Yu Wan said Fang Nianchen was slow to warm up, but actually, she wasn’t that slow to warm up to everyone—she just never gave them the chance to get close.
Fang Nianchen thought that if there was anyone to blame, it was their absurd first meeting, which left too deep an impression.
Otherwise, Yu Wan would have been kept outside the high walls too, and none of what followed would have happened.
Unlike all the other freshmen, when everyone else was immersed in the novelty of university life and happily making new friends, Fang Nianchen shut herself in the dorm to molder away.
She’d always held the mindset that the fewer people she knew, the lower the chance of running into weirdos.
And facts proved this method worked—it spared her a lot of trouble. She wasn’t dragged into any of the scheming and infighting among classmates during those university years.
But no matter how reclusive Fang Nianchen was, she still had to go to the cafeteria to eat.
Qingyuan University’s cafeteria was famously known for its “enthusiastic lunch ladies” and “restaurant-level food,” packed to the gills every mealtime.
Fang Nianchen endured the crowd, burying herself in it, hidden perfectly like a grain of sand—or even less noticeable.
Half a semester passed without incident, aside from the occasional chat-up from male classmates while eating.
Meanwhile, Xiao Ning’an, her high school classmate and now university classmate too, had a house nearby and went home every day after classes, never eating or staying at school.
Then one day, Xiao Ning’an unprecedentedly waited for Fang Nianchen at the classroom door after class and dragged her to the cafeteria.
The fundamental difference between Xiao Ning’an and Fang Nianchen was that she refused to be a grain of sand. In any crowd, she was always the most dazzling presence, like a brilliant diamond.
But diamonds attract envy, just like the gazes drawn when Xiao Ning’an appeared in the cafeteria.
It was deep autumn. Fang Nianchen wore a loose hoodie, pulling the hood over her head while lining up for food, covering her nose and eyes completely.
“Classmate, can I add you on WeChat?” They’d just sat down when an unwelcome guest came asking for contact info.
“Sorry, I didn’t bring my phone.” Xiao Ning’an handled these situations effortlessly, smiling the guy away.
College guys are shy and thin-skinned. Those who’d been lining up to approach scattered tactfully after hearing that.
Only then did Fang Nianchen take off her hood, pick up her chopsticks to eat. “Why’d you suddenly want to come to the cafeteria?”
She remembered Xiao Ning’an complaining it was too crowded, a waste of time, and you couldn’t even get what you wanted.
“What else?” Xiao Ning’an smiled at her—not the perfunctory smile for brushing off admirers. “Fishing for hot guys.”
Coming from a rich kid, it sounded frivolous, like the other person wasn’t human but some pricey bag—expensive, sure, but nothing she couldn’t snag.
Fang Nianchen pretended to be interested. “A senior? Which major?”
They were both first-year freshmen; there wasn’t anyone younger.
“Nope.” Xiao Ning’an poked at the food on her tray, looking appetiteless. “The chef at that stir-fry stall.”
“Cough…” Fang Nianchen choked, took two sips of water. “Oh.”
Whoever others liked had nothing to do with her. She never used the chance to spout opinions showing off her maturity.
No matter who or what Xiao Ning’an fell for, that was her parents’ worry.
She was like a funnel—whatever you poured in, it all drained out. She never took it to heart.
“That one—think he’s hot?” Xiao Ning’an pointed to the man flipping his wok busily in the distance, his back turned.
Honestly, Fang Nianchen hadn’t seen his face and had no expertise in judging guys’ looks. “He’s okay, I guess.”
“Okay?!” Xiao Ning’an was indignant. “You have such high standards.”
Fang Nianchen kept it vague. “He’s okay.”
Xiao Ning’an finally saw she wasn’t into the topic and stood up. “Watch my bag for me. I’m gonna get his contact.”
Fang Nianchen had a mouthful of rice and couldn’t speak, just nodded as she watched her go.
With Xiao Ning’an’s great family background, her parents were generous with money. She carried a five-figure designer bag to school, stuffed with pricey stuff. Tossing it casually like that, Fang Nianchen couldn’t even focus on her food, too busy watching the bag.
She’d thought Qingyuan University, a top domestic school, meant the students here weren’t total degenerates. Fang Nianchen got distracted, shoveled a bite of rice, and looked up to see a hand grabbing the bag’s strap to lift it.
“What are you doing?” Fang Nianchen wasn’t about to let her just take it. She shot up and pinned the woman’s hand.
First confusion—why would she brazenly steal in broad daylight? Then shock—the “thief” had a proper, refined look, not like someone who’d do this.
Fang Nianchen even blanked out for a second, wanting to talk her out of it. “The restaurant has cameras. Don’t do something stupid.”
The woman stared blankly, not getting it.
Moments later, seeing Fang Nianchen’s nervous expression, realization dawned. “You misunderstood. Let go.”
Her tone was icy from the start, especially those last two words—a naked threat to Fang Nianchen’s ears.
“It’s my friend’s bag.” Fang Nianchen held firm, gripping harder. “You let go first, or I’ll yell.”
Wrists are fragile; she used real force, but the woman wasn’t weak either. She just frowned, then drooped her gaze helplessly. “She’s my little sister. I’m getting it for her.”
