Yesterday That Can't Be Returned To

After the banquet, Zhou Yi and his group returned to the hotel, preparing for the upcoming exam the next day.

Even though Zhou Yi didn’t need to prepare much, staying in character meant he couldn’t wander outside casually. So, he spent the evening in the hotel without stepping out.

His phone buzzed with messages from many people, most of them reacting to the viral video of him playing the piano on Weibo’s trending list.

Zhou Yi replied to a few, but then he noticed a message from Xia Qiuzhi—one filled with accusation.

[Xia Qiuzhi: When did you learn to play the piano, Yi-ge? I never knew you could play.]

Zhou Yi narrowed his eyes. Was Xia Qiuzhi growing suspicious?

She had spent the most time with Zhou Yi in the past, practically inseparable from him. It was only natural for her to question things now.

Perhaps because Zhou Yi hadn’t replied to her messages in so long, she didn’t bombard him with texts as she used to. Instead, she waited quietly for his response.

“What’s wrong, A-Zhi? Still no reply from Zhou Yi?”

Xia Qiuzhi’s roommate noticed her staring blankly at her phone and asked with concern.

Lately, Xia Qiuzhi had been absent-minded, and her friends were worried about her state.

“Lingling, I feel like Zhou Yi has become a complete stranger. He’s more handsome and outstanding now, but it’s like something’s missing… Or maybe once people change, they can never go back to how they were before…”

Xia Qiuzhi regretted it.

At first, she had been thrilled and amazed when Zhou Yi became more attractive and wealthy.

But now, she didn’t feel that way anymore.

She wished he had never changed. She wished he had stayed the same ordinary boy he used to be.

At least back then, their bond hadn’t changed.

Lingling walked over and patted her shoulder.

“A-Zhi, don’t overthink it. Zhou Yi is in a completely different world now. And after how you treated him before… Well, if only you’d known better. You could’ve been his girlfriend by now. What a shame.”

As Xia Qiuzhi’s roommate, Lingling had also known Zhou Yi.

Xia Qiuzhi hadn’t treated him well in the past, yet Zhou Yi had never seemed to mind, enduring it all without complaint.

Xia Qiuzhi was a puzzle. If she disliked Zhou Yi, why did she constantly bring him up in the dorm—complaining about how he annoyed her, bragging about the things he bought her, or retelling his past embarrassments until even her roommates had heard them a dozen times?

But if she liked him, why had she gotten together with Wang Xuan instead?

Her friends never understood the dynamic between Xia Qiuzhi and Zhou Yi, assuming he would always remain the same.

But people change. And as Zhou Yi grew better and better, how could Xia Qiuzhi’s past actions ever be forgiven?

Maybe even Zhou Yi had reached his limit with her treatment.

Xia Qiuzhi stayed silent. If only she had known?

She was lost, wondering how she and Zhou Yi had ended up like this.

“Would it really be better? No… I’d rather he stayed the way he was before. At least back then, his eyes and heart were only on me. I don’t want this outstanding, handsome Zhou Yi. I just want to go back to how things were… Why… Why did it have to be like this…”

Xia Qiuzhi was filled with regret and guilt—but not because Zhou Yi had become more attractive and successful.

It was because she had lost the Zhou Yi from before.

She was the only one who still missed the old Zhou Yi.

Or rather, she was the only one who still missed the original him.

077 reminded him: “Host, Xia Qiuzhi’s regret value is maxed out.”

Zhou Yi: “I know.”

077: “But her affection level isn’t moving. She’s the only one among the three women whose affection isn’t increasing. What’s your plan? Shouldn’t you spend some time winning her over?”

Xia Qiuzhi’s initial affection had risen when Zhou Yi first became more handsome and accomplished. But now, she didn’t care for this new version of him.

She longed for the old Zhou Yi, and since he had stopped responding to her, her affection had plateaued.

Zhou Yi lowered his gaze. “Don’t worry. I have a plan.”

Though it might be a little underhanded.

Leaning against the headboard, he replied to Xia Qiuzhi’s message.

[Zhou Yi: After we started university, did you ever pay attention to what I liked or what I was learning?]

The words struck Xia Qiuzhi like a blow.

Had Zhou Yi learned piano in college?

Had she been so wrapped up in her relationship with Wang Xuan that she never noticed?

[Zhou Yi: Back then, you had Wang Xuan by your side. Would it have mattered to you if I learned piano or guitar?]

Zhou Yi’s two messages left Xia Qiuzhi speechless once again.

Had she really neglected him that much?

Staring at the chat screen, she had no idea how to respond.

In the end, she could only type:

[Xia Qiuzhi: I’m sorry. I was too harsh back then.]

[Xia Qiuzhi: Yi-ge, when are you coming back? Let’s visit the orphanage and celebrate the director’s birthday together.]

[Zhou Yi: In three or four days. There’s something else I need to tell you. After the director’s birthday, I’m moving to City A.]

Xia Qiuzhi’s hands trembled as she clutched her phone, her vision blurring.

[Xia Qiuzhi: Are you dropping out? Or taking a break to start a business?]

[Zhou Yi: No. I’m transferring to A University.]

Her phone slipped from her fingers and hit the floor. Tears spilled uncontrollably, rolling down her cheeks as she bit her lip, choking back sobs.

So, she had no chance left.

No chance to make amends, no chance to fix things. Zhou Yi didn’t need her anymore.

After a long pause, Xia Qiuzhi finally replied.

[Xia Qiuzhi: Okay. I’ll wait for you. Yi-ge, let’s celebrate the director’s birthday together. Since you’re still abroad, I’ll start preparing.]

[Zhou Yi: Alright.]

Xia Qiuzhi wanted to say more, but she held back, afraid of annoying him.

With a sigh, she realized—this winter, she would be truly alone.

She had become an orphan all over again.

After replying to Xia Qiuzhi, Zhou Yi called You Man.

She was also away, attending a training program.

When she saw Zhou Yi’s call, she had just washed her face and didn’t even dry her hands before grabbing her phone.

“Xiao Yi!”

Her voice brimmed with delight.

“Answering so fast, Man-jie—are you slacking off instead of studying?”

“It’s still early! I haven’t left yet. Xiao Yi, I miss you so much.”

You Man lay in bed, fingers brushing the empty pillow beside her, aching for Zhou Yi’s presence.

Even though they had only been apart for a few days, she missed him desperately.

Like the younger girls, she browsed Zhou Yi’s fan pages, saving countless photos of him and checking his updates daily—anything to ease the longing.

“I miss you too. I’ll be back in a few days, and then I’ll make it up to you.”

“Okay.”

......

Zhou Yi and You Man talked on the phone for a full hour. Realizing it must be late at night abroad by now, You Man reluctantly ended the call herself.

She knew Zhou Yi had an exam the next day, and no matter how much she wanted to keep talking, she had to prioritize his preparation.

Zhou Yi chuckled and shook his head. You Man could be incredibly clingy at times, almost like a little girl.

As he lay down to sleep, his phone buzzed again.

It was a message on OTO.

[Even though you lied to me, I still love you very much.]

—Sender: Claire.