Fallen Blossoms

[I've revised this story until it's a complete mess, and I still can't make it satisfy me. I'm in a terrible state and can only let everyone down for now. I'll talk to my editor about unlocking it and refunding readers first. I'm sorry. - 4.10]

On the night of the graduation banquet, Qian Cheng received a message: [Come to the back entrance.]

Outside the KTV's rear entrance was a dimly lit alley.

A tall figure was leaning at the far end.

Qian Cheng caught a faint whiff of alcohol before she even got close.

The young man's cool eyes held a lazy look. When she stopped in front of him, he bent down until their foreheads touched, then lightly tapped her over the heart. "Can your little heart handle dating me?"

Qian Cheng tried hard to ignore the flutter in her chest and pushed him away. "Do you think the gap between our families is so big that I'm going to feel inferior?"

Keeping her face stern, she said, "If you're worried about that, it means you never saw us as equals to begin with. I don't see it that way. You're impressive, but I'm no slouch either..."

A low laugh interrupted her.

Xing Che leaned his head back against the wall, laughing so hard his chest shook.

Qian Cheng frowned. "What's so funny?"

"Why so serious?" Xing Che tapped her over the heart again, his tone teasing. "I just wanted an excuse to get close to you."

"Xing Che!!!" Qian Cheng slapped his hand away. "You're so annoying."

That night, she believed his joke.

It wasn't until many years later that Qian Cheng understood what those words really meant.

P.S. Told in reverse chronological order, with a touch of an ensemble cast.

Both leads are lovely. This is a story about growing up and making peace.

Theme: Learning to reconcile