Loneliness

As expected, Tang Keke quickly fell under the charm of the ukulele. For someone who just wanted to casually join her friends in making music, a light and simple instrument like this was undoubtedly a great choice.

Ye Shuang sat on a chair, watching the girls laughing and chatting not far away, catching a whiff of something peculiar in the air.

That scent wasn’t anything rare—after all, it was called youth, and everyone had experienced it once.

As he observed the lively girls, images suddenly flashed through Ye Shuang’s mind: himself, Chen Qin, Chen Hai, and Fugui walking home after school, roughhousing on the streets before parting ways under the evening glow, each heading to their own homes.

It’s hard to recognize youth when you’re in it. Only after passing through that stage can you truly understand what it was.

Ye Shuang felt a pang of nostalgia. Maybe going back to high school wouldn’t be so bad.

His gaze then settled on the long-haired girl holding a guitar. Bai Yuyou was chatting with the others, and seeing her gradually adapt and build her own life and friendships filled Ye Shuang’s heart with warmth.

He wondered what it would’ve been like if he had met Bai Yuyou during his own youth. But the world had no room for "what ifs." Regret, after all, was just another part of youth.

"Long past the age of recklessness," Ye Shuang murmured, shaking his head with a wry smile before standing up. "I’m going out to buy something."

"Okay."

Ye Shuang left the clubroom, though he wasn’t actually planning to buy anything. Instead, he lingered by the railing not too far away.

In the past, he would’ve lit a cigarette during moments like this, but now he just chewed gum quietly, staring out the window.

Lost in thought, he suddenly felt a sharp slap on his backside.

Startled, he turned to find An Shiyu standing behind him, having appeared without a sound.

"Weren’t you in the clubroom?" Ye Shuang blinked.

"Oh, just came out to check on things," An Shiyu replied casually, her eyes drifting away.

Ye Shuang turned back to the view but kept talking. "What’s the point of joining the light music club? You’re not the type to stick around. What if you bail right before a performance?"

"I’m not her," An Shiyu tilted her head.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean…" She stretched lazily. "Do I seem like that kind of person?"

Ye Shuang’s lips twitched. Wasn’t she exactly the type to chase novelty?

"Tch."

"You just clicked your tongue, didn’t you?" Ye Shuang accused.

"Nope."

An Shiyu’s sharp eyes studied him as he leaned against the railing, his chiseled profile carrying a trace of unshakable melancholy. With a sudden movement, she flipped onto the railing and perched there. "Hey, old man, did you get dumped?"

"Get down! That’s dangerous!" Ye Shuang immediately reached out to pull her back.

"I’m fine."

Seeing her refusal, Ye Shuang sighed in exasperation.

[Character: An Shiyu

Congenital heart disease. Maybe you should carry her down.]

The window that appeared before him reminded him of the girl’s unique condition.

"If your heart acts up now and you fall, even a miracle won’t save you," Ye Shuang warned.

"Then it’d just be a little earlier than planned," An Shiyu replied breezily. Noticing his stern expression, she dangled a stocking-clad leg. "Here, wanna hold on?"

Ye Shuang: "…"

Reluctantly, he grabbed her ankle to prevent her from actually falling. The fabric was smooth under his fingers, but his mind was elsewhere.

"Wow, old man, you’re such a creep. Grabbing my leg like that."

"You told me to!"

"Wanna see my panties? Just buy me milk tea." An Shiyu lifted the hem of her skirt with one hand.

"No thanks."

An Shiyu braced herself on the railing, showing no fear despite the open air behind her. She studied Ye Shuang. "So, about that heartbreak?"

"Who said I got dumped?"

"Really? You had ‘I’m so sad, I’m emo’ written all over your face."

"I was just feeling old, that’s all. Being around young people makes me feel lonely," Ye Shuang admitted. "Especially in the club."

An Shiyu paused as if buffering, then suddenly snorted, barely holding back laughter.

Ye Shuang: "…"

"What’s so funny?" He felt awkward but pressed on. "Can’t a guy reminisce about his youth after graduating years ago?"

An Shiyu’s smirk vanished instantly. "Wasn’t laughing."

"You were totally about to!"

"A professional ninja like me always keeps a poker face. I’d never laugh." She paused, then added under her breath, "Unless I can’t help it."

"…" Ye Shuang suppressed the urge to shove her off the railing for a free skydiving session. "Let’s head back."

"Kay." An Shiyu hopped down, but before leaving, she tossed over her shoulder, "What’s there to mope about? At least… you’ve got plenty of time left to do what you love."

There was something unspoken in her words, but Ye Shuang didn’t catch it.

"I was just venting," he said.

"Uh-huh." An Shiyu waved him off, hands in her pockets as she swayed around the corner.

Faintly, Ye Shuang thought he heard her giggling—or maybe it was just his imagination.

"That girl…" He sighed, but strangely, the tangled emotions in his chest had lightened.

At least he hadn’t posted some melancholic social media update. If An Shiyu got hold of it, she’d probably parrot his emo captions like a broken record the next day.

Something like, "My life has been walking on thin ice—when will I reach the other shore?"

And sure enough, she’d greet him with, "Hey there, Thin Ice Grandpa."

Shaking off the thought, Ye Shuang returned to the clubroom.

"Bro, you took forever!"

"Mr. Ye, we heard you play guitar too?" A flock of girls swarmed around him, chattering excitedly.

A peculiar warmth filled Ye Shuang’s chest as he looked at them, his gaze unconsciously drifting toward An Shiyu. She was perched behind the drum set, and when she noticed him staring, she deadpanned, "What?"

"Nothing."

Ye Shuang took the guitar with a smile. "Alright, let me play something for you."

"Yay!"