Fang Nianchen eyed the girl—no resemblance to Xiao Ning’an at all. Lies had limits.
Plus, she’d never heard Xiao Ning’an had a sister at Qingyuan.
As she thought that, Xiao Ning’an came back beaming—clearly successful—but froze at the sight of the woman. “Sis?”
Sis?
The word made Fang Nianchen release her grip instantly.
The law didn’t say blood sisters had to look alike. She’d just been slow on the uptake.
Fang Nianchen annoyedly picked at her fingers.
Maybe she should’ve faked a stomachache today. No cafeteria with Xiao Ning’an, no embarrassment.
“Your mom is waiting outside for you.” Yu Wan didn’t beat around the bush, telling her to sling the bag on.
“Why?” Xiao Ning’an went on alert.
Yu Wan glanced at Fang Nianchen—clearly hesitant—then just said, “We’ll talk in the car.”
“You coming with?”
“I’ve got something to do.” Yu Wan patted her back, softening her tone. “Go on.”
Xiao Ning’an wanted to ask why, but her phone buzzed in the bag—Mom must be anxious. She jogged off.
Later she learned Xiao Ning’an’s grandpa had fallen and been hospitalized by accident. Nothing major, but the family made a huge fuss, pretty scary.
With Xiao Ning’an gone, only Yu Wan and Fang Nianchen remained. Past mealtime, the cafeteria emptied out, feeling a bit desolate now.
To cover her awkwardness, Fang Nianchen had sat down during their sisterly chat, slowly chewing her food.
“You’re pretty skinny, but you’ve got some strength.” Yu Wan stared, expressionlessly accusing her.
“Sorry, I thought you were stealing the bag…” Fang Nianchen wilted, eyeing the red marks on her wrist—like a dog bite. “Does it hurt?”
Her brain must’ve been blasted by a rocket to ask that.
Fang Nianchen fidgeted, frowning, and apologized again. “Sorry.”
“I told you, I’m Xiao Ning’s sister. Why didn’t you believe me?” Yu Wan pressed relentlessly, nothing like the cool impression she’d first given Fang Nianchen.
Fang Nianchen had thought her aloof, the type to let it go with a laugh. Didn’t expect her to hold grudges.
Fang Nianchen had pitied the wrist she’d gripped at first, but now that the conflict turned on her, she sided with herself. “Then why didn’t you go find her first and have her come get the bag?”
That’s what normal people did—instead of grabbing it right in front of a stranger, guaranteeing you’d be pegged as a robber.
“The situation was urgent just now. I wanted to bring the bag straight to her; her spot was closer to the cafeteria door.” Yu Wan explained flatly, lifted her wrist again, and suddenly added, “It hurts a lot.”
Fang Nianchen stood, her tray nearly empty. She dumped the trash, grabbed her bag, and slung it over one shoulder, leaving a dashing view of her back.
“Let’s go to the infirmary.”
Her movements were too swift; Yu Wan didn’t react in time.
Seeing her not moving, Fang Nianchen inwardly griped that she was troublesome.
On the surface, still polite. “I hurt you. I’ll take responsibility.”
Back then, she’d misunderstood and thought Yu Wan was trying to scam her, but like a fearless idiot, she’d shouldered the blame anyway.
Actually, Yu Wan had just answered her question about the pain without meaning for her to take charge.
Compared to the girl who’d recoiled in fright moments ago, the old Fang Nianchen had been more generous and straightforward, her eyes pure—even purely annoyed at the trouble.
But now, even locking eyes, she couldn’t read Fang Nianchen’s thoughts.
Like? Dislike?
Only a touch of deep, silent black, profound and bottomless. Though it would briefly sparkle under the lights, it was still like frosted glass, not transparent enough.
In five years, she had completely become a different person.
Fang Nianchen’s neck was stiff from tilting her head back, but she had no way to talk her way out of it. She stayed silent just like that, even as the Ferris wheel nearly completed its rotation.
Yu Wan didn’t urge her either, waiting quietly.
“I am indeed a bit afraid of you, because I don’t understand you. I don’t know if your preferences have changed over these five years,” Fang Nianchen finally spoke. “I don’t know if I can still be friends with you like before.”
Like before she fell for Yu Wan—treating her only as a friend and senior sister.
What she feared had never been Yu Wan herself, but starting another fruitless secret crush all over again.
The first day she saw Yu Wan at the company, just making eye contact had made her blush all the way from her face to the roots of her neck.
She was actually excited about reuniting with Yu Wan. Clearly, that was not a good sign.
So she had to bury herself away, like a grain of sand, making sure Yu Wan wouldn’t notice her.
The cabin door opened, and the staff member poked their head in with a smile. “Ladies, you can get off now.”
Yu Wan said nothing more and stood up to leave. Fang Nianchen followed behind her, her brows furrowed in worry.
What kind of nonsense had she just said…
“Are you angry?” Fang Nianchen cautiously sidled up beside her.
“How could I be?” Yu Wan tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “I get where your nervousness is coming from. I’ve changed quite a bit over these five years—my work, my life, even my social circle.”
“But you should have confidence in yourself.” A curve appeared at the corner of Yu Wan’s lips. “You’ve always been my favorite junior sister.”
