Lin Ya pushed open the door of the apartment she shared with Zhu Lu and Tao Ling.
The moment she stepped in, she dropped her bag and let out a tired breath.
"Finally…" Tao Ling groaned, falling onto the couch.
Work had drained all three of them. As a game developer at X-Games, Lin Ya spent most of her day staring at a screen. Zhu Lu and Tao Ling, both software employees, weren't any better off.
For a brief moment, silence filled the room.
Then—
"Let's check Xu Ming's updates," Zhu Lu said, already opening her phone.
That one name instantly caught their attention.
Lin Ya leaned closer.
Weibo was flooded with posts about Xu Ming (许铭). His latest drama, Here We Meet Again, had just been released and was already gaining huge popularity.
"There's a fan meeting!" Tao Ling said excitedly. "March 10th!"
"That's just one week away!" Zhu Lu added.
They exchanged excited looks.
"We're going."
"No matter what."
Lin Ya smiled, her exhaustion fading.
They quickly clicked on a video uploaded by his agency.
An interview.
On screen, Xu Ming answered questions calmly, his expression composed, his voice steady—the same person she had only ever seen through a screen.
Until the final question.
"Is there someone from your past you can't forget?"
Xu Ming paused.
"…Yes."
"A girl. My bench mate in high school."
Lin Ya watched quietly.
"Are you still in contact with her?" the interviewer asked.
He shook his head slightly.
"No. But if I ever get the chance… I'd like to be."
The video ended.
The room went quiet for a moment.
"He's so sincere…" Tao Ling whispered.
Zhu Lu nodded. "That girl must be really special."
Lin Ya didn't respond.
But his words stayed in her mind longer than she expected.
I can finally meet Xu Ming.
A week passed quickly.
The day of the fan meeting arrived.
Zhu Lu and Tao Ling reached early, surrounded by a crowd of excited fans. The venue was filled with energy, voices, and anticipation.
When Xu Ming finally appeared, the crowd erupted.
"Xu Ming! Xu Ming!"
His name echoed everywhere.
He stepped onto the stage, calm as always, greeting everyone before talking about his drama Here We Meet Again.
Soon, a cake was brought out.
"Make a wish!" fans shouted.
Cheers filled the air.
Lin Ya arrived late.
Work had delayed her, and by the time she entered, the event was already underway.
She hurried inside—
And then she saw him.
Xu Ming.
Standing there, under the lights.
Real.
Her steps slowed.
At that moment, Xu Ming lifted his gaze.
Their eyes met.
Everything else faded.
The noise, the crowd, the lights—
Gone.
His expression shifted slightly.
Not surprise.
Not confusion.
Something deeper.
He stared at her—
Then quickly looked away, his gaze falling onto the cake.
"Are you okay?" fans called out.
Xu Ming blinked. "Ah… yes. Sorry."
The moment passed.
"Make a wish!" someone called again.
He nodded, closing his eyes.
"I wish… that I, my fans, and my loved ones—"
For a brief second, his eyes flickered back to her.
Then away.
"—stay healthy and successful every year."
He blew out the candles.
Applause followed.
But Lin Ya stood still, her heart beating strangely fast.
At the end, fans lined up for photos.
One by one, they approached him, spoke, smiled, and left.
Then it was her turn.
Lin Ya stepped forward.
Her mind went blank.
I finally met him…
She couldn't speak.
She just looked at him.
"Hey!" Zhu Lu nudged her. "Say something!"
She stumbled slightly—
And Xu Ming caught her.
Her breath hitched.
For a brief moment, she was in his arms.
Warm. Steady.
Real.
She quickly looked away, hiding the faint blush on her face.
"Be careful," Xu Ming said softly.
Her friends took photos quickly as they stood side by side, smiling.
After that, she turned to leave—
But suddenly, he stepped forward and hugged her.
It was brief.
"Nice meeting you," he said.
Then he let go.
His manager called him, and he left.
That night, the three returned home.
Zhu Lu flopped onto the couch. "That was amazing!"
Tao Ling laughed. "You literally fell into his arms!"
Lin Ya smiled faintly, but her thoughts were elsewhere.
His eyes.
That strange feeling.
Meanwhile—
Xu Ming returned home.
His manager had handed him dinner earlier, reminding him to eat.
He placed the food on the table and opened it, but didn't start.
Instead, he sat quietly.
His thoughts drifted back.
Not to today.
But to years ago.
The first day of high school.
"I'm sorry I'm late!" a girl's voice echoed through the classroom.
Xu Ming didn't look up from his book.
"Find a seat," the teacher said.
All seats were taken.
Except the one beside him.
She walked over and sat down.
He didn't react.
When class ended, she turned to him.
"Hi, I'm Lin Ya."
"I know," he replied without looking at her.
She frowned.
"Rude…"
After a while, she rested her head on the desk and fell asleep.
Only then did Xu Ming look at her.
Quietly.
The sunlight fell softly across her face.
He watched her in silence.
As if memorizing her.
Back in the present—
Xu Ming closed his eyes.
"Lin Ya…"
Her name slipped out softly.
In another room, miles away—
Lin Ya lay awake, staring at the ceiling.
For some reason…
She couldn't sleep.
Two people.
One remembers everything.
One remembers nothing.