Ying Shu produced sparkly headbands, placing one on Yan Zhen and one on herself. They laughed at their silly, childish reflections, but soon they were swept away again by the pulsating music and the surging waves of sound.

As the concert ended, the excited clamor gradually subsided.

They had worked up a sweat, and stepping out of the stadium into the night air, they felt a chill.

“Qin Chu’s car is picking us up, but not at the main entrance. We have to walk a bit further down.”

In the darkness, the two walked against the flow of the crowd, their headbands shimmering. They exchanged knowing smiles with other girls wearing similar headbands.

“I can’t believe you’re in love too.” Yan Zhen sighed dramatically. “Leaving me all alone. Pretty soon I won’t have anyone to go out with.”

Ying Shu rolled her eyes. “As if you couldn’t find someone if you wanted to. So many guys at school are chasing after you. Just pick one.”

“It’s not that simple.” Yan Zhen glared at her. “It’s not like picking vegetables at the market.”

“Let me tell you, with love, there aren’t so many rules. When you feel it, you feel it. Sometimes you can’t stop it even if you try.” Ying Shu typed on her phone without looking up. “If you want to experience it, I can ask Qin Chu to introduce you to a few people. His company has plenty of eligible bachelors, all types.”

Yan Zhen scoffed. “Thanks, but no thanks. You can keep them.”

Chatting and laughing, they reached the roadside. Ying Shu waved, and a car pulled up. The assistant got out and opened the doors for them. They got in and quickly drove away.

In the night, a car sped smoothly along, then slowed as it entered a congested area.

“Why are there so many people? Traffic is at a standstill.” Mo Cheng, sitting in the passenger seat, looked out the window. “What’s going on tonight?”

The driver explained, “There’s a stadium nearby. They have concerts all the time. Judging by the crowd tonight, and all the young girls, there must be a concert.”

Mo Cheng grumbled, “We should have taken a different route. We’ll be stuck here forever…”

In the back seat, Chen Huaixu leaned against the window, his head resting on one hand as he scrolled through his tablet, looking tired.

The colorful lights outside reflected on the car window, creating a dazzling display.

As they stopped at a red light, as if by instinct, he looked up.

A black van was stopped across the street. Two young women, wearing light-up concert headbands, were playfully jostling each other as they climbed inside.

He froze.

Though it was just a fleeting glimpse, he thought he saw Yan Zhen.

Impossible.

Chen Huaixu put down his tablet, closed his eyes, and leaned back, gently massaging his temples.

There was no way she would be here.

The heartless little fool hadn't replied to his messages all day. Who knew where she was off having fun with her friends.

He sighed, thinking of the figure he’d mistakenly recognized on the street.

He must be missing her terribly.