Prologue

Everything began when I spotted this man on the rooftop of the Cloud Recesses Academy, where I was going. When I first saw him there, on the rooftop, in my first year of high school, it was like love at first sight in my teenage years. Mountains surround our school, and a little distance away are residences that belong to my family.

He was like the sun, blinding everyone as they watched the students below practice archery in the open field. Grinning while enjoying the entertaining show being viewed in front of you. I want to keep poking him because of how fascinating his dimples seem.

I was abruptly pulled back to the present moment as he turned to face me, reminding me that he was going back to their place, which is far from Gusu City, and that I am graduating next month.

Since it's either now or never, as some people like to say, I intend to confess to him right away. But something isn't right; the wind seems to be in a foul mood because it saw me.

He pronounced it "Lan Wangji," staring at me gravely as if I had done something unlawful.

I called on him again and gave him a serious stare. "Wei Ying."

Even though I'm anxious, I can't let him see it. I was eye to eye with him, and my knees were trembling with his handsomeness.

Wei Wuxian asked, "Is it true?"

His quick questioning caught me off guard, which made me feel even more anxious.

"Whoa, which one?"

I'm trying not to look at Wei Ying because my heart is beating too fast right now, and I don't want to witness the sight of my knees trembling.

He had been looking serious, but now he looked disgusted, as if he were a sick man, and asked, "That you like me—is it true?"

I asked him in a shaking voice, "Who told you that?"

I can no longer hide my emotions. This is the first time I've ever expressed myself. I'm worried to death and wonder who was the first to tell Wuxian how I actually felt.

He shouted and emphasized what he said, which was also an indication of his anger, "It doesn't matter who said it; the important thing is whether it's true or not, because I hate it!"

"So what if it's true? It's obvious from your reaction that you won't be able to repay that. Don't worry, you'll be leaving here too, so you won't see me again."

It hurt to hear what he said, but it hurts even more to acknowledge to myself that even if our love story hasn't begun yet, something has already ended.

I turned around and started to walk while a tear was falling from my eye. I feel like I deserve to take a break because this day has been so draining and because of how I feel about Wuxian.

When Wuxian and I finished our conversation that day, I finished all the tasks that needed to be turned in to the school so that I could leave early for vacation. I am aware of Wei Wuxian's stubbornness as a student; despite his intelligence, he chooses to work on a project once its due date is approaching. To avoid seeing him with Wen Xing, his best buddy and the most attractive student in the class, who is also a top student, I must do it early.

They work well together, and I'm aware that Wen Xing likes Wei Ying as well, but I still won't allow her to take Wei Ying. However, I will not push myself since Wei Ying doesn't like me. The four years of keeping what I felt suppressed have finally been stomped on and shattered.