(Prologue) Love or no love, a missed turn, they have been wandering in my life. But there was no time for promises, it was destined that there would be no happiness, and even less vision of the future. I eventually returned to the ending fate had given me, a separation that was predetermined from the start. When I woke up, it was already two o'clock in the afternoon. Through the dusty glass window, I saw birds flying by lonely flapping their wings, and the sky was still gray. Habitually grabbing the phone placed beside my pillow, there was an unread message, sent by Tang Ni, asking me to meet her at the bar tonight. Scratching my messy hair, my stomach began to growl embarrassingly. After eating some noodles hastily, I sat in front of the computer and started to fight bosses until my neck was so sore that I couldn't lift it anymore. I then turned off the computer, checked the time, changed my clothes, and went out. The phone in my pocket suddenly rang again, surprisingly it was Lin Xi Yuan calling.
Hesitating for a moment, I still pressed the answer button, "Hello."
"Xia Man, you haven't come to class for a long time," came Lin Xi Yuan's familiar voice on the other end of the phone, somewhat nervous.
"Yeah, what's up?" I asked.
"The mid-term exam is coming up." Lin Xi Yuan paused, tentatively asking, "When will you come back to school?"
"I don't know, depending on my mood," I said impatiently. "I'll hang up if there's nothing else."
"Hmm, then I won't bother you," Lin Xi Yuan hung up with a hint of disappointment. Holding the phone, I suddenly felt a wave of sadness, probably no one except him would care about me like this.
Thinking about my chaotic life now, days and nights were reversed, all-night parties, nicotine and alcohol gradually consuming our youth. I wanted to escape, but I just couldn't find that exit.
When I arrived at "Dream Paradise", it was already eleven o'clock at night. Compared to the quiet night outside, here was a completely different world. Dim lights, deafening music, today the bar was full of people. In the middle of the dance floor, various seductive young girls were constantly dancing wildly with the music.
I immediately saw Tang Ni sitting in the corner drinking alone, her delicate little face, heavy smoky makeup, and as usual, her sexy outfit stood out particularly beautiful among the crowd.
"Sorry I'm late," I sat down next to Su Yue, habitually putting one hand on her shoulder.
"Here," Tang Ni handed me a glass of wine and smiled, "I'll introduce a friend to you later."
"A man?" I laughed, took the glass of wine, and sipped lightly.
"You'll know soon," Tang Ni didn't reveal too much to me, looking mysterious, making me curious.
I took out a pack of women's cigarettes, lit one myself, and just took a puff when Tang Ni leaned close to my ear and whispered softly, "He's here."
I looked up and saw a boy walking towards us, his calm black hair, sharp and arrogant eyes, long slender phoenix eyes, high nose, and under it were two proud thin lips. The most eye-catching was a row of small black obsidian eyebrow piercings on his left brow, shining with colorful light. With the faint lighting flickering on him, he exuded a bewitching aura all over.
For a moment, I was stunned there. Tang Ni obviously thought my reaction was normal, proudly introduced me, "His name is Qiao An."
Qiao An. I silently repeated his name in my heart.
"Hey, girlie," Qiao An greeted Tang Ni familiarly, then shifted his gaze to me and smiled, "This is the good sister you mentioned? Didn't expect her to be so pretty!"
I suddenly felt my face burning hot, my heart started racing wildly. What was wrong with me, how could I feel such strong feelings towards a guy I met for the first time?
"Her name is Xia Man," Tang Ni pulled Qiao An to sit between us and continued, "There are many people chasing after her!"
"Xia Man," Qiao An turned to look at me with an ambiguous smile, suddenly asking, "Do you have a boyfriend?"
"Ah!" Faced with his sudden question, I didn't know how to respond, usually I wasn't like this.
"Dead Qiao An, aren't you too direct?" Tang Ni giggled while covering her mouth, "You scared my Mannie."
Qiao An gave me a charming smile, picked up the wine glass on the table, poured a glass of wine, shook it at me and said, "Celebrating our first meeting, cheers!!!"
"Okay, cheers," I quickly picked up my wine glass, lightly touched it with his, and drank it all in one gulp.
"I like girls who are as straightforward as you," Qiao An suddenly whispered into my ear, the warm breath made my whole body suddenly tense.
"Qiao An, you prefer beauty over friendship, once you get Xia Man, you forget about me, ignore you!" Tang Ni pretended to be angry when she saw Qiao An's intimate action.
"How could I forget you! If it weren't for you, how could I meet such a great girl like Xia Man?" Qiao An said while refilling the wine glass, then similarly raised his wine glass to Tang Ni and smiled, "Cheers to you too."
That night we played until the bar closed, and only then did we staggered out. Never before had I realized time passed so quickly, was it because of Qiao An's presence?
Tang Ni walked ahead in eight-centimeter stiletto heels, tap-tap. I was pondering whether to say something or not, when Tang Ni suddenly turned around, winked at me and laughed, "My house isn't far, I'll go back first, leave Xia Man and Qiao An to you."
Before I could say anything, Tang Ni had hailed a taxi and drove away, leaving only Qiao An and me. The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.
It was four o'clock in the morning, the asphalt road was vast and empty, with street lamps casting lonely weak yellow light. A gust of wind blew in my face, and I instinctively shrank my neck.
"Cold?" Qiao An noticed my subtle movement, immediately took off his coat and draped it over me. Suddenly, I felt enveloped in warmth, and faintly smelled Qiao An's scent lingering on the coat.
"Thank you," I said softly.
"It's fine, are you going home now? Or do you want to walk a bit?" Qiao An mischievously pointed to the deserted road.
"Alright, let's walk a bit, it's good to sober up a bit," I rubbed my still slightly dizzy head, but actually felt extremely excited inside.
I clearly remembered that Qiao An suddenly held my hand, his large palm tightly grasped my small hand, as if determined never to let go. I didn't resist, letting Qiao An hold my hand for a very long time. Everything around seemed to stop quietly, I clearly heard my own heart beating violently, even more violent than the first time I saw him in the bar. Behind us, our overlapping shadows were stretched long by the dim streetlights...
I called Tang Ni to tell her that I was together with Qiao An. I didn't expect to fall for him so easily. Perhaps this is what they call love at first sight. I used to disbelieve in it, but when it really happened to me, I realized everything was natural because love has no logic.
Tang Ni seemed to have foreseen this outcome, and she was very happy to bless me. She said, "I've always thought you two are perfect for each other, just never had the chance to make you meet. Tell me, how should I thank me?"
"Alright, alright, I'll treat you to drinks another day," I responded distractedly, lost in happiness.
"That's more like it!" Tang Ni laughed loudly on the other end of the phone, finally satisfied and hung up.
As soon as I put down the phone, Qiao An's handsome face appeared vividly in my mind, expanding infinitely, almost occupying my entire brain. Recalling his broad hand holding mine, I couldn't help but smile involuntarily. Just thinking about it made me feel so happy.
The phone vibrated again. I glanced at Lin Xi Yuan's name flashing on the screen and frowned slightly but still pressed the answer button.
"Hello, what's up?" I asked. I had gotten used to Lin Xi Yuan's occasional greetings, which were mostly about school matters. I knew he meant well, and deep down, I had a slight favoritism towards him. If it were anyone else, I wouldn't even look at the call and hang up directly.
"Xia Man, I have something to tell you," Lin Xi Yuan's tone was slightly worried. He paused and then said, "If you don't come back, you will be expelled from school."
"Oh, expulsion is fine. Anyway, I don't like staying there anyway," I said indifferently. After all, whenever I went, the teachers always showed a disdainful expression. Thinking about it makes me laugh. Why should I bother to please them?
"Xia Man!!!" Lin Xi Yuan suddenly raised his voice, seriously saying, "Come back to class. School isn't as bad as you think... Do you really plan to continue like this forever?"
I held the phone without speaking, my mood suddenly turning sour. Is continuing like this bad? Isn't this unrestrained life what I've always yearned for? But why am I not happy at all?
Seeing that I didn't speak, Lin Xi Yuan continued, "Xia Man, I've discussed with the teacher. As long as you return and study properly, it will be forgiven. This is your last chance."
"Xia Man, I hope you come back."
"Understood, I'll consider it. That's all, I'll hang up," I hurriedly pressed the end button and helplessly lowered my head.