"Shen Jia, you'll find out how I got this injury sooner or later—but not now."
Chu Qingci's voice carried a hint of coldness as the autumn wind howled, the sound cutting through the empty streets and reaching my ears.
"We're almost there," he said, his steps steady and unhurried. I followed closely behind.
The place he was leading me to wasn't far—just a ten-minute walk from Jiahe Restaurant. Two minutes later, we arrived at our destination.
To my surprise, it was the "Sky Star."
A famed Ferris wheel in our city, the Sky Star was a landmark especially popular during winter, a place where couples often came to create memories. I had been here a few times before with Yan Li and the others, but this time was different.
"I've got the tickets. Let's go," Chu Qingci said, heading toward the ticket booth.
We walked in silence, one behind the other, through the turnstile and onto the Ferris wheel. It began its slow ascent.
"Why did you bring me here?" I finally asked after some hesitation.
"I heard the view of the city from the top is breathtaking," he replied, turning to look at me. His gaze held a misty tenderness, and his smile seemed almost impossible to contain. "I wanted to see it with you."
"Chu Qingci... do you... like me a little?"
The words escaped my lips before I could stop them, and I instantly regretted it. Why did I have to ask that? Perhaps it was the atmosphere—the Ferris wheel rising higher, the city lights sparkling in the deepening night, streets flowing like rivers of light, and a hazy red glow filling the air.
From our vantage point, the bustling city below seemed like a canvas of moving dots, merging into a dark mass of activity. In the distance, illuminated screens on skyscrapers played advertisements, their sharp white light piercing through the scene.
But I didn't look away. My eyes were fixed on Chu Qingci, waiting for his response.
At my question, his body stiffened slightly.
He hadn't been meeting my gaze until now, but suddenly, he looked at me directly. His lips moved, and I both heard and saw his answer.
"Yes."
When he admitted it, I didn't feel the surge of joy I had imagined. Instead, a faint, indescribable emotion washed over me. Perhaps I was too slow to process what had just happened.
Later, at home, I replayed the moment over and over in my mind, unable to find peace. After all, in my previous life, he and I had only been ordinary friends.
Seeing my lack of reaction, Chu Qingci called my name softly.
"Shen Jia."
I turned to him. His gaze lingered on me for a long moment.
"On the 20th, come with me to Yunhai Road. Will you?"
His eyes held an inexplicable depth, his once-gentle demeanor tinged with something more enigmatic. I nodded.
"Sure."
The Ferris wheel had reached its peak.
Looking down, I realized I was slightly afraid of heights, yet the view from here didn't seem as intimidating. The stars dotted the vast sky like diamonds, the Milky Way shimmering, and the moon's glow illuminating the heavens.
Sitting silently, we soaked in the tranquil atmosphere together.
Time passed in quiet increments as the Ferris wheel descended slowly. When we stepped off, it was around nine—still early by city standards.
"Let's call it a day. It's getting late, and I should head back," I said, lifting the gift bag in my hand and glancing at him.
Under the soft glow of the streetlights, his face seemed illuminated with starlight, his reflection etched into my gaze.
"Alright."
The streetlights cast our shadows long as we walked, one behind the other. He trailed me all the way to Jiahe Restaurant, making me wonder.
"Aren't you going home?" I asked, stopping suddenly and looking up at him.
He seemed surprised at my abrupt halt and, failing to notice, walked straight into me.
The collision threw me off balance, and I stumbled backward. His expression shifted to panic as he reached out, pulling me firmly into his arms.
Looking up, I saw him looking down, our faces unexpectedly close. In that moment, his lips brushed against my forehead with surprising precision.
For a heartbeat, I only felt the warmth of that touch amidst the chilly weather.
I stepped back abruptly, breaking the moment. He stood there, stunned, clearly as unprepared as I was.
After a brief silence, he finally spoke, his voice soft.
"Be careful on your way home."
"Okay." I nodded, clutching my things as I turned and walked away.
The journey home was quiet, the streetlights reflecting my elongated shadow.
When I arrived, the house was empty. It was already ten o'clock, and usually, my parents would have returned by now. It seemed they had gone on another business trip without notifying me—a common occurrence.
After washing up, I checked my phone. My mother had sent me a message, transferring some money and explaining their sudden departure. This time, their trip would last a month, and she reminded me to take care of myself.
I replied with a simple acknowledgment before heading to my room.
As I approached my desk, I noticed an unexpected note placed on it.