As those four weekends passed, and several boxes of c0ndoms were gradually emptied, Feng Yi’s mood grew increasingly somber. Everything he said hinted at how much he’d miss Qiao Li.

One day, his WeChat message read: [I’m leaving for school tomorrow.]

The day before, it was: [I’m leaving for school the day after tomorrow.]

And the day before that: [I’m leaving for school in three days.]

Finally, Qiao Li realized she should probably respond.

[Qiao Li: Safe travels?]

Feng Yi sulked. He fought the urge to reply instantly, waiting a full two hours before writing back: Aren’t you coming to see me off?

[Qiao Li: …]

It’s only a two-hour train ride. What’s there to see off?

Feng Yi stewed in his own thoughts for a while, then sent another message: [Forget it. If you came, it would only make it harder.]

The more he thought about it, the more upset he became. He felt like Shu Huan from Romance in the Rain, leaving for the army, and Qiao Li was Lu Yiping. Two lovers, always separated by distance.

Actually, he was probably more like Lu Yiping. Sob.

After Feng “Yiping” Yi arrived at school, he was immediately whisked away for military training in the suburbs, his phone confiscated.

Qiao Li’s company was preparing for a new project, and she was incredibly busy. By the time things calmed down, she realized Feng Yi hadn’t contacted her for almost half a month. It felt… strange.

For her, it was unusual. For Feng Yi, it was pure torture.

He worried that his absence would make her forget him, and he also worried about sunburn damaging his looks. He spent his days anxiously checking his reflection, earning him odd looks from his roommates.

Finally, one night, his roommate Meng Shan returned after dark, sneaking something out from under his shirt.

Meng Shan, who had befriended all the girls on the first day of training, was thin and pale. He spent his days hiding in the shade with them, dodging the sun and the drill instructor’s gaze.

The other guys quickly gathered around to see the treasure he’d produced. With an indifferent expression and a tone reminiscent of Consort Hua from Empresses in the Palace after being forced to kneel, he said, with a touch of haughty coolness, “I knew the girls’ dorm inspections would be lax. They must have hidden phones.”

Feng Yi practically lunged to hug his leg. “Can I borrow it for a minute? I need to make a call.”

Meng Shan raised a thin eyebrow. “Girlfriend?”

Feng Yi sighed. “No way.”

Meng Shan, tired of seeing Feng Yi mooning by the window every night after training, generously agreed. “One minute. That’s it.”

Feng Yi took the phone, sat solemnly on his bed, cleared his throat, and dialed the number he’d memorized.

After a few rings, a voice answered, a voice that made him want to jump for joy.

“Hello?”

“Hello, it’s Feng Yi,” he blurted out.

Compared to his excitement, Qiao Li’s tone was remarkably calm. “Oh. Is something the matter?”

Feng Yi was speechless. The pink, bubbly backdrop of his imagination popped like a balloon.

He’d expected a little surprise, a hint of pleasure in her voice after so long without contact. Instead, she sounded as if she’d answered a call from a stranger.

What was the matter? He just missed her…

Meng Shan climbed onto the bed and mouthed, “One minute.” Feng Yi quickly pushed aside his melancholy and launched into a rapid-fire explanation. “I’m at military training. They took our phones. That’s why I haven’t been in touch. We finish in a week. Wait for me.”