Rose

When she was young and living in an orphanage, Jiang Yue met a boy.

He kept to himself and often sat by the iron gate, staring into space.

In art class, the other children drew him as a monster. Only Jiang Yue painted him as a rose hidden in the darkness of night.

He didn't say much, but whenever Jiang Yue came near, he would hand her a rose.

Later, the boy was found by his family, and Jiang Yue left the orphanage to find a home of her own.

She thought they would never meet again, until one night, in the pouring rain, someone knocked at the door.

Jiang Yue put down her paintbrush and opened it. The first thing she saw was his nearly translucent white shirt clinging to his body. His foxlike eyes were veiled in mist as he stood in the rain, gazing at her blankly.

Only then did she learn that he had searched every street and alley in Lincheng to find her.

That night, they confessed their feelings to each other.

But not long afterward, an inferno destroyed everything.

Jiang Yue was injured and went abroad. The genius painter known as "Ye Xi" died young.

Ten years later, they met again at a charity auction. Jiang Yue recognized him at first glance.

Before long, he came to her for help uncovering the truth behind the fire all those years ago.

Jiang Yue agreed without hesitation.

But two months later, at the orphanage one night,

the man suddenly asked her, "Why are you avoiding me?"

Jiang Yue froze.

He looked into her eyes. "A Xi, I've been looking for you for ten years and two months."

◎ Genius painter x heiress to a conglomerate

◎ Short story writing practice

◎ An early work, please forgive its many shortcomings

◎ Cover image source: Feng Wan

Theme: Love yourself, including the imperfect parts of yourself.