by a stronger, almost unfamiliar sense of control. His presence was like the cold glint of a metal blade, sharp and icy. When his eyes held no emotion, they exuded a chilling intensity.

Now, he was looking at her like that. In the silent air, a thread of something almost like intimacy seemed to float between them.

He was so close that if he lowered his head just slightly, he could touch her lips.

Yan Zhen frowned, unconsciously pressing her lips together, holding her breath.

The tense standoff, which felt like an eternity, lasted only a few seconds. Chen Huaixu looked away, turning slightly and reaching past her to pull the seatbelt across her, smoothing it out, and clicking it into place.

The soft click shattered the sudden, unexpected intimacy. The lingering ambiguity dissipated, replaced by his voice, tinged with amusement.

“What were you expecting?”

Yan Zhen snapped back to reality, mortified to realize she’d actually thought he was going to kiss her. She glared at him, trying to hide her embarrassment. “Chen Huaixu, you—”

She instinctively tried to sit up, but the sudden movement caused the seatbelt to restrain her, throwing her back against the soft seat, cutting off her indignant question.

Chen Huaixu handed her his suit jacket. “Put this on.”

The early spring air held a lingering chill, amplified by the rain. She was dressed stylishly but lightly, and her fingers were icy cold.

She was momentarily speechless, then flung the jacket back at him in frustration. “I don’t want your jacket!”

“You seem warm.” He reached for the control panel. “I’ll turn on the AC then.”

Yan Zhen had no doubt he would actually do it. Pampered as she was, she wouldn’t endure the cold in his car just for some misguided sense of pride. Humiliated, she snatched his jacket and put it on, mentally tearing him to shreds.

Chen Huaixu, seeing her comply, turned his attention back to the road and started the car, pulling out of the parking lot.

Dusk settled, and the streetlights flickered to life. Their speeding car blurred the scattered lights into streaks of color against the rain-streaked windows. Yan Zhen stared outside, her mind replaying the awkward moment, her ears burning, her fingers clutching his jacket.

That infuriating Chen Huaixu.

Just wait. She would, she absolutely would, get him back for this.