[Pre-release: Please add To the Evening Star to your favorites!]
Lin Mianchun, the daughter of a disgraced official, falls into a dry well while fleeing from disaster and transmigrates into the apocalypse. The world has fallen into chaos and zombies are everywhere, but somehow, she manages to survive.
If she had to write a few rules for surviving the apocalypse, they would be: Stay calm, choose your companions carefully, and be a little ruthless when you strike. Besides that, if possible, try not to seem too clever... That’s about it.
But why does everyone think she’s an idiot?!
“Come on, let her stay. She’s a little dumb, but at least she won’t cause trouble.”
Lin Mianchun: That’s right, I’m an idiot!
Zhou Yubai’s graduation trip is a complete disaster. After the cruise ship leaves port, zombies suddenly appear. As he lies unconscious from his injuries, he hears someone speaking in a low voice: “...We have to keep this guy. He knows the way and can pick locks.”
Zhou Yubai: Wait, me?
Then the person continues, “Most importantly, he can find the key to Autumn Island’s safe zone.”
Zhou Yubai: I’ve never heard of that.
“Don’t believe me? He even likes idiots, haha.”
Zhou Yubai: ...I don’t have that kind of taste.
At long last, they reach Autumn Island, but the disaster continues to spread. Unless something unexpected happens, the world is doomed.
It is also here that he meets her. She is quiet and clever. Though she doesn’t fit into this world, she still fights with all her might to survive.
He really does like her, so he will protect her. That is why he also wants to know how things ended for those people in the “previous life” they experienced.
...It seems he’s getting closer to uncovering her secret.
Behind lies are secrets, and behind secrets is love.
To the Evening Star
Just after the start of her second year of high school, Chu Xing transfers classes. Xie Wanzhou becomes the boy sitting behind her, and her boss.
Chu Xing helps out with classroom chores, errands, and copying notes. Sometimes she even writes reflections for him. The pay isn’t great, but it adds up, and Chu Xing is quite satisfied.
One rainy day, on their way home from the library, Xie Wanzhou suddenly says to her, “I think I’ve fallen for a girl... She’s a little dumb, but she’s really cute.”
Chu Xing says, “Um, have you heard of the rule in school romance novels that says if you confess before graduating high school, you’re bound to break up?”
“That sounds like the setup for a second-chance romance.”
Chu Xing thinks for a moment, then says, “But there’d probably be three to seven years between the breakup and getting back together...”
He freezes for a moment and says nothing.
Chu Xing knows she’s a little slow on the uptake. It isn’t until she gets into bed that she belatedly realizes she feels disappointed.
What a shame... He’s such a rare boss who pays well and doesn’t ask for much.
And with a face that handsome, who would’ve thought he had a secret crush on someone...
After the college entrance exams, he asks her out again. “Chu Xing, I like you. Would you consider going out with me? I’ll make lots of money for you.”
Chu Xing: “...What?!”
That’s right, Chu Xing hasn’t realized that she’s actually an idiot. On the contrary, she sometimes thinks she’s pretty smart.
When she’s paid by the page to write reflections, she breaks them into extra paragraphs. When she’s paid by the word to copy passages, she adds a few extra lines.
After the school bell rings, a breeze stirs the fresh green leaves along the covered walkway. She runs to the little school shop and buys a bottle of water for Xie Wanzhou, then gets herself some lemon tea.
Lemon slices turn bitter if they steep too long. As she chews on the straw and watches Xie Wanzhou work intently on his problems, she unexpectedly tastes a hint of sweetness lingering afterward.
Theme: A hundred blades may be forged, but the heart must never change.
