The blazing heat of June scorched the air.
On the track field of Jiangcheng University, another graduation season was in full swing, and students were busy taking graduation photos.
"Lin Yang, did you hear? Shu Mengyao hasn't shown up at school for six months!"
Lin Yang and his friend Wang Chao had just finished taking a few pictures and were resting under a shady spot. Wang Chao's gossipy demeanor made Lin Yang chuckle.
"Chaozi, stop being so nosy. If you didn't see it with your own eyes, don't spread rumors," Lin Yang said with a calm tone.
"Stuff like this could really harm someone's reputation."
Although Lin Yang was a bit curious, he didn't press the matter.
Shu Mengyao was a name everyone at Jiangcheng University knew. She had been the undisputed queen of the campus beauty rankings for four consecutive years. Ever since her arrival, the annual beauty contest had lost its usual heated debates—every man willingly cast his vote for her. Even the most stunning women could only settle for second or third place.
Lin Yang had once been one of those who voted for her. But after that incident, he never voted again.
"I'm not making this up! Everyone's been talking about it!" Wang Chao continued, his curiosity unwavering.
"Think about it: whenever Shu Mengyao showed up on the field, there would always be some sort of commotion. Have you seen anything like that in the past six months?"
Wang Chao's persistence only amused Lin Yang.
"Yang-ge, if it weren't for the fact that you used to vote for her, I'd seriously think you were into guys," Wang Chao teased.
"These four years of college, and you haven't dated even once! Back then, you had a few girls around you, but this past year, it's been nonexistent."
"You're good-looking too! Even the class belle next door tried to pursue you, and you just ignored her!"
Wang Chao sighed dramatically, then hugged himself as if having an epiphany.
"Wait a second… you're not into me, are you?!"
The next moment, Lin Yang smacked him on the head.
"Stop talking nonsense. I already have someone in my heart."
Sitting on the grass, Lin Yang's gaze stretched into the distance, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes.
"No way, Yang-ge! Are you secretly dating someone behind my back? Who is she? Is she pretty?"
Wang Chao's gossip instincts reignited as if he had just uncovered some explosive secret.
"I don't know." Lin Yang shook his head.
"What? Don't tell me you're in an online relationship!" Wang Chao's eyes widened in disbelief.
"I never pegged you as the type to go for that! Be careful—it might be a burly man on the other side!"
"Say another word, and I'll smack you again." Lin Yang shot him a warning glance, and Wang Chao instantly shut up.
At that moment, the class belle walked over cautiously, holding a phone.
"Lin Yang, can we take a picture together?" she asked shyly.
"Of course, Yang-ge's got nothing else to do!" Wang Chao quickly jumped up, nudging Lin Yang as if to encourage him.
"Sorry, I don't take photos," Lin Yang declined flatly, his expression unreadable.
"Are you serious? Do you know how many people would kill for a chance to take a photo with her?" Wang Chao looked utterly heartbroken.
"Man, if you don't want to, at least let me take your place!"
"Then go for it," Lin Yang said nonchalantly.
"Damn it! She's asking you, not me!" Wang Chao nearly cried in frustration.
"Don't tell me you're saving yourself for that online girlfriend of yours. Online relationships are risky—what if she's not who she says she is?"
Ignoring Wang Chao's rambling, Lin Yang remained silent. His mind drifted back to that night ten months ago.
It was during a farewell party for their class. After three years together, everyone was moving on—internships, graduate school, busy lives ahead. The party was their last chance to let loose.
Lin Yang was no exception. He drank until the world spun around him, his memories of the night becoming a blur.
When he woke up the next morning, he found himself in a hotel room. The bed was a mess—torn stockings, traces of blood. The warmth lingering on the sheets told him he hadn't been alone.
But the person who had been with him was gone.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't recall her face—only fragments of motion, hazy and indistinct.
It had been his first time. And hers too.
Since that night, Lin Yang had tried searching for her but found nothing. Over time, the memory became an obsession.
"Yang-ge, what are you zoning out for? Let's take that photo!" Wang Chao's voice snapped him back to reality.
"Alright," Lin Yang replied, standing up.
Just then, his phone rang. It was an unknown number.
"Don't bother picking it up—it's probably spam," Wang Chao suggested.
But Lin Yang hesitated, then answered.
"Is this Lin Yang?" A soft, slightly weak female voice came through the line.
He froze. He recognized that voice immediately.
It was Shu Mengyao.
"Do you need something?" Lin Yang asked, his heartbeat quickening.
"Can you come to the hospital? I'm at Sacred Heart Hospital, Room 12 on the fourth floor," she said, her tone tinged with pleading.
It was hard to refuse such a gentle request, especially from someone who had once been the dream girl of countless men—including him.
"Where are you going, Yang-ge? We're about to take the group photo!" Wang Chao called out as Lin Yang turned to leave.
"Shu Mengyao needs my help. I'm heading over now," Lin Yang said without looking back. "Make sure to Photoshop me into the graduation picture later."
Before Wang Chao could respond, Lin Yang was already out the gate.
For a long moment, Wang Chao stood there, stunned.
"Shu Mengyao? She hasn't been at school for half a year!"
"Damn it, Lin Yang! I'm not Photoshopping anything for you!"
At Sacred Heart Hospital, Lin Yang stood at the entrance, frozen in place.
He had assumed Shu Mengyao was unwell and needed assistance.
But this was a maternity hospital.
Why would she be here?
Suddenly, Wang Chao's earlier gossip echoed in his mind. Shu Mengyao hadn't been seen on campus for six months…
A bold thought crossed his mind.
Could it be…?