Standing by the window, looking at the distant starry sky, Xu Ke’s mood suddenly turned heavy, and sleep eluded her. She remembered how hard Lin Ge had to work to win her over. She had been deeply hurt by Shen Mu, which left her emotionally scarred and unable to recover for four years at university, turning her heart into stone against any suitor. Lin Ge, after years of silent and then open pursuit, finally won her over. He once half-jokingly complained, “Your heart is particularly hard; I’m nearly exhausted from chasing you.” She remembered telling him about her past, and he had simply said, “Everyone has a past. I will give you a future.” That single sentence had touched her. He didn’t ask about her past, only promised her a future. She thought he didn’t mind, that he understood. But his words just now made her unsure again; did his understanding of her past align with the reality of her past?
After much thought, she went to sleep with a knot in her heart. The next morning, Li Pingyu and Lin Yao both looked displeased, and Lin Ge was more silent than usual. Xu Ke felt puzzled, still not knowing what had transpired among them the night before. While washing dishes, she quietly asked Lin Ge in the kitchen, “What’s wrong with Auntie? She seems unhappy.” Lin Ge sighed, “Nothing.” “Is it… because Lin Yao told her about the photos and she got mad at me?” Lin Ge quickly reassured, “No, it’s not related to you. Don’t overthink it.” Xu Ke looked into his eyes; he didn’t seem to be lying, but his demeanor was troubled, unlike his usual cheerful self. Xu Ke had a hunch that this might be related to her, but Lin Ge was unwilling to talk about it, and she couldn’t force him.
