Falling

[The complete edition of Falling will be available for preorder on March 30 at 7:00 p.m.]

Zhou Wan × Lu Xixiao

Everyone at Yangming High knew that Zhou Wan was quiet and reserved, while Lu Xixiao was flamboyant and hard to tame.

They were worlds apart, with nothing in common.

No one imagined they would ever end up together.

Then the rumors changed

Someone like Lu Xixiao went through girlfriends one after another. Zhou Wan had nothing but a face that looked like everyone's first love. She was just a passing novelty, and before long, Lu Xixiao would get sick of her.

And sure enough, Zhou Wan transferred away, while Lu Xixiao went back to living for fun as he always had.

It was as if nothing had ever happened.

Until one drunken night, he called Zhou Wan like a madman, hanging up and calling back over and over, until she finally answered.

She didn't speak, and neither did Lu Xixiao.

They stubbornly held out against each other.

At last, Lu Xixiao bowed his head, clinging to the last shred of his dignity. “Zhou Wan, just say you love me, and I'll forgive you for everything.”

The girl's voice was cool and clear as she said his name. “Lu Xixiao.”

Those three words alone made his eyes redden.

She said calmly, “I don't love you. I've been lying to you all along.”

Lu Xixiao was never the one in control of this relationship.

He was the one being played.

*

The call ended badly.

Lu Xixiao said, “Zhou Wan, don't let me see you again. If I do, I'll make you beg me through your tears.”

They met again on a bar street blazing with neon lights.

Lu Xixiao was once again the carefree, rebellious playboy, with a pretty girl beside him lighting a cigarette.

The instant he saw Zhou Wan, his expression remained calm. He looked away and went right on chatting with the people around him.

As if he'd forgotten her long ago.

Three words from Zhou Wan shattered all his pretenses.

“Lu Xixiao.” Her voice was still as calm and cool as ever.

Lu Xixiao threw away his cigarette and strode forward. Grabbing Zhou Wan by the collar, he shoved the refined, gentle-looking woman against the wall, fury making the veins on his forehead bulge.

“Zhou Wan, you dare come back. You actually dare come back.”

The smell of alcohol and tobacco clung to him as he clenched his teeth and asked, each word deliberate, “Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

*

Some people love you when your life is in full bloom, and love you just as much when you're covered in mud.

On the surface: good girl × bad boy

In reality: faithless woman × bad boy who comes back

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