A Story of City and Dust

Xing Zai took an insulated lunch box from his bag. "I brought you some ribs from the school cafeteria. Eat them while they're hot."

"Xing Zai..." She hesitated for a moment, then spoke softly. "Do your classmates at school know about me?"

Xing Zai's expression stiffened abruptly, but he quickly forced a smile. "Of course. I told them I have a childhood sweetheart and fiancee who works in the city to make a living."

The word "fiancee" was like a piece of honey candy, briefly soothing the unease in Zhang Shiman's heart.

But the next moment, Xing Zai's words doused all the warmth inside her. "But Shiman, don't come to see me at school anymore. My classmates think differently. They can't really understand a relationship like ours."

"What kind of relationship?" Zhang Shiman looked up and stared straight into his eyes.

Xing Zai deliberately avoided her gaze, looking instead at the neon lights flashing in the distance. His tone was vague and dismissive. "You know... Nowadays, college students care about being well matched and having things in common. They all think I should find someone of a similar background..."

Zhang Shiman understood everything in an instant.

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.