Wen Nianci's ninth-grade year was a long, bitter winter wrapped in cold violence.
She was targeted and isolated, betrayed by someone she trusted, and made to tread so carefully that even breathing felt dangerous.
Malnourished and plagued by an old cough, she had no visitors during her hospital stay, and spent her birthday alone.
Her reality was in ruins. Her only light was Pei Han, the boy in her dreams.
He was handsome and gentle, appearing only in her dreams.
He understood every one of her grievances and protected every fragile part of her.
In dreams where no one could disturb them, they fell for each other and sealed their love with a kiss.
That was all that gave her the strength to endure the darkness.
Reality was bleak, and only her dreams burned bright.
Summer gave way to autumn, winter ended, and no one came home,
but the boy in her dreams would always be her refuge.
