Falling into the River of Stars

-----The story is complete.

Next up: "At the Bottom of the Pool" or "Cardamom"

● Mutual salvation | School life | Growing up

When Lin Xingwan first met Lu Yu, he was surrounded by three or five people in a narrow alley.

The young man had short black hair and a silver earring in his left ear. With a cigarette in his mouth, he casually took them all down, then sprawled on a rock and beckoned for someone to lend him a light, looking as defiant as could be.

In the confusion, Lin Xingwan was shoved out of the way.

She raised the lighter someone had pressed into her hand.

A spark flared. The boy tilted his head and leaned closer. The cigarette wasn't lit. His dark eyes fixed on her. "Who sent you?"

He pushed her arm aside, then lazily got up and walked over to a male classmate, taking out his lighter and lighting his cigarette.

Amid the swirling smoke, he blew a smoke ring toward his friend. "Why are you butting in?"

Everyone at Qingbei No. 1 High knew Lu Yu was willful, defiant, and impossible to tame.

No one dared provoke the rebellious young heir.

When it came time to switch seats, he chose the last row, right beside Lin Xingwan.

After that, no one dared pick on Lin Xingwan again.

It wasn't until just before they parted that Lin Xingwan understood: in Lu Yu's eyes, saving her had been nothing more than lending a hand.

But in the few happy moments she had, he had held her hand and shown her the light.

Seven years later, Lin Xingwan, now a reporter for the national media, went to the desert to cover a national team working on new energy.

The temperature difference between day and night was extreme, and they were hit by a once-in-a-century tornado.

The energy equipment was precious. Lin Xingwan clung to a nearby instrument, shielding it with all her strength and refusing to let go.

Through the sandstorm, a figure in a new-energy uniform rushed over and shielded her with his body. When the storm subsided, all she could hear was the familiar voice of a man, barely concealing his anger. "Lin Xingwan, are you trying to get yourself killed?"

The gods once gave everyone a star to light the road ahead. You are mine.

A Yu, A Yu, may everything go our way, year after year, beneath the lantern-lit sky.

The night in this world is dark and cold. Keep looking ahead, and there will always be light.

Next up: "At the Bottom of the Pool"

Reunion after years apart / Mutual devotion

Winery owner vs. brilliant lawyer

Wen Yang never expected to see Jiang Duo again, eight years after they parted.

Halfway through the welcome dinner arranged by their fellow alumnus, someone came in to offer a toast.

The man wore a black jacket. His cool features couldn't hide how worn-out he looked. He was so changed that he was almost unrecognizable.

He smiled and went around the table clinking glasses with everyone, filling each glass to the brim, and keeping his own a little lower.

When it was Wen Yang's turn, she copied him and tipped back her full glass, but her fingertips gripping the edge of the table had gone white with the strain.

Back in their school days, everyone knew Jiang Duo. He came from a wealthy family, was carefree and full of himself, and had no shortage of admirers.

Wen Yang was the most ordinary of all the girls who liked him. Her only distinction was that she became Jiang Duo's girlfriend.

Her roommate couldn't help asking, "Why did you choose her?"

Jiang Duo looked up from his phone and laughed. "Why does there have to be a reason? She's nice."

Everyone thought Wen Yang and Jiang Duo would stay together forever, especially since she was the one who had made the first move.

But no one expected her to be the one to break up with him, leaving Jiang Duo as the one who got dumped.

No one thought Jiang Duo would get back together with Wen Yang.

After all, back then, the proud young man had swallowed his pride and tried to win her back, only to be denied even a backward glance.

That is, until their class reunion.

At the KTV, their classmates played truth or dare and challenged the two of them to kiss for ten seconds.

Wen Yang blushed and waved them off.

The others teased that she couldn't let go of her ex and would never find a new boyfriend.

Then the man walked through the crowd and pulled her into his arms.

He smiled and coaxed her, "Do me a favor. This time, I wasn't the one who let the secret slip. They're the ones making a fuss."

[If you don't say it out loud, how can I be sure you still love me?]

Theme: May we ride the wind to where we want to go and bring every voyage to fruition